Update - Maria Sharapova Pics introducing Land Rover LR2 / Freelander
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Update - Maria Sharapova Pics introducing Land Rover LR2 / Freelander
Some observers reckoned we'd see the all-new Land Rover Freelander as early as this year's Detroit 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 now expect to see the finished car for the first time at the Paris Show later this year, and sales should start late in 2006.
It's clear from the pictures that the new Freelander looks very similar to the existing model, especially around the nose where Land Rover trademarks such as the grille and clamshell hood are obvious, even under the camouflage.
However, we expect that several styling cues from the LR3 and Range Rover will find their way onto the new Freelander. Look closely, for example, and there appears to be a new air intake ahead of the front passenger door, as on the LR3.
Another change on this new model is that the central location of the rear license 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 Freelander 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 ute 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 new Freelander 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 SUV performs as well as we expect of a Landrover 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.
Brenda Priddy & Company
It's clear from the pictures that the new Freelander looks very similar to the existing model, especially around the nose where Land Rover trademarks such as the grille and clamshell hood are obvious, even under the camouflage.
However, we expect that several styling cues from the LR3 and Range Rover will find their way onto the new Freelander. Look closely, for example, and there appears to be a new air intake ahead of the front passenger door, as on the LR3.
Another change on this new model is that the central location of the rear license 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 Freelander 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 ute 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 new Freelander 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 SUV performs as well as we expect of a Landrover 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.
Brenda Priddy & Company
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Now that makes sense. Never liked the Freelander from day one and this is coming from a diehard Land Rover fan. I'm so glad to see it based on the LR3. I don't know why they do that the first time around. The freelander should have been based on the P38 Range or at least the Disco. Glad to see Ford/Landrover got it right.
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Land Rover Freelander on the Road Spy Photos
Text & Photos courtesy Lehmann Photo Syndication
03-30-2006
Bigger, wider, longer and more upmarket
LandRover’s engineers are currently testing the upcoming new Freelander on the roads of Southern Germany.
Here are three recent photos showing the final shape of the car on an almost undisguised prototype. As can be seen from the pictures the next Freelander will be bigger, wider, longer and more upmarket than the current model and adapts styling elements from the new Discovery.
Accordingly the prototype is revealing the wider track, and flared wheel arches, and the extra height between the bodywork and the wheels shows that the test car is riding on an all new platform. The latter is Ford’s C 1 platform, which is a reworked version of what can be found underneath a Ford Focus and Volvo’s S 40 and V 50.
According to the wider front the next Freelander will switch to transversely mounted in line six-cylinder engines, expected to be 2,8 or 3.0 litre units from Volvo with a six speed manual transmission and a Diesel engine from Ford with 2,3 litre 5 cylinders. Talk is also of an additional V 6 cylinder Diesel engine as an option.
The 2006 Freelander will be available only as a five-door model, a three door version has been abandoned.
source : worldcarfans
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update: ran into a friend that works for the media group for Land Rover US and apparently there's a full investgation going on right now at LR as to who leaked out the pics...
I'm sure some of you know but he told me that ever pic that floats around are serialized so who has those are assigned that number so if it leaks they can trace it back...kinda like what the academy does w/ their screening tapes but that was an interesting tid bit of info
I'm sure some of you know but he told me that ever pic that floats around are serialized so who has those are assigned that number so if it leaks they can trace it back...kinda like what the academy does w/ their screening tapes but that was an interesting tid bit of info
#15
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Originally Posted by foofighter
update: ran into a friend that works for the media group for Land Rover US and apparently there's a full investgation going on right now at LR as to who leaked out the pics...
I'm sure some of you know but he told me that ever pic that floats around are serialized so who has those are assigned that number so if it leaks they can trace it back...kinda like what the academy does w/ their screening tapes but that was an interesting tid bit of info
I'm sure some of you know but he told me that ever pic that floats around are serialized so who has those are assigned that number so if it leaks they can trace it back...kinda like what the academy does w/ their screening tapes but that was an interesting tid bit of info
I've always wondered about these types of things though... especially after I saw that pic of (I think?) the new Caravan and the one guy pointing and yelling at the photographer