Spyshots: 2011 Land Rover Freelander (LR2) Facelift

One of the most quiet manufacturers this year, British Land Rover is currently working on a facelifted version of the Land Rover Freelander (LR2 for the American market), to be launched later this year, posibly at the 2010 Paris Auto Show. Although the new model will not bring extensive changes, the 2011 Freelander will get minor nip'n'tucks mostly to the front end.

The most visible changes are the new grille hidden under the camo and the restyled front bumper. According to some sources, a possible integration of LED daytime lights into the bumper is a possibility.

Engine wise, it is unlikely the Freelander will receive new engines. Currently, the model uses a 3.2l inline-six sourced from Ford, developing 230 hp, and a 2.2l four-cylinder unit coming from Peugeot and developing 162 hp and 400 Nm of torque.

Separately, Land Rover announced today it will introduce a 2WD vehicle in its line-up, as well as a hybrid. According to Land Rover, the 2WD version will go on sale next year and will use a powerplant which will emit less than 130 g/km of CO2.

“A 2WD option is just one way in which we are developing our vehicles efficiency whilst adding to the Land Rover range and expanding our customer base,” Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director, said in a release. “We will continue to make the 'world's finest all-terrain vehicles' for those customers who require 4WD but will also now offer an alternative to those that don't."