Long range Rover

The baby Range Rover is based on the sexy LRX concept shown at Detroit last year. Photo / Supplied

Land Rover has taken an innovative approach to ensuring the survival of its baby Range Rover (right). It's asked the UK government for a 27 million ($70 million) grant as part of that country's Business Investment Scheme.

Wallis Dumper, managing director of Motorcorp - the New Zealand distributor - expects Land Rover to get its loan, which is a small part of the 400million needed to float the project. The baby Range Rover is based on the sexy LRX concept shown at Detroit last year.

Dumper says Land Rover research shows demand exists for the smallest, most efficient Range Rover ever built, which also emits the lowest carbon footprint for the brand.

"This car is cleaner and greener than any other Land Rover and we believe it will sell," Dumper says.

He's also confident that given the positive business case, and the positive employment effect of a successful launch, the company will get its loan.

If it does, the baby Rangie will launch in the UK first - but, "I'd like to think we'll land it before the end of next year," Dumper says.