Saturday 21 May 2022 13:04, UK
The New Range Rover Sport has made its global premiere with a dramatic world-first climb up a flooded dam spillway in Iceland.
The epic ascent saw the new Range Rover Sport resist the 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 the perilous 90m drop at the base of the spillway to the valley floor below.
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 record-setting 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, long steep tunnels and the 40-degree rocky dam wall itself. The 294m stretch of spillway had water furiously cascading down its 90-metre drop, to provide the ultimate test of traction and driver confidence.
Natalie Pinkham met with Jess to find out more about the challenge.
Hawkins said: "The power of the water surging down the spillway was breath-taking 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."
Watch the full interview below.
The New Range Rover Sport is available to order now. Go and configure yours here.
