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| The new LR2, sitting on ground most new SUVs would fear to tread. Seriously. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Recent findings show that fewer and fewer sport utility vehicles offer any sort of off-roading capability whatsoever. General classifications of off-road talent seem to regard a ute's ability to clear speed bumps and perhaps a bit of wet grass in a pinch. With the exception of a handful of vehicles that have rock-climbing, muck-wading and other exploratory motives at their very soul, off-roading is quickly going out of style. For a prime example, look no further than the impenetrable fortress that was once Jeep. Up until just last year, Jeep specialized in all that is off-road... that is until someone high up decided that it'd be a stellar idea to build a front-wheel drive hatchback. This unfortunate circumstance is not the case for Land Rover, where off-road really means off-road, as proven by its latest product, the successor to the Freelander.
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| Power vents give the LR2 a little bit more of an aggressive look. Not so girly anymore, are ya? (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
The old Freelander, I will admit was a bit of an automotive vice. You see, I adored the way it looked, particularly its well proportioned exterior and purposely non-aggressive appearance, sort of like a prettier and classier Ford Escape, the sort of Girl Next Door of cute utes. Its successor, the new LR2 has the same small and general cuteness produced by its size, yet overall it is slightly less cheeky and a little more masculine. The matte silver diamond-finish grille and power vents borrowed from the supercharged Range Rovers changes things up, giving it a look that's better described as handsome. As his final piece before retirement, head stylist Geoff Upex wanted the new LR2 to look tough, but not too tough, and I reckon he's succeeded. Elements from the boxier LR3, such as the kinked up roof-line and chunky door handles were imported into the design in order to give it a sense of solidity and durability, but not machoness. All together, the contrast between gloss surfaces and matte is brilliant; I especially like it in the colour you see pictured here, Tambora Flame, a pearlescent tangerine colour that brings the body's contours to life. One favourite of the old Freelander is the retractable tailgate window. It ain't there anymore, and neither is the spare tire, or for that matter the two-door convertible version.
