Off-Roading

Off-road Land Rover Teen Drive Experience launched in the U.S.

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Oct 10, 2019, 8:51 am

Land Rover now offers Teen Drive Experience courses at three U.S. resorts.

Photo courtesy of Land Rover

Driver's education is in dire straits. The driver's ed programs that were commonplace in American schools in the 1970s have been reduced to being a rarity. With parents being relied on more to train their children to become good drivers, in a world with that work schedules that allow few spare hours to make it happen, families are turning to companies to teach their kids to drive.

Who will teach your child to drive off-road?

The Land Rover Teen Drive Experience aims to help ease the teaching burden and give gives kids another way to have fun behind the wheel, perhaps exploring a new passion along the way.

Land Rover Teen Drive Experience The course features a series of obstacles designed to help teens learn how to handle an off-roading experience.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

The custom off-road driving instruction program is designed for teens age 14 and older at Land Rover Experience Centers, located at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California; Equinox Resort in Manchester, Vermont; and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.

As part of the experience, teens have the ability to pilot a Land Rover Range Rover Evoque or a Land Rover Discovery Sport, both subcompact SUVs, on a course specifically designed for beginner drivers. Each vehicle is equipped with custom cameras inside to monitor all activity as well as an additional brake pedal on the front passenger side of the SUV, which is accessible to the in-car instructor at all times.

Each drive experience includes one hour of instruction:

  • Familiarization - This section includes setting up and adjusting controls such as the seat and steering wheel, seat belt fitting, mirror adjustment, blind spot awareness development, secure door closure, and safety checks for all occupants.
  • Setting Off - During this section, drivers learn to develop spacial awareness and instructors ensure that the driver is comfortable with steering, braking, vehicle spacing, throttle control, and acceleration.
  • Low-Level Obstacles - The obstacles in this section of the course were developed specifically for the teen driving experience. They include a hill ascent, slalom, figure eight, cone course, low articulations, braking obstacles, a descent, and backing up for garage parking.
The teen driving course is priced at $275. An advanced session, for drivers that have already completed the hour-long course, can be purchased for $425 and includes an extra 30-45 minutes of instruction that includes a water crossing as well as driving through mud and ruts.

Land Rover Teen Driver Experience Teens get to experience a number of off-road conditions that they wouldn't get a chance to as part of regular driver's ed classes.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

In addition to the teen off-roading experience, Land Rover will be offering family bundles that allow the entire family to join in the off-roading experience.

Drivers must be at least 14 years old and have a minimum height of 4'8". No previous driving experience is necessary. A parent or guardian must be present in order for a teen to participate.

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New Package

Ford makes 2021 Ranger available with the Tremor Off-Road Package

The popular Tremor Off-Road Package will be available on the 2021 Ford Ranger.

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Is that a rumble in your truck or are you just happy to see me? The Ford Ranger is getting the Tremor Off-Road Package for the 2021 model year, making it the most capable Ranger ever sold in the U.S. (but not the world - global markets have the Ranger Raptor).

"Tremor gives Ranger customers a new level of off-road confidence and fun," said Chad Callander, Ford Ranger marketing manager. "With increased ground clearance, off-road tuned suspension and aggressive Continental General Grabber tires, Tremor elevates Ranger's off-roading capability even further while keeping the unique advantages that come with a cargo box for hauling gear anywhere."

2021 Ford Ranger Lariat Tremor The Tremor package is available on the XLT and Lariat trim levels.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Ford offers the Tremor package on XLT andLariat grade models. Each is powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that delivers 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission and 4x4 drivetrain is standard.

Each model with the Tremor package features a grille with Magnetic-painted surround with black bars running across the middle and red accents at the corners. There is badging on both sides of the cargo box and buyers can add a hood and body graphics package.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor goes beyond the FX4 Off-Road Package. Its suspension is lifted and combines with redesigned front knuckles and 32-inch Continental General Grabber A/TX all-terrain tires wrapped around new 17-inch Magnetic-painted wheels to give the truck 9.7 inches of ground clearance - 0.8 niches more than the Ranger SuperCrew 4x4.

Ford has added Fox 2.0 monotone dampers with remote rear reservoirs and hydraulic rebound stops that are tuned for a comfortable ride on pavement while delivering the control necessary when heading off-road. The shocks are specially tuned with progressive rebound end zone damping. The front and rear springs are also tuned for off-road performance, a multi-leaf rear spring setup allows increased wheel travel, and the anti-roll bar has reduced stiffness.

2021 Ford Ranger Lariat Tremor

2021 Ford Ranger Lariat Tremor

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

The truck has improved travel dynamics. It has a 30.9-degree approach angle, 25.5-degree departure angle, and a 24.2-degree breakover angle. Front suspension travel is up to 6.5 inches. At the rear it goes up to 8.1 inches. Those numbers are better than the typical mid-size truck, but not as good as proficient off-roaders like the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Jeep Gladiator.

The Ranger Tremor also includes a frame-mounted steel front bash plate, underbody skid plates, rear locking differential, and a Terrain Management System with four drive models and Trail Control. Ford notes that the system is calibrated for improved acceleration and traction in gravel to allow for peel outs in a washout.

Two rear-mounted recovery hooks are standard in addition to the traditional two up front. Ford has also added hoop steps. Customers can add a number of accessories like winches, lights, and air compressors thanks to Tremor's six-switch auxiliary power bank that is mounted to the dashboard with rated loads of 25 amps, 15 amps and 10 amps, plus three switches at five amps

2021 Ford Ranger XLT Tremor

2021 Ford Ranger XLT Tremor

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

The truck has a 1,430-pound maximum payload and available 7,500-pound maximum towing capacity.

The grade of the model dictates the interior of the model. Each model comes with Mike suede seat inserts and "Tremor" stitched int other setbacks, and black accents.

The Tremor Off-Road Package is priced at $4,290. It is scheduled to go into production in Michigan early next year.

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New Model News

2021 Land Rover Defender gets new mid-grade X-Dynamic model

Land Rover is offering the 2021 Defender 90 and 110 in a new grade.

Photo courtesy of Land Rover

Now that Land Rover Defender production and distribution worldwide is finally underway after being hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is prepared to expand its Defender offerings for the 2021 model year.

The Defender will be offered in two wheelbases for 2021: Defender 110 and Defender 90. The 110 is a five-door more traditional SUV design offering seating for five, six, or 5+2, while the 90 is a three-door.

2021 Land Rover Defender 90 X-Dynamic Pricing for the new grade is slightly above the base model Defender's MSRP.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

At launch, the model range comprised the Defender, First Edition, and top-tier Defender X models. With First Editions being snatched up, Defender X-Dynamic moves in to the mid-grade slot. The Defender X-Dynamic can be enhanced further with a choice of S, SE and HSE Specification Packs.

All models come standard with four-wheel drive.

2021 Land Rover Defender 90 X-Dynamic

The Defender 90 X-Dynamic builds on the base model. To differentiate it from the pack, the Defender X-Dynamic gets gloss painted Narvik Black exterior door and wheel arch cladding with Silicon Satin skid pans. There's also a P400 badge, X-Dynamic badge, body-color door handles, and Satin Silicon Silver grille bar. The model comes standard with automatic high beams and rides on 19-inch six-spoke gloss black wheels. At the back are black tow hooks.

2021 Land Rover Defender 90 X-Dynamic The model has unique accents to differentiate it from the rest of the pack.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

Inside, the Defender X-Dynamic features Robust seat pull ribbons and a console finisher. Robustec is a protective and hard-wearing material inspired by textiles used in extreme outdoor activities. The Robustec accents are available in the same selection of colors across S, SE, and HSE models.

2021 Land Rover Defender 90 X-Dynamic Land Rover offers the X-Dynamic grade on its Defender 90 and 110.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

"Essentially a tool – obtaining this balance of tactility, softness and durability was key to create a modern premium aesthetic for both the interior and exterior materials," said Amy Frascella, Director, Color and Materials, Land Rover. "We have enabled innovation of materials by creating new approaches to development, challenging conventions of traditional methods of make and modifying existing technologies."

Additional interior features include a Ebony Morzine headliner, illuminated metal tread plates with Land Rover script, and dutotonne interior seat color. Its rear seats feature a 40/20/40 split and the front seats are 12-way semi-powered. Seat facings are appointed in ebony/ebony grained leather and Robustek.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 X-Dynamic starts at $57,800.

2021 Land Rover Defender 90 X-Dynamic The model comes standard with four-wheel drive.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

2021 Land Rover Defender 110 X-Dynamic

Like the Defender 90 X-Dynamic, the 110 version builds on the 110 base model. Its exterior is more premium than the 90 and features LED headlights with signature daytime running lights, a P400 badge fog lights, X-Dynamic badge, body-color door handles, black rear tow hooks, and Satin Silicon Silver front and rear skid pan, grille bar, and badging. Automatic high beams are standard. It rides on 20-inch five-spoke Dark Satin Grey wheels.

Interior features are the same except the model changes up the front seats for 12-way electric memory front seats with two-way manual headrests. It also gets a ClearSight interior rearview mirror, Meridian sound system, Click and Go integrated base unit, and interactive driver display.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 X-Dynamic starts at $65,500.

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