Spy Shot: Land Rover Freelander

[Overheat]

Some observers reckoned we'd see the all-new Land Rover Freelander as early as this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, but it was conspicuous by its absence. However, the advanced state of the car in these pictures shows it's close to production-ready and, instead, we expect to see the finished car for the first time early next year. A January debut at the Detroit Show is a distinct possibility as Land Rover knows the US market is vital to the car's success, and sales should start late in 2006.

It's clear from the pictures that the new car looks very similar to the existing model, especially around the nose where Land Rover trademarks such as the grille and clamshell bonnet are obvious, even under the disguise. However, we expect that several styling cues from the Discovery 3 and Range Rover will find their way onto the new car. Look closely, for example, and there appears to be a new air intake ahead of the front passenger door, as on the Discovery 3.

Another difference on this new model is that the central location of the rear number plate seems to confirm that the spare wheel will not hang on the rear door, as on the current model. Likewise, the position of the handle on the tailgate seems to suggest that it will open from the top, whereas the current model's is a side-hinged affair. The car itself is believed to have grown slightly in every dimension, with a wider track and longer wheelbase, but head of design Geoff Upex has already said the car will be basically the same size as the current model. What will improve, though, is the car's packaging, so it should provide more space for both passengers and luggage. The pictures also seem to show that the rear doors have grown, making for easier access.

Despite what the similar looks might suggest, the car actually sits on an all-new platform, a stretched version of the C1 platform that underpins the Ford Focus, Mazda 3 and Volvo S40. In due course, we expect to see a 'baby' Volvo 4x4, the XC50, on the same building blocks.

The new Freelander is expected to be an even more capable vehicle off-road than the current model, with a stiffer chassis and increased ground clearance. Most of the components will come from parent company Ford, but upgraded to ensure the new car performs as well as we expect of a Land Rover away from Tarmac. The gearboxes and engines, likewise, have been upgraded to improve their off-road performance and will include stronger V6 units that are crucial to the car's success in America.

The car in the pictures is a five-door and, unlike the current model, that will be the only body style available. The slow-selling three-door and soft-top models are not being directly replaced. However, rumours persist that we will eventually see a 'baby' Land Rover which will sit below this new Freelander in the Land Rover range, possibly in 2008 and including a front-wheel drive model.







Nose-on, the new car's similarities to the existing model are obvious.

The air intake ahead of the front door echoes that on the Discovery 3.

The new car is based on a stretched version of the Ford Focus platform.

Packaging improvements give more room for passengers and luggage.

Larger rear doors should improve access for passengers.

The new Freelander should be even more capable off-road than the current car.

The central number plate suggests the spare wheel will be housed inside.

[p0w3r]

However, rumours persist that we will eventually see a 'baby' Land Rover which will sit below this new Freelander in the Land Rover range, possibly in 2008 and including a front-wheel drive model

noooo!!! that would be a SIN

[bihus]

However, rumours persist that we will eventually see a 'baby' Land Rover which will sit below this new Freelander in the Land Rover range, possibly in 2008 and including a front-wheel drive model

noooo!!! that would be a SIN

You don't live in the UK, which will, sooner or later, ban 4x4s from cities.

[gtrietsc]

Well, after having driven one of the current Freelanders, they need to do *something*, because it sucks right now. Slow, poor handling, gas mileage isnt very good, etc. I was very disappointed.

[Dr. Woo]

but it was conspicuous by its absence.

Oh, heaven forbid we miss out on the new crap-edition Land Rover.

[fbc]

Good lord - a front-wheel drive Land Rover?? What next, a front-wheel drive Jaguar... oh, hang on...

Test drivers have a nice variety of hats

[Xeon SX]

and why are 4x4 considered the most ecologically unfriendly?

big engines? what?

[bone]

lots of friction/surface area/drag, so crappy mpg...

[Xeon SX]

them maybe remove vans and trucks off the road too?

[bone]

those have a use no other type of car can furfill, SUVs have none, they carry people around just as good as a civic would do

[BlaRo]

those have a use no other type of car can furfill, SUVs have none, they carry people around just as good as a civic would do

So do vans and trucks. SUVs are used for many different reasons; why should a government decide whether they're useful to the people or not? This isn't just American narrow-mindedness, but even if 50% of SUVs are used by yuppie soccer moms applying makeup en route to Starbucks, they still have purposes to fill for different types of people.

[sandor_]

those have a use no other type of car can furfill, SUVs have none, they carry people around just as good as a civic would do

So do vans and trucks. SUVs are used for many different reasons; why should a government decide whether they're useful to the people or not? This isn't just American narrow-mindedness, but even if 50% of SUVs are used by yuppie soccer moms applying makeup en route to Starbucks, they still have purposes to fill for different types of people.

i could see non-commercial vehicles being registered more closely by GVW or fuel consumption, and having a tiered system whereby, say, a vehicle hat gets under 30 MPG must be occupied by at least two people, under 20 MPG at least 4 people, etc ... or over 4000 lbs GVW must be occupied by 4 people, over 3000 lbs GVW occupied by 2 people....

it could be convoluted, and you could probably easily "get away" with breaking the code, but it would all be in an effort to 1) shed excess poundage from cars and 2) increase not only fuel efficiency but consumer desire to have a fuel efficient car and 3) increase the gallons per passenger mile of our commuters...

personally, i would love to see gas prices stay over $3 a gallon here in the US. already in the past two weeks SEPTA (South Eastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority - Philadelphia's public transit) has seen a DAILY increase of 10,000 riders per day. this has affected their bottom line so much that they cannot foresee a need to increase fares at all to subsidize increased fuel costs. Thats nice, as SEPTA is already the most expensive metro area transit system in the US...