Thursday 23rd August 2012

LAND ROVER FREELANDER UPDATES

Minor styling changes and new kit for 2013 model

Land Rover has revealed its facelifted Freelander 2. Changes include minor styling tweaks, revamped equipment levels and new colours and trim variants.

Revised headlights and taillights adopt the inevitable LED technology, with the front headlamps now including a signature daytime running graphic as per the Range Rover Evoque. Further minor changes include a brighter finish for the front grille and fog lamp surrounds and new wheel designs for different models in the Freelander 2 line up.

Headlights and grille are rejigged

There have been changes inside, too, including a new centre console with seven-inch colour touch-screen for the car's audio, phone and optional nav systems. There's also extra storage space, redesigned instruments and a new passive start system means there's no longer any need to place the key in a dock before start-up.

A new five-inch screen sits between the dials on the instrument panel, displaying information such as temperature and fuel levels, gear choice and Terrain Response mode, now controlled by steering wheel toggle switches rather than a dial. A new reversing camera includes 'Hitch Assist', a graphic showing the position of the tow ball for manoeuvring up to a trailer.

Updates include new centre console

In other updates, an 'intelligent' electric parking brake now varies brake force depending on how steep a slope the car is parked on. Land Rover says the system is able to detect whether the brakes are hot or cold, maintaining clamping force accordingly. It's still possible to use the parking brake switch as an emergency brake, the system automatically selecting the most stable braking method via the vehicle's ESP systems.

Three new colours have been added to the range - Aintree Green, Havana and Mauritius Blue - along with two new trim variants: Dynamic and HSE Lux. The Dynamic model includes a body kit and gloss black grille surrounds together with new 19-inch 10-spoke alloy wheel, whilst the HSE LUX adds leather seats and 19-inch diamond turned wheels.

Drivetrains remain unchanged, with a choice of two different diesel engines.

The new Freelander 2 will be unveiled at the Moscow International Motor Show on 29th August.