Redefining the class standards, Freelander 2 delivers
outstanding breadth of capability on and off-road. Priced from
$49,990 the all-new Freelander 2 is the most complete vehicle in
its class, and matches the refinement usually associated with
premium saloon cars.
Available in two specification levels, with a choice of 3.2
litre petrol or 2.2 litre turbo diesel engines, the Freelander 2
goes on sale in Australia in June.
Standard Features on all models Includes:
- 6-speed auto, with CommandShiftô for manual sequential
gear changes
- Leather interior
- Electric seat adjustment
- 7 Airbags
- Rear park distance control
- 6-disc in dash CD player
- Auxiliary MP3 audio socket (for iPods and MP3 Players)
- 17 inch alloy wheels
- Dual automatic climate control
- Terrain Responseô - maximises traction in all driving
situations
- Rain sensing windscreen wipers
- Cruise Control
- Full time intelligent four-wheel drive
- Leather steering wheel and gear knob
Model Pricing:
Freelander 2
|
Si6 SE
|
Td4 SE
|
Si6 HSE
|
Td4 HSE
|
RRP
|
$49,990
|
$51,990
|
$55,990
|
$57,990
|
The Freelander 2 features two new engines that deliver strong
combinations of performance, refinement and fuel economy:
- 3.2-litre i6 petrol (171 kW) - 30 per cent more powerful than
the outgoing V6 with 10 per cent improvement in fuel economy
- 2.2-litre TD4 diesel (118 kW) - better fuel economy than its
predecessor (8.5 l/100 km) and 43 per cent more power
The Freelander 2 has already scooped numerous awards overseas
including:
- BBC Top Gear 'SUV of the Year'
- Best Compact 4x4 at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards,
- Best Small 4x4 at the annual BusinessCar awards - voted for by
readers of British BusinessCar magazine.
OVERVIEW
The all-new Land Rover Freelander 2 redefines the compact premium
4x4 class. New from the ground up, Freelander 2 delivers
outstanding on-road performance as well as the class-leading
off-road ability of a true Land Rover. A dynamic design, purposeful
stance, smart and spacious interior, and an abundance of advanced
technologies complete the package.
"No other compact 4x4 has anything like its total breadth of
capability," says Phil Popham, Land Rover's managing director. "The
Freelander 2 sets new standards in the sector, combining the
advantages of a premium car - such as polished ride, accomplished
performance, attractive cabin and ease-of-use - with the attributes
of a robust 4x4, including go-anywhere ability, toughness,
panoramic seating, cabin versatility and spaciousness. We believe
that no other compact 4x4 gets closer to blending these
best-of-both-worlds abilities."
The original Freelander (launched in 1997) is seen by many as
having created a whole new class of vehicle: the compact premium
4x4. It was the top-selling 4x4 in Europe for five years and
remained the UK's best-selling 4x4 from launch until the end of
2005. The all-new Freelander 2 is improved in every way: better
performance, more economical, more refined, higher quality and
substantially roomier. It is more capable both off-road and
on-road, with transformed handling, ride and comfort.
Freelander 2 is Land Rover's fourth all-new vehicle in just over
four years, and follows the new Range Rover (2002), Discovery 3
(2004) and Range Rover Sport (2005). Their highly successful
introductions contributed to record Land Rover sales worldwide in
2005. Technical highlights of the Freelander 2 include two
brand-new engines: a 3.2-litre straight-six petrol and a 2.2-litre
four-cylinder turbocharged diesel. Both feature advanced
technologies to deliver outstanding combinations of performance and
economy.
The 233 PS (171 kW) i6 petrol engine provides a top speed of 124
mph (200 km/h) and 0-60 mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds (0-100 km/h
in 8.9 seconds). Combined fuel economy is 25.2 mpg (11.2 litres/100
km). The engine is matched to a new six-speed automatic
transmission, with Land Rover's CommandShiftô offering manual
sequential gear changes when required. There is also a
driver-selectable sport mode, for livelier performance.
Straight-six engine configurations are ideal for delivering
engine smoothness, and the very compact new unit in Freelander 2 is
small enough to mount transversely, a first in the compact 4x4
sector and one of the vehicle's many innovations. The benefits of
transverse fitment include improved interior package and safety
performance.
The diesel engine chosen for Freelander 2 is an all-new
2.2-litre four-cylinder. The 160 PS (118 kW) unit delivers peak
torque of 400 Nm (295 lb ft), with over 200 Nm (148 lb ft) of
torque from 1000 rpm all the way to 4500 rpm. The engine is easy
and responsive to drive, as well as highly refined and economical,
with a combined average fuel consumption of 37.7 mpg (7.5 l/100
km). An optional catalysed Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF) is also
available for even cleaner performance. 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).
The interior package of Freelander 2 is a major improvement over
the outgoing vehicle. Although only 50 mm longer, the Freelander 2
has more generous head, shoulder and legroom, in both the front and
rear. Large glass areas emphasise the spacious feel and complement
the elevated 'command driving' position - a Land Rover hallmark -
and 'stadium seating', where rear passengers sit slightly higher
than front occupants, for a clearer view of the world outside. Boot
space is also among the best in class and 38 per cent larger than
that of the outgoing Freelander (with rear seats up - 755 litres vs
546 litres).
The exterior and interior design of Freelander 2 is completely
fresh, integrating the company's unique design language with a form
that is instantly recognisable as the latest Land Rover.
"We purposely kept strong cues from the original Freelander,
such as the clamshell bonnet, stepped roof and the basic form,"
says Land Rover design director Geoff Upex. "But the overall look
is new and much more contemporary. The design is chiselled,
geometric and simple - it looks like it's hewn from the solid. We
have kept a close design relationship with the new Discovery 3 and
Range Rover Sport, but interpreted the design language to suit the
requirements of customers for a more compact 4x4."
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 serious
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.
Freelander 2 is packed with new technologies to improve both
on-road and off-road performance, many new to the class. Land
Rover's unique Terrain Responseô is standard on all but the
entry-level model, to make off-roading easier. Other interesting
technologies include a new full-time intelligent 4x4 system for
superior traction and better on-road fuel economy, and the patented
Gradient Release Control, which improves driver confidence and
control when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes.
Other features and options rare in this class 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 Dolbyô 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 JD Power
European Plant Quality Gold Award in 2005.