Land Rover Freelander News

Looks like the Freelander re-boot won't start with a rugged small SUV.

Land Rover will revive the Freelander nameplate on a range of mainstream electric SUVs.

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

Tata is known for making cheap, rudimentary cars – including the Nano, the cheapest car in production today. However, some help from Land Rover will bring a premium modern feeling to Tata's upcoming SUV.The Indian company, which bought Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford eight years ago, will use the current generation Freelander's platform to develop a new family SUV, primarily for the Indian domestic market. The new SUV will compete with Japanese, Korean and European rivals, meaning Tata has set the bar for quality and refinement very high.With a new Freelander replacement due in 2015, possibly named Discovery Sport, the Tata SUV would use the outgoing model's architecture. This means that development costs for the platform will have already been amortised, and tooling would be readily available to be shipped to India, reducing Tata's development costs.But despite the age of the architecture, Tata could benefit from a 5 star safety rated platform to produce what could be its most modern and safe family car yet. While the Tata may share many components with the outgoing baby Landy, it's likely the Tata will look and feel very different, as it will be specifically developed to suit Indian conditions.The project is called the Tata Q5 for now, and is expected to feature 7 seats, placing the Tata SUV in competition of the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Fortuner in India, as well as 5 seater compact SUVs. Tata is also likely to take advantage of some of Land Rover's ruggedness and capability to deliver a robust off roader for all terrain conditions.The combination of a low cost, relatively modern structure, rugged capability and a premium feel should generate plenty of demand – particularly in India and other developing countries. Tata's ambition to become a truly global company and its presence in Australia means there is a small chance we will see the SUV in our local market. If so, the Tata could become Australia's cheapest 7 seater SUV, and become a credible alternative in the family SUV segment. 

It should be previewed early next year and on the road in 2015. Land Rover's next bedrock car will be bigger and more luxurious but still in the affordable mid-sized SUV class. This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover

Land Rover is currently working on its next-generation Freelander, which is expected to ride on an extended version of the platform it shares with the Evoque, and is due to appear late next year. However, the new vehicle isn’t expected to wear the Freelander name. Instead, Autocar reports that the next generation will likely adopt the Discovery nameplate. As was previously reported, Land Rover is planning to expand its lineup with several new crossovers and SUVs and to help differentiate these will group them into three distinct categories: luxury, leisure and utility. The luxury category will consist of the Range Rover-branded models like the regular Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Evoque. An ultra-luxurious, long-wheelbase Range Rover will be the next to join this group and it's rumoured that a long-wheelbase Range Rover Evoque is also planned. The utility category, meanwhile, will be made up of models derived from the next-generation Defender, which was previewed by the DC100 concept first shown in 2011. The last we heard, development of the new Defender was being delayed and the number of variants likely to be pruned back. Finally, the leisure category will feature the Discovery and Freelander-replacing Discovery models, which will be targeted at buyers of the BMW X3 and X5 and similar premium soft-roaders, though there will be a distinct price difference between these and the upmarket Range Rover models. If given the green light, a compact crossover would also join this group. www.motorauthority.com  

A new model is coming in 2014 and will be much more edgy than today's Freelander, as well as bigger and more refined.  

The upgrade delivers more comfort, convenience and driving enjoyment. New colours, new exterior design features, upgraded equipment levels and the new lightweight and efficient petrol engine all contribute to make a better SUV. Interior equipment levels improve with a host of fresh and exciting features including new centre console, seven-inch colour touch-screen with enhanced audio systems from Meridian, seven-day timed climate system and satellite navigation. Passive start replaces key dock and there's a new 'intelligent' electric parking brake which adjusts brake force according to the slope the vehicle is parked on. 'Say What You See' - a voice activation system with visual prompts, and rear view camera capability are also both new to the Freelander 2. Exterior design details have been revamped for an integrated and co-ordinated appearance, including more contemporary lights front and rear using the latest LED technology and a new signature graphic in the front running lights. The exciting news on the engine front is that the six-cylinder Si6 petrol is replaced by the turbocharged Si4, four-cylinder engine. The direct injection, Si4 delivers 177kW and an increase of seven percent on torque to 340Nm, providing a broader spread of torque for relaxed cruising and strong low-speed response. The all-aluminium engine is a full 40kg lighter than the previous six-cylinder. It's essentially the same engine used in the Range Rover Evoque, this lightweight Si4 GTDi produces more power than the Si6 yet is more economical and sees a 14 per cent reduction in CO2 to 224g/km. These new features are underpinned by the fact that the Freelander scores five stars in the Euro NCAP for occupant safety.      

Land Rover will be taking the covers off its all-new Range Rover at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show – for just the second time in the world. Fresh from its world unveiling at the Paris Motor Show in September, the all-new Range Rover will be a highlight of the Australian International Motor Show as it shows off a new modern interpretation of the classic Range Rover design cues. The all-new SUV has been engineered from the ground up and is the most capable and refined Range Rover ever, capturing the design of the original model, but with a bold evolution. Land Rover says the all-new Range Rover sits at the pinnacle of SUV refinement, with a spacious and luxurious interior, enhanced all-terrain performance and a truly composed driving experience. The all-new Range Rover will be the world’s first luxury SUV with a lightweight all-aluminium monocoque body coupled with all-new aluminium front and rear chassis’, resulting in a weight saving of up to 420 kilograms. This in turn results in significant enhancements in performance and agility, along with a transformation in fuel economy and CO2 emissions. “Land Rover really did change the global automotive landscape when it launched the world’s first luxury SUV, the classic Range Rover over 40 years ago,” said Russ Tyrie, Show Director. “Evolutions of this model over the years saw exciting increases in refinement, performance and comfort – and the fourth generation Range Rover certainly takes luxury SUVs to the next level. “We are very excited that it will be revealed at the Australian International Motor Show, which also marks the first time it is seen in the Southern Hemisphere.” Land Rover will also conduct the Australian reveal of the 2013 Freelander 2, which has had a premium overhaul to increase driver comfort, convenience and enjoyment. Featuring new exterior design features, upgraded equipment levels and a new lightweight petrol engine, the five-star Euro NCAP safety-rated 2013 Freelander 2 is sure to impress all who see it. The 2012 Australian International Motor Show will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour from October 19-28, 2012. For further information about the Show and to purchase early bird tickets, visit the AIMS website, which is also compatible with all android and Apple mobile devices. www.motorshow.com.au

It will become a baby Range Rover when it hits the road in 2011 and that means hot laps at the 'Ring are essential for its road-focussed chassis. The LRX caught by the Carparazzi crew looks more like a Freelander 2 than the LRX show car, but the mechanical package under the car is exactly what will be coming to showrooms.  A close look shows the rear end is shorter than a Freelander and the front fascia area has a different shape. The LRX is currently testing as a five-door wagon but European sources hint at both three and five-door wagons, while the final design is also going to be taller than the concept vehicle to improve headroom in the cabin. The Land Rover LRX is expected to be unveiled next year, perhaps as early as the Geneva Motor Show in March, with a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine in the basic car and a 3.2-litre petrol six also available. Further into the LRX story there is also expected to be a diesel-electric hybrid model.