If you’re a fan of shooting and luxury cars you may well remember the episode of Top Gear a few years ago, in which Clarkson – and the nation – drooled over an Overfinch-modified Range Rover, complete with an integrated gun cabinet in the boot and a ‘self-replenishing drinks cabinet’ in the central rear seat. “Even if you miss all the birds today”, the car seemed to say, “you’ll still be the coolest kid here”.
Now, however, Range Rover themselves have brought out a rival to this version, aimed at the very, very, very top end of the country sports market. The Holland and Holland Range Rover has been designed in collaboration with one of the leading English gunmakers, Holland and Holland, who are based both in Mayfair and at their shooting ground in Ruislip. For those of you who don’t shoot, they are to guns what Bentley are to cars.
Retaining all the luxurious hallmarks of the Range Rover Autobiography Black on which it is based, the new car boasts a series of unique extras, placed there by the Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations team. You’ll recognise these modified cars, whether they’re the 4.4 litre SDV8 diesel version or the 5 litre V8 Supercharged petrol version, by their distinctive body colour: – Holland and Holland green. The gunmaker’s badging is also featured on the lower accent door badges and the tailgate.
Most of the modifications, however, are on the inside. Executive class seating in the long-wheel-base interior guarantees a huge amount of legroom (or gundog room), while a re-designed centre console with electrically deployable walnut tables, bespoke lighting and even USB charging points ensures you can arrange all your kit comfortably.
The interior is upholstered in tan and espresso, also featuring Holland and Holland embroidery, while other accents are provided by French walnut veneer, polished to resemble a Holland and Holland gunstock. The gunmaker is also famous for the quality of its engraving, and this is featured on the internal door handles, while engraving on the centre console is designed to resemble the pattern found on a gun’s forend.
Of course, if you’re a shooting enthusiast what you’ll really be interested in is the gun storage, and you can find a bespoke, leather-trimmed aluminium cabinet in the boot.
The cabinet is tailored to fit the driver’s own pair of Holland and Holland guns, and slides out on a specially-designed platform so the guns are easily accessible when the tailgate is open.
The sliding floor does not, however, preclude any of the activities for which the tailgate is so useful – you can still, for example, sit on it to change muddy wellies, or perch with the other guns while you’re breaking for elevenses. We can smell the bullshot already.
Both Jaguar Land Rover and Holland and Holland hold Royal Warrants, and their collaboration has created something as luxurious, lavish and well-made as everything for which they are already famed. That’s not to say, however, that the existing Range Rover models aren’t worthy of holding your shooting riffle – whoever they’re made by – and if you’re looking for a sturdy, stylish 4×4 for your next shooting trip, contact us today.
