Freelander - Body Architecture
Design
Body Architecture
- Freelander's ground breaking monocoque body structure delivers outstanding off-road performance.
- By incorporating the traditional ladder frame chassis as an integral part of the body, substantial benefits in terms of stiffness have been achieved, whilst retaining the durability levels which are synonymous with the Land Rover name.
Minimised weight with optimised stiffness
- Lower weight, with resulting improvements in performance and economy.
- The greater stiffness sharpens on-road handling and gives the vehicle a greater feeling of solidity.
- The design achieves a low centre of gravity which again enhances handling and also stability.
Body Stiffness
The body engineers made extensive use of computer modelling techniques to refine every aspect of the vehicle structure. These ranged from studies that addressed optimisation of the behaviour of the complete vehicle body, down to analysis of local load input points such as towbar mounting and jacking points.
Front Wing Design
Freelander is the first Land Rover product to use front wings made from an engineering polymer material. Although new to Land Rover, this technology has been used extensively in America (3 million vehicles), and by a number of other European manufacturers
- Low weight, Freelander wings are 3 Kg less than the equivalent steel components.
- Impact and dent resistance, it combines great strength with the compliance to absorb minor knocks.
- Corrosion resistance.
- Fit, finish and style, the plastic wings are injection moulded giving a consistent fit and finish.
Designed for Durability
The durability of the Freelander's body system was trialled over thousands of miles of punishing off-road and rough road tests, to ensure that it will perform well in extremes of customer use. These whole vehicle tests were complimented by a programme of rig tests to validate every aspect of the performance of the body system.
- Double-sided galvanised steel, used throughout the entire body structure and closure systems. Key areas of the vehicle are further protected by wax injection of box sections.
- Paint and anti-corrosion process, An all new paint plant was built for the Freelander with state of the art facilities delivering protection and finish which will stand the test of time and demanding usage.
