Test drive Land Rover Freelander LR2 2006 - 2009 SUV

The very seriousness

Freelander is similar to the large Range Rover and Discovery: the same chopped shapes, family grilles and headlights, and even trapezoidal gills on the front wings and like Range Rover Sport.
 

It is understandable: it is always nice to feel like a more expensive car! Yes, and future Land Rover customers are preparing in this way: now they buy Freelander, and there, you look, will fork out for something more serious

 

In the pictures, the Freelander salon looks more interesting. And all because the Russian buyer cannot yet evaluate the navigation system, which means that our car does not have a spectacular color display on the central console.
 

And it is not necessary! But there are two monochrome informative monitors on the dashboard and the central console. Land Rover does not need to lure customers with an oster gloss and gloss: the glamor is not found here! All buttons on the central console are rectangular, one size. And all rotary switches are round, stylized for gears. All of black plastic, except for the control handle of the famous Terran Response. However, about her a little lower.
 

Armrests. They reflect the approach of the creators to the organization of internal space. The driver and passenger seats have armrests: not very wide bars that are cleaning back. But on the other hand, they can be set in height so that the elbow of both the tall and the low person lay as conveniently as possible. This is a real concern for comfort!
 

The steering wheel is more functional than stylish. It is easy and convenient to handle it, and the presence of the audio control buttons and cruise control greatly simplifies the car drive.

  

The key is more precise, a plastic keychain creeps into a special hole to the left of the central console. Above it is a noticeable start button. It seems like a trifle, and on the other hand, a very pleasant detail, which is included in the standard equipment of even the simplest car for $ 37,500.
 

I click the button and an instantly light hiding of the diesel engine is heard: today we set off on a more modest (if we mean horsepower under the hood) Frelander with a 2.2-liter turbodiesel and a mechanical gearbox.
 

The first diesel free principles were completed exclusively by mechanics, but at the time of preparation of this material, versions with a machine gun should receive for dealers. Adherents of the active driving style will definitely evaluate the mechanics, especially complete with a painful diesel unit. To someone like, and I was enough for the 160 horsepower of this motor.
 

Prices
The most affordable Freelander will cost $ 37,500. This amount includes a 2.2-liter turbodiesel with a mechanical five-speed checkpoint. The basic equipment includes the reign of safety pillows for the driver and the front passenger, safety curtains, a driver’s knee pillow, climate control, electric windows and mirrors, hydraulic power, an audio system with a radio receiver, a one compact disk and six columns. Install a 3.2-liter gasoline engine under the hood from $ 52,000, but the basic equipment here is more sophisticated.
 

With a new turbocharger with a variable geometry of the turbine, he can already give out the maximum torque at 1800 revolutions, which is expressed in a very brisk start. At the first meters, Freelander with such an engine will give way to few.
 

The pedal to the floor and a jerk is very decent. According to the passport, Freelander needs 11 with a small second to accelerate to 100 km/h. Another thing is that diesel remained a diesel engine: the working range is quite narrow, and after 4,000 rpm, the speed of acceleration is reduced to a minimum. In this regard, it is worth taking a closer look at the gear lever: you will have to communicate with it very often.
 

Freelander is literally stuffed with active security systems. In addition to traditional ones, already in the basic configuration there are systems for preventing turning, exchange rate stability and braking in turns. In general, a classic all -around, if such a combination is already possible

  

Freelander does not have a lowering series of gears and forced blocking of differentials. And the drive is not the most complete, but rather the front, if necessary, made complete.
 

But the Land Rover has an interdose coupling with electronic control, which, as necessary, expenses the right amount of torque of the rear axle. There is also a branded Landrover Terran Response system: as its creators say, imitating the presence in the cabin of an experienced off -road instructor.
 

It is again appropriate to remember about older brothers. It can be said that Freelander borrowed this system from Range Rover and Discovery 3 ... The driver, using a switch on the central tunnel, can choose any of the four modes of movement: ordinary, grass, gravel, snow, dirt and potholes or potholes or sand.
 

Depending on this, the on -board computer operates with the throttle damper and the DSC stabilization system, allowing, or, conversely, limiting the trunk of the wheels for optimal cross -country ability.
 

It seemed to us, Freelander does not really like extremes: he feels great on the smooth asphalt, but there is no need to expect the severity and sharpness of urban cars from him. However, the car also does not allow strong clugs and squats.
 

Nevertheless, if the city is a measured ride without extreme. In this case, Freelander behaves beyond all praise. But if off -road, then we do not recommend chasing. The suspension responds only when driving through gravel or asphalt with transverse cracks. When frequent small bumps turn out under the wheels, shock absorbers willingly transmit the chips to the body as soon as the speed exceeds 20 km/h.


  

The Land Rover does not make sedans, hatchbacks, coupe, and even station wagons only all -terrain vehicles that are not interested, there are asphalt under the wheels or it has long ended.
 

Freelander is no exception. Despite the lack of locks and an electronically controlled coupling, the smallest Land Rover fully met our expectations. Seriously!
 

The car was provided for the test by the official dealer of Land Rover, Autopraim company


Text: Ilya Orekhov
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
   
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 115/2007]