LONDON CALLING / Arkonik

Recently, Arkonik Directors Thomas Parry and Grant Spicer along with myself, Communications Manager Del Gregory and Brad Thomas, Arkonik’s in-house videographer, drove a couple of stock LS3 Land Rovers from Arkonik’s rural home in Somerset up to the hustle and bustle of London. The beauty of Defenders is that they look at home anywhere. Perfectly illustrated by these two urban specced 110 station wagons on the nighttime streets of London.

We were very kindly hosted by The Westminster in SW1. Literally minutes from the River Thames and less than half a mile from Tate Britain. Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey are all within a mile. This stylish hotel is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton and boasts a fitness centre and onsite dining which we can all vouch for as a culinary masterclass.

We thoroughly enjoyed our late night city escape, taking in famous landmarks, and engaging with the inquisitive public all wanting to know “what engine’s in there??” when they heard the aural assault from the 6.2L V8.

Driving these Land Rovers in unfamiliar surroundings underlined the fact that chunky tyres are not just for off-road application. Here they excelled by muting potholes and providing a selfassured grip on the ever-changing surfaces around the cosmopolitan streets. The endless power available from the LS engine mated to the smooth automatic transmission combine to make these the perfect daily drivers, in and out of the city.

After dinner at STK the steak inspired restaurant at The Westminster, it was time to head out to get some pictures around London. By midnight the streets were quieter and we headed down the famous red tarmac of the Mall, so coloured to make it look like a giant red carpet heading down to Buckingham Palace. Here we drove around and got some shots of the famous Royal Palace before heading along the Thames to take in the sight of the London Eye on the other side of the river.

By 1.30am we were on our way along the thames towards East London and the famous Tower Bridge where we managed to get right alongside from St. Katherine’s docks for a dramatic shot with Tower Bridge behind us.

We arrived back at The Westminster at 3.30am, tired from our night shoot but happy in the knowledge we had some great shots of the two stock Urbanised Defenders, and having been very well looked after by the team at The Westminster.

After a short catch up sleep, followed by a hearty breakfast, we left the hotel around 8.30am but not before taking Hotel Westminster Director of Sales & Marketing Mr. Joost Overwijk and General Manager Mr. Matt Williams for a spin around the block, one in each of the Defenders. I’m pretty sure their smiles on return meant they enjoyed their quick trip. We enjoyed staying at this well run and welcoming, modern hotel and thank the team for their hospitality.

We left London and headed back towards Arkonik HQ in Somerset, but not before we took a right hand detour onto Salisbury Plain for some proper off-roading…but more on that another time…

The two stock Right Hand Drive Defenders. Orkney Grey: 1984 110 Station Wagon. RHD 6.2L LS3, 6 speed auto, 8 seats, 1,100 miles, £210,000 Santorini Black: 1985 110 Station Wagon. RHD 6.2L LS3, 6 speed auto, 8 seats, 700 miles, £210,000

Sauce Communications www.saucecommunications.com

B500X Communications www.b500x.net

The Westminster London General Manager, Matt Williams Director of Sales & Marketing, Joost Overwijk www.hotelwestminster.co.uk Arkonik Ltd Thomas Parry, Managing Director Grant Spicer, Business Development Director www.arkonik.com

Images: The Westminster London, Del Gregory for B500, Brad Thomas for Arkonik Film: Brad Thomas for Arkonik

Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=SuIrY_Fj0i4&t=26s