Land Rover Offers New Generation of Drivers an Off-Road Challenge
Car company puts teens to the test with off-road trek that teaches them how to navigate on-board tech while hitting the trails in the ultimate rig.
Land Rover North America has launched a new program to aimed at younger drivers, and future Jaguar and Land Rover drivers. The Land Rover Teen Drive Experience is a custom off-road driving instruction program for teens ages 14 and older at Land Rover Experience Centers across America. The program helps young drivers develop and build defensive driving skills in a controlled environment. There is a strong focus on off-roading, and as such it is a great opportunity for drivers to appreciate the thrill of going off the beaten path.
And, let’s face it, learning to hone your driving skills behind the wheels of a new Land Rover is just the coolest. It certainly beats the mom station wagon, minivans, and Chevelles many of us were driving in high school.
To help kick off the program, Land Rover brought in world champion snowboarder and adrenaline junkie Chris Corning.
“The Land Rover Teen Drive Experience was a really great time,” said Corning. “As someone who has had some off-road driving experience, the extended session provided me with some fun, new challenges, while refining the skills I have learned in the past. I think teens are going to have a blast with this experience.”
“We are very excited to extend our Land Rover driving experience to teen drivers,” said Kim McCullough, Vice President of Marketing, Jaguar Land Rover North America. “Providing expert instruction, in a controlled environment, to young drivers will help them develop good driving habits both on- and off-road. This is also a fun and engaging way to introduce them to the world of Land Rover.”
Land Rover Experience Centers give drivers the chance to drive in the great outdoors and learn off-road skills; as well as test how Land Rover vehicles, both current and former, handles the environment. Teens participating get behind the wheel of a Range Rover Evoque or Land Rover Discovery Sport on a special course designed for beginner drivers.
Land Rovers used at the experience have been fitted with custom cameras on-board to monitor activity, and include an additional brake pedal on the passenger side–just like Driver’s Ed. A certified Land Rover Experience instructor will be in the passenger seat at all times, providing instruction and guidance for even the most novice drivers.
The Teen Drive Experience is a one-hour session that includes Familiarization, Setting Off, and Low-Level Obstacles:
- Familiarization includes setting up and adjusting controls such as the seat, steering wheel, seat belt fitting, mirrors, developing awareness of blind spots, checking doors for secure closure and checking safety of other occupants.
- Setting Off includes developing spatial awareness and making sure the participant is comfortable with steering, braking, vehicle spacing, throttle and acceleration.
- Low-Level Obstacles are developed specifically for the program, including an ascent and decline hill, slalom, figure eight, cones, low articulations, braking obstacles, and backing up for garage parking.
It is a great opportunity to learn all the on-board tech, tips from the pros, and–above all else–go off-road in a Land Rover.
To participate, drivers must be at least 14 years of age and reach the minimum height requirement of 4’8” tall. No previous driving experience is necessary. All driving will be contained to a specially designed area within the Land Rover Experience Center closed course, and a parent or guardian must be present in order for a teen to participate.
The Teen Drive Experience begins this fall at at all three U.S. Land Rover Experience Centers: Quail Lodge in Carmel, CA; Equinox Resort in Manchester, VT; and Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.
Check out the program, and the drivers, in action.
Photos: Jaguar Land Rover
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