An odd time to be planning a seven-seater SUV but according to AutoCar, Land Rover will be adding a new seven-seat model by 2012. Sources say the project is internally known as “˜Project L486″ and that the new model will be based on the Freelander platform which will be heavily modified with an extended wheelbase to make room for seven-seats.

The seven-seater model will be more of a road/crossover model unlike the Discovery. The car will be based on the four-wheel-drive system of the Freelander along with the engine and transmission also shared from the Freelander.

The key engines for the European market will be the 2.0 and 2.2 liter diesel with a choice of manual and automatic transmission. A ‘micro-hybrid’ soft-start system will also be available. Styling cues will be heavily influence by the Freelander and the upcoming LRX.

Production will take place alongside the LRX at Halewood and Land Rover plans to build up to 70,000 units a year.

Source: AutoCar