Land Rovers rev up for Rugby World Cup

Land Rover will count down to the RWC by taking the Webb Ellis Cup to all 23 of the host regions in New Zealand. Photo / Supplied

The first shipment of Land Rovers to be used as VIP transport during the Rugby World Cup have arrived in New Zealand complete with tournament logos.

The official vehicle sponsor will have 75 vehicles on hand during the Cup, mostly Range Rover Sport and Land Rover Discovery models. Some will be shipped back to Britain after the tournament, others will be sold in New Zealand.

The vehicles will mostly be used to move organisers and VIPs around. Some will be assigned to lifestyle journalists reporting on New Zealand tourist attractions.

Each Land Rover and Range Rover will be customised with World Cup branding, including 2011 number plates and commemorative badges.

Land Rover NZ brand manager Gary Upson said the World Cup was the perfect national and global showcase for the brand.

"The sport shares so many of our core values - power, intelligence, versatility - all elements needed to create great competitive rugby and world class all-terrain vehicles."

Land Rover will count down to the RWC by taking the Webb Ellis Cup to all 23 of the host regions in New Zealand.

The roadshow starts in Invercargill on July 4 and finishes in Auckland on July 31.