Learning is in the Discovery Experience

As a doting father to a two-year-old daughter, I try to minimise my use of negatives wherever possible. Words such as 'can't', 'don't' and 'no' tend to be controlled -- I want her to feel that anything is possible.

But right now, sat behind the wheel of a Land Rover Discovery SDV6 HSE, negatives are about all my mind can muster. In the passenger seat, Land Rover Experience chief instructor John Eggenhuizen has just told me to aim straight ahead. At a rut filled with knee-deep mud. Set at a 45 degree angle to the high side of the road. It can't be done, surely.

Calmly, John suggests I switch the Discovery's Terrain Response system to 'Mud and Ruts'; one of five pre-programmed vehicle settings that determine the Disco's stance. In seconds, ride height, throttle and gearbox response, differential locking percentages and stability programs are tuned to maximise my chances of crossing the utterly treacherous track.

I take the opportunity to select low-range gearing via another cockpit-mounted button.

“Our mantra is always, ‘Drive as slowly as possible and as fast as necessary’. Once into the ruts, I want you to crawl through, using no throttle or braking. And don’t steer! Just hold the wheel straight and you’ll get through,” he says.

At the first sense of slip, instinct dictates a steering correction.

“It’s the first mistake someone makes,” he laughs.

“Which direction are the ruts heading? Then why are you steering?”

It’s true; adding lock sees the Disco try to climb out of, rather than work within, the ruts. I relax and we pull through without a hint of wheelspin, admiring the centre screen’s 4x4i information display as we go. Think along the lines of a Nissan GT-Rs data display capability, but skewed towards differential locking percentages, wheel articulation and (optionally) ‘wade sense’, which uses mirror-mounted cameras to ascertain water depth.

I’m enjoying the Discovery’s breadth of capability as part of the Land Rover Experience. “It’s something that has been a large part of the Land Rover brand in the United Kingdom,” explains James Scrimshaw, of Land Rover Australia Public Affairs.

“We’ve based it off the UK program, but localised to Australian conditions and location.”

After a successful initial event in Sydney, that saw around 200 clients through the course over two days, the show moved down to the Melbourne 4x4 Training and Proving Ground facility in Werribee, Victoria.

“The experience is primarily targeted at current Land Rover product owners, who may have held that vehicle for three years and are looking to upgrade. It’s a great way for us to showcase the very latest models and technologies,” continues Scrimshaw.

“Additionally, it gives owners a rare opportunity to see just what their vehicles can do when they are off-road,” adds Eggenhuizen, who was trained at Land Rover’s UK centre prior to taking over the local equivalent.

It’s all done with a level of refinement you’d expect from the company that is seen as building the most prestigious off-road machines. As clients wait for their turn in the mud, in comfortable couches with a coffee and croissant in-hand, they are treated to the wide-eyed stories of those returning to the real world.

Meanwhile, I have 45 minutes to explore the specialised, 80-acre facility. After the initial shock of traversing the muddy ruts, John guides me through a series of slow-speed gravel turns, showing off the Discovery’s 11.45m turning circle.

It’s at this point that John points out my steering technique. Not being averse to crossing my arms, thus keeping my hands at ‘quarter to three’, John explains that the best off-road steering method is the old push/pull technique, which I adapt to surprisingly quickly; you can add lock more quickly than I expected.

Next, we inch into a creek bed using the hill holder. It’s an easy task for the Disco, which then ambles up-stream at just above idle, the wading sensors doing their job.

A steep, rocky climb beyond the stream demands ‘Rock Crawl’ mode is engaged. With the wet tyres, it is this mode’s ability to apply brake pressure at slow speeds (to further maximise traction) that is most welcome. This stuff is becoming easier…

Of course, John saves the best for last. He even jumps on the radio to tell any other nearby vehicles to clear out. Whether this is for dramatic effect or not, it scares me slightly, though not as much as the near-vertical climb that awaits me.

“We’re going to need some momentum here, so give it some gas,” he guides.

Low range, floor it and hang on.

The first thing I think is that, despite the Disco’s famed Command Driving Position, I’d love it my car had the space-age Discovery Concept vehicle’s clear ‘virtual’ bonnet because I can’t see anything except the sky.

Suddenly, we burst onto the peak, the Discovery locking its centre and (optional) rear differentials for maximum tractive effort.

Back at the ranch, I am blown away by the capability of these vehicles. In learning their limits (and yours) in a safe environment with an experienced hand to guide you, rather than up some remote bush track without a winch, Land Rover has struck gold.

OFF LIMITS
The Land Rover Experience (LRE) is still in its infancy Down Under.

"In the early stages we've been inviting current customers to the LRE days. They are chosen based on length of ownership," explains James Scrimshaw.

"There are no costs to the invitee."

The Land Rover team is presently refining the program, and will continue to run the experience at Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane locations throughout 2014.

At present, there is no facility for potential customers to attend such a day, although Scrimshaw suggests there will shortly be a "Land Rover Experience component" to the LR website, "where interested potential customers can express their interest."