I wanted to share my experience at the Land Rover Experience in Manchester Vermont.

My son and I left southern Connecticut early Saturday morning for the 3.5 hour drive to VT. It was F’N C O L D!!!! When we left it was -16 degrees in Manchester. When we arrived it had warmed up to a balmy -2 degrees.


I scheduled a 4 hour experience hoping that would give both my son, who has never been off-roading, and myself enough drive time. We arrived about an hour before our 1:00pm start time and found a great little place for lunch. We met the instructor at the little Land Rover Experience office near the Equinox Resort.


Our start was delayed slightly because the Defend 110 used in the session before us had thrown a warning about rear brake wear so the instructed went and pickup another truck. When he returned he wanted to check out my Defender to understand what features is had to ensure we’d cover those as part of the drive. I thought this was really thoughtful. Throughout the day he would often refer to the features my truck had etc. Super helpful.

The starting point of the off-road trails is a couple of miles from the office. So we bundled up and headed out with the instructor driving. When we got to the trails the instructor took the time to set expectations for the day based on his understanding of our skills and priorities. As we sat there in the Defender waiting for it to warm up a bit the truck gave a big shudder and died! Here we were in sub-zero temps with a dead Defender An awkward moment for the instructor…and a cold one for all of us 15 minutes later his partner came and brought us back to the office while the found another Defender for the day.

About 20 minutes later the instructor arrived with the defender you see in the pictures. Only negative was it was on street tires. Not even AT’s. A positive was it had heated rear seats!!





Off we went and it was a simply amazing, fun and educational time. These trucks are SO capable, even with street tires!




This is an undocumented feature that I now forget how to engage - where the truck can be raised higher than off-road height. The instructor demonstrated when this might be needed. He had me stop on the top of a berm and lower the truck, which basically grounded it, and a warning indicated that, then he proceeded to engage the extended height feature and it got us out of it. You can see just how high the truck is. anyone remember how to engage this?


Leaning over is both exciting and terrifying! But man can they lean. When I asked the instructor "how far can these lean over" his response was perfect "One degree less then when you tip over"







Even with the snafus we had I would completely recommend doing this. At a minimum I know the real limitations of my Defender and it’s not the truck but the guy behind the wheel. Me. My son also enjoyed it and was looking to see if Subaru offered any off-roading experiences !

If you get the chance I'd really recommend this.... maybe when it's a bit warmer

 

Looks like an absolute baller of a day. Fantastic stuff. I wish there was one in my area. Plenty for me to learn.

Discounting the rear load-space button controls, to the best of my knowledge, the extended height mode can't be activated via the driver controls but only in the manner you describe. Get the defender high centered or otherwise hung up on something and the suspension will go into the highest setting. Off-road heights 1 and 2 are only available to driver and even those are only semi-selectable.

You can probably test it out yourself with a couple of jack stands in your driveway. Stick it in off road height, put some stands under a jacking point or two and lower it to normal. The off-road height led will flash and info on the drivers dash will tell you extended height is engaged and to get off the obstacle or words to that effect. It also will engage if wading very/too deep as a protective measure.

I've had it activate in deep snow I was goofing about in.

An electronic height controller is also an after market option.

Curious. Why did you chose not to use your own Defender? Hoping to push those side angles to the limit?

 

I've done Porsche & BMW with my 17yo. He had a blast with both and learned a lot. Bronco Off-Rodeo said he absolutely can't drive. LR said "probably not". so I never booked it. Age of your son and did they let him drive?

 

Nice! Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a great time. (Hope all is well.)

 

My son was turning 30 Yes... I'm an OG!

 

Hey man! Things are great! Was great to get to meet you and the fam!

 

Did not see that coming. Thanks for posting. It looks fun.

 

See that Chicago weather isn't looking so bad anymore Matt...

So cool you got to experience this and shared the pictures, can't wait for the wife and I to do the same. Also very curious to find out this super lift mode if it is actually user selectable via some combination.

 

EXTENDED MODE
WARNINGMake sure the relevant warnings and cautions have been read and fully understood before adjusting the electronic air suspension. See ELECTRONIC AIR SUSPENSION SAFETY.

Extended mode is an automatic suspension height setting that raises the vehicle to assist maneuvering in the event that the vehicle is:

• Grounded in severe off-road conditions.
  
• Lowered onto an obstacle.
  
• Wading in deep water.
  
• Driving in narrow ruts.
  

The instrument panel displays a message and the off-road indicator lamp on the front control panel flashes to confirm the vehicle is in extended mode. See ELECTRONIC AIR SUSPENSION CONTROLS.
NOTESExtended mode cannot be selected manually.

The vehicle can be raised higher when in extended mode, if required. To further raise the vehicle:

1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
   
2. Press and hold the up button (3) on the front control panel for longer than 3 seconds.
   

 

Great info @Nuckle, thanks for pulling that up.