Weekend Brief: Range Rover’s Quiet Mastery, a $1.7M Diamond-Dust G-Wagen, and MotoGP’s Windy Aussie Drama
Some Saturdays arrive with the subtlety of a V12 at idle—calm on the surface, lots going on underneath. Today’s mix delivers that vibe: a deep breath with the latest Range Rover, a fabulously outrageous G-Class that literally sparkles, and Phillip Island doing Phillip Island things in MotoGP.
Road Test Reflections: Land Rover Range Rover (L460)
Every time I get back into the latest Range Rover, the same thing happens: shoulders drop, breathing slows, and London’s worst speed humps feel like soft-focus memory. Air suspension does most of the heavy lifting, but it’s the calibration that impresses—there’s a gentle first inch of travel that takes the slap out of pothole edges. On a rutted B-road near my place, it just whispers through, unfazed, like it’s reading the tarmac a second ahead.
Key impressions from recent miles:
- Serene ride and vault-like body control. It wafts, but never wallows.
- Four-wheel steering on long-wheelbase models shrinks car-park anxiety. You can U-turn where a mid-size SUV would think twice.
- Cabin is a masterclass in quiet luxury—broad, calm surfaces, near-silent wind noise, and seats you sink into rather than sit on.
- Infotainment remains quick and tidy; wireless smartphone mirroring is generally stable, though a couple of owners told me it can take a beat to reconnect after a fuel stop.
- Real-world efficiency depends dramatically on powertrain. The plug-in hybrid can do the school week on electrons if you’re diligent with charging; the V8 will make you grin, then make you familiar with your fuel station cashier.
Off-road? The hall passes are still there. I tried the usual axle-twister and shallow ford near the old quarry—low range, locking diffs, a polite crawl—and it felt like cheating. You point, it does. More interesting is how composed it stays when you transition from muddy track to motorway; some SUVs need a reset, this one just exhales.
Who it suits
- Long-haul comfort fiends who still want a genuine go-anywhere card.
- Families wanting five or seven seats in a space that never feels busy.
- People who regard noise as a tax and serenity as a dividend.
Quirks to note
- The load bay is capacious but the lower tailgate can encourage you to overpack. Your chiropractor will have notes the morning after a big Costco run.
- The gentle brake pedal mapping is soothing, but takes a day to recalibrate your right foot for tight city creeping.
From the “Because We Can” Department: A $1.7M Diamond-Dust Mercedes G-Class
Carscoops flagged a reverse restomod G-Wagen that shimmers with real diamond dust. Yes, you read that right—diamonds, atomized into paint. It’s the sort of commission that makes even valet attendants pause, adjust their cuffs, and approach like a museum docent.
Reverse restomod is a neat trick: keep the modern mechanicals and safety, then style it to tug the nostalgia thread. Expect old-school cues on a thoroughly current G-Class platform. And the price? About $1.7 million. That number puts it deep into “explain it to your accountant, not your spouse” territory.
Range Rover vs Diamond-Dust G: Different Galaxies, Same Sky
| Vehicle | What it aims to do | Party trick | Everyday usability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land Rover Range Rover (L460) | Effortless luxury travel with real off-road competence | Near-silent ride and four-wheel steering grace | High—family-friendly, calm, and spacious |
| Mercedes G-Class “Reverse Restomod” (Diamond-Dust) | High-drama nostalgia with modern underpinnings | Paint that literally sparkles with diamonds | Medium—epic presence, less subtle, parking becomes performance art |
MotoGP at Phillip Island: Wind, Strategy, and a Sprint Shake-Up
Autosport’s pit-lane notebook came alive today. Phillip Island gusts are legendary, and organizers have shuffled Sunday’s schedule to stay ahead of the weather. If you’ve ever stood on that cliffside straight, you’ll know: one minute sunshine, the next a sideways squall.
Quartararo’s rollercoaster
Fabio Quartararo snatched pole from Marco Bezzecchi—pinpoint laps when it mattered. Come the sprint, though, he went from first to seventh and pointed the finger at tyre choice. I’ve been around enough race trucks to know that’s often the story at the Island; the place chews strategies as quickly as it chews rear rubber.
Bezzecchi dominates, Ducati streak checked
Marco Bezzecchi took a commanding sprint win, and in the process, a long-running Ducati sprint podium streak finally blinked. That’s a plot twist—Ducati’s been the yardstick all season in these short races. Today, the scriptwriters let another character hold the pen.
Sunday’s the decider, weather permitting. Expect teams to rethink tyre allocations and out-lap aggression. Phillip Island rewards bravery, but it’s the clever tyre whisperers who tend to cash the points.
Big Idea Corner: The Russia–Alaska Tunnel Talk
Carscoops also relayed a headline-grabber: political enthusiasm around the old Bering Strait tunnel idea. Set aside geopolitics for a second and it’s still wild sci‑fi—imagine driving from Anchorage to Siberia. Feasible? That’s a thesis-length debate. But as a conversation starter about infrastructure, energy corridors, and future mobility, it’s a strong espresso.
Quick Hits
- Range Rover continues to be the benchmark for calm, grown-up luxury that still gets its boots dirty.
- Diamond-dust G-Wagen proves car culture still has room for audacious art pieces.
- MotoGP’s sprint at the Island reminded everyone that tyre calls win—or lose—Saturdays.
Conclusion
From soothing British waft to glittering German bravado, and a windswept Aussie circuit messing with carefully-laid plans, today’s automotive universe feels gloriously varied. Pick your flavor: serenity, spectacle, or slipstream.
FAQ
Is the latest Range Rover still good off-road, or has it gone soft?
It’s still properly capable. Low range, locking diffs, generous clearance, and smart traction software let it stroll through rough stuff—then glide home like a luxury barge.
Should I choose the plug-in hybrid or a traditional engine in the Range Rover?
If you can charge at home and your commute is short, the PHEV delivers quiet, low-cost daily running. If you tow often or want the effortless surge and soundtrack, a traditional engine will suit better.
What’s the point of a $1.7M diamond-dust G-Class?
It’s an objet d’art on wheels—exclusive craftsmanship, retro drama, and a talking point wherever it rolls. Practical? Not especially. Memorable? Completely.
What happened in the MotoGP Australian sprint?
Fabio Quartararo started from pole but slipped to seventh, citing tyre choice. Marco Bezzecchi won convincingly, and a notable Ducati sprint podium streak came to an end.
Is a Russia–Alaska tunnel realistic?
Technically daunting and politically complex. Fascinating to imagine, but not something you should plan a road trip around anytime soon.
