In a world first, and following on from a series of challenges which seem to be getting more extreme every time, JLR decided to take on the fearsome Inferno downhill ski course in Mürren, Switzerland. British racing driver Ben Collins, most commonly known as ‘The Stig’, was provided with a production model Range Rover Sport, modified only with essential safety features (reinforced tyres, harnesses and a roll cage), and handed the daunting task of tackling the 2,170 metre descent.

During the descent Collins wearing his protective gear and his solomon quest boots reached speeds of 96mph and facing gradients of 75% in the Range Rover Sport, which was equipped with a 510PS 5.0-lire supercharged V8 petrol engine. Upon completing the hair-raising course, Collins described the challenge as the “hardest thing I’ve ever done”.

The Range Rover Sport itself seemed to perform extremely well in the conditions, reaching 75mph through ice and sleet at the top of the mountain, and topping out at 96mph through fog and wet grass at the bottom of. According to Jaguar Land Rover, this can be attributed to the pioneering Terrain Response technology, which controls a number of different features on the car, to help it quickly adapt to whatever conditions it finds itself in. For example the Anti-Roll Bar stiffens to reduce body roll in dynamic mode, the rear diff is locked to allow controlled wheel slip in ‘Mud and Ruts’ mode and when the ‘Grass/Gravel/Snow’ setting is used, understeer and oversteer are reduced by engine braking.

Overall this challenge has showed the Range Rover Sport is a genuine off-roader, and not just suited to suburban streets, as some may have you believe.

As you would expect from Jaguar Land Rover, they seem to be ahead of the curve as always, and have managed to secure an exclusive partnership with the world’s largest audio streaming service, Spotify.

What is Spotify?

Spotify is a digital music streaming service that allows you to access millions of songs, podcasts and videos. Spotify has over 100million users worldwide, accessing music fram a huge variety of artists and genres. The free version of Spotify is similar to a commercial radio station in the fact that although you get to choose the music you listen to, your song choices are intertwined with short radio-style adverts.

Following launch at the end of September 2016, the Spotify in-car app, available through the InControl Apps library on both iOS and Android can utilise both online & offline Spotify modes, means that you can always listen to your favourite songs, even in low-signal areas. Picking your own offline playlists is a great feature of Spotify, which may mean all of those ‘Driving Anthems’ CDs stashed away in the glove box may need to find a new home.

Jaguar Land Rover say they have been working alongside Spotify for a number of years to bring this partnership to fruition, and are extremely excited to bring this new app to all vehicles, past and future, with InControl apps (vehicles since 2014).

As excited as we are about this new innovation from JLR here at Britcar, nothing quite beats a cassette in a car, does it?

• Champion riders Ben and Laura join Zara Phillips on the Land Rover equestrian roster
• Exclusive series of films gives behind-the-scenes glimpse into the riders’ training and preparation
• Cements Land Rover’s on-going support of equestrian sports including sponsorship of Team GBR and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

Whitley, UK, September 6 2013 – Land Rover is to release exclusive films of equestrian champions, show jumper Ben Maher and dressage rider Laura Tomlinson, in celebration of their new roles as ambassadors for the brand.

They join Zara Phillips as Land Rover equestrian ambassadors and help cement the manufacturer’s on-going support of the sport.

Land Rover is producing a series of exclusive films featuring the riders which will include an edition with Zara Phillips. Each rider’s individual film will take viewers behind the scenes, giving a glimpse into their training regimes, hopes and aims for competition, and insights from their trainers and support team.

Ben Maher is ranked number one in the FEI world rankings for show jumping, recently winning a team Gold and individual Silver with Jane Clark’s Cella at the 2013 FEI European Championships in Herning, Denmark. He was also a member of the Gold medal-winning British team at the London 2012 Olympics with the homebred Tripple X III.

Now 30, Ben had overtaken regular British team members by the age of 26, with consistent wins around the globe in some of the sport’s most prestigious events, which include winning the recent Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in London and Longines King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead. He is one of just two riders to have won both the Hickstead Derby and Speed Derby in the same year.

Ben commented: “I am incredibly excited to be joining Land Rover’s roster of equestrian ambassadors. Sitting alongside riders such as Zara Phillips is a huge privilege and Land Rover’s on-going support of the sport is great to see.”

Ben’s film is now live and can be viewed here – https://www.facebook.com/landrover.uk.

Laura Tomlinson is a long-time member of the British Dressage Team. Now age 28, Laura first competed for Britain when she was 14 and she made her debut at senior level in 2006. With her beloved horse Mistral Højris, Laura has won several team and individual medals including the team gold and individual bronze medals at the London 2012 Olympics.

Following the Olympics her aim is now to concentrate on bringing through up and coming younger horses and hopefully mould them into future champions.

Laura added: “It is great to be able to join riders such as Ben and Zara as a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover vehicles are both powerful and elegant and these are traits I look for in my horses. I hope that my role as an ambassador and my new film will help to raise awareness of the sport and also bring in interest from the younger generation.”

Laura’s film is set to be released on the 10^th September and will be available to view on Land Rover’s Facebook tab, www.facebook.com/landrover.uk, with Zara’s film to appear later in the month.

Land Rover has supported equestrian sports for over 30 years, both through individual riders and event sponsorships. Land Rover is the Official Vehicle of Team GBR, which has riders across all disciplines as well as dedicated youth teams, and is title sponsor of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, which run from the 5^th to the 8^th September 2013.

Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover UK said “We are delighted to announce Ben and Laura as new ambassadors for the brand. They are both fantastic young British riders and encapsulate all the traits that are important to Land Rover – their style is elegant yet powerful and both go Above and Beyond in competition.”

• Trio of Range Rover Hybrid prototypes successfully complete first urban stages of epic ‘Silk Trail 2013’ expedition
• Hybrid capabilities already tested in seven countries, covering over 2,770 miles (4.468km) in 12 days
• Five countries and 41 days to go on marathon 9,950 mile (16,000km) endurance drive
• Fantastic new imagery and film added to media website.

The three Range Rover Hybrid prototypes participating in the Silk Trail expedition have now passed through seven countries in Europe in little more than a week. Since starting the 10,000-mile (16,000 km) adventure from Land Rover’s home in Solihull, UK on the afternoon of Thursday 22 August, the convoy has progressed south through the UK, east through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, and south-east through Poland and the Ukraine.

This expedition will visit 12 countries and takes in some of the world’s most challenging roads, passes and trails, including part of the ancient, 4,000 mile Silk Road connecting Asia with the Mediterranean. These are the first hybrids to ever attempt this challenging route.

This first section was always expected to be the most straightforward part of an otherwise ambitious journey, with the toughest challenges still ahead – but even so, the route has already presented the vehicles with the stresses of urban congestion, the hazards of some poorly maintained former Eastern Bloc roads and the first of many official border-crossings.

In London, Brussels, Dusseldorf, and Berlin, the Range Rover Hybrids made short work of dense rush-hour traffic, their 35kW (47 bhp) electric motors automatically taking over from the V6 diesel engine at urban speeds to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Combined with command driving position, smooth ride and luxury cosseted cabin, progress in the  Range Rover is effortless.

In the historic city centres of Krakow and Lemberg in Poland, where traffic runs nose-to-tail over ancient roads made bumpy by cobbles and tramlines, the Range Rover also impressed occupants with the suppleness of its ride. Even with the vehicles fully laden – load areas, rear seats and roof-racks piled high with heavy expedition gear – the air-suspension gracefully absorbed the bumps.

With most of the urban journey over for now, the expedition is now poised to enter Russia, where it will spend the next six days before crossing the border into Kazakhstan.

• Exterior refresh with distinctive new face and new ‘Discovery’ badging
• New highly efficient 340PS 3.0 V6 S/C petrol engine replaces 5.0 V8
• Intelligent Stop-Start improves fuel economy and reduces emissions
• New optional single-speed transfer box for revised four-wheel drive powertrain
• Eight-speed ZF automatic transmission for all models
• Upgraded models available to order now with deliveries from mid-November (UK.)

Land Rover announces the upgraded 2014 Discovery.  The multi-award winning vehicle gets a new look, new badging, new V6 petrol engine, new fuel stretching technology, new single-speed drivetrain, improved audio systems and a new range of driver assistance, comfort and safety features to broaden its appeal even further.  The core attributes are carried over into the 2014 models which will be available to order now with deliveries from mid-November. You can find more Land Rover models and the new Subaru Cross Trek in Columbus

“The hugely popular Discovery continues to move from strength to strength and the addition of the new 3.0 S/C petrol engine to the 2014 range underpins our commitment to delivering power with sustainability.  As one of the world’s most stylish, capable and versatile SUVs, the Discovery is the perfect vehicle for people who enjoy living an active lifestyle to the full,” said Land Rover Global Brand Director, John Edwards.

For 2014, Discovery has been given a new ‘face’ and numerous detail exterior changes.  A new front grille, new front bumper, new headlamp design, new daytime running lights with a distinctive LED signature, plus two new alloy wheel designs, further enhance the Discovery’s appearance.  To give vehicles a heightened level of distinction, the optional ‘Black Design Pack’ remains available for 2014 models, with revised detailing, plus 19-inch and 20-inch black alloy wheels.

New ‘Discovery’ badging

In recognition of the Discovery’s established identity, the refreshed exterior design for 2014 also incorporates a change of identity for the vehicle in many markets.  For the first time ever, the name ‘Discovery’ name replaces ‘Land Rover’ on the bonnet and the number 4 will be removed from the tailgate leaving just the word ‘Discovery.’

Engine badging moves from the tailgate to an ingot mounted on each of the front doors.  This side badging will reflect the engine type and appear as either, ‘SCV6,’ ‘SDV6’ or ‘TDV6’ in markets where the lower-power diesel engine is offered.  In the USA and the Middle East the vehicle’s badging will remain as previous models. Here you can sign up for a reasonable lease.

Highly efficient petrol V6 replaces V8

Underlining Land Rover’s commitment to power with sustainability, the 5-litre V8 petrol engine is replaced with the highly efficient 3.0 V6 S/C and fuel-stretching Intelligent Stop-Start technology is introduced on all petrol and diesel engines in a number of key markets.  All models are equipped with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

The new V6 generates 340PS and torque of 450Nm to deliver acceleration from 0-6mph in 7.7 seconds and a top speed 121mph.  Thanks to the new unit’s enhanced efficiency and the fitting of Intelligent Stop-Start, the 2014 Discovery with this engine produces just 269g/km of CO_2.

In markets where diesel is popular, the 2014 Discovery will be available with two ‘carry-over’ 3-litre engines – the 211PS 3.0 TDV6 and the class-leading 256PS 3.0 SDV6 – with CO₂ emissions reduced to 207g/km and 213g/km, and fuel consumption improved to 36.2mpg (combined cycle) and 35.3mpg for the SDV6.

New optional single-speed transfer box

For 2014 models, buyers will be offered a choice of two four-wheel drive systems with the new single-speed transfer box or the carry-over twin-speed transfer box which offers high and low range for the most demanding off-road conditions.

The single-speed transfer box acknowledges that some customers do not need to fully exploit the Discovery’s off-road capabilities.  Mechanically controlled, it weighs 18kg less than the two-speed box, features a Torsen differential and provides a 42/58 percent front-rear torque split.

New driver aids and premium audio

The new range of driver assistance, comfort and safety features for the 2014 Discovery include: Wade Sensing (a technology unique to Land Rover), Blind Spot Monitoring, Closing Vehicle Sensing, Reverse Traffic Detection and T-junction Cameras.

To align the 2014 Discovery with other Range Rover vehicles, it will be available with Meridian premium audio.  The standard system features 8 speakers and 380 Watts of power, while the Meridian Surround system produces an impressive 825 Watts output and features 17 speakers.

If any maintenance issues arise – Mark Hare detailing near Mechanicsville Md is here to help.

Technical Specifications

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On Wednesday August 21, the nine- member Land Rover Expedition America team successfully reached the Pacific Ocean at Port Orford, Oregon after covering over 4,000-miles and 27 days on this dirt crossing of the USA.  The expedition used Land Rover LR4 vehicles for this landmark drive all equipped with the essentials like food, water, a car pull gauge and various documents of each person like their johnson city social security cards, licences and other essential documents.
Land Rover believes this is the most complete trans-continental dirt road crossing possible of America, from North Carolina to Oregon. This incredible adventure trail was based on the Trans-America Trail, the brainchild of Mississippi adventure motorcyclist Sam Correro. Over 85% of the drive was on the unpaved trails, forest roads, farm roads, and other existing dirt tracks that make up the Trans-America Trail. Talking about Motorcycle, David installed the best motorcycle hitch carrier to his SuV, he decide to bring aboard one of his bikes to later practice a bit of motocross on the harsh enviroments.

Expedition leader Tom Collins (TC) used Correro’s maps and the Land Rover navigation system to guide the expedition through thousands of turns. Tom Collins called the architect of the trail from the finish point on the Oregon coast, and Correro was overjoyed to receive news of the safe and successful arrival of the expedition in Oregon.  No other production SUV or passenger car is known to have ever made the complete journey. If you like bikes take a look to these Motorcycle Helmets

“It’s just incredible that Sam’s 30 years of research and thousands of miles traveled in affordable and reliable used cars has allowed us to do this journey,” said Collins.   “I hope our journey highlights what an amazing job he has done and brings the Trans-America Trail to a new audience.”

Previously, the expedition narrowly escaped flash floods in New Mexico and Utah. In Oregon, the greatest challenge came in the last 48 hours of the expedition. Forest fires in Oregon forced the closure of many forest trails and Collins had to map out alternate dirt trails through Oregon, which resulted in a half day detour.

“We give our thanks to the firefighters in Oregon who provided us with detailed advice on how to drive around the fire zone safely.   Without their assistance we would have not been able to reach our goal,” said Collins.  “The sight of the ocean is something the team on the trip has been dreaming of.  After weeks of dust, plains, mountains and desert, the Pacific is an awesome sight.”

“The LR4 vehicles have been fantastic and we got them at really affordable dealerships where they had all types of cars, even classics as the 89 impala which is a really popular car. They are stock, with only dealer accessory winches and roof racks.  We did not have any mechanical issues and the only repairs required while crossing the country were a few tire punctures.”

Land Rover launched this expedition to explore the adventures that are at hand within the United States. The Trans-America Trail is a challenge that anyone can pursue, and Land Rover is proud to have been the first production car to traverse the entire trail.

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