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| Fuel saving tech for the Freelander 2 |
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Off-road specialists Land Rover are introducing a Freelander 2 TD4_e fitted with a new intelligent Stop/Start system.
The vehicle automatically shuts down the engine in appropriate conditions, resulting in zero tailpipe emissions and saving fuel that would otherwise be used idling the engine when stationary.
When the driver is ready to move off, the engine instantly re-starts.
Sophisticated controls ensure that the Stop/Start system does not compromise the needs of either the driver or the vehicle.
For the engine to shut down, the vehicle must be stationary, the gearbox in neutral and the clutch pedal raised.
To re-start, the driver simply depresses the clutch and the enhanced starter motor engages the engine, ready for when first gear is selected.
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.
Thanks to the introduction of the technology, fuel consumption is improved by 3.8 mpg and CO2 emissions are reduced by almost eight per cent over the standard EU4 drive cycle.
A new gearshift indicator light signals when a higher gear will allow the vehicle to operate more fuel-efficiently.
In additional tests, Land Rover engineers have measured fuel savings approaching 20 per cent in heavy urban traffic.
Phil Popham, Land Rover's managing director, said: "The Stop/Start Freelander 2 is the first production vehicle to benefit from the massive £700 million investment in sustainable technologies by Jaguar and Land Rover.
"From mid-2009, the Stop/Start feature will be included as standard on all Freelander 2 TD4 manual models, with no associated increase in list prices." |
