Sometimes taking the path less travelled is the best option… especially when at the helm of a brand new 2013 Land Rover LR4 or a 2013 Range Rover Supercharged or even a 2013 Range Rover Evoque. Why? Because they can (which means you can) that’s why.
I’ve just returned from a weekend of equestrian eventing and off-roading in Land Rovers. How very posh, no? Well, it wasn’t all crystal stemware, cucumber sandwiches and high tea. I got a bit down and dirty in a few Land Rover models thanks to an off-road course designed specifically to highlight Land Rover’s strongest assets.
Nestled in the heart of Lexington, Kentucky’s Horse Park grounds, Land Rover’s off-road driving course was open to the crowds frequenting the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event equestrian “triathlon.” A feat of rider and horse, the three-day event is spectacular to behold, and Land Rover is a proud sponsor. And really, horses and Land Rovers go hand-in-hand.
So, with a lineup of brand new 2013 Land Rovers at my disposal, I took to the vertical, water-logged and mud-laden course behind the wheel of a few of the company’s top performers.
Driving them back-to-back was rather revealing. Of course, the most dedicated of them all (the LR4) took on the rocks, ruts, steep inclines, 20” deep water, slippery and uneven mud trails, and see-saw bridge as easily as some of the weekend’s riders tackled the cross-country jumps surrounding the course. Equipped with Hill Decent Control and Gradient Release Control, the LR4’s capabilities are immediately recognizable on the first steep decline. Popped in low gear, I was told to simply lift my foot off the brake and let the Landie do its thing -- and did it ever.
That’s the thing about Land Rovers (and by association, Range Rovers); you don’t have to fiddle about with them. They do the job. For most of the course drives, I was chatting away with the Land Rover instructor forced to sit with me for much too long (they were very kind to indulge me) as I did lap upon lap. I never questioned the vehicle’s abilities or thought, “Oh, I don’t know if it’s going to be able to handle this” as I might in other off-road/AWD vehicles. I just knew.
Why?
Because Land Rovers are purpose-built. And even if you’re not sure what purpose you’re going to use your Landie for it will thanks to an automatic Terrain Response system that monitors the road’s surface and the stability of its own wheels to make sure you’re well cared for and get to where you’re going.
And at the “bottom” of the food chain (because, let’s be honest there really is no bottom with Land Rover), sat the Range Rover Evoque. Despite looking miniscule when lined up against its big brothers, the Evoque handled itself like a pro. With no low-gear available, the baby Range still boasts Terrain Response and a highly capable off-road ability. While not allowed to do the entire course (ride height limitations), the Range Rover Evoque handled the high water like a boss (something even I was a bit nervous about).
I wasn’t the only one privileged enough to see how these automotive heavy-hitters handled the off-road course throughout the weekend, as the event’s crowds took to lining up non-stop at the Land Rover area all weekend long to get a chance behind the wheel.
I’ve just returned from a weekend of equestrian eventing and off-roading in Land Rovers. How very posh, no? Well, it wasn’t all crystal stemware, cucumber sandwiches and high tea. I got a bit down and dirty in a few Land Rover models thanks to an off-road course designed specifically to highlight Land Rover’s strongest assets.
Nestled in the heart of Lexington, Kentucky’s Horse Park grounds, Land Rover’s off-road driving course was open to the crowds frequenting the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event equestrian “triathlon.” A feat of rider and horse, the three-day event is spectacular to behold, and Land Rover is a proud sponsor. And really, horses and Land Rovers go hand-in-hand.
So, with a lineup of brand new 2013 Land Rovers at my disposal, I took to the vertical, water-logged and mud-laden course behind the wheel of a few of the company’s top performers.
Driving them back-to-back was rather revealing. Of course, the most dedicated of them all (the LR4) took on the rocks, ruts, steep inclines, 20” deep water, slippery and uneven mud trails, and see-saw bridge as easily as some of the weekend’s riders tackled the cross-country jumps surrounding the course. Equipped with Hill Decent Control and Gradient Release Control, the LR4’s capabilities are immediately recognizable on the first steep decline. Popped in low gear, I was told to simply lift my foot off the brake and let the Landie do its thing -- and did it ever.
That’s the thing about Land Rovers (and by association, Range Rovers); you don’t have to fiddle about with them. They do the job. For most of the course drives, I was chatting away with the Land Rover instructor forced to sit with me for much too long (they were very kind to indulge me) as I did lap upon lap. I never questioned the vehicle’s abilities or thought, “Oh, I don’t know if it’s going to be able to handle this” as I might in other off-road/AWD vehicles. I just knew.
Why?
Because Land Rovers are purpose-built. And even if you’re not sure what purpose you’re going to use your Landie for it will thanks to an automatic Terrain Response system that monitors the road’s surface and the stability of its own wheels to make sure you’re well cared for and get to where you’re going.
And at the “bottom” of the food chain (because, let’s be honest there really is no bottom with Land Rover), sat the Range Rover Evoque. Despite looking miniscule when lined up against its big brothers, the Evoque handled itself like a pro. With no low-gear available, the baby Range still boasts Terrain Response and a highly capable off-road ability. While not allowed to do the entire course (ride height limitations), the Range Rover Evoque handled the high water like a boss (something even I was a bit nervous about).
I wasn’t the only one privileged enough to see how these automotive heavy-hitters handled the off-road course throughout the weekend, as the event’s crowds took to lining up non-stop at the Land Rover area all weekend long to get a chance behind the wheel.
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| Photo: Miranda Lightstone |