FOR three decades, makers of four wheel drive vehicles have been seeking their own particular "Holy Grail."
Ever since the appearance of the very first Range Rover back in the Seventies, the quest to produce an off-roader that really does handle as well as a conventional road car has been the ultimate goal.
It was at the beginning of 1998 that the Freelander took up the baton for recognised 4x4 master crafter, Land Rover, weighing in as a soft-roader, leisure-orientated 4x4 charged with exhibiting good off-road ability combined with more refined manners on the tarmac.
Freelander didn't exactly make an auspicious start to its task six years ago and a number of problems beset its first six months of existence.
But, despite vehicle recalls, Land Rover was convinced that this was the right lifestyle vehicle for the future, a point borne out by the fact that, despite setbacks, the Freelander almost immediately featured among the world's best-selling 4x4s.
Changes were made along the way and September 2000 saw a second generation Freelander arrive complete with revised engines and equipment to take the compact 4x4 game to a higher plane.
At the end of last year the Freelander range received a comprehensive make-over, both inside and out, bringing an even more stylish look to the family soft-roader sector.
The changes were designed to further improve Freelander's premium sector aspirations and thus made it even more desirable to its vast and ever-burgeoning army of devotees.
A vehicle that has firmly established its go-anywhere credentials must also be a head-turner on the tarmac and this latest Freelander has been designed to answer positively that old cliche, "you've either got or you haven't got style."
From stem to stern, the enhancements represent striking changes from the original version of 1998. The Freelander's countenance benefits from a new body-coloured bumper and grille flanked by a pair of multi lens headlights similar to those found on the Range Rover, which provide a light intensity improvement by some 70 per cent.
Changes to the leading edge of the bonnet also further enhance the front end with "Land Rover" picked out in the bolder lettering which is also borrowed from the Range Rover.
The rear of the car has not been ignored in the attention stakes, getting a more effective-looking body-coloured bumper and a new tail light set-up which is positioned higher to reduce the effect of road and off-road grime on the lenses.
The cabin, too, has been the subject of comprehensive restyling to match the Freelander's premium mode with fascia, instruments, switchgear, door trims and fabrics all getting the new-look treatment and providing a quality feel which was missing from the original model.
My test car was the five-door Freelander Sport derivative which comes with all the right changes to produce pin-sharp, almost sportscar-style handling.
Riding on 18-inch alloys with lowered suspension, firmed-up springs and dampers, the Sport rewards the driver with much more responsive roadway behaviour.It corners like a good 'un with hardly a hint of the body roll usually associated with cars of this genre.
Seating has also been vastly improved in a roomy, smart, generously kitted out and comfortable interior which is well laid out with a high command position that allows driver and passengers good all-round vision.
If behaviour on the tarmac is reminiscent of a quality sports saloon, the Freelander Sport is also still Land Rover through and through when the tarmac runs out. For, despite its lowered suspension set-up and reduced ground clearance, it is still a hugely capable off-roader.
There are three engine options from which to choose and the test car performed powerfully courtesy of the two-litre, four-cylinder common rail turbo diesel which, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, provided a surprisingly economical performance over the combined driving route.
With no low-ratio transfer box, the permanent four-wheel-drive Freelander relies upon technology to assist its off-road progress. The Land Rover creation, Hill Descent Control, and Electronic Traction Control combined to provide superb driver assistance when the going gets tough.
Overall, this is a tremendous leap forward for the Freelander. Land Rover has produced another rabbit out of the hat in the Sport model which completely justifies its billing as the "sportiest Land Rover production model to date."
FAST FACTS
Land Rover Freelander Td4 Sport Auto
Price: £23,830
Mechanical: 112bhp, 1,951cc, 4cyl turbodiesel engine driving all four wheels via five-speed automatic gearbox
Max speed: 100mph
0-62mph: 14.3 secs
Combined mpg: 32.7
Insurance group: 11
CO2 emissions: 240g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage