Land Rover Freelander
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Manufacturer
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Land Rover
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Production
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1997 – present
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Class
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Compact SUV
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Layout
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Front-engine, four-wheel-drive or
front-wheel-drive
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The Land Rover Freelander is a compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) produced by the British manufacturer Land Rover, in both two-wheeland four-wheel drive versions. The current generation is sold as the LR2 in North America and as the Freelander 2 in Europe. It uses amonocoque (unibody) structure, in common with almost all other 'soft roaders' in its class, but unlike traditional SUVs that were built withbody-on-frame designs.
First generation (1997–2006)
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Market research by the Rover Group in the late 1980s suggested that Land Rover could enter the compact SUV market segment. In the early 1990s, the Rover Group had a restricted product development budget and looked for a partner to develop the project, which was codenamed CB40 (after Canley Building 40, where the concept was initially developed). Rover's then-partner Honda declined and chose to develop its ownCR-V model that was launched in 1997.
Rover decided to go it alone with the CB40, using existing parts and components, as it had done with the MGF roadster. When BMW took over Rover Group in 1994, the CB40 project received the capital it needed to proceed.
The Freelander was launched in late 1997. It became Europe's best-selling four-wheel drive model until 2002. The last Freelanders in North America were sold as 2005 models.
Rover decided to go it alone with the CB40, using existing parts and components, as it had done with the MGF roadster. When BMW took over Rover Group in 1994, the CB40 project received the capital it needed to proceed.
The Freelander was launched in late 1997. It became Europe's best-selling four-wheel drive model until 2002. The last Freelanders in North America were sold as 2005 models.
Production
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1997 – 2006
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Assembly
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Solihull, United
Kingdom
Rayong, Thailand
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Body
style
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3-door convertible SUV
5-door SUV
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Engine
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1.8 L K-Series I4
2.5 L Rover KV6 V6
2.0 L BMW M47 TD I4
2.0 L L-Series TD I4
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Transmission
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5-speed automatic
5-speed manual
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Wheelbase
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101 in (2,565 mm)
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Length
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2001–2003 5-door: 4,445
mm (175.0 in)
3-Door: 4,448 mm (175.1
in)
2004–2006 5-door: 4,422
mm (174.1 in)
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Width
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2001–2003: 1,806 mm (71.1
in)
2004–2006: 1,808 mm (71.2
in)
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Height
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2001–2003 5-door: 1,750
mm (68.9 in)
2004–2006 5-door: 1,753
mm (69.0 in)
3-door: 1,707 mm (67.2
in)
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Model variations
There were a variety of models, based around five-door estate and three-door softback (semi-convertible), hardback, and commercial (van-like) versions. In 2004, Land Rover introduced an improved and upgraded version of the Mark I; changes included a new interior and major external revisions, including a new face and rear.
The three-door model was available in E, S, SE, Sport and Sport Premium trim and the five-door model in available in E, S, SE, HSE, Sport and Sport Premium trim.
The three-door model was available in E, S, SE, Sport and Sport Premium trim and the five-door model in available in E, S, SE, HSE, Sport and Sport Premium trim.
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Engines
Engine choices include:- 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 (1997–2000), badged as 'Di' or 'XDi'
- 2.0 litre I4 BMW M47 diesel (2001–2006), badged as 'TD4'
- 2.5 litre V6 Rover KV6 Engine petrol (2001–2006), badged as 'V6'
Marketing
The first generation Freelander was used in the 1998 Camel Trophy and participated in Land Rover's G4 Challenge. The vehicle represented a compromise because 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 other Land Rovers, off-road performance was not as good.
The first generation was the first Land Rover to feature Hill Descent Control system. It used the Traction Control system and ABS to assist driving in off-road situations.
Lack of the MG Rover K18 and KV6 engines after the end of the MG Rover production led Land Rover to discontinue the model after 2006 in the U.S. and Canada.
The first generation was the first Land Rover to feature Hill Descent Control system. It used the Traction Control system and ABS to assist driving in off-road situations.
Lack of the MG Rover K18 and KV6 engines after the end of the MG Rover production led Land Rover to discontinue the model after 2006 in the U.S. and Canada.
Second generation (2006–present)
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Also
called
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Land Rover LR2
Land Rover Freelander
2
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Production
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2006 – present
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Assembly
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Halewood, England (HB&A)
Aqaba, Jordan (LRAAP)
Pune, Maharashtra,
India (JLR India) (CKD)
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Body
style
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5-door SUV
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Platform
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Ford EUCD platform
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Engine
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Petrol
engines:
2.0 L Ford EcoBoost 243
PS I4
3.2 L Ford SI6 233 PS
I6
Diesel
engines:
2.2 L Ford Duratorq
150 PS eD4
2.2 L Ford Duratorq
160 PS TD4
2.2 L Ford Duratorq
190 PS SD4
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Transmission
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6-speed Getrag M66EH50
manual
6-speed Aisin AWF21
automatic
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Wheelbase
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2,659 mm (104.7 in)
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Length
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4,501 mm (177.2 in)
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Width
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1,910 mm (75.2 in)
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Height
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1,740 mm (68.5 in)
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Curb
weight
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1,770–1,950 kg (3,902–4,300
lb)
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Related
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Volvo XC60
Volvo S80
Jaguar X-Type
Ford Mondeo
Range Rover Evoque
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The Freelander 2 debuted at the 2006 British International Motor Show. While the new model retained the Freelander name in Europe, it was marketed as LR2 in North America (mirroring the marketing of the new third generation Land Rover Discovery as LR3). A presentation at theKensington Roof Gardens was held for journalists featuring celebrity tennis player Maria Sharapova.
The second generation Freelander is based on the Ford EUCD platform, which itself is based on the Ford C1 platform. The Ford EUCD platform will be used by more upcoming vehicles from Volvo. The engine range is all-new for Freelander, featuring transversely-mounted 3.2-litre straight-six engine of the Ford SI6 series, which first debuted in the new Volvo S80, as well as the 2.2-litreDW12 common rail turbodiesel engine, co-developed by Ford and PSA Peugeot Citroën.
Unlike previous Land Rovers, this car is manufactured in the Halewood Body & Assembly facility, near Liverpool, and was until 2009 manufactured alongside the Jaguar X-Type. The new Freelander features higher ground clearance and off-road capabilities that are closer to other Land Rover models. It has improved quality interior with more safety features 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 and was called Third generation coupling. Vehicles from the 2009 model year are fitted with a modified design of the active on-demand coupling, known as Haldex's Fourth generation.
The second generation Freelander is based on the Ford EUCD platform, which itself is based on the Ford C1 platform. The Ford EUCD platform will be used by more upcoming vehicles from Volvo. The engine range is all-new for Freelander, featuring transversely-mounted 3.2-litre straight-six engine of the Ford SI6 series, which first debuted in the new Volvo S80, as well as the 2.2-litreDW12 common rail turbodiesel engine, co-developed by Ford and PSA Peugeot Citroën.
Unlike previous Land Rovers, this car is manufactured in the Halewood Body & Assembly facility, near Liverpool, and was until 2009 manufactured alongside the Jaguar X-Type. The new Freelander features higher ground clearance and off-road capabilities that are closer to other Land Rover models. It has improved quality interior with more safety features 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 and was called Third generation coupling. Vehicles from the 2009 model year are fitted with a modified design of the active on-demand coupling, known as Haldex's Fourth generation.
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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-inch wheels. A Ford 3.2-litre inline six-cylinder engine producing 230 hp (170 kW) is standard, with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. In the United Kingdom, the standard engine is the Ford 2.2-litre diesel. The TD4 version of the engine produces 150 hp (110 kW) and 160 hp (120 kW), while the SD4 comes with 190 hp (140 kW). Interior appointments include an Alpine 440-watt 14-speaker surround sound audio and a 7-inch touch navigation screen options, while the newer models can be equipped with an Meridian audio system, which comes with a surround sound 17-speaker system with Trifield technology, producing 825 Watts. The Meridian system is also equipped with subwoofers and Audyssey MultEQ audio tuning system. Also a 5-inch colour display screen is standard even at the newer entry-level models. An optional cold climate package includes heated front windscreen, heated front seats with two heating levels and heated windscreen washers. The optional lighting package includes bi-xenon headlights, adaptive front-lighting, memory for the driver seat, as well as exterior mirrors and approach and puddle lamps.
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