Land Rover Monthly June 2018

This is the time of the year when you go to the shed to check that all your camping gear is present and correct. I normally take it all out on the first bright and sunny day of the year, open up the tents, check that all the tent pegs are there, see if there is enough gas for the BBQ and air my sleeping bags. Everything normally smells a little musty after a long winter like we’ve just had. Talking of camping, I really enjoyed doing our cover feature (page 46) this month for the very simple reason that everyone in attendance had a great story to tell. Although they own very different types of Land Rovers, all their rigs were kitted for comfy camping and overlanding. No hotel…

BEAULIEU WILL be celebrating 70 years of our favourite 4x4 with its Simply Land Rover show on Sunday June 24. Highlights include Simply Rummage, an autojumble for all those essential and hard-to-find spare parts and accessories, and an off-road Forest Drive. Held in association with Land Rover Experience West Country, this separately charged feature will give enthusiasts the chance to try their vehicles on the challenging course and practise their off-road driving skills. Those without their own Land Rover have the option to drive or ride in a Land Rover Experience vehicle. Visitors to the show can also expect to see hundreds of Land Rovers, of all ages and models, parked up in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, giving visitors the chance to catch up, compare vehicles and…

MORE THAN 150 talented future software engineers competed in the Land Rover 4x4 in Schools Technology Challenge national final. The skilled students from schools across the UK, aged 11-19, used computer coding to programme miniature remote-controlled four-wheel-drive vehicles they designed and built for a two-day competition at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire. As well as learning to operate as a small business and manage all stages of their 4x4-product cycle, they also had to negotiate a demanding course with their autonomous car that wound its way over and through Land Rover Discoverys. Team EDGE 4X4 from the King’s School were crowned 2018 champions, with Mancunian Way from Altrincham Grammar School and team Trigonometric from Spalding Grammar School in second and third places respectively. Following the success of its 2017…

LAND ROVERS and Bond go hand in hand, with the brand’s cars part of the classic film series since 1983, so it is rather fitting that is now the official partner to 007 ELEMENTS located in Sölden, Austria. Housed at the top of Gaislachkogl peak next to the ice Q restaurant (the Hoffler Klinik in Spectre) it offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the world of the iconic secret agent. Interactive displays featuring Jaguar Land Rover technical content along with the Land Rover Defender and Range Rover Sport SVR used for filming Spectre will form part of the experience. Visitors will also see the latest JLR technology, with the artificial intelligence systems and 90kWh lithium-ion battery from an electric Jaguar I-PACE performance SUV used to power a wireframe…

SOLIHULL’S FIRST-ever festival of Land Rovers, LR Fest, will take place over the weekend of June 22-24. Featuring rare vintage cars, such as Huey the very first Series I (pictured), a 4x4 enthusiasts’ area, off-road driving experiences, outdoor cinema and family entertainment, there really is something for everyone. To add to the festival feel, there will be street food and bars, too. Melanie Palmer, Director, Solihull BID, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Jaguar Land Rover to bring an amazing community experience to the people of Solihull and beyond. There will be lots of surprises and activities for everyone to enjoy, including off-road demonstrations for visitors to understand how these iconic vehicles handle challenging terrains.” More details about the Solihull LR Fest will be released over the coming…

LAND ROVER has paid tribute to the moment when the engineering director of Rover, Maurice Wilks, first drew the shape for the original Land Rover in the sand of Red Wharf Bay, with a 250-metre wide outline of a Defender in the French Alps. Snow artist Simon Beck, who specialises in creating geometric outlines on foot, drove a Defender to get close to the top of La Plagne and then walked 10.2 miles to create the sketch. Beck said: “Making my snow art requires endurance, accuracy and strength – all attributes shared with the Defender. Its iconic shape is so simple and recognised across the world; this must be the most recognisable piece of art I’ve ever made.” Enthusiasts of the Land Rover brand will celebrate World Land Rover Day…