Land Rover Freelander 2 2009 News

The engine is a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, developing 110kW of power in the TD4 version or 140kW in the SD4, both with 420Nm of torque – and increase of 20Nm on the outgoing model. An updated manual transmission with Stop/Start now comes standard in the TD4, with the SD4 only available as a six-speed auto.Land Rover says the new unit is "quieter and more refined but sacrifices nothing terms of fuel economy or emissions."Outside, the Freelander 2 sports a new front bumper and grille with fog lamp bezels. Body coloured handles, washer jets, mirrors, lower door panels and rear bumper are offered as standard, and with alloy wheels and additional colour options, Land Rover describes the new look as "fresh and distinctive".Inside, seating has been upgraded to offer a broader choice in trims and adjustment options and all versions get a new-look instrument pack.Another notable change is the Land Rover logo. Gone is the gold on green, which has been replaced with a more contemporary bright silver on green.

Our resident car reviewer brings us the low down on the new Landrover Freelander.I have to be careful because the original Freelander was dubbed 'freeloader' and that name has sort have stuck in my mind.By the way the original Freelander was given that less than flattering nickname because it was a pretty big disappointment – I wonder what paul will think of the new series 2 model.For all this and a lot more, listen to the podcast above...

Land Rover, whose sport utility vehicles are prime targets for green-minded politicians, will cut the average carbon dioxide emissions of its vehicles by some 20 per cent by 2012, which is more than the average cuts the European Union is seeking; according to its managing director.The brand and its sister Jaguar marque, which their owner Ford Motor wants to sell, are investing pound stg. 700 million ($1.6 billion) in CO2 improvements in their five-year business plan, with most of the money earmarked for Land Rover, Phil Popham told the Financial Times.The EU is preparing legislation requiring car makers to reduce their cars' average CO2 emissions through improved vehicle technology to 130 grams per kilometre by 2012, about 18 per cent lower than last year's average of 160g/km.Land Rover, like BMW, Porsche and other premium car makers, is unlikely to meet the target, and favours legislation that will take into account vehicles' weight, size or other relative factors when mandating cuts.“The pound stg. 700 million is a bit north of a 20 per cent improvement,” Mr Popham said. “We can meet the intent of the legislation in terms of percentage improvement, but there's no way we're going to get the fleet average down to 130g/km.”Land Rover and Jaguar, with no smaller vehicles in their line-up, are seen as two of Europe's brands most vulnerable to souring political sentiment on high-emission cars. After lagging behind competitors in developing smaller and cleaner cars, they are now investing heavily in them.At last month's Frankfurt Motor Show, Land Rover teased viewers with a film showing an image of a smaller concept vehicle expected to be unveiled next January in Detroit. The crossover-type vehicle was shown pulling out of a parking garage alongside a Mini, making it clear it would be smaller than anything in Land Rover's fleet.Land Rover is installing emissions-cutting 'stop-start' systems on its 2009 Freelander vehicles, which it will make standard on its fleet. The brand is expanding its diesel offering and developing a full hybrid car.CO2 is seen as perhaps the biggest single risk factor dogging the sale of Land Rover, which, unlike Jaguar, is profitable and reporting record global sales.Potential bidders doing due diligence on the brands including; Ripplewood Holdings, Terra Firma, Cerberus Capital Management, TPG, One Equity Partners, and India's Tata Motors; are privately pressing Ford for guarantees on the issue.London Mayor Ken Livingstone is mooting a flat pound stg. 25 a day congestion charge for big cars.