Alphabet soup isn’t just reserved for the kitchen anymore. With many automakers jumping ship on the traditional name game, more and more vehicles are being named with a few simple letters or numbers. Land Rover is one of the brands to newly embrace this naming scheme, but a production shift could see the British marque moving around its naming once again.
British-born, Indian-owned Land Rover is due to get a new, seven-seat addition to its range of SUVs in 2012. The vehicle will be based on the smallest Land Rover, the LR2 (Freelander in the U.K.), and will feature a longer wheelbase, unique styling inside and out to differentiate it from that vehicle.
The vehicle is known internally as Project L486, but the public will likely see a different nameplate when it hits production. According to AutoWeek, the new ‘ute will likely be named the LR3. As you probably already know, the LR3 nameplate is already used on the Discovery. In order to make room for the new LR3, the Discovery will be renamed the LR4 — a name change that could come as soon as 2009.
Whatever the case, the seven-seater will be focused more towards on-road handling and comfort than off-road proficiency. To that end, it won’t feature a low-range transfer case, instead using the Freelander’s all-wheel drive system that is primarily front-wheel drive, before sending torque to the rear wheels when it detects slippage.
To help in off-road environments, the car will include electronic aids such as hill descent control, as well as traction and stability control. The same engines found in the Freelander will be carried over to the new vehicle, which means a 2.0- and 2.2-liter diesel in the U.K. with the States getting the same 3.2-liter Inline-6. A dual-clutch gearbox from Gertrag, also used by Ford and Volvo, should be offered as an option. To aid in emissions and fuel economy, a version with a stop-start system will be available.
09/05, 2:52 PM
posted by:
A4
this land rover naming scheme is rediculous and it only confuses people. Especially when hummer’s naming scheme is much more well known and the H2 is bigger than the H3, while the LR2 is smaller than the LR3, and now the LR3 will be bigger than the LR4? i dont get it, go back to freelander and discovery. christ.
09/05, 3:12 PM
posted by:
bleenky
It’s all BMW’s, Mercedes’ and Audi’s fault. If every company in the world wasn’t aspiring to take customers from these three, we’d still have Acura Vigors and Integras instead of RL, TL, TSX and RSX’s. Ruhtarded
09/05, 3:28 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
Regarles the price of gas, if yo have the CA$H to buy a 7 pasenger Land Rover you got the CA$H for gas, I know I’m a car sales man…
09/05, 4:45 PM
posted by:
VWgrouP
Why dont they just make 7 seats a different LR2 trim level?
What I like about Land Rover, is that they only have 4 models. Its not like Mercades, BMW, and Lexus where they have 50 “different” modles that all look the same, all named with numbers..it gets comfusing.
But I really love the LR2
09/05, 7:44 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
i like the LR2 as well. i’m hoping this NEW LR3 isn’t completed retarded to look at.
09/05, 8:09 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
I agree with A4.. either go back to Freelander and Discovery, or just call it LR2.5.
09/05, 9:38 PM
posted by:
A4
7 seats in the LR2? hahahaha… you must be joking
i sat in the 3rd row of a 7 passenger explorer two weeks ago for a 2 hour trip and it was miserable… and the LR2 is significantly smaller than an explorer.
09/06, 1:11 AM
posted by:
maxcar
i’m a little disappointed that they’re watering down the off-road capabilities. w/ l/r, you always knew that you had impeccable off-road handling. now they’re dabbling in minivan territory. oh crap.
09/06, 11:19 AM
posted by:
olds307
LR is junk anyway, who cares.
09/07, 11:15 AM
posted by:
Got Handling?
They use numbers rather than names because they want people to talk about Land Rovers instead of Discoveries, Defenders and Freelanders. It ensures that the halo effects of niche and premium models will be more effective, since the brand is understood by customers in a unified way.
Unfortunately that all goes to **** when you call your premium models Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. ****wits.
09/08, 8:13 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
It’s not watering down the off-road capabilities of anything.
They’re basically providing a 7 seater based on the LR2 with the same capabilities – fulltime FWD with RWD torque upon slippage.
If you need the off-road capabilities of a more capable LR, then GO FOR THAT ONE, as they are capable enough!
09/10, 3:39 AM
posted by:
jvegas
Why would you build such a small vehicle AND make it with a third row? It seems like the full sized Range Rover would be better suited for a third row.