Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In gear

Image Rex Features

Lisa Curtiss keeps us abreast of developments in the world of motorsport, and goes off-road with the new Land Rover

Le Mans return for Jaguar

British company looking to extend its tally of wins to eight in the famous competition

Jaguar has confirmed it will appear at the Le Mans 24 hours this year, lining up on the starting grid on 12 June with an XKR GT2 run by Jaguar RSR. With a total of seven wins between 1951 and 1990, Jaguar is the single most successful British car-maker in the race’s history, and this year marks the company’s 75th birthday.

In 1951, the C-type Jaguar won Le Mans at its first attempt, with a further victory in 1953. The D-type triumphed in 1955, 1956 and 1957, and the Jaguar XJR-9LM – a V12-powered Group C car – in 1988. The last outright victory came in 1990, with the XJR-12.

A safe bet

Volkswagen Golf is deemed the safest motor of 2009

For the first time ever, the Euro NCAP Institute in Brussels has compiled all its crash-test results for the year 2009 – and awarded the title of ‘Safest Car of the Year’ to the VW Golf. In total, 33 cars were tested under a new stricter and more extensive Euro NCAP crash-testing procedure. The Golf came out tops with 103 points, and the maximum five stars.

Spacious Sportage

Latest incarnation revealed at Geneva show

Making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show this month is Kia’s brand-new Sportage. It’s longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, with more space for people and cargo, and has been redesigned throughout to attract active family buyers looking for a good value, versatile and capable car.

Racing: the next generation

Junior Mansell and Senna make debuts in 2010

Nigel Mansell’s son and Ayrton Senna’s nephew aim to prove racing is in the blood this year. Bruno Senna will take his F1 bow with team Campos Meta, while Greg Mansell appears in the 2010 WSR Series for Comtec Racing, and alongside his father and brother Leo at Le Mans.

F1 2010

Team and driver line-up*

McLaren
Jenson Button,
Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes GP
Michael Schumacher,
Nico Rosberg
Red Bull
Sebastian Vettel,
Mark Webber
Ferrari
Felipe Massa,
Fernando Alonso
Williams
Rubens Barrichello,
Nico Hulkenberg
Renault
Robert Kubica,
Vitaly Petrov
Force India
Adrian Sutil,
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Toro Rosso
Sebastien Buemi,
Jaime Alguersuari
Lotus F1
Jarno Trulli,
Heikki Kovalainen
Virgin Racing
Timo Glock,
Lucas di Grassi
Campos Meta 1
Bruno Senna
US F1
Jose Maria Lopez
Sauber
Kamui Kobayashi,
Pedro de la Rosa

March diary

Dates to look out for this month

4-14 Geneva Motor Show, Palexpo Exhibition Centre
5-7 FIA WTCC Brazilian Grand Prix, Curitiba
5-7 FIA World Rally Championship: Rally Mexico, Leo
14 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir
25-27 British Rally Championship: International Rally North Wales, Wales
28 F1 Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne

TESTDRIVE LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4

Despite consistently trouncing rivals at motor awards throughout the world, Land Rover’s quest for 4×4 perfection continues

Given its impeccable pedigree, you’d expect the Discovery 4 to be tough as old boots, family friendly and able to tow and carry the bulkiest of cargo. What might surprise you, though, is just how good it is on the road.

Looks-wise, the first striking thing is how much it resembles the Range Rover. Hardly a bad thing, especially considering the €20,000 price difference (Discovery 4s start at €31,000). But while it’s still boxy, substantial and purposeful-looking, some subtle exterior changes – a new front grill, bumper and LED lights – seem to have given the Discovery a glossier, more expensive air.

The interior has been redesigned, too. A new dash, seats and centre console add to the luxury feel, but are as durable and practical as ever – perfect for farm or family use. The all-terrain button remains, enabling even nervous off-road novices a foolproof way of selecting the optimum setup to cope with the demands of the terrain. New gadgets include cameras that give you a 360° view around the car: incredibly useful when negotiating obstacle-strewn off-road terrain. And for those with caravans, livestock or show ponies to transport, there’s an on-screen function designed to help you manoeuvre when towing.

If there were minor gripes about the Discovery 3, they were directed at its lack of on-road finesse. But thanks to revised suspension and aerodynamics, enhanced traction and stability control, the Discovery 4 is a well-mannered, enjoyable and smooth cruiser. There’s a new Jaguar Land Rover-designed three-litre turbo, in addition to the 2.7, with reductions in KPG and emissions (down just under 10%).

Tackling tough off-road routes on my test drive, I can’t imagine this car being beaten by any terrain it might come across in everyday use. I’ve enjoyed serious off-roading in Land Rovers for years now, and continue to be impressed at just how capable these cars are. The Discovery 4 is no exception.

To sum up, then, the best car in its class just got better.

Spec

Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0
TDV6 HSE

Displacement
2993 cc

Maximum power output
180KW

Maximum torque
599Nm

Top speed
180 km/h

0-100km/h
acceleration 9.6 secs

Leave a Reply