Snow

[attox]

I was wating for the snow that finally arrived copiously here in Sestriere from where I am writing, expecially after various talking on driving on snow, winter tyres and chains.



Therefore I had finally the opportunity to test our jewel over different road conditions. I enjoied a lot and I completely overcame my old adversion versus the electronic systems that control traction.



In other words I refer to the various systems that together with the terrain response could influence the pleasure of driving even in a sporty way on snow and ice. I have to recognize how the electronics here manage wonderfully everythings, becoming very helpful to the driving strategies.

I wish to emphasize the concept of help being all these systems could never be a substitute to the driver ability or the law of phisics.

I would even say that the performances are faraway superior with this kind of help.



But come back to the real life. During the recent stage of the Land Rover Sky Tour, where I met two very competent testers/instructors of the Land Rover Italian Registry, I had the opportunity to learn various tips on driving our Free2 during a road test unfortunatly with not so much snow. I also introduced our Forum to them and they looked interested, so I hope to see their enrollment soon.



As far as my personal tests I first went off road (deep fresh snow) using alternatevly the programs grass/gravel/snow and mud/ruts as suggested by our mentioned friends. I didn't find any problem. My only concern was to remain stucked (some wisdom is necessary being alone) but it didn't happen. The use of the mud/ruts program is only suggested in deep fresh snow.



Excellent is also the behaviour of the HDC when you really need it. With a very slippery slope (I tested it first by foot...falling down...) the confidence you receive is surprising. When coming back uphill I finally had the opportunity to test the GRC and it works, but you need a very steep road to engage it. What it surprised me most is the ability to go uphill without missing the lack of low gears.



On snow is excellent the use of the grass/gravel/snow program, while on packed snow/ice I preferred not to use any special program with only the DSC on. It seems you are penalized when you are coming out of a turn as it cuts off gas and has influence on the ABS, but the overall management is superior than leaving the DSC off.



Following this road test I had the opportunity to drive briefly on a permanent iced track where I could drive safely pushing a little harder but not too much (too afraid to ruin my beauty).

Last year in this same place BMW was offering to test some of their models among which an X3 3.0 liters to show their X-drive system. In the same snow/ice conditions I couldn't find any important difference between them even with the greater power and different distribution of the torque between the two axles of the X3.

Guess why the X-drive system came out on the market just after BMW sold Land Rover to Ford?...



A very last consideration. The tyres. If you wish to drive your Free2 in areas subject to snow and ice (not only on the Alps but also on the Appenines - the mountains south of the Cadibona pass close to Savona in Italy - Bjartin, I know you have extreme conditions in your native area but we could have very dangerous conditions sometime) you must have winter tyres. The tyres that comes with our Free2 are not winter tyres. The matter it is not just to climb uphill (our electronic system can think about that) but the side grip and moreover the downhill driving, being the high weight of a SUV even if it is a compact one like ours. At least a Fiat Panda 4x4 could be less dangerous downhill. As a matter of fact I saw a Volvo XC-90 and a Lexus Rx badly damaged after they turned around going downhill and a Porsche 4S, this time going uphill, which with summer tyres couldn't have any grip in spite the AWD traction.



At the next snowfall! Ciao!

[bjartin]

Attox, you are fabulous.

I`m greatful.

Thank you very much.

[bjartin]

This topic is missing photos of the snow, so here are:
Questo argomento è mancante foto di neve, per cui sono qui:

Winter . Inverno


Snow in the summer . Neve in estate


Spalatore di neve. Snowplough.

[attox]

Grazie Bjartin, sono meravigliose e... rinfrescanti!
Thanks Bjartin, they are fabolous and... refreshing!

[bjartin]

Novizio sulla neve / Novice on snow:
It is terrible to see a driver handle Freel2 this way.

See the scene after 16 sec. in this video: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7811826.stm

[bjartin]

Slippery roads in Oslo ..... ...Strade scivolose a Oslo

It is an advantage with studded tire ... ..un vantaggio con pneumatico da neve

.....

[bjartin]

Snowplough led convoy over the Hemsedal mountain, Christmas 2008, Norway :




I look forward to the winter hardships.

[bjartin]

People forget that the weather changes dramatically in Norway. After a mild and fine September month they do not remember the snow coming this year as last year, in late September / October.
Now they sit firmly in the mountains with summer tires.

[bjartin]

Questo è per te, Burnstreet.

[bjartin]

Snow is also a great joy for us older ...
La neve è anche una grande gioia per noi anziani ...






Alcune foto dopo la nevicata:

http://www.aftenposten.no/spesial/bilde ... 439074.ece

Clicca sulla foto per ottenere la nuova immagine.
Click on the picture to get new image.

[bjartin]

Land Rover together with snow, it is as it should be.
La neve non viene rimosso dalla strada.

[bjartin]