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Kensington, London, 22 June 2006 – Women’s tennis superstar and Land Rover driver, Maria Sharapova, 19, was in London today for a pre-Wimbledon Sony Ericsson Women’s Tennis Association (SEWTA) party in Kensington, where she gave party guests and on-lookers a sneak preview of the all-new Land Rover Freelander 2.

More photos and information after the jump.

Miss Sharapova is an official Land Rover ambassador in North America, where she promotes the vehicles, and she currently uses her Range Rover at her home in the USA.

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Speaking at the event, Miss Sharapova said: “I drive a Land Rover at my home in the USA. Since I was 15 and first saw Land Rovers in the US I have admired their unique design and British-ness. I currently have Range Rovers, but am a big fan of the new Freelander 2. I love the fact I can use my i-Pod straight through its sound system, and I can get my coach, my dad, my agent and all my equipment in the car too.”

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The SEWTA party was held at Kensington Roof Gardens in London, and was hosted by the owner, Sir Richard Branson.

The all-new Freelander 2 will appear at the British International Motor Show at the Excel exhibition centre in London’s Docklands from 18 July 2006.

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Land Rover Freelander 2 product highlights:

Fresh and dynamic exterior design – chiselled, geometric and simple

Two new engines that deliver strong combinations of performance, refinement and fuel economy

2.2-litre TD4 diesel (160 PS / 118 kW) – better fuel economy than its predecessor (37.7 mpg : 7.5 l/100 km) and 43 per cent more power

3.2-litre i6 petrol (233 PS / 171 kW) – 30 per cent more powerful than the outgoing V6 with 10 per cent improvement in fuel economy

Full-time intelligent 4×4 that helps optimise traction and fuel economy

Land Rover’s unique Terrain Response™ system – for easier off-road driving