LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2

Land Rover has just given some fresh new touches to their baby SUV, the Land Rover Freelander 2. The minor changes begin at the front where it gets new Xenon LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights. They are laid out in a distinctive style to give the baby SUV an impressive look. The grill and fog lamp surrounds are now finished in a bright finish paint. There are also paint detailing changes to the front grille surround and front air intakes. The rear gets new LED lights, new spoiler and a similar bright plain finish on the boot lid. The side profile receives a new shinny side vents with integrated indicators. The rest of the restyled Freelander 2 remains unchanged. 

Land Rover Freelander 2

Under the bonnet it still retains the two diesel engines found in the previous Freelander 2. On the 4WD TD4 version sits a 148hp diesel engine. The engine is married to a six speed manual transmission system and a Stop/Start system. However the 4WD TD4 can be ordered with a six-speed automatic gear box without the Stop/Start feature.  The top of the range Land Rover SD4 version comes equipped with an 187hp engine. The SD4 can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 7.1 seconds. Top speed is pegged at 190km/h.

Restyled instrument dials

A 2WD version is available as well called the Freelander 2 eD4. This comes with a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine with an output of 148hp. The engine is married to the six speed manual transmission and it also comes with a Stop/Start system. The eD4 can achieve an impressive fuel economy of 6 liters per 100kilometers covered.

Restyled rear

All the Freelander versions come equipped with Land Rover’s Intelligent power System Management (IPSM) with Smart Regenerative Charging.  This feature ensures that, where possible, the alternator only charges the battery as the vehicle is decelerating, recovering kinetic energy rather than consuming fuel.

5-inch electronic instrument dial

All four wheel drive models come equipped with an intelligent four wheel drive system. This distributes power from the engine to the four wheels efficiently. The system does this by responding to changes in the grip of each tire. It then adjusts the power to each wheel accordingly.

Restyled center console

The Freelander also comes with Terrain Response, a system that optimizes the car to tackle any surface. The driver has to select between four modes; General Driving, Grass-Gravel-Snow, Mud & Ruts and Sand. Another system called Gradient Release Control ensures smooth hill starts both ascending and descending for absolute safety and driver confidence on any surface.

Comfortable front seats

A full range of stability systems provide a further safety net for the occupants including, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Traction Control (ETC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Roll Stability Control (RSC) and Engine Drag Control.

Rear LED lights

Inside, the Freelander 2 gets a fresh new interior look. It now has a new center console while the Terrain Response dial has been replaced by a set of switches.  A large infotainment system is visible above media control and classy center console clock.

Steering wheel controls

It also gets a new instrument cluster with a 5-inch screen that sits between the dials. It displays primary vehicle-related information, such as temperature, fuel levels, gear positions and the selected Terrain Response mode. The new look steering wheel has toggle switches to operate the instrument pannel drop down menus and vehicle set-up details.

Integrated reverse camera

It also comes with of Passive Start which replaces the key docking system, meaning that as long as the key is somewhere inside the car, the engine starts at the touch of a button. Another new feature is a rear camera. The view from the back of the vehicle is displayed on the Infotainment screen with dynamic lines representing the boundaries of the vehicle and your predicted path as you reverse. The 'Say What You See' voice activation system is also included with the new Freelander 2.

Terrain Response in action

This prompts the driver visually with the commands he or she can speak in order to control functions such as audio, optional satellite navigation, climate control and phone systems. The prompts are displayed in an easy-to-follow 'step by step' format on the screen. There is enough room for five occupants who enjoy plenty of head and leg room. The interior can be ordered in a choice of three new interior colours. There is Ebony, Ivory or Pimento.  Each of the interior colours comes with matching stitching and co-ordinated door casings to complete the look.

Xenon LED headlamps with daytime running lights

Entertainment is taken care of by the premium Meridian audio system available with either 380W of sound or 825W of sound. Both systems come equipped with a 7-inch colour touch screen. The 380W version comes with 11-speakers for an amazing stereo sound.  The 825W version comes with 17-speakers combined with Trifield sound technology to provide a concert-like experience to all occupants. Both systems come with subwoofers for a deep, bass sound.

Grill finished in bright paint

There also comes with Audyssey MultEQ audio tuning system to ensure occupants get the best out of each system. The base entertainment unit is an 80W 8-speaker unit with a 5-inch display screen. All music players come equipped with AM/FM and DAB radio tuners. The two premium systems come with CD, DVD, Virtual CD, iPod and USB. There's also a 3.5mm aux jack input for music players and Bluetooth audio streaming to any supporting devices including headphones. The virtual CD comprises of a hard drive which can store the equivalent of up to 10 Audio CDs.

Fresh new cockpit

The new Freelander 2 is available in five trim levels. The entry level is the Freelander S. This comes with cloth seats as standard. Next is the GS model with full leather seats. The XS comes with a gloss black grille surround, leather seats and the 380W Meridian sound system. The XS version also comes with new 17-inch alloy wheels as standard.

Top of the range Meridian Audio

The Dynamic version comes with a full bodystyling kit, gloss black finish to side vents, grille bars and grille surround. It also rides on new 19-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels with a painted finish. The HSE (Highly Specialized Equipment) version comes with a wood interior trim, panoramic sunroof and a memory function for the driver’s seat and door mirrors. It also comes with the 825W Meridian surround system as standard. The top of the range version is the HSE LUX that comes with premium Windsor leather seats, Grand Black Lacquer trim, premium mats and unique 19-inch Diamond Turned Wheels. Prices for the fresh look Land Rover Freelander 2 to be released soon.