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 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.
The third generation of Land Rover’s luxury performance SUV is the most desirable, technologically advanced and capable yet, mixing an imposing road presence with instinctive driving responses using the most advanced combination of chassis technologies ever fitted to a Land Rover.
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, UK. 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.
Jessica Hawkins, Stunt Driver, 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.”
AutoBrief Snippets
- Dramatic debut: New Range Rover Sport has redefined sporting luxury, completing a challenging ascent of a 193m dam spillway against a torrent of water flowing at 750 tonnes per minute
- Dynamic capability: James Bond stunt driver Jessica Hawkins took the wheel, risking a sheer drop at the base of the spillway to reach the summit in a unique showcase of dynamic capability
- Dynamic luxury: New Range Rover Sport combines dramatic modernity and distinctive character with electrified performance
- Modernist philosophy: Reductive design approach elevates Range Rover Sport DNA with muscular stance and taut surfaces that communicate power and agility
- Electrifying power: Pure-electric propulsion in 2024, and extended range Electric Hybrid from launch with 510PS, total real-world range of 460 miles and CO2 emissions from 18g/km1
- Smooth and powerful: Six-cylinder 48V mild-hybrid Ingenium petrol and diesel engines, plus a new V8 Twin Turbo 530PS V8, deliver customary Range Rover Sport performance
- Pioneering drive: Dynamic Air Suspension with switchable volume air springs – a Range Rover first – and twin-valve active dampers provide new levels of agility, control and composure
- Dynamic master: Stormer Handling Pack combines All-Wheel Steering, Dynamic Response Pro, Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by Braking and Configurable Programmes
- Seamless connectivity: 13.1-inch floating Pivi Pro haptic touchscreen is comp