2013 Land Rover Freelander 2 / LR2 Receives a Light Makeover and a New 240HP 2.0L Turbo [62 Images]

Some six years after the market introduction of the Freelander 2, which is called the LR2 in North America, and two years since its previous facelift, Land Rover has once again refined its compact SUV with a discreet nip and tuck and the presentation of a new turbocharged petrol engine for select markets.

The exterior makeover for the Freelander 2 / LR2 brings more contemporary-looking lights with LED technology on both ends, a new finish for the front grille and fog lights, plus new alloy wheel designs and an available body styling package.

Land Rover has also added three new colors to the range of the 2013 model named ‘Aintree Green’, ‘Havana’ and ‘Mauritius Blue’.

There’s a lot more going inside where Land Rover redesigned the center console that now hosts a new 7-inch color touch-screen that controls a series of functions including an available navigation system and a premium Meridian audio system offered with a choice of 380W or 825W.

Furthermore, the original Terrain Response dial has been replaced by buttons and there’s a new electric parking brake for 2013, both of which free up space on the lower part of the center console.

The updated Freelander 2 / LR2 gets a new instrument cluster with a 5-inch screen displaying primary vehicle-related information, such as temperature and fuel levels, gear positions and Terrain Response mode, and which is positioned between the dials.

Other new features include the so-called “Passive Start” that replaces the key docking system, a rear view camera, and the ‘Say What You See’ voice activation system, which allows the user to control functions in the audio, optional satellite navigation, climate and phone systems via their voice.

Depending on the market, Land Rover has also made changes to the trim levels and the engine range.

In the UK, for example, the 2013 Freelander 2 obtains a new flagship grade named HSE LUX, which adds Windsor leather seats, Grand Black Lacquer finisher, premium carpet mats and 19-inch Diamond Turned Wheels.

The engine lineup remains unchanged in the UK and includes a choice of two diesel engines, the 2.2-litre 148hp (150PS) TD4 and 187hp (190PS) SD4 with four-wheel drive, while the 2.2-litre 148hp engine is also available in eD4 two-wheel drive form in which case it delivers 47.1mpg (6.0 L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 158g/km.

In the U.S.A., Land Rover replaced the 2012MY’s 3.2-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine with the new 2.0-liter turbocharged four found in the Range Rover Evoque and more recently, in the Jaguar XF.

The new four-cylinder engine delivers 240hp at 5500 rpm and 250 ft-lbs of torque at 3,200 rpm, representing an increase of 10 hp and 16 lb-ft respectively over the outgoing 3.2- liter naturally aspirated inline six.

The 2.0-liter unit is matched to an Aisin AWF21 six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel drive system that features a Haldex rear axle differential.

U.S. prices including destination and delivery charges start at $37,250 for the base model, rising to $39,750 for the HSE and $42,350 for the HSE LUX.

The revised Freelander 2 / LR2 will make its global premiere at the Moscow International Motor Show on Wednesday 29 August, 2012, before it goes on sale this fall.

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