Making Waves: LA Surfers experience New Land Rover Discovery ahead of a full U.S. Premiere.

• Surf legend Laird Hamilton and eight-year old phenomenon Jett Prefontaine take New Discovery surfing at Point Mugu in Malibu, California ahead of its U.S. premiere
• Hamilton demonstrates Intelligent Seat Fold technology by rearranging premium SUV’s seats from the water(3)
• Intelligent Seat Fold technology allows customers to reconfigure the second and third row seats remotely using a smartphone(3)
• Members of the Silicon Beach Surfers club join Laird and Jett to check out the new Land Rover SUV’s surf-friendly features, including the waterproof Activity Key wristband
• New Discovery Dynamic Design Pack receives debut at LA Auto Show
• New Discovery can accommodate seven surfers in comfort

Big-wave surf legend Laird Hamilton and members of the exclusive Silicon Beach Surfers club have given the new Land Rover Discovery the surfing seal of approval.

Laird was joined by future surf star, eight-year-old Jett Prefontaine, and surfers from the exclusive Californian surf club at Point Mugu in Malibu, as he reconfigured the premium SUV’s seats from the water(3).

The New Discovery Dynamic Design Pack makes its public U.S. debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16. It combines unbeatable all-terrain capability with unrivalled versatility and a revolutionary new exterior design.

In an effort to match British adventurer Bear Grylls, who rearranged the New Discovery’s seats in mid-air, Laird used the InControl Remote app to operate Land Rover Intelligent Seat Fold technology from the water(3). He and Jett also carried their boards on the vehicle’s specially-designed Aqua Rack and used the SUV’s Powered Inner Tailgate and Activity Key before hitting the water.

Laird Hamilton said, “The new Land Rover Discovery could have been made as the ultimate surfer’s SUV. Its specially-designed Aqua Rack makes it easy to transport your boards, the Powered Inner Tailgate is the perfect place to sit in shelter from the elements and the Activity Key is awesome – I wish I’d had one years ago.

“You can even adjust the vehicle from the surf! Remotely rearranging the seats(3) to make space for your friends, or activating the climate control to cool the vehicle before you catch the last wave of the day, has to be the ultimate in convenience.”

Silicon Beach Surfers is a tight-knit invitation club of 500 surfers from the media, tech and entertainment industries in Los Angeles.  

Discovery Dynamic Design Pack

The Dynamic Design Pack gives the New Discovery a stealth-like appearance with a host of exterior detail changes. The optional pack is available on HSE and HSE Luxury models and comprises of 21- or 22-inch Satin Dark Grey finish cast alloy wheels, a Black or Corris Grey contrast roof and purposeful new front and rear bumpers. In addition the grille, fender vents, door mirror caps and vehicle script on the hood are all finished in Narvik Black.

Inside, there’s a choice of three colourways, each with contrast stitching. A Titanium Mesh finish, Windsor leather upper facia and door tops, and dedicated carpet mats with Nubuck binding complete the upgrade.

Hamilton used the ‘Sand’ mode of the new Terrain Response® 2 system(5) to drive the New Discovery on the beach close to the shore before removing the surfboards from the roof-mounted Aqua Rack, which can carry a pair of boards.

The duo then used the Powered Inner Tailgate feature while preparing to enter the water before locking the vehicle with the unique-in-segment Land Rover Activity Key. The clever waterproof wristband allows you to lock and unlock the vehicle without the need to carry a conventional key fob.

Designed to be worn while participating in a variety of outdoor pursuits the Activity Key locks the vehicle and simultaneously disables the key fob, so it can be left securely inside, when it is held up to the ‘D’ in the Discovery badge on the tailgate. The clever wristband is tested to withstand temperatures ranging from -58º to +125ºF and is waterproof to depths of more than 98 ft.

Unparalleled versatility defines the New Discovery and is exemplified by the world-first Intelligent Seat Foldtechnology(2). The clever technology allows customers using Android™ and Apple® smartphones to rearrange the second and third row seats even when they’re not in the vehicle(3),via the InControl Remoteapp. Owners can configure the seats from inside a shop while waiting to pay for bulky items – or from the crest of a wave on a surfboard.

Alternatively, the central 10-inch touchscreen display or buttons in the luggage area and on the C-pillars can also be used to raise or lower the rear seats(4).

World-first remote technology

This is not the first time the seats of the new Discovery have been rearranged from an unusual location. During the countdown to the reveal of the premium SUV in October, adventurer and Discovery customer Bear Grylls demonstrated the Intelligent Seat Fold technology thousands of feet above the ground in a unique skydive at a military testing facility.

MINI at the North American International Auto Show 2015.

One year after the US premiere of the new MINI, the British premium manufacturer presents another spectacular addition to the model range at the 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The new MINI John Cooper Works is raring to go and now sees its world premiere at the Mecca of the US automotive industry. This model takes hallmark MINI driving fun - already intensified in the latest generation - to a level of irresistible racing passion. A particularly powerful turbo engine, suspension technology precisely attuned to the race track and an aerodynamically optimised body design give the new MINI John Cooper Works outstanding performance properties.

The new top athlete combines the enthusiasm for top performance embodied by the John Cooper Works brand with the consistently refined quality of the latest MINI generation. At NAIAS 2015, the new version of the original in the premium small car segment will demonstrate that it not only offers extreme driving fun but also provides the perfect basis for fresh diversity. In addition to the new MINI 3 door, the limelight will also be on the new MINI 5 door at the motor show in Detroit. What is more, visitors to the exhibition from January 17th - 25th 2015 will have the opportunity to see the latest additions to the program of MINI Yours special equipment features as well as a particularly fascinating concept study. 

The North American International Auto Show traditionally marks the start of the sector's global motor show calendar. It is now one of the most outstanding auto shows in the world and will be held for the 27th time in 2015. More than 200 companies will be presenting their current new models, products and technologies at the Cobo Center in Detroit. Like last year, the organisers expect NAIAS 2015 to attract more than 800,000 visitors. 

World premiere for the top athlete: the new MINI John Cooper Works.

The new MINI John Cooper Works offers extreme temperament subject to precise control, making for especially fascinating driving fun in day-to-day traffic. Typical of the John Cooper Works models, these characteristics are created by developing and harmonising technology details for the engine, suspension, body and cockpit based on in-depth racing expertise and geared towards top performance.

The most important components of this overall package are the powerful 4-cylinder turbo engine, a sports suspension including Brembo sports brake system and exclusive John Cooper Works light alloy wheels, the John Cooper Works aerodynamics kit and particularly large air inlets on the front section of the vehicle as well as a model-specific interior in sports car style. With its exclusive design and equipment features, the new MINI John Cooper Works is set more clearly apart than ever from the other models of the MINI family. It achieves significantly improved driving performance figures and a further reduced level of fuel consumption as compared to its predecessor model.

MINI Superleggera Vision: British style meets Italian flair.

Future-oriented technology and tradition-steeped automobile craftsmanship are combined in the concept study of a compact roadster created as a collaborative venture between MINI and the Italian design and body manufacturing specialist Touring Superleggera. The MINI Superleggera Vision presents a modern interpretation of a classic open-top two-seater merging British style with Italian flair. Elaborately crafted by hand, the study has an electric motor under the bonnet. The vehicle concept and design are focussed entirely on the essentials: driving fun and aesthetic appeal.

The roadster's characteristic MINI proportions derive a fascinating charismatic touch from the unmistakable Touring Superleggera lines and surface finish. The lightweight construction used for the body - another characteristic feature - contributes to pure driving fun, enthralling agility and groundbreaking efficiency. In the interior of the MINI Superleggera Vision, purist and therefore timeless aesthetic appeal is created by means of generous surfaces and high-quality materials which are especially authentic since they have largely been left in their original state.