A brand new breed
Remember the Land Rover Freelander? Actually, the folks at the U.K. automaker would rather you forgot.
So let’s pretend it never existed — just the way they want it — and concentrate on the 2008 Land Rover LR2, which replaces the Freelander in Land Rover’s lineup of four-wheel-drive vehicles.
And to be fair, this really is a new breed of Land Rover with bits and pieces borrowed from other European companies under the Ford umbrella. The result could have been Frankenstein’s monster, but has turned into something quite pleasing. And the least expensive Land Rover could turn out to be the most reliable.
The unibody LR2 employs a proven platform from Ford of Europe that’s also used on the Focus/Mondeo and Volvo S40. That’s a good start.
The engine, an inline six displacing 3.2 litres, is borrowed from the Volvo S80. Mounted transversely, it’s mated to a new electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission from Aisin-Warner.
The new all-wheel-drive system is a joint effort with Haldex of Sweden and features an electronically actuated centre differential that helps eliminate wheel spin. Also standard is Land Rover’s Terrain Response System which has settings for: 1) normal driving; 2) grass, gravel and snow; 3) mud ruts and 4) sand. They are selected via a big rotary dial on the centre console. Switches for hill descent mode and dynamic stability control flank the Terrain Response System knob.
The LR2’s standard interior appointments include power windows/locks/mirrors, cruise control, leather trim, power heated front seats and a driver information centre accessed by a button on the end of the turn signal stalk.
Our test vehicle had a big, useable bin in the centre binnacle, where the optional navigation system would go, and height adjustable flip-down armrests on both front seats. There is a large, lockable glove box, which is a good thing because there is no covered storage area in the centre console, just two cupholders and a smallish open bin.
Sunroofs are located above both the front and back seats, although only the forward unit opens. I found the 60/40-split rear seats a little tighter than on the rival Lexus RX 350 and cargo space is also smaller — 26.7 cu. ft. with the rear seat upright and 58.9 with it folded flat. Like the RX 350, the LR2 can tow a trailer weighing up to 3,500 lbs.
Some other nice touches include individual heating and A/C controls, an iPod jack, headlamp washers and backup warning sensors. But then there’s the key fob.
Some manufacturers have a “smart fob,” requiring only that it be on your person for the vehicle to start at the push of a button. So what would you call the LR2’s device? A dumb fob? Because you have to insert it into a slot on the dash and then push a button to start/stop the vehicle — a process so regressive it's basically how drivers started their vehicles in the 1940s: separate ignition switch; separate start button.
So what’s the point of all this if the fob can’t just stay in your pocket? I don’t get it.
The LR2’s suspension has been tuned for on-pavement driving rather than off-road use. This makes sense, since Land Rovers of all descriptions seem to have become the vehicles of choice for upscale soccer moms across North America. The LR2 still allows the ladies to sit up high, but at just 4,500 mm (177 in.) in overall length it will be easy to manoeuvre on Toronto’s Don Valley Parkway or Calgary’s MacLeod Trail and a cinch to park at the local mall. Seven standard airbags will help keep Mom and her passengers safe.
Cornering and ride are surprisingly good for a tall, boxy vehicle.
And while foot-to-the-floor acceleration is not going to terrify anyone, it’s still quite acceptable at just under 9.0 seconds from 0-100 km/h. Even at speed the cabin remains an oasis of calm, with little engine or road noise intruding.
The LR2 may be more at home patrolling Vancouver’s Robson Street than the African veldt, but its air conditioning system is first rate and blows instantly cold even on oppressively hot days when the ambient temperature tops 33 degrees.
Now about the colour of our test vehicle, which proved to be quite controversial. People either loved the paint job, or they hated it.
Land Rover calls it Tambora Blaze. (My Oxford Canadian Dictionary doesn’t recognize “tambora” as a word.) Friends and acquaintances called it everything from “butterscotch” to “burnt orange” and “diarrhea” (the latter coming from a nurse, who knows about such things).
But I came up with a different name. I was sitting on the porch, eating my lunch and looking at the LR2 parked in the driveway when it struck me that it was the same colour as the Kraft Dinner I was enjoying.
I’m not sure Land Rover will appreciate the cheesy comparison, but if the LR2 can attain anything like the acceptance KD has among North Americans it will be a roaring success in the highly competitive SUV/CUV segment.
Competition: Acura RDX, BMW X3, Toyota Rav4
Strengths: Straightforward controls; proven Volvo engine
Weaknesses: Past reliability issues; dumb key fob
Find a dealer that sells the Land Rover LR2
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