Land Rover Freelander

Infobox Automobile


name=Land Rover Freelander
manufacturer=Land Rover
parent_company=BMW 1996-2000
Ford 2000–2008 Tata Motors 2008-present
production=1996-present
class=Compact crossover SUV
layout=Front engine, four-wheel drive

The Land Rover Freelander is a compact crossover SUV made by the British company Land Rover; currently a subsidiary of Tata Motors.

Freelander: The first generation

Infobox Automobile generation
name=First generation


production=1996–2006
body_style=2-door SUV
4-door SUV
engine=1.8 K-Series (136 hp) I4
2.5 L KV6 (174 hp) V6
transmission=5-speed automatic
wheelbase=101.0 in (256.5 cm)
length=2002-03 4-Door: auto in|175.0|0
2-Door: auto in|175.1|0
2004-05 4-Door: 174.1 in (442.2 cm)
width=2004-05: 71.2 in (180.8 cm)
2002-03: auto in|71.1|0
assembly=Solihull, Birmingham
height=2004-05 4-Door: 72.0 in (182.9 cm)
2-Door: auto in|71.2|0
2002-03 4-Door: auto in|69.2|0

The Freelander, wholly designed by the Rover Group, was born after market research in the late 1980s suggested that a market for compact off-roaders was likely to develop. In the early 1990s Rover Group had a very restricted product development budget and looked for a partner to develop the Freelander project, which was codenamed CB40. Rover's formal partner Honda also declined (although the very similar Honda CR-V appeared in 1997).Fact|date=April 2008

Rover decided to go it alone with the CB40, which meant using parts from a limited parts bin, as it had done with the MGF roadster. It is thought that the Freelander was based on a heavily modified Maestro floorpan, with a unique body, transmission and suspension.Fact|date=April 2008 Although BMW took over Rover Group in 1994, they did not get heavily involved in the development of the Freelander. The car was launched in 1997. The early model Freelanders, however, suffered from chronic unreliability issues including blown head gaskets, failure of the differentials, total clutch failure and over-heating among other things which saw the Freelander rated at the bottom of almost all reliability surveys in the UK.Fact|date=April 2008 This did not stop the vehicle becoming a strong sales success, becoming Europe's best-selling 4x4 model and remaining so until 2002. [3]

There are a variety of models, based around 5-door station wagon and 3-door softback, hardback, and commercial versions.

Model - Variations

2004 saw Land Rover introduce an improved and upgraded version of the Mark I Freelander - changes included a new interior and major external revisions, including a new face and rear.

The 3-door model is available in E, S, SE, Sport and Sport Premium trim and the 5-door model is available in E, S, SE, HSE, Sport and Sport Premium trim. The engine line up includes a 1.8 petrol, 2.5 V6 petrol and 2.0 TD4 diesel.

The Freelander's front view is quite aggressive with large openings in the deep front bumper. A variation of 15", 16" and 17" diameter alloy wheels with three different tyre profiles are spread across the six vehicle range

The discerning observer will notice that the subtle exterior differences compared with the previous models from the Mark I. The turn signals with clear front lenses blend with the headlamps to give the appearance of a wider stance, and minor changes to bumper profiles and badging are the tell tale signs. These are subtle 'tweaks' that are not easily picked up by the untrained eye - but Freelander enthusiasts are able to spot these very easily. The strongest difference can be seen between the Mark I 1,8i, Di, Td4 and the two (2001 to 2004) versions of the (2.5 litre) V6. The sheer muscular appearance of the latter has always set it apart from the rest of the Mark I batch. The increase in the engines sizes also reflected in the noticeable increase in the size of the vehicles physical appearance.The 'tweaks' continued with the release of the Mark II - as seen from view appearance from the ever changing front grill.

The Mark II Freelander has appeared with a far more 'softer' look but with a very 'square' front grill and the styling is said to be inspired by the larger Range Rover Sport to which there is a sharp doff of the hat.

Engines

Engine choices include: [ [http://www.landyonline.co.za/specs/freelander_td4_v6.htm Engine choices available in 2001.] landyonline.co.za, 2001, Retrieved 27 April 2007]
* 1.8-litre I4 Rover K-Series petrol (1997-2006), badged as '1.8i' (Not sold in North America)
* 2.0-litre I4 Rover L-series diesel (1997-2001), badged as 'Di'
* 2.0-litre I4 BMW TD4 diesel (2001-2006), badged as 'TD4'
* 2.5-litre V6 Rover KV6 Engine petrol (2001-2006), badged as 'V6'

Manual gearboxes dominated the early models, but automatic Tiptronic-style gearboxes became increasingly popular and were standard on the V6.

Marketing

While the first-generation Freelander was considered quite capable off-road, earning its credentials in the Camel Trophy and Land Rover G4 Challenge, it represented a compromise. It did not have a low range gear selection nor a locking differential, as found on larger Land Rover models. This meant that in comparison to its stablemates, it had relatively poor off-road performance (although its sophisticated traction control system meant that on some terrain, such as wet grass or ice, it could easily embarrass a 'proper' 4x4 such as the Discovery. In its class, against vehicles such as the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CRV it had superior off-road performance.fact|date=May 2008

The first-generation was, however, the first Land Rover to feature hill descent control. This system, plus the capable off road Traction Control system used the ABS to control individual brakes and keep driving under control in offroad situations.

Poor sales of the Freelander caused Land Rover to discontinue the model after 2006 in the U.S. and Canada.

Freelander 2: Second generation

Infobox Automobile generation
name=Second generation


aka = Land Rover LR2
Land Rover Freelander 2
production=2007–
assembly=Halewood, England
platform=Ford EUCD platform
body_style=4-door SUV
engine=3.2L 230 hp I6
transmission=6-speed automatic
wheelbase=104.7 in (265.9 cm)
length=177.2 in (450.1 cm)
width=75.2 in (191.0 cm)
height=68.5 in (174.0 cm)
related =Volvo S80The new Freelander 2 debuted at the 2006 British International Motor Show. While the new model retained the Freelander nameplate in Europe, it was to be marketed as LR2 in North America (mirroring the marketing of the new third-generation Land Rover Discovery as "LR3"). Preceding the official debut, a private presentation at the Kensington Roof Gardens had been held for journalists, featuring celebrity tennis player Maria Sharapova. [http://www.landrover.com/us/en/Company/News/LR2_News/LR2_News_Sharapova.htm]

The second generation Freelander is based on the Ford EUCD platform, which itself is based on the Ford C1 platform. The EUCD platform is also used by the new Ford Galaxy, Ford S-MAX and Volvo S80, and will be used by more upcoming vehicles from Ford and Volvo. The engine range is all-new for Freelander, featuring transversely-mounted 3.2 I6 engine of the Volvo SI6 series, which first debuted in the new Volvo S80, as well as the 2.2 DW12 common rail turbodiesel engine, co-developed by Ford and PSA.

Unlike previous Land Rovers, this car would be manufactured alongside the Jaguar X-Type at Halewood, near Liverpool. The new Freelander features improved ground clearance and promises greater off-road capabilities, closer to other Land Rover models and significantly above those of rivals such as BMW and Audi [http://www.whatcar.com/news-special-report.aspx?NA=220413&EL=3162030] . It has a much improved quality interior with more safety features [ [http://www.euroncap.com/tests/land_rover_freelander_2007/286.aspx European report on Freelander safety] ] as standard. The Freelander 2 features a modified version of the Terrain Response off-road driving system as fitted to the Discovery 3 and the Range Rover. The 4WD system was developed in conjunction with Haldex. It uses Haldex's Third generation coupling. Visit Haldex's Wiki page for more info on how this system works.

The new Freelander was first sold in the U.S. in 2007 as the LR2. The 2008 version is called the LR2 HSE. The HSE has added side trim and 19" wheels. A Volvo 230-hp 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine is standard, with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Interior appointments include an Alpine 440 watt 14 speaker surround sound audio and touch navigation screen options. (Technology Package). There is also a Cold Climate Package that includes heated front windshield, heated front seats with two heating levels and heated windshield washer jet and a Lighting Package that includes Bi-Xenon headlights, Adaptive Front-Lighting System, memory system for the driver seat and exterior mirrors and approach and puddle lamps.

References

[http://www.landroverusa.com/us/en/_popups/freelander_history.htm?route=_us_en_Vehicles_Past_Vehicles_Overview@__link__InfoBlockLink_4]

External links

* [http://www.freelanderclub.org - Official Freelander Club for owners & enthusiasts]
* [http://www.landrover.co.uk/gb/en/Vehicles/Freelander2/Freelander_overview.htm Official Land Rover Website]
* [http://www.channel4.com/4car/rt/land+rover/freelander+2/1102/2 Channel 4 thorough review and Specifications]