According to a thread in an American RR forum the Bonnet Vents do have a function and are not just Bling. Ditto with the side vents. Is this correct or just wishful thinking?

Yes, the bonnet one seems to have a function, on these picture, at the top right you can see the intakes they go into.




Not sure where they lead to.

Also not sure about the side ones, but it seems they might go to the engine intakes '08 RRS TDV8
I converted my diesel RRS to run on an environmentally friendly mixture of caribou fat and baby seals oil

Someone suggested the bonnet vents supply air to the cabin. I do wish they were more subtle.

I can confirm with absolute certainty that the bonnet 'vents' are cosmetic only, just been out and checked mine

The vents have a solid plastic base. The side intakes on top of the wing and referred to in the above post are the air intakes for the engine which is why the new sport has a higher wading depth than the old one or so I was told. On looking just now these side raised air intakes seem to fit into the bonnet second skin, I hope I am explaining this ok, I put my hand into the second skin and there seems to be sponge like foam covered in polythene type plastic that sits between the outer and inner bonnet skin, vibration dampening? Not sure.

Anyway, hope all this waffling clarifies that the bonnet vents are for show only, they have grown on me but I think it would be far more credible if they actually did something rather than just cosmetics. MY 2014 HSE Dynamic
MY 2012 RRS HSE
2009 Audi A6 Avant- superb quality but boring never missed
2007 Q7 -loved it but not a patch on RRS
Various BMW's, Audis
199 TD5 Disco XS, great car big improvement on previous Disco
1981 Fiat Mirafiori Sport 2000 TC - Bright Orange and Black, great Car when new but soon deteriorated, those were the days

Thanks for clarifying that Alan. I think the RRS would look smarter without the faux bonnet vents.

+1 but like I said, if they actually had a function I think they would be easier to like. MY 2014 HSE Dynamic
MY 2012 RRS HSE
2009 Audi A6 Avant- superb quality but boring never missed
2007 Q7 -loved it but not a patch on RRS
Various BMW's, Audis
199 TD5 Disco XS, great car big improvement on previous Disco
1981 Fiat Mirafiori Sport 2000 TC - Bright Orange and Black, great Car when new but soon deteriorated, those were the days

Perhaps the vents are stuck on with double sided adhesive tape. If that is the case they might be deletable by the time my order goes in

DRDILL wrote:

Trip to the body shop and get them filled and bonnet repainted, seems a solution

Because they are a pointless cosmetic blemish that serve no purpose?

Exactly. Land Rovers are supposed to be vehicles designed for purpose, not posing. That's why they continue to make them capable in serious off road conditions. To fit pointless plastic pseudo-vents goes against everything that Land Rover stands for. It's tacky, pointless, chavvy bling. It's insulting. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

DaveM wrote:

Because they are a pointless cosmetic blemish that serve no purpose?

Those tasteless plastic bonnet vents may well be the tipping point that stops me purchasing a RRS. (Land Rover please take note)

A land cruiser for you gents maybe? Utilitarian, practical, capable and devoid of all bling MY10 HSE 3.0 TDV6 : Santorini Black : Ebony Interior w/Anigre wood : Privacy Glass (total) : Sunroof : Sidesteps : Hybrid TV : Detachable Tow Kit : Spare Wheel Cover : 22" Dished Supersports

I understand that a number of you do not like either the look of or the principle of these vents but if you follow the logic then the FFRR is out too, it has those daft sharks gills on the side that also serve no purpose, and what about all those 'fancy' 20" upwards wheels that serve no purpose for off roading if you think about it, where do you stop? MY 2014 HSE Dynamic
MY 2012 RRS HSE
2009 Audi A6 Avant- superb quality but boring never missed
2007 Q7 -loved it but not a patch on RRS
Various BMW's, Audis
199 TD5 Disco XS, great car big improvement on previous Disco
1981 Fiat Mirafiori Sport 2000 TC - Bright Orange and Black, great Car when new but soon deteriorated, those were the days

My RRS is standard, great for long distances and no need for bling. I have the G4 discovery for off road and everything on it has a function and it gets used. JLR should leave the bling for aftermarket and people can 'pimp' how they like. I would love a new FFRR, but would pay to swap the doors to remove the faux gills.