When you picture the Swiss Alps, the word ‘inferno’ isn’t something that usually springs to mind. For those that know it though, the Schilthorn range in Mürren, Switzerland has been home to the Inferno Challenge since it was born in 1928. The event is the oldest surviving downhill ski race in the world and at over 14.9km long with a 2,170m vertical descent, it’s one of the longest and most challenging.

Each year it’s tackled by 1,800 sportsmen and women who, this year, found themselves joined by an unusual new challenger; enter the Range Rover Sport, with the direct aim of setting a course record for the fastest descent of a downhill ski race in summer.

Known for its speed and optimum performance, both on- and off-road, the Range Rover Sport was the perfect vehicle to attempt the very same descent. Of course, a performance SUV on a challenge like this needs a performance driver and that’s where Ben Collins comes in.

Despite Ben’s experience, locals were still shocked at his attempt to take on the Inferno Challenge in a vehicle. Cleeves Palmer, President of the Kandahar Ski Club said, “The terrain is strewn with boulders; I would far rather race it on skis in winter than drive it in the summer!” And this, from a veteran of 30 races.

Undeterred and ready for the challenge, Ben got into the Range Rover Sport – modified only with the addition of a roll cage, seat harness and reinforced tires – and set off for the summit, ready to take on the Inferno Challenge and prove why it was the best 4x4 SUV for the job.

Light work of tough terrain

From ice, rocks and gravel, to wet mud, earth and grass, the Inferno Challenge had it all. And though it sounds like an impossibility for most vehicles, not so for the Range Rover Sport.

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Left Hill Descent Control (HDC) assists the driver with controlled descents of difficult slopes.

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Right The Inferno Challenge is the oldest surviving downhill ski race in the world.

With years of Land Rover engineering expertise built in and having been put through its paces in a seriously tough testing program, it quickly proved it really is built for anything. Perfectly complementing the power of the V8 5.0L Supercharged engine, Torque Vectoring by Braking constantly monitored the vehicle’s steering wheel angle and reduced power by applying the relevant brakes to keep it on track. The vehicle handled everything the mountain threw at it.

 

"I normally race cars around places like Le Mans. Today I'm 3,000 metres above sea level”

BEN COLLINS

Man vs Mountain

With the Inferno Challenge throwing up some of nature’s toughest challenges, Ben made use of the many driver assist technologies at his fingertips. Torque Vectoring by Braking helped feed the right amount of power to each wheel as and when it was needed on the descent. Terrain Response® 2 with Dynamic Mode were both activated to ensure the vehicle could quickly adapt to the ever-changing ground beneath it. Even when the ground stopped and flowing waters and rocky streams replaced it, Ben was able to make use of the Rock Crawl setting to keep the vehicle moving swiftly in a controlled fashion.

Left Capability is at the heart of every Land Rover vehicle and Terrain Response® is the embodiment of that attribute.

Right Ice, rocks, gravel, wet mud, earth and grass, the Inferno Challenge tested the Range Rover Sport to the extreme.

Whatever the Weather

At an altitude of 2,970m the weather can be unpredictable, to say the least.

At the start of the challenge and at the summit of the mountain, the starting temperature was zero degrees, which meant Ben and the vehicle immediately hit ice and sleet, all while hurtling down the mountainside at a gradient of up to 75 percent.

But it didn’t end where the descent began; in fact on the way down into the Kanonenrohr Valley, fog and mist patches made for poor visibility and continuing rain reduced grip on the already tricky path as temperatures increased to a more favorable 18 degrees.

Left Terrain Response® 2 with Dynamic Mode were both activated during the Inferno Challenge.

Right Torque Vectoring balanced distribution of torque between all wheels to improve grip and steering during the Challenge.

With over 14.9km of ever-changing terrain and weather that was far from ideal, the Range Rover Sport still managed to reach speeds of 121km/h on the traverse sections in the higher parts of the mountain and speeds of 155km/h in lower sections on gravel road and short tarmac. As a demonstration of composure and capability, it proved it can deliver optimum power and speed even on the most ludicrously demanding of racetracks.

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Left At over 14.9km long with a 2,170m vertical descent, the Inferno Challenge is one of the longest and most challenging events

Right Dynamic Stability Control detects understeer and adjusts brakes and engine power – ensuring the vehicle always took the right path around bends.

Achieved in Style

Ben Collins completed the course in 21 minutes 36 seconds, and proved that the Range Rover Sport not only has the capability Land Rover is so renowned for, but also can tackle even the most extreme challenge with poise. The strong muscular stance of the vehicle’s design meant it cut an impressive figure during the challenge and thanks to the luxury interior, Ben achieved his goal in true Range Rover style.

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Left The Range Rover Sport has been designed and engineered to new heights

Man standing with 3 Range Rovers

Right The Range Rover Sport – demands to be noticed

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