ONELIFE #36 – English

DRAGON CHALLENGE
...BEFORE
TALL ORDER
Before committing to the challenge, Ho-Pin asked for assurance
that no damage would be caused to the site. “It’s an iconic location
with strong cultural links – being Chinese, that was a very important
aspect for me. Once it was cleared, we got down to practicing.”
With more than a decade’s racing experience, Ho-Pin was
confident he could handle the 99 turns of the Dragon. The 999
steps, on the other hand, were a different matter entirely.
“The first time I attempted the 45-degree gradient at Gaydon,
my heart was racing faster than a qualifying lap at Le Mans. It feels
like you are going up a vertical slope – all you can see ahead is sky.”
Based on initial test experience, Phil Jones felt it prudent
that, with more than 400 steps at a 45-degree angle, a method
of securing the vehicle in case of a problem was imperative. The
answer: two safety cables would be attached at the top and the
bottom of the steps with a one-way clutch, which would only
kick in if the car were to start rolling backwards.
With UK testing done, the team headed to China to complete
its final practices on site. Despite extensive examination in Gaydon,
the safety cables still had to prove themselves on the 999 steps up
to Heaven’s Gate, where any issues could prove disastrous. The
responsibility fell on Phil Jones to take the Range Rover Sport up a
section of the steep incline for the first time. “On the first attempt, I
didn’t have enough speed, but the safety lines held me perfectly.”
A reassuring thought for Ho-Pin Tung as he sets off up the Dragon
road on the morning of the challenge. Locals are wary of the Dragon
– normally, the veteran tour bus drivers are the only ones allowed
to navigate its blind turns, bordered by sheer limestone on one side
and sheer drops on the other.
But now, before the park opens,
the road is empty and Ho-Pin is
TACKLING THE
999 STEPS
in his element. “For me, this part
is like a street circuit. The car has
a sporty feel to it and handles
the corners excellently.”
KNOCKING ON
HEAVEN’S DOOR
After 6.8 miles, he arrives at
the bottom of the 999 steps
up to Heaven’s Gate. Now, the
real test begins. Manoeuvring
the car up the first few steps
is no easy task and requires precise handling. “The instant power
delivery of the electric motor is perfect for this section,” Ho-Pin
explains. Then, it’s a straight shot up to the top. “But there’s a lot of
steering control required. The car is constantly bumping around on
the steps.” At one point, all four wheels leave the ground as Ho-Pin
races upward.
After 22 minutes and 41 seconds, Ho-Pin reaches the top. The
Range Rover Sport comes to a halt and he steps out:
“I‘m overcome by a mixture of excitement and relief. The
tension had been building on this challenge for several months
– nobody could be 100% sure how it would turn out. I’ve never
experienced 20 minutes of adrenaline like it.”
LEADING TO
‘HEAVEN’S GATE’
FIND OUT MORE
To see the video, please search Land Rover Dragon Challenge
THE RESULT:
CHALLENGE COMPLETED IN
22 MINUTES
41 SECS
P400e : ASTONISHING
CAPABILITY, LOWER EMISSIONS
Land Rover’s new plug-in hybrid technology
(PHEV) combines a conventional engine with an
electric motor and a high voltage battery, reducing
emissions without compromising performance.
This ensures a dynamic drive, ideal for breaking
records like the Dragon Challenge. The P400e
powertrain’s everyday benefits, however, go far
beyond this. By offering an electric range of up to
51 kilometres, both the Range Rover Sport P400e
and the larger Range Rover P400e can handle
most daily commutes in full electric mode. And
a full charge takes as little as 7.5 hours using a
domestic plug. This can even be cut to just 2.75
hours when using a public charging point. With
numerous cities around the world working towards
cutting emissions, this makes both vehicles ideal
for everyday urban life. This applies to Amsterdam
in Ho-Pin Tung’s native Netherlands, too. Here
city planners and politicians are working towards
making the Dutch metropole the first city in
Europe to become completely emissions free by
2025. With PHEV technology already available for
those seeking a greener way of getting around,
that goal now seems closer than ever before.
OFFICIAL EU FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR THE
RANGE ROVER SPORT P400e in mpg (l/100km): Combined
101 (2.8); CO 2 emissions (combined) g/km: 64; Official EU
Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures
may differ. EV range figures are based upon production
vehicle over a standardised route. Range achieved will vary
dependent on vehicle and battery condition, actual route
and environment and driving style.
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