Land Rover Freelander 2WD
Around 50 percent of soft-roaders are now sold with 2WD
What is it?
This is Land Rover’s first 2WD car available to the public (Land Rover has supplied 2WD models to the MoD in the past for administrative duties). As such, it breaks a tradition that goes back over 60 years. It took quite a bit of soul-searching at Land Rover HQ in Gaydon, but ultimately the company had little choice. Around 50 percent of soft-roaders are now sold with 2WD, so Land Rover was going to miss out on a big market by a purist determination to maintain its off-road prowess at all costs. As well as being cheaper to buy, the 2WD will be quite a lot cheaper to run: the 2WD manual version achieves 47.2mpg and 158g/km of CO2, putting it under the crucial company car tax threshold of 160g/km of CO2.
What’s it like?
Actually, remarkably good. We took it on a steep off-road track with boulders and deep ruts: conditions in which the high ground clearance and stiff bodyshell actually made the 2WD Freelander better than something like a 4WD Tiguan. Of course, that is not going to help in snow – but then we saw 4WD soft-roaders with sports wheels and tyres getting stuck last winter. As long as there is a reasonably grippy surface (even gravel is OK), the Freelander 2WD will go much deeper off road than you would expect. On road, the Freelander is much like the 4WD, as you would expect, although it is a little keener to change direction thanks to lower weight and the lack of a rear axle pushing the car forwards. It also benefits from an upgraded diesel engine, which is both smoother and more economical, while the interior ambience continues to make it feel like a premium product.
Should I give it garage space?
The 4WD Freelander is already a big success, and with good reason. The new 2WD version opens the range up to people who would have felt that the Freelander was a bit hardcore for them: too expensive and too thirsty. The cost (expected to be around £23,000 from early 2011) and improved fuel consumption now makes the Freelander a direct rival to models like the Kuga and Tiguan. For on-road use, we prefer the sprightly handling of the Kuga, but there is no arguing with the Land Rover brand. You feel like you are driving a premium product without the premium price tag – and that is a very attractive combination. We might be tempted to buy a set of winter tyres if it snows, however – a Land Rover stuck in the snow is going to be a bit of a laughing stock.
Specifications
Model: Land Rover Freelander 2WD
Price: £23,000 (estimated)
Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel
Power: 147bhp
Torque: 310lb ft
Performance: 0-62mph – 10.9secs
Economy: 47.2mpg
CO2: 158g/km
Credit: Fifth Gear (http://fwd.five.tv/fifth-gear)
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