Well those of you who know me well will smile when I say that I have to make an apology to you all concerning my penchant to always wanting to wander about The World in a glorious V8 and to dismiss the Diesel Engine – It’s the sound of the V8 you see, it makes you smile every time you make the power and torque of the engine work!!

Last year I was looking for a Land Rover product to use as my everyday vehicle. It had to be cheaper to run than the Classic Range Rover and I wanted something comfortable and reasonably fast. Freelanders were looked at and I went to look at one but was not convinced that it was what Impala should have, as we do need low range and excellent off road ability in our support cars.

I was in Africa last March and while I was away Louise spent some time with some good friends of ours who were selling their Discovery Series 2. She phoned me and suggested that I take a look, as it looked rather nice in, I believe Blenheim Silver. Upon my return we went over to Matt’s and I decided as soon as I set my eyes on the car that Louise, as normal, was right so we bought it there and then.

What a fantastic car it is: I had no idea, although I should have had.

We went to Wales supporting a group of Land Cruiser’s from Holland last weekend and it more than held its own, especially as we were running on Michelin Latitude Cross not pure Off Road tyres. Off road the Traction Control and Hill Descent Control (HDC) are absolutely superb and work with you as you drive, not taking over. On the road it is quick enough and we often overtake many, on paper, faster cars. Fuel economy is excellent as we normally get 31 MPG and we do drive briskly. This car will be a part of the Impala Support Team for a long time.

This picture shows the Discovery in Strata Florida during the weekend with The Land Cruiser Club of Holland and was taken by Mrs H herself.

I was wrong to dismiss the diesel and now have been converted and I must admit that the car made me smile as it dealt with everything that I asked off it with a consummate ease – although I will always have one of those fantastic Range Rover Classics with a V8 under the bonnet!!