Off-Roading

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

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Oct 10, 2019, 7:51 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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Litigation

Jaguar files to block Porsche, VW, Audi SUVs from being brought to the U.S.

The 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport features dynamic all-terrain technology.

Photo courtesy of Land Rover

A new lawsuit by Jaguar and Land Rover's parent company, Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc (JLR), filed a lawsuit on Thursday to block the import of new Porsche, Lamborghini, Volkswagen, and Audi vehicles from entering the U.S. The news was reported by Bloomberg.

In its filing with the U.S. International Trade Commission, JLR says that the companies, all under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, are using JLR's patented Terrain Response technology without permission. The technology, which helps vehicles traverse a "broad range of surfaces" is used in a number of vehicles in the JLR lineup including the Jaguar F-Pace and Land Rover Discovery. Those two SUV recently debuted refreshed versions for the 2021 model year.

2021 Jaguar E-Pace Jaguar recently debuted the revised 2021 E-Pace (above) and F-Pace. Photo courtesy of Jaguar

In the filing, JLR specifies that it is looking to block the import of the Porsche Cayenne; Lamborghini Urus; and a host of Audi vehicles including the Q8, Q7, Q5, A6 Allroad, and E-Tron; in addition to the Volkswagen Tiguan. In its complaint, the company says that there are enough vehicles to meet customer demand in the U.S. other than those named in the papers.

In addition to its complaint with the International Trade Commission (ITC), JLR has filed patent lawsuits in Delaware and New Jersey seeking cash compensation for the use of the technology. Traditionally, the ITC works faster than the courts in the investigation of unfair trade practices. ITC cannot award damages, but can block products from entering the U.S. Bloomberg says that ITC investigations are typically completed in 15 to 18 months.

The case is In the Matter of Certain Vehicle Control Systems, 337-3508, U.S. International Trade Commission (Washington). The filing is marked as confidential. JLR is represented in the matter by Latham & Watkins LLP, an International firm that was founded in 1934.

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New Model News

2021 Land Rover Discovery gets a new face, smarter tech as part of refresh

The Land Rover Discovery has been giving a thorough refresh for the 2021 model year

Photo courtesy of Land Rover
It's been three years since the latest-generation Land Rover Discovery made landfall in the U.S. In the years that have passed, Land Rover has expanded and modernized its lineup, including the new Velar and Defender models. Now, it's the Defenders turn.
The 2021 Land Rover Discovery gets new looks, an expanded lineup, and numerous tech upgrades as part of a proper mid-generation refresh. Land Rover will sell the model in four different options for buyers: 2.0L S, 2.0L S R-Dynamic, 3.0L S R-Dynamic, and 3.0L HSE R-Dynamic.

2021 Land Rover Discovery The rear of the vehicle features new LED taillights.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

The exterior of the Discovery remains much the same with body proportions bringing to mind historic Discovery styling. The SUV now comes with new signature LED headlights, sweeping front and rear turn signals, and body-color front fender vents. Land Rover has redesigned the front bumper to feature a new winder body-colored graphic and fresh side vents. At its rear, the 2021 Discovery has new signature LED lights which sit on either side of a gloss black panel that incorporates traditional “Discovery" script.

R-Dynamic models get unique Gloss Black and Shadow Atlas exterior accents on the outside and two-tone leather and contrast seat stitching inside.
Land Rover continues to offer the Discovery with two powertrains in the U.S. Models with the "2.0L" designation are powered by a 296-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four while "3.0L" SUVs have a 355-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine under the hood.
The Discovery has an 8,200-pound maximum towing capacity and comes with Advanced Tow Assist.

2021 Land Rover Discovery The Discover can tow over 8,000 pounds.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

Designers have given the Discovery a new center console, which houses an 11.4-inch high-definition infotainment touch's creek that runs the company's well-organized Pivi Pro operating system. That area also houses a new shifter that offers a more pleasing tactile experience. Apple CarPlay is standard and Android Auto is available.

In front of the driver sits a new four-spoke steering wheel with hidden-until-lit switches, similar to what is on the Evoque and Velar. Beyond the steering wheel is a 12.3-inch interactive driver display that provides vital vehicles operations information and can display full-screen 3D navigation when requested. The dials displayed on the screen are configurable. A head-up display is available and over-the-air updates are possible.
The entire cabin benefits from Land Rover's new Cabin Air Ionization technology that scans incoming air, measures its quality and uses filters to adequately reduce fine particulates in the Discovery's cabin.

2021 Land Rover Discovery 2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic models feature two-tone leather interiors.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

Land Rover Click and Go tablet holders are incorporated into the Discovery's first row seatbacks. The system uses USB-A charging sockets and the 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot within in the vehicle to deliver entertaining content to passengers.

A hand-free liftgate is a viable. To ease in configuring cargo space, the Discovery's infotainment screen offers fold command technology for rear seats. Second-row seats have been redesigned to offer enhanced comfort. That row also gets increased air flow from the SUV's ventilation system.
Buyers can get their Discovery with the second-generation Activity Key, which features touchscreen controls, a digital watch, and can lock, unlock, and start the vehicle as well as serve as a traditional fob.

2021 Land Rover Discovery The model now has Land Rover's Pivi Pro infotainment system.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

Pricing for the 2021 Land Rover Discovery starts at $53,900 for the 2.0L S base model. The 2.0L S R-Dynamic starts at $56,400. Bumping up to the 3.0L S R-Dynamic moves the price tag to $61,900 while the top-tier HSE R-Dynamic comes in at $68,900.

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