From: Mike Rogers Date: Sat, 1 Nov 1997 06:37:57 -0500 (EST) Subject: A Drive in a Freelander
Yes, I have driven a Land Rover Freelander, and a very nice CAR it is. It is NOT a mud plugger, it is NOT a rock crawler, and it is most certainly NOT a truck. It IS however an excellent medium sized estate car with 4wd.
The model I drove was a 5 door long wheelbase with the 1.8 ltr. petrol engine First impression is made by the height of the vehicle, it's not as low as a modern saloon, nor as high as most 4wd vehicles and it is a comfortable height to slip into. Open the bonnet (hood) and the engine is way down low with plenty of room for something bigger. When Chris from RPI took a look he was sure he could fit a V8 in there with ease! Look to the rear and the load space is small, with all the seats upright there is very little space for luggage. But it does look good.
Getting in stumped me initially as it has a remote locking system that requires one press of the button on the keying to unlock the driver's door but two presses to unlock all the other doors. On sliding into the drivers seat my first impression was of how comfortable it was and how easily the driving position accommodated my 6ft 1in frame. The seat was simple to adjust and went back further than I needed. Control layout was simple and clear, only one switch was unclear and that turned out to be for the electric tailgate window. The Hill Descent system leaps out at you due to its bright Yellow switch on the gearlever.
Starting was straightforward and on pulling away smooth, despite my not being used to the clutch, which was Very light. Gearchange was as slick as you would expect of a modern car. First gear however was much lower ratio than expected and I immediately changed to second. Steering however was far too light for my taste seeming over powered and giving very little feedback.
My drive was short (only about 20 minuets) firstly a lap around the large flat grass area of Bircham Newton. On grass it performed faultlessly with no noticeable wheelspin even under heavy acceleration, and cornering smooth and controlled. On tarmac it was just as I had expected, handling like any modern car, but again that steering was just too light for my comfort.
However the off road course drive was disappointing. Mainly because the guardian of the Freelander was under instruction not to mess it up as photographs were required for publication, and he was answerable for any damage. Anyway with all this in mind I persuaded him to let me try it off road.
No sooner had we ventured onto the very first part of the course than loud scraping noises were to be heard from underneath. This had us both worried as we had already commented on the exhaust system being very low, and had visions of the "cat" being battered to destruction. So a more cautious route was taken for a short exit. My route took us down one short drop, which Freelander handled with comfortable ease and up a climb not possible in my own estate car. The 4wd system kept us rolling at all times with no hesitation at all. An inspection of the underside on arriving back on the flat revealed no marks to the exhaust at all. The only signs of contact with the ground was on the skid plate under the engine.
This short excursion over loose earth inspired a lot of confidence that perhaps Land Rover have a winning combination here. Not for serious off roaders (after all we have 90' 110' and Discovery for that) but for those who demand an everyday car with sensible fuel consumption and road manners, but who have a requirement for off road ability. Freelander should get you much further/safer in snow and ice conditions on country roads. Getting on and off wet grass at rural shows and events should present no problems. Access for construction site and farm visitors would be well within its ability. Not forgetting of course that Land Rover now have an entry level 4wd SUV to compete with all the Japanese imports, and that is built here in the UK.
Finally I have a feeling that with the right reliability and a more powerful engine Freelander will make one hell of a rally car!
- Mike Rogers, 11/1997