My X3 has a sloping roof line which concerned me originally but there is ample headroom - even with the panoramic glass sunroof that I have - this is largely down to the seats sitting lower than they do in the FL2 but perhaps helped by the backrest being angled more - I always found the backrests to be almost vertical in the FL2, legroom is also far more generous. Bootspace of the DS also looks on par with my X3 although I must ask do the rear seats sacrifice any under floor storage in the boot? I have underfloor storage in the X3 and find it extremely useful for keeping oddments in. Now - 2017 BMW X3 M Sport Carbon Black
Gone - 2014 BMW X3 M Sport Space Grey, faultless!
Gone - 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Bali Blue with xenons
Gone - 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Rimini Red with bodykit

This thread reminds me of the debate in the early 80's when Ford stopped making the Cortina and bought out the Sierra. The new (Jelly Mould) shape was more aerodynamic and had lots of new features and benefits but sales of the Cortina actually went up until the buying public got used to seeing Sierras around. Then all the other manufacturers followed suit with similar designs which they had needed to produce but didn't want to be first.

Its a pity that LR didn't keep the FL2 in production whilst the DS comes onto the scene - reminds me of the time the Ewok went into production - some were put off by the lack of boot space etc and headed down the FL2 route - sales of the FL2 actually went up thanks to the Ewok.

dorsetfreelander wrote:

This thread reminds me of the debate in the early 80's when Ford stopped making the Cortina and bought out the Sierra. The new (Jelly Mould) shape was more aerodynamic and had lots of new features and benefits but sales of the Cortina actually went up until the buying public got used to seeing Sierras around. Then all the other manufacturers followed suit with similar designs which they had needed to produce but didn't want to be first.

As the factory is running at almost full capacity, if not full capacity, Freelander 2 production had to stop to allow the line to be switched over to Discovery Sport production and build up a stock of vehicles to meet the demands of the various launch activities, dealer demonstrators, press fleet, and also to build up a stock to enable deliveries to start to customers on 22nd January 2015.

While it is a shame that Freelander 2 production couldn't be run on it wasn't really an option.

I am sure they will be moving all the FL2 presses etc to India soon anyway.....  10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)