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Hugely popular in the UK and Europe thanks to it’s on road driving prowess and four wheel drive capabilities, Unichip Europe is delighted to announce the launch of a ‘U-Connect’ plug and play performance ECU upgrade for the 2.2-litre Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4.

Months of careful dyno and road testing has enabled Unichip Europe’s technicians to use the powerful and versatile Uni-Q piggyback ECU to fine tune the fuelling and turbo boost settings on the 2179cc, four cylinder, common rail Land Rover TD4 powerplant to deliver noticeable performance improvements.

Designed as a DIY fitment via its plug and play ‘U-Connect’ wiring loom, the Unichip is fitted (and removed) in minutes.

It leaves no electronic footprint and is ‘invisible’ to main dealers during servicing. To ensure it is totally tamperproof, the ‘U-Connect’ unit can only be remapped by a qualified Unichip agent.

Post installation, the performance gains realised by the Unichip on the Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 are significant. Peak power increases by 20 bhp over standard to a measured 180 bhp at 3164 rpm, while torque output rises by 52 lb.ft to 362lb.ft at just 2346 rpm.

In real world terms the Unichip performance advantage transforms the Freelander 2’s driving experience. The car feels livelier, more eager, smoother and pulls noticeably harder from low engine speeds thanks to the additional torque on tap. The extra torque not only translates into superior in-gear acceleration which enhances the Freelander’s overtaking abilities but also improves the car’s towing abilities.

In a climate of rising fuel prices, Land Rover Freelander 2 TD 4 owners will be pleased that this extra performance doesn’t detract from the car’s 42 mpg combined fuel economy. Tests have proven that thanks to a combination of the increased low speed torque and efficiencies realised by the refined Unichip Uni-Q ECU map, fuel economy is unaffected by the Unichip U-Connect package, with drivers actually reporting a 5-10% better fuel consumption compared to standard.

Available now directly from Unichip Europe, priced at £478.10 including VAT @ 17.5% and carrying part number PPLAN10.0, the Unichip U-Connect suits both manual and automatic transmission variants of the Land Rover Freelander TD4 produced from 2006 onwards.

The 2011 Freelander 2 model range, on sale in the UK from the end of September 2010, benefits from a new 2.2-litre diesel engine available with either 150PS or 190PS outputs, a new look exterior plus interior alterations including new instrument dials and a new Premium Pack option.

Land Rover’s new turbo diesel engine is available in the 4WD TD4 150PS model featuring a manual transmission and intelligent Stop/Start technology as standard (an automatic gearbox without Stop/Start is available as a cost option), or the new SD4 model delivering 190PS (available in automatic transmission only).

This new engine is quieter, more efficient and both derivatives have 20Nm more torque than the outgoing engine. This means the 2011 Freelander 2 offers improved engine response and more mid-range strength for towing. CO2 emissions have been significantly reduced to 165g/km and 185g/km respectively with corresponding fuel economy benefits.

However, despite reductions in consumption and emissions, there has been no compromise in performance. The flagship 190PS Freelander SD4 accelerates from rest to 60mph in 8.7 seconds with an increased top speed of 118mph. The Freelander 150PS TD4 manual and automatic versions match the performance of their predecessors.

As well as being upgraded from EU4 to EU5, both versions have a new variable geometry turbocharger and have been extensively re-calibrated to deliver new levels of power, meet emissions regulations and reduce CO2 emissions. They are fitted with a catalysed diesel particulate filter as standard and are now compatible with 10 per cent biodiesel rather than 5 per cent.

As an addition to the Freelander 2 range, Land Rover will also offer customers a 2WD derivative, available in the UK from January 2011. This will be called the Freelander 2 eD4 and it will be the most efficient Land Rover ever produced, with fuel consumption of 47.2mpg combined, and CO2 emissions of just 158g/km.

“The new Freelander 2 eD4 moves Land Rover into the hugely popular and fiercely contested two wheel-drive SUV market,” said Land Rover managing director Phil Popham. “The European market for two-wheel drive SUVs represents 23 percent of the segment and we intend to compete strongly here.

“A 2WD option is just one way in which we are developing our vehicles’ efficiency whilst adding to the Land Rover range and expanding our appeal to a broader group of customers. We will continue to make the ‘world’s finest all-terrain vehicles’ for those customers who require 4WD but will also now offer an alternative.”

This groundbreaking Freelander 2 eD4 is powered by the new 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, delivering 150PS. It is only available with a six-speed manual transmission featuring Stop/Start technology as standard.

The exterior of the latest Freelander 2 gets a new look for 2011. Marked out by a new front bumper assembly incorporating new front fog lap bezels, a new front grille finish, improved headlights and tail lamps, new full width tailgate appliqué and new 18- or 19-inch alloy wheel styles. There are three new colour schemes for 2011 Kosrae Green, Baltic Blue and Fuji White.

Inside the cabin, Land Rover’s design team have revised the instrument dials, and there are four new seat styles with the option of a Premium Pack that includes Windsor Leather upholstery, an 8/6 way electric seat, plus premium carpet mats and covered centre stowage.

The 4WD TD4 and SD4 models are on sale in the UK from the end of September.

Derivative Drivetrain £OTR
150PS Manual
TD4 S manual* 4WD £21,695
TD4 GS manual* 4WD £24,995
TD4 XS manual* 4WD £28,495
TD4 HSE manual* 4WD £32,995
190PS Automatic
SD4 GS automatic 4WD £27,510
SD4 XS automatic 4WD £31,010
SD4 HSE automatic 4WD £35,510

Automatic transmission available as £1,515 option

Following on from the hugely successful Project Kahn Range Rover Sport RS600 and the Project Kahn RS300 powered by Cosworth, it was an inevitable progression that the prestige automotive design house, Project Kahn would eventually place their signature stamp on the Land Rover Freelander.

The Freelander as the junior member of the 4×4’s most aristocrat family; Land Rover, continues to be the nations favourite SUV with its combination of car-like dynamics and smart styling explaining their popularity.

Taking inspiration from the Project Kahn Range Rover Sport RS600, the Freelander RS200 has received an extensive makeover from the king of aesthetic conversions Afzal Kahn.

The Freelander RS200 modifications include features which are unrivalled in today’s market, including to the exterior; Kahn 20” RS wheels and tyres, matt black signature bonnet stripe, silver door handles, door mirror caps, front bumper vents, body coloured style vents, side sill, front grille surround and smoked side repeater’s.

Climb aboard the RS200 and you’ll find modifications including black leather interior with contrasting white stitching complete with RS200 logo’s, steering wheel with white contrast stitching and Kahn red and white speedo and rev counter’s.

Of course as with all Project Kahn cars, the RS200 accessories are available as standalone pieces. Afzal Kahn; the CEO of Project Kahn comments: “Customising your existing car, is a great alternative, cost effective way for owners to upgrade”.

The complete RS200 is priced at a very reasonable £29,995 which includes £10,000 worth of Project Kahn accessories.

Project Kahn will shortly be announcing another addition to the RS series, news of which we will bring you shortly.

The Freelander 2 ‘White & Black’ Special Editions are new entry-level additions to the Freelander 2 range for the 2010 model year, and will be on sale in January 2010, priced from £19,495 on-the-road.

The Special Editions are available in Alaska White and Santorini Black and both come with the Ebony cloth interior. They represent a lower entry price with a more generous specification and complement the new Freelander 2 Sport, also on sale at the start of next year.

The Freelander 2 ‘White & Black’ models feature the six-speed manual 2.2-litre diesel powertrain, complete with keyless starter button and Land Rover’s intelligent Stop/Start e_technology which delivers combined fuel economy of 42.2mpg. Privacy glass, 17” alloy wheels and load space cover are also standard.

John Edwards, Land Rover UK managing director said: “With a price less than £20,000 and the economical yet powerful diesel engine, the Freelander 2 ‘White & Black’ Special Editions represent exceptional value for money in the compact SUV sector. Couple this with the vehicle’s enhanced styling and specification, the ‘Special Editions’ not only offer the Freelander 2’s trademark ever-ready versatility, but are pleasing to the pocket and to the discerning eye.”

The Freelander 2 is Land Rover’s best-selling model, with over 44,000 sold in the UK since launch in 2006. Sales so far for 2009 represent a 16% share of the sector.

Introducing the Freelander 2 Sport, which goes on sale in the UK in January 2010.

In showrooms early next year, the Freelander 2 Sport will be available with two derivatives and two colors – Santorini Black and Lago Grey. Both will feature exclusive 19″ limited edition diamond-turned alloy-wheels, a unique two-tone interior together with a rear spoiler, color-keyed exterior trim and matching door handles and mirror casings.

There is a standard model available in both Black and Lago Grey with cloth interior and one with a sports styling pack available only in Lago Grey.

A unique two-tone interior is introduced on both derivatives, in contrasting Ebony and Storm. The derivative featuring the sports styling pack will offer a leather interior and the standard version with a cloth/leather interior. The sporty theme continues through the cabin, with an Ebony-colored center-console and lower fascia complemented with two-tone door casings.

The Sport emblem is embossed on the front and outer rear seat head restraints, with Storm colored stitching on all seats and unique Ebony interior carpet mats with contrast piping feature throughout.

The Freelander 2 Sport is available with the powerful and economical 2.2-litre TD4 diesel power unit. The manual diesel comes with Stop/Start technology delivering an 8% improvement on CO2 emissions compared to the previous manual diesel Freelander 2 (from 194g/km to 179g/km) and fuel consumption is reduced (from 37.7 to 42.2mpg – an improvement of 4.5mpg).

John Edwards, managing director, Land Rover UK said: “With its dynamic styling, the Freelander 2 Sport allows you to combine sporting characteristics with all the sustainability and driveability benefits of the intelligent Stop/Start technology.”

The Freelander 2 Sport goes on sale in January 2010, priced from £26,695 on-the-road.