Disguised new(?) Freelander on M25

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Sat 14 Jan 2006 11:26
Disguised new(?) Freelander on M25 - Yoby
On M25 J20-21 yesterday was following behind an SUV which I could not work out what make it was. It was covered in something resembling a black baby-grow, so I thought that it was probably a new production model being tested. Anyway on going passed I noticed the little fins like on the side of the Range Rover Sport and similar front headlight cluster, which confirmed my suspicions that it was perhaps a new Freelander (not big enough for a Disco).

Anyway, I found it quite interesting - something to relieve the boredom on a Friday afternoon's M25 run!

Yoby
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Jan 2006 11:50
Disguised new(?) Freelander on M25 - Sofa Spud
Have seen pics in press of new Freelander - incuding this month's Car magazine (looks like it might be a computer pic but not sure). Looks better than current model but that's not difficult!

cheers, SS
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Jan 2006 11:55
Disguised new(?) Freelander on M25 - Sofa Spud
An interesting aside here concerns the disguise used during the original Freelander's development.

Much of the testing of the original Freelander's running gear (engine, suspension, 4WD etc) was done with on prototypes with modified Maestro van bodies.

Cheers, SS
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Jan 2006 11:58
Disguised new(?) Freelander on M25 - Sofa Spud
Here's a pic of a Maestro van Freelander prototype.

www.freelanderclub.co.uk/prototype/CB40-5.jpg
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Jan 2006 13:59
Disguised new(?) Freelander on M25 - Dwight Van Driver
Surely it isn't smaller than the defender/90 which is to the left of the heap?.

I thought the new Freelander was a tad smaller than the Disco 1/2 with their shape?

dvd
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Jan 2006 15:49
Disguised new(?) Freelander on M25 - barchettaman
They should have left the Maestro van body on for the production models...! Great pics.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Jan 2006 20:26
Disguised new(?) Freelander on M25 - Sofa Spud
Vehicle to left of 'heap' looks like a series 2 or 3 long wheelbase (109) Land Rover.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Jan 2006 21:06
Disguised new(?) Freelander on M25 - AngryJonny
They should have left the Maestro van body on for the
production models...! Great pics.


Yes... it's nice to see that they're still raiding the British Leyland parts bin after all these years. Takes me back to the days of Discoveries with Sherpa headlights and Allegro door handles. Apparently the next Range Rover is going to have the doors off a Maxi.

------
AngryJonny (was E34kid)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Jan 2006 21:30
Disguised new(?) Freelander on M25 - barchettaman
....the days of Discoveries with Sherpa headlights and Allegro door handles....

And Maestro van rear lights, IIRC!!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....