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I PARKED Land rover’s latest Freelander close to an early Range Rover and was amazed to find it’s almost the same size.

That almost leaves space for another smaller model at the bottom of the range doesn’t it?

I drove the £31,000 HSE at the top of the range, powered by a 2.2 litre turbo diesel with 158bhp and giving decent performance with 37mpg economy.

The whole range seems quite expensive but residual values are very good so all models are pretty good value.

The engine’s turbocharger has a bit of a lag, but once its spinning progress is decently fast.Roadholding is excellent for such a big, high vehicle and comfort almost up to the levels of the bigger Discovery.

It’s quiet and reasonably refined for a 4×4, which makes journeys quite relaxing, and the air of quality throughout is a step up from the old model. Safety is excellent and so is security.

Interior.

There is great seat and steering column adjustment and a marvellous view all round, but although front space is good, rear legroom is only average for such a large car. HSE spec brings leather, sat nav, CD multi-changer, rear park sensors and cruise.

FAST FACTS

Land rover Freelander 2.2 TD4 HSE

Price: £30,960

Mechanical: 158bhp, 2,179cc, 4 cyl diesel engine driving all four wheels via 6-spd manual gearbox

Max speed: 112mph

0-62mph: 10.9secs

Combined mpg: 37

Insurance group: 13

CO2 emissions: 194g/km

BiK rating: 28%

Warranty: 3 years, u/l miles

Marks: 9/10

Main Rival: Nissan X-Trail

A DISCO sensation swept the nation back in the early 90s and started a craze that shows no signs of ending.

The sensation in question was the Land rover Discovery – a car that has become as much a fashion icon as a serious off-roader.

Its launch some 13 years ago coincided with the boom time for Yuppies and it became one of those “must have” commodities with status stamped all over it.

Since then a new breed of four wheel drives has arrived with as much attention paid to creature comforts and luxury as the ability to conquer some of the worst terrain in the world.

It has spawned its own niche in the market – the sports utility vehicle – and now they come in all shapes and sizes with prices to match.

From the £9,980 it takes to get behind the wheel of a Daihatsu Terios or Suzuki Jimny to the overwhelming refinements of a £60,000-plus Range Rover, complete with onboard fridge and television, there are now more than 30 different types of off-roader on sale in the UK.

Almost every car manufacturer has a 4WD in its portfolio and all can go places that would make a normal car quiver.

Classic shapes such as the Jeep Wrangler, which has its roots obviously set in the Wilys Jeep of the Second World War, the futuristic designs of the so-called soft-roaders like Toyota’s RAV4 and the rugged looks of Land rovers and Nissans have become part and parcel of everyday driving.

Even brands not normally associated with such agricultural abilities have got in on the act – BMW with the X5, Lexus and the RX300 and even Porsche with its soon-to-be launched Cayenne – have seen the need to enter the SUV zone in earnest.

Around one in 20 new cars sold in the UK is now in the sports utility category and the popularity of such types keeps growing. In 2002 sales of 4×4 increased by more than ten per cent compared to the previous year.

The attraction of such vehicles is multifold. Not only do they have a tough image but you get an awful lot of metal for your money.

Roomy interiors, rugged construction and an elevated driving position that provides excellent visibility are characteristics of any off-roader.

They are as much a symbol of status as capable family carriers – and ideal for those who love to explore the great outdoors.

The market leader is the Land rover Freelander, launched five years ago. It is the most popular 4WD in Europe and accounts for more than a third of off-road sales, attracting more than 23,000 customers in 2002 alone.

Land rover also takes the honours among the large off-roaders with the Discovery remaining the dominant force. The shape may be more than 13 years old but still more than 10,000 a year are sold – 40 per cent more than its nearest rival, the BMW X5.

These are serious pieces of kit which are equally at home cruising down the M1 or crossing the Sahara and their prices reflect the amount of strength and technology in their construction. That also means they are not at their best under normal conditions – suspensions which can handle a boulder field are likely to produce a fair amount of rocking and rolling on the road.

But only around five per cent of off-roaders sold ever venture into the mud and grime – a statistic which led to the arrival of so-called soft-roaders such as the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CRV.

Cars like these were designed with road use in mind then given the necessary tweaks to allow them to handle a muddy track or wet, grassy field. The result is a much more accomplished feel to their drive – and they’re ideal as medium priced family vehicles.

Other manufacturers took a different route with so-called crossover vehicles – estates given a four wheel drive makeover such as the Audi Allroad, the Subaru Legacy and the Volvo Cross Country.

However the sheer size of most of the cars in the off-road fraternity means they have something else in common – large engines. The bigger models inlcuding the Discovery, X5, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Mercedes M Class have either whopping V8s or big diesels under the bonnet and in whichever guise they are not the most economical.

Most petrol versions will return well less than 20 miles to the gallon and even diesels will be lucky to break the 25mpg mark. The soft-roaders may have smaller engines but again they will never be among the most economical around. Neither will they offer significant tax advantages in terms of exhaust emissions.

Despite that, the 4WD love affair goes on and 2003 kicks off with the arrival of new versions of two of the stalwarts in the big 4WD league.

There is a revamped Mitsubishi Shogun with prices ranging from £21,995 to £32,495 and an all new Toyota Landcruiser starting at £23,995 and topping out at £36,795.

The Shogun has cleaner body lines, extra safety and security features and a luxury diesel version in its line up while the Landcruiser is about to set new standards in terms of ride comfort.

Both are pointers to the future, as is the the BMW xActivity concept off-roader. This 3.0 litre, due for release in 2004, will slot in below the X5 tackling the Freelander head on with some space age design.

The Freelander itself will get a facelift later in 2003 and by then there will be a number of other new 4WDs including the Cayenne, the Volvo XC 90 and Volkswagen’s first off-road forray, the Touareg, on sale – all proving the boom in leisure and lifestyle vehicles is here to stay.

A DISCO sensation swept the nation back in the early 90s and started a craze that shows no signs of ending.

The sensation in question was the Land rover Discovery – a car that has become as much a fashion icon as a serious off-roader.

Its launch some 13 years ago coincided with the boom time for Yuppies and it became one of those “must have” commodities with status stamped all over it.

Since then a new breed of four wheel drives has arrived with as much attention paid to creature comforts and luxury as the ability to conquer some of the worst terrain in the world.

It has spawned its own niche in the market – the sports utility vehicle – and now they come in all shapes and sizes with prices to match.

From the £9,980 it takes to get behind the wheel of a Daihatsu Terios or Suzuki Jimny to the overwhelming refinements of a £60,000-plus Range Rover, complete with onboard fridge and television, there are now more than 30 different types of off-roader on sale in the UK.

Almost every car manufacturer has a 4WD in its portfolio and all can go places that would make a normal car quiver.

Classic shapes such as the Jeep Wrangler, which has its roots obviously set in the Wilys Jeep of the Second World War, the futuristic designs of the so-called soft-roaders like Toyota’s RAV4 and the rugged looks of Land rovers and Nissans have become part and parcel of everyday driving.

Even brands not normally associated with such agricultural abilities have got in on the act – BMW with the X5, Lexus and the RX300 and even Porsche with its soon-to-be launched Cayenne – have seen the need to enter the SUV zone in earnest.

Around one in 20 new cars sold in the UK is now in the sports utility category and the popularity of such types keeps growing. In 2002 sales of 4×4 increased by more than ten per cent compared to the previous year.

The attraction of such vehicles is multifold. Not only do they have a tough image but you get an awful lot of metal for your money.

Roomy interiors, rugged construction and an elevated driving position that provides excellent visibility are characteristics of any off-roader.

They are as much a symbol of status as capable family carriers – and ideal for those who love to explore the great outdoors.

The market leader is the Land rover Freelander, launched five years ago. It is the most popular 4WD in Europe and accounts for more than a third of off-road sales, attracting more than 23,000 customers in 2002 alone.

Land rover also takes the honours among the large off-roaders with the Discovery remaining the dominant force. The shape may be more than 13 years old but still more than 10,000 a year are sold – 40 per cent more than its nearest rival, the BMW X5.

These are serious pieces of kit which are equally at home cruising down the M1 or crossing the Sahara and their prices reflect the amount of strength and technology in their construction. That also means they are not at their best under normal conditions – suspensions which can handle a boulder field are likely to produce a fair amount of rocking and rolling on the road.

But only around five per cent of off-roaders sold ever venture into the mud and grime – a statistic which led to the arrival of so-called soft-roaders such as the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CRV.

Cars like these were designed with road use in mind then given the necessary tweaks to allow them to handle a muddy track or wet, grassy field. The result is a much more accomplished feel to their drive – and they’re ideal as medium priced family vehicles.

Other manufacturers took a different route with so-called crossover vehicles – estates given a four wheel drive makeover such as the Audi Allroad, the Subaru Legacy and the Volvo Cross Country.

However the sheer size of most of the cars in the off-road fraternity means they have something else in common – large engines. The bigger models inlcuding the Discovery, X5, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Mercedes M Class have either whopping V8s or big diesels under the bonnet and in whichever guise they are not the most economical.

Most petrol versions will return well less than 20 miles to the gallon and even diesels will be lucky to break the 25mpg mark. The soft-roaders may have smaller engines but again they will never be among the most economical around. Neither will they offer significant tax advantages in terms of exhaust emissions.

Despite that, the 4WD love affair goes on and 2003 kicks off with the arrival of new versions of two of the stalwarts in the big 4WD league.

There is a revamped Mitsubishi Shogun with prices ranging from £21,995 to £32,495 and an all new Toyota Landcruiser starting at £23,995 and topping out at £36,795.

The Shogun has cleaner body lines, extra safety and security features and a luxury diesel version in its line up while the Landcruiser is about to set new standards in terms of ride comfort.

Both are pointers to the future, as is the the BMW xActivity concept off-roader. This 3.0 litre, due for release in 2004, will slot in below the X5 tackling the Freelander head on with some space age design.

The Freelander itself will get a facelift later in 2003 and by then there will be a number of other new 4WDs including the Cayenne, the Volvo XC 90 and Volkswagen’s first off-road forray, the Touareg, on sale – all proving the boom in leisure and lifestyle vehicles is here to stay.

A DISCO sensation swept the nation back in the early 90s and started a craze that shows no signs of ending.

The sensation in question was the Land rover Discovery – a car that has become as much a fashion icon as a serious off-roader.

Its launch some 13 years ago coincided with the boom time for Yuppies and it became one of those “must have” commodities with status stamped all over it.

Since then a new breed of four wheel drives has arrived with as much attention paid to creature comforts and luxury as the ability to conquer some of the worst terrain in the world.

It has spawned its own niche in the market – the sports utility vehicle – and now they come in all shapes and sizes with prices to match.

From the £9,980 it takes to get behind the wheel of a Daihatsu Terios or Suzuki Jimny to the overwhelming refinements of a £60,000-plus Range Rover, complete with onboard fridge and television, there are now more than 30 different types of off-roader on sale in the UK.

Almost every car manufacturer has a 4WD in its portfolio and all can go places that would make a normal car quiver.

Classic shapes such as the Jeep Wrangler, which has its roots obviously set in the Wilys Jeep of the Second World War, the futuristic designs of the so-called soft-roaders like Toyota’s RAV4 and the rugged looks of Land rovers and Nissans have become part and parcel of everyday driving.

Even brands not normally associated with such agricultural abilities have got in on the act – BMW with the X5, Lexus and the RX300 and even Porsche with its soon-to-be launched Cayenne – have seen the need to enter the SUV zone in earnest.

Around one in 20 new cars sold in the UK is now in the sports utility category and the popularity of such types keeps growing. In 2002 sales of 4×4 increased by more than ten per cent compared to the previous year.

The attraction of such vehicles is multifold. Not only do they have a tough image but you get an awful lot of metal for your money.

Roomy interiors, rugged construction and an elevated driving position that provides excellent visibility are characteristics of any off-roader.

They are as much a symbol of status as capable family carriers – and ideal for those who love to explore the great outdoors.

The market leader is the Land rover Freelander, launched five years ago. It is the most popular 4WD in Europe and accounts for more than a third of off-road sales, attracting more than 23,000 customers in 2002 alone.

Land rover also takes the honours among the large off-roaders with the Discovery remaining the dominant force. The shape may be more than 13 years old but still more than 10,000 a year are sold – 40 per cent more than its nearest rival, the BMW X5.

These are serious pieces of kit which are equally at home cruising down the M1 or crossing the Sahara and their prices reflect the amount of strength and technology in their construction. That also means they are not at their best under normal conditions – suspensions which can handle a boulder field are likely to produce a fair amount of rocking and rolling on the road.

But only around five per cent of off-roaders sold ever venture into the mud and grime – a statistic which led to the arrival of so-called soft-roaders such as the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CRV.

Cars like these were designed with road use in mind then given the necessary tweaks to allow them to handle a muddy track or wet, grassy field. The result is a much more accomplished feel to their drive – and they’re ideal as medium priced family vehicles.

Other manufacturers took a different route with so-called crossover vehicles – estates given a four wheel drive makeover such as the Audi Allroad, the Subaru Legacy and the Volvo Cross Country.

However the sheer size of most of the cars in the off-road fraternity means they have something else in common – large engines. The bigger models inlcuding the Discovery, X5, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Mercedes M Class have either whopping V8s or big diesels under the bonnet and in whichever guise they are not the most economical.

Most petrol versions will return well less than 20 miles to the gallon and even diesels will be lucky to break the 25mpg mark. The soft-roaders may have smaller engines but again they will never be among the most economical around. Neither will they offer significant tax advantages in terms of exhaust emissions.

Despite that, the 4WD love affair goes on and 2003 kicks off with the arrival of new versions of two of the stalwarts in the big 4WD league.

There is a revamped Mitsubishi Shogun with prices ranging from £21,995 to £32,495 and an all new Toyota Landcruiser starting at £23,995 and topping out at £36,795.

The Shogun has cleaner body lines, extra safety and security features and a luxury diesel version in its line up while the Landcruiser is about to set new standards in terms of ride comfort.

Both are pointers to the future, as is the the BMW xActivity concept off-roader. This 3.0 litre, due for release in 2004, will slot in below the X5 tackling the Freelander head on with some space age design.

The Freelander itself will get a facelift later in 2003 and by then there will be a number of other new 4WDs including the Cayenne, the Volvo XC 90 and Volkswagen’s first off-road forray, the Touareg, on sale – all proving the boom in leisure and lifestyle vehicles is here to stay.

New Land Rovers

THE latest Land rover Defender, whose roots date back to 1948, goes on sale in the UK next month with upgrades to make it better-equipped to meet modern needs.

It gets a new 2.4-litre common rail diesel engine, six-speed gearbox with wide ratio spread, an integrated facia, new seating layout and high-output heating, ventilation and air-conditioning.

Prices will start from £18,645 for the Defender 90 Pick Up, rising to £26,605 for the XS Double Cab Defender 110. The average price increase is £400.

The Defender 130 starts from £22,655 but will not be available until July.

Land rover boss John Edwards, says: “The Defender remains a significant contributor to our business.

“On average 6000 a year are bought in the UK and we already have more than 800 orders for the new model.

‘It is also a symbol of our 4×4 heritage, a reminder of our roots and it plays a vital role in the lives of people from all over the globe that buy one.”

A total of 14 separate body styles including pick-ups, hard tops, crew cabs and station wagons are produced.

A cost for offsetting the vehicle’s carbon emissions for the first 45,000 miles is included in the price.

The programme ensures that the average amount of CO2 produced by a Land rover is offset by investments in a range of projects, including renewable energy, technology change and energy efficiency initiatives.

Since production of the original version in 1948 the Defender has notched up sales of 1.9 million in about 140 countries and global sales currently average 25,000 a year.

Land rover is booming and this year its success will net over £2billion for the UK’s economy.

The new Range Rover and Discovery models are doing well all over the world and especially in Russia where sales have really taken off.

Now the company is about to unleash another extremely desirable product onto the market in the shape of the superb all-new Freelander.

The newcomer is sensational and is sure to bring even more success to the company in the way of huge sales.

You can’t begin to compare the Freelander 2 with the model it replaces because the new vehicle is just so much better that it is almost a different product.

Bigger and superior in every way over the original model the new Freelander 2 is well worth the £1,000 price hike over the model it replaces.

Prices now start at £20,935 and go all the way up to £33,990 but nothing else in the sector can compete with its performance and ability on and off the road.

It looks fabulous – just like a mini Range Rover – and although it’s not on sale until next month, the order books are already filling-up.

Longer and taller, the Freelander 2 really is a handsome vehicle which cuts a dash thanks to its more muscular stance and more rugged appearance.

It now features the trademark Land rover grille and its chiselled lines and attractive alloys help complete the package.

Inside the changes are equally impressive and the interior is of a much higher quality. The extra space means there is more room for rear-seat passengers and the fittings and finishes are excellent.

The all-new controls and fascia are superb and state of the art. A full-colour touchscreen controls the sat-nav, climate, sound system and other functions.

The top HSE model boasts leather, climate control, Bluetooth wiring and a really good Dolby Premium sound system and all models feature a double sunroof.

The driving position is first rate and really comfortable even when the going gets tough and there is also more room for luggage with 755 litres of space with the seats in place and up to 1,670 litres when they are folded flat. This is a substantial 38 per cent increase on the original model.

The Freelander 2 is the first Land rover to be built at Halewood in Liverpool where it shares the same production line as the Jaguar X Type. The build quality of the models I tested was excellent and there is a real feeling of luxury and solidity.

The new vehicle is only offered in five-door form and the spare wheel is now located in a well beneath the cargo floor instead of on the rear door. This means the tailgate now opens from the bottom rather than the side and it is now much easier to load.

The Freelander 2 is powered by two excellent new engines which offer huge improvements over the units they replace and make the new vehicle a delight to drive as well as an astonishing performer on and off the road.

A new 3.2-litre petrol unit from sister company Volvo replaces the old Rover K-series V6 engine used in the original Freelander.

This new engine is a straight six and is very smooth. It provides 233bhp and reaches 60mph in just 8.4 seconds and can reach 124mph. It operates through a six-speed automatic gearbox, sounds good and also feels lively. It is also much better on fuel with an average of 25.2mpg – not bad for a vehicle of this size and weight.

The new 2.2-litre four cylinder turbo-diesel unit developed jointly by parent company Ford and the French PSA group will be the big seller with up to 95 per cent of all Freelander sales.

One of the most advanced and efficient diesel engines in the world, the new unit is mated to a six-speed manual box and is much more powerful than its predecessor. It takes just 10.9 seconds to reach 60mph, a vast improvement on the old car’s 13.2 seconds. Average fuel consumption is also much better at 37.7mpg and this is achieved even with a 43 per cent hike in power.

It will be the big-seller and owners will not be disappointed.

The driving experience on and off the road is also much better. The ride is firm but comfortable and there is no evidence of wallowing even on fast bends. On tarmac the Freelander 2 performs like a good large estate car and it is certainly more accomplished than anything else in its class.

Advanced braking systems, traction control and independent all-round suspension combine to make the handling excellent and it feels confident at any speed.

Off-road the new Freelander is a wonder. Believe me it is no soft-roader – it is good enough to compete with the big boys.

We tried it over tough mountain trails, on gravel, climbs and descents and even on sand dunes and a beach. It was up for anything and thanks to its easy to operate computer controlled Terrain Response system it coped with everything thrown at it. You simply dial in the conditions and the computer, the engine and running gear do the rest.

In addition the Freelander 2 also features a new Gradient Release Control, a new piece of electronic wizadry which makes uphill and downhill starts easier.

Mud, ruts, sand or gravel were all dismissed with ease and this newcomer is a truly fabulous performer.

Its combination of good looks, build quality, on and off-road abilities combine to make it the benchmark of its class and I reckon the new Freelander 2 will be boosting the UK’s economy substantially over the next few years!

Land Rovers for sale

New Land Rovers

Land Rover Tweets

THERE have been some significant upgrades to Land rover’s Freelander, including improved heating and ventilation,a bigger fuel tank on petrol 1.8 and V6 models and the availability for the first time of the three-door version, known in America as the SE3.

The Freelander comes with a choice of three engines: a 1.8-litre four-cylinder 16-valve twin-cam petrol unit, a two-litre four-cylinder common-rail turbodiesel and a 2.5-litre petrol V6.

The changes to the 2003 Discovery are far more than cosmetic. Further to improve its go-anywhere skills, a new centre differential lock is offered.

The major improvement, however, is to the Discovery’s on-road ability.

There are 700 major and detail changes, mostly to improve brakes, the suspension and general refinement. Changes include new mesh patterns on the gears in the transfer box, extensive use of new body damping panels and an overhaul of all seals.

For North America, the Discovery’s biggest market, a 4.6-litre version of the aluminium petrol V8 engine is now available. In most other markets the choice is between the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel or the four-litre V8 petrol unit.

The Defender gets a new top-of-the-range derivate, the SE. Key features include a gunmetal-coloured radiator grille and headlamp surround, clear front indicator lenses, side runners, leather-covered gear knob and steering wheel, part leather upholstery and heated seats and windscreen.

These further luxuries come on top of the upgrades announced last year, which included central door locking, electric front windows and a revised fascia. In all, the past two years have probably seen more luxury additions than during the previous 50 years of the Defender’s life put together.

Land rover has also announced an initiative designed to give owners a better maintenance deal, whilst pushing more business the way of its dealers in the process.

It applies to the Range Rover, with buyers being invited to pay £500 for five years’ worth of maintenance, which the company says is one sixth of the actual value of the servicing and replacements parts involved.

It means that the vehicles go to franchised Land rover dealers instead of independents, only genuine Land rover parts are used, and it applies only to vehicles bought new from franchised Land rover dealers.

The package is worth £3,000 in servicing and replacement parts and covers Range Rover owners for five years or 75,000 miles.

There is the usual three-year unlimited mileage warranty, a six-year anti-perforation guarantee and comprehensive three-year roadside assistance coverage in both the UK and mainland Europe. The maintenance package is transferable with the vehicle throughout the five-year/ 75,000 mile period of cover.

Land rover is going from strength-to-strength, with a five-model line-up and record global sales of over 226,000 vehicles in 2007.

Around the world the company is this year celebrating its 60th anniversary throughout the summer with a series of special activities and events.

And one of its most successful models, the Land rover Discovery 3, gets a makeover just in time for the September registration changes.

The changes are purely cosmetic and include body coloured bumpers and wheel arches to add even more style to this 4×4 tour de force.

Other changes include tungsten coloured side vents and door handles as well as clear lens side indicators.

The Disco also gets three new paint finishes for customers to select from, including Bournville – described as black with a hint of brown.

Inside changes include the addition of almond coloured trim and improvements to the Bluetooth telephone system.

Prices for the new range start from £29,950.

If the Discovery is a little too large – or too expensive – the Freelander 2 is a viable alternative.

The original Freelander was the UK’s best selling 4×4 from launch until the end of 2005, but good as it was the Freelander 2 is head and shoulders better.

Whereas the original diesel Freelander was willing but a bit lacklustre the new 2.2-litre has impressively sharp acceleration and feels far more car-like both in its performance and handling.

And the extra length and width means far more space for passengers.

Freelander 2 prices start from £21,060 for the diesel model and £34,940 for the 3.2-litre petrol.

For those who can afford one the Range Rover is the flagship of the Land rover range and a new, high-specification ‘Autobiography’ model has just made its debut.

This is the most luxurious top of the range production Range Rover yet.

Taking the name Autobiography, it replaces the model previously reserved for bespoke versions of the luxury 4×4.

The new flagship receives more leather upholstery than any Range Rover before. What’s more, this luxurious semi-aniline leather is from the very best hides, which, after minimum processing, will age over time to give the truly unique character.

The Autobiography’s facia, door casings, door bins, seats and centre console are all finished in leather, complementing the traditional interior wood. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped, the leather-topped fascia has a softer, more luxurious feel, and even the floor mats are edged with leather.

The 2009 Range Rover Autobiography also offers new 20-inch diamond-turned twin-seven-spoke alloy wheels, new paint colours and an optional half wood steering wheel with matching gearshift insert.

Across the Range Rover line-up for 2009 there are new wheel styles, new exterior colours and optional wood and leather heated steering wheels.

Satellite Navigation and Hybrid TV will now be available as standard from HSE specification, and an exterior design pack featuring Supercharged grille, side vents, lights and stainless steel pedals will now be available on the TDV8 Autobiography which will be available from £72,995 on the road.

The range starts with the 3.6-litre TD V8 at £55,545 while the sleeker Range Rover Sport starts from £38,040 rising to more than £63,000 for the superchraged V8 version.

For the purists the Defender is still the iconic Land rover and the Defender 90 is available in seven different variations including hard Top, Soft Top and Station Wagon.

All Defenders have 2.4-litre diesel engines and the range starts from £19,470.

AS traffic ground to a standstill and commuters were advised to stay at home during the recent cold snap, one person was rubbing their hands with glee.

That person was me because, as the snow levels rose and the roads became a virtual car-free zone, the challenges facing my test vehicle for the week became more interesting.

After all, what better time to check out the highly-acclaimed new Land rover Freelander?

With its four-wheel-drive, sturdy shell and 18-inch alloy wheels, it handled the elements without a hitch, gripping the road superbly and confidently.

The Freelander has been among the world’s best-selling 4x4s since its launch back in 1997, with Land rover constantly upgrading and improving the models to keep them at the top of the off-roader wish list.

The latest changes are more to do with looks – the front bumper, headlamps and grille are all new and the headlamps now bear a remarkable resemblance to the Freelander’s bigger brother, the Range Rover. This has resulted in an increase of 70 per cent in light intensity.

Colour-coordination has featured highly too with the bumpers now matching the body colour while the interior is also impressive, boasting great looks, a very comfortable driving position and plenty of storage pockets scattered throughout the cabin.

There is easily enough room for four adults, even on the three-door version, and ample space for their luggage too.

But looks aside, it is the handling that is really impressive with full-time four-wheel-drive, Hill Descent Control and Electronic Traction Control allowing the Freelander to wade through water, climb or descend slippery slopes and give superb driving control when the going gets tough, like in snow drifts!

The Freelander has plenty of luxury features and excellent safety specifications all of which help to keep it ahead of the chasing pack.

FAST FACTS

Land rover Freelander 2.5i V6 Sport 3dr

Price: £23, 395

Mechanical: 177bhp, 2,497cc, V6-cyl petrol engine driving all 4 wheels via 5spd automatic gearbox

Max Speed: 113mph

0-60mph: 10.1 secs

Combined mpg: 22.7

Insurance Group: 13

CO2 emissions: 298g/km

BiK rating: 35%

Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited miles

New Land Rovers

Land Rover UK

OVER the years I have suffered various assaults by cars.

Perched on the edge of what had once been a Spanish farmer’s field with a shallow stream running through it, now a flood-gouged open-cast mine, two of us prepared to put the future of the gene pool in the hands of Land rover‘s new patent hill descent control, a bright yellow button on the top of the Freelander’s gear shift.

We set off, I pressed and the whole spring-loaded mechanism described a perfect arc through the air and directly into my left eye piece. I was, for long enough to lose complete control of the vehicle, Horatio Nelson laying low the Danes in the battle of the dry cured streaky. Low range? I see no shifts.

Most of all there are the assaults on sensibilities. Being dragged half way across Europe to drive a car designed by a young man in ripped jeans, so qualifying for the label ‘funky’. Funky? Sly and the Family Stone were funky. Something with two seats in the front and a cat’s basket in the back with a squid’s face for instruments is called small and pointless.

Others have offended by their sheer Ugly Bettyness. Illogical instruments have left me in a state of almost bag-lady like confusion and I have been rendered as dizzy as a California blonde by cars so slow they have actually been able to travel back in time.

Clearly there is boundless opportunity for upset and very possibly police action if you find your back being given an unsolicited massage by a German driver’s seat determined to see you arrive thoroughly prepared for a busy day annexing in the Sudetenland.

And I’m sorry but there can only be one conclusion to draw from having a little waft of Cologne squirted at your pants. The car thinks you smell.

The Citroen C6, however, is the only car I have ever driven that has punched me up the bottom.

No, stop it, this is real. There you are, driving along a deserted dawn road thinking oh, let’s just straighten this one out, when Pierre Pantaloon Person starts using your derriere as a punch bag.

Of all the warning devices this is by far the one least likely to be ignored. Wander over the white line and it’s stand up dinners for a week.

Very French. Certainly there can be no argument that if you want to gain a person’s attention, fiddling with their bottom will usually do the trick.

You will not, I guarantee, drift off to sleep driving this car. And if you do it comes equipped with nine air bags which means your rear is possibly most at danger of injury in any circumstances.

Here then is the irony of the C6; while it features Gallic buttock abuse it very much has the feel of an American car.

Firstly it is huge, huge in the sense of the of old CS models. Yes, yours will look big in this.

Then there is the exterior; while the rear end was clearly designed by a chef de partie the front is silicon valley.

However, it is the interior that gives the game away. Acres of space and fascia with minimal instrumentation – speed revs, fuel and hamburger capacity – in a tiny letterbox. But it also has a head up display. Firefox you are cleared for takeoff.

And of course, like a big American, it can be inclined towards the wallow.

The C6′s specification is best described as generous. Actually I can’t see any extras you could want although you can have rear TGV train style seats.

The test car was a V6 2.8-litre exclusive auto diesel, reasonably quiet, smooth on the motorway and relatively exciting at 8.8 seconds to 60mph.

This is possibly the best standard equipment on any car around today. the C6 has been worked out by the clever tricks department of Hamleys.

Then at £37,845, anything less would be a kick in the backside.

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