Land Rover's new Freelander 2 TD4_e features Stop/Start
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Land Rover
24th September, 2009
- Freelander 2 TD4_e introduces Land Rover's new, intelligent Stop/Start system
- Combined 6.7 l/100 kms (down from 8.5 l/100 kms in automatic TD4) - 21% reduction
- CO2 emissions 179 g/km (down from 224 g/km in automatic TD4) - 20% reduction
- New gearshift indicator light signals when a higher gear will allow the vehicle to operate more
fuel-efficiently
- First Land Rover model to achieve full End of Life vehicle certification - up to 85% recyclable and 95%
re-usable, two years ahead of European legislation
- Characteristic Land Rover durability and all-terrain performance uncompromised by Stop/Start technology
- $45,590 price before statutory and delivery charges
The new entry level Freelander 2 TD4_e has been introduced into the Australian market, addressing the
growing need for more fuel efficient vehicles. As such the Freelander TD4_e is the most fuel efficient Land
Rover ever and is the worlds first SUV with an intelligent Stop/Start system.
A combined 6.7 l/100 kms (down from 8.5 l/100 kms in auto TD4) and CO2 emissions improved from 224 to 179
g/km makes it the most 'eco-friendly' Land Rover as well. In additional tests, Land Rover engineers have
measured fuel savings approaching 20% in heavy urban traffic.
This is the first application of Land Rover's e_TERRAIN TECHNOLOGIES on a production vehicle and is just
one element of Land Rover's comprehensive ecological technology roadmap, which will drive the company to
increasingly lower emissions and more sustainable technologies in the coming years.
Roger Jory, Land Rover's General Manager, said: "The Stop/Start Freelander 2 is the first production
vehicle to benefit from Jaguar Land Rover massive investment in sustainable technologies. It also represents
a new entry level into the Land Rover brand, offering improved fuel efficient and reduced emission without
compromising the vehicles outstanding on-road performance, and class-leading off-road ability".
Stop/Start system
Land Rover's new Stop/Start system improves fuel efficiency in urban and stop-start driving. The vehicle
automatically shuts down the engine in appropriate conditions, resulting in zero tail-pipe emissions and
saving fuel which otherwise is used idling the engine when stationary. The engine instantly re-starts when
the driver is ready to move off.
There are also sophisticated controls in place to help ensure the Stop/Start system does not compromise
the needs of either the driver or vehicle. For the engine to shut down, the vehicle must be stationary, the
gearbox in neutral and the clutch pedal raised. To restart, the driver simply depresses the clutch and the
enhanced starter motor engages the engine, ready for when first gear is selected. When the engine has been
shut down by the Eco stop/start system, the ECO icon on the centre consol will illuminate.
To ensure neither the needs of the driver or vehicle are compromised the engine will not shut down in
the following circumstances:
- the external temperature is below approximately 4°C
- the external temperature is above approximately 35°C
- engine has not reached operating temperature
- driver's seat belt is not fastened a door is not fully closed
- the clutch or accelerator pedal is pressed
- climate control system demand is high
- battery charge is low
- Hill Descent Control or a Terrain Response special programme are selected
Likewise the engine will automatically re-start if:
- battery charge is low
- climate control system demand increases
- the vehicle's speed increases
- Hill Descent Control or a Terrain Response special programme are selected
- brake vacuum has been reduced (eg tapping the brake pedal repeatedly)
The Stop-Start system is automatically activated each time the ignition is turned on, although there is a
switch on the fascia to disable the system, if the driver so desires.
Added Fuel Economy Benefits
Along with the intelligent Stop/Start system, the Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4_e includes a series of
additional enhancements which help to deliver fuel economy and CO2 benefits.
There is a new gearshift indicator light in the instrument pack, advising the driver to change gear when a
higher gear will allow the vehicle to operate more fuel-efficiently. This is calculated by the Freelander 2
TD4_e's fully mapped engine.
Software developments to the driveline systems on the Freelander 2 TD4_e generate CO2 benefits without
reducing Land Rover's renowned capability.
Land Rover engineers are also collaborating with tyre suppliers to drive improvements to fuel economy
through reduced rolling losses. Tyre characteristics including rolling resistance are optimised for the
entire range of available tyre sizes on Freelander 2 models.
End of Life Vehicle Certification
The Freelander 2 is the first Land Rover to achieve compliance with the "EU Directive 2005/64/EC on the
type approval of motor vehicles with regard to their reusability, recyclability and recoverability" ahead of
forthcoming legislation. This refers to 85 per cent of the vehicle being re-usable or recyclable, and 95 per
cent being re-usable or recoverable.
Freelander 2 TD4_e Australian Specification
Engine & Transmission:
- 2.2 Litre TD4 Diesel (118 kW/400 Nm)
- Stop/Start System
- 6-speed Manual Transmission
Exterior Features:
- Exterior mirrors - Electric adjustment, heated and power-folding
- Parking Distance Control (PDC) - Rear
- Rain Sensing Wipers
- Halogen Headlamps - Automatic
- Front Fog Lamps
- Headlamp Powerwash
- 17 inch 6-Spoke Alloy Wheel
- Spare wheel - Full size 17 inch alloy
- Tool kit
Interior Features:
- Climate control - Automatic with air filtration
- Interior rear view mirror - manual dipping
- Load Space cover
- Cloth Seats - Ebony
- Rear seat centre head restraint
- Steering Wheel - with controls for audio system
- Cruise Control
- Audio system - radio with CD player, auxiliary input (MP3 Player) and 6 speakers
Price before statutory and delivery charges:
Freelander 2 TD4_e $45,590*
* Manufacturer List Price is shown and excludes dealer charges, stamp duty, statutory charges and on-road
charges which are additional and vary between dealers and States/Territories. "Drive away prices are
available from Land Rover dealers.
Land Rover Stop/Start System - In Detail
Behind the Stop/Start system lies an intensive engineering programme, which touches a surprisingly wide
number of the vehicle's systems and components.
Refined Stop/Start Operation
Land Rover engineers have invested considerable effort into safeguarding levels of engine refinement. To
reduce any engine shake associated with some diesel engines when stopping, Freelander 2 TD4_e features
controlled throttle closing and ramps down fuel in a smooth fashion, while the alternator is also turned off
during the shut down procedure, reducing load on the engine. A software feature change and revised engine
calibration further aid smooth shutoff, while engine shake on start up is reduced by the Freelander 2's
optimised engine mounting strategy and inherent tuning.
Uncompromised Durability
More stop-start cycles over the lifetime of the Freelander 2 TD4_e will lead to increased use of
vehicle's affected components, so enhanced durability of these components was a priority for the Freelander
2's engineering team. They developed a new heavy duty starter motor, a new ring gear, a new dual mass flywheel
friction control plate and an absorption glass mat battery. These new features ensure the Freelander 2 TD4_e
delivers characteristic Land Rover all-terrain performance and that the system's operation is always rapid
and reliable.
Enhanced Starter Motor
The more frequent stop and start activity means that demands on the starter motor are forecast to increase
up to three-fold during the lifetime of the Freelander 2 TD4_e. So, to accommodate the durability demands on
the vehicle's 2 kW starter motor, a number of changes have been made.
The grease seals have been enhanced significantly and new hard-wearing copper-tungsten contact material has
been sourced and specified across the TD4_e range to enhance wear resistance within the starter solenoid.
New Ring Gear
An all-new ring gear is specified for all TD4_e models to cope with the increased frequency of starts. The
ring gear is attached to the engine flywheel and comes into contact with the starter motor each time the
engine is started. The new ring gear is manufactured from a harder grade of steel and contains over 25% more
carbon to improve durability.
Dual Mass Flywheel friction plate
Diesel powered Freelanders with manual gear boxes have always featured a dual mass flywheel to ensure
engine refinement at start, stop and low speeds. A new Polyetheretherketone friction control plate has been
developed for the Freelander 2 TD4_e. This is able to withstand seven times the pressure of the outgoing
plate, to ensure greater levels of refinement, under even greater start and stop demands.
Absorption glass mat battery
New absorption glass mat technology has been developed, which offers deeper discharge and recharge
characteristics and reduces battery deterioration under much heavier usage. Fine fibreglass matting has been
introduced to sit pressurised between the new absorption glass mat battery plates. This aids the battery's
longevity in two ways - by allowing the electrolyte to function normally under greater pressure and providing
mechanical support for the plates - reducing battery degradation.
Intelligent Technologies
Land Rover engineers focus on the introduction of intelligent, appropriate technologies, and the
Freelander 2 TD4_e is no exception. In congested traffic, while the Stop/Start technology will shut down the
engine frequently, features and technologies will not be compromised, so in car entertainment, climate
control, Bluetooth, driver information and other electronic systems will continue to function.
Technologies such as the new voltage quality module, the battery monitoring system, the brake vacuum sensor
and the enhanced climate control system have been developed to help ensure this uninterrupted service in a
stop situation.
Voltage Quality Module
The voltage quality module maintains critical vehicle systems, safety and occupant comfort, and has been
developed to supply a constant voltage around the vehicle's electronic components during a stop-start,
ensuring key services continue uninterrupted with the sudden outrush of amps from the battery.
This technology is effectively a direct current converter, which can convert low voltages, such as that
experienced during a 'stop', to a stable higher level for short but crucial boosts, ranging from one to five
seconds in duration.
Battery Monitoring System
This system monitors the battery's 'state of health' for the Stop/Start feature to function reliably. The
technology is constantly at work, measuring factors such as natural battery degradation, ambient temperature,
charge and discharge activity and voltage, to make sure there is enough power available for a stop-start to
operate effectively.
If any of these factors show a low measurement, the Stop/Start feature is overridden and the engine will
continue running until more battery power is available.
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Brake Vacuum Sensor
The Freelander 2's brake system is specified with significant vacuum reserves, but these reserves can
become depleted for a number of reasons, such as use of the brake pedal when the engine is switched off.
Ultimately this would lead to vacuum reserves becoming exhausted, which would affect the brake servo's
operation and pedal loads, in some cases causing them to rise substantially.
To mitigate this, the Brake Vacuum Sensor is specified on all Freelander 2 TD4_e models, and if vacuum
reserves fall to a level that will affect brake pedal loads, the system will override the Stop/Start
function until the brake vacuum is replenished - ensuring brake pedal loads are maintained.
Enhanced Climate Control System
A number of changes have been made to the vehicle's climate control system to help ensure occupant
comfort and reduce misting during stop-start situations. One significant change is the introduction of an
auxiliary water pump. On conventional vehicles, the water pump shuts down with the engine, but on
Freelander 2 TD4_e models, the introduction of the auxiliary water pump continues the flow of coolant
during engine shutdown, maintaining cabin temperature when exterior conditions dictate.
The climate control system monitors cabin temperature and maintains fan speed at a level appropriate
to protect the battery's state of charge when the engine is shut down. In extreme hot or cold conditions,
extended stops, or if an occupant selects a higher fan speed during a 'stop', the engine will re-start if
necessary to preserve occupant comfort. Evaporator temperature, the factor that gives rise to screen
misting, is also monitored and the enhanced climate control system will periodically cool the evaporator
as necessary to mitigate misting during a stop-start.
Land Rover e_TERRAIN TECHNOLOGIES
The Freelander 2 TD4_e is just one element of Land Rover's comprehensive green technology roadmap,
which will drive the company to increasingly lower emissions and more sustainable technologies in the
coming years. This is a key part of the AUD$1.5 billion investment in sustainable technologies being made
by Jaguar and Land Rover.
Land Rover engineers are working on a series of advanced propulsion technologies and lightweight
structures aimed at bringing CO2 emissions down to class-leading levels. This doesn't mean sacrificing
core Land Rover values: the renowned all-terrain capabilities of its future vehicles could actually be
improved by some of the exciting new powertrain technologies, such as the Electric Rear Axle Drive
(ERAD).
The company's ambitious programme for continuing CO2 reduction stretches well into the future. For
example, Land Rover is developing future hybrid and other green technologies in conjunction with the UK
Government's Technology Strategy Board (TSB).
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