Britain's Autocar magazine reports that while the project has been plagued by delays, Land Rover still plans a late 2006 roll-out for the next-generation Freelander.

In spy photos published by Autocar, the new Freelander - likely to be dubbed LR2 in the U.S. - sports a wider track and stretched rear doors to accommodate a longer wheelbase, according to Autocar, which speculates that project delays can be blamed on a new rear suspension set-up recently added to test cars. Autocar's sources suggested two reasons for the late change: First, the next Freelander will share platforms with a forthcoming Jaguar cross-over vehicle and the rear suspension has been redesigned to accommodate that vehicle's need for seven seats. Second, the next Freelander initially shared a platform with the forthcoming Volvo XC50 4x4, but Autocar's sources say Volvo's requirements differ to the point that the two vehicles will now be kept separate.

Another reason, according to the magazine, is the requirement that the vehicle accommodate a hybrid powertrain in the future. With SUV sales in the tank due to high fuel costs, this seems a prudent move, as the mileage figures achieved by the rest of Land Rover's fleet can only be described as dismal.

Insiders say the most likely engine choice for the next Freelander will be the Volvo 2.8-Liter straight six, which will yield an almost 100 horsepower increase over the current 174-horsepower 2.5-liter V-6.

It's likely the new Freelander will be more expensive than the current model. Could it be that Land Rover will start a whole new "premium small SUV" class akin to the "premium small car" offerings of Volvo and upcoming Audi and BMW models? Our guess is that the base price will be in the neighborhood of $30,000, which would move the Freelander, or LR2, well out of the "Cute Ute" category and into another realm. - Michael Marter

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