Ok, so the new 4.4 AB was picked up on Monday, and has now undertaken its first decent rip.

We came from West Yorkshire to the Stranraer area of Scotland yesterday, a trip we've done regularly in the various cars we've owned but of course the first time in the FFRR.

Got to say we were both absolutely blown away by the car. The weather was horrendous for the first part of the journey with deep surface water across bits of the A65. That's not unusual but when we have encountered this in the past , it's always pulled on the steering and so on. But the FF just ploughed through almost as if it wasn't there..

Trucks use the road a lot too, and when they pass the other way the closing speed will be approaching 100 to 110 and you normally get a buffeting affect. It took us some time to realise it just wasn't there...

On the motorway, we set the adaptive cruise control for 72, what a great device that is too. Unbelievable how well it works. The main reason for setting the cruise control was to avoid ending up at a licence threatening speed which would be all too easy to do. It was wet from time to time, but visibility wasn't impaired by lorry spray as you are amost above that.

We shared the 5 and half hour driving, and in the passenger seat spent time playing with the various bits which in themselves are mind blowing.

For the past 3 and a bit years we've done this trip in a Defender, which is a car that really gets under your skin. It's a very different journey in the FF.

We averaged 35 MPG which is extremely good we think .

Reckon this FF will get under the skin as much as the Defender did, so looking forward to racking up some miles and memories in the new truck.

I'm still ploughing through the manual, so much to take in - almost none of it to do with driving but all based on the gadgetry!

35 is good Maybe I need to try 72 for a while

Glad you're enjoying it

I too was amazed at the difference between 322 and Defender in wet weather. In a loan 90 on a day of heavy rain and flooding big puddles splashed over the windscreen/roof, no loss of control but very little visibility. On the same route later in the day in the 322, and at much the same speed, there was almost nothing on the screen, water shed to the sides and a much safer experience all round. Only Range Rovers since 1988

It's all good to hear. Looking forward to mine more and more each day now!!

Great to hear. I have driven for up to 11 hours at a time (with wee breaks obvs) in my L322s and emerged fresh as a daisy.

Just a wee word of warning about using cruise control in heavy rain and surface water. It is sometimes better to not have it on in circumstances like this in order to avoid loss of control through aquaplaning being induced by the cc.

Absolutely @Red Merle. If I'd known how pleased I was going to be, I'd have probably had to be sedated for the week
leading up to collection!

@dolphinboy, thanks for the tip. Must confess I had my foot hovering over the pedals at all times, not quite trusting the technology!

It's going to be a long 2 months now, but my dealer is arranging a little therapy for me by providing us with 3 tickets for a tour of the Solihull plant