Tackling a Land Rover Experience day with the all-new Range Rover

The first time Pocket-lint jumped into the new fourth-generation Range Rover was in Morocco. The weather was hot, the terrain soft and fast, but the relevance to a UK driver virtually nil. While it showed us what the "all-new" Range Rover could achieve, what about in the UK, in the winter, in the snow, at the Land Rover Experience headquarters in Eastnor Castle?

There are eight Land Rover Experience centres around the UK and the main one, used by Jaguar Land Rover itself, is based in the Cotswolds. It's where they tested the 2013 Range Rover - handy, considering there are miles and miles of managed track. When we say tested, we really mean it: over 300 prototypes and thousands of man hours all to help the new Range Rover to get to this moment.

Getting to the centre is almost as much fun as driving in the grounds, with the Cotswold countryside offering plenty to enjoy from the Range Rover's spacious cockpit. Across the course of the day we tested the 3.0 TDV V6 entry-level model (£71,000) and the 4.4 TDV V8 Autobiography (£94,695) with adaptive roll technology to stop it moving around as much - it works.

We started our day at Chipping Campden in the beautiful Cotswold hills. The snow was thick, the roads icy. Of course the Range Rover laughed in the face of that adversity. Understandably so, because of a new feature added to the Range Rover: Auto Terrain.

The auto feature accounts for the fact that, although given the choice of terrain setting to use, drivers normally forget until it's too late, or don't know whether they should be in snow mode or not. The Range Rover now does it for you automatically by monitoring the road every couple of milliseconds. Think of the auto scene mode on your camera and you get the right idea. It goes about making the drive as easy and as safe as possible.

At Land Rover Experience the weather, the challenge you want and a number of other factors determine which tracks are available, and which tracks you'll use. It's not as simple as saying I'd like to do my usual please. Tracks range in scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardest and that involves having to use winches.

"We could have put you on that course," explained one of the instructors, "but it's not very much fun and you would have only got around 100 yards."

That's great if you are using the centre for training for your next global road challenge - something many do - but for the majority of the centre's visitors having some fun and seeing what their new Land Rover or Range Rover can do off road is the main goal.

As it was we were taken out for a spin on a grade five track that gave us enough of a challenge, but not enough to make us really worry about what we were about to do. That's not to say there weren't a couple of moments where we wondered whether the Range Rover would make it, but raised suspension, low-level gear ratio setting for downhill descents, and the willingness to just "trust" the vehicle, meant we fared better than we expected along the treacherous single-lane track.

If that paints a gruelling picture, don't worry, it's a lot better than it sounds, mainly because of the sheer luxury of the ride that the Range Rover offers. Heated or chilled seats, a heated steering wheel, a fridge in the arm rest, massage options and individual climate control per passenger (front and back) meant it was hard to appreciate the harsh environment that we were driving in until we opened the window. We did; it was cold.

The Land Rover Experience Centre offers a number of packages to suit most, with prices starting from £200 for a morning to a lot more if you want to really push the boat out, and you don't have to use your own shiny new 4x4 if you don't want to.

As with previous Range Rover models the ride is very high, allowing you to enjoy that commanding position Range Rover is famous for, while the cockpit has been further insulated to give you an almost silent ride.

On the tech side of things, you'll get a digital dash that changes depending on what is going on, and there are enough buttons (although less than the third generation) to make a BlackBerry Qwerty keyboard look simple.

As with other models in the JLR line, entertainment is provided by a dual-screen touchscreen display in the centre of the dashboard. So the passenger can watch the Jeremy Kyle Show, listening on the accompanying Bluetooth headphones, while the driver follows the satnav. There is the option for further screens in the headrests with their own headsets too for the rear passengers.

The boot is spacious while the tailgate boot door split has been changed to give you a lower entry point - current Range Rover customers don't panic, it's still good for standing on, or having somewhere to put that picnic.

As a day out, the Land Rover Experience is great fun giving you a chance to see what your car can really do. You might never venture off the roads with your Range Rover, but it's perfectly happy if you do.



Courtesy of Pocket-lint

Learn about the history and evolution of the Range Rover in this first of a four-part series!

True Luxe, Four-up

The Aston Martin Rapide, Bentley Mulsanne, Ferrari FF, Land Rover Range Rover, and Roll-Royce Phantom are an incredibly diverse quintet, with priorities ranging from ultimate performance to overt opulence. However, one thing these high-end luxury vehicles all have in common is that they can accommodate four passengers. We drove them in England, on real roads and in real traffic, on wet and dry pavement, to find out whether the newest member of the group, the brawny 2013 Range Rover, can challenge and possibly eclipse its even more expensive rivals. In this group test, we are looking not only for speed, space, traction, roadholding, street cred, and the latest technological wizardries. What counts more than any individual strength is the blend of all-around ability and appeal. That includes appearance and ambience, whether your eyes light up when they spot a series of corners, how these cars perform when pushed, and the overall feel-good rating that, even in a four-seater, is defined not only by packaging and functionality but also by style and craftsmanship.

Range Rover Supercharged

A relatively affordable attempt at creating the best of all worlds.

Visually, the new Range Rover is an evolution rather than a revolution, although it does have more bling than its charmingly stiff, upright, and royal predecessor. The only debatable detail is the trademark gills that have been moved from the front fenders -- where they made some sense -- to the doors, where they don't. The tailgate is again split horizontally, and both parts are power operated. The lower one is now less deep, so a person no longer needs a telescoping torso to reach into the cavernous luggage bay. When you opt for the Autobiography trim level and the Executive Class package fitted to our test car, you get two bucket seats that can, with the push of a button, trade rear-seat recline for cargo space. Despite the combed-back windshield and the ten-percent more slippery shape, the Range Rover still faces the wind with the posture of a brick mansion.

Modern luxury surrounds the driver. Like the exterior, the interior is evolutionary, but this time the motto was "less is more." Less as in fewer knobs and buttons; a bigger and easier-to-read touchscreen flanked by eight intuitive keys; more straightforward climate controls; a restyled multifunctional steering wheel; and the same rotary gear selector we know from other upper-class Tata models. So far, so good.

The new model from Solihull managed to do what few of us can: it lost weight. Depending on the powertrain, between 750 and 850 pounds have been jettisoned, which is a lot but is only about a fourteen-percent reduction of the still-substantial grand total. At 5137 pounds, the supercharged variant is no Lotus Elise, but at least it now compares very favorably with the BMW X5, the Audi Q7, and the Mercedes-Benz M-class. The switch to the Premium Lightweight Architecture (PLA) codeveloped with Jaguar transforms the SUV's handling. Forget everything you disliked about Range Rovers: submarine-inspired understeer, Queen Mary-esque body roll, anteater brake dive, and steering that left school before the cornering lessons started. The 2013 Rover not only feels less top-heavy, it also shed pounds in the chassis department, where aluminum subframes and suspension elements create a playful light-footedness. The engineers are particularly proud of two new features, Terrain Response 2 and Dynamic Response. TR2 is standard and denotes an additional mode that autonomously selects the appropriate drive program from an unchanged choice of five settings; DR is Land Rover-speak for self-acting, switchable antiroll bars and comes on all supercharged models. Driver intervention is still required to dial in low range and hill-descent control.

Shod with optional 275/45WR-21 Goodyears, our Range Rover doesn't ride all that well around town, where the stiff sidewalls and the firm air springs make for bobbing headlights and tap dancing over drainage grids. Above 40 mph, however, all that goes away, and instead, a cushy comfort zone prevails. Unlike its ancestors, which were all over the place when pushed hard, the new Range Rover is in total command. The steering in particular is a real gem. It holds a straight line even on bumpy off-camber blacktop, provides exactly the right measure of turn-in support, is incredibly precise, and executes sudden changes of direction without undue weight and effort. True, the turning circle is vast, and some might prefer lighter steering effort at parking speeds. The brakes combine strong initial bite with plenty of stamina and an easy-to-modulate pedal. It's only on the last few yards before standstill that a heavier-than-expected effort is required to squash that ambitious kinetic energy.

The supercharged V-8 runs smoothly and quietly unless you really push it, but its thirst is enormous and those 510 horses take a little longer than they should to pool their energy and beam the vehicle toward the horizon. With the throttle fully depressed, the SC roars from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, according to its maker. Forward thrust expires at a comparatively tame 140 mph. The maximum torque of 461 lb-ft provides an addictive measure of mid- to top-end grunt, making passing maneuvers exceptionally easy. This is sports car swiftness dressed in a traditional SUV silhouette.

Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged
BASE PRICE: $99,950

POWERTRAIN
ENGINE: 32-valve DOHC supercharged V-8
DISPLACEMENT: 5.0 liters (305 cu in)
POWER: 510 hp @ 6000-6500 rpm
TORQUE: 461 lb-ft @ 2500-5500 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic
DRIVE: 4-wheel

CHASSIS
STEERING: Electrically assisted
FRONT SUSPENSION: Control arms, air springs
REAR SUSPENSION: Multilink, air springs
BRAKES: Vented discs, ABS
TIRES: Goodyear Eagle F1 SUV-4x4
TIRE SIZE: 275/45R-21 110W

MEASUREMENTS
L x W x H: 196.8 x 87.4 x 72.3 in
WHEELBASE: 115.0 in
TRACK F/R: 66.5/66.3 in
WEIGHT: 5137 lb
CARGO CAPACITY: 32.1/71.7 cu ft(rear seats up/down)
EPA MILEAGE: 13/19 mpg (est.)
0-60 MPH: 5.1 sec
TOP SPEED: 140 mph
 
 The Results

5 Bentley Mulsanne

How can such a sumptuously equipped and amazingly well-built status symbol be so strangely soulless to drive? The Bentley goes really well, handles OK, and is not even excessively thirsty. But, somehow, it lost the charm of the otherwise-outclassed Arnage that it replaced. The ride is too firm, the steering too heavy, and the substantial curb weight can be felt in every move it makes -- even though the magical 6.8-liter V-8 has been improved almost beyond recognition. The Mulsanne is a luxury car at a crossroads: not sufficiently advanced to change the rules, too Germanic to woo the traditionalists, a fine automobile in need of a more focused mission.

4 Ferrari FF

The same money will nearly buy a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, although that car lacks four-wheel drive and rear seats. The question is: do those two items make the FF more desirable? In this context, the answer is both yes and no. Yes, because you can actually carry two extra heads, and there are weather conditions and terrain where rear-wheel drive won't do. But let's face it, when rear seats do matter, a Ferrari is unlikely to rank high on the shopping list. Conversely, when it's a hard-core car you're after, four seats are rarely a requirement. The FF is a wonderful driving machine and a highly emotional choice, but it is a poor four-seater, and it isn't a compelling luxury car, either.

3 Rolls-Royce Phantom

The extended-wheelbase Ghost would have had a better chance of winning this test. It is more conveniently sized, more up-to-date, and more involving to drive than the Phantom. The big Rolls needs a more convincing rear-seat compartment, and it needs engineering updates that only the next-generation model can provide. Meanwhile, the priciest car in this group spoils us with the most charismatic personality, the best ride by a long shot, and a presence that is second to none. The Phantom is silent, splendid isolation at its best. In addition, the precise, responsive, and swift Roller is surprisingly rewarding to drive.

2 Aston Martin Rapide

Design. Sound. Performance. Driving pleasure. Like the FF, the Rapide is only a half-hearted four-seater. But at least it has four doors, which makes it a lot easier to put stuff on the back chair, transport the dog, or pack up the twins for their short ride to school. This is the most practical Aston by a long shot. It also is one of the prettiest four-door cars on the planet, and the noises it makes aim right at your heart. More to the point, the Rapide is fun to drive in a basic, almost old-fashioned manner. It has telepathic steering, a raw and raucous V-12, a chassis designed for optimum weight distribution, and sensational brakes. This 100-proof sport coupe is free of filters, artificial flavoring, softeners, and diluting agents.

1 Range Rover Supercharged

Even the most expensive, fully loaded Range Rover ($152,000) costs significantly less than any of these rivals, and it's the only one in this group that can venture off-road. It also offers the most complete assortment of state-of-the-art driver-assistance systems. The other cars may be faster, more stylish, sharper at the limit, and later on the brakes, but the Range Rover is not far behind. It is dynamically pretty much on par with the best, and it is easy to operate, quick, and slick. The final decider is the back seats. In Executive Class trim, you get a five-mode massage function, heating and ventilation, reclining backrests, four-zone A/C, eight-inch video monitors -- you name it. So the Range Rover wins. Still not quite enough rear legroom? Then wait for the long-wheelbase model coming soon.



Courtesy of Automobile Magazine

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Land Rover Continues To Power Race2Recovery Dream

The Land Rover-supported Race2Recovery team continues to demonstrate an unwavering will to overcome adversity as it remains among the surviving competitors in the 2013 Dakar Rally. Race2Recovery still has one Land Rover Defender based Wildcat running in the T1 category in the most-gruelling motorsport competition in the world after 11 days and 6,000 kilometres of competitive driving in some of the most demanding terrain seen in rally-raid. A further four days remain before the event finishes in Santiago, Chile, on 20 January 2013.

After running at high speeds on rough roads and across sand dunes for nine days in the sweltering heat of Peru and Argentina, the Wildcat affectionately known as “Joy”, captained by British duo, Major Matthew O’Hare and Corporal Philip Gillespie, is still going strong now that the rally has reached Argentina.

O’Hare and Gillespie continue to realise the dream of Race2Recovery; a team made up primarily of disabled British-service personnel, who set out to prove to themselves and others what is possible once you go beyond injury and achieve the extraordinary. Gillespie lost his right leg below the knee after standing on an Improved Explosive Device (IED) on tour in Afghanistan.

Captain Tony Harris said: “In order to achieve our goal to be the first disabled team to complete the Dakar, we have to cross the finish line with at least one car. With just four days to go, but with some of the most demanding stages still to come, we are putting everything we have into helping the final car finish.

“This challenging human endeavour has stretched everyone in the team beyond what we expected, but we are proving the point that there is life beyond injury.”

Land Rover’s support of Race2Recovery includes the supply of Land Rover engines and other mechanical parts for the team’s race vehicles, pre-event driver training and Land Rover Discovery support vehicles. These capable vehicles have taken on extra responsibility after Race2Recovery’s eight-wheel support trucks retired with mechanical failures. Much of the team’s equipment is now being carried by the Discoverys.

The Land Rover Discovery support vehicles have also been used in a way unique to Race2Recovery: retired co-driver Corporal Tom Neathway’s right prosthetic leg had broken down in the heat and dust of Argentina, so he used the Discovery on-board battery to recharge it!

Race2Recovery started the 15-day trek with four Land Rover-based Wildcats. Despite the world-class underpinnings of the vehicles, the notoriously-difficult rally took its toll, with three Wildcats joining the lengthy retirements list. Wildcat “IRD”, crewed by Captain Tony Harris and Cathy Derousseaux, suffered technical difficulties en route and did not reach enough checkpoints during day one to be permitted to start the next stage. Wildcat “RatCat”, crewed by Brit Ben Gott and US Marine Staff Sargent Mark Zambon, crashed beyond repair in the desert. Wildcat “Orange Plant”, crewed by Justin Birchall and Corporal Tom Neathway, retired following a serious impact to the drivetrain. The remaining Wildcat, despite its maiden run in the rally has overcome harsh terrain, demanding altitudes and temperatures which have led to 49 bikes, 12 quads, 57 cars and 10 trucks retiring from the race.

Courtesy of The Auto Channel

The Explorers Club takes their Land Rover out on an adventure through Mongolia!

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The new Range Rover takes home Best Luxury Car of 2013!

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Jaguar Land Rover finishes the year off strong and keeps a postitive outlook for 2013!

 

Jaguar Land Rover expects "positive" 2013 in UK

Premium automaker Jaguar Land Rover said UK vehicle sales rose 19.7 percent in 2012 and new launches meant its outlook for 2013 was "positive".

JLR, owned by India's Tata Motors, sold 68,586 cars last year in the UK, where overall demand for cars is stronger than in other major markets in debt crisis-hit Europe.

The Land Rover brand notched up its best-ever sales year in the UK, the company said, with sales rising almost 25 percent to 54,480 vehicles, boosted by the first full sales year for the Range Rover Evoque sports utility vehicle (SUV).

Registrations of the luxury Jaguar brand increased 2.4 percent to 14,105 vehicles, despite "increasingly competitive market conditions", the company said, helped by a 10 percent rise in sales of the revised Jaguar XF saloon.

"It's a positive 2013 outlook for Jaguar in the UK with a full year of XF Sportbrake sales, the launch of the XFR-S saloon and the highly anticipated F-TYPE two-seater sports car," JLR said in a statement.

Overall new UK car registrations rose 3.7 percent year-on-year in December, industry body SMMT said on Monday, predicting demand would "hold firm" in 2013.

The forecast contrasts with gloomier 2013 outlooks for other major European car markets. The December rise follows a 11.3 percent increase in November, when Britain bucked the downward trend elsewhere in Europe, where economic gloom is keeping drivers away from showrooms.

 

Courtesy of Reuters

The 2013 Range Rover is as luxurious as the French landscape in this commercial, and rugged enough to take it on!

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