Larger, more luxurious and more expensive than the car it replaces, the new Freelander – or Freelander 2, as it should be called – offers clear evidence of Land Rover’s chasing the money. Freelander 2 is now a premium car: make no mistake.
And Land Rover has not lost sight of its origins: the Freelander 2 is even more adept off-road than its capable predecessor, thanks to a simplified version of the Range Rover’s excellent Terrain Response system.
With a manual ‘box, the 2.2-litre the TD4 will accelerate to 60 mph in 10.9 seconds, en-route to a top speed of 112 mph. More impressive is the in-gear response, the product of a peak torque of 400 Nm that occurs at 2000 rpm. Flexibility is a word frequently associated with common-rail turbo-diesels but the in the case of the TD4 it scarcely does justice to the engine’s pulling power, or the way in which the car can be teased around town with just a handful of revs on the tacho.
And a combined fuel consumption of 37.7 mpg can be stretched considerably on motorway journeys, where the extremely long ‘overdrive’ sixth gear contributes to a relaxed cruise and a potential 40-something to the gallon. And such is the degree of sound-deadening in the cabin, that at cruising speeds the engine note is little more than a background murmur. Add the excellent ride-quality and improved handling, thanks to an ultra-stiff body, and the Freelander 2 emerges as a car far superior to its predecessor in an all-important holistic sense. The experience is that of driving an entirely different car.
But even if the rugged good looks of the model it replaces have given way to something less inspired, the new car compensates by delivering the best drive in the sector. Without a doubt, the Freelander 2 is a delight to drive and the TD4 diesel engine of the test car proved itself flexible, torquey and able to deliver a fair turn of speed. And the ergonomics are second-to-none: this car bids you welcome from the outset and remains comfortable and engaging even after a day-long drive, on- or off-road.
And Land Rover has not lost sight of its origins: the Freelander 2 is even more adept off-road than its capable predecessor, thanks to a simplified version of the Range Rover’s excellent Terrain Response system.
With a manual ‘box, the 2.
I drove the range-topping TD4 HSE, which leaves the box at £30,935. Extras bumped up the price to £32,795, which is quite hefty for a car that once sold for the same price as a Mondeo. The HSE moniker naturally includes a number of premium extras, including automatic climate control, a twin sunroof, heated front seats, leather seat facings, and navigation with a touch-screen colour monitor.
The test car also had adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights that see round corners. Very useful, I’m sure, but the £1,295 price-tag seemed a bit steep when compared with the cost of the same option on some other cars. And given that we spent a lot of time off-road, the £75 Premium carpet mat set came in for a bit of a hammering.
All models (apart from the TD4 S) get the Terrain Response system, and all models (no exclusions) benefit from Traction Control, Hill Descent Control, Dynamic Stability Control, Corner Brake Control, Roll Stability Control, and Gradient Release Control.
Assuming that Freelander drivers are not, first and foremost, off-road enthusiasts, the various ‘Control’ devices will safely underwrite any off-road expeditions, even for first-timers.
But from behind the wheel it is not so much the off-road ability as the new-found prestige that makes the most distinct impression. Admittedly, I lament the passing of the parcel shelf/grab-rail, but there is no denying that the Freelander 2 has much to offer aspirant SUV buyers. Classier than anything else of comparable size, the HSE model will flatter its owners into thinking they’ve gone up in the world.
source: tiscali.co.uk