My favourite Saturday road trip is from home to Ambleside and back, taking the A686 through Alston, crossing the Hartside Pass and down to Penrith, then along the shores of Ullswater, over the Kirkstone Pass into Ambleside. I do this return journey every second Saturday and its a great way to experience the true abilities of any car and contrast them with previous journeys / previous cars.

Conditions today were superb. The outward journey started at 6.30am, when it was still dark but full moon and cloudless skies with -4 degrees C. But the roads were mainly dry, so only occassional areas where ice was a risk. Sunrise over the pennines and Lakeland hills was The return journey was +4 degrees C on very bright, cloudless skies and totally dry roads. The scenery was so fab that this journey would be an utter delight in any car, but in a TDv8

The RRS behaved impecably and I really cannot think of any better car for today's journey, especially since I had the boot full of 2 labradors and the back seat covered in laundry etc.

The highlights were definitey :

very, very sure footed without being at all harsh

the engine makes hills simply disappear

the acceleration out of corners, using the massive reserves of torque, is utterly delightful

the view is so much better when you are sitting up high

the ability to take the off road shortcut from Hartside Cafe

The best possible test of the vehicle is the return journey driving up the hairpins to the top of Hartside. I usually pray to get a clear road with no cars in front as overtaking options are very very limited. Not in this car there not ! Overtaking options abound, where you never noticed them before. Also had the pleasure of chasing a new BMW 335d up most of the road and he tried his very hardest to pull ahead, and failed miserably. Then the shortcut at the cafe, saw the Beemer lost for words (and lost in my rear view mirror )

So all in all, a very happy driver with a slight ache in the grin muscles  RRS TDv8 HSE Rimini
Disco 4 TDv6 HSE Ipanema
Defender 90, 200tdi CSW

Another very good 'TDV8 experience' post Smarticus.  Gone - 2008 TDV8, Stornoway Grey, ebony, zabrano trim, TV, Tasmods, mudflaps.

Sounds like a lot of fun, are you going to get it chipped, that will really make you smile i reckon  some of my Previous cars
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P38 Range Rover Autobiography
RRS 2.7 HSE Silver
RRS TDV8 HSE silver
FFRR Vogue black
Disco3 HSE silver
RRS 2.7 HSE silver
RRS 3.0 HSE BALTI BLUE
______________________________
current vehicles
RRS 3.0 L494 Autobiography
Audi R8 V10 Spyder
AC Cobra
Landrover Defender 90
Landrover Defender 110
Suzuki Jimney

Sounds like you had a great time

That wasn't Kam you was chasing  RRS TDV6 Gone but still around
SL55 AMG
760Li Alpina
BMW 535D M Sport
BMW X6 XDrive35D
BMW 320D Coupe M Sport
And A Van For Rex!

WINNER - 2008's Idler Of The Year
WINNER - 2008's Comedian Of The Year
WINNER - 2008's Funniest Incident

I love boobies i love boobies i love boobies cuz i'm a big kid now! (Come on everybody sing with me you know the words!)

Good post. It's great when driving is a real pleasure.

HH Driving - TDV8 HSE in Stornaway / Ebony / Brunel
Sold - 56 TDV8 HSE in Java Black EBONY/RHODIUM/PRIVACY GLASS
Sold - 05 TDV6 HSE BONATTI/BLACK/RHODIUM 20''STORMERS, PTI AND FACTORY TINT.

Great Post, it has motivated me to call my LR dealer (again) for an update on my TDV8... Something else is always something better:

07 Java TDV8 Sport & toys

Great Post, it has motivated me to call my LR dealer (again) for an update on my TDV8...

ATM.I am new to this posting

I picked up my TDV8 last Friday.I haven't stopped grinning, despite a trivial leak from "O" rings on the steering rack and a trashed tyre (my fault). The car is without doubt a sheer delight. Landrover have promised me she will be back tomorrow evening. Sad but I will have to go out for a "Jolly"

I keep watching the all used fuel MPG luckily it's still going up.

Loathe to do a reset.

Wish it still had the "instant" option but then again the way I have been driving I might not want to know

Chase the the TDV8 is simply stunning

Baron

PS thanks Envoy