Land Rover Freelander LR2 test drive since 2009 SUV

Land Rover Freelander 2: Little Conservative

The second generation Freelander lasted on the conveyor without changes in almost four full years of the debut of the car fell on 2006. It's time for modernization. Nevertheless, nothing radical in the process of rejuvenation with the crossover occurred. We went to know the novelty to the popular test city of Barcelona. The testing program, in addition to refined autobahous conditions and somewhat not knitting with the appearance of the free -dashing Catalan serpentines, also implied races at the Land Rover Experience training ground.


One of the obstacles on the Lre highway

Perhaps this course of the creators of the car wanted to recall that there are off -road genes in this SUV. And in the light of the last update to prove the presence of a genotype, well, it is simply necessary. Is it a joke of Land Rover for the first time in the form of a front -wheel drive modification. This can be treated in two ways. On the one hand, there is frank violation of the eternal values \u200b\u200bof the English manufacturer of SUVs. The tramp Defender, overcoming the terrible dirt of some old Camel Trophy, would immediately be in a perplexing grimace: front-wheel drive Land Rover?! A shame!

And inside the company there were many opponents of the introduction of a front -wheel drive model. The values \u200b\u200bbased on the full drive of Land Rover are a legacy that is hungry and cherishes. But (as is usually the case when it comes to neglect of traditions) Marketers intervened.

They found out that in the modern world, which is fixated with economy and environmental friendliness, many customers no longer need all -wheel drive. Especially in Europe, where dirt will soon be sold in supermarkets as a large shortage. And such customers are quite enough and a monotive.

It is planned that in Europe, the share of front -wheel drive Freelander will be solid 23% of the total. The client who selects such a car will not climb into off -road jungle or (with a full trailer) to the tops of the snow Alps in the midst of the ski season. He will decorfully ride a 150-horsepower diesel with mechanics around the city and the suburbs, spectacularly saving fuel. After all, a similar Frelander weighs 75 kg less and has a Start/Stop system.


A somewhat truncated for Freelander version of Terran Response is still in service

But in Russia, I am sure that such a car would not have been understood, although theoretically the price tag could in this case could be driven below the millionth mark, strongly influencing the availability of such a co -rover on unprepared minds. However, as practice shows, in our country they are even worse than the station wagons. Therefore, the company's decision not to supply this version to us seems quite justified.

The update of appearance is minimal. A new front bumper and fog, a radiator grill appeared in two colors (dark for the simplest version of TD4 and silver for a more powerful SD4). The branded emblem is now not yellow-green, but silver-green. The company believes that more modern. Of other updates with low blood, a new chrome strip on the fifth door and its handle painted in the color of the body can be distinguished. A little more changed the back of the rear lights. Wheel wheels were added. The largest 19-inch. Freelander looks especially graceful on them. In appearance, this is all.


Changes in appearance are visible only by armed knowledge of the eye

However, it would be stupid to demand a radical face lifting from this car. Firstly, it is not customary to greatly change the appearance of their cars during the update, which is characteristic of premium brands. Secondly, why look for good from good and shove off what is well sold?


But to recognize the updated car is easier to recognize: slightly modified lanterns and a large chrome lining on the trunk is the first that you need to pay attention to

So the interior of the original freelender, being initially tailored according to classical patterns of interior construction, has not grown at the end of 2010. Therefore, it is changed minimally. New dashboard, as well as four types of seats. Plus, unprecedented decorative pads on the door and the central panel.


The salon has classic forms and makes the impression of high -quality. It is actually such, despite the fact that the plastic on the torpedo has a soft only thin layer of the surface

Attention deserves the Premium Pack, which brings Freelander closer to high -class Range Rover. Having chosen this option of options, the buyer receives the delicate leather upholstery of the Windsor seats (black tree), Almond (almonds), IVORY (ivory) or Tan (tannin bone). The seats themselves have adjustments in 8 or 6 parameters, there are also rugs and a special coating on the central tunnel. Together with 19-inch discs and a set of external accessories, all this makes such a freelander very individual.


The chairs are convenient and comfortable. This type of upholstery is a combination of skin and alcantara. Looks very stylish and the body fixes well

If earlier in our market only one diesel modification was offered, 160-horsepower, 2.2-liter, now it has disappeared, but two new modifications made on its base. The first 150-horsepower TD4 (this machine can be either with mechanics and a machine gun). The second is 190-horsepower. Such a motor in Russia is equipped only by automatic transmission. Both engines develop an identical torque of 420 Nm (this is 20 nm more than that of the pre -stately engine). Power units are equipped with turbochargers with variable geometry (and liquid cooling), new ECU settings. The power control system (IPMS) charges the battery due to the recovery of energy during braking. Diesel engines are capable of working on fuel with a 10 percent content of biodesel. A certain work was carried out to improve noise and vibration insulation of the motor compartment.

The Aisin Warner AWF21 automaton is also aimed not only in fast work, but also to economy. For example, the locking of the hydrotransformer works in a wider range, the mass of the box is reduced and the design of the internal components is optimized. But the Getrag M66 mechanics, which at one time was designed specifically for Freelander, remained unchanged.


At the back of two adults of medium height sits without problems. After a height of 190, I sat down almost back. While there was a good supply of space above the head

For the test, the developers have only a version with the most powerful diesel and a 6-speed automatic. A much more expensive modification with gasoline V6, although more dynamic in numbers, but loses at the moment, and therefore the sensations. Not to mention efficiency. The version with the V6, against the background of two excellent diesel engines, it seems, will remain the lot of rare aesthetes. Well, the most popular we will probably have a TD4 with a machine gun. Especially given the fact that it has the same amount of torque with a 190-horsepower machine. Although the difference is 116,000 rubles (between these versions with an automaton) against the background of the cost of the car may not be decisive.


The trunk is standard, by standards of the class, and the capabilities offers standard, including folding the back of the rear seats

Finally I'm driving an updated Free. Ergonomics has not changed at all. Inside is an old acquaintance. All the same characteristic commanding landing. The same excellent visibility that is back, what back. The motor starts from the button, but for this you need to pre -insert the key into the groove. The engine comes to life very quietly for its diesel entity. From the first meters of the journey, the abundance of moment on wheels allows you to enjoy easy overclocking in each gear. Even at a speed of 140 km/h.


The central console remained in its original form. The abundance of buttons on it touches it, and inserts others into a stupor

On an ideal Spanish autobahn, you go as if in a parallel world. There is silence in the car, only the wind is slightly noisy somewhere in the racks. The engine is also not much audible, but with an increase in revolutions, some kind of not quite diesel baritone is cut through. You control the machine with your fingers, with short movements of the steering wheel holding it between the marking lines


On the good cover of Freelander in its element. It does not provoke fast driving, but lucky is comfortable and pleasant

The plain is replaced by winding mountain serpentines, the road, through the cunning sequences of studs and shikan, leads us up to the Montserrat monastery, the religious center of Catalonia (and part -time and one of the main Catalan attractions). This is not to say that in such conditions, Freelander feels completely in his element. The rolls and insufficient rotation, of course, make their adjustments to the process of managing the crossover, but the quick riding does not tire. The behavior of the car is understandable, the picture of its controllability in such conditions does not collapse. The line behind which the limit begins is well felt.

The Land Rover Experience training ground, where we came to complete the test program, is located in the mountains, 70 kilometers from Barsa. The route is laid in a mountainous area and enough rock. It is clear that it was created not in order for the company's customers to plant a landlord there, but in order to demonstrate the abilities of these machines. In truth, in real life, through some of these obstacles at the wheel of my freelander, I simply would not go. You will hook it with a suspension or even worse the threshold.


You can go on a gravel quickly enough. The suspension works out such a profile not bad. It is only desirable that the wheels in this case are not optional 19-inch

But under the control of the instructors, Freelander easily overcame all the obstacles in his path. The off -road gene pool is definitely in this machine. In skillful hands on it, you can overcome a series of quite serious for the layman of off -road obstacles.


Diagonal hanging is opposed to imitation of inter -coil locks, braking the slinging wheels. In some cases, it really helps

Satisfied representatives of the company rubbed their hands a little later and said that even the front -wheel drive version was able to drive the Land Rover Experience highway. True, under the control of an experienced jeeper. Excellent. But only I doubt that he would be able to repeat his success if it started to rain.


If I had my own freelander, at my own request, I would not stick to such a reservoir. And in vain we drove without problems

By the way, prices are voiced. And they are quite competitive. The easiest Freelander in the configuration E with a 150-horsepower diesel and mechanics can be bought for about 1,174,000 rubles. The top version is estimated at 2,000,000 rubles, and it can be more expensive at the expense of options. The most popular option with a machine gun and diesel can be purchased by about 1.5 million rubles.

I can state that world market success (for example, in China, sales growth was recorded by 75% over the past year) has come to this car for a reason. Freelander is charismatic, high -quality and very nice outwardly a car with a pleasant classic salon. Restyling did not change the car fundamentally, but improved in detail and provided new opportunities to customers.

Leonty Tyutelev
Photo by the author and Land Rover



 
Story
If the current Freelander competes with the premium mark crossovers, then the first-generation model that saw the light in 1997 competed with such SUVs as Toyota Rav4 and Honda CR-V. That Land Rover had not only a five -door version, but also a short -drawn three -door and an exotic Lando body to this time: above the front places a metal roof, above the rear, removed the top. Outwardly, Freelander was more like full -fledged jeeps than Japanese competitors: muscular wheel arches made of unpainted plastic and a solid -looking crankcase were caught in the eyes. Although the Arsenal, as the reducing transmission and blocking of differentials, did not have Land Rover either. But Freelander turned out to be in demand in this form: until the beginning of the 2000s, this model held the title of absolute European bestseller among all all-wheel drive cars.

The base engine was a 1.8-liter gasoline four, an alternative to it was a 2-liter diesel engine, and the flagship modification had a 2.5-liter gasoline V6, which issued 177 hp.

It was on Frilender that electronic assistants made their debut, facilitating the overcoming of off -road, which have now become widespread among almost all SUVs. So, the first generation could boast of the Hill Descent Control system, which manifests itself perfectly when descending from the mountain on slippery coating. It maintains a certain safe speed (about 8 km/h), without requiring the use of brakes. Without it, there is always a risk of restoring and blocking the wheels, after which the car will slide down, completely losing control.

The second -generation Land Rover Freelander, which appeared in 2007, methyl in a higher league. The machine received much better than before the interior decoration, more powerful motors, including a 3.2-liter engine (233 forces), and a stylish appearance in the spirit of the Range Rover Sport.

It is interesting that, having moved to the luxury category, Freelander turned out to be better prepared for off -road than most SUVs. If many competitors have a road clearance comparable to cars (about 18 cm), then in the Land of Rover 21 cm. The manufacturer officially states that the car is able to overcome boards up to half a meter depth. Yes, and the logic of the full -wheel drive transmission here is its own. Other models in most traffic modes receive traction on the front wheels and only after the slipping is the rear. Freelander is always touching with all -wheel drive, and only making sure that the wheels have sufficient adhesion to the road, the electronics turn off the rear axle.

Like the flagship British SUVs, the Terran Response system appeared in the Freelander salon, with which you can adjust the habits of the machine to different types of crossed areas (snow, dirt, track, etc.). However, if in senior models this electronics varies the degree of blocking differentials and changes the height of the body planting with air suspension, then in the small co -rover everything is easier. Only the behavior of the stabilization system and ABS, as well as the sensitivity of the gas pedal, is changing. However, this is enough to call Freelander one of the best passability of the SUVs.

 
Competitors

Audi Q5
The Inholstadt model debuted two years ago almost immediately bypassed all other crossovers of its class in popularity. Apparently, many years of experience in the release of high -by cross -countrywater Allroad taught Audi engineers to find the perfect compromise between car habits and the ability to overcome a small off -road. Prices start from 1,656 100 rubles, but such a modification with a 2-liter diesel engine (170 hp) is equipped exclusively with mechanics. The most affordable version with the S-Tronic robot and a 2-liter gasoline turbo engine (211 hp) costs from 1,840,800 rubles. Well, the flagship modifications can rightly be called hot crossovers. A version with a 240-horsepower diesel costs from 2,259,500 rubles, and a more speed Q5 with a 3.2-liter gasoline six (270 hp) is cheaper from 2,089,900 rubles

Mercedes GLK
The angular appearance, according to the idea of \u200b\u200bthe creators of the machine, should be related to it with the legendary all-terrain vehicle of the G-class. In fact, the off -road capabilities of the Mercedes model are approximately like that of most competitors. Although there is one advantage: all -wheel drive here is not connected, but constant, with the distribution of traction in a ratio of 45:55 in favor of the rear wheels. Last year, this Mercedes found fewer buyers in Russia than similar BMW, Audi and Land Rover, but according to the results of this year, GLK will clearly improve positions, since a relatively inexpensive version appeared in the range of modifications, which was not before. The GLK 220 CDI modification (170 hp) has become one of the most affordable premium-investors with an automaton: Price 1,680,000 rubles. For climate control, parking spacing, leather steering wheel, light and rain sensors, front seats and steering column electric drives do not require surcharge. Price GLK 300 (231 hp) 1 930 000 rub. This amount already includes a leather salon. But for the diesel version of 350 CDI of comparable power (224 hp) they ask for a lot of 2,390,000 rubles. It is more profitable to take a more dynamic gasoline GLK 350 for 2 030 000 rubles. Read more about the German crossover in our test

BMW X3
We recently tested the Bavarian crossover of a new generation on the roads of Atlanta, and Russian dealers received the first batch of new items on November 20. When changing generations, the car began to look more solid. In terms of body size, it now only does not reach the X5 of the first generation a little. Among the advantages of the machine and a decent clearance (21.2 cm), and a large trunk (550 l), and excellent dynamics. Version X3 35I of the highest -speed crossover among competitors. The 306-horsepower engine with an advanced 8-speed automatic transmission accelerates the machine to 100 km/h in just 5.7 C and allows you to type 245 km/h. Such a car costs from 2,130,000 rubles. The step below is the modification of 28i (258 hp), which gains a hundred for 6.9 C and costs from 1,870,000 rubles. The most affordable X3 with a 2-liter diesel and mechanics (from 1,795,000 rubles). A similar version with an automaton from 1 906 646 rubles

Infiniti EX37
The Japanese is more powerful and cheaper than the flagship BMW, but it loses in speed: acceleration of a 330-horsepower car up to 100 km/h takes 6.4 s, the maximum speed is 240 km/h. According to the current action, such a crossover can be bought for 1,898,500 rubles. In the basic configuration, which, incidentally, is very rich. It includes a leather salon, xenon, electric drives of a steering column and seats, a hatch, an audio system with a subwoofer and much more. Unlike European manufacturers, Infiniti does not allow you to choose additional equipment from the list and offers only an alternative Hi-Tech complete set, which is additionally equipped with a navigation system, active cruise control and a circular review system with four video cameras that helps in parking. Infiniti glamorous appearance is not deceiving: this model is the least suitable in order to move off the asphalt. Her clearance is slightly less than 15 cm

Volvo XC60
The basic version of the Swedish model is not as available as Land Rover, but cheaper than all other competitors from 1,559,900 rubles. For a car with a 2-liter turbo engine (203 hp) and a robot. The equipment is not as rich as the Mercedes and Infinity, but everything you need is: climate control, ESP, alloy wheels and music. 205-horsepower diesel for 140,000 rubles. expensive. 3.2-liter gasoline modification costs from 1,899,000 rubles. The senior version with a 3-liter turbo engine develops an impressive 304 hp, but you should not expect that this machine will be able to compete in speed with the flagship BMW X3 similar power. The Swede even with such an engine gains 100 km/h for 7.3 s and can accelerate only to 210 km/h

History and competitors Pavel Elshin
 

Source: Auto.mail.ru