Land Rover’s Freelander compact SUV is now more than six years old, which means an all-new replacement is only 12-18 months away.
These Automedia spy pics reveal a prototype that isn’t necessarily representative of how the vehicle will shape up visually, as this test mule basically cloaks the new mechanicals within a modified Evoque bodyshell.
UK’s Autocar magazine suggests the next-gen vehicle will drop the Freelander nameplate and become part of an extended Discovery line-up.
Based on a stretched version of the Evoque platform, the architecture is itself based on Ford’s old EUCD design, but has been thoroughly updated for use in the Evoque and now this Freelander replacement.
Land Rover boasts that 90 per cent of the LR-MS’ components are new, and although it’s predominantly made of steel (unlike the all-alloy Range Rover and Range Rover Sport), aluminium is used in some areas to help shed weight. Partially evident even from these images is the fact that the Freelander replacement will be longer and taller than the Evoque, in keeping with its more utilitarian aspirations. It’s believed the extra size will allow for a new seven-seat option, helping broaden the vehicle’s target audience.
Propulsion is expected to again come from the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder slotted into the 2013 Freelander, in addition to one or more diesel powerplants.
Although precise details relating to the all-new Discovery range aren’t as yet clear, it’s believed the line-up will be spearheaded by a pair of flagship models based on the Range Rover’s PLA all-aluminium architecture. Positioned below these will be the five- and seven-seat replacements for the current Freelander.
Kicking off the range — if it is given the green light — will be a compact urban model, not much more than four metres long and based on a shortened Evoque platform.
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