The Range Rover Sport PHEV has just completed a world-first at one of China's most famous landmarks.
The petrol-electric performance SUV has become the first vehicle to climb the stairs to the natural rock arch of Heaven's Gate located in the Hunan province.
The Dragon Challenge is the latest in a series of adventures completed by the Range Rover Sport after its PHEV model made its debut in a race against two-time open-water swimming world champion Kerianne Payne and endurance athlete Ross Edgley in Devon, UK.
Starting at the bottom of the legendary 11.3km Tianmen Mountain Road, also known as the Dragon Road, the showroom standard Range Rover Sport P400e took on the demanding course, with Panasonic Jaguar Racing's Ho-Pin Tung behind the wheel.
At the summit of the road, the driver and vehicle then scaled the towering 45-degree staircase of 999 steps leading to China's legendary Heaven’s Gate.
Ho-Pin Tung said: "I’ve experienced Formula E, Formula 1 and won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans but this was without doubt one of the most demanding driving challenges I've ever faced. The Range Rover Sport PHEV performed brilliantly as it inspired real confidence on the mountain road and climbed the stairs up to Heaven's Gate effortlessly."
This was indeed an ultimate exhibition of the Range Rover Sport PHEV's capabilities and underscores its impressive all-terrain conquering credentials.
