Land Rover Experience (off road day.)
Discussion
Spent Saturday gone on one of these events in a Range Rover Sport TDV8 (new 3.6 litre twin turbo, iirc) and came away extremely impressed.
Aside from the truly towering ability to navigate seemingly any incline and traverse any surface bar damp clay, an opportunity was given to take the car on road for a short demo of it's truly dual role repertoire.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this vehicle was possibly the highest quality interior I've experienced to date. By which I mean the total abscence of the tiniest creak, rattle or squeak from any pice of trim and when you include off road moments of rock crawling, that's some achievement for so large a tub.
Indeed, the chassis solidity appeared to be a lesson in absolute rigidity, immune to any flex whatsoever.
Combined with a wonderful slice of slack free helm, even a decent rort from the oil fired lump when bellowing on and a simply fantastic sense of surefootedness whilst attacking local A and B roads, the suspension served up an astounding mix of comfort and poise, not a million miles removed from an S-Type R, for example.
Although lacking the outright grunt of it's notorious German rivals, it really did feel far, far more resolved than Cayennes I've driven and was, as I've said, delivered with a far, far superior material/assembly quality where it counts.
Hugely impressive and they do look remarkably well once covered in field.
Aside from the truly towering ability to navigate seemingly any incline and traverse any surface bar damp clay, an opportunity was given to take the car on road for a short demo of it's truly dual role repertoire.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this vehicle was possibly the highest quality interior I've experienced to date. By which I mean the total abscence of the tiniest creak, rattle or squeak from any pice of trim and when you include off road moments of rock crawling, that's some achievement for so large a tub.
Indeed, the chassis solidity appeared to be a lesson in absolute rigidity, immune to any flex whatsoever.
Combined with a wonderful slice of slack free helm, even a decent rort from the oil fired lump when bellowing on and a simply fantastic sense of surefootedness whilst attacking local A and B roads, the suspension served up an astounding mix of comfort and poise, not a million miles removed from an S-Type R, for example.
Although lacking the outright grunt of it's notorious German rivals, it really did feel far, far more resolved than Cayennes I've driven and was, as I've said, delivered with a far, far superior material/assembly quality where it counts.
Hugely impressive and they do look remarkably well once covered in field.
Sounds like an awesome motor. 
I did one of these days in North yorkshire last year, though we did it in a Defender. Absolutely great day out and the vehicle took everything thrown at it, including the downhill axle twister that was really designed for the electronically controlled Rangies!
We only did the starter course, but I'd love to go through their proper off road driving course and work my way their advanced stuff.
I did one of these days in North yorkshire last year, though we did it in a Defender. Absolutely great day out and the vehicle took everything thrown at it, including the downhill axle twister that was really designed for the electronically controlled Rangies!
We only did the starter course, but I'd love to go through their proper off road driving course and work my way their advanced stuff.
Surprisingly, one of the new Freelanders was with us in the muddy trenches: for technical reasons which elude me (perhaps relative lightness, alone) it was suggested by the instructor that it was in some circumstances the best Land Rover product.
I was truly amazed by the hill descent control which required a considerable leap of faith on my behalf but which with low ratio selected and the appropriate diff setting made, demonstrated why the company most likely possesses the best R&D for 4x4 apps by far.
It was also quite good to (inadvertently) powerslide the 3 tonne crate like some insane, great go kart in a plot of mildly agitated, mudded goo.
That all the modes were diagramatically represented in a digital display in the main screen was very useful, although none of it helped calm the fears of inevitable roll as on at least two occasions the vehicle assumed impossible angles but thanks to a low centre of gravity, remained sunny side up.
People slag these things off but I now appreciate that they are truly special works.
I was truly amazed by the hill descent control which required a considerable leap of faith on my behalf but which with low ratio selected and the appropriate diff setting made, demonstrated why the company most likely possesses the best R&D for 4x4 apps by far.
It was also quite good to (inadvertently) powerslide the 3 tonne crate like some insane, great go kart in a plot of mildly agitated, mudded goo.
That all the modes were diagramatically represented in a digital display in the main screen was very useful, although none of it helped calm the fears of inevitable roll as on at least two occasions the vehicle assumed impossible angles but thanks to a low centre of gravity, remained sunny side up.
People slag these things off but I now appreciate that they are truly special works.
derestrictor said:
Indeed, the chassis solidity appeared to be a lesson in absolute rigidity, immune to any flex whatsoever.
This is hardly surprising, when you see how the RRS and Disco 3 (same chassis, different bodies) are nailled-together. A big box frame, plus bodywork on top, it aint rocket science (too ****ing heavy for that) but in terms of off-road strehgth, it beats the monocoques (X5 etc.) hands-down.Where I reckon things like the X5 gain is in economy and agility - purely by dint of their lightness.
I did my LR Experience at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire and, as you say, it's fantastic fun.
derestrictor said:
Surprisingly, one of the new Freelanders was with us in the muddy trenches: for technical reasons which elude me (perhaps relative lightness, alone) it was suggested by the instructor that it was in some circumstances the best Land Rover product.
I was truly amazed by the hill descent control which required a considerable leap of faith on my behalf but which with low ratio selected and the appropriate diff setting made, demonstrated why the company most likely possesses the best R&D for 4x4 apps by far.
It was also quite good to (inadvertently) powerslide the 3 tonne crate like some insane, great go kart in a plot of mildly agitated, mudded goo.
That all the modes were diagramatically represented in a digital display in the main screen was very useful, although none of it helped calm the fears of inevitable roll as on at least two occasions the vehicle assumed impossible angles but thanks to a low centre of gravity, remained sunny side up.
People slag these things off but I now appreciate that they are truly special works.
Congrats on your 8000th post! I was truly amazed by the hill descent control which required a considerable leap of faith on my behalf but which with low ratio selected and the appropriate diff setting made, demonstrated why the company most likely possesses the best R&D for 4x4 apps by far.
It was also quite good to (inadvertently) powerslide the 3 tonne crate like some insane, great go kart in a plot of mildly agitated, mudded goo.
That all the modes were diagramatically represented in a digital display in the main screen was very useful, although none of it helped calm the fears of inevitable roll as on at least two occasions the vehicle assumed impossible angles but thanks to a low centre of gravity, remained sunny side up.
People slag these things off but I now appreciate that they are truly special works.
matey, there's every need for mindless jibber jabber!
(until you stall it when in water at bonnet level 
).Digga said:
derestrictor said:
Good God, Paul - that's taking it to the next level (your profile pic!) Incredible stuff.
My mate is driving the speed is only about 20-25mph (thats about the 4th time we did it to get a good pic)
I think you'll find that's the mine at Solihull, where they quarry these things out of the ground.Its a pay n play £20ish all day sat/sun
sometime... need to do another - be good to have a PHer next to you! Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff