The company has launched the world's first production sports utility vehicle (SUV) with fuel-saving, emissions-lowering intelligent stop-start technology in South Africa.
The Freelander 2 TD4-e, launched in SA this month, combines the British manufacturer's proven 2,2-litre TD4 turbo diesel engine and slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox with elements of the company's aptly named e-Terrain technologies, of which an advanced stop-start system is the key component.
As a result, the SUV sips just 8,5 litres of diesel for every 100km travelled in city driving.
In extra-urban conditions, that figure drops to an impressively low 5,7 litres/100km, while the combined cycle fuel consumption figure comes to 6,7 litres/100km.
Stop-start technology, in basic terms, reduces fuel consumption and emissions by shutting down the engine, when appropriate, as soon as the vehicle is brought to a stop.
This will typically occur at red traffic lights, in stop-start traffic, or at road construction sites, where the vehicle may be stationary for a significant period of time.
In these conditions, start-stop technology means that there are zero tailpipe emissions while the vehicle is stationary.
At the same time, engine restart is instantaneous and consistently reliable, ensuring seamless and safe operation as soon as the accelerator is pressed, Land Rover claims.
The Freelander 2 TD4-e retains the standard version's dynamic traits, on and off the road.
It too is equipped with Landie's ground-breaking terrain response system, which works closely together with the vehicle's intelligent full-time four-wheel drive system.
Combined, they allow the vehicle to tackle and conquer challenging off-road conditions.
Elements such as the all-independent suspension, quick-ratio rack-and-pinion power steering, as well as the 210mm ground clearance and 500mm wading depth underscore its all-terrain prowess.
The vehicle also includes a series of additional, advanced technologies to boost safety and stability.
These include roll stability control, gradient release control, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control and hill descent control.
The tried and tested 2,2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine delivers 118kW of maximum power, together with a full 400 Nm of torque.
In conjunction with the six-speed manual gearbox, the it gets from zero to 100km/h in 11,7 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 181km/h.
The stop-start technology is considered intelligent for a number of reasons.
The system is automatically activated every time the vehicle is started and remains active unless the driver manually switches it off.
When active, the system will stop the engine without affecting elements such as vehicle lighting, and the in-car entertainment system.
Cleverly, the engine is only stopped once the stop-start system has considered the overall status of the vehicle and to what extent other systems rely on its continued operation.
Thus, the system may opt to keep the engine running to maintain interior comfort levels overseen by the climate control system in extreme weather conditions.
Once switched off, the engine can also be switched back on by the stop-start system without driver input - for instance when it senses that battery charge levels are running low, or that the cabin temperature requires intervention from the climate control system.
The stop-start system is automatically deactivated when hill descent control is engaged, or when any of the vehicle's terrain response programmes are selected.
And it can also be deactivated at any time by pressing a switch on the dashboard.
The Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4-e has a recommended retail price of R377 500, which includes a three-year/100 000km maintenance plan.
Source: The Herald
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