Enjoying Stop Start technology with the Land Rover Freelander (From Bournemouth Echo)

Enjoying Stop Start technology with the Land Rover Freelander

12:39pm Tuesday 19th January 2010 in

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I HAVE not driven a Freelander since 2005 and I have to say straight away the new model is nothing like the older car, even though some might say it looks similar on the outside.

Land Rover claims this is the cleanest Land Rover ever built, with a 2.2 litre diesel 160bhp engine fitted with stop-start technology, regenerative braking and newly revised alternator and water pump to reduce engine drain. The standard 2.2 diesel achieves 37.7mpg, however the Stop Start version manages 42.2mpg on the combined cycle, while reducing emissions by up to 7.7 per cent to 179g/km of CO2, (a whole tax bracket), compared to the previous model.

According to Land Rover, the improved economy should save you around £13 a tank, or £680 a year.

The Stop Start technology works by automatically shutting down the engine in appropriate conditions (traffic jams), resulting in zero tailpipe emissions and saving fuel that would otherwise be used idling the engine when stationary.

When you’re ready to move off, the engine instantly re-starts when you press the clutch pedal. When the engine does cut out, a little green “econ” light appears on the dash to tell you the system is working. All electronic systems inside the car remain uninterrupted while the engine’s off. If the system thinks you are running low on battery power, it simply restarts the engine.

A “gear shift up” indicator has also been included in the instrument cluster for the first time, allowing drivers to make changes at the optimum time.

The Freelander is much quieter than the previous model and far more refined, but more importantly this is a car that is at home on road as well as off road.

On road the Freelander gives good driver feedback through corners and is surprisingly sprightly, managing zero to 60mph in 10.9 seconds with a top speed of 112mph. Roll Stability Control (RSC) ensures the Freelander feels well planted and reduces body roll considerably when cornering. There is a new six speed manual gearbox which is smooth and well placed.

The driving position is good, with excellent elevated vision for the driver, and the Freelander easily accommodates five adults in comfort.

Off road the Freelander is surprisingly capable, thanks to Land Rover’s Terrain Response settings – simply turn the control knob on the centre console and choose from the following settings: tarmac, grass, gravel, snow, mud, ruts and sand.

Land Rover includes Hill Descent Control (HDC) – simply engage, take your feet off the pedals and concentrate on steering the vehicle where it needs to go. The car will automatically brake for you, ensuring no wheel locks and enabling a safe descent.

With a minimum ground clearance of 210mm and a wading depth of 500mm, you can rest assured that the Freelander will get you out of all but the most extreme situations.

Standard features include18 inch alloy wheels, Napoli leather electrically adjustable seats with memory pack, six CD Dolby™ Pro Logic Surround Sound ICE, DAB radio, Dark Laurel wood-effect finishers, carpet mats and covered stowage, humidity sensing climate control, body-coloured side sills, rear roof-mounted spoiler, electric front sunroof with fixed rear panoramic roof and rear centre armrest with cup-holders.

Also included are remote central locking, seven air bags, two ISOFIX points, power steering, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, air conditioning, audio jack, Roll Stability Control (RSC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

The Freelander also sports a five-star rating in the EURO NCAP crash test results, leaving you feel safe and secure.

All in all the Freelander is hard to fault – a great family car, a much improved business vehicle thanks to the reduced CO2 emissions and Benefit In Kind. The new Land Rover Freelander is now bang up to date for 2010.