Here at Auto Express, we generally drive cars to find out what they are like on the move. But when we were invited to try this Land Rover Freelander prototype, we were more interested to see how it performed once it had stopped.
That’s because this test model is one of the first cars from the brand to be equipped with stop-start engine technology. The system is designed to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy, and is fitted to a standard 2006 Freelander. The innovation will be on sale in 2008, and is the first step in a bold plan to make all Land Rovers more fuel efficient.
Similar set-ups are already available from BMW, Citroen and VW, but Land Rover’s development is marked out by its simplicity. The arrangement relies almost exclusively on existing technology, and so next to no modifications are required on the car.
In fact, the only changes are made to the starter motor, and are designed to extend the life of this critical part. Engineers claim the average vehicle is fired up around 35,000 times over a decade. With stop-start technology, that could climb to 350,000 times.
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