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Offensive Driving in a Discovery

2009-06-14T16:52:00.000-07:00

Gumball Gumpert

2009-06-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&from=sp&vid=c5f865b6-9e93-4109-9a52-d4ce327b5aa3" target="_new" title="SuperCars Exposed: Gumpert Apollo">Video: SuperCars Exposed: Gumpert Apollo</a>

With Range Rover Sport, let it snow

2009-01-24T19:35:00.000-08:00

Clipped from OregonLive.com

Saturday, January 24, 2009

By BOB HILL
The Oregonian

When you test-drive vehicles supplied by manufacturers, they always seem to bring convertibles in January and the made-for-winter-driving sport utility vehicles in July. But this winter, I got lucky.

Land Rover delivered its 2009 Range Rover Sport model just before the snowstorm hit the metro area. (The pictures accompanying this story were taken when the SUV first arrived.) When the snow started piling up the weekend before Christmas, the Range Rover showed its true colors, proving unstoppable, even on one particularly harrowing trip across the metro area -- harrowing only because I was worried another vehicle might slide into me.

I even got to keep the Range Rover for a second week because the delivery person bringing me another vehicle to me couldn't get to my house. So more time in the Rover became a nice Christmas present.

The Range Rover Sport, as one would expect in a luxury vehicle, offers all the latest technology for driving off-road or in severe conditions. But the best thing about all Land Rover vehicles is the ease of operation of that technology in the company's patented Terrain Response system.

Simply turning a dial in the center console to one of five positions adjusts throttle response, gear changes, the air suspension and center and rear differentials to match the terrain and conditions. The five settings are general, grass/gravel/snow, mud and ruts, sand, and rock crawling. So the driver just sets the dial and then can concentrate on steering and matching speed to conditions.

When in the snow setting, about the only difference in vehicle operation one notices is the activation of the ABS at a much lower threshold.

The system is not an autopilot, however. As in all snow and ice driving, the driver must be careful. I did put the vehicle sideways when I made a lane change across ruts too quickly, but I was able to straighten it out easily and quickly, and no harm was done.

In addition to its ability in the snow, the Range Rover Sport has also demonstrated what it can do in Northwest off-road conditions. It won the annual Northwest Sport Utility of the Year award last October in a two-day on and off-road competition held by the Northwest Automotive Press Association. In that same event, the Range Rover Sport also won the Best Off-Road SUV category.

The Range Rover Sport comes in two models, the HSE with a naturally aspirated, 4-4-liter V-8, which was the test model, and a top-of-the-line supercharged model, which has a starting price of $72,600.

With its 300 horsepower, the HSE had more power than I could come close to using on snow-covered roads. Land Rover says the HSE model goes from 0 to 60 mph time in 8.3 seconds. Since it is a heavy vehicle weighing almost three tons, the EPA mileage rating is only 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. The Range Rover Sport does offer a substantial towing capacity at more than 7,700 pounds.

With its wide stance and solid frame, the Range Rover Sport provides a good platform for both highway cruising and off-road jaunts. The on-road ground clearance can be raised by 2 inches to almost 11 inches for severe off-road conditions.

The Range Rover had side curtain airbags for both rows of passengers and a stability control system. Other safety equipment on the test vehicle included rain-sensing wipers and adaptive headlights that swivel as the vehicle goes around turns.

The five-passenger interior displayed the level of luxury expected of a vehicle in this price range, with real wood trim and premium leather throughout. The seats were comfortable and supportive. The rear glass can open separately from the bottom of the tailgate for ease of loading small packages.

Standard equipment included a moonroof, GPS navigation system and an excellent-sounding Harman/Kardon stereo.

Antarctica Condition 1 Weather

2009-01-11T17:20:00.000-08:00

Filmed at McMurdo Station

Land Rover vehicles help owners overcome the freeze

2009-01-10T11:04:00.000-08:00

The Met Office has issued warnings of hazardous road conditions after freezing temperatures hit the UK with snow falling in many parts. Despite this, Land Rover owners can count on the all-round capabilities of their vehicles to help them reach their destinations.

Land Rover has 60 years of driving experience, with a line-up of supremely capable vehicles which boast permanent four-wheel drive and pioneering technology such as Electronic Traction Control, Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Terrain Response – which includes a snow setting utilising the vehicles' traction aids. These all help ensure that Land Rover owners have total peace of mind when travelling in wet or icy conditions.

In addition, Land Rover customers can now take advantage of a free winter health check at their nearest Land Rover dealership until the end of February.

John Edwards, Land Rover UK managing director commented: "Poor driving conditions should be taken very seriously; so we are offering free winter health checks for all Land Rover customers. The dealership staff will ensure that wheels and tyres, lights, electrics, fluids and brakes are checked and screen wash topped up to the correct level. A welcome reassurance when conditions become treacherous."

However, not all drivers have the benefit of driving a Land Rover, so here are some general winter driving tips which may help should it be essential to drive in wintry conditions:

Use the highest practical gear, unless descending a hill – this limits the amount of torque and will help to prevent wheel spin

Using first gear provides the maximum control when descending hills

Clear ice and snow from all windows and lights – even the bonnet and roof – before driving

Use all controls (steering, brakes, throttle etc) gently to help prevent loss of traction and control

Leave extra distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you – it takes longer to stop in adverse conditions

Ensure you have enough fuel to complete your journey

If planning a long journey or venturing off-road, ensure you have plenty of warm clothing, food and water in case of emergency

Before setting out on a journey in bad conditions, make the following checks:
Anti-freeze
Wipers and windscreen washer fluid
Lights
Hazard lights
Defroster
Oil level
Tyres and tyre pressure

For further helpful tips log onto landroverexperience.com or, if you prefer, drop into your local Land Rover Experience Centre. To see more information on the latest promotions across the Land Rover range, or to arrange a test drive log onto landrover.co.uk