Land Rover’s Freelander has been comprehensively improved and upgraded for 2004 with prices from €29,790.

The marque has invested some €36m in the new Freelander and around 700 new components have gone into the new car.

The range now includes new premium HSE and new Sport derivatives.

Land Rover Ireland enjoys a very high loyalty factor here with 86% of owners returning to repurchase. They expect to sell 1,000 new Freelanders in a full calendar year and have set their sights on regaining pole position in the Irish SUV market by 2005.

The 2004 Freelander has new front and rear bumpers, new mesh grilles and twin pocket style headlamps, giving Freelander the family face first seen on the new Range Rover, it’s Big Brother. The revised front headlamps are more than cosmetic, and deliver a higher volume of light output - improved by 70pc.

New bumpers are now body coloured and tail lights are mounted higher for improved visibility. This also helps keep them clear of mud and dust when off-road. Additions also include a new bonnet and rear door badging for a more contemporary look.

The Freelander has full-time 4WD and systems such as Hill Descent Control and Electronic Traction Control allowing it to wade through water, climb or descent slippery slopes.

I’d already driven, and much enjoyed, the Td4, 5-door automatic with SE trim as it had plenty of low down pulling power. That diesel engine was developed by BMW. Now, I was eager to get behind the wheel of the Sport derivative, the 1.8- petrol 3-door, 5-speed manual version to see how it compared.

This version is aimed at a new type of Land Rover customer, the younger market, who do more city and sport type driving.

The Sport is lowered by 30mm, is equipped with firmer springs and dampers and rides on new 18 inch alloys.

Inside, it has the same upgradings made to the Freelander range but with a ‘technical look’, black Mogul trim which I was assured does not make the occupants perspire.

It’s certainly an impressive, classy and comfortable interior with high quality black plastic, and lots of leather and chrome, and capable of easily accommodating five adults. Seats are big, comfy and supportive. Great for a long journey.

Chunky chrome bars come down the sides from the huge binnacle and the chrome door handles are giant sized. The leather steering wheel is also man sized in keeping with the whole ambience of the car.

Storage areas are on the generous side too with a huge two-compartment glove box, big oddments bin between both front seats and large front door bins. Cup holders are mug sized, and deep, to avoid spillages. Side windows are also big and low fitting and the huge wing mirrors give a great view.

Nice touches include a specs case and how the ignition circle lights up at night.

I found it easy to get a nice driving position with the low scuttle line of the dash but smaller drivers than me will lament the omission of a driver’s seat height adjustment function which should be part and parcel of every vehicle in this day and age.

The 1.8- petrol engine was quiet enough and the drive is certainly smoother than before. However, unlike the super 2.0- diesel version, this model drives like a 4x4 and not like a car, as the diesel did.

The gears reflect the robust ability of the Sport version and were quite stiff for me. I had to change up as quickly as possible as I felt it was over revving, especially from the off. I didn’t feel the 1.8- engine had enough puff to pull this very heavy vehicle and believed it needed the low down pull of the diesel.

The Sport specification also includes air conditioning (standard across the range), sports suspension, front fog lamps, remote audio controls, electric mirrors, In-dash 6 CD with 6 speakers and electric heated door mirrors.

All instruments are clear and easy to see with the speedometer on the right.

It also sported a nice sized sunroof and handy roof rails.

Rear seats come with a 60:40 split for extra storage. The tail door is also big and chunky, and comes with a big door bin and two wide sturdy ones on each side. A nice feature was the enormous black bag, with flap, which hangs from the back of a rear seat for storing away large items. Lift the lever on the boot floor, insert the key, and part of the floor opens up to reveal a tool box and spare area below. But watch out when reversing as the big rear mounted spare wheel can block part of your view.

While there was no driver’s vanity mirror, there WAS one on the passenger flap. Small thing for some, but women really don’t like tweaking the rear mirror for spot checks or to apply lippy. Does this tell us that it’s aimed mostly at young males with women in the front passenger seat? Do Land Rover designers not look in the mirror too?