Landrover Show - Another Freelander Test Drive

The coming weekend holds two excellent event in store.

Firstly the Devon Craft Fair at Bovey Tracey which runs 6th to 8th June and promises to be the best ever.

At the other end of the outdoor events spectrum is the annual Land Rover World Show held at the “home of Landrovers” Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire. As a wanna be country bumpkin my interest in Land Rovers has grown over the last few months ever since I heard the news that the great British brand was now under the ownership of Tata - an Indian conglomerate. Keen to support Landrover and protect its British heritage I was amongst many who campaigned to have the sale revoked and return the company to its previous owners. Ahem imagine the surprise when this was revealed to be Ford.

None the less land Rover have been at the leading edge of all terrain motoring and having watched videos such as this Freelander promotion and this amazing footage of Land Rover Defenders going full throttle I’ve had the urged to try one.

I joined two fellow Pasty Munchers - for a half day at the West Country Land Rover Experience Centre in Honiton. Apart from arriving late - oh the perils of forward FWD e mails - the afternoon was a revalation. The advanced technology some of the vehicles contain is way over my head and it was with relief that the “intro” talk was cut short so we could actually get our feet on the pedals.

First up a £75,000 Range Rover. Yeah not bad. The traction control on hills and slopes was - and I don’t say this lightly - mind blowing. Tilted at 35 degrees it was beyond belief the the monster didn’t roll.

Then followed what was affectionately called by those in the know a tootle in a “Disco” aka Land Rover Discovery. After the drive in a top notch Range Rover this seemed less impressive - still the same all terrain settings technology but felt a bit more “Sloaney” - in that it looks more countryside but without the mud.

Both the Range Rover and Discovery are excellent off roaders but almost too easy to drive - the technology kicks in at the drop of a hat - pedal free driving for much of the course.

later the instructor introduced his personal favourite the Freelander. The Freelander has had its criticisms over the years but it appears that Land Rover have listened to the concerns of dis-gruntled customers and worked hard to bring the model up to the same high standards expected of the brand. And what a joy the little SUV was. Within a few minutes the feeling of actually driving returned. The Independent commented “the new Freelander is proof that land rovers just keep getting better” and safety concerns assuaged but Euroncaps official 5 star ratings for many Freelander features for protection.

The Landrover World Show offers the opportunity to try out these vehicles in return for a modest donation to various charities. All test drives are accompanied by Land Rover experts and will be conducted on some of the best “off road” circuits in Europe.