Heels & Horsepower Magazine

James Bond stunt driver Mark Higgins enjoys victory at Bowler Defender Challenge

By H&H Admin

Higgins has been at the wheel in the last four James Bond films, including No Time To Die (2021)

Mark Higgins and co-driver Claire Williams won the North Wales leg of the 2022 Defender Bowler Challenge in Dolgellau in a time of 55 minutes and 12 seconds. The duo finished one minute and 41 seconds ahead of their nearest rival.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise, a Land Rover Defender 90 with a unique 007 livery made a winning one-off appearance in the Defender Bowler Challenge in Dolgellau, Wales, driven by Bond stunt driver and rally champion Mark Higgins.

The one-off Bowler Defender 90 featured a special 007 60th logo on its roof and sides in a trademark satin black and gold finish, with a host of performance and competition upgrades by the team at Bowler.

Watch here:

Lira and Bryan Habana join forces with Kingsley Holgate to deliver meals in South Africa

By H&H Admin

Global Land Rover ambassador Kingsley Holgate and well-known local Land Rover ambassadors musician Lira and rugby legend Bryan Habana recently embarked on an 8 day adventure to deliver food parcels to an early childhood development centre in Thembisa, Johannesburg.

What started as an objective to deliver 200,000 meals to impoverished South African communities during national lockdown in 2020, has become one of the Kingsley Holgate Foundation’s biggest ever humanitarian successes with the total tally now reaching more than 2-million meals over the past two years.

The mission was captured in a short film under the banner of #TeamDefender which is an initiative to build a community of like-minded people, who aspire to go above and beyond to make more of their world.

Kingsley Holgate, said: “When we set off almost two years ago on our Mzansi Edge expedition – an 8-day, 16,000km journey to track the land borders of South Africa, we set a target of 200,000 meal deliveries to families in rural areas bordering game reserves that were suffering losses of income due to the pandemic. By the end of the expedition in December 2020, we had surpassed our goal and delivered 250,000 meals in the form of nutritious porridge.”

Award-winning vocalist Lira, said: I may have only played a small part in the 2-million meal accomplishment, but charity and volunteering are close to my heart. Witnessing the joy that Kingsley and his team have brought to millions of people for many decades first hand has left me with an immense sense of pride. I encourage anyone to seek new experiences and find the courage it takes to make more of their world.”

Former Springbok Bryan Habana, said: “It’s a privilege to use my role as a Land Rover ambassador to give back, and I’m honoured to have joined Kingsley and his team for part of his latest expedition. The work his Foundation has done throughout the pandemic is of massive importance to communities in South Africa, and I bid him and his team farewell as they leave Mzansi’s borders to continue humanitarian efforts across Africa and into Europe.”

Kingsley Holgate’s year-long Defender Transcontinental expedition promises to be one of his most challenging geographic and humanitarian journeys to date. The expedition involves a 30,000km journey through 30 countries from the southern tip of the African continent to the most northern point of Europe, and then on to the birthplace of Land Rover at the mystical Isle of Anglesey in Wales.

It will be the first real-life expedition test for Land Rover’s new Defenders outside of South African borders, across two continents and over some of the most extreme terrain on Earth, undertaken by an experienced team that has already completed 39 gruelling expeditions to every country on the African continent and beyond – many of them world-firsts.

Humanitarian objectives for the Defender Transcontinental expedition include eye tests and reading glasses for the elderly in remote areas, the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to mothers and children, the delivery of two million meals to creches, educational conservation work near elephant and rhino populations, and the supply of water to communities with water shortages.

Watch the film featuring Lira, Bryan Habana and the Holgates here:

New state-of-the-art Jaguar Land Rover dealership opens in Bryanston

By H&H Admin

After several months of renovations, the Jaguar Land Rover Bryanston dealership has re-opened featureing a state-of-the-art look and features.

The well-known Jaguar Bryanston dealership at the corner of William Nicol and Peter Place has undergone a complete renovation and reopened as a dual-brand retailer selling and servicing both Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

First opened in 1999, the dealership has serviced Jaguar customers in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs for more than 20 years.

The facility was closed temporarily in October 2020 for refurbishments, and has re-emerged as a new, 7,000 square meter premises to continue delivering world-class experiences to customers in the area.

The new dealership’s 1,300 square metre showroom floor is large enough to showcase 20 new and approved pre-owned vehicles, and visitors can relax or work in a comfortable lounge area complete with a complimentary coffee barista.

A delivery bay adjacent to the showroom offers an intimate and private atmosphere for the handover of customers’ new luxury vehicles.

The site’s overhauled service centre is equipped with 22 workshop bays and lifts, including areas dedicated for Jaguar Land Rover’s growing selection of electrified vehicles.

The spacious parking area is also prepared for the future of emissions-free motoring with two dedicated electric vehicle (EV) parking bays with 22kW AC charging stations. These chargers are available to the public with any EV or plug-in hybrid vehicle during business hours.

New Range Rover pricing announced

By H&H Admin

Land Rover has announced pricing for the new Range Rover which will be officially launched in South Africa midway through 2022.

The fifth-generation Range Rover will be available with four, five or seven-seat interiors together with Standard and Long Wheelbase body designs. The new luxury SUV will come in a choice of HSE, Autobiography and flagship SV trim levels, while a unique First Edition will be sold throughout the first year of production. The First Edition is based on the Autobiography and will be available exclusively in a Sunset Gold Satin finish, among a choice of five other exterior colours. 

Three powertrain options will include advanced six- and eight-cylinder engines, including a new Extended Range Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). 

The New Range Rover is the first Land Rover to be powered by a new 4.4-litre V8 engine, badged P530 in reference to its output in horsepower. This engine produces 390kW and 750Nm of torque, and powers the SUV from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds with Dynamic Launch engaged, and to a top speed of 250km/h.

A powerful D350 3.0-litre straight-six turbodiesel produces 257kW and 700Nm of torque, and propels the New Range Rover from 0-100km/h in 6.1s. 

The new Extended Range P510e PHEV combines the inherent refinement of Land Rover’s 375kW in-line six-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine, with a 38.2kWh lithium-ion battery and a 105kW electric motor integrated with the transmission. Together, the powertrain provides up to 113km of near-silent pure-electric driving and with instantaneous electric torque the new P510e accelerates from 0-100km/h in 5.6s.

New Range Rover pricing:

D350 HSE Standard Wheelbase                                  R2,861,000

P530 HSE Standard Wheelbase                                  R3,026,000

D350 Autobiography Standard Wheelbase                R3,310,000

P530 Autobiography Standard Wheelbase                 R3,475,000

P510e Autobiography Standard Wheelbase               R3,527,000

D350 First Edition Standard Wheelbase                     R3,434,000

P530 First Edition Standard Wheelbase                      R3,581,000

P510e First Edition Standard Wheelbase                    R3,582,000

D350 Autobiography Long Wheelbase                       R3,392,000

P530 Autobiography Long Wheelbase                        R3,557,000

D350 First Edition Long Wheelbase                            R3,516,000

P530 First Edition Long Wheelbase                             R3,663,000

D350 Autobiography Long Wheelbase 7-seats           R3,422,000

P530 Autobiography Long Wheelbase 7-seats           R3,587,000

D350 SV Standard Wheelbase                                     R3,857,000

P530 SV Standard Wheelbase                                     R3,920,000

P510e SV Standard Wheelbase                                   R3,962,000

D350 SV Long Wheelbase                                           R4,279,000

P530 SV Long Wheelbase                                           R4,343,000

* Prices include VAT but exclude CO2 tax.

The New Range Rover will be launched in South Africa toward the middle of 2022. All Land Rover vehicles come with standard 5-year/100,000km Land Rover Care Warranty and Maintenance Plans.

Land Rover and World Rugby go Above & Beyond for Rugby World Cup 2023

Press Release: Land Rover South Africa

Land Rover and World Rugby will together write the next chapter of their successful relationship as Land Rover was confirmed as the fifth Worldwide Partner for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

To celebrate, Land Rover rugby ambassadors Dimitri Yachvili and Bryan Habana were joined by Land Rover’s first child mascot for the tournament, eight-year-old Arthur from Paris.  

Since becoming a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup in 2015, Land Rover has inspired thousands of children from all over the world through its extensive grassroots activities and Rugby World Cup mascot programme, allowing young rugby fans to join the team captains on the pitch ahead of every match.  

Reflecting the joint commitment of Land Rover and World Rugby to a more sustainable future, the Rugby World Cup 2023 mascots will be known as ‘Land Rover Defenders of Tomorrow’ and will form a key element of the global Land Rover campaign. They will be selected for their passion and commitment to changing their world for the better.

Arthur was selected through Land Rover France’s long-term partnership with France’s Top 14 competition. He plays rugby for Racing club Asnières (sur Seine) near Paris. 

Arthur said: “I am really excited to be the first Land Rover Defender of Tomorrow. I can’t wait for the Rugby World Cup 2023 to be in France, and to tell all of my friends at my rugby club that I am going to be on the pitch!”

Here are the powertrains available within the incoming Range Rover

The new Range Rover SV is an exquisite interpretation of Range Rover luxury and personalisation, handcrafted by Special Vehicle Operations

Press Release: Land Rover South Africa

The new Range Rover maintains its compelling combination of effortless performance and peerless refinement with a comprehensive line-up of advanced six- and eight-cylinder powertrains. Spearheading Land Rover’s Reimagine strategy, a pure-electric model will join the family in 2024, bringing full-time zero tailpipe emissions driving to the Range Rover for the first time.  

In South Africa the new Range Rover will be available in a choice of new Extended Range Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrains, the P440e and P510e, and the Ingenium diesel D350 engine. A powerful new petrol flagship – the P530 Twin Turbo V8 – delivers increased refinement and performance and is 17 percent more efficient than the previous Range Rover V8.

The new Range Rover is the first Land Rover to be powered by a new 4.4-litre V8 engine, which deploys two parallel twin-scroll turbos – one for each cylinder bank – to minimise turbo lag and optimise efficiency. The new engine produces 390kW and 750Nm of torque, and powers the new Range Rover from 0-100km/h in 4.6s with Dynamic Launch engaged, and to a top speed of 250km/h.

The powerful D350 diesel produces 257kW and 700Nm of torque, and powers new Range Rover from 0-100km/h in 6.1s. 

The new Extended-Range PHEVs combine the inherent refinement of Land Rover’s in-line six-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine, in a choice of 323kW or 375kW outputs, with a 38.2kWh lithium-ion battery – with usable capacity of 31.8kWh – and a 105kW electric motor integrated with the transmission. Together, the powertrain provides up to 100km of near-silent pure-electric driving. With instantaneous electric torque the new P510e (375kW) accelerates from 0-100km/h in 5.6s.

The state-of-the-art PHEVs can reach up to 140km/h allowing customers to enjoy the new Range Rover as an EV-only model for most journeys in town and country, with overall CO2 emissions lower than 30g/km9. Typical Range Rover customers will be able to complete up to 75 percent of trips using electric power only6 if they begin each journey with a full charge. The clever packaging of the battery, beneath the vehicle and within the wheelbase, ensures both luggage space and all-terrain capability are uncompromised.

The use of advanced eHorizon navigation data also allows the hybrid system to optimise energy usage across a journey, to provide a peaceful arrival at a destination on electric power, while also optimising EV usage for travel in low emissions zones. 

All powertrains are driven through a smooth and responsive eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and twin-speed transmission, which provide a set of low-range ratios essential for towing or off-road driving when more control is required. 

The new Range Rover will be launched in South Africa toward the middle of 2022 with pricing to be available closer to the time.

Land Rover goes to town with new Discovery Metropolitan Edition

by H&h Admin

Land Rover has strengthened the appeal of the Discovery with the introduction of a new special edition.

The new Metropolitan Edition represents the pinnacle of the Discovery family and builds on the purposeful R-Dynamic HSE specification with Bright Atlas detailing for the grille and Discovery lettering. This is complemented by Hakuba Silver lower bumper inserts, 22-inch Diamond Turned alloy wheels with Gloss Grey detailing, Black Land Rover brake calipers, Privacy Glass and a Sliding Panoramic Roof.

Featuring a suite of technologies to enhance the comfort and convenience provided by Land Rover’s seven-seat family SUV, the new Metropolitan Edition is equipped with features standard features such as a Head-up Display, heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, a front cooler compartment and four-zone climate control. The cabin is enhanced with Titanium Mesh trim detailing.

The introduction of the Metropolitan Edition brings a new level of premium appeal to the Land Rover Discovery.

Finbar McFall, Land Rover Brand Director

Sitting at the top of the Discovery line-up, the new Metropolitan Edition provides a host of exterior upgrades and a generous standard specification. It is available with a choice of powertrains, with the powerful P360 Ingenium petrol featuring 48V Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology or the efficient D300 Ingenium diesel.

Elsewhere in the line-up, the R-Dynamic model now features a Gloss Black Contrast Roof as standard. The Discovery remains the most capable and versatile full-sized SUV, with best-in-class 3,500kg towing capacity and Advanced Tow Assist technology, which takes the stress out of difficult reversing manoeuvres.

The Discovery family is also available with Land Rover’s advanced Cabin Air Purification with PM2.5 air filtration1, which monitors air quality inside and filters out harmful particulates for a healthier interior environment.

“The introduction of the Metropolitan Edition brings a new level of premium appeal to the Land Rover Discovery. The special edition model represents the flagship of the line-up and builds on the appeal of the R-Dynamic specification with exterior design enhancements and a suite of convenience-boosting technologies,said Finbar McFall, Land Rover Brand Director.

The Land Rover Discovery Metropolitan Edition will be introduced in South Africa in the first half of 2022 and we will share pricing as soon as it becomes available to us.

New Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition inspired by ‘No Time To Die’

Land Rover SV Bespoke has created a new Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition to celebrate the 25th James Bond film, No Time To Die, ahead of its world premiere later this month.

Land Rover SV Bespoke has created a new Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition to celebrate the 25th James Bond film, No Time To Die, ahead of its world premiere later this month.

Available to order as a Defender 110 or 90 and inspired by the specification of the Defenders that appear in No Time To Die, the stealthy Defender V8 Bond Edition features an Extended Black Pack with 22-inch Luna Gloss Black alloy wheels, signature Xenon Blue front brake calipers and a ‘Defender 007’ rear badge. 

The bespoke touches extend to the practical interior, with illuminated ‘Defender 007’ treadplates and a specially developed touchscreen start-up animation for the intuitive Pivi Pro infotainment system that honours Land Rover’s long partnership with the James Bond franchise. At night, customers will also spot unique ‘007’ puddle lamp graphics.

Exclusively available to just 300 buyers around the world, the Defender V8 Bond Edition’s interior features laser etching detailing that it is ‘one of 300’ and the SV Bespoke logo. Each vehicle is commissioned by the vehicle personalisation experts at SV Bespoke in the UK.

 

“The Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition is an exclusive take on the most powerful production Defender ever made, inspired by vehicles on screen in No Time To Die. It represents a meeting of two great British brands and is a unique celebration of Land Rover’s 38-year association with James Bond,” said Finbar McFall, Land Rover Brand Director.

Defenders are at the heart of the action in No Time To Die alongside two Range Rover Sport SVRs. A Range Rover Classic and Land Rover Series III are also in the film, which will be released in cinemas around the world from 30 September 2021. 

 

Based on the recently launched Defender V8, the Bond Edition is powered by a 5.0-litre 386kW supercharged petrol engine, which produces 625Nm of torque and drives through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Defender V8 90 accelerates from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 240km/h. 

It delivers new levels of performance and driver engagement by combining the V8 with expertly developed suspension and transmission tuning to create the fastest and most dynamically rewarding Defender yet. 

Exclusivity is guaranteed with only five Defender V8 Bond Editions destined for the South African market.

No Time To Die is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his fifth and final film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007. The film will be released in South African cinemas from 1 October.

Here’s What you Need To Know About The New Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover has announced the South African debut of the new Discovery. 

Land Rover has announced the South African debut of the new Discovery. The versatile family SUV features an enhanced interior and exterior, and is now smarter and better connected with cutting edge technologies.

Captivating New Looks

The new Discovery delivers a bold exterior evolution with new signature LED headlights and a daytime running light signature set lower into the units.  Animated sweeping front and rear indicators now provide heightened visual sophistication while body-colour front fender vents accentuate the premium SUV’s familiar waistline. 

A revised front bumper now features a wider body-coloured graphic and at the rear, a new Gloss Black panel with the trademark Discovery script is positioned between the tail lights. 

 
New R-Dynamic Model

A new R-Dynamic model brings a more assertive character with a series of unique design elements, including Gloss Black and Shadow Atlas exterior accents on the outside and two-tone leather and contrast seat stitching on the inside. 

R-Dynamic models include Premium LED headlights which produce a colour of light that is closer to daylight, helping drivers distinguish objects more easily and help to reduce driver fatigue. Driving at night or in poor visibility is made easier by Auto High Beam Assist (AHBA) which automatically switches on and headlights and dip for oncoming traffic.

 
Creature Comforts
  1. An optional Hands-free Gesture Tailgate can detect the wave of a foot beneath the rear bumper to open the boot while the Powered Inner Tailgate restrains loose items and doubles as a handy bench. 
  2. Intelligent Seat Fold technology allows customers to effortlessly configure the seating layout using the central touchscreen, while Remote app technology lets customers keep tabs on the fuel status and location of their vehicle and even unlock and lock the doors.
  3. Land Rover’s new second-generation Activity Key is also available and features touchscreen controls, a digital watch and can lock, unlock and start the vehicle as an addition to the conventional fob.
  4. ClearSight Ground View technology, provides drivers with a view of the obscured ground directly beneath the front of the vehicle using the central touchscreen and a combination of forward-facing cameras. The clever feature is the realisation of Land Rover’s futuristic transparent bonnet concept and supports the driver when negotiating steep off-road inclines or hidden urban obstacles.
 
Powertrains and Models

Two new 3.0-litre straight-six Ingenium engines, both petrol and diesel, are introduced with the petrol version featuring 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology for enhanced efficiency, performance and smoothness.   This powerful P360 powertrain offers outputs of 265kW and 500Nm, and provides a 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds. 

The new D300 six-cylinder Ingenium diesel features lightweight aluminium construction and replaces the previous SD4 and SDV6 diesels. With hefty outputs of 221kW and 650Nm, the D300 can accelerate to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds

The new Discovery is now available in South Africa 

 
Prices:

Discovery D300 S                              R1,452,700

Discovery D300 SE R-Dynamic        R1,561,200

Discovery D300 HSE R-Dynamic     R1,675,900

Discovery P360 S                                 R1,487,600

Discovery P360 SE R-Dynamic         R1,596,100

Discovery P360 HSE R-Dynamic      R1,710,900

* Prices include VAT but exclude CO2 tax

WATCH : Lira and Elma Smit take the Land Rover Defender 90 for a spin

Award-winning vocalist Lira and well-known sports presenter Elma Smit have been announced as Land Rover South Africa ambassadors for the new Defender 90.

Read the full story here:

https://heelsandhorsepowermag.com/south-african-musician-lira-and-sports-presenter-elma-smit-join-land-rover-as-new-defender-90-ambassadors/

South African musician Lira and sports presenter Elma Smit join Land Rover as new Defender 90 ambassadors

Award-winning vocalist Lira and well-known sports presenter Elma Smit have been announced as Land Rover South Africa ambassadors for the new Defender 90.

As part of the South African launch programme for the Defender 90, Lira and Elma were invited to Jaguar Land Rover Experience in Lonehill, Johannesburg, to get to grips with their new vehicles in preparation for future adventures. The two ambassadors experienced the Defender in extreme situations, and were instructed on how to best use its suite of driver assistance features in a challenging off-road environment.

The new Defender screams adventure and in the compact 90 form, its size suits my lifestyle perfectly,- Lira



Aside from her career as an iconic soul singer, Lira is a Namibia Tourism ambassador who jumps at opportunities which require bravery. She’s a self-proclaimed adventure seeker and is proud to battle conformity in a male-dominated music industry. Lira’s at home on stage performing to thousands, and on her own exploring the dusty roads of southern Africa.

“The new Defender screams adventure and in the compact 90 form, its size suits my lifestyle perfectly,” said Lira. “I’ve always admired what Land Rover stands for and I’m proud to be associated with the history of such an iconic nameplate in the Defender. I can’t wait to hit the road and put the most capable Land Rover ever, to the test in my world.” 

I love the camera systems that offer views around the vehicle I can’t see from behind the wheel.

Elma Smit is synonymous with sports presenting on TV and radio both locally and abroad, and her passion for rugby at all levels aligns perfectly with the Land Rover and Defender brands. Land Rover has a long-standing, 20-year heritage and commitment to rugby at all levels and has been a sponsor of Rugby World Cup since 2011. It was also Official Vehicle of Rugby World Cup 2019, when a prototype Defender 90 delivered the Webb Ellis Trophy to the Springboks after winning the final in Japan.

“I was in Yokohama to watch South Africa win the World Cup in 2019, and I clearly remember seeing the Defender 90 revealed to the world and taking a lap of the field before presenting the trophy to the Springboks,” said Elma. “It was a truly memorable moment, and now two years on I’m fortunate enough to be an ambassador for the very same vehicle. This association has brought my love of Land Rover and rugby together in a special way.” 

 “The ease at which the Defender handled the Experience facility’s obstacles and trails is astonishing,” said Lira. “I looked at the steep inclines and deep water and thought ‘no way’, but the Defender took everything in its stride. I’ve only just begun to comprehend what this vehicle can do, but I look forward to living with it on my daily journeys and off-time adventures.”

“It’s so easy to manoeuvre,” said Elma. “With such a short wheelbase the Defender 90 turns tightly and clambers over everything in its path. I’m amazed with its technologies and I love the camera systems that offer views around the vehicle I can’t see from behind the wheel. This car will integrate into my lifestyle perfectly and I can’t wait to get even more familiar with it.”

Lira and Elma both embody the #TeamDefender spirit of like-minded people, who aspire to go above and beyond to make more of their world. More than just a clever hashtag, Team Defender showcases how we are capable of great things when working as a united force. Defender is a symbol of modern strength; a true representation of the courage to make a difference, and the two ambassadors will now continue their efforts in charity and adventure while at the wheels of the most capable Land Rover ever created.