Land Rover Freelander 2.2 TD4 HSE
Our hearts go out to German soccer fans after the Euro 2008 final… and to Freelander 1 owners. The latter have had to put up with a lot in the past 10 years – problem-ridden diffs and exhaust systems, jammed electric sunroofs, leaking door seals, blown gaskets, play in the steering and enough electronic problems to break a techie’s spirit.
No wonder many Freelander 1 owners have vowed never to buy one again.
This is a pity, because the Freelander 2 is streets ahead of its predecessor. It’s receiving high client service ratings, it offers a smoother ride and it handles better off-road. Unlike some Korean SUVs, it doesn’t look like a block of butter left out in the sun.
What do you get for your money?
The new Freelander costs R429 000. That’s a lot of money. (The previous model cost R324 000, R105 000 less).
For this fat roll of bank notes you get a really luxurious car with a wealth of advanced driver aids such as traction control, corner brake control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control and descent control – features that can save your life by stopping the car from slipping or rolling.
There is also a beeper that goes crazy if you get too close to the garage wall or another car (and seven air bags, in case you decide to ignore the beeper).
There is an entry-level model of the new Freelander, the 2.2 TD4 S, which lacks some of the features mentioned here. It costs R349 000.
At a glance…
The Freelander has lines instead of curves, which give it a rugged yet smart look – like Daniel Craig in a tux.
If you park the Freelander next to the big and very expensive Range Rover Sport they look almost identical except that the Freelander is smaller.
And the interior?
This model is more spacious than the Freelander 1. The rear seats are slightly higher than the front seats (the better to see the warthogs crossing the road in the Kruger, my child).
There is leather wherever you look, electrically adjustable seats, a driver’s seat that “remembers” your preferred position, an electric sunroof, satellite navigation, a six- CD shuttle with an Alpine sound system (Abba’s “Money, money, money” seems appropriate) and earphone sockets for the peanut gallery. The illuminated vanity mirrors behind the visors are handy for applying lipstick or checking your hair.
The only thing that jars is the faux-wood strip on the dashboard.
Rather order your Freelander with the satin silver metallic trim. As an optional extra you can get custom-made rubber mats for R2 500 (or buy a set at Game or Midas for R200).
Under the bonnet?
The TD4 HSE has a 2.2-litre diesel engine with turbocharger that’s poised to kick in the moment you put your foot down.
Land Rover claims a fuel consumption of 8,5 ℓ/100 km. (That’s if you’re on your way to visit the in-laws in Plett and you’re in no hurry to get there. – Ed.)
This engine develops 118kW at 4 000 rpm and 400 Nm at 2 000 rpm. That’s impressive compared with the 3-litre Toyota Fortuner and the Hilux’s 120 kW and 343 Nm.
How does it handle?
If you’ve ever driven a Land Rover Discovery 3, you’ll recognise the Terrain Response knob between the Freelander’s two front seats - the idiot’s passport to off-road driving. If you’re in sand, turn the knob to… correct, the cactus icon, and the Freelander takes over. It keeps revs high and won’t shift down – so you don’t get stuck. The other settings are for gravel, snow, mud, and road conditions where a wheel may just slip a little.
Overall impression?
It offers an exceptionally smooth ride and it chows the kilometres like a teenager polishing off a loaf of white bread after a rugby match. It’s just as much at home off road as on tar.
We like…
It’s an attractive vehicle that handles exceptionally well. The six-speed automatic gearbox offers smooth shifting. It’s not as thirsty as you’d expect. All indications are that it’s a better quality vehicle than its predecessor.
Niggle…
There’s a plethora of electronics. If you want to explore the Namib, an old Land Rover (with a toolbox) might be the wiser mode of transport.
Go! says: Consider the price of R429 000. The serious off-roader can, for example, buy a Land Rover Discovery (turbo-diesel) and spend the R14 000 change on a holiday. Makes you think…
(Note: Prices accurate in August 2008)
Comments