russ
20th Oct 2003, 12:20
Well lucky old me got to have a good play in a brand new TD4 SE this weekend :D:D
Looks much more handsome in the flesh than the pictures (and it looks tasty in the pictures!). The interior is really fresh with the new switch gear.
The seat is dead comfy (i'd put it on par with the New RR's seat), it is very nice and perfectly shaped. Close the door and the door armrest is in the right place (hhooo bloody ray! - it's only taken 7 years to work out that we don't have orangutang arms!)
It was a complete nuisance on long trips having to rest my arm on the window sill, but in the 04 the armrest is perfectly placed.
The armrest contains all the switches for all the windows, the rear window lockout switch and the door lock switch, these are chunky curvy mondeo items and look solid.
The same electric/powerfold mirror switch is still there, but underneath where there is a tiny cubby (at least on my 02 there is) are switches for the park sensor and the cruise control (if fitted). Instrument console is really nicely laid out, everything is easily visible and the steering wheel is comfortable (that bloke in LROI harping on about ergonomics and not being able to see the speedo through the steering wheel ought to buy some glasses and use them to find the steering column adjust handle! muppet! :rolleyes: I'm 6ft 3 and i could see them fine!).
The switches across the top of the dash are easy to reach, soft feeling and sensibly laid out. The centre console has been designed to accomomdate a 2 DIN sized radio (which is a Ford item) very neat in dash 6CD changer and the usual buttons!
The heating controls are easy to reach and light to use, as are all the switches on either side of the console. Gear trim looks very swish and rumour has it that 'improvements' have been made to the gearboxes (especially the Auto) to make it smooth and slick.
Sitting in the seat the whole lot combines to feel far more luxurious than the previous freelanders, it has taken on a class more in keeping with the RR without the price tag.
Didn't get a drive (not allowed on the road until official launch date of Nov 1st but i'm first in line :)) but i'm sure a few little tweaks have been made to make it that bit better...will report back.
Meanwhile my HSE sits at the factory waiting for a Whassisname Kardon unit before it is built so i'm told it will be ready in December, never mind.
Definetley worth a look and a drive:yay:
Looks much more handsome in the flesh than the pictures (and it looks tasty in the pictures!). The interior is really fresh with the new switch gear.
The seat is dead comfy (i'd put it on par with the New RR's seat), it is very nice and perfectly shaped. Close the door and the door armrest is in the right place (hhooo bloody ray! - it's only taken 7 years to work out that we don't have orangutang arms!)
It was a complete nuisance on long trips having to rest my arm on the window sill, but in the 04 the armrest is perfectly placed.
The armrest contains all the switches for all the windows, the rear window lockout switch and the door lock switch, these are chunky curvy mondeo items and look solid.
The same electric/powerfold mirror switch is still there, but underneath where there is a tiny cubby (at least on my 02 there is) are switches for the park sensor and the cruise control (if fitted). Instrument console is really nicely laid out, everything is easily visible and the steering wheel is comfortable (that bloke in LROI harping on about ergonomics and not being able to see the speedo through the steering wheel ought to buy some glasses and use them to find the steering column adjust handle! muppet! :rolleyes: I'm 6ft 3 and i could see them fine!).
The switches across the top of the dash are easy to reach, soft feeling and sensibly laid out. The centre console has been designed to accomomdate a 2 DIN sized radio (which is a Ford item) very neat in dash 6CD changer and the usual buttons!
The heating controls are easy to reach and light to use, as are all the switches on either side of the console. Gear trim looks very swish and rumour has it that 'improvements' have been made to the gearboxes (especially the Auto) to make it smooth and slick.
Sitting in the seat the whole lot combines to feel far more luxurious than the previous freelanders, it has taken on a class more in keeping with the RR without the price tag.
Didn't get a drive (not allowed on the road until official launch date of Nov 1st but i'm first in line :)) but i'm sure a few little tweaks have been made to make it that bit better...will report back.
Meanwhile my HSE sits at the factory waiting for a Whassisname Kardon unit before it is built so i'm told it will be ready in December, never mind.
Definetley worth a look and a drive:yay: