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2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 Unveiled, Australian Sales Beginning In December

Land Rover has today revealed the 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2, first revealed in leaked brochure images that surfaced online early last month.

While working to bring its all-new Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque and e hybrid


Land Rover has today revealed the 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2, first revealed in leaked brochure images that surfaced online early last month.

While working to bring its all-new Range RoverRange Rover Evoque and e hybrid models to market in the next few years, Land Rover has not left the Freelander languishing for want of attention.

Nearing the end of its lifecycle, this latest refresh of the current-generation Freelander 2 is likely to be its last - but it is a far from insignificant update.

Featuring an efficient new 2.2 litre turbo-diesel engine with greater torque and improved fuel economy, the 2011 Freelander 2 also benefits from a modest makeover, gaining a more Range Rover-like grille and headlight update.

Other styling updates include body-coloured parts such as the tailgate handle and door handles, headlamp washer jets and door mirrors. There are also new 18-inch and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, there are four new seat styles, including Napoli leather, Windsor leather, a combination of Napoli leather and Alcantara, and a new cloth trim.

Land Rover says the updated Freelander's turbodiesel is both quieter and more refined than its predecessor. There are two versions of the engine available, the TD4 model offering 110kW of power, and the SD4 delivering 140kW. Both variants produce 420Nm of torque - 20Nm more than the outgoing models. 

Both versions of the engine have a new variable geometry turbocharger, and the addition of an Intelligent Power Management System (IPMS) provides recovers kinetic energy as the vehicle slows, directing it towards the task of charging the battery.

The 2011 Freelander 2's diesel powertrains are compatible with 10 percent biodiesel - rather than the 5 percent compatibility of its predecessor.

Click to read TMR's review of the Freelander 2 TD4_e

While the SD4 is available with a six-speed automatic transmission only, the TD4 can also be had with an updated manual transmission - with Stop/Start as standard.

Fuel consumption for the manual 110kW TD4 is listed as 6.6 l/100km on the combined cycle, and the automatic version lists a similar 7.0 l/100km. Although it's more powerful, the automatic-only 140kW SD4 also uses just 7.0 l/100km on the combined cycle.

On the performance front, the TD4 makes its way to 100km/h in 11.7 seconds for the manual, and 11.2 seconds for the automatic - unchanged from the outgoing model. The SD4 covers the same ground in a slightly handier 9.5 seconds.

The 2010 model's 3.2 litre inline-six petrol engine carries over to the 2011 model year, although it has been recalibrated to meet EU5 emissions regulations. Output remains unchanged at 171kW and 317Nm of torque, and the 0-100km/h sprint is covered in 8.9 seconds.

A second generation Asin Warner AWF21 automatic transmission helps improve efficiency and emissions with a number of improvements. Land Rover says the torque converter lock-up offers improved comfort, fuel economy and driveability, while optimisation of internal components reduces weight and inertia for faster shifting.

The gear train has been improved with low drag torque friction plates and taper roller bearings. Transmission efficiency is also improved, thanks to a switch to low-viscosity automatic transmission fluid.

The most significant change is the advanced neutral control logic which reduces drag when the vehicle is stationary, the engine at idle and Drive selected. 

Pricing and Availability

The 2011 Freelander 2 will go on sale in Australia in December. Pricing details will be released closer to on sale date.

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