A 4x4 without a two speed transfer box and without beam axles what on earth was Land Rover thinking when it launched the original Freelander. The Freelnder was never designed for toiling all day in the dirt that job was left to its bigger brothers but it was easy to drive and even the most 4x4 avers person in the world could get into one and drive it without having to ask what all the extra knob and lever were for. Land Rover banked on buyers understanding the limitation and buying a vehicle for their needs, rather than overloading it.
There are limitations with ground clearance. And no, you won’t to be able to tow a 3.5 ton trailer up a 40 slop in heavy mud, but the Freelander wasn’t designed to do that. Put it against a similar age Discovery, Range Rover or Defender on wet grass and see which performance best. Not only did the Freelander have light weight on its side it had electronic as well.
Quirky item on the freelander 1 such as the electric rear window that drops to allow you to open the side hinged rear door and high mounted center stop light have been dropped in favour of a more conventional lift up tailgate, though the stepped roof has been retaind.
You had to employ a completely different driving style to drive cross country compared to other 4x4s, but it is still one very capable member of the Land Rover stable. Best of all, you can go out today and buy a Freelander for hugger all money.
No comments:
Post a Comment