The Freelander 2, one of the world’s best-selling premier midsized SUVs is set to take local motorists by storm with ATL Britannia’s launch of the redesigned Land Rover model into the Jamaican market this week.

Attracting rave reviews from both the world’s leading media and motoring online blogs, British manufacturers Jaguar Land Rover has placed the previous model firmly into the history books with the launch of the Freelander 2.

Created by the same award-winning design team that delivered the legendary Range Rover Sport, the Freelander 2 made its official debut at the British International Motor Show in 2006 and strikes “the perfect balance between ride quality and handling, putting the driver in full control.”

According to local dealers ATL Britannia a subsidiary of ATL Automotive, the Freelander 2’s improved styling and engineering helps to deliver a highly refined driving experience far more advanced than other vehicles in its class.

“With a far more outstandingly built structure than its predecessor, the Freelander 2 boasts several performance enhancing upgrades including a formidable 2.2 litre turbo-charged diesel engine allowing more power and efficiency whilst reducing engine noise to a mere whisper,” said the dealers.

In addition, the Freelander 2 is built to deliver 50 per cent more torque than the previous Freelander model, meaning improved engine response as well as increased towing strength.

“It’s fair to say that the Freelander 1 has had some question marks over its reliability in the past so the manufacturers went back to the drawing board with a blank piece of paper and totally redesigned it from the ground up, said ATL Britannia managing director, Brian Stevenson. “What they’ve produced is a vehicle that is unrecognisable from the previous model and far more in line with the standards that we’ve come to expect from Land Rover.”

“If there any lingering doubts from our customers about the Freelander 1, we’re seeing them disappear the second they sit behind the wheel of the Freelander 2. Customers are telling us it feels like a small Range Rover Sport,” Stevenson emphasised.

“As it stands, it’s the second biggest selling premium SUV behind the Audi Q5 and is up there with the best of the best yet still at a great price point,” he added.

The Freelander 2 is also capable away from the tarmac, as it has adapted the full-time 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) and Terrain Response system previously only available in other models such as the Discovery 4 and the Range Rover line. This allows the Freelander 2 to effortlessly overcome the most challenging conditions both on and off road — perfect for Jamaican roads.

In addition to its exceptional 4×4 capabilities, it’s the attention to detail in creating this vehicle that sets it apart from the rest in its class. High quality materials, thoughtful touches and meticulous British craftsmanship all add to the feeling of luxury in Freelander 2. The optional panoramic sunroof adds even more light and airiness to the cabin, while its glass filters the infrared portion of the spectrum to avoid unpleasant heat.

“Anyone who sits behind the wheel of the Freelander 2, regardless of what they’ve driven before, is simply blown away and even more so when they discover the price,” said Stevenson. “We’re offering the Freelander 2 for prices between J$7.35 to 7.6 million and delivering everything the competition does and more but for much less money.”