ONCE upon a time if a car salesman tried to persuade you of the merits of ‘stop-start’ technology you might justifiably imagine it was a Derek Trotter style ruse to sell you a dud - the stop-start business suggesting the car might spend more time at a standstill than on the move. But the capacity to switch a car’s engine off automatically when it is at a standstill is starting to seem less and less like the latest gizmo and more and more a must-have as manufacturers look at ways of making cars that are more environmentally friendly. It’s saying something when even a legendary sportscar maker like Porsche have stop-start technology on their new Panamera model. When Land Rover unveiled their intentions to utilise it, one might have imagined it was an attempt to counter its image as a maker of gas-guzzling monstrosities. But the Solihull firm’s decision to go down this route is just one of a number of environmentally-friendly initiatives being employed and is a much born out of the necessity to produce more fuel efficient vehicles as a desire to boost its image. In fact the way stop-start systems are being adopted by all and sundry suggests it is soon going to be one of those must-haves - rather like ABS brakes. Once you get over the slightly unsettling experience of your engine cutting out while you’re waiting at a set of traffic lights you’ll see the benefits too. There’s no doubting it is unsettling, perhaps due to the fact that it’s eerily similar to the business of stalling, which has to be one of the motorist’s worst nightmares. When that engine cuts out you do feel somewhat stranded. You need to understand the stop-start system is there for your benefit and feel secure in the knowledge the engine will spring back to life it really does start to seem like common sense. And if the worst comes to the worst then you can even override it, even if that does kind of defeat the object. It’s interesting that Land Rover have tried the technology out on what is currently their smallest model, though it’s probably a case of testing the waters more than anything else. It means it’s the greenest Land Rover yet, managing fuel economy of more than 40mpg for the first time. It should be pointed out this is achieved through a range of technologies, the stop-start system combining with regenerative braking and specially revised components to enhance economy and reduce emissions. Land Rover are using the standard 2.2-litre diesel Freelander engine but this lean green model sees fuel economy improved by almost 5mpg and CO2 emissions down by 15g/km. The original Freelander was billed as the ‘baby Land Rover’. Its proportions have increased in the second generation version, making it more of a little brother and it’s certainly more grown-up in pretty much every respect. As well as being more family-friendly with its increased cabin space and load-lugging capacity, it is far more of a premium vehicle than its predecessor. Exceptionally well put together and finished and with the sort of switchgear and instrumentation to rival the best, it’s difficult to fault. Best of all is its feel on the road. It is stable and assured on tarmac while still having the capacity to get down and dirty in the mud - just like any true Land Rover. FAST FACTS Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4-e Price: £21,875 Mechanical: 158bhp, 2,179cc 4cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox Max speed: 112mph 0-62mph: 11.7 seconds Combined mpg: 42.2 Insurance group: 13 CO2 emissions: 179g/km BiK rating: 29% Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage | 
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