In 1950 AWC system was improved: gearbox received additional lever in order to switch transmission between rear wheel drive and all-wheel drive modes. Customers could choose wheelbase length and body configuration. Land Rover became synonym or reliability and superb off-road capabilities.
In 1992 Range Rover got yet another upgrade. Swept-volume capacity of V8 engine was enhanced to 4.2 litres, vehicle got electronic traction control and, most notably, air suspension. Prior to that, suspension which supports the load on air-filled rubber bags, rather than steel springs was used only on buses, auto trucks and few luxury cars. This upgrade turned Range Rover into not only most comfortable, but most complex and technologically advanced SUV of its time.
In 1997 Land Rover Freelander was launched. More compact than Discovery, this sport utility vehicle became Europe’s best-selling four-wheel drive model. It was produced for 19 years, changing two generations.