23 Jun 06 08:50
Land Rover has issued the first official pictures and details of the new-generation Freelander. It features a 229bhp 3.2-litre straight-six petrol engine - sourced from Ford-owned Volvo - which promises 0-60mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds. A 158bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine - produced in conjunction with PSA Peugeot-Citroen - will also be available. The petrol will only be offered with a six-speed automatic gearbox with sequential-shift and sports modes and the diesel will be available with a six-speed manual at launch, the auto available from early 2007.
This new Freelander ("LR2", in the US) is actually built on a version of Ford's 'C1' platform, which also underpins the Focus, C-MAX, Volvo S40/V50, Mazda3 and so on; a sister model, the Volvo XC50, is on the way. Larger and roomier than its predecessor, the Freelander has much-improved cabin packaging, with up to 1670 litres of boot space when the rear seats are folded.
It has been styled to resemble the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery more closely, and like those models, the Freelander will not compromise on off-road ability despite its car-like unibody structure. Equipment includes a new permanent four-wheel drive system with hill descent control and Terrain Response electronic aids, as well as advanced stability control to guard against a rollover incident on-road.
Better-trimmed than before, to counter earlier criticisms of poor quality, the Freelander will, of course, be offered with all the latest gadgets and entertainment options. These will include a full-colour touch-screen sat nav system, keyless entry with starter button, adaptive front lighting with bi-xenon headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors and top-level audio set-ups; there's also a two-piece panoramic glass sunroof on the options list.
The Freelander is built at Halewood, near Liverpool. It will be formally launched in the UK at the British Motor Show next month.
*Come back to 4Car later today for a full preview feature.
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