Landy seven-seater in the pipeline
Brit journal says a people-hauling Landy is four years awayLand Rover will add a new seven-seat model to its range by 2012, according to respected UK publication Autocar.
The magazine suggests the seven-seater is codenamed 'Project L486' and based on the Freelander 2 platform, even though its exterior styling will reportedly differ markedly from the latter.
Although the production reality is still four years away, it's expected to derive at least some of its styling inspiration from the LRX concept (pictured) that starred at this year's Detroit motor show.
The addition of the third-row seats will allegedly be accomplished by stretching the wheelbase, a process that will grow its overall dimensions close to those of the Discovery 3.
However, Autocar suggests the new seven-seater will be more road-biased than the Disco 3, which seems entirely feasible given that the Freelander 2 -- from which it's spawned -- is a tidy handler on the tarmac.
As per the donor vehicle, the newcomer will feature the Terrain Response system, incorporating driver aids such as hill-descent control, traction control and stability control.
The name of the vehicle is yet to be decided upon but, believe it or not, 'Ventura' (not to be confused with the Chrysler Centura ... or the ace pet detective) is said to be one of the possibilities.
Meanwhile, Land Rover has plenty of new-model activity planned over the next few years, with an updated Range Rover and Range Rover Sport due next year. Chief among the changes will be the shoehorning of the new Jag 5.0-litre V8 under the snout.
The following year (2010) will see the debut of a facelifted Discovery 3, which will also gain the aforementioned 280kW 5.0-litre V8.
The LRX concept is scheduled for production in 2011, but a name for the showroom variant is yet to be decided upon. However, based on the existing naming strategy in international markets, it could be badged LR1 -- slotting in below the LR2 (aka Freelander 2) and LR3 (Discovery 3).
Company insiders suggest an all-new Range Rover will debut in 2013, followed by a revamped, all-aluminium Range Rover Sport in 2014.
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