Autoblog

2013 Land Rover LR2

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, First Drives, Luxury

Evoque's Older Brother Gets Some Love

Brands like Jeep, Land Rover and General Motors' now-defunct Hummer all come from rich military backgrounds, with their forebearers having proven their ability to tackle just about any terrain, from desert to jungle. Each has faced the difficult challenge of evolving from battle-tested off-road vehicles to civilian-ready status symbols. For Land Rover, which is arguably to New York City and Miami what the Toyota Prius is to Los Angeles, this is especially true. Yet even so, the British automaker still relies on rugged capability to sell products ranging from Range Rovers with six-figure price tags right on down to the LR2 shown here.

Positioned in a class full of vehicles with nicknames like "cute ute" and "soft roader," the 2013 LR2 - known as Freelander 2 in other markets - stands out even more for its respectable off-road abilities in spite of its car-based underpinnings, so Land Rover has focused its attention on refining its entry-level product as a midcycle refresh for 2013. The 2013 Land Rover LR2 still rides on the proven Ford/Volvo EUCD chassis also shared with the Range Rover Evoque, and rather than killing off the existing model when its sleeker, more street-minded relative arrived, Land Rover has done just the opposite, incorporating most of the technology developed for the Evoque into the 2013 LR2.

So how successful has Land Rover been at improving the finer aspects of its gateway model without messing up the off-road ruggedness that defines its brand as a whole? We spent a cold, snowy day near Montreal testing the limits of this baby Land Rover to find out.

Continue reading 2013 Land Rover LR2

2013 Land Rover LR2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover LR2 gets updated look, turbo four power for 2013

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:46:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Paris Motor Show, Land Rover, Luxury, Off-Road

Land Rover is being liberal with its amenities, distributing luxe features from its Range Rover Evoque, 2013 Range Rover and Jaguar sedans to its entry-level 2013 LR2. Right out front is a new engine: the same 240-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 pound-feet of torque found in the Evoque is now the sole engine offered in the LR2. It replaces the 3.2-liter six-cylinder and brings with it the benefits of being 88 pounds lighter, having 10 more horsepower and 16 more pound-feet of torque. Shifting remains through a six-speed transmission with CommandShift for manual cog swapping.

Outside are three new potential hues: Aintree Green, Havana and Mauritius Blue. Those new paint selections set off tweaked design cues like the revised Xenon headlamps and LED taillamps, refreshed brightwork around the grille and fog lamps, and "paint detailing changes" made to the grille insert and fender vents.

Inside, the center console gets a seven-inch touchscreen that is mission control for the updated-but-optional hard-drive based navigation system, the "Say What You See" voice control operation, an available rearview camera with Hitch Assist. In addition, buyers will get to chose between one of two Meridian surround sound stereos - the ultimate having 825-watts and 17-speakers. A new five-inch screen lives between the dials in the dash cluster, the steering wheel now fitted with switches to navigate menus that appear there.

On the practical side, the Terrain Response dial disappears, replaced by buttons, while an intelligent electronic parking brake keeps tabs on the temperature of the brakes and how much clamping force is being applied. A pushbutton start system has been adopted, relegating the key dock to history.

How much will the goodies cost you? It will take $37,250 to get in the 2013 LR2 door, a $700 bump over the 2012 model. The HSE goes up by $750 to $39,750, while the HSE LUX is $850 more dear at $42,350. Why get an LR2 instead of the similarly sized and far fresher Evoque, you ask? Presumably because the LR2 is still a lot cheaper - 2012 Evoque models start at $43,995. Besides, the LR2's more traditional and upright styling plays to a different audience than the fashion-forward Evoque.

You can peruse the press release below for more on the noteworthy changes before diving into the massive high-res gallery above. We expect to see the real thing in the metal at the Paris Motor Show late next month.

Continue reading Land Rover LR2 gets updated look, turbo four power for 2013

Land Rover LR2 gets updated look, turbo four power for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Land Rover revisits claymation for new Freelander/LR2 ad campaign

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Land Rover, UK, Luxury, Off-Road

Claymation ad for the 2011 Land Rover Freeland 2/LR2 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Land Rover is getting ready to roll out a new ad campaign in support of the 2011 Freelander 2, a vehicle we know here as the LR2. You might expect Land Rover to go the traditional route of glamorous clean shots of the car mixed with a flurry of scenes highlighting its off-road capability. That's not the case here, as it has decided to go in another direction... a rather squishy one at that.

Land Rover is harnessing the advertising power of claymation to promote the new LR2. The "star" of the commercial, besides the little luxury utility vehicle, is a character by the name of Clay Mason. The Mason character discusses his past claymation acting history, his tough work schedule on this shoot and what it was like to drive the 2011 LR2. It's actually a little on the creepy side...

The spot took five weeks to shoot and then another four weeks were required for editing and production. There's an astonishing two-tons of modeling clay on display, and the team built a fully operational scale LR2 model for the shoot. It will air in the United Kingdom starting January 2011. The clip, along with a making-of video, is available for your viewing pleasure after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Video: Land Rover revisits claymation for new Freelander/LR2 ad campaign

Video: Land Rover revisits claymation for new Freelander/LR2 ad campaign originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Land Rover LR2/Freelander 2 revealed - includes first-ever front-drive model

Zach Bowman — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Land Rover, UK, Luxury, Off-Road

2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Put down the pitchforks, purists. While it's true that Land Rover has just announced a brand-spanking new take on its LR2/Freelander 2 that forgoes the company's go-anywhere all-wheel drive in favor of a more efficient front-wheel drive setup, the drivetrain is only available on a single diesel model. What's more, Land Rover officials tell Autoblog that we won't be seeing the FWD model on our shores (we don't get the diesel anyway). The trucklets should hit dealer lots in the UK toward the end of September, offering a more efficient take on high-riding luxury with a 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel engine with around 150 horsepower. When bolted to a manual transmission, the engine turns out 38 mpg US. On second thought, maybe we could do without those rear tires kicking. If you're a Statesider and like the idea of a front-drive Landie, there's still a chance you'll be able to get your wish - the forthcoming Evoque crossover is also slated to be available so-equipped, although it isn't immediately clear if such models will be available here.

Land Rover will also let UK buyers bolt the thrifty little oil burner into an all-wheel drive model, though doing so carries a penalty of about 5 mpg. If you find yourself living in the Old Empire and want a little more power out of your pint-size Rover, you can opt up for a 190 horsepower gasoline engine, too, though it's worth pointing out that you can only get that mill with an automatic gearbox.

Even if North America doesn't receive the diesel or front drive, we will get the 2011 model's modestly updated look and upgraded interior. You'll have to look closely to see the changes, but there's a new bumper cap with revamped fog lamps, a revised grille finish, as well as 'improved' headlights and new taillights. Perhaps most noticeable are the Freelander 2's new alloy wheel patterns.

The baby Rover's interior has also received a badly needed update, but it only includes reworked gauges, seats, carpets and revised stowage, well shy of the interior rehabbing that the rest of the LR lineup received for 2010. Hit the jump for a look at the press release and try to spot the exterior changes in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading 2011 Land Rover LR2/Freelander 2 revealed - includes first-ever front-drive model

2011 Land Rover LR2/Freelander 2 revealed - includes first-ever front-drive model originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover releases Freelander 2 Sport for UK loyalists

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Land Rover, UK, Luxury

2010 Land Rover Freelander 2 Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another week, another special edition for the UK. New for 2010, the Land Rover Freelander 2 Sport attempts to be equipped as regally as its name suggests, with either a Santorini Black or Lago Grey paint job decked out with color-keyed exterior trim, a rear spoiler, and 19-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels.

Inside is where the thrills reside, with a two-tone interior in, ahem, "Ebony & Storm," and your choice of cloth interior or a "sports styling pack" in Lago Grey leather. Somewhat ironically, the Sport comes with a 2.2-liter diesel four that churns the wheels through a manual transmission, and it gets even better gas mileage with the fitment of stop/start technology.

The model goes on sale next month and starts at £26,695 ($43,581 USD, but bear in mind that UK market prices are higher than those of the U.S.) on-the-road. No word yet on whether North American consumers will get a shot at this model under the LR2 nameplate, so for now, content yourself with our high-res gallery below and the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Land Rover Freelander 2 Sport

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Land Rover releases Freelander 2 Sport for UK loyalists

Land Rover releases Freelander 2 Sport for UK loyalists originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK: Land Rover intros HST trim for Freelander 2 and Range Rover Sport

Alex Nunez — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:56:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover, UK

Click images for hi-res

UK customers who want a more muscled-up appearance for the Land Rover Freelander 2 and Range Rover Sport are in luck. LR has unveiled the HST trim level, which adds a full body kit, new wheels, and updated grille, will serve as the range-topper for the Freelander 2 (that's LR2 for us Yanks).

Similarly, the Range Rover Sport also gets the HST treatment, with "Stormer" dubs in the wheel wells, updated bodywork, and some associated interior upgrades. There are no associated power upgrades, so think of HST as a "more show, same go" deal, much like the Ford Edge Sport that was unveiled for our market last night. Both vehicles go on sale this March. Press release pasted after the jump.

[Source: Land Rover]

Gallery: 2008 Land Rover Freelander 2 HST

Continue reading UK: Land Rover intros HST trim for Freelander 2 and Range Rover Sport

UK: Land Rover intros HST trim for Freelander 2 and Range Rover Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Freelander/LR2 to come with 7-passenger seating

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:04:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover

As the all-new LR2 graces billboards all over America, an all-newer LR2 (Freelander 2, to Euros) is already being planned in Europe. Land Rover won't admit to it, but Auto Express claims inside knowledge that a 7-seat variant is being drafted. If such a vehicle is in the works, it won't appear for another year-and-a-half, which means it might need to claw back a fair bit of ground on competition that is already parading out of showrooms, namely the Peugeot 4007 and Chevrolet Captiva.

The LR2's dimensions are plenty big enough for a set of convertible seats, though the load area would be reshaped to allow for necessary legroom. The question is whether it will come with such seating or if it will be an option, and whether the U.S. will get the 7-seater choice. While the UK has nine (count em, nine!) different LR2 options, the US just gets one model, the SE, whose sole engine option is an inline six. The US-spec LR3 comes with room for a septet, and with the baby CUV wars warming like the climate, there's no reason to think the LR2 won't offer the same.

[Source: Auto Express]

Freelander/LR2 to come with 7-passenger seating originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Land Rover LR2 / Freelander 2 debuts in London

Alex Nunez — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Europe, Land Rover

Last night at a WTA party in London, Maria Sharapova, tennis star and Land Rover spokesperson, gave attendees the first look at the completely redesigned Land Rover Freelander 2 (LR2 in the US). Sharapova drives a Range Rover when she's at home in the States.

The new Freelander is a significant departure from the model it's replacing. While the original Freelander sold well in Europe, it didn't perform nearly as well in the US. That should change, however, with the introduction of the Freelander 2/LR2.

For starters, the new truck is bigger (read: more comfortable) inside. It has increased carrying capacity to the tune of 38 percent, and uses Land Rover's familiar Stadium Seating plan to five front and rear passengers commanding views out of the cabin. This is augmented by the use of large glass areas and narrow pillars to create a more airy feeling for the occupants. The dashboard layout and quality is typical of Land Rover's recent products, with a smart-looking center stack and easy-to-read gauges.

Outside, the LR2 incorporates Land Rover's current design language, incorporating cues from the Range Rovers and LR3 without somply turning it into a miniturized clone. In profile, it retains the wagonlike shape of the old Freelander, albeit in much cleaner and more modern packaging.

(Continue reading after the jump. Photos and US, UK press releases also follow.)

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading New Land Rover LR2 / Freelander 2 debuts in London

New Land Rover LR2 / Freelander 2 debuts in London originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jun 2006 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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