Land Rover Owner June 2019

Land Rovers have an enviable reputation for being world-beating vehicles – and much of that is down to the technology employed to gain traction on- and off-road. Things have changed significantly over the years, but the basic premise is the same; keep the power going to all of the driven wheels (we can’t exclude the 2WD models...). Our main cover story starting on p33 charts the way it has changed from a basic drivetrain to the electronically controlled systems fitted to the current vehicles – it’s quite an evolution. And we’ve also included driving techniques so you can get the best from your Land Rover. Oh, and if you’re a subscriber, don’t forget to let us know your email – call 01858 438884 or go to greatmagazines.co.uk/solo and look out for exclusive content! EDITOR…

1st prize PAUL CALLOW WINS A SEALEY TYRE INFLATOR LONG TYPE WITH TWIN PUSH-ON CONNECTOR ‘Fabulous greenlane, fabulous vehicle – a combination that’s always likely to get my vote! Paul’s lovely CSK Range Rover is in stunning Mahia, off the beaten track in New Zealand’s North Island.’ NEIL WATTERSON, EDITOR 2nd prize ANGEL BLÁZQUEZ WINS A SEALEY AUTOMATIC BRAKE AND CLUTCH BLEEDER ‘This is really good composition from Angel, who has combined a fine action shot of his friend Alberto moluptame ’s Discovery nullut 5 SD ipsa 4 with the stunning scenery reperum of the Moroccan desert.’ NEIL WATTERSON, EDITOR…

1st PRIZE Sealey Angle Grinder 115mm 900W/230V (SG115) List Price £62.34 For stockists, to order a free catalogue or to buy online, go to sealey.co.uk 2nd PRIZE Sealey Hot Air Gun 1600W 2-Speed 375°C/500°C (HS105) List Price £29.45 Send pics to wolr@LRO.com. Include a description of the vehicle and where the pic was taken, plus the names of anyone in the pic. Please send us the biggest image file sizes you have. This issue, well done to first-placed Paul Callow, who wins a Sealey Tyre Inflator Long Type with Twin Push-On Connector. Second prize, a Sealey Automatic Brake and Clutch Bleeder, goes to Angel Blázquez.…

The wind’s blowing hard across the top of Worcestershire’s Stagborough Hill and, given the slimy, slippery conditions, it’s an achievement for any vehicle to make it to the top today. The scramble up the hill made me smile – and a superbly prepared Discovery 2 rocks up next to my Freelander 1, with 24-year-old Amy Clarissa at the wheel, grinning from ear to ear. With stunning views across to Stourport-on-Severn, it’s shaping up to be a great day at the Coney Green Off-Road Centre. But first things first – let’s find out a bit more about the Land-Rover-obsessed owner and modifier of this D2. A life in Land Rovers One of Amy’s big childhood memories was being taken to her seventh birthday party with her friends in her dad Simon’s Lightweight. ‘We were…

Finally – we’re getting an idea of what the new Defender will look like, with this admittedly heavily edited image. Wrapped to publicise the Tusk Trust, where a prototype will undergo more testing at its huge Kenyan reserve, we can see the waistline curves, which help keep at least a resemblance to the barrel sides introduced with the Series II in 1958. The wheelbase looks to be about 108 inches, and the short overhangs look promising for off-roading and towing. The spare wheel is mounted outside – there’s no room for it anywhere else. Short- and long-wheelbase mules have been seen, and we know that coil and air suspension systems have been tested. But the mules don’t seem to have made it as far as Australia to test the suspension on…

Land Rover’s shift towards electrification continues, with Range Rover getting a mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) drivetrain. The straight-six 3.0-litre petrol engine, which has already been announced for Range Rover Sport models (LRO, Spring 2019), brings emissions down and pushes fuel economy up to 25.1-26.7mpg. It features an electric supercharger that spools up to 65,000rpm in half a second and a twin-scroll turbocharger – a combination that virtually eliminates turbo lag. Continuous Variable Valve Lift helps the engine breathe with maximum efficiency, boosting power. Integral to the set-up is the motor that can harvest energy through deceleration and store it in a 48V battery, assisting when you pull away again. Other updates include a sophisticated system that turns off individual LEDs in the Matrix and Pixel headlamps to reduce glare from road signs.…