A V8 for Land Rover LR2?

Ford is considering offering a version of the new Land Rover LR2 with a V8 engine. The information was divulged by Edmunds. The automaker also intends to use the 4.4-liter V8 of Yamaha used in the Volvo XC90 and S80.

The shift to V8 is not a hard thing to do. This is because LR2 uses same platform as that of Volvo S80. Since viability is not a bother, the only query is whether consumers are amenable to pay more for an LR2. This was noted by Richard Beattie, Land Rover's executive vice president of marketing and sales. Andrew Foster, chief program engineer said that a V8 LR2 was merely an "interesting idea." Conversely, Earl Beckles, exterior designer of Land Rover, said that he would very much like to design a sportier body kit for the LR2.

"LR2 combines the advantages of a premium sedan – such as polished ride, accomplished performance, an attractive cabin and ease-of-use – with the attributes of a robust SUV, including go-anywhere ability, toughness, stadium seating, cabin versatility and spaciousness," said Phil Popham, Land Rover’s managing director. "We believe that no other compact SUV gets closer to blending these best-of-both-worlds abilities."

Land Rover Freelander, popularly known as LR2, is a compact crossover sport utility vehicle with a permanent all wheel drive. Its most recent version has debuted at the 2006 British International Motor Show. Said crossover SUV boasts its Land Rover Freelander performance parts that made it powerful and enticing. In the United States, the crossover SUV will be having a base price of $34,700.

LR2 will soon be joining well-established parts for Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery off-road parts, and other renowned vehicles of the automaker. LR2's technical highlights include a brand-new 3.2-liter inline-six engine featuring advanced technologies. They are incorporated to boost outstanding performance of the vehicle.

"We purposely kept strong Land Rover design cues, such as the clamshell bonnet, stepped roof and the basic form," said Land Rover design director Geoff Upex. "The overall look is new and contemporary. The design is chiseled, geometric and simple – it looks like it's hewn from the solid. We have kept a close design relationship with the LR3 and Range Rover Sport, but interpreted the design language to suit the requirements of customers for a more compact SUV."