LAND ROVER TREKS TO THE ‘LAND OF LAND ROVERS’ TO CELEBRATE 70 YEARS OF ALL-TERRAIN ADVENTURE

8 August 2018

Land Rover visits a remote hilltop village in the Indian Himalayas that sits at an altitude of 3,636m and relies on a fleet of Series models to survive

  • Land Rover continues its 70th anniversary celebrations with a visit to a remote location deep in the Indian Himalayan region also known as the ‘Land of Land Rovers’
  • A fleet of classic Series Land Rover models dating from 1957 provides a vital transport link between Maneybhanjang and Sandakphu in West Bengal
  • • The village of Sandakphu sits at an altitude of 3,636m and is only accessible by a steep and rocky track using a fleet of 42 thoroughly well‑maintained Series Land Rovers

Land Rover took its 70th anniversary celebrations to new heights by visiting a remote rural community in West Bengal that relies on a fleet of classic models for its very survival.

Known as the ‘Land of Land Rovers’, the rural location in deep in the Himalayas is reliant on a fleet of meticulously maintained Series Land Rovers dating back as far as 1957.

Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers

A film, released today, highlights the spectacular 31km journey made often by residents of Maneybhanjang in West Bengal, India to Sandakphu for their means of living. Towering gradients, rock‑strewn pony tracks and treacherous weather are just some of the hazards faced on a daily basis by the residents and their Land Rovers on the journey to the hilltop village, which sits at an altitude of 3,636m.

 

Land Rover’s team visited the remarkable collection of Series models, which provides a vital role for the community as reliable and unstoppable all‑terrain transport.

Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers
Land of Land Rovers

This year marks 70 years since the original Land Rover made its debut at Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948. Land Rover is marking this milestone with a series of celebrations throughout 2018, including a special broadcast, record‑breaking convoys and a display in London’s Design Museum.

Further information

You Tube link: https://youtu.be/YNXU1IR2LR8

Embed Frame: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YNXU1IR2LR8" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted‑media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Notes to Editors

ABOUT LAND ROVER

Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's SUV sectors, with 80 per cent of this model range exported to over 100 countries.

 

70 YEARS OF LAND ROVER TIMELINE

1948       Land Rover Series I launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show

1953       Long Wheelbase version of the Series I is introduced

1956       Oxford and Cambridge teams complete on London to Singapore expedition in Series I

1958       Land Rover Series II unveiled with more refined design

1970       Original two‑door Range Rover (the Classic) goes on sale

1971       Land Rover Series III launched

1972       Range Rover crosses Darien Gap on 18,000‑mile Trans‑America expedition

1976       1,000,000th Land Rover built

1979       A Range Rover wins the inaugural Paris‑Dakar rally (and again in 1981)

1981       Land Rover begins legendary partnership with Camel Trophy

1981       Four‑door Range Rover released

1989       Land Rover Discovery, the third Land Rover model, goes on sale

1990       Original ‘Landie’ relaunched and renamed Defender

1994       Second generation Range Rover launched

1997       All‑new Freelander is unveiled with innovative new technology: Hill Descent Control

2001       Third‑generation Range Rover with all‑round independent air suspension revealed

2003       Inaugural G4 challenge sees 16 teams traverse USA, South Africa and Australia

2004       Range Stormer Concept previews performance Range Rover and three‑door body

2004       Discovery 3/LR3, the third‑generation Discovery, launched at New York Motor Show

2005       All‑new Range Rover Sport unveiled               

2006       Freelander 2/LR2 launched. The first Land Rover to be manufactured at Halewood

2008       LRX concept car previews design language of a new luxury compact SUV

2009       Fourth generation of the Land Rover Discovery introduced

2010       Range Rover Evoque, the world’s first luxury compact SUV, makes global debut

2012       Fourth‑generation Range Rover introduced – the first all‑aluminium SUV

2013       New generation of Range Rover Sport unveiled at New York Motor Show

2014       Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division is officially launched

2014       Range Rover Sport SVR debuts, the fastest, most agile, most powerful Land Rover

2014       Discovery Vision Concept previews design vision for new family of Discovery vehicles

2014       Launch of Discovery Sport, a new premium compact SUV with 5+2 seating

2015       Trio of end‑of‑line Defender editions revealed with biggest sand drawing in UK

2015       Exclusive Range Rover SVAutobiography long wheelbase launched in New York

2015       Evoque Convertible becomes world’s first luxury compact SUV convertible

2015       One‑of‑a‑kind Land Rover 'Defender 2,000,000' sells for £400,000 at charity auction

2016       Last Defender rolls off the production line

2016       All‑new Discovery with world‑first remote Intelligent Seat Fold technology launched

2017       Land Rover launches the fourth Range Rover, the Velar

2018       Limited Edition Range Rover SV Coupé debuts at Geneva Motor Show   

2018       Land Rover marks 70th Anniversary on 30 April with celebratory broadcast