2014 Range Rover Sport sets the record for fastest desert crossing

Setting a record and that too in a desert, the new Range Rover Sport crossed 849 kilometres of  the ‘Empty Quarter’ in a time of 10 hours and 22 minutes.  The car ploughed what is believed to be the largest sand desert which comes only next to the Sahara.

The Empty Quarter is spread over four countries including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates. The Range Rover Sport began its journey from Wadi Adda Wasir in Saudi Arabia right across the desert to the UAE border. Moi Torrallardona, Land Rover’s driver and off-road racer, who has an extensive experience of the Dakar Rally, completed the 849 km drive in the SUV along with the team. The car and the team battled extreme weather conditions, with temperatures rising to about 50 degree Celsius. Averaging at about 81.87 kmph, the Land Rover team completed the journey across the tough ever-shifting terrain successfully and also set the fastest time for any vehicle to cross the region.

The Range Rover Sport that set this record is powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine churning out 510bhp of power. Apart from the fitment of an underbody protection plate no other modifications were done to the SUV. The car ran on stock tyres proving the standard SUV’s mettle.

Commenting on the accomplishment Torrallardona, said, “The challenge of the desert is like nothing else, it is a brutal, unforgiving and sometimes deadly environment. Desert driving requires a unique combination of speed, finesse and technical skill. It is crucial that you tackle the dunes with precision. Knowing the right time to go full throttle and the right time to slow down, takes experience and clear judgement. This unique way of driving requires a vehicle which has the same skillset – it must be both incredibly fast but also agile, responsive and well planted. The Range Rover Sport is exactly that. It is massively capable and is truly the best tool for conquering the desert.”