The Land Rover Freelander 2 has been given a mild overhaul for 2013 with a fresh exterior design, upgraded equipment levels including features from the Range Rover Evoque and a new turbocharged petrol engine.
Exterior changes to the Freelander 2 are subtle, headlined by the adoption of front and rear LED lamp technology with a new signature daytime running light design. Other enhancements up front include a new bright finish for the Freelander’s grille and fog lamp surrounds and more body-coloured paint detailing for the front grille surround, insert bars and front guard vent for a more premium finish.
Inside there are bigger changes with the new Freelander 2 boasting higher equipment levels than the outgoing model, including a new center console with simpler switches in place of Land Rover’s original Terrain Response dial. Cabin space has been improved with the addition of an electric parking brake that adjusts brake force depending on the angle of slope the vehicle is parked on. Because of safety reasons the brake remains inoperable unless the driver’s seat is occupied.
For the first time the Freelander introduces a seven-inch touchscreen on models of HSE with an integrated a rear-view camera. The system also includes Hitch Assist, which superimposes a graphic on the screen showing the position of the tow ball.The entry-level audio system is been upgraded to 80-watt eight-speaker unit mated to a five-inch colour screen, while optional systems have included the choice of either a 380-watt or 825-watt Meridian system with 17 or 11 speakers, respectively.
The Freelander 2 also introduces a brand new 177kW/340Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine to take place of previous six-cylinder normally aspirated powerplant.
First used in the Evoque (and a different tune of the engine fitted to the Ford Falcon EcoBoost), the Si4 GTDi engine is 40kg lighter than previous unit it replaces as well as emits an average of 224g/km CO2, meeting Euro V regulations. The new engine is attached to a six-speed automatic transmission with full-time four-wheel drive.
The 2013 Land Rover Freelander 2 will be available from December.
Pricing of the 2013 Land Rover Freelander 2 is:-
2.2 TD4 manual: $42,300
2.2 TD4 SE auto: $54,100
2.2 SD4 SE auto: $56,600
2.0 Si4 SE auto: $55,600
2.2 SD4 HSE auto: $64,500
2.2 SD4 HSE Luxury auto: $68,400
