LA Auto Show - Land Rover LR2
LR2 replaces Ill-Fated Freelander
The Land Rover Freelander was never a success in the USA market. It was born old - introduced half way through the product's life cycle. It wasn't attractively styled to the American eye, inside or out. It had a less than fully competitive package and powertrain.
Frankly, Land Rover is all about image, and the Freelander had no cache at all. Worse yet, it was introduced at a time of cheap gas when medium and large SUVs were all the rage, and there really was no Premium Compact SUV segment. Land Rover certainly didn't have the marketing muscle to create the segment. Over the few years Freelander was sold in the USA, AutoPacific analysts contended that each one sold damaged the image of Land Rover.
The new Land Rover LR2 - marketed as the Freelander II in Europe, was introduced at the LA Auto Show. The LR2 is everything the Freelander never was. It looks just right. Very appropriate exterior appearance with strong family resemblance to the successful LR3 and Range Rover. Great interior style, feature content and package. The new 3.2L V6 offers plenty of power and torque. And, just as important, it is introduced into a market that, with today's higher fuel prices, is looking for a Premium Compact SUV. Thats luck and skill!
Not the Ultimate Off-Roader, but Specs Indicate LR2 Will Be Competent
No, the LR2 doesn't have a 2-speed transfer case. But it isn't supposed to be a Wrangler Rubicon competitor. (That territory is reserved for the long-awaited, but unlikely, Defender re-introduction). But the LR2 has more than enough off-road capability for any on or off-road adventure buyers are likely to contemplate.
Well done, Land Rover! The LR2 is likely to be as big a success as the well received LR3 and Range Rover lines. There is only one open issue...product quality. The LR2 needs to set new standards for Land Rover in this area. Without fully competitive product reliability and durability the LR2 potential will not be fully exploited. Only time will tell.
