New Range Rover Sport in death-defying Iceland dam stunt

THE new Range Rover Sport has marked its global premiere with a death-defying stunt that would put any of Top Gear’s daring feats to shame.

The third generation Range Rover Sport completed a dramatic worldfirst climb up a flooded dam spillway in Iceland.

The epic ascent saw the new Range Rover Sport seemingly defy the laws of physics to resist a surging torrent of water flowing down the ramp of the Karahnjukar Dam - the biggest of its kind in the world - at a rate of 750 tonnes per minute.

A loss of traction risked plunging down a perilous 90-metre drop at the base of the spillway to the valley floor below.

The successful spillway ascent was screened for the first time at an exclusive launch event at Jaguar Land Rover’s Advanced Product Creation Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Official James Bond stunt driver Jessica Hawkins was behind the wheel as the new Range Rover Sport demonstrated its grip, traction, performance and composure, completing the latest in a series of challenges for Land Rover’s luxury performance SUV.

Previous feats include a recordsetting hill-climb at Pikes Peak, a first recorded crossing of the ‘Empty Quarter’ desert in the Arabian Peninsula

and a first ascent of the 999 steps to Heaven’s Gate in China, in 2018.

The spillway climb was the final obstacle on the drive from the valley floor to the summit of the dam, taking in a flooded riverbed, the concrete tunnels of the hydro-electric dam and the rocky dam wall itself.

The final 294-metre stretch of spillway rises at 40-degrees and climbs 193m, with water cascading down to provide the ultimate test of traction and driver confidence.

Jessica Hawkins said: “The power of the water surging down the spillway was breathtaking from the side of the valley. Driving into it knowing that a 90-metre drop was waiting behind me at the bottom of the slope, if things went wrong, made this the most challenging drive I’ve ever undertaken.

“Despite the steep slope and rushing water, new Range Rover Sport made it look easy. Its traction, composure and commanding visibility inspired so much confidence I was able to enjoy the whole experience.”

Nick Collins, executive director vehicle programmes, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Land Rover’s pioneering MLA-FLEX architecture and the latest chassis systems come together to deliver the highest levels of dynamism we’ve ever seen on Range Rover Sport.

“Integrated Chassis Control governs the comprehensive suite of innovations, co-ordinating everything from the latest switchable-volume air suspension system to our Dynamic Response Pro electronic active roll control.

“The result is the most engaging and thrilling Range Rover Sport ever.”

The new Range Rover sport had its global unveiling at 7pm on Tuesday May 10.