I clearly remember the first time I drove a Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

It was also the first time I had ever climbed up the side of a mountain in an SUV.

Back in 2005, Land Rover launched the 2006 Range Rover Sport as an all-new vehicle, using a route from Aspen, Colo., to Moab, Utah, as a playground. And boy did we play.

I was impressed with the Range Rover Sport’s excellent road manners, and we did plenty of highway and mountain-road driving on day one. But on day two, we took the vehicle in the wilds of Utah to test what is at the heart of every Land Rover: off-road capability.

Here’s proof that Land Rover is set to turn on the style. As the British brand gets ready to push upmarket, Auto Express can exclusively reveal the look of an exciting new model.

Our spies have produced these exclusive images from top secret information.

Based on the LRX concept cars that wowed the crowds at this year’s Detroit and Geneva motor shows, the newcomer is a sporty five-door SUV. It will slot into the range above the Freelander and go head-to-head with prestige brand rivals, including the upcoming BMW X1 and Audi Q5.

Land Rover’s LRX Concept was such a big hit when it debuted in Detroit that
It was such a hit in Detroit that Land Rover’s bringing it overseas to Geneva. (Photo: Land Rover)
it’s making a comeback for its official European launch at Geneva this week. The LRX, which is seriously being considered for production, will be shown off in Switzerland in two different guises, Black and Silver versus the original SUV’s shade of White.

Land Rover is showing a second version of its stylish LRX concept here at Geneva alongside the white original that was one of the stars of the Detroit Show in January. Those with sharp eyes will notice the new LRX has a new paint scheme, new wheels, a roof rack, a rear bumper step, and a couple of other new details. So what’s it all mean?

“It’s to show how we can develop a mass-customization program for the vehicle,” says LRX designer Gerry McGovern. The two-tone paint — a silver roof over black body — gives a clue: Yep, this is Land Rover’s take on BMW’s wildly successful Mini strategy, where consumers can mix ‘n’ match colors and accessories to the point where almost no two Minis are exactly alike.