Range Rover Sport sets Pikes Peak record

Range Rover Sport proves you don't need big wings and 900hp to set records at Pikes Peak

Despite the claims of improved dynamics, a reduced kerbweight and sharper responses, you sense the latest Range Rover Sport won't be driven to its limit by most owners.

But it's nice to know, etc, so it's with great pleasure that we can announce the Range Rover Sport Supercharged V8 as the fastest production car up the Pikes Peak hillclimb. It averaged 59mph over the 12.42-mile course with an overall time of 12:35.61.

Record set on newly tarmac covered hillclimb

Usually this is where the previous record holder is mentioned to spark rumours of its resurgence. But in this instance the RRS is a pioneer; as the first production SUV to be officially timed at the course, the first production car of any kind in fact, it establishes the record. There seems a great irony in Land Rover never attempting this when the Pikes Peak course was gravel and 4WD would have been an advantage, instead waiting until the course if fully tarmac to send its two-tonne SUV to set a time. So its record may not stand for long...

The car used was a standard Sport V8 Supercharged save for the addition of harnesses and a roll cage to comply with safety regulations. It was driven by stunt driver Paul Dallenbach, with the time independently verified by the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb members.

This year's main hillclimb, for cars very much not production-spec, is now just 20 days away. Competitors from Peugeot, Mini and Toyota all looking to surpass Rhys Millen's 9:46 time from last year in his Hyundai Genesis.

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LankyPaddy

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268 months

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Monday 10th June 2013

If a drive for lap times at the Nurburgring gave us a generation of cars with hard suspension and crass road manners, what will this latest craze result in?

Huge aero and ceiling mounted oxygen masks?