24 Jul 08 16:50
Land Rover has released details of the Freelander's new stop-start system that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 179g/km from the current 196g/km.
The system will be fitted to all manual-transmission, diesel-engined Freelander models next year.
It will be part of an integrated starter-generator unit, and it also reduces carbon monoxide emissions, hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides and particulates, as well as saving fuel, though Land Rover has not yet announced figures for the fuel economy improvements.
As with other stop-start systems already on the market, the engine cuts out when the Freelander comes to a standstill, the brake applied and the gearshift slipped to neutral.
It will remain running if it is needed to power the air conditioning or demisters, however, or if it has not yet reached operating temperature. It then restarts once the clutch is depressed to select a gear.
The starter-generator has a regenerative braking function, capturing energy otherwise lost under deceleration and when coasting. This energy is stored in super-capacitors, which can release it very quickly. It powers an additional 24-volt electrical system to run the stop-start function, supplementary to the standard 12-volt network from which the car's other electrical functions work.
Land Rover says its stop-start system is just one of a number of new upcoming technologies to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
As part of its e-Terrain Technologies programme, it is also working on diesel-electric hybrids - both 'mild' range-extender hybrids and plug-in - and flywheel hybrids which recover wasted energy at the flywheel. It's also developing lighter-weight structures and working on ways in which recycled scrap aluminium can be used.
