Land Rover Monthly January 2021

WHO would’ve thought in March that we would be going into regional lockdowns at the start of winter? At the time of writing that means no greenlaning for now in Wales. Even as I type this the rules are changing for everyone everywhere. Last week was probably the most normal week I have had since the pandemic started to impact our lives in the UK. Monday was a day at the desk. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent with JLR driving the new Defender 90 and James Bond new Defender 110 on the Gaydon track and around the muddy tracks of Eastnor Castle. Then down to Goodwood on the Thursday to celebrate 50 years of the Range Rover and on Friday I went to see our friends at Britpart. Yes, it’s great…

Friends reunited I just read the latest edition of LRM and noticed a photo from Emilio Folegnani in the Your Pictures section and the silver 110 (reg RYO2 GJE). It’s my old works vehicle that I had from brand new in 2002-2010 when I worked for the Scottish & Southern Electricity Board. I am wondering if the person who owned the vehicle would like some photos of it taken during its working life? If so, could you please pass on my email to him? Ian Stokes Patrick replies: I am happy to report that we have put Ian and Emilio in contact with each other. If you would like us to help you find an old lost Landy please do get in touch and we will try and help. Hooked on classics JUST when I thought…

ARB VALVE CAPS PRICE: £7.99 CONTACT: Britpart stockists ARE you an ARB groupie? Then you need their silver and black durable anodised aluminium valve caps. Five in a pack. UNDER PRESSURE PRICE: £26.50 CONTACT: Britpart stockists GOT ARB lockers? Then you need the ARB air locker heavy-duty pressure air line kit which has been designed for use on one locker. Suits black 6 mm and existing blue 5 mm hoses (not included). XS AIR COMPRESSOR PRICE: £72.50 CONTACT: Britpart stockists THE XS single pump portable compressor more than does the job. The impressive hose is 10 metres long and it can achieve an incredible air flow of 72 ltr/min. We like the rubber feet that dampens vibration plus the heavy-duty gauge. 300Tdi ENGINE PRICE:£5460 CONTACT: Britpart stockists NEED a new engine? The 300Tdi is without a doubt one of the most…

SINCE 1983 Land Rovers have featured prominently in James Bond movies. That was the year a Range Rover convertible appeared in Octopussy. One of my favourite Bond Land Rover scenes was the crazy chase scene in Skyfall when they bashed up a grey old Defender double cab pick-up. They bashed up several but you only get to see the one of course. I think the reason I love that scene is because my first Defender was exactly the same model. Or maybe it was the fact that Naomie Harris was driving? Or was she? They had cages on the top of the cabs and the real drivers sat in there while Naomie looked pretty and made to look as if she was driving. Today one of the double cabs is on…

IN a bid to offer a wider choice of responsibly sourced materials with the same luxurious feel but with a reduced environmental impact, next-generation Land Rover models will feature floor mats and trims made from plastic waste. Working with econyl® nylon JLR is recycling industrial plastic, fabric off cuts from clothing manufacturers, fishing nets from the farming industry and those abandoned in the ocean, helping to make environments safer and cleaner while offering customers a premium, sustainable and hard-wearing option. For those that don’t know, the econyl® regenerated nylon is created by Aquafil who work in the synthetic fibres industry and used by high-end fashion, sportswear and luxury watch brands. In a single year, the company recycles as much as 40,000 tonnes of waste, with the recycling process reducing the global warming impact…

I DON’T know about you, but when I’m really tired, there’s nothing like opening the windows and blasting some heavy rock music to wake up your senses. Not so, according to the boffins at JLR, who say Active Road Noise Cancellation, which basically helps remove unwanted sounds from the cabin, can help prevent driver fatigue on longer journeys. Its new noise cancellation technology removes unwanted road and tyre sounds from the cabin to provide a quieter and more refined experience for drivers and passengers. The tech is capable of lowering unwanted noise peaks by 10dB and overall noise levels by 3-4dB – the equivalent of turning down the in-car sound system by four ‘steps’. It would be wasted on me then! But for those less fatigued with a reduction in low-frequency noises up…