LR2

Land Rover’s Freelander 2 SD4 Sport Limited Edition tweaks the Freelander in the right direction #landrover

Land Rover is really busy putting out these UK only special editions.  This time it’s the Freelander 2 that’s getting the treatment.  I actually don’t mind the Freelander or the LR2 as it’s called here in the States.  But after the big refresh for the other Land Rover & Range Rovers in 2010, the interior really needs an update – they’re still even using the old steering wheel.  But overall, it’s a comfortable vehicle that’s not bad to drive.

This Sport Limited Edition adds the usual interior & exterior tweaking where they play with the colors  on the exterior trim  (door handles, grills, vents, etc…) and add in interesting leather combos.  Wheels look good too, they’re 19” and called Shadow Chrome.  And I think I like the red interior trim strip on the dash as opposed to the faux wood trim – blacked out front grill also really gives the vehicle a stronger look, maybe it should become standard?  Enjoy.

RELEASE DATE: 00:01 2^ND DECEMBER 2010

Land Rover announces the new Freelander 2 SD4 Sport Limited Edition

• A unique addition to the Freelander 2 range with dynamic exterior and interior styling.
• Available in three distinct exterior colours – Fuji White, Santorini black and for the first time Firenze Red.
• Two interior design themes with striking contrast ebony and ivory or ebony and pimento colourways.
• Available with a high-performance and efficient 190PS diesel engine -with six speed automatic gearbox – delivering 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds and CO2 emissions of 185g/km
• On sale from early 2011 with prices starting at £33,945
• Only 500 vehicles will be available in the UK

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What and where is the L486?

Land Rover has various designations for their different models, not sure if they’re technically code names or just alternate ways to reference the vehicles.

Here are a few of the current models:

L316 – Defender

L319 – LR3 & LR4 – Discovery 3/4

L320 – Range Rover Sport

L322 – Range Rover – Current model(2002 - today), below is a picture used in some technical documents, I don’t have a picture like this for the other models.

L359 – LR2 – Freelander 2

L538 – Range Rover Evoque

L405 – Possible code for the next Range Rover

And back to the point of the post, the L486, it’s been referenced in the press since 2008 or so and has been described by them as a 7-seater Freelander, possibly to be called the Ventura.  I take anything from the press with a grain of salt, but since 2008, it hasn’t really been brought up again. 

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/land-rover-developing-new-7-seater/

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20080624/free/957481398

I wrote about it back in April after finding some of the designers who worked on the project.

And just thought with the LA Auto show going on and Land Rover PR running at full steam, anyone who has a chance should start asking the LR PR people for comments for reactions.  Or if you have any info, send it over.

Quick reference back to my article from April, here’s the info, a small reference to the L486 along with the L538, which would become the Range Rover Evoque:

http://www.people4business.com/seller-269321.htm

This person has done a lot of work for Aston Martin & Bentley – they list the specific items.  The latest project is listed below:

WARWICKSHIRE (Oct 2007 & ongoing)

CAD ENGINEER – EXTERIOR TRIM – CATIA V5
LANDROVER L538 / L486
Initial design and feasibility studies for the following components: door claddings, rear spoiler, rear finisher, front and rear bumper cover, fender vents. Parametric modeling in Catia V5 to create fully modifiable master CAD models. Use of TCE to save and access data and create product structures. Liaison with styling, CAE and suppliers to mature designs.

Could the L486 be the 5-door Evoque?

And if you have some more current generation code names, please let me know.

One final item, you can see the alternate names in use all over the Land Rover website, below is a header graphic for the Range Rover Sport section, you can see the L320 in its filename:

LRNA_RRS_COMPARE_L320_10_EXT_LOC06-900×200.jpg

LR2 / Freelander 2 Claynation

If you haven’t seen it already, here’s a neat commercial from the UK.  The video below links to all the other parts, just click on the one you want to see.

And be sure to check out the Land Rover UK YouTube channel, they seem to post something new & unique quite often – subscribe!

Updated Land Rover Badging

Shown here on the 2011 LR2 / Freelander 2, they’ve changed from the gold lettering to silver – more like the Supercharged badges on the Range Rovers.  I just wonder if this change will be for all Land Rovers or just the diesel models in Europe? wink, wink…

WHAT’S NEW FROM LAND ROVER FOR 2009

It looks like the US is finally getting Autobiography features, although it just seems to be a trim package, rather than a “design it yourself” tier

Here’s the official Land Rover press release:

ALL FOUR MODELS BRING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NEW MODEL YEAR

Land Rover, the world’s leading sport utility vehicle manufacturer, offers for the 2009 model year the most extensive, advanced luxury line-up in its 60-year history. The 2009 model year showcases Land Rover’s commitment to building desirable, premium SUV’s and includes the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR3 and LR2.

Range Rover

Land Rover’s flagship model continues to incorporate luxury and practicality in a complete package. Range Rover’s renowned on- and off-road capabilities are enhanced for 2009 by refinements to the interior and exterior. This year, the Range Rover line-up will feature a striking new Autobiography Package available in the Supercharged edition offering more leather upholstery than any previous model.

New features for all Range Rover models include:

• Upgraded leather trim for the steering wheel and instrument panel top surface.
• New door seals that reduce cabin noise.
• New exterior paint colors.

The Autobiography Package includes sumptuous leather trim for the console side surfaces, door casings, and the entire instrument panel. Full semi-aniline leather seats are soft to the touch and elegant in appearance. Gorgeous wood trim accents are dispersed throughout the interior. The new Autobiography Package also includes 4-zone automatic climate control and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Range Rover Sport

The high performance Range Rover Sport is a driver oriented vehicle that thrives on long distances and varying road surfaces. Offering comfort, refinement and agility to those who drive it, the Range Rover Sport is a “Sports Tourer” SUV unique in its class.

For 2009, the Range Rover Sport includes a refreshed exterior trim, new wheel designs and improvement to the interior craftsmanship enhancing the premium feel. Changes for 2009 include:

• Clear lenses for the taillamps and side repeater lamps.
• A more attractive Noble finish for metal vent bezels, inside door pulls, and the upper and lower console trim.
• Body-color paint has now been applied on the lower portion of the tailgate appliqué while the rear bumper’s protective tread strip has a new texture.
• Almond leather interior trim with Nutmeg carpet (replaces Alpaca) and floor mats.
• A revised exterior color palette.
• New wheel choices for all Range Rover Sport derivatives.

LR3

One of the most versatile vehicles available, the LR3 revolutionized the mid-priced SUV category with its impressive technology and sophistication. Last year a 4.4-liter DOHC V-8 engine became standard equipment. Refinements for 2009 include:

• New wheel designs, 19″ alloy wheels become standard.
• Body colored wheel arches and bumper covers provide a fresh new look
• New finishes for door and tailgate handles.
• Straight Grain Walnut Wood OR Grand Black Lacquer Wood become standard
• Clear lenses for side repeater lamps.
• New Almond leather interior trim with Nutmeg carpet (replaces Alpaca).
• Revised exterior paint palette.

Roof rails have been eliminated for a cleaner appearance. The third-row seat with rear climate control becomes and option package. LR3 is the only model offered in 2009 with HSE and HSE LUX offered as trim level packages.

LR2

The LR2 joined Land Rover North America’s lineup as an early 2008 model. A dynamic design, purposeful stance, smart and spacious interior, and an abundance of advanced technologies complete the LR2 package offered in a single LR2 HSE edition.

New-for-2009 is an HST package. This sporty body kit provides several distinguishing exterior features including: a more aggressive mesh grille design. Painted front and rear bumpers, side sill enhancements and dual HST exhaust tips are also added. An HST ID badge completes the package. This option is available with a choice of five vibrant exterior colors.

All LR2s benefit from these 2009 upgrades:

• New 19-inch Sparkle Silver finish alloy wheelsand optional 19-inch Shadow Chrome finish alloy wheels.
• Almond leather and Nutmeg carpeting interior trim (replaces Alpaca Beige).
• Clear side repeater lenses.
• A darker background inside the taillamp assemblies.
• A 12VDC power socket added to the cargo compartment.
• New front-seat map lamps (part of the lighting package).
• Revised instrument panel finishes; two choices, Dark Laurel and Satin Silver Finishes.
• Martinique Blue and Lago Grey are additions to the exterior paint palette.

All 2009 Land Rovers feature a four-year/50,000-mile New-Vehicle Limited Warranty term. All are backed by a six-year/unlimited-mileage Corrosion Perforation Limited Warranty and Land Rover 24-hour Roadside Assistance.

Land Rover vehicles are available from 175 Land Rover retailers in the U.S., including 86 exclusive Land Rover Centres – a distinctive retail concept which employs the brand’s values in facility design and operating philosophy to distinguish it from traditional car dealerships.