Doing around 750km on a normal car launch trip would be most unusual, writes Brian Byrne. But Land Rover trips are never 'usual'.
Though, when you add in the mucky bits offroad, some work above the snow line, and then driving down a ski-jump slope without touching the brakes, it is, actually, all 'normal' for the brand.
It was all in a chance this week to sample some improvements to a number of the Land Rover models for model year 2014. A mix of motorway, mountains and three countries helped to make it all very memorable.
The Discovery for 2014 has had some exterior freshening to a shape that simply doesn't date, so it's only when you look at some of the detail that you realise what's happening. For instance, there's an all-new grille and changes to the lower air intake. The 'Discovery' name has replaced the 'Land Rover' name across the front of the bonnet. And behind, there's no longer a '4' in the Discovery name on the back door. Take this as an indicator that 'Discovery' is now a recognised sub-brand within the Land Rover ethos, just as is 'Range Rover'. Expect to see this idea extended when the Freelander replacement comes.
Other changes to the Discovery include a new 3.0 V6 petrol engine instead of the 5.0 V8 that powered the top end version. Along with an optional single speed transfer box AWD system for buyers who don't need extreme capability, interior upgrades, and steering wheel paddle shift.
Optional too is a very useful 'wade sensing' system which shows in graphic form just how deep the vehicle is operating in rivers, for instance. Blind spot monitors, T-junction cameras, and side view cameras set into the new-shape side mirrors also help maneuvering in tricky situations. The TDV6 we drove has a tree-drawing 600Nm of torque, and a very respectable 35mpg-plus for such a large and useful car. That last is helped by the new stop-start system for saving fuel in traffic.
Arguably my favourite Land Rover model, Discovery 2014 raises the bar even further.
The Range Rover we drove on the trip had the diesel hybrid powertrain system recently launched and shown to be tough and reliable on a gruelling convoy drive along part of the old Silk Road from Europe to China, finishing up in India to mark the ownership of the brand for the last five years. I never did think that I'd pilot a full-size Range Rover that's virtually silent while motoring in slow traffic, and can return more than 44mpg equivalent in a normal range of driving. All the other extraordinary characteristics of the new generation Range Rover still apply.
The new generation Range Rover Sport now also has the hybrid option in its range, as well as the TDV8 diesel which previously was only available in the full-size Rangie. Of the RR models, the Sport is probably my favourite and driving it down that ski-jump slope at what seemed almost a vertical drop was a highlight of the trip.
We also had the Evoque for 2014 in the run over the two days, which brought us from Switzerland into Germany and France and back to Switzerland again via some time in the Black Forest region, a wonderful place to drive even in poor weather. In addition to some cosmetic improving, the car now gets the first in the world 9-speed passenger car automatic transmission from ZF. Though we are unconvinced as to whether nine ratios are ever necessary, it did prove to be creamy smooth in operation. A host of driver aids in the parking, cruising, and emergency action areas are now part of the package.
There's a lot more in the overall group of vehicles for this new model year, but I'm not about to repeat the brochure. When I have a chance for a full review in each case, we'll get down to the nitty gritty.
Meantime, there are ski-slopes to conquer ...
