It’s certainly a dramatic way to make a big splash. But so confident was Land Rover about the off-roading prowess of its new third generation Range Rover Sport unveiled today that it got a James Bond stunt driver to drive one – against a torrential deluge of water – up the flooded overflow spillway of a major dam in Iceland.
An epic stunt was performed at Karahnjukar Dam to celebrate the worldwide premiere of the British-built Luxury Performance 4X4. Here, water is released at an incredible rate of 750 tonnes/minute down the last 294 meters. This rises at 40° as the vehicle climbs 193m in height.
It was carried out by 007 stunt driver Jessica Hawkins whose feat was designed to highlight the impressive dynamic and off-road capability of the upmarket SUV and was the climax of an adventurous trek across the island’s volcanic landscape negotiating a series of rock-climbs and flooded tunnels.
Land Rover’s third-generation Range Rover Sport has been unveiled. It was shown driving up a dam in Iceland.
Thankfully the new Range Rover Sport – the sportier and more aerodynamic sibling of the new Range Rover – has a wading depth of up to 900mm so was not totally engulfed.
Priced from £79,125, the Sport goes on sale now with a range of petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV), petrol and diesel engines, with first deliveries from September.
Hot on the heels the larger Range Rover, a pure electric version with zero emissions will be available in two years.
Land Rover said: ‘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 90-metre drop at the base of the spillway to the valley floor below.’
The film of the successful ascent was screened at Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced engineering and design centre at Gaydon in Warwickshire for the cars official unveiling – and released globally online.
This is just the latest of many crazy JLR stunts to celebrate the new motor’s arrival.
Previous examples include marking 45 years of the Range Rover in 2015 by driving one over a bridge of paper in China and, in 2016, the car maker using the then-new Land Rover Discovery Sport to tow a train across a river in Switzerland.
The Karahnjukar Dam is the biggest of its kind in the world, and released water at a rate of 750 tonnes per minute
Land Rover’s cars are known for their crazy launches…
In 2015, the Range Rover’s previous generation was driven across a bridge made of paper in China. In 2016, the vehicle maker also used the new Land Rover Discovery Sport (right) to transport a train over a river in Switzerland.
The ascent up the dam was the climax of an adventurous trek across the island’s volcanic landscape negotiating a series of rock-climbs and flooded tunnels
The final 294 metres of the dam’s reservoir are filled with 750,000 tonnes. It rises 40° as the dam climbs 193 meters in elevation.
Jessica Hawkins (stunt driver), who was part of Bond film’s stunt team There is no time to die starring Daniel Craig, 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 for me at the bottom of the slope if things went wrong, made this the most challenging drive I’ve ever undertaken.’
She added: ‘Despite the sheer slope and rushing water, the new Range River Sport made it look easy. Its traction, composure and commanding visibility inspired so much confidence I was able to enjoy the while experience.’
Jessica Hawkins was the stunt driver for 007, and performed this amazing feat. This dangerous stunt was performed by Jessica Hawkins, 007 stunt driver. It is meant to show off the SUV’s impressive performance and off-road ability.
Hawkins who was part of Bond movie No Time to Die, starring Daniel Craig, said that it was her most challenging driving experience.
Priced from £79,125, the new Range Rover Sport goes on sale now with a range of petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV), petrol and diesel engines, with first deliveries from September
Although the new Range Rover Sport’s design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, it promises an improved driving performance
There are two petrol options: a 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 with 530 HP. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.5 seconds, and up to 155 mph at its maximum speed.
This is the third generation Range Rover Sport. It was first introduced 17 years ago, in 2005.
The new version will launch with a variety of powertrains, each equipped with an 8-speed manual gearbox.
Two are plug-in hybrids, both combining a 3.0-litre six cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and can cruise at up to 87mph in EV mode, produce low combined CO2 emissions of 18g/km, have an official electric-only driving range of 70 miles and a ‘real-world’ range of 54 miles, and a total driving range on a full tank of 460 miles.
These will be priced from £83,330 to £107,400 for the P440e and P510e respectively.
A 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 petrol version is available. It produces 530 HP and has a top speed at 155 mph. This will be the engine fitted to the fully-specced ‘First Edition’ vehicles, which will the most expensive at launch costing a cool £114,990.
A more sedate 400 horsepower 3.0-litre six-cylinder ‘mild hybrid’ petrol – costing from £86,195 – will also be available.
The two diesels available at launch are both 3.0-litre six-cylinder mild hybrids, with the D300 being the lowest price on sale at £79,125 – the more potent D350 will cost from £98.045.
Both diesel engines achieve 38.3mpg of fuel economy and CO2 emissions respectively of 194g/km or 195g/km.
The film of the successful ascent was screened at Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced engineering and design centre at Gaydon in Warwickshire for the cars official unveiling – and released globally online
The Kárahnjúkar Dam is the largest of its type in Europe, standing 193 metres (633 ft) tall with a length of 730 metres (2,400 ft) and comprising 8.5 million cubic metres of material
The dam is part of the Fljótsdalur Power Station – a hydroelectric power plant in in eastern Iceland designed to produce 4,600 gigawatt-hour
It was selected to show off the 4X4’s incredible off-road capability. The new 4X4 will likely be used in Britain for school runs, not a race up a dam.
Although the new Range Rover Sport’s design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, it promises an improved driving performance.
It comes with dynamic air suspension with switchable volume air springs – a Range Rover first – and twin valve active dampers to improve agility, control and driving composure. Stormer handling packs include all-wheel steering, electronic active differential and enhanced dynamic responses.
It features an 13.1 inch curved floating Pivi Pro touchscreen and a 13.7 inch driver display. The interior also includes the Amazon Alexa voice-recognition system.
After the popularity of previous generations, the Range Rover’s sportier and shorter version will enjoy a huge following.
To make Range Rover Sport the most soothing, active noise cancelling filters out outside noises while on the move.
The truck has an 835 litre boot, and it also features enhanced stowage with a fridge compartment that can store four 500ml bottles.
The driver has an unobstructed view. It features 22-way adjustment and massage function, advanced cabin air purification systems, and the high-end Meridian Signature Sound System with 29 speakers.
To make Range Rover Sport the most soothing, active noise cancellation removes unwanted outside noise.
The 835-litre boot is practical. There’s also a refrigerator compartment to store up to four 500ml bottles.
There’s advanced connectivity including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a variety of electronic driver safety and assistance systems including parking.
Jaguar Land Rover’s executive director of vehicle programmes Nick Collins said the new 4X4’s chassis and suspension had been engineered to deliver the most dynamic drive to date: ‘The result is the most engaging and thrilling Range Rover Sport ever.’
Bosses at JLR say the new 4X4’s chassis and suspension had been engineered to deliver the most dynamic drive to date
The luxurious interior features a floating Pivi Pro touchscreen (13.1 inches curved) with a driver display (13.7 inches), and the Amazon Alexa voice recognition.
It is definitely more evolutionist than revolutionary. The new grille and headlight design give it a cleaner look.
The new model will be available with a variety of powertrains, each equipped with an 8-speed auto gearbox. One is a plug-in hybrid, which combines a petrol 3.0-litre 6-cylinder engine with an electrical motor.
Can it fit in my car: Range Rover Sport 3rd Gen
Built: Solihull, England
Starting at: £79,125 to £114,990
Variants of engines:Plug-in hybrids of petrol and electric, as well as V8 petrol or mild-hybrid engines. From 2024, all electric models will go on sale
It’s a circle. 10.95m
Wading depth: 900mm
Maximum ground clearance 281mm (Plug-in Hybrid PHEV: 274mm)
Dimensions
Length: 4,946mm
Width (inc. Mirrors) 2,209mm
Height: 1,820mm
Wheelbase: 2,997mm
Capacity of the boot: 835 litres
Weight (unladen): 2,505kg
Weight in gross: 3,220kg