COVENTRY, England — Land Rover engineers are in the midst of testing early prototypes of the next-generation Freelander. The redesigned compact SUV is expected to reach the North American market in model-year 2007.
Judging from sneak photographs, the new Freelander will be longer, wider and taller than the current edition. The sheet metal is being completely redesigned, and the slow-selling three-door variant will be dropped, leaving only a five-door model, according to reports circulating in Europe.
Industry sources also tell Inside Line the next Freelander will switch to a new chassis, which will share underpinnings with the redesigned Ford Mondeo in Europe. Ford plans to spin off a small crossover utility vehicle using the same chassis, and Volvo is working on a companion model that may be called XC50.
Engine choices in the '07 Freelander are likely to include four-cylinder and V6 gas and diesel units, although only the V6 gas version is likely to be sold in North America.
What this means to you: Land Rover may finally give us a small SUV worth buying come 2007.
Judging from sneak photographs, the new Freelander will be longer, wider and taller than the current edition. The sheet metal is being completely redesigned, and the slow-selling three-door variant will be dropped, leaving only a five-door model, according to reports circulating in Europe.
Industry sources also tell Inside Line the next Freelander will switch to a new chassis, which will share underpinnings with the redesigned Ford Mondeo in Europe. Ford plans to spin off a small crossover utility vehicle using the same chassis, and Volvo is working on a companion model that may be called XC50.
Engine choices in the '07 Freelander are likely to include four-cylinder and V6 gas and diesel units, although only the V6 gas version is likely to be sold in North America.
What this means to you: Land Rover may finally give us a small SUV worth buying come 2007.
Add A Comment »