Engine options are carried forward from the outgoing car, comprising of a 148bhp TD4, which returns 45.6mpg and emits 165g/km CO2, and the 187bhp SD4 at 40.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 185g/km. The two-wheel drive eD4 is expected to be the big fleet seller, offering 47.1mpg fuel economy and 158g/km CO2 emissions thanks to a  manual gearbox and start/stop system with brake energy recuperation.

New for the 2013 model year is a major overhaul of the cabin, which features a less cluttered dashboard with new dials and a seven-inch colour touch screen supplied by Meridian, similar to the displays in the Range Rover Evoque. The screen shows video from the newly introduced reversing camera and allows the driver to control a faster hard drive-based satellite navigation system which now includes Eco Route planning, lane guidance and points of interest.

The exterior has also been updated, featuring LED-lined headlamps and new rear light clusters, as well as three new body colours. Towing capacity is the same as the outgoing car at 2,000kg, aided by a Hitch Assist function on the rear camera, which overlays where the tow ball is in relation to the car.

The 2013 Freelander 2 will debut at the Moscow International Motor Show on August 29.