Land Rover is one of the most famous vehicle brands around the world that specialise in luxury cars. It gained prominence ever since its introduction in the 1940s and now has become an icon for the United Kingdom. Run by the British manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover, it is owned by Tata Motors of India for well over a decade. In this article, we look at some of the fantastic facts regarding this brand.
Second World War connection
The times during which Land Rovers were originated was nothing short of a miracle. After the Second World War, the British economy was going through a tough time, and the government had applied several taxes and guarantees regarding vehicle exporting to ensure they are used by the manufacturers. Another hurdle during the 1940s was the low supply of steel and inflated prices. Two brothers, Spencer and Maurice Wilks started working on the design and were inspired by the original version of Jeep. They even used the Jeep’s chassis and axles for the prototype, which was the only vehicle they had on their farm. The aim was to come up with a stronger and efficient car that can work comfortably in farms and at the same times, run fast on the roads. Hence the term Land Rover was introduced.
Received all three Royal Warrants
Within a couple of years of its inception, Land Rover was able to gain the attention of the British Royal family. In 1951, it was granted a first Royal Warrant by King George VI in 1951. Land Rover provided the first bespoke state review car for the King and has ever since been the preferred vehicle for the Royal Family. It is one of the only two automotive companies that have all the three Royal Warrants from Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. It allows companies to promote the fact that they are associated with the Buckingham Palace. But it is also rumoured that not just publicity, but the queen prefers Land Rovers and has driven the cars for several years.
Used for military purposes
Land Rover Series II and III and Defender have become synonymous with the army usage around the world. These designs use aluminium as the core material, which means longer resistance in corrosive conditions and strength against strokes. It is most commonly used by the British Army and other Commonwealth countries such as Italy, Iraq, and Pakistan for patrol duties, although they are known by different names in each location. It was frequently used until recently, but due to the bomb attacks and mines, various armies are now trying to replace them. As of today, they still have a useful role and will take years to come up with an alternative vehicle that performs tasks in a variety of conditions.
Detailed attention on off-road functions
The first land rover design was very different from what we are used to today. It had a steering wheel in the middle, just like the jeeps in the late 1940s. Both the brothers lived on a farm in Anglesey Wales and required a vehicle that can help them work on the farm, as there were no proper roads nearby. Although they did take into account the car’s efficiency on the streets. Initially, hurdle clearance was focused upon in detail, and the recent models have just improved the designs for hurdle crossing purposes by introducing height-adjustable air suspension. It also focused on crossing the muds and water with working as a tractor. The modern cars can pass through 900mm of water without being a burden on the engine.
Introduced the first monster truck
It may not come as a shock that Land Rover was the company that introduced the world’s first monster trucks. It was the British Forestry Commission that required a vehicle that was quickly able to move through muddy and swampy land, and it was the Land Rover that came up with the innovative model to fulfil the requirements. The design included a lighter upper body with large tractor tires along with the axels with increased efficiency.
A symbol of adventure
With their stubborn design and strength, these cars have long been seen as the primary vehicles for exploring and adventure. Land Rovers were the first cars to win the world’s famous Dakar Rally in France and were a leader in crossing the Darian Gap. Oxford and Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition was a competition sponsored by Land Rovers in which students of Oxbridge travelled from London to Singapore. For almost two decades, beginning the 1980’s the company provided vehicles for the famous Land Rover Olympics of 4×4 cars. In this race, the team of two people based on their nationalities had to travel thousands of miles around the world going through adverse landscape and weather to win the ultimate prize. It is no surprise that the population in remote areas prefer buying land rovers over other cars because of their multi-purpose qualities.
Multiple owners over the years
Initially, it was part of the Rover Company where the two brothers Spencer and Maurice worked but became a part of Rover Triumph division once the Leyland Motor Company took over in 1967. Due to the difficulties faced by the parent company, it was separated as Land Rover Company since 1978. BMW bought Land Rover in 1994 and tried to integrate it within their brand. A few years later, they sold Land Rover to Ford Motor Company, and it became part of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group after the acquisition of £6 million. In 2007 Ford announced that it would sell the Jaguar and Land Rover and Tata Motors India entered a successful bid of £1.7 billion a year later to buy both the brands along with three other lesser known trademarks.

Land Rovers have increased in quality and fame over the years; it shows in the record total annual sales results in 2018 which went up 1.2% to 180833 and with the innovative design and purposes, this number is predicted to go up in the coming years.

Many people dream about driving a Formula One car. The speed, the danger, the exhilaration and not forgetting that top-of-the-line car. Is there any more exciting, more desirable motorsport to be involved with?

However, there are a couple of things standing in most people’s way. Formula One is a very expensive sport to get into for starters. The cars require rocket-scientist levels of knowledge and understanding to drive, and many years of experience built through thousands of laps climbing the karting ranks. And that car, it’s never really yours to drive away. And if you did, would you really trust yourself behind the wheel of a car with an engine alone that costs a cool £6m to replace if you prang it?

Nope, driving a real F1 motor is a bit of a pipe dream for most people. But is there a way you can experience the drive of a lifetime in a Formula One car without needing years’ worth of racing experience and a six figure bank balance to pay for it? If you fancy yourself as a bit of a Lewis Hamilton then here’s how you might just be able to get your kicks without the risks.

Try Out An F1 Car Simulator

If you want to experience the thrill of getting behind the wheel of a real Formula One car, then your best bet is an F1 car simulator. Used by driving professionals and driving professional-wannabes alike, these car simulators give you as realistic a taste of what it’s really like to be on the grid in an F1 race as you’re ever likely to get away from the real thing. With a choice of the some of world’s best cars and all the world’s best F1 tracks to choose from including Monza, Barcelona, Silverstone, Imola, Nürbürgring and SPA Francorchamps, these racing set-ups give you the occupant an uber realistic feel of not just the exhilaration, but the track surface, and drive feel, and the cockpit too.

With throttles and brakes as sophisticated and sensitive as the real-deal, these car simulators respond in highly realistic ways, letting the occupant really feel the track surface in just the same way as a real F1 car. Thankfully though, if you spin off and get a prang in one of these beautiful marvels of engineering, you won’t incur the hefty bills of an F1 team!

Built to exactly the same specification as the real cars, these simulators have state of the art technology which gives such a realistic racing experience that they are used for practices by real Formula One race teams. The highly-developed, sophisticated software, full force feedback steering systems and fully adjustable pedal boxes, make the experience every bit as thrilling and all-consuming as a real F1 ride. Add in the sound pack that recreates an ultra realistic soundtrack to the drive and probably the only thing that tells you’re not actually racing around Silverstone or Monte Carlo, is the fact you’re not getting hammered by rain! Oh, and the fact that if you spin off on one of these tracks, you won’t be left with bumps and bruises. They can even be set up so that you can race alongside your mates or colleagues, so you can put your money where your mouth is, and test out who genuinely is the best driver amongst you!

Get Behind the Wheel on a Formula One Driving Experience

Or if a simulator isn’t enough to satisfy your F1 dreams, then how about an F1 driving experience? These experience days allow you to jump into the cockpit of a single seater Formula F1000 car, capable of going from 0 – 100mph in 4.75 seconds and, after a safety briefing, and a couple of circuit demonstrations where you’ll learn some of the best racing lines, it’s your turn to take the wheel and feel the thrill of being an F1 driver for a few laps of the race track! Or try out a Formula Renault car, similar to those driven by some of the world’s best F1 drivers on their way through the racing ranks, and get an experience you’ll never forget. You might not get up to their speeds, but you’ll still be able to feel the thrill of putting F1 pedal to the metal.

F1 2-seater Driving Experience

If you want the thrill of the ride without the responsibility of actually driving the F1 car, then an F1x2 or F1x3 driving experience might be just the thing for you. If you can find a location that has one of these very special modified two or three-seater F1 cars, and a driver who knows how to get the top speeds out of every corner, then you’re in for an eye-wateringly breathtaking ride! Hold on to your hats though as there is no back seat driving in these cars. It’s full speed all the way. There’s not many of these cars around though. The F1x2, a two-seater F1 car, based on a 1998 Tyrell 026, was only introduced in 2018 to give fans the chance to experience what a lap around an F1 track at race speeds was really like. Are you ready for that acceleration?

• Fully adjustable seating and pedal position
• Online leaderboard
• Professional race software
• Full force feedback steering system
• Realistic quick release F1 steering wheel
• HD driver monitor and spectator screens
• Full surround sound system
• Top Gear leaderboard
• Fully trained lap coaches and event managers
• Formula One backdrops

We deliver your event just the way you want it. Whether you’re looking for a historic Formula One race with Senna and Sterling Moss at the wheel – or wanting to race the very latest Formula One cars, the range of races we can deliver is easily the best in the market.

Couple that with an abundance of all the Grand Prix circuits around the world, with us, you have the power to build your very own motorsport event that is truly unforgettable.

Being a good driver means always ensuring that you are on top of things. Your car maintenance should be no different. Checking that your car’s engine has everything it needs in order to operate effectively and efficiently is crucial if you want to drive safely and keep your car’s performance at optimum levels.

One of the things that you must keep in mind therefore, are the fluid levels. A formula one car requires several different fluids to run smoothly and these must be checked often to keep them at the required levels.

If the brake fluid is depleted, your brakes will not be applied with the necessary force, which can be extremely dangerous. If the engine oil is low, your car’s engine will not be adequately lubricated and wear and tear will occur to essential components, meaning damage and the cost of repair. As a car owner, you must always ensure that these fluids are checked and maintained at peak levels at all times.

Even if your car does not have a Formula One engine, running it with anything less than optimum fluid levels can lead to things going wrong which can be not only expensive to fix, but which will make driving extremely dangerous.

Therefore, here are a few precautions you should take in order to ensure that your car fluids are as they should be;

Engine oil

Oil reduces friction and keeps your engine running smoothly. At least once a month, and ideally more often, you should therefore check your engine’s oil level, and ensure that it isn’t contaminated in which case it will need changing. Before checking your car’s oil levels, always make sure that the engine is cold, or has been off for at least 10 minutes.

Locate the engine oil compartment cap, then remove and wipe the dipstick clean with a lint-free rag. Re-insert it back into the tube for a reading of the oil levels. The stick usually has the normal levels indicated, and may have a marker for levels below which you need to add more oil. If the levels are too low, do not drive the car before replenishing it. You can buy usually oil from petrol stations, car supply shops and supermarkets. Just make sure you buy the correct type of oil for your car. Look online if you are not sure which type your make and model of car needs.

When refilling the oil, do not try and add it into the tiny tube the dipstick sits in. Locate the screw-off cap for the main engine oil compartment.

One other thing you should also keep in mind with your engine oil is that it requires changing frequently, as per the car’s service schedules. Keep these schedules and never miss a changing date as it is crucial for the smooth running of your vehicle. If your oil looks dirty or smells of petrol, it may be contaminated and need changing. Ask your mechanic for advice if you are not sure.

Coolant

Coolant, or anti-freeze, is what helps your vehicle not to overheat. Overheating can be devastating to a car’s engine so it has a very important purpose. You can easily check on the levels of your coolant by looking at the plastic and clear container that is near the radiator. If you ever find this liquid going below the required minimum line, refill it immediately with a 50 x 50 mixture of anti-freeze solution and water.

Mixing it like this helps it operate better and last longer as well. Plus, in case of snowy and cold conditions, it will still be able to operate as required.

Power steering fluid

This is a small tank that is usually located near the firewall which is at the base of the windshield. The level of this fluid should be in between the maximum and minimum levels in order for your car to operate effectively.

This may be a fluid that most people never remember to check on, but it is extremely important for your steering wheel to operate properly. Check on it every now and then, and keep it at the recommended levels.

Brake fluid

You may have heard of accidents that have happened as a result of the brakes failing? This is very common, and it usually happens when brake fluid levels have been depleted. It is extremely important to always check on these levels to ensure that your car will save your life when you need to slam on the brakes suddenly.

Brake fluid is usually in a clear reservoir that is marked with maximum and minimum levels. You should ensure that either you, or your mechanic, check on these levels frequently, and, if it is low, get your entire system checked out before refilling. This is because there could be a leak of the fluid, or the brake pads may be worn out already, and this will mean you need to replace them or have them repaired. Do not ever refill the brake fluids before you have had them checked to determine why they are low in the first place.

Washer fluid

This is the fluid you use to clean your windshield when the weather changes or when it is dirty. It is important to always ensure that you have this fluid topped up at all times because you never know when you will need to clean the windshield.

The rule is to always keep it full because this will ensure that you aren’t taken by surprise and left driving with poor visibility.

Conclusion

When inspecting all of these fluids, do not forget to check on the tyres. Check their pressure and ensure you top up with air if they are low on pressure. It’s also important to keep up your checks and services with your mechanics to ensure that your car is running at optimum performance at all times.

Vehicles are extremely sensitive and they need constant care for them to run as required. Never ignore any warning lights on your dashboard and report them to your garage if you cannot remedy them yourself. This is especially important if you want your car to last for the long-term and don’t want costly repairs at MOT time.