Land Rover Malaysia has been keeping themselves busy updating their local range to stay up to date with the times, constantly introducing new updates for all their models. As recently as late last year the Range Rover and Discovery 4 were refreshed with new variants, and now it’s time for the Freelander to get its mid-life facelift, three years after its initial launch in 2008.
Always renowned for its keen handling characteristics and comfort with class-leading off-road capabilities, the new Land Rover Freelander 2 SD4 gains subtle exterior and interior updates and a more powerful 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
The updated engine now has 187bhp and 420Nm of torque (up 30bhp and 20Nm from before, both achieved at lower revs), endowing the baby Land Rover with quicker response and even more mid-range pull for major off-road work and towing. With its latest Terrain Response system that matches the demands of the terrain for optimal drivability, comfort and traction, few will challenge the Freelander for overall performance and go-anywhere ability.
Always a handsome SUV, the Freelander gets a very minor update on the outside with the new Range Rover-like front grille being the only significant change. The front and rear light clusters are new as well, though only true Land Rover aficionados will notice them, along with the re-profiled bumpers. All that and new 19-inch alloy wheels add up for a smarter and sportier look. The interior remains largely unchanged, though it now gets a more contemporary fascia with clearer dials.
Price for the 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 SD4 remains the same as before, at RM271,388 for Peninsila Malaysia and RM274,888 for Sabah and Sarawak. With more power and added kit, new buyers are getting outstanding value for money, along with one of the more interesting compact SUVs in the market.
To further excite Land Rover fans, it has also been announced that the new Range Rover Evoque will be arriving on our shores in the later part of the year. Mouth-watering? You bet.
Hafriz Shah
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