Facts:
The LR2 is not a rebadged Escape. The escape is based on the previous Generation Ford Mondeo/Contour platform. It uses a 3.0 liter V6 that makes only 200 hp as its top engine and a 4 speed automatic. The LR2 is using a modified Volov 3.2 Liter Inline 6 that makes nearly 240 hp and a 6 speed automatic. The LR2 rides on a heavily modfied version of the S60/S80 platform where only aproximately 40% of the LR2s platform is shared with the S60/S80. I think the Platform is called EUCD by Ford and is losely based ont he Smaller C1 platform.

The LR2 uses a different AWD system developed by Rover instead of the Volvo AWD system. The LR2 has a lot of extra 4WD tech that is unique to Land Rover the most signficant being the Terran Response system.

The Previous 2005 MY Freelander was not even made in HSE trim. Only the SE trim was offered in 2005 and then a premium package was offered that gave the SE Freelander HSE type equipment.

A 2005 Freelander was completly different then the top of the line LR2. You couldn’t even get regular Xenon headlights let alone Adaptive Bi-Xenons like the LR2 can have. There was no navigation offered in the 2005 Freelander. The 2005 Freelander had an underpowered 174 hp 2.5 liter V6 and the LR2 will have a modern 240 or so hp 3.2 liter inline 6. There was no terrain response in the Freelander, no satelite radio and no bluetooth phone techonology.

You are getting so much more stuff in the LR2 that $40,000 for a loaded one is not unreasonable when you would pay 45,000 or so for a similar X3 and still not get the better 4WD system.

When the LR3 was launched back in October of 2004 there was concern that we would have a hard time selling the Loaded HSE model LR3s as they were nearly 15,000 dollars more expensive then an 2004 Discovery HSE. Most of the demand was for the loaded HSE model LR3s. We couldn’t get enough of them and we still can’t. We always sell out of HSE trim LR3s before SE trim.

I will return to talk about rumors and speculationi later for the Defender.

There are a couple of things the LR2 doesn’t have like the back up camera, Don’t see why you need that in a SUV that small, and the real time traffic display so I guess you could call them equal.

You can get the X3 with a manual but you never see them. I have never seen a manual X3 or X5. I bet they are less then one percent of production.

The RDX is sporty as hell, for an suv, and has a boatload of technology if you get the tech package option. The RDX also offers Honda/Acura reliability (I take no-breakage over free-maintenance).

I do love the fact that the X3 can be had with Bimmer’s I6 and a stick-shift, that’s just cool.

A 2007 X3 with the similar equipment to a loaded LR2 is over 44,000 dollars.

A 2007 RDX with as much equipment as you can load into it, which is still less features then a fully loaded LR2, tops out at around 39,000 dollars and will not have a pre-paid complimentary maintenance package like the LR2 will have.

I’m not sure if I like this LR that much. It doesn’t look nearly as good as the rest of their range, in my opinion. I guess I’ll have to see it in person.

Hopefully, in two, three years, my wife will get this so id have a chance to drive it sometimes.

Ford have done a great job with this new LR2. The price is about right. Not bad.