The Freelander 2 is a capable SUV, but the green backlighting and multiple-button interior isn't quite up-to-date. Land Rover aims to correct that with bits and bobs from the Evoque, and even a paint shade or two from the latter.
On the inside, there still remains the plethora of buttons, but there are few new additions: an optional hard-drive based sat-nav that is now a touchscreen system. The instrument cluster also gets a much-needed upgrade, the green-backlighting and LCD gets replaced by a new five-inch screen between the dials, and the steering wheel gets switches to scroll through the menus. The terrain response dial has also been replaced by buttons, and there is also a button to start and stop the car now. For those who have difficulty backing up their SUVs, there is a rearview camera and an intelligent parking brake.
The engine also gets an upgrade, with a new four-cylinder putting out 240bhp at the forefront of things. It doesn't get one of the new eight-speed ZF 'boxes, instead getting a six-speed like the current car does. If you think the Freelander looks boring, there are three new paint shades to choose from: Aintree Green, Havana and Mauritius Blue, which we fancy very much.
Land Rover hasn't announced when we can expect the new Freelander in the Indian market, but we can safely assume that it will be early next year.
