The all new Freelander 2 has just been awarded a top five star rating, for occupant protection, in the Australian European New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP).

Previously, the Freelander 2 had been awarded five stars for adult protection, and four stars for child protection, in Euro NCAP tests. Jonathan Mabey, Land Rover’s Vehicle Safety Manager, said, "Safety is of paramount importance for Land Rover and for Freelander 2 to be the first compact SUV to be awarded the maximum star rating is a fantastic achievement."

The Freelander 2's impressive list of safety features starts with the strong monocoque body and its inner ‘safety cell’. Front and rear crumple zones are designed to help absorb as much energy as possible during an impact. Side-impact protection is further assisted by the ultra-high-strength steel door beams, the strong and deep door sills (bigger on a 4x4 than on a conventional car) and the raised seat position. Other key features include strong facia cross-rails, which help minimise the risk of the A-pillars spreading during an impact, front seat belts pre-tensioners, and seven airbags all as standard.

The all-new Freelander 2 goes on sale in Australia on July 1. Priced from $49,990 the Freelander 2 will be available in two specification levels, with a choice of 3.2 litre petrol or 2.2 litre turbo diesel engines. All models will come standard with a six speed transmission and full-time four wheel drive.

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 JD Power European Plant Quality Gold Award in 2005.

Standard Features on the SE models Includes:

• Full time intelligent four-wheel drive
• 6-speed auto, with CommandShift™ for manual sequential gear changes
• Leather interior
• Electric seat adjustment
• 7 Airbags
• Rear park distance control (PDC)
• 6-disc in dash CD player
• Auxiliary MP3 audio socket (for iPods and MP3 Players)
• 17 inch alloy wheels
• Dual automatic climate control
• Terrain Response™ – maximises traction in all driving situations
• Rain sensing windscreen wipers
• Full size spare wheel
• Trip Computer
• Cruise Control with steering wheel mounted controls
• Heated, electronically adjustable door mirrors
• Leather steering wheel and gear knob
• Power Fold Side Mirrors
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Traction Control (ETC)
• Corner Brake Control (CBC)
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
• Roll Stability Control (RSC)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC)

The HSE models add the following features:

• 18” Alloy wheels
• Driver seat memory pack
• Alpine branded 8 speaker HI ICE system with subwoofer
• Rear headphone sockets
• Bi-Xenon headlamps
• Front park distance control (PDC)
• Choice of 3 interior trim finishes

NOTE TO EDITORS: 

ANCAP The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) gives consumers consistent information on the level of occupant protection provided by vehicles in serious front and side crashes.

The program is supported by Australian and New Zealand automobile clubs, the States government road and transport authorities of NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia and the New Zealand Government.

NCAP Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe.

Established in 1997 and now backed by five European Governments, the European Commission and motoring and consumer organisations in every EU country, Euro NCAP has rapidly become a catalyst for encouraging significant safety improvements to new car design.

For further information please contact:

Guido Schenken
Public Affairs Department
Land Rover Australia
Phone: (02) 9020 1517
Email: gschenk4@landrover.com

Jon Harris
Marketing and Public Affairs Manager
Land Rover Australia
Phone: (02) 9020 1503
Email:  jharri18@landrover.com