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Pride of Place DAVID M. ROBERTSON

The Land Rover brand is synonymous with refined and luxurious driving, both on and off the road. The LR4 is the embodiment of these brand values.

Model Land Rover LR4 Model year 2012 Engine type 5-litre V8 Displacement 4,999.7 cc Horsepower 375 hp @ 6,500 rpm Torque 510 Nm @ 3,500 rpm Transmission 6-speed automatic gearbox Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 7.9 seconds Top speed 195 km/h

114 May 2012 BTM

Residing comfortably within the cockpit of the Land Rover LR4 it is not too difficult to understand what sets this iconic British vehicle apart from the competition. The elevated seating position offers a unique view of the road and its surroundings; you really are, literally, a cut above everyone else. Switch on the ignition and, as you start to glide away from your start point, something else hits you; there is a complete absence of any noise. A serene ambience is created such that the world around you does not appear to exist. Refinements such as this, though, we not only expect but also demand from a top-of-the-line luxury vehicle. Out on the road the LR4 offers a distinctive style, allowing you to feel that you own the space upon which you are driving. As you execute manoeuvres, whether changing gear or traversing a bend in the road, it is all accomplished seamlessly and without fuss. What facilitates this driving experience is the sophisticated technology employed in the LR4; one that you are undoubtedly better off allowing the official distributor to maintain than attempting a DIY version. A number of clever design features include the industry-first, torque-actuated variable camshaft timing on all four cams. Unlike conventional systems that rely on oil pressure, these are actuated by the positive and negative torques generated by the opening and closing of the valves, reducing energy consumption. There’s also ‘cam profile switching’, which selects either a profile suitable for low speed running or another which gives

increased lift for high performance. This provides the LR4 with exceptional low-end torque to negotiate demanding terrain and allows it to become fleet of foot when conditions dictate. Inside the LR4 there’s the high quality finishing and easy-touse driver console that oozes convenience; when you want something, it’s available on demand, much as you might expect from the service at a top-end five-star hotel. Of course, there’s a price to be paid for the best in luxury, and the LR4 consumes petrol at a ‘rate of knots’ that would not embarrass a high-performance speed boat. For those wishing to take the LR4 off the road, there are advanced all-terrain functions that are both subtle yet effective, while at the same time delivering an added layer of safety in more ‘interesting’ driving conditions. One such subtle feature is Hill Start Assist; it is always available and its operation is not indicated to the driver. It works by retaining the initial driver-generated brake pressure long enough for the foot to move from brake pedal to throttle without the car rolling backwards. Land Rover is distributed exclusively in the Kingdom by Euro Motors. E Call 17 750-750.