BIRMINGHAM, England — Land Rover could drop the Freelander name from its compact SUV in America when the next-generation car goes on sale in later 2006 or early 2007.
There's no problem with the Freelander name, but it looks likely the SUV will be called LR2 to bring it into line with the recently launched LR3. This is called Discovery in Europe, but was renamed for the U.S. in a bid to distance it from the old Discovery, which had a poor reliability record Stateside. The Freelander name is likely to remain in Europe and other markets.
The LR2, disguised versions of which have been spied on test recently, will be bigger than the current Freelander, with a wider track and longer wheelbase. It is also rumored the LR2 will be available with a hybrid powertrain.
The SUV is said to be behind schedule as engineers try to adapt the platform to form the basis of Jaguar's planned "crossover" SUV-wagon. Both vehicles will be built at Halewood Jaguar's plant near Liverpool.
What this means to you: This is a crucial model for Land Rover; it'll be up against the BMW X3, as well as planned rivals from Audi and Mercedes. Parent company Ford can't afford a repeat of the Discovery problems.
There's no problem with the Freelander name, but it looks likely the SUV will be called LR2 to bring it into line with the recently launched LR3. This is called Discovery in Europe, but was renamed for the U.S. in a bid to distance it from the old Discovery, which had a poor reliability record Stateside. The Freelander name is likely to remain in Europe and other markets.
The LR2, disguised versions of which have been spied on test recently, will be bigger than the current Freelander, with a wider track and longer wheelbase. It is also rumored the LR2 will be available with a hybrid powertrain.
The SUV is said to be behind schedule as engineers try to adapt the platform to form the basis of Jaguar's planned "crossover" SUV-wagon. Both vehicles will be built at Halewood Jaguar's plant near Liverpool.
What this means to you: This is a crucial model for Land Rover; it'll be up against the BMW X3, as well as planned rivals from Audi and Mercedes. Parent company Ford can't afford a repeat of the Discovery problems.
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