Was fortunate enough to be invited by a chum to one of the special previews of the Bentayga in Crewe in August - even though it was a static-only reveal, they rather pushed the boat out (no pun intended) for what were probably only 40 1-2-1 events for the global customer base. Inadvertently managed to fire it up...sounds rather nice.

It looks a LOT better in the metal than the pictures released after embargo this week suggest. Huge presence and, I thought, quite a nice looking thing. Hard to mistake it for the new Q7, even though the 'platform' is shared. With appropriate colours (not black...which, of course, isn't actually a colour anyway...) I'd say it would be possible to use it most places without people pointing and giggling.

Had a rather short conversation, though, about tyres...Crewe seems to think that all-season approximates to 'off road'.

Hopefully get a go later in the year and will report back.

Unfortunately Land Rover have the same ideas about tyres nowadays.

Not in my experience as they recommend to use appropriate tyres for the conditions and Land Rover has enough all-terrain experience to tell you all-season doesn't mean off-road tyres. In their brochure, they specifically mention opting for the 22's will limit the car's off-road capabilities.

Ask LR to recommend you a standard-sized L405 tyre more suited to off-road use and report back. Scorpion Verdes aren't the answer.

I did ask LR about off road tyres for the 405. I was told there were no plans for any LR homologated tyres and "no demand from dealers" for them. At least there is now the General Grabber AT 255/55R20, though I am not aware of LR homologation for it. Only Range Rovers since 1988

All that effort put into Terrain Response and the assorted off-road technologies, then they're crippled by summer road tyres. Very strange.

LR seem to make a big fuss about authenticity of the off-road capability...and then, as you say, go and spoil it all through the traction-limits of summer or all-season tyres.

campaj1 wrote:

^^ F pace on XE platform... longitudinal engines etc. Most importantly, this means the F-Type V6 will fit

Range Rover version of the F-Pace is coming, L560.

A journo acquaintance of mine has referred to the F-Pace as the 'She-Type'... I think that rather misogynistically undersells it; I quite like the idea of the 300bhp diesel version as a daily car.

This month's Car Magazine has arrived and the silver car shown in the Bentayga feature is the one we were shown at Crewe in August. The rear 3/4 view is sort of attractive, I'm afraid to say...I do quite like it...

I think it's properly awful - the constraints of the platform ruin the proportions. Giant front overhang, front wheels about six inches ahead of the doors - lumpen, awkward, horrible; and on top of that a load of overblown baroque glitz.

The L405 is an absolute paragon of design in comparison (and there's lots of that not to love).

I know, I know...

...and yet...

Will admit the rear shot of the silver one in Car is slightly more flattering,,,