Team Philippines Land Rover Joins International Off-Road Challenge

MANILA, Philippines - Ask any marketing pundit, and they’ll say that the best way to prove your product’s worth is to “put your money where your mouth is”. That’s exactly what LRPhils Motors, Inc., the country’s exclusive distributor of Land Rover vehicles just did. Last week, the company has announced its participation at the inaugural China – Sanya International Off-Road Challenge.

The China – Sanya International Off-Road Challenge is a signature event from the founders of the Rainforest Challenge (RFC), the world’s most internationally represented 4x4 event as well as the toughest. In their first China-based 4x4 event, drivers from Europe and Asia will participate in a week long competition that starts on September 18, 2009.

Team Philippines Land Rover is fielding in a modified Defender 90, considered to be one of the world’s best off-road vehicles. Even in its stock form, the Defender 90 is the ultimate go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle with a history reaching as far back as 1948. The newest Defender 90 packs a range of technical innovations that are found in both traditional and modern 4x4 vehicles.

Its foundation starts with a highly robust chassis that lend the Defender 90 extra rigidity and a little chance of body flex when encountering tough terrain. It also boasts of a extremely accommodating approach and departure angles (45 degrees and 47 degrees respectively). Add to that a permanent all-wheel drive system with a locking center differential as well as a long-travel suspension system, and you have a truly capable mountain climber.

As a response to its highly loyal fan base, the Defender 90 now packs a powerful and efficient 2.4-liter common rail direct injection diesel engine good for 122 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. This Euro-4 emissions compliant engine is mated to a six-speed manual with a dual-range transfer box that includes an ultra-low first gear for rock crawling and/or towing duties. The changes are capped off by an electronic throttle control that allows for a dual throttle control setting. Under its Fast Throttle Control (FTC) setting, the Defender 90 puts most of the engine’s power at just the first 30 percent of pedal travel, but when the low range is selected, the throttle reverts to a long travel setting allowing for the optimal application of engine power during heavy-duty off-roading.

The highly capable Defender 90 will be piloted by Larry Mendiola and he will be assisted by Sergio Jamila. Larry Mendiola is no stranger in the off-roading world, having won the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP)’s Driver of the Year – 4x4 Category four times (1996, 1999, 2001 and 2004). In addition, he ranked fifth and sixth overall in the RFC in 2005 and 2006 respectively. Sergio Jamila is equally experienced, having the distinction of the most seasoned Filipino to participate in the RFC, competing in 2000, 2005 and 2006.

“Land Rover Philippines is very proud to represent the country in such as prestigious event. We believe that our customized Defender 90, paired with the talent and determination of both Larry Mendiola and Sergio Jamilla makes us a very strong contender to finish at the top,” remarked LRPhils Motors Inc. Executive Director Marc Soong during the launch.

Robby Consunji, consultant-coordinator for Team Land Rover Philippines adds, “The Rainforest Challenge is the most demanding 4x4 race in the world and is considered to be the off-road equivalent of F1 and having our team backed by LRPhils Motors Inc. gives us a tremendous competitive advantage. The Defender 90, in its stock configuration, is already a very capable off-road vehicle and with the enhancements and customizations we’ve added, this vehicle, along with its driver is nothing less than a world-class competitor.”