The Farmers Mart Dec/Jan 2014 - Issue 31 | Page 60

LAND ROVERS It took us to a lot of interesting places, both on and off the road and we loved it – we were especially grateful for its four wheel drive and tractor drive capabilities in the depths of British winter when it got us home through some seriously hazardous weather conditions. There were times when others called on our help too: trippers who regularly drove onto a beach and promptly got stuck. We towed them out, much to their relief as the tide was usually coming in – along with inexperienced boat owners who needed help to get their boats on and off steep harbour ramps. We’ve driven lots of different 4x4s both on and off the road since then in many parts of the world, but nothing has ever been quite as exciting –as that first Land Rover. The first model made its debut in 1948, and was designed with brilliant simplicity for extraordinary ability and strength. The fact that around two-thirds of these models are still in use more than six decades on – many in some of the most inhospitable places on earth - is testament to the Land Rover’s strength and durability. The original Land Rovers were of extremely robust construction and 60 Dec/Jan 2014 FarmersMart featured characteristics such as short front and rear overhangs. These drove off the production line ready to take on some of the world’s toughest terrain. Today these qualities are just as significant a part of what makes a Land Rover vehicle unique as they were 65 years ago. The Land Rover was the product of continuous evolution and refinement throughout the 1950s and 1960s with improved stability and a tighter turning circle. It was a period in which Land Rover took the lead in the emerging market for four-wheel drive vehicles. As a tough, reliable mobility platform, countless organisations came to depend on Land Rover vehicles to get personnel and equipment into the most challenging situations…and then safely out again. From organisations such as admirable Born Free Foundation to The Royal Geographical Society and Biosphere Expeditions – in the second decade of the 21st century they still depend on Land Rover. For farmers, who daily face all the challenges the weather can throw at them, these tough, reliable and versatile 4x4 workhorses quickly became an invaluable resource. RANGE ROVER In 1970, and in keeping with the forward-thinking philosophy that founded Land Rover, a radical, entirely new product was introduced and created its very own vehicle category. This overnight sensation was the original Range Rover, which combined all the capability of a Land Rover with the comfort and performance of an on-road car. This culture of innovation has developed ever since with both Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles: new models, more refinement, more innovative technology, more efficiency and fewer emissions. And it continues with initiatives such as eTerrain Technologies (which improves the environmental performance of vehicles by reducing CO2 emissions), Sustainable Manufacturing and CO2 Offsetting. Land Rover will remain at the forefront of advanced design – the new small Range Rover, for example, illustrates the vision that keeps the company at the cutting edge. In August this year, Land Rover launched its first-ever hybrid models – the Range Rover Hybrid and Range Rover Sport Hybrid – which will deliver outstanding fuel economy, significantly lower CO2 emissions and retain Land Rover’s renowned capability and performance. They are the world’s first premium diesel SUV hybrids. To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk