New Freelander 2 arrives
Better in every way, reckons Land Rover
Land Rover Freelander 2
According to Land Rover, it's improved in every way: better performance, more economical, more refined, higher quality and substantially roomier. It's more capable both off-road and on-road, with transformed handling, ride and comfort, said the company.
Motive power
Technical highlights include two brand-new engines: a 3.2-litre straight-six petrol and a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel. Both deliver improved performance and economy, said LR.
The 230bhp i6 petrol engine provides a top speed of 124 mph and 0-60 mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds. Combined fuel economy is 25.2 mpg. The engine is matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission, with Land Rover’s CommandShift offering manual sequential gear changes when required. There is also a driver-selectable sport mode, for livelier performance.
Unusually, the Feelander's straight six is transversely mounted, said to be a first in the compact 4x4 sector. The benefits of transverse fitment include improved interior package and safety performance.
The car's diesel engine is an all-new 158bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder unit delivering peak torque of 295lb-ft, with over 148lb-ft of torque from 1,000rpm to 4,500 rpm. Combined average fuel consumption of is 37.7 mpg. An optional catalysed Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF) is also available for cleaner performance.
Transmission technology
Two transmissions are offered: a new six-speed manual gearbox and the same six-speed automatic used on the petrol engine (diesel auto available from spring 2007).
Permanent four-wheel drive delivers torque front-to-rear according to conditions. Only a small amount of torque is fed to the rear wheels under normal conditions, such as on a straight tarmac road, but in tough off-road situations, almost all the engine torque can be fed to the rear wheels, if required. This offers maximum grip in difficult conditions, yet minimises rear drive – and therefore rotational losses and, in turn, fuel consumption – when not required, said Land Rover.
The 4x4 system has been developed in conjunction with Haldex, whose acclaimed centre-coupling technology continuously alters the front-rear torque split, normally through a hydraulically operated multi-plate wet clutch. However, Land Rover wanted an electronically controlled centre coupling – linking the propshaft to the rear differential – that could pre-engage at rest to reduce wheelspin from standing starts, engage quickly when traction loss was detected and disengage quickly without compromising stability control systems. The system also had to transmit the necessary torque to achieve Freelander 2’s off-road traction demands.
The result engages full-time 4x4 quickly via a high-pressure pre-charge pump that charges the hydraulic system as soon as the engine is started, allowing for full-time 4x4 from rest. It also reduces the time taken to achieve full torque once wheel-slip has been detected – within 15 degrees of wheel-slip rotation (compared with over 60 degrees of wheel-slip rotation with more conventional units).
Land Rover’s Terrain Response is standard on all but the entry-level model, to make off-roading easier. This adapts the responses of the vehicle’s engine, gearbox, centre coupling and chassis systems to match the demands of the terrain. It optimises driveability and comfort, as well as maximising traction.
Other interesting technologies include a patented Gradient Release Control, which improves driver confidence and control when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes.
Interior
Just 50 mm longer, the Freelander 2 has more generous head, shoulder and legroom, in both the front and rear and larger glass areas. IT carries over the so-called stadium seating, where rear passengers sit slightly higher than front occupants, for a clearer view of the world outside. Boot space is 38 per cent larger than that of the outgoing Freelander (with rear seats up: 755 litres vs 546 litres).
The body is a five-door monocoque structure, with a high level of torsional rigidity which benefits refinement, comfort and handling on-road as well as ensuring the vehicle is fit for off-roading. The suspension is fully independent and uses the most modern stability control systems, including Roll Stability Control (RSC), a new and sophisticated technology that helps mitigate the risk of roll-over.
Other features and options include: keyless starter button, bi-xenon headlamps, adaptive front lighting, rain-sensing wipers and park distance control (front and rear). A two-part panoramic sunroof increases the cabin’s airiness: air-conditioning is standard on all models and a full colour touch-screen DVD satellite navigation system is also available. The choice of top-level audio systems includes DAB digital radio and 12-speaker Dolby Prologic IIx Surround Sound with fibre-optic interconnects. An auxiliary audio connection (for iPods and MP3 players) is standard on all vehicles.
Designed and engineered by Land Rover at Gaydon, near Warwick, Freelander 2 is built at the Halewood plant in Liverpool, where outstanding build quality has been acknowledged with a J.D. Power European Plant Quality Gold Award in 2005.
First the Disco 3, where someone forgot to work on the clay blocks before signing off the styling, then the RR Sport, where they dusted off a 12y.o. design for the previous RR, and now this, which looks like the old Freelander.
:shakesheadindespairsmiley:
Such as:
Head gasket failures.
Copious water leaks into the rear load bay.
Remote locking not working in the vicinity of radio mast.
Centre-diff permanently locked.
Random ABS faults.
Dodgy brakes.
Tyre wear issues.
Crap stereo.
HDC control switches made out of chocolate.
Hideously overpriced accessories and options list.
Central locking opens a different set of doors on every use.
Main dealer service charges and parts extortionate.
Intermittent fuel pumps.
...
Maybe, but I'm sure there are a number of people like us who were burnt by the first version and would never go near another Freelander again! In fact there are, try an internet search for "Freelander" or "that pile of cr&p".
Ian A.
SUVs should have a power limit of 100PS and a 50mph speed limiter with at least £500/annum road tax.
And dont tell me you need to tow a horse box:-
a) horses have legs
b) a golf TDI can tow a horse box and still achieve 35mpg whilst doing so.
SUVs should have a power limit of 100PS and a 50mph speed limiter with at least £500/annum road tax.
And dont tell me you need to tow a horse box:-
a) horses have legs
b) a golf TDI can tow a horse box and still achieve 35mpg whilst doing so.
And bigotted hypocritical arseholes like you should have a bale of barbed wire shoved up their arses.
SUVs should have a power limit of 100PS and a 50mph speed limiter with at least £500/annum road tax.
And dont tell me you need to tow a horse box:-
a) horses have legs
b) a golf TDI can tow a horse box and still achieve 35mpg whilst doing so.
Ahhhhh !!!... nothing like an Enviro-nazi tree hugger to spice things up !!!
Your little Lotus may get better fuel economy, but it's still just a toy. You are burning petrol for no other reason but to have fun .. so get off of your little soap box. As for the baby Range Rover ... ? I like it. Much improved.
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