I know that - that's why I said "as usual". But there's also the comparison with FL2 pricing to take into account.

My build is a 5 seat with full size spare, there are some benefits to non-UK living, seven seat and a doughnut doesn't work for me. The extra seats aren't a no no (our sales rep mentioned that RRS's over here with the extra seats command a $3-4k resale bump, so advised we get them in the DS) but loosing boot space to a second spare would kill it for me, and throwing a full size spare up on the roof rack every time we headed out (other than to the office) would get tiresome pretty quickly. If it wasn't a lift gate (rather than a side mounted rear door) then a rear spare mount might have been an option, but then the bike rack would have been an issue... First world problems! An expat that never went home.

ccsnet wrote:

Just a little some thing to consider ( and I have not seen mentioned to date on this thread ).... T ( Also a Dad )

Very nice!

I would have been more impressed with that video clip, Taz, if the variable ratio active driveline do dahs had enabled the driver to keep the vehicle on one side of the carriageway or the other. All over the road!
Perhaps the driver was blootered, returning from a Christmas office party after a good skinfull?

Land Rovers test track, he was using it to its full advantage

Yes and it looked like the cambers were favourable for quicker cornering.

Active driveline another feature not offered in th UK at the moment mine has efficient driveline which is a fancy name for the current system .

It does handle well though, and the steering, to me anyway, has a good feel to it. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

I opted for the Active Driveline and Adaptive Dynamics, at $1000 each, I trust it's not old technology... Or is this similar to the other options that LR doesn't offer to its home market? An expat that never went home.

My local dealer eventually offered an extra day of "VIP Ride & Drive" bookings for the DS. Unfortunately it was too late to take full advantage and get to drive it myself at last, but I did manage a quick look around it and try out seating etc.

Overall, I quite liked the design especially with the top-end light leather coloured leather upholstery. Luggage storage seemed good unless 7 seats deployed, and the sliding second row is a good addition. As others have commented, the third row may be ok for very short trips with young children, but they will require agility to climb into. Quite how adults would cope with the intricacies often involved with strapping a child into a child seat in that row remains to be seen; I think it will be difficult.

Seems I'll get a longer test drive, incl. off-road, in January, with a production model DS, so that should be interesting! Life is not a dress rehearsal!

dilwyn wrote:

I did bring this up on P8 of thread .......
"I am not a fan of 7 seats anyway, particularly in a vehicle as short as the Sport, as there is little space between the 6th & 7th seats and the back door to absorb a really serious rear end shunt. "

I also seem to remember CG commentating on it.

Does the EURO ENCAP tests include rear end shunts?

Adamlloyd wrote:

seven seat and a doughnut doesn't work for me.

eat the donuts and become to large to fit inside? At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

So... just had my test drive...

Likes:
> Very refined build
> Engine much quieter than in Freely
> Flappy paddles for command of gear, rather than shoving gearstick to left etc
> very quickly adjusted to electronic handbrake & stop/start technology
> Handling was good onroad, didn't get chance to go offroad

Unsure of:
> Losing the high driving position
> Very reduced visibility thru rear window
> errr.. that's about it

Observations:
> Was told that the 2.0L engine due late 2015 likely to be MANUAL only, probably only for eD4 (ie 2WD) car
> My test drive car had the 2 rear row seats removed so they DO come out easily
> The dealership has a good order book, expect deliveries for March
> JLR rep onsite, asking for direct feedback, which was good
> err... that's it.

All in all, an enjoyable drive.

...  ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Was it noticeably lower seating position to the freelancer then? I've had a 4x4 for many years and I don't want to lose this feature Black FL2
L200 Warrior