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

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

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.

[Source: Land Rover]

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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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