Land-Rover Freelander 1 Early Freelander 3-dr the L314 by British Aerospace was designed by Gerry McGovern in 1992 on the idea of a hippo as a water loving beast. BMW had acquired the Rover Group in 1994 that were developing the Freelander 1 running gear from a Rover Maestro van. The 2000 year and 2003 upgrades were also designed by McGovern as the urban Freelander version, wheels after year 2001 have a different fit and cannot use those made before that time, but the steel wheels seen are used after 2001 for offroad duties. Below , a hippo negotiates an empty canal bed in Poland. ... Early Freelander wagon by BAE systems has a light color interior based on the African savannah grasslands that's hippo habitat. Cloth door inserts could become dirty and the molded panels are easier to clean. The early model has a radiator grille meant to remind viewers of the L-R Series II grille recessed in the body and later after 2001, it's changed to suit BMW p...