The automatic option is growing stronger by the year and no sector more so than in the 4x4 market. That’s part of the reason why Land Rover has opted for a new automatic gearbox option in the Freelander 2 model released at the start of the year. Michael Moroney has driven it and gives his verdict.

The new Land Rover Freelander 2 has lots of attractive features about it. I wrote about the new diesel powered Freelander some time ago and now that the automatic version has come my way, there’s good reason to return to the brand.

Caption: Land Rover has an automatic gearbox option on the new Freelander 2 model, which comes from the SE models upwards. With an entry price of ?58,900 it adds significantly to the manual option price level.

I liked the Freelander 2 first time out and I’ve liked the new automatic version even more. The new 2.2 litre turbo-diesel engine is a smooth power source for the new six speed automatic gearbox. And the system compliments Land Rover’s upgraded full-time four wheel-drive system that’s part of the Freelander.

For the record, this new bigger engine than in the past is the result of Ford’s co-operation with PSA Peugeot Citroen, and it has been used in a number vehicles in the newer Ford range. It performs well in the new Freelander 2 giving 160bhp, that’s 43 per cent more power and 50 per cent more torque than the previous 2.0 litre diesel Freelander model.

That new power level seems a perfect choice for the automatic gearbox. There’s no lag in acceleration and ample power with torque to allow the system to automatically and smoothly move up the speeds.

In sport mode, the auto transmission is programmed to hold low gears longer and to shift down more readily, to assist acceleration.

From my driving impression there seemed little difference in terms of fuel economy between the manual and automatic versions. Quite frankly, the auto Freelander 2 is easier to drive, you’re less inclined to rev the power and I reckon on the basis of my test, you could even do better on the economy side.

Land Rover’s figures are different and put the automatic version at more than ten per cent heavier on diesel across a range of speeds. The official figures rate the automatic version at 8.5 litres/100km (33.2mpg), which is a shade on the thirsty side relative to the competition.