Pictures of Land Rover’s new coupe-crossover, the LRX, have been leaked, ahead of its official unveiling sceduled for next month’s Detroit Motor Show.

Appearing in German motoring magazine, Auto Motor und Sport, the images build on the teaser picture shown at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, when Land Rover managing director described the new model as: “A statement of intent about a new direction that Land Rover wants to go in, about sportiness and low C02.” 

The vehicle will measure 4.35m long and 1.55m high, making it slightly smaller than the Freelander 2 on which it is based.

And, despite being the cheapest model in the Land Rover fleet, the company maintains that features such as 20in wheels, a panoramic roof and leather trim highlighted with aluminium will give premium appeal to the LRX.

Designed to be a direct competitor to premium compact SUVs, such as Audi’s upcoming Q3 and BMW’s X1, it is predicted alumium suspension, engine stop-start system and an hybrid option will also be on offer.

Public interest will be gauged at the Detroit Motor Show, however production has already been confirmed and the final production version is due to go on sale in the first half of 2009.