My recollection is that the Queen actually learned to drive a truck during the war.

That’s true, she did and also learned how to strip it down. However she would have called it a lorry. Since a ascending to the Throne she has pretty much only driven British made vehicles, the vast majority of which have had a green oval badge. These are vehicles which she drives herself mind; in her role as Head of State she is driven about in all kinds of things.

Must be very vexing to her today to drive a German Bentley and an Indian Range Rover. Incidentally as you will see by my signature photo I also learned to drive in a Land Rover...belonged to my next door neighbor back in the early 1950’s. It was uncomfortable on long trips, unreliable, and slow...we all bought either Toyota Landcruisers or Nissan Patrols hence the demise of LandRover in many parts of the developing world. I have just had a close look at the new Defender and will be very interested in it’s acceptance.

I have a 5.0.

Does anyone have the P400 MHEV (not the plug in, but the new ingenium 3 litre petrol), wonder whether anyone has any feedback as about to confirm an order at the weekend. Am test driving a P400 (albeit in a RRS) and then a 4.4V8 diesel, before I commit.