CarWale
    AD

    Born-free too

    Authors Image

    Rachit Hirani

    32,838 Views

    Introduction

    Game warden George and his team of trackers tread carefully, rifles raised. Suddenly, from nowhere a lioness comes charging. One of the trackers shoots at it but misses. With little time to spare, George raises his rifle and shoots her. Later, man-eating lion hunting over, George drives back with the lion couple’s three orphaned cubs to his wife Joy who waits for him at the camp. If you remember this scene from the 1966 classic Born Free, you will also remember the vehicle in the movie – a Land Rover. Much waters have flowed under Land Rover’s bridges since the movie and while the company itself is now on the path for a brand new replacement for the Defender, which was the successor to the Land Rover we saw in the movie, we, in India, got to drive another new Land Rover – the Freelander2.

    While the front, the rear bumpers and the tail lamps are redesigned on the 2012 Freelander2, the rest of the vehicle (as far as its body is concerned) remains untouched. As does the high build quality of the vehicle. On the inside too, fit and finish continue to be top notch as is expected from a Land Rover. Meanwhile newly added features include a MapMyIndia satellite navigation system and USB connectivity for the multi media system.

    The drive

    The Freelander2 gets a 2.2-litre common rail diesel engine that produces a peak output of 190bhp at 3500rpm and 420Nm of maximum torque at a fairly low 1750rpm. Although the oil burning unit has that typical diesel clatter on the outside, none of this noise intrudes into the cabin. The engine is highly responsive and there is no sign of turbo lag either. As a result the Freelander2 always feels like a willing companion to any quick driving that you might want to indulge in. The downside to this otherwise great powertrain package is the 6-speed automatic transmission the engine comes coupled to, shifts seem to be lethargic. Especially, given the engine’s willingness to propel the vehicle forward.

    The suspension set-up on the Freelander2 is on the softer side and the ride quality is well-composed over broken surfaces, just like any luxury saloon. It irons out most of the bumps and absorbs potholes with a high degree of competence. On the flipside, the Freelander2 is only a decent handler, showing a propensity for body roll around corners. Also, the Freelander2 gets a light steering wheel, which makes manoeuvring in the city and parking convenient, but doesn’t weigh up adequately as speeds increase. Besides, feedback from the steering feels very artificial, which doesn’t really inspire a lot of confidence.

    What does set the Freelander apart from a lot of its competitors is the amount of off-roading it can really handle. More so in the Freelander2, since Land Rover has put in quite a bit of money in upgrading mechanicals that will further aid the vehicle’s ability to take on rough roads or no roads at all. So, in essence, the Freelander2 remains true to its Land Rover roots of producing tough go-anywhere vehicles, like the one seen in the movie.

    Verdict

    At Rs 45.43 lakh, OTR in Mumbai, the Land Rover Freelander2 HSE is not a very expensive proposition. Especially, if you consider the competition. It may not be the best handler or the best performer but nonetheless, it does have a powerful engine, great build, equally high fit and finish levels. And if you want an SUV that can take punishment, on as well as off the road, then this is where you should stop reading and head to the showroom. And while you’re at it, you also get a slice of heritage and earn the respect that comes with the Land Rover badge.

    Featured Cars

    • Popular
    • JUST LAUNCHED
    • Upcoming
    Maruti Suzuki Fronx
    Maruti Fronx
    Rs. 7.51 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mahindra Scorpio N
    Mahindra Scorpio N
    Rs. 13.60 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Tata Nexon
    Tata Nexon
    Rs. 8.15 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mahindra Scorpio
    Mahindra Scorpio
    Rs. 13.59 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Hyundai Creta
    Hyundai Creta
    Rs. 11.00 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
    Maruti Grand Vitara
    Rs. 10.76 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mahindra Thar
    Mahindra Thar
    Rs. 11.25 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Tata Punch
    Tata Punch
    Rs. 6.13 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Lexus LM
    Lexus LM
    Rs. 2.00 Croreonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    JUST LAUNCHED
    15th MAR
    Hyundai Creta N Line
    Hyundai Creta N Line
    Rs. 16.82 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    JUST LAUNCHED
    11th MAR
    BYD Seal
    BYD Seal
    Rs. 41.00 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe
    Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe
    Rs. 1.85 Croreonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mercedes-Benz GLA
    Mercedes-Benz GLA
    Rs. 50.50 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Porsche Macan Turbo EV
    Porsche Macan Turbo EV
    Rs. 1.65 Croreonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Rolls-Royce Spectre
    Rolls-Royce Spectre
    Rs. 7.50 Croreonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Tata Punch EV
    Tata Punch EV
    Rs. 10.99 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mahindra XUV300 facelift
    Mahindra XUV300 facelift

    Rs. 9.00 - 15.00 LakhEstimated Price

    Mar 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor
    Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

    Rs. 12.00 - 16.00 LakhEstimated Price

    3rd Apr 2024Unveil Date

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Maruti Suzuki New-gen Swift
    Maruti New-gen Swift

    Rs. 6.50 - 10.00 LakhEstimated Price

    Apr 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    MG Gloster facelift
    MG Gloster facelift

    Rs. 40.00 - 45.00 LakhEstimated Price

    Apr 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Force Motors Five-door Gurkha
    Force Motors Five-door Gurkha

    Rs. 15.50 - 16.00 LakhEstimated Price

    May 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Nissan Qashqai
    Nissan Qashqai

    Rs. 25.00 - 30.00 LakhEstimated Price

    May 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Volkswagen ID.4
    Volkswagen ID.4

    Rs. 50.00 - 60.00 LakhEstimated Price

    May 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Skoda Superb
    Skoda Superb

    Rs. 28.00 - 35.00 LakhEstimated Price

    Jun 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    AD
    • land rover-cars
    • other brands
    Land Rover Range Rover Velar
    Land Rover Range Rover Velar
    Rs. 87.90 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Land Rover Defender
    Land Rover Defender
    Rs. 93.55 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Land Rover Range Rover
    Land Rover Range Rover
    Rs. 2.39 Croreonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city