Monday 10th June 2013

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

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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.

[LankyPaddy]

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?

[flyingscot68]

No doubt some weird looking Pikes Peak Mini variant will be for sale soon.......

[CedricN]

LankyPaddy said:

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?

Really good high altitude performance

Although that probably compromises sea level performance with huge turbos, but what a heck, lap time is lap time Will be interesting to see if other manufacturers catch on.

[anonymous-user]

So, in fact, the RRS can actually go round corners. Why then, do i encounter so many of them on the wrong side of the road on smallish A or B roads at the slightest sign of a corner...........

I also think it's safe to say that JLR's new "record" is completely safe, right up until someone from Porsche or BMW give it a try ;-)

[edo]

Not really a record though is it - first production car to do it?!

[LewisR]

Max_Torque said:

So, in fact, the RRS can actually go round corners. Why then, do i encounter so many of them on the wrong side of the road on smallish A or B roads at the slightest sign of a corner...........

I also think it's safe to say that JLR's new "record" is completely safe, right up until someone from Porsche or BMW give it a try ;-)

...or Jaguar.

[pti]

Max_Torque said:

So, in fact, the RRS can actually go round corners. Why then, do i encounter so many of them on the wrong side of the road on smallish A or B roads at the slightest sign of a corner...........

I also think it's safe to say that JLR's new "record" is completely safe, right up until someone from Porsche or BMW give it a try ;-)

Perhaps because you've only encountered the current model.

[LankyPaddy]

flyingscot68 said:

No doubt some weird looking Pikes Peak Mini variant will be for sale soon.......

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=27823

Don't tempt them further...

[splitpin]

[treetops]

And it didn't break down either...

[9mm]

Max_Torque said:

So, in fact, the RRS can actually go round corners. Why then, do i encounter so many of them on the wrong side of the road on smallish A or B roads at the slightest sign of a corner...........

That mirrors my experience. They are a bloody liability driven quickly with other vehicles around. Have you noticed the tendency to straight line roundabouts too?

[jamespink]

LewisR said:

Max_Torque said:

So, in fact, the RRS can actually go round corners. Why then, do i encounter so many of them on the wrong side of the road on smallish A or B roads at the slightest sign of a corner...........

I also think it's safe to say that JLR's new "record" is completely safe, right up until someone from Porsche or BMW give it a try ;-)

...or Jaguar.

I think all the SUV participants should rock up over a long weekend. Lambo with their new one (perhaps an LM02 aswell for fun/comparison) BMW with an X5/X6M, a Raptor, Bowler EX, Mercedes ML63, Jeep SRT8... I'm gettin' in to this!

[storminnorman]

splitpin said:

I am inclined to agree with this gentleman's pertinent observation.

[sad61t]

jamespink said:

I think all the SUV participants should rock up over a long weekend. Lambo with their new one (perhaps an LM02 aswell for fun/comparison) BMW with an X5/X6M, a Raptor, Bowler EX, Mercedes ML63, Jeep SRT8... I'm gettin' in to this!

Suzuki Jimny

[300bhp/ton]

So this article fully highlights that LR's intent is the US market. Which I think is good. Now gives us a proper Landy to compete head to head with the Wrangler, not some tarted up city vehicle, as has been muted!

[davidpn]

edo said:

Not really a record though is it - first production car to do it?!

If fifty other manufacturers tried and failed to go faster would it still not really be a record?

[JuanGandini]

Surely a more relevant speed attempt for one of these would be to traverse from one end of the Kings Road to the other at rush hour, no?

[FisiP1]

Would enjoy seeing production cars go up against each other for this record in future, I've never liked the 'ring if I'm honest but this course is wonderful.

[militantmandy]

I thought someone had already taken a 997 GT2 up in production form?

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-videos/porsche-gt2...

Perhaps "street legal" doesn't mean production.

[DanielSan]

So the 2014 Nissan GTR will be off to Pikes Peak then next year