Freelander revealed: this time it's official

After a false start last month when an advertising brochure was leaked and prematurely aired on the Internet, Land Rover has now provided the first official pics and details of its all-new Freelander.

The first-generation Freelander, which launched internationally in 1997, has been a strong seller in Europe, but its wheezy engines, low-rent cabin and poor value equation meant it never really took off in Oz.

Land Rover has been at pains to address the Freelander’s shortcomings with the second-gen model, which is expected Down Under towards the end of this year, or in early 2007.

It’ll be the fourth new Land Rover in four years, following in the wheel tracks of the Range Rover, Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport.

The revamped SUV is claimed to set “new standards for compact premium 4x4s” and “class-leading breadth of capability”.

Immediately evident from the images is that the Freelander 2 is larger than its predecessor. It’s now offered as a five-door only, and its styling draws several cues from its stablemates.

Engine choices include a Volvo-sourced 3.2-litre inline six with 171kW and 317Nm, which equates to an Increase of about 30 per cent over the former 2.5-litre Rover-sourced V6 engine.

Performance is markedly improved, at least on paper, with the 3.2-litre six accelerating to 100kmh in about 8.5secs on its way to quoted (limited) top whack of 200kmh.

There’s also a new 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with 118kW and a robust 400Nm. Apart from the fact the oil-burner has 43 per cent more grunt than before, it’s also claimed to be more frugal -- Land Rover quotes an overall consumption figure of 7.5lt/100km.

The petrol engine is matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission with Land Rover’s CommandShift system which offers manual sequential gear changes when required. The diesel can also be had with this transmission, or a six-speed manual.

The interior packaging of Freelander 2 is also claimed to be a major improvement over the outgoing vehicle. Although only 50mm longer, the newcomer is claimed to provided more generous head, shoulder and legroom front and rear.

Land Rover says large glass areas emphasise the spacious feel and complement the elevated ‘command driving’ position and ‘stadium seating’ (where rear passengers sit slightly higher than front occupants).

Boot space is claimed to be among the best in class and 38 per cent larger than that of the superseded Freelander (with rear seats up, 755lt versus 546).

As per its forerunner, the body is a monocoque structure, while the all-independent suspension is coupled with a host of stability control systems, including Roll Stability Control (RSC), a new feature that helps mitigate the risk of roll-over.

Land Rover’s patented Terrain Response system is standard on all but the entry-level model, and other interesting technologies include a new full-time intelligent 4x4 system and Gradient Release Control, which improves control when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes.

Other features and options rare in this class include: keyless starter button, bi-xenon headlamps, adaptive front lighting, rain-sensing wipers and park distance control (front and rear).

For Wheels Magazine's take on the new Freelander click here and visit wheelsmag.com.au.