2005 Land Rover LR3

From high-speed testing at European race-tracks, to Australian and African deserts, to stifling urban crawls in Tokyo and New York, Land Rover says they rolled over almost 6,500,000 kilometres testing the new LR3, more than any other previous model. Thankfully the cold climate package that includes, front windshield and wipers is standard in Canada.

On sale now, Land Rover is asking $61,900 for the SE and $67,900 for the HSE, which adds a touch-screen, voice-activated navigation system, upgraded audio, bigger wheels and tires, Bi-xenon headlights and memory seats.

That's a noticeable step up from current Discovery pricing, but for the best Land Rover ever, consider it a big deal.

The Land Rover Experience Driving School

For those who own, or are contemplating owning, a Land Rover and want to explore the vehicle's true off-road capabilities (and figure out the alphabet soup's worth of technological acronyms that come with these vehicles), I have a little secret.

The "Land Rover Experience Driving School" at Fairmont Le Château Montebello, Quebec, is Canada's first manufacturer-sponsored off-road driving school and is one of an elite group of driving schools Land Rover runs around the world.

Similar to other driving schools operated by Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, it's a combination of driver training and sales tool.

"The Land Rover Experience offers customers the opportunity to learn how to get the most out of their Land Rover and inspire even more confidence in it," said Bruce Rosen, vice president marketing for Land Rover Canada.

With professional instructors riding along, individual or group courses range from a one-hour session to half-day and full-day programs.

Courses familiarize drivers with the basics of off-roading, and the programs cover all the necessary skills to drive an off-road vehicle, such as planning, observation, manoeuvring and tackling a variety of terrain and obstacles.

Prices range from as little as $80.00 for a two hour lesson with a group of eight, to $233 for a full day at the Kenauk facility with two other drivers in your vehicle and lunch supplied as well.

Information about the Land Rover Experience Driving School is available atwww.landrover.com/ca.