Freel 2,

Sorry about the LR2 designation instead of the proper Freel2

But I thought you might find this informative

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiast...li=BBnb7Kz

Full Disclosure I own a 2008 LR2 and a 2010 S80

Both built on the FORD EUCD platform

Both with the UK built 3.2

Because I own both

Edit: I appreciate what Land Rover and Volvo achieved working together. Edit

Take care

Paul

Last edited by p_gill on 27th Apr 2020 5:26 pm. Edited 3 times in total

Strange I thought the Volvo came a couple of years after the FL2

That generation of S80 was launched in 2006, so pretty much the same time as the FL2. The platform was also shared with the Ford S-Max, Galaxy and the Mondeo from exactly the same year.
Consequently, it would be more accurate to say that all these cars share the same platform, rather than one being based on any particular version of the same platform.

Well, the Volvo straight 6 is a thing of beauty.............

Apart from those and the BMC 2200 & Leyland Princess 2200, I can’t think of any other transverse 6 cylinder cars. Can anyone think of any?

Tigger,

Thanks for your comments

The point that you made was exactly what I was thinking about


I think there are two ways to think about it

1. The Land Rover team was given access to the prototype S80 design and they were instructed to use as many parts as possible and any changes needed upper management approval

2. The Volvo team and Land Rover team worked in collaboration to create the platform and they worked hard to share as many parts as possible to keep costs down.

I want to believe that it was option 2 but I suspect it was option 1.

Edit: Dave convinced me option 2 is more accurate

Some examples

A. Freel2 bonnet release cable is routed outside the battery box. The S80 cable is in the battery box and it makes it harder to service the auxiliary belt.

B. The Freel2 3.2 starter motor is a different Bosch part number. And I suspect but can’t prove that it’s more water proof.

C. The Battery hold down clamp for the S80 is not easy to service on the road side or in the middle of a field. The Freel2 is a significant improvement.

D. The battery cover for the S80 is complicated and not easy to remove in the dark. The Freel2 can be removed with one hand blindfolded.

If the engineering teams were working together then Volvo should have used item C and D.

The good news is that item C can be updated to the Land Rover Type on the S80 and I will add that part to my next parts order.


Thanks

Paul

Last edited by p_gill on 27th Apr 2020 5:28 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Actually the Ford management co-ordinated the development between all three groups, who ever had already proven developed or planned tech was put in the lead for that component with the directive there will be complete cross platform compatibility where ever possible and without diluting the DNA of each brand.

The PAG office was sited above the entrance to the design building at Dunton, not a huge office by multi national standards but it was primarily a place to reinforce the concept of being a group, and it worked. Regards

David

Lovely i6 has now gone, but not me......

Please let me know if anything in my post offends you, as I may wish to offend you again......

And to complicate matters, I am sure that I read somewhere that the Freelander 1 was originally a joint project with Honda and shared it's DNA with the original Honda CRV. --- I will try to find the article.

Edit --- According to Wiki, although collaboration was suggested Honda declined, although if you find picture of original CRV they are very alike the FL1.
Oddly Wiki did go on to say that some collaboration was done with Hyundia, which give interesting food for thought.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rover_Freelander FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 82k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

Last edited by IanMetro on 27th Apr 2020 12:38 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Anyone remember the Honda Crossroad ?
I often wonder what the Honda version of the Freelander 1 may have looked like (basically the same but slightly different bumpers etc I imagine.) Or would they have just re-badged it, like they did with the Discovery ?




Incidentally, imagine getting one of these Crossroad's (Disco clone not that terrible Brummie soap, although some of the 1st Disco's with the Conran interiors admittedly do share the same flimsiness of the Crossroads set) as an import.
My ex's father bought a Disco 1 as a Jap import around 2004 and it was virtually new in condition.

Boxbrownie wrote:

Actually the Ford management co-ordinated the development between all three groups, who ever had already proven developed or planned tech was put in the lead for that component with the directive there will be complete cross platform compatibility where ever possible and without diluting the DNA of each brand.

The PAG office was sited above the entrance to the design building at Dunton, not a huge office by multi national standards but it was primarily a place to reinforce the concept of being a group, and it worked.

Strange I have both a Freelander 2 HSE and an S80 Executive and love both.