If you own a Land Rover, you drive one of the most capable and storied vehicles on — and off — the road. If you want to truly experience the full capability of your Land Rover, Cole European encourages you to participate in a “Land Rover Experience” outing.

You and Your Land Rover Can Do More Together

The designers and engineers at Land Rover realize that the vast majority of people who choose to own their vehicles do so for their refined versatility and are completely satisfied with how their SUV’s perform under normal, day-to-day driving circumstances. But the folks at Land Rover also realize that the true owner experience can go so far beyond what most customers ever realize. That’s why Land Rover has created an exceptional series of events called “Experiences”.

Land Rover Experiences

There are really two primary reasons to participate in a Land Rover “Experience” event: 1) to have fun and cultivate a much, much deeper appreciation for what you and your Land Rover can do, and 2) to equip you for the unlikely event that you really need to leverage your Land Rover’s capabilities and the next-level driving skills you’ll acquire during one of these events.

The focus of this article is specifically the “Owner’s Days”, which we’ll discuss in a bit more detail in a moment. But there are a range of other opportunities to better understand your Land Rover. These include “Experience Drives”, which are off-road training classes, taught by seasoned driving coaches, ranging in length from 1-hour to a full day; either half- or full-day “Heritage Experience” drives, where participants get to experience the evolution of Land Rover from behind the wheel of a range of vehicles, including the classic Defender 90; and “Advance Driving Programs”, where expert instructors provide specialized training in such skills at winching, vehicle recovery, and trailer handling. For the adventurous Northern California Land Rover owner, we recommend them all!

Land Rover Owner’s Days

Probably one of the most popular starting points for these Land Rover Experiences among our customers in the San Francisco Bay Area is the California Owner’s Days events that take place in beautiful Carmel Valley.

These are 4-hour outings with like-minded Land Rover owners who simply want to better understand their vehicles’ capabilities, see some beautiful countryside, and have a lot of fun. The day begins with a light breakfast and welcome, then moves on to include friendly, expert instruction on how to handle your Land Rover in off-road terrain and some of the advanced technology features that enhance your control over varying landscapes. This will include gaining a comfort level with steep inclines and declines; coping with mud and rutted roads; mild water crossings; introduction to rock crawling; and navigating other obstacles. You’ll then be treated to lunch and an opportunity to share your day’s experiences. Participants will also receive a Certificate of Completion and gift from your hosts.

These introductions to off-roading are for drivers of any experience level, but are specifically structured to acknowledge that most SUV owners have never received bona fide off-road training. Even without the superior off-road capabilities of your Land Rover, this single outing will prepare you with far more knowledge than nearly any other SUV driver on the road. 

Last Event for 2022: August 28

At this late date, there’s a good chance that the final “California Owner’s Days” event for 2022 will already be booked. However, openings may remain and cancelations do occur, so we highly encourage you to at least get in touch with the people at the Carmel Valley Experience Center and discuss the August 28 event and plans for future events. We think that the more you learn about the events, the more likely you are to participate. And, if you participate, we’re certain you’ll develop a far greater appreciation for the investment you’ve made in a genuine Land Rover.

Cole European / Walnut Creek, CA

Contact Cole European for more information on the entire lineup of new Land Rover and Range Rover models, as well as our impressive collection of Certified Pre-Owned models. You can also shop from the comfort or your home at Cole Land Rover and Jaguar online. Our team of experienced, factory-trained technicians is also here to keep your current vehicle running at its best. Family owned since 1963, Cole European in Walnut Creek, California, is your Bay Area Jaguar Land Rover dealership.

Being the British motorcar enthusiasts that we are, you can imagine how extremely excited we were to learn that Cole European would receive one of the few 2023 Land Rover Defender 30th Anniversary Editions to be available in the United States.

This special edition Defender celebrates the limited run of 1993 Defender 110 First Edition vehicles sold in the United States. Only 500 of these 2023 Defenders will be produced, all of which are specially equipped and badged to commemorate the Defender series.

Special Edition Features

The 2023 Land Rover Defender 30th Anniversary Edition will be available only in white and features white steel wheels to pay homage to the original 1993 Defender First Edition. This lends the 2023 Defender a look of classic off-road styling, juxtaposed with the new Defender body styling, which definitely evokes the distinctive design of the earlier Defender, but with a very modern interpretation.

The 30th Anniversary Defender will also come equipped with the Land Rover Cold Climate Pack, Tow Pack, Off-Road Pack, and the Black Exterior Appearance Pack. Other visible cues as to the special nature of this limited edition production run are mud flaps, deployable ladder, side steps, wheel-arch extensions, roof rack, and rubber floor mats. 

To further signify the limited availability of the 30th Anniversary Edition, each of these special 2023 Land Rover Defender SUV’s will display what Land Rover calls a “Heritage Inspired Exterior Badge” on the tailgate which identifies the vehicle as being one of only 500 made.

Cost and Availability

As mentioned earlier, Cole European is proud to be among the Land Rover dealerships to receive one of these rare vehicles and it will be available for purchase soon.

For more information on the 2023 Land Rover Defender 30th Anniversary Edition, visit the special Land Rover website page dedicated to this vehicle. Or, better yet, contact us at Cole European and make arrangements to see the vehicle in person. One of our Land Rover experts would be happy to treat you to a personal presentation of it capabilities, explain its significance for the Defender line, and show you its special features.

Cole European / Walnut Creek, CA

Contact Cole European for more information on the all-new 2023 Land Rover Defender 30th Anniversary Edition or to test-drive other New or Certified Pre-Owned models. You can also shop from the comfort or your home at Cole Land Rover and Jaguar online. Our team of experienced, factory-trained technicians is also here to keep your current vehicle running at its best. Family owned since 1963, Cole European in Walnut Creek, California, is your Bay Area Jaguar Land Rover dealership.

The San Francisco Bay Area is home to a large number of Land Rover enthusiasts, many of whom are purists who celebrated the newest generation of the iconic Land Rover Defender line when it was released as a 2020 Land Rover model. The all-new Defender line updated the styling of the prior Defender 90 and Defender 110, while capturing the classic and distinctive lines of the original “Series” and “Defender” models. And, per Land Rover, it remains true to the brand’s heritage by being the toughest and strongest vehicle they have ever created.

The Long Awaited Land Rover Defender 130

For Defender zealots, bigger is better, and the Land Rover Defender 130 absolutely delivers. The much anticipated Defender 130 offers a full-sized third row of seating, allowing this newest model in the Defender line-up to comfortably seat 8 people. It accomplishes this by adding nearly 14 inches in body length to the Defender 110, making the Defender 130 actually feel spacious while featuring 8 full-sized seats. Contributing to this sense of spaciousness is an expansive panoramic roof over the 1st and 2nd rows of seats, plus an additional fixed-glass sunroof over the 3rd row of seats.

Even with all seats in “up” position for passengers, the Land Rover Defender 130 provides a generous 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space. However, when all folding seats are in the stowed position, the Defender 130’s storage area transforms into a cavernous, 80+ cubic feet. And with electronic air suspension, you can adjust the ride height to make loading cargo even easier. Now that you know it can consume plenty of gear on the inside, consider that the Defender 130 can also tow up to 8,200 lbs. Your entire weekend getaway… on wheels.

Long On Luxury

All that extra space is luxuriously appointed, with four elegant trim levels, apexing with the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 First Edition. That model offers three combinations of interiors that were carefully curated by the Land Rover design team and includes such amenities as a Meridian sound system, privacy glass, heated second- and third-row seating, and Land Rover’s Driver Assist Pack.

In a nod to sustainability that will cheer many outdoor enthusiasts in Northern California, the Defender 130 makes optimal use of “Resist”, Land Rover’s new leather-free material that has a lower carbon footprint than leather alternatives, while offering an exceptionally durable, easy-to-clean surface, that offers a supple texture and fine grain appearance.

Technology to Go the Distance… and Enjoy the Journey

Featuring Land Rover’s most advanced technology to date, the Land Rover Defender 130 will keep you connected, informed, on course, and entertained. Pivi Pro, the Defender 130’s sophisticated infotainment system, is both intuitive and powerful. Remote updates keep you up-to-date for navigation and real-time traffic conditions via a touchscreen available in up to 14.4-inches in size. And specially placed cameras can provide you with unobstructed views of what is behind you, as well as immediately ahead of the front bumper, as if you could literally see through the hood.

And the List of High Tech Features Keeps Going

USB charging ports are supported by wireless cell phone charging; the optional Meridian surround sound system envelopes all 8 passengers with the same breathtaking audio quality regardless of seating position; the Head Up display unobtrusively presents key data — including navigation directions — on the vehicle windshield to allow you to keep your eyes on the trail ahead; cabin air ionization improves interior air quality; Blindspot Assist identifies vehicle hidden from view; Adaptive Cruise Control helps maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead; and a 3D Surround camera system provides navigation perspectives as if you were observing your movements from outside the vehicle.

Efficient Powertrains

The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 will be available in two powertrains, both with Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology to boost efficiency while delivering 0-60 MPH performance in as little as 6.3 seconds. 

Details and Specifications

For more detailed information on all aspects of the 2023 Defender 130, visit the Land Rover Newsroom for its May 31, 2022 press release introducing the newest addition to the Defender model lineup.

Why Wait?

We anticipate demand to be strong for all three iterations of the Land Rover Defender, but the Defender 130 may be the most challenging to acquire. While we all have to await arrival of the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130, Cole European encourages you to not wait to join those already in line. If interested, we invite you to contact us at your earliest opportunity to discuss placing yourself on our no-obligation waitlist.

Contact Cole European for more information on the all-new 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 or to test-drive other new or Certified Pre-Owned models. You can also shop from the comfort or your home at Cole Land Rover and Jaguar online. Our team of experienced, factory-trained technicians is also here to keep your current vehicle running at its best. Family owned since 1963, Cole European in Walnut Creek, California, is your Bay Area Jaguar Land Rover dealership.

Bay Area drivers are town and country drivers. They love the sophistication of the city, the great inclines of the Northern Sierra, the scale of Big Sur…  They love refinement as well as ruggedness.

It should come as no surprise, then, that many loyal Land Rover enthusiasts reside in the Bay Area. The Bay Area is Land Rover country—and it’s likely to remain that way with the unveiling of the all-new 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

Luxury, Electrified

The all-new 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is like no other vehicle in its category. The Range Rover Sport combines unparalleled luxury, refinement, ruggedness, connectivity and electrified power to deliver a truly transformative driving experience, on and off the road. 

The all-new 2023 Range Rover Sport’s available engines include two six-cylinder Ingenium MHEV gas engines, a PHEV Ingenium gasoline engine, plus a new V8 Twin Turbo 523HP V8, delivering customary Range Rover Sport performance. Dynamic, luxurious and electrified—a combination like no other. That’s the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

Thoroughly Modern

The exterior, exuding power and agility, is devoid of excess. Thoroughly modern in inspiration, its contours are sleek and smooth. A stealthy grille adorns the front of the vehicle along with Premium LED lighting units, which create a unique Daytime Running Light (DRL) signature. 

The rear incorporates a sculpted tailgate bearing the Range Rover script. Uninterrupted LED light graphics introduce surface LED technology to a production vehicle for the first time, providing a contemporary look at night that is clearly visible from any angle. A characteristic shoulder line runs the length of the vehicle, accentuated by new lower fender details and the longest spoiler ever fitted to a Range Rover.

The clean lines of the exterior are enhanced by flush glazing and door handles, a hidden waist rail finisher and laser-welded roof for a precise, technical and sophisticated appearance. These design-enabling technologies contribute to excellent aerodynamic performance.

On the Inside—Elegance and Passion

New Range Rover Sport’s modernist design extends to its all-new interior, which features the distinctive Range Rover Command Driving Position, the latest technologies and the finest materials, which combine for a compelling balance of elegance and driving passion. The cockpit-like cabin sets the tone for the dynamic driving experience, providing excellent visibility while simultaneously cocooning the driver with a high, sloping center console and intuitive technologies.

Innovative and sustainable material choices include tactile and lightweight Ultrafabrics™ premium textiles finished in attractive new Duo Tone color ways, while a unique textile option that extends to the dashboard and door detailing is also available. Alternatives include luxurious Windsor or soft Semi-Aniline leather options.

These tactile materials seamlessly blend with new Moonlight Chrome interior finishers while elements like the integrated audio speakers, developed with Meridian™ and hidden behind the textile of the rear doors, contribute to the clean, crisp and modern aesthetic.

Connected 

Land Rover’s powerful Electrical Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) supports network of seamless connected technologies, including Software Over The Air (SOTA). The clever technology provides remote updates for 63 electronic modules, helping ensure New Range Rover Sport remains at the cutting edge of innovation, modern technology and services throughout its life.

The award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment features a high resolution floating 13.1-inch curved touchscreen positioned at the center of the modernist dashboard. Controlling everything from navigation to media and vehicle settings, it learns the user’s habits and intelligently personalizes the onboard experience, becoming a truly intuitive personal assistant.

Pivi Pro features an easy-to-use interface with a home screen that can be personalized to include most frequently used functions, while the majority of features are accessed within just two taps of the main screen. Haptic feedback enhances the system by providing positive feedback to the operator’s inputs, reducing the need for the driver to take their eyes off the road to confirm their selection. The Pivi Pro screen is complemented by a 13.7-inch Interactive Driver Display, with high-definition graphics that echo the main Pivi system, and a reconfigurable layout so drivers can see the information that’s most important to them.

Amazon Alexa also brings a new level of convenience, providing the ability to control various settings and features using natural voice commands while reducing the potential for distraction. Alexa is embedded in Pivi Pro and can simply be activated by saying “Alexa” or tapping the Alexa button on the touchscreen. The clever voice AI even integrates the use of Alexa devices in the home via the Land Rover smartphone app and Remote Skills.

The power, the ruggedness, the luxury, the design, the always-on technology—all of these elements come together in the all-new 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport to make it the luxury vehicle that Bay Area drivers are bound to love.

Cole European in Walnut Creek, California, is your Bay Area Land Rover dealership. Our diverse selection of new Land Rover models and Certified Pre-Owned Land Rovers are hand-selected for Bay Area drivers. The Cole European Land Rover Service Center in Walnut Creek, CA, employs factory-trained and certified Land Rover technicians to keep your vehicle performing at its best for years to come. Shop online or visit Cole European in Walnut Creek, California, to test drive a new Land Rover today.

Bet you never thought an auto company could take you to outer space.  Well, think again, because Land Rover is doing just that.

Land Rover isn’t just about experiencing the great outdoors in style. It’s about adventure. And with Land Rover’s new partnership with Virgin Galactic, Land Rover owners can experience the adventure of a lifetime—a trip to outer space! 

Land Rover and Virgin Galactic recently announced the Adventure of a Lifetime Sweepstakes, giving Land Rover owners who reside in the U.S. the chance to win a seat on a Virgin Galactic space flight. 

You earn one entry just for registering, and you can maximize your chances of winning by referring your friends, family and connections—your Space Team—to earn more entries. The more entries you earn, the higher your odds of winning.

If you don’t win a trip to outer space, don’t worry.  You can win other prizes as well, including a Land Rover Experience Center Adventure at the beautiful Quail Lodge in Carmel and all sorts of branded merchandise. 

The Land Rover & Virgin Galactic Adventure of a Lifetime Sweepstakes is an exciting endeavor to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, to play a part in the evolution of human space travel. Learn more about this out-of-this-world opportunity here.

Learn More

Cole European in Walnut Creek, California, is your Bay Area Land Rover dealership. Our diverse selection of new Land Rover models and Certified Pre-Owned Land Rovers are hand-selected for Bay Area drivers. The Cole European Land Rover Service Center in Walnut Creek, CA, employs factory-trained and certified Land Rover technicians to keep your vehicle performing at its best for years to come. Shop online or visit Cole European in Walnut Creek, California, to test drive a new Land Rover today.

Tired of Bay Area traffic? Of irate drivers? Or the exhaust that comes complementary with outdoor dining?

Then get away. With your Land Rover. Take a trip to scenic Carmel and experience rugged, off-road driving while taking time off to boot—to indulge in golf, a spa treatment and fine dining.

The Land Rover Experience Driving Center

Open daily and year-round, the Land Rover Experience Driving Center at Quail Lodge & Golf Club provides customized off-road driving lessons and adventure for all skill levels.  You’ll descend a steep, two-track trail, climb log piles and navigate hairpin turns, all with the guidance and assurance of an expert driver.

A Carmel Valley legend, Quail Lodge is an 850-acre resort surrounded by breathtaking scenery and nestled into the towering Santa Lucia mountain range. In addition to beautifully appointed guest rooms, the resort offers championship golf, tennis and relaxing spa treatments, plus casual fine dining at its famed Edgar's organic farm-to-fork restaurant.

The Land Rover Experience Driving Center offers a variety of lessons and programs for you, for family and for friends.  Experiences range from one hour to a few days.

The One Hour Experience, for example, helps you develop your driving skills with expert coaching including navigating steep inclines, descents and side slopes with beautiful views of the Santa Lucia mountains.

With the Two Hour Experience, you’ll learn essential skills with our expert instructors. Learn several driving techniques while navigating ascents, declines, water crossings, side tilts, and much more!

The Full Day Experience gives you the chance to go on an expedition and tackle longer, more varied trails.  Explore more challenging terrain and refine your driving techniques with an instructor. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a remote awe-inspiring setting.

Advanced Programs include Recovery, Winching, Bespoke, and much more.  We are also able to tailor programs to fit your needs. 

Group Experiences can be customized to fit your group needs. Group experiences are ideal for corporate outings, team building, special occasions, friends, families, and everything in between. Since Group Experiences are custom, pricing may vary.

These are just a few examples of the experiences we offer at the Land Rover Experience Driving Center.  Feel free to contact us for additional details and pricing. 

A rugged, off-road experience—not to mention refined rest and relaxation—awaits you.

Start Your Adventure

Cole European in Walnut Creek, California, is your Bay Area Land Rover dealership. Our diverse selection of new Land Rover models and Certified Pre-Owned Land Rovers are hand-selected for Bay Area drivers. The Cole European Land Rover Service Center in Walnut Creek, CA, employs factory-trained and certified Land Rover technicians to keep your vehicle performing at its best for years to come. Shop online or visit Cole European in Walnut Creek, California, to test drive a new Land Rover today.