Land Rover Monthly December 2016

 It’s a shame to me how many Land Rovers don’t get to be put to the use for which they were intended. In fact it’s positively cruel. “A wading depth of 900 mm will get you from Skegness to Rotterdam at low tide” Land Rovers were built to roam across wild African plains and deserts, brave glaciers and wade raging rivers. If only they could talk they’d tell us they weren’t very happy about doing the school run and endless shopping trips. Take the new Discovery. It is designed with an incredible wading depth of 900 mm. That’s enough to get you from Skegness to Rotterdam at low tide. Wheel articulation of 500 mm and ground clearance of 283 mm, plus superb approach and departure angles, means this can cross…

Many of you by now may have heard that Billing Aquadrome is no longer available for vehicle events due to the need for more space for static caravans – and that includes the Billing Land Rover Show. While this is a shock to those who have been involved with the show over the past 26 years we would like to reassure readers that this is not the end. Far from it. As we were going to press, Live Promotions Events Ltd confirmed that the Billing Land Rover Show will take place at Kelmarsh Hall instead (bottom right), just 12 miles north of its original venue, from July 21 to 23, 2017. There will be ample space for club displays, camping and exhibitors, and campers can expect some great evening entertainment…

UNIQUE PAINTING AUCTIONED FOR TROOP AID A UNIQUE painting depicting nine different Land Rovers and Defenders in various combat roles is to be auctioned at the tenth Troop Aid Ball on November 19, 2016, to help support our injured troops. The painting has been signed by the artist Stuart Spencer who spent most of his career as Jaguar’s Whitley Design Studio Manager and endorsed by JLR CEO Dr Ralf Speth. If anyone who is interested in bidding for the painting but is not able to attend the Ball at the Chateau Impney Hotel in Droitwich Spa, a sealed bid process will be operating until 12 November. For more information go to www.troopaid.info JE MOTORWORKS TAKES ON NEW DISCO LAND ROVER tuner JE MotorWorks (www.jemotorworks.co.uk) will develop an aftermarket tuning package…

FRESH FROM its dramatic unveiling at the Paris Motor Show, one of the all-new Discovery models was taken to the 10th Land Rover Party at the car maker’s Experience Centre in Les Comes, where more than 3000 people got to see this year’s most hotly anticipated SUV. In addition more than 600 hundred vehicles took to Land Rover’s 60 km of 4x4 tracks during the first weekend in October, and there was a convoy of almost 30 historic Camel Trophy vehicles, while journalist Jose Antonio Ponseti hosted an hour’s conference on the Saturday night with the Spanish participants of different editions who regaled the audience with their own experiences. As well as a live concert, display of classic Land Rover models, commercial fair and plenty of activities for children it’s…

JAGUAR LAND Rover Classic is now offering one of its most exciting driving experiences yet, with the launch of Classic Ice Driving. Held at JLR’s winter testing facility in Arjeplog in northern Sweden, drivers get to experience the thrill of driving the Series I, II and III and Range Rover Classic, as well as the Range Rover Sport, while specialist instructors provide comprehensive tuition. Including two nights’ accommodation at the Hotel Silverhatten and VIP transfers on arrival from Arvidsjaur Airport, unfortunately this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity does not come cheap at 3000 Euros, especially when you have to factor in flights, too. For more details point your browser at www.jaguar.com/icedriving.…

Range Rover and Zenith have joined forces to bring us a special edition watch called the Zenith El Primero Range Rover. Revealed at the unveiling of the SVAutobiography Dynamic at the Paris Motor Show, it is designed to flag up the historical significance of 1969 when Zenith unveiled its self-winding chronograph movement (the El Primero) and Land Rover launched the world’s first luxury SUV. The watch features a 42 mm ceramised aluminium case – a nod to the vehicle’s chassis, hand detail reminiscent of the grille and a rubber strap coated with ivory-tone perforated calfskin in the style of the upholstery. While the idea of a timepiece inspired by our favourite brand is a lovely idea, it will set you back £6400 – which let’s face it is out of…