I have been for a test drive today at my dealers, unfortunately a LRE driver accompanies you. The day didn't start to well when the driver, whom I recognised from when I did my LR Level 1 course, gave me a load of sincere grief that I had nearly got him the sack when we last met - which put me in a not very good mood!

The car was zermat silver with ebony leather and darker wood trim. The cabin is a pleasant place, the dash is a soft touch leather like material, many of the switches and dials are straight out of D3. The sat nav is the same as D3 but with different graphics. The pti is blue tooth only and the first phone paired can be interogated for its phone book and big plus over RRS and D3. Windows are all electric and one touch. The mirrors fold when locking the car but can't be closed from inside - bad idea IMO. The seats are remodeled RRS ones and very nice. The driving experience is quite RRS like with a feeling of the cockpit style, but a little less so. The centre consol is a bit fussy and is mainly drink holders, a proper consol would have been better.

The wood that everyone is going on about is no big deal and there is very little of it. The key also is only the size of the D3 key and contains an actual emergency key (emergency entry is the same as D3) It also has a button to turn on the lights, a panic button and I think one other but I can't remember, but it is not the big deal some have made it out to be.

There is a little noise at idle, but on the go it is very quiet. It pulls well throughout the revs, it is sometime since I have driven a manual at this car was very forgiving. It is definately quicker than my D3 and throwing it through some corners it remained perfectly flat. The whole experience was very D3/RRS like and very enjoyable, a huge improvement over the current Fl.

At the end we tried to fit the dog cage from my D3 in it - which is very big. Footprint wise it fitted, just a little too tall which surprised me as I thought it would be far to big for the car.

I am told that there is a valid reason for not having an auto at launch, but he wouldn't tell me as it would end up on here! He also felt in everyday driving the diesel was as quick as the petrol. The MPG for the trip was 31mpg when we finished (it started at 29mpg) despite a 90mph sprint some big hills and wrong gears! All in all a very nice car. Don't believe the poor quality bit it all felt very nice indeed.

Excellent... thanks for the review.

And what did you do to the poor chap last time you met him

Oh, and did the key rattle or is that a journo story going round ?

Simon the key did not rattle. I first met the guy 18 months ago and we were talking about various bits of the D3 when the seat belt chime got mentioned. I posted about this and apparently LR jumped on him, even though I knew all about it. He was obviously narked about it, but if I had been considering several cars I would probably discounted Fl2 on the back of it. Maybe it was because I had got my revised tax bill today but he really peed me off.

Thanks Pelyma, interesting report. Just received call from my garage, arranged drive on Saturday (11.00am), will at last see the grey, this is the test car, also has a silver, blue and that bright orange. The salesman was saying the Stornaway Grey has black interier but with some blue running through it,be interesting to see it! How did you find the gear box?
I will report my findings after my test drive
One interesting point, LR are using the Stornaway Grey on their showroom displays so I am informed by my garage
David David

He should have made a joke of it. Would have got the message over to you whilst not peeing you off.

I agree Si, his problem not mine!

David the gear box was fine, if you like these manual things The car I drove was black inside, didn't see any blue. I have to say I don't like black but I know many do. Don't like much really do I?

took our test drive today. very good. We got to go on our own. Plus points of being friends with the owner of the garage I guess.

Everything Pelyma said and more loved the way the key ejects.

Very slick gear change. Plenty pull in 6th took it up the drummossie brae out of Inverness heading south didn't loose any power in 6th.

Satnav menu very close to the graphic on a alpine head unit bit disappointed that it appears not to have prespective view (birds eye) happy to see the lane changing indicators. No rattles as of yet.

Collect my Tango one on the 7th. Fiona

Aparently there are 13 Fl2 going around different dealerships with LRE guys. We have got to go back and see if another cage will fit!!

I'm getting a daylight test drive tomorrow and will also be taking a a dog crate !!! I've already measure the showroom car and the crate and we're down to the last millimetre in width. so must test it for real.

All sounds good.

current car lease expires next year, FL 2 arives in Aus next year.

HSE D auto.

just have to hang out for demo cars here.

MIchael.

David Lindop wrote:

......... The salesman was saying the Stornaway Grey has black interier but with some blue running through it,be interesting to see it! How did you find the gear box?

I'm not a fan of the beige interior with the blue centre. think it would be a nightmare to keep clean. Fiona

Is it common practice to only get a short accompanied test drive? - I have to say for my previous cars (Audi, BMW and SAAB), I've had at least 2 hours of the car to myself with no salesman tagging along - the SAAB was the best with a 24 hour test drive - this gives you a real chance to look at the car from all aspects and to test it out on some of your more familiar routes. I'm amazed that a dealer will expect to sell a 25K motor without offering this as a service - come on LandRover, listen to your customers !

BG (rant over)

early days yet... the full release of demo vehicles has not commenced yet.

boiledgnat wrote:

Is it common practice to only get a short accompanied test drive? - I have to say for my previous cars (Audi, BMW and SAAB), I've had at least 2 hours of the car to myself with no salesman tagging along - the SAAB was the best with a 24 hour test drive - this gives you a real chance to look at the car from all aspects and to test it out on some of your more familiar routes. I'm amazed that a dealer will expect to sell a 25K motor without offering this as a service - come on LandRover, listen to your customers !

BG (rant over)