Last week I joined Land Rover for a romp in their 2010 vehicle lineup — and I do mean romp. When packing for a Land Rover trips, boots are a must for long days in the elements. Our two-day trip included mud bogging in LR4s, Range Rover Sports super charging up and down lonesome hills evading highway patrol, and partaking in plenty of culture and delectable cuisine in outdoorsy elements. We’ve seen the world from the vantage point of the lucky Land Rover lifestyle — Morocco, Iceland and Belize. Never a dull moment in the world’s most capable off-roading luxury vehicles. Fact is, Land Rover lives for crunches and the luxury automaker is in a precarious place with big, hefty vehicles facing a challenging market, vying for a place in a downsized world. While the Range is no Prius, save-the-day vehicles have their place. And that place is exactly where we traveled — where big athletic Range Rovers rise to occasion.
After an evening of shop talk on brand directives, I set out bright and early in car #11 in the caravan from the Equinox in Manchester, Vermont. Land Rover’s choice for a launch was about more than eye candy — the British automaker has reopened their school at the Equinox, where guests can learn how to steer through all kinds of treacherous terrain from capable Land Rover instructors, who live for this stuff.
On the open road, I had the opportunity to get cozy in the re-designed interior space with more logical use of space for switchery.(I flashbacked to fiddling with a less ergonomic consul in an LR3 in the Moroccan desert.)

After a coffee stop at the typical cozy Vermont inn, it was onto the outback, over the river and through the woods where no roads go. Curiously, we passed a home with no driveway, square in the middle of the woods. Mountain men are real, people. It was here that I explored LR4’s full capabilities slip-sliding with the mud and ruts function, staying on course thanks to my fearless instructor Travis.
Then it was back on the open road headed to lunch, where I hopped into the 2010 Range Rover Sports. Land Rover Product Manager Frank Dauerer, a California trail kind of guy, helped me to appreciate the supercharged-verve performance. I also learned more about Land Rover’s new Autobiography program, a customized, limited-edition project that Dauerer worked closely on in the Range Rover.

Then it was back on the open road to the Equinox to soak up the fall evening ambiance by the fire, Range Rover glow and reflect on the place for Land Rover in a more conscious world. But here’s the conundrum– while I’m all for innovative-greenhouse saving technology, hefty has its finer points. In a blizzard, I’d rather be in a LR4. In a desert, I’d prefer a Range Rover to Honda CRV. While I don’t advocate commuting on the Henry Hudson or the 405 for 100s of miles in vehicles that score 12 mpg city/18 mpg highway, Range Rover looks authoritative pulling up to the curb. Range Rovers feel like bosses, and that’s why the boss wants one. Range Rovers are in charge. They conduct Red Cross missions in faraway regions. Fuel economy standards may dent the Range’s immediate days, but here is certainly a marque worth the rescue. The Euro-spec diesel Ranges are looking better than ever here in Yankee territory, and I wonder why Americans still haven’t caught on — there’s more than one shade of green, as the gentle changing Vermont leaves turn golden.

For more Gotryke Land Rover:

The Talk of the TownLand Rover goes off the beaten path

Related articles:/h6>

First Drive: 2010 Range Rover (nationalpost.com)

First Jaguar Land Rover showroom opens in India (netwala.blogspot.com)

Tweet This Post

Snippy comments are floating around the Internet about Land Rover’s early July announcement to donate vehicles to the British Red Cross. Apparently, because Land Rover is a big SUV, it’s very uncool to write anything positive about the British automakers. And I’m sure there will be more quips about Land Rover’s decision to raise fund for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund as part of a broader effort to support international Red Cross efforts.

But, have to say that despite emissions concerns, Land Rover’s never been one to advocate big lazy SUV driving. In fact, while so many aspirational customers focused on Range Rover and LR3 as big city cruisers, Land Rover has consistently made the case for outdoors save-the-day adventures. I’ve had a first row seat to many of these expeditions in Iceland, Morocco and Belieze, which are nothing compared to the G4 Challenge, when man (woman) and machine put the elements to the test in the world’s exotic destinations.

From my experience, can’t think of a better production car to strengthen Red Cross rescue effort — competent off and on the road.

Part of the latest news is that the G4 Challenge will be a source for funneling donations to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society with money and vehicles. This year the competition takes place in Mongolia with teams from 18 countries. In the next two years, Land Rover expects to donate $2 million to Red Cross efforts generated by the G4 Challenge.

“Land Rover is proud to announce this partnership with the American Red Cross,” Chris Marchand, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Land Rover North America, said. “Working with an organization such as the American Red Cross and specifically its Disaster Relief Fund allows us to provide much needed timely support to those most in need across the U.S. This effort is very much in keeping with Land Rover’s history of supporting preparedness and response to disasters around the world.” Have to say I agree.

Also, interesting to note that while not everyone is churning out hybrids, many luxe automakers, like Land Rover, are cutting carbon dioxide emissions. Do you believe the hype? Look for a discussion on this hot topic in upcoming Go Green posts.

Tweet This Post