Hi all,

Some of you might have already seen this post on other LR forums, but if not ...

I work in the Land Rover Off Road Capability team based at the design centre at Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. I'm currently doing a "real" customer based study into usage of the Terrain Response (TR) system so it would be great to get your comments, particularly anything you really like or hate about TR and any suggestions for improving TR.

You can always email me directly (ddennehy@ford.com) or send me a private message if you'd rather not put up a post

Thanks in advance

Dan

I think the TR is fine as it is for the FL2

But would benefit with a low range setting, as a standing start with a full weight caravan/horsebox/trailer on a hill can be a little tricky.

All so the "Gradient Release Control" does not work as well as one expected unless you are on a very very steep hill.

I would also like to see a "Rock Crawl" Setting but this would have to be with the Air Suspension been fitted to the FL2 to give it the extra ride height it misses out on compared to Disco, RRS and FFRR.

The Air Suspension would also benefit for towing with the self levelling attributes and lots of people bought/buy the FL2 for this purpose.

Feel free to ask any questions on points I have raised Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

In addition, air suspension giver a much smooooother ride, and a much more comfortable ride.

So make sure air suspension is available on the FL2 when I shall trade it in in a few years time.

TRS. No real feedback yet. Have driven on snow, but that was no challenge, so I didn't use it.

What mode would you recomend me to use, going up a steep hill that is pure slippery ice? 2008 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Automatic, Caspian Blue, Alpaca, Moon roof, Exclusive pack.

I haven't used it as yet. I would like to see a discount for a specific FL2 owners course at LR experience centres for all new (and used) LR owners so we could safely discoverer what the TR system is capable of, rather than chancing it in our own cars with the risk of getting it expensively wrong. 07 Freelander 2 TD4SE Tambora Flame, side steps, privacy glass, mud flaps, boot liner and a tow bar. Ok it's the Wifes but she lets me drive it occasionally - if I've been good!

Dan,

You ever in Dunton?...if so, give me a shout, I'll buy you a coffee....we can talk "Shop"  '57 FL2 GS
Sumatra Blk, Tints, Winterpack, Dodgylooking TowBar, roof rails, Front & Rear LED Indicators, Clear Side repeaters(Led), LED Rear Position/Brake lights, Additional Power-point in the boot & Brighter luggage Illumination fitted

I have used terrain response quite alot , mostly the mud rutts and the snow,grass mode in both snow and mud as well as gravel. I'm realy pleased with it as it optimizes torque and the traction controls but i think that especialy the traction control managment needs some more tweaking depending on the surface you are onto.There where many times when i needed torque to stop me from sliding on snow and due to DSC i was left without power on the engine. That is quite dangerous and may result in loss of control, especialy on slippery snowed terrain as well as mud. These are my thoughts based on personal experience.
Nice too see you are conducting a research based on customer xp!
Regards
Chris

Dan.

So far the only modes that I have used the Terrain Response in have been in the Grass-Gravel-Snow and Mud-Ruts.

This has allowed a gentle accelerator pedal response whilst backing the Freelander up to the tow-bar of the caravan. Haven't worked out yet which mode is the gentler.

I too would like a rock crawl mode - which of the modes is the nearest to it?

I will be using the Freelander a lot off road in the Spainish mountains soon, where the track surface is steep- hard but covered in broken stones- and has very large pot holes. Which will be the best mode to use?

It is great to have this opportunity to voice our views/questions- thank you. I look forward to your replies.

I'd like more information on what TR actually does. I know it changes the throttle respone which is great for nice smooth driving but as to other things I have no idea.

And to repeat the call of other please put a low range box in it! The only time I've been assited off-road was on a scary rock desent that low range would have helped me descend. I probably could have made it down safetly using HDC and 1st gear command-shift but probably wasn't enough for me on the day.

Air suspension would be a damm good idea too. I've bump the underside of my FL2 a few times off road (nothing sersious because it seems to be well protected but even still a few more inches clearence off-road would make it a mean machine.

I've been out with the local LR club and when I've climbed some of the hills I've suprised myself and the other drivers who consider the Freelander a toy. 2007 TD4 SE

@ORC1:

Thanks for asking !

TR seems excellent to me but DHC should work smoother: it comes in too abrupt. Also the maximum speed using DHC should be lower.

My biggest wishes:

- Increased ground clearance (by optional air suspension ?)
- Low gears. (very unlikely I'm afraid due to the lack of space)

It would make the Freelander 2 just perfect and an absolute winner !

In general: I hope Land Rover will definitely go for the brand that makes off-road cars that are suited for the road as well. There are carmanufacturers enough yet (actually too much) making sterile clones that are useless off-road and at the same time useless on paved roads.
(sorry, this last comment is a bit off-topic but I couldn't resist writing this down)

Last edited by Paul on 8th Feb 2008 6:54 pm. Edited 1 time in total

djhamspon
This should answer your question:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SffMwwWrIFw

Hi paul on hdc I think you can slow hill decent by using the cruise control switch + or - will slow or speed decent 07my Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Baltic Blue,Privacy Glass,Ebony black leather,Land rover detachable towbar,S/S Side bars,Climair wind deflectors,Bramble Rash,

Hi rover60,

If I remember well, on the FL2 HDC reduces the speed to a maximum of 7 Km/h. On the Discovery and the Range Rover, it should be 3 Km/h. This is due to the the fact that at a lower speed, the engine would swiitch off. Thanks to the low gears of Discovery and RR, the maximum speed can be set lower. Descending a steep hill with a rough surface is often much too fast at 7 Km/h (especially in combination with the limited ground clearance of a FL2). This means the HDC becomes useless and you can only rely upon the ABS.

(please correct me if I'm wrong)

I think you might be right as it is hard to judge your speed as you decend unless you look at the speedo and not wanting to take your eyes off your course 07my Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Baltic Blue,Privacy Glass,Ebony black leather,Land rover detachable towbar,S/S Side bars,Climair wind deflectors,Bramble Rash,

It is a great improvement over F/L1 so I have not yet got to the point where I could suggest improvements. The only things that limit its off road capability I have found to date are ground clearance and HDC speed. I would never expect a transfer box with low range gearing (Weight & Cost) in this class of vehicle. Though the low 1st gear ratio on the 6 speed g/box helps, maybe a 7 speed g/box with ultra low 1st. Oh dream on! still pining for my 3dr, no removeable hardtop, no drop glass tailgate, no roof rack, no pockets everywhere to stow all that man kit

upnaway wrote:

I would never expect a transfer box with low range gearing (Weight & Cost) in this class of vehicle.