Land Rover Discovery 4 Triumphs For Third Year Running in 2012 Tow Car Awards

The Land Rover Discovery 4 has won its class for the third consecutive year in the coveted annual Tow Car Awards.

Leading the field once again in the 1900kg+ class, the Discovery 4 reigned supreme over the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Volvo XC60 and XC70, Ford Ranger, Vauxhall Antara and Toyota Hilux to take the class victory.

Tow Car Awards judge and Haymarket Outdoor Leisure Group's Editor in Chief - Digital, Nigel Donnelly, said: "If this were a horse race, the bookies would have stopped taking bets on the Discovery 4. Having won the heavyweight class two years in a row, it was always the red-hot favourite. The big Land Rover is even better than before, thanks to the addition of an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It's smoother shifting than the old six-speeder and, along with tweaks to the engine, improves performance and economy.

"The Discovery 4 is a luxurious way to travel, thanks to the supple ride and roomy cabin. There are seats for seven, and if the rear two are stowed, there is more than enough space for a fortnight's holiday luggage. In fact, there's little on our list of what makes a practical towcar that the Discovery doesn't have.

"The Discovery is the best heavyweight towcar."

Laura Schwab, Land Rover Marketing Director said: "It is an honour to win this award for the third consecutive year and acts as a strong independent testament to the versatility and capability of the Discovery 4.

"Many of our customers choose the Discovery 4 as the perfect all-rounder; the ideal towing vehicle both commercially and recreationally, as well as being a comfortable and luxurious tourer on road with class leading capability off-road."

The annual test programme which started in 2007, is a joint venture between Practical Caravan, What Car? and The Camping and Caravanning Club.

The assessment which involves real-world simulations to put each test car through the most relevant and rigorous tests, involving caravans weighted to 85% of the car's kerbweight, acceleration tests, high-speed stability, brake tests, emergency lane change, hill start and practicality tests. The latter appraises the car's ability to cope with a typical caravanner's luggage, has suitable towing electrics, spare wheel, and technology to make towing easier and safer.

The Land Rover Discovery 4 features a host of intelligent technology creating a safe and comfortable towing experience: Trailer Stability Assist (Standard) automatically detects the presence of a trailer. Once 37 mph is reached, the sensors monitor the behaviour of the trailer. Should any swaying or oscillation occur, the system uses selective braking of the appropriate wheels to help correct any potential problem.

In addition Towing Assist, a next-generation reversing aid, is also included with the optional Surround Camera System. The Towing Assist technology predicts the trajectory of both vehicle and trailer - guiding when coupling a trailer and providing a predicted path for the vehicle when reversing by superimposing coloured lines over the image on the Touch-screen.

The Land Rover Discovery 4 is available from £38,825 from all official Land Rover dealerships.


Barretts Land Rover

Barretts of Ashford – Tel: 01233 506070

Barretts of Canterbury – Tel: 01227 475475

You can keep up with news, stories and events at Barretts Land Rover by following us on Twitter: Barretts Land Rover: @KentLandRover

Labels: 2012 Tow Car Awards, Discovery 4, LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4, Towcar

Car Of The Year Honour For Range Rover Evoque As Land Rover Excels In 2012 Diesel Car Awards

The design, technology and capability of Land Rover's current model range has been reflected in the brand's emphatic success in the 2012 Diesel Car Awards.

The Range Rover Evoque added the magazine's 'Best Crossover' and overall 'Car of the Year' titles to its exceptional tally of 112 worldwide honours. The judges acclaimed Evoque as "stunning to look at and stunning to drive…a car that is instantly a classic".

Ian Robertson, Diesel Car editor, said: "Already an icon, the Evoque combines stunning design and brilliant engineering to great effect."


While Evoque claimed the ultimate prize, the Land Rover Discovery 4 demonstrated the diverse capability of Land Rover design and engineering by taking the 'Best 4x4 Award' for the third successive year. No challenger has yet to do better than the Land Rover, which has occupied the top spot ever since it was launched, and is described by the magazine as "everything you could possibly want in a car".

With a nod to the recently completed 'Journey of Discovery' in which the 1,000,000th Discovery was driven over 10,000 miles in 50 days, Robertson added: "Land Rover's continent crosser reigns supreme as the world's most completely clever 4x4."

Consolidating Land Rover's achievements, the Range Rover took the runners-up position behind Discovery 4 in the 'Best 4x4' category.

Land Rover UK Marketing Director, Laura Schwab said: "We are delighted that the Range Rover Evoque continues to set standards for design, engineering and performance right around the world.


"With the lowest CO2 figure of any Land Rover of 129g/km, from the efficient 2.2 eD4 diesel engine, this latest award from Diesel Car Magazine is a further demonstration of Land Rover's continuous focus on technology and customer requirements.

"Moreover, the continuing success of Discovery 4 in these awards and the high praise for Range Rover represent a valuable, independent judgement on Land Rover's across-the-board approach to delivering the highest standards throughout its model range."

The Range Rover Evoque featuring Land Rover's powerful yet efficient 2.2 litre diesel engine is available in SD4 190 hp, TD4 150 hp and in eD4 two-wheel drive 150 hp guise, while the Discovery 4 benefits from a 3.0 litre SDV6 advanced sequential turbo diesel engine producing 255 hp and 600Nm of torque. The Range Rover is powered by the 4.4 litre TDV8 twin sequential turbo charged diesel engine delivering 313 hp and 700 Nm of torque.


Barretts Land Rover

Barretts of Ashford – Tel: 01233 506070

Barretts of Canterbury – Tel: 01227 475475

You can keep up with news, stories and events at Barretts Land Rover by following us on Twitter: Barretts Land Rover: @KentLandRover

Labels: 2012 Diesel Car, Best Crossover, Car of the Year, LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4, Range Rover Evoque

Discovery 4 scoops Best Large SUV award at Auto Express Awards

The new Range Rover Evoque has been declared Car of the Year in theAuto ExpressNew Car Awards. The Evoque was also named Best Compact SUV byBritain's biggest-selling motoring magazine, with the Land Rover Discovery 4 scooping the award for Best Large SUV for the second successive year.

Citing the Evoque's 'mould breaking' looks and driving dynamics as key factors in its success, the magazine also praised its keen pricing: "The Evoque puts the hugely desirable Range Rover brand within the reach of compact executive car buyers for the very first time," saidAuto ExpressActing Editor Graham Hope. "The fact it looks and drives the way it does serves only to underline its premium appeal.

"The winner of theAuto ExpressCar of the Year prize really needs to break the mould - and the Range Rover Evoque does exactly that. You have only to look at its concept car styling to see why the British firm already has a bulging order book for the new baby of its range. Its appeal goes far beyond its distinctive styling."

Land Rover UK Managing Director Colin Green welcomed the recognition: "The first production Evoque was driven off the line at Land Rover's Halewood manufacturing plant inLiverpoolonly last month. To receive an accolade such as this so soon, and from such a respected journal asAuto Express, is a huge boost for the talented and dedicated professionals who have worked so hard and so long to bring the Evoque to market."

Mr. Green is delighted also by the success of the Land Rover Discovery 4: "The Discovery trophy cabinet is already huge, and this second successiveAuto ExpressAward for the latest incarnation of the model underlines its superiority in a highly competitive market segment, and adds to the pride we feel today."

Auto Express says of the award-winning Discovery 4: "The versatile Land Rover has figured on the winners' list at our annual awards for seven successive years, and it's easy to see why. The latest Discovery 4 marries high-class fixtures and fittings with huge dimensions and unrivalled off-road ability. Better still, a revised model with more power and lower emissions is due to hit the showrooms in October."

With a choice of three engines, two body styles, three design themes and a wide range of options and accessories, the new Range Rover Evoque offers customers significant choice across a range of price points. The entry level eD4 Pure 5-Door Range Rover Evoque starts at £27,955 and the top-of-the-range Si4 6 Speed automatic Dynamic coupé with LUX pack is available for £44,320. Offered in both 5-door and Coupé forms, the Evoque goes on-sale next month. More than 18,000 advance orders have been received by Land Rover.

Labels: Best Compact SUV, LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4, Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque

Labels: Barretts Land Rover Ashford, Barretts Land Rover Canterbury, Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 XS, LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4