Land Rover Experience in Evoque

Went to the new LR Experience at Luton Hoo last week to drive an Evoque. Was not expecting much as it is a new style of centre with man made "concrete" features. Had been to the Chilterns one twice before (Defender & RRS), but this was much better as the features are consistent and bordering on the limits of the vehicles. We did things in the Evoque that I would have thought twice about in my off road Defender. We were doing exactly the same parts as the Defender, D4, RRS and F2 that were also going around.

Was really amazed by what the Evoque would do. At times the only way to see out was to look through the pano roof - we were at such extreme angles. I was very very impressed by its off road capabilities, and this is from someone who drives a Defender that gets used and abused off road (the 300Tdi).

There was only one "electronic glitch" . The instructor had it stationary with it balanced on Front OS & Rear NS wheels only. It was gently rocking back and forwards with at least 10 cm of air under each of the wheels off the ground. It took a lot of wheel spin to then get moving again. A large amount of smoke from the tyres and other instructors who were watching coming over the radio commenting on the fireworks Once we were back on stable ground on all 4 wheels, the Terrain Response cried enough. Drove around on more gentle stuff for about 5 mins allowing the various sensors to cool down and then the system reset. No further problems after that, even with my wife and I driving.

(03-11-2011 11:05am)KPNuts Wrote:  The instructor had it stationary with it balanced on Front OS & Rear NS wheels only. It was gently rocking back and forwards with at least 10 cm of air under each of the wheels off the ground.

I did this on the unleashed event, and in fact following a conversation with my dealer regarding the pano-roof availability, they were attributing the instances of cracking of the glass to this 'exercise'.

Anyway, glad to hear it did well, they told me I'd get one of these too, but I've already done the LRE day in the defender, is it really worth doing it again?

Sounds great. I've got a free half dayer to go on so will have to give them a ring. How does it work? Can I take the wife and daughter along or is it just for me?

Thanks

DG

(03-11-2011 11:16am)Daigriff Wrote:  Sounds great. I've got a free half dayer to go on so will have to give them a ring. How does it work? Can I take the wife and daughter along or is it just for me?

Thanks

DG

We are going in December to Eastnor and it is for 1 +2. A morning half day visit.

Check your invitation/booking paperwork.

We are off to the Luton Hoo venue tomorrow.

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(03-11-2011 11:16am)Daigriff Wrote:  Sounds great. I've got a free half dayer to go on so will have to give them a ring. How does it work? Can I take the wife and daughter along or is it just for me?
Thanks DG

The invitation is for the driver & up to 2 guests. I am taking my wife who doesn't drive & our 9 year old son - kids under 1.5M need to take a booster seat.

Thanks for the info, will check to see where the nearest location is.

(03-11-2011 11:15am)RacingSnake Wrote:  but I've already done the LRE day in the defender, is it really worth doing it again?

Yes. Completely different to driving a Defender. I believe there are some electronics on the Evoque.

Watching where the front wheels were pointing on the display between speedo/rev counter was interesting. As was the sat nav display in the same place.

(03-11-2011 11:29am)The Valeter Wrote:  We are off to the Luton Hoo venue tomorrow.

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The on-road part of the session included a couple of fords that were about 250 mm deep last week. Bit more rain since then so could be interesting.

We both drove so had to split our time, but we learnt off each other also.

(03-11-2011 11:05am)KPNuts Wrote:  Went to the new LR Experience at Luton Hoo last week to drive an Evoque. Was not expecting much as it is a new style of centre with man made "concrete" features. Had been to the Chilterns one twice before (Defender & RRS), but this was much better as the features are consistent and bordering on the limits of the vehicles.

There was only one "electronic glitch" . The instructor had it stationary with it balanced on Front OS & Rear NS wheels only. It was gently rocking back and forwards with at least 10 cm of air under each of the wheels off the ground. It took a lot of wheel spin to then get moving again. A large amount of smoke from the tyres and other instructors who were watching coming over the radio commenting on the fireworks Once we were back on stable ground on all 4 wheels, the Terrain Response cried enough. Drove around on more gentle stuff for about 5 mins allowing the various sensors to cool down and then the system reset. No further problems after that, even with my wife and I driving.

Great to hear about Luton Hoo as that has been recommended to me as the place to go to use my voucher. Did you have to book a long time in advance or do they have a few Evoques?

That's interesting as the Prestige I was driving doing the ramp exercise at Unleashed suffered a similar issue and was quickly and as discreetly as possible replaced with another car... in reality I doubt I'll ever do anything similar in my own Evoque!

Nice to see someone who enjoyed Luton Hoo. Every other review I've seen of it on Freel2.com, Disco4.com, etc has criticised the artificial nature and small size of the off road course. It's not a new style the other Experience Centres are still using natural off road courses with no plans I'm aware of to change.
Personally I'd prefer to do my 1/2 day on a natural off road course rather than an artificial one.

Each Experience Centre should have at least 2 Evoques. If you can go midweek they're likely to be less busy than at the weekend but there's still quite a wait I'm told.

Free vouchers from a Dealer include recipient and up to 2 guests. If all 3 drive then obviously the time each individual gets behind the wheel is reduced but it is still an enjoyable experience and I'm sure you'll learn something. I did at both Milton Keynes and East of England in my Freelander 2's.

(03-11-2011 02:53pm)wbessada Wrote:  Great to hear about Luton Hoo as that has been recommended to me as the place to go to use my voucher. Did you have to book a long time in advance or do they have a few Evoques?

We made the booking in mid September but they would only let us book to the end of October, so I guess a 6 week lead time. They have 2 Evoques, both 5dr Prestige SD4 Lux +. They seem to be speced to show most of the features/options and they wanted to demonstrate them all, despite us telling them we had one on order without certain features!

(03-11-2011 03:04pm)rchrdleigh Wrote:  Nice to see someone who enjoyed Luton Hoo. Every other review I've seen of it on Freel2.com, Disco4.com, etc has criticised the artificial nature and small size of the off road course. It's not a new style the other Experience Centres are still using natural off road courses with no plans I'm aware of to change.
Personally I'd prefer to do my 1/2 day on a natural off road course rather than an artificial one.

Each Experience Centre should have at least 2 Evoques. If you can go midweek they're likely to be less busy than at the weekend but there's still quite a wait I'm told.

Free vouchers from a Dealer include recipient and up to 2 guests. If all 3 drive then obviously the time each individual gets behind the wheel is reduced but it is still an enjoyable experience and I'm sure you'll learn something. I did at both Milton Keynes and East of England in my Freelander 2's.

They also have a small natural woodland section. Although the artificial section is compact, it has some very interesting sections that can easily be repeated so you can learn and learn again. I felt it was better than MK (Chilterns) because it was easier to repeat and also it appears the structures are closer to the limits of the vehicles because they are not being eroded. The "Snail" is an amazing training feature.

Apparently LRE South Korea is going to be modelled on this one! We were talking to the owner when we finished. He used to have the MK one but that has now closed down.