2014 RRS - previews
Discussion
Has anyone else been to the previews yet?
I went last night and first impressions were very positive. They had an Autobiography and a Dynamic to look round and all in all the quality was very good. Obviously driving would give a more complete impression but these appeared to be a good evolution of the first one.
The driving position was good, the materials and 'feel' were generally good. One notable exception was the sliding cover over the cupholders - both the movement and plastics weren't what I'd call a matching standard. Especially the rough edge to the moulding.
The satnav/media unit appeared complex, but I haven't used one fully so may just have been an impression.
One comment though about the third row of seats - I wouldn't. Too much of a compromise and would go for the D4 if I needed them. Why? space. When I did the full seating test - i.e. I adjusted the driving seat for me, then got in the back seat. To gain access to the rears you need to both fold down the back rest and move the whole rear bench forward (unless the rear passengers are tiny). Moving the rear bench forward compromises both the middle row and the driver as the drivers seat then needs to be moved as well just to get someone in the middle row. I'd put the 3rd row down as emergency seats only, with the access and space issues they're just not practical for regular use.
I took some pics on my phone but looking at them afterwards you'd find better on google so haven't bothered posting.
Would I buy one? From that first view, Yes.
I went last night and first impressions were very positive. They had an Autobiography and a Dynamic to look round and all in all the quality was very good. Obviously driving would give a more complete impression but these appeared to be a good evolution of the first one.
The driving position was good, the materials and 'feel' were generally good. One notable exception was the sliding cover over the cupholders - both the movement and plastics weren't what I'd call a matching standard. Especially the rough edge to the moulding.
The satnav/media unit appeared complex, but I haven't used one fully so may just have been an impression.
One comment though about the third row of seats - I wouldn't. Too much of a compromise and would go for the D4 if I needed them. Why? space. When I did the full seating test - i.e. I adjusted the driving seat for me, then got in the back seat. To gain access to the rears you need to both fold down the back rest and move the whole rear bench forward (unless the rear passengers are tiny). Moving the rear bench forward compromises both the middle row and the driver as the drivers seat then needs to be moved as well just to get someone in the middle row. I'd put the 3rd row down as emergency seats only, with the access and space issues they're just not practical for regular use.
I took some pics on my phone but looking at them afterwards you'd find better on google so haven't bothered posting.
Would I buy one? From that first view, Yes.
unrepentant said:
I'm off to the Biltmore in Asheville North Carolina in 2 weeks to spend 2 days driving and learning all about it. Can't wait!
That sounds a fun trip! I've just booked for us to NC next Easter and was looking on the Biltmore website the other day, funnily enough. I noticed they had a Land Rover Experience concession there. Let us know how you get on 
Greg
Just back from the Biltmore in North Carolina where we spent 2 days playing with the new Sport. They had about 50 of them there, V6 S/C and V8 S/C, no oil burners here unfortunately. The car is epic.
It feels very much more luxurious than the outgoing car, especially in the rear where there is a lot more space. The cockpit feel is retained but many of the features of the FFRR are now included which again adds to the luxury feel. We now have cooled seats for the first time which is a real plus here in the US. The car drives superbly, the aluminium structure obviously shaves weight and also makes the car quieter, as it does with the FFRR. The car has the pistol grip gear change from the F-Type rather than the rotary shifter from the FFRR and other Jags.
Occasional seating in the 3rd row is definitely occasional. Small children for short journeys. It operates electrically which is neat but if you need 7 seats you need a Disco.
The V8 is monstrously quick, sub 5 second 0-60 easily attained, some road testers have apparently been well under that mark. We were drag racing 13 S/C V8's against 14's, giving the 13 a car length head start and were usually passing it way less than half way down a 200 yard strip. Off road over a tough course the car was easy to drive and the auto terrain response takes any guesswork out of mode selection.
We also had new Cayenne's, ML's, Q7's and X5's there for comparative driving.
This is a big advance and moves the Sport forward with a big leap. We drove on road for about 5 hours and spent a couple of hours off road and a couple of hours on autocross type activities.
The Biltmore. A decent sized pad......
Ready for the off.
Chile Red.. awesome!
New interior is great.
A morning visitor. RUN!!!
It feels very much more luxurious than the outgoing car, especially in the rear where there is a lot more space. The cockpit feel is retained but many of the features of the FFRR are now included which again adds to the luxury feel. We now have cooled seats for the first time which is a real plus here in the US. The car drives superbly, the aluminium structure obviously shaves weight and also makes the car quieter, as it does with the FFRR. The car has the pistol grip gear change from the F-Type rather than the rotary shifter from the FFRR and other Jags.
Occasional seating in the 3rd row is definitely occasional. Small children for short journeys. It operates electrically which is neat but if you need 7 seats you need a Disco.
The V8 is monstrously quick, sub 5 second 0-60 easily attained, some road testers have apparently been well under that mark. We were drag racing 13 S/C V8's against 14's, giving the 13 a car length head start and were usually passing it way less than half way down a 200 yard strip. Off road over a tough course the car was easy to drive and the auto terrain response takes any guesswork out of mode selection.
We also had new Cayenne's, ML's, Q7's and X5's there for comparative driving.
This is a big advance and moves the Sport forward with a big leap. We drove on road for about 5 hours and spent a couple of hours off road and a couple of hours on autocross type activities.
The Biltmore. A decent sized pad......
Ready for the off.
Chile Red.. awesome!
New interior is great.
A morning visitor. RUN!!!
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