The Tow Car of the year awards have been announced and JLR takes 4 awards with the Discovery the overall winner.

• 44 cars entered for 13 awards (with 12 separate categories and one overall winner) – all put through rigorous tests on a private test track to provide valuable insights of towing abilities to car buyers
• Judged by experts from What Car? and Practical Caravan magazines plus The Camping and Caravanning Club, the cars are separated into five weight categories and seven special categories (Best Ultralight Tow Car; Best Petrol Tow Car; Best MPV, Best Pick-Up; Best Budget 4x4; Best Hybrid and the Fuel Economy Award) – and one of these is chosen as the overall winner
• In addition to the dynamic towing tests, cars are also scored for practicality, driving (solo), plus the costs of buying and owning
• Exclusive first towing competition test of the new Land Rover Discovery – chosen as the overall winner of The Tow Car Awards 2017 - “As an all-rounder, it sets a new benchmark,” said the judges
• Congratulations to Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, Skoda, Suzuki, Volkswagen and Volvo who also won awards this year
• An extensive archive of full-length reviews of nearly 500 cars tested since the first Tow Car Awards in 2007 is available at: thetowcarawards.com 
• The Swift Group, the UK's biggest leisure vehicle manufacturer, has provided a fleet of caravans for the testing every year since the competition started 10 years ago. Any standard stability aids fitted to the caravans are disabled or removed for the testing to ensure judges feel any instability 

The results of the Tow Car Awards 2017, organised and judged by experts from What Car? and Practical Caravan magazines and The Camping and Caravanning Club, reveal this year’s top cars for towing, with a unique archive of full reviews of nearly 500 cars tested since the first Tow Car Awards in 2007 available at www.thetowcarawards.com to help new and used car buyers make the most informed choices. 

To create the most informative towing reviews, the 44 cars entered for this year’s competition were judged for a total of 13 awards by separating them into five categories according to their kerbweight (from up to 1400kg to 1900kg+), seven special awards according to the type of vehicle, and then one overall winner. 

Every vehicle tows a caravan or trailer weighted to 85 per cent of the car’s kerbweight (or its maximum towing limit, if lower) and is put through a rigorous test programme in the safe surroundings of a private proving ground in Warwickshire. It’s not just about their outright performance though, as each car is also scored for its practicality and costs of buying and owning. 

This year’s winners range in size (and price) from the mighty, new Land Rover Discovery to the more humble Hyundai i30 hatchback, with a mix of hybrids, MPVs, estates and 4x4 models in between. 

This was the first towing competition for the new Land Rover Discovery and it continued the success of the previous model by winning its 1900kg+ weight class as well as being chosen as the overall winner. The judges said: “As an all-rounder, it sets a new benchmark.” 

Jaguar and Škoda collected two awards each for the successful combination of performance and practicality for their latest models. The new Jaguar F-Pace was another car tested for the first time at these awards, while the XF saloon won its weight class again. The latest Škoda Octavia and the Superb rose to the top of their weight categories again, with the Superb also winning the Fuel Economy Award, while Ford, Audi, Suzuki, Volkswagen and Volvo also achieved category wins.

The full list of categories and winning vehicles for the Tow Car Awards 2017 are as follows:

1. Up to 1400kg: Škoda Octavia Estate 2.0 TDI 150PS SE L DSG
2. 1400-1549kg: Škoda Superb 2.0 TDI 150PS SE L Executive
3. 1550-1699kg: Jaguar XF 2.0 i4 180PS RWD Portfolio Auto
4. 1700-1899kg: Jaguar F-Pace 3.0d 300PS AWD S
5. 1900kg+: Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Td6 HSE
6. Best Ultralight Tow Car: Hyundai i30 1.4 T-GDi 140PS Premium
7. Best Petrol Tow Car: Audi A4 Allroad 2.0 TFSI 252PS Quattro S-tronic
8. Best MPV: Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi 180PS Titanium
9. Fuel Economy Award: Škoda Superb 2.0 TDI 150PS SE L Executive
10. Best Budget 4x4: Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.4 BoosterJet Allgrip SZ5 4x4 Auto
11. Best Pick-Up: Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 TDI 224PS 4Motion Aventura Auto
12. Best Hybrid: Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Momentum
13. Overall Winner: Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Td6 HSE 

The caravans used for the towing exercises are supplied by the UK’s biggest manufacturer, the Swift Group. Any stabiliser hitches as standard are disabled or replaced with basic ones to ensure the judges feel any instability created during the rigorous test programme which is designed to push the brakes, handling and engines of the cars to their limits. 

This includes testing high-speed stability beyond the legal limit, slalom and emergency lane-changes, acceleration and braking tests, plus a hill start on a 1-in-6 slope. The cars are also scored on how well they can accommodate a typical load for a touring holiday, plus their buying and running costs, and what they're like to drive when not towing based on What Car?'s expert reviews of each model. 

Commenting on this year’s results, David Motton, Tow Car Editor of Practical Caravan magazine said: “All the winners of the Tow Car Awards 2017, whether they are big or small, have shown us that they’re particularly good as an overall package to tow, own and live with every day.

 “There can only be a limited number of winners, but as you can see from the full reports on www.thetowcarawards.com, many of today’s best-selling cars also performed extremely well. However, when it came to choosing this year’s overall winner it had to be the new Land Rover Discovery as it sets a new benchmark as an impressive all-rounder.” 

TV presenter and President of The Camping and Caravanning Club, Julia Bradbury said: “The Camping and Caravanning Club is delighted to have co-produced the Tow Car Awards for the 11th year. These results give really useful information for anyone choosing a car to tow with, to make touring as safe and relaxing as possible. 

“A big thanks to all the judges and our members who volunteered to help make the event such a success,” Julia continued. 

Tow Car Awards Overall Winners, 2007 to 2017:

2007: Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 TDI 4Motion Sport

2008: Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium auto 

2009: Volvo XC60 D5 SE Geartronic

2010: Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 XS

2011: Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2012: Jaguar XF 2.2D Premium Luxury

2013: Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2014: Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2015: Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2016: Skoda Superb Hatch 2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2017: Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Td6 HSE 

The All-New fifth Generation Discovery has been awarded best in class residual values by independent experts CAP/

• New Discovery achieves best residual values in its segment by independent experts CAP
• Jaguar Land Rover’s new 2.0 litre Ingenium diesel engine delivers the most efficient Discovery ever achieving 43.5mpg with CO₂ from 171g
• Land Rover’s most capable vehicle yet; 900mm wading depth, class-leading wheel articulation and towing capacity
• Pricing from £43,495 or £399 per month on the road

Following its global reveal last month, Land Rover confirms the new Discovery is already leading the field with class-leading residual values as rated by industry body CAP.  

According to CAP, the new Land Rover Discovery is expected to retain 59% of its value over three years or 36,000 miles resulting in compelling finance offers for customers. Thanks to its combination of seven full sized seats, class leading towing capability, reduced fuel consumption and reduced CO₂, the new Discovery has broad appeal.

Jaguar Land Rover UK Managing Director, Jeremy Hicks said: “The new Discovery is already proving to be immensely competitive against the established competition. High residuals and reduced running costs mean that Discovery customers can enjoy all the improved benefits over the outgoing Discovery and its peers for less.

“The new Discovery is Land Rover’s most versatile and capable vehicle to date. It’s a do anything, anywhere vehicle that will appeal to new and existing customers. We have seen a fantastic response with over 6000 people registering on our website in just two weeks to find out more as we launch in the UK.”

From the entry level 2.0 litre, Sd4 derivative through to the 3.0 litre Td6  ‘First Edition’, new Discovery allows customers investment flexibility between the deposits and the monthly payment. Specification adds value – not just cost thanks to desirability of higher specification trims and engine choices.

Example finance illustration based on 2-litre Ingenium Sd4 on a 37 Month PCP, 10,000 miles per annum, 6.9% APR:

‘S’ Spec from £43,495 OTR	‘SE’ Spec from £49,495 OTR	‘HSE’ Spec from £56,995 OTR	‘HSE LUXURY’ Spec from £62,695 OTR
Customer deposit £12,040	Customer deposit £12,350	Customer deposit £14,910	Customer deposit £16,680
Monthly payment £399	Monthly payment £449	Monthly payment £499	Monthly payment £549
Customer deposit £10,000	Customer deposit £10,000	Customer deposit £10,000	Customer deposit £10,000
Monthly payment £462	Monthly payment £521	Monthly payment £650	Monthly payment £754

Aiding running costs, the substantially lighter, more efficient, all-aluminium 2.0 litre Ingenium engine has a servicing interval of 21,000 miles or every two years.

For Fleet and Business customers the strong residual values hugely benefit the whole-life cost of a new Discovery and coupled with the improved service, maintenance and repair costs associated with the new Ingenium engine, it further adds to the appeal of Land Rover’s new full-sized seven-seater.  

The new Discovery was unveiled last month at Packington Hall together with the largest Lego construction ever-created incorporating 5.8 million bricks.  The new model is available to order now with deliveries commencing in the spring in the UK priced from £43,495 on the road. In the UK, 600 ‘First Editions’ will be available from the start of sales priced at £68,295 on the road.

Camouflage kids: unique wrap designed for New Discovery by the children of Land Rover’s designers and engineers

• Camouflage kids: unique wrap designed for New Discovery by the children of Land Rover’s designers and engineers
• Children involved in creating the ultimate family SUV every step of the way
• One-off creative camouflage hides the final design details ahead of its world premiere on 28^th September 2016
• New Discovery is created with absolute versatility, capability and technology like no other

In order to create the world’s most capable family SUV you must first understand the needs of the world’s most capable families.

That’s why Land Rover’s designers and engineers take their work home with them.

Throughout the thousands of hours of development that go into making an all-new Land Rover, there’s a team of children testing, challenging and representing the needs of the modern family every day. 

And the toughest thing of all? Keeping everything their mums and dads do a secret right up until the new car is revealed.

So who better to create the final camouflage design for the new Land Rover Discovery than the junior brains who already know the new vehicle inside out? 

Tasked with hiding the new Land Rover Discovery’s design details, the children, aged between five and nine, set to work on drawing their favourite days out and, of course, signing their names against their work.

The finishing touch? The thick coat of mud applied as the New Discovery proves its world-class capability to seven happy family members inside.

Alex Heslop, Land Rover’s Chief Engineer for Discovery, said: “Being able to get the children involved in our final camouflage design brought a smile to all our faces. They don’t always realise it, but these kids have played a major role in developing the New Discovery.

“There is no better insight into the needs of the modern family than the first-hand experience we glean at home. 

That’s why we have up to nine USB ports to charge everyone’s devices, why we’ve got space to hide four iPads away securely and why every seat has been designed to be the best seat in the house.”

The New Discovery embodies Land Rover’s drive to go Above and Beyond, combining British desirability with an unstoppable spirit of adventure.

Packed with technology for the family, the digital Discovery features a system that allows owners to configure their vehicle seating through the InControl Remote app on their smartphone from anywhere. 

The world-first Intelligent Seat Fold technology enables the two rear rows of seats to be fully reconfigured in as little as 14 seconds via the InControl Remote app downloaded on any iOS or Android operating system.

The New Discovery development story

35,000 individual component tests…

294 development vehicles…

20 countries…

One New Discovery

Land Rover has completed a grueling Discovery testing and development programme to ensure families around the world will benefit from world-class capability, versatility and safety, no matter what the driving conditions.

The new model is the first Land Rover to undergo a full programme of virtual testing prior to the physical testing process, delivering robust quality and durability before any prototypes are built.

Land Rover’s global engineering team subjected the vehicle to extreme climates and terrains in over 20 countries. Sand driving in +40 degrees Celsius heat in the dunes of Dubai, altitude testing in the Colorado mountains, and ice-driving in the sub-zero temperatures of Arjeplog, Sweden, were all part of the 28-month schedule.

One of Land Rover’s best-known customers completes unique remote test of New Discovery.

• One of Land Rover’s best-known customers completes unique remote test of New Discovery
• World-renowned British adventurer Bear Grylls experiences Land Rover’s world-first seat folding technology
• Intelligent Seat Fold system allows owners to reconfigure their vehicle seating remotely with a smartphone from anywhere in the world – even in mid-air
• Unique test sees Bear change the seating layout during a 125mph skydiving descent; 
• Seven full-size seats accommodate Bear and 6 fellow skydivers in comfort
• New Discovery world premiere: 28 September 2016 ahead of Paris Motor Show

Land Rover has reached new heights in its new vehicle technology testing.

World-renowned British adventurer and well-known Land Rover owner Bear Grylls took to the skies to put the New Discovery’s Intelligent Seat Fold technology to the ultimate test. 

The system allows Discovery owners to configure their vehicle seating through the InControl Remote app on their smartphone from anywhere in the world - even in mid-air.

Having jumped from a plane with six members of the Royal Navy Parachute Display Team and freefalling at 125mph, Bear was able to change the vehicle’s seating layout at the touch of a button on his smartphone before he had to deploy his parachute.

Once on the ground all the skydivers were able to jump into a camouflaged prototype of the New Discovery, which comfortably seats seven full-sized adults.

The world-first Intelligent Seat Fold technology allows the two rear rows of seats to be fully reconfigured in as little as 14 seconds via the InControl Remote app downloaded on any iOS or Androidoperating system.

Bear Grylls said: “Land Rover is proving why the New Discovery is the ultimate family SUV. The fact that they have created this world-first Intelligent Seat Fold technology is impressive in itself and for the remote function to work while we are freefalling from a plane is pretty cool!

“I’m not sure many people will be using it in such a manner but the technology to operate the car remotely in this way will undoubtedly be a real winner for busy families who want to be prepared.”

Alex Heslop, Land Rover’s Chief Engineer for Discovery, said: “This unique feature sets the New Discovery apart from any other vehicle. The fact that owners can change the seating while doing things like queuing with their shopping is a true milestone in convenience delivered through technological innovation.”

The Intelligent Seat Fold technology can be activated in four different ways, including the remote function tried and tested by Bear Grylls. Closer to the ground, switches within the luggage area and on the C-pillar allow the seats to be moved or folded while standing beside the vehicle. Row two and three seats can also be raised and lowered using the main touchscreen display on the dashboard.

Land Rover’s InControl Remote app allows customers using both iOS and Android smartphones to connect with New Discovery from anywhere in the world, making it possible to perform a variety of functions. From confirming all the windows are closed or checking the fuel level to setting the air conditioning or monitoring its location, the advanced technology brings new levels of customer convenience and connectivity to the premium SUV market.