Well, I finally had my 1/2 day LRE day, and I have to say I left absolutely gobsmacked at how good our cars are!

Got to drive a 10 plate 4.4 TDV8, which was nice!

I was astonished by what I was shown by my lovely lady instructor and just how effortless the car took the most inhospitable terrain.

First thing we faced was an uphill slope consisting of loose gravel and a top surface of mud at about an angle of 35 degree which the car just took in its stride. I was told to stop 3/4 of the way up and with HDC engaged, let the car handle a reverse ascent back to the bottom.

I didn't realize how versatile and useful HDC is in many situations! Once you have that "leap of faith" and take your foot off the brake, it's a fantastic feature!

We then ventured through various up and down slopes, through water, and ruts.

There were some occasions where we were driving through some gulleys with a 30-35 degree slope on one side, and then the same on the opposite side further on. This made the car angle sideways just like driving round an inclined banking, both ways. Another person on the course said they watched in amazement as our car had a rear wheel 3 feet in the air. We didn't even realise this was happening in the car!

The most impressive thing was to approach a 45 degree hill and drive straight up to the top, where all you could see was the sky! Once the summit was reached, the car leveled out and straight down the other side!

The most amazing thing was the total lack of drama at any point and amazement at how much the electronics can handle just about anything!

Roll on the winter!  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

I'm due to go this Saturday - looking forward to it  Stolen / Gone: 2006MY Supercharged LPG Autobiography - Zambezi Silver with Sand/Jet/Jet Oxford Leather.....

Had my half day experience today at Dunkeld in the FFRR (4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE) - really enjoyed it, amazed at exactly what these machines are capable of - we could not get it stuck no matter what was tried - was good to see the off road screen displaying the centre and rear diff lock / unlock.

All standard apart from a front skid plate, running on 19" Scorpions - he said that they deliberely keep road based tyres on them to show just how good they are - I have to say, after what I've seen today, I question the need for winter / off road spec tyres !!

My instructor does a lot of off roading in Defenders and said that the latest L322 with the electronic rear diff etc is actually slightly better off road than the Defender (in his opinion!)

I asked him what happens to the cars when they are finished with them - they are leased from Land Rover for 1 year and then get sold on as ex-demos  Stolen / Gone: 2006MY Supercharged LPG Autobiography - Zambezi Silver with Sand/Jet/Jet Oxford Leather.....

just while you are going on about HDC, the most amazing thing is if you go down a hill in Neutral with HDC engaged!!...

i know you wouldn't ever do this, but it is designed for emergencies, so that if your FF goes Pete Tong, you can still safely get down a hill even in neutral.

it is more agressive than normal as there is no engine/gearbox braking but works a treat. Current: TDV8 (3.6) RRS HSE



Past: TDV8(4.4) Vogue
Discovery 3 Commercial
TDV8(3.6) Vogue
TD6 Vogue
D2 V8 ES
D1 V8 ES
RR Vogue Classic

has anyone done this in your own car? Definately thinking about it before I put the 22's back on & over £100 cheaper than using their car!

now that is interesting!! i didn't know that. i would certainly do it in my FFRR, simply because having been on one before there is nothing that will damage the car. the only thing i think that happened when i drove the 4.4 TDV8 last year was the tow hitch dragged a couple of times as it sticks down. simple nut and bolt to undo it on your own car.

if you do it let us know how you get on and post some pics..  Current: TDV8 (3.6) RRS HSE



Past: TDV8(4.4) Vogue
Discovery 3 Commercial
TDV8(3.6) Vogue
TD6 Vogue
D2 V8 ES
D1 V8 ES
RR Vogue Classic

Scroll to the bottom of the prices: http://www.scotland.landroverexperience.co...rices.aspx

Am getting my dad the half day in the FFRR for his 70th, and thought about taking mine along at the same time.

sounds like a plan!! Current: TDV8 (3.6) RRS HSE



Past: TDV8(4.4) Vogue
Discovery 3 Commercial
TDV8(3.6) Vogue
TD6 Vogue
D2 V8 ES
D1 V8 ES
RR Vogue Classic

Going on the full day experience at Solihull cant wait
Been offroading in My Disco 2 Series 2A and Freelanders but not taken the FF out in anger yet! Mine was a blue one!

quite sure you will enjoy it!! the FFRR is just superb off road. to be honest it makes it all too easy!! that's not a bad thing though. Current: TDV8 (3.6) RRS HSE



Past: TDV8(4.4) Vogue
Discovery 3 Commercial
TDV8(3.6) Vogue
TD6 Vogue
D2 V8 ES
D1 V8 ES
RR Vogue Classic

As a seasoned off roader (i don't mean salt and pepper here - like regularly for 26 years) I went to Eastnor three years ago as a part of a 'sorry' package from the local stealer. During the intro part we established that the half-day tester would be a waste and were given permission to go freestyle. I must admit to having been quite surprised even then what the FFRR electronics can achieve. Most alarming was the way the HDC allowed the vehicle speed to increase downhill to maintain the steering grip. That was in the 3.6 TDV8. The 4.4 with the dynamic suspension electronics is noticeably more comfortable off road.

I got bored on the way home yesterday across the Salisbury Plain and went off-roading. Whilst the standard Scorpions are good I nearly came unstuck on a grass slope!

I will now be looking to see if I can take mine to Eastnor.

Nick 2019 D5 HSE Lux SDV6 Indus
55 D3 SE
98 MX5 1.8 RS
gone 17 older variants of FFRR