LAND ROVER REVISES THE FREELANDER
Land Rover has announced its new ‘2011-spec’ Freelander 2, on sale in the UK from September. And in a first for any Land Rover, it will be available with the option of two-wheel drive – a move that’s bound to cause controversy among enthusiasts of the marque.
With lower emissions, modified interiors, improved refinement and stronger performance, Land Rover is banking on this midlife facelift to maintain the Freelander’s currently buoyant sales. And at the heart of the update is a modified version of the PSA-sourced (produced by France’s Peugeot-Citroen) 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine. Latest versions of this successful powerplant will be available in two states of tune — 148bhp and 187bhp — and both specs have 15lb.ft. more torque than the outgoing 158bhp motor. The changes to the engine (including a variable-vane turbocharger and a reprogrammed ECU) help it to meet Euro5 emissions rules.
The 148bhp TD4 comes with a manual gearbox as standard; the more powerful model (badged as the SD4) will be available only with automatic transmission. Land Rover claims that the entry-level unit matches the outgoing engine’s performance, while offering lower CO2 emissions – at 165g/km compared with 179g/km. The SD4, meanwhile, emits 185g/km but accelerates from 0-60mph in 8.7sec – almost two seconds quicker than the current Freelander – and reaches a top speed of 118mph.
Biggest news, however, is the arrival of a front-wheel drive Freelander, due on sale next January. Badged as the eD4, it will be available only with a six-speed manual ’box and the 148bhp diesel engine. And the reduction in weight created by the loss of four-wheel drive (plus the addition of automatic stop-start) will help the eD4 to deliver 47.2mpg on the official ‘combined’ cycle, plus 158g/km of CO2.
Land Rover managing director Phil Popham explained the front-drive option: ‘The European market for two-wheel drive SUVs represents 23 per cent of the segment, and we intend to compete strongly. A two-wheel drive option is just one way in which we are developing our vehicles’ efficiency while adding to the Land Rover range.’
2011-model Freelander styling tweaks include a new front bumper with revised fog lights, a new grille, different headlights and tail-lights, plus new-style 18- and 19-inch alloys. The new-look interior will feature revised instrument dials, four new styles of seat upholstery and the option of a Premium Pack that includes Windsor leather upholstery, covered centre stowage and greater adjustability in the seats.
The new-spec TD4 range will start at £21,695 for S trim, rising to £32,995 for the HSE, with automatic transmissions costing £1515 extra on all TD4 models. The more powerful SD4s start at £27,510 for the GS, rising to £35,510 for HSE. Prices for the front-wheel drive eD4 will be announced later in the year.
