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.
During the 1970s and 80s the evolution of Land Rover and Range Rover had continued. Land Rover recognition had grown even more through such events as the Paris-Dakar Rally, which demonstrated outstanding capabilities of these vehicles.
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.