The Chinese car manufacturer Chery Automobile attempted to recreate a legendary stunt by Land Rover and failed miserably. Already halfway up the Heaven’s Ladder in the Tianmen Mountain National Park the vehicle loses control and damages parts of the historic steps.
What happened? The Chinese car manufacturer Chery wanted to promote its new SUV, the Fulwin X3L (sometimes also referred to as “Fengyun X3L”), in a spectacular way: The car was supposed to drive up the famous staircase with 999 steps at Tianmen Mountain (in Zhangjiajie National Park). This stunt is not the first attempt: In 2018, Range Rover Sport successfully mastered the ascent (via CNC & ArsTechnica).
The “Heaven Ladder” on Tianmen Mountain is a well-known tourist attraction. It consists of 999 steps over a length of almost 300 meters and overcomes a height difference of 150 meters. The staircase has an average incline of 45 degrees, with some sections reaching even 60 degrees (via CNC).
The outcome revealed insufficient risk assessment and shortcomings in detail control during the planning and execution of this test. In particular, the company regrets the public concern that arose from the decision to conduct the test in a public landscape protection area, as stated in the statement published by
Global News.
First Try
Not the first attempt? In February 2018, Land Rover successfully mastered the daring stair maneuver as the first manufacturer with a modified Range Rover Sport PHEV. The hybrid SUV ascended the 999 steps to the “Heaven’s Gate” at Tianmen Mountain in just over 22 minutes. The SUV was driven by professional racing driver Ho-Pin Tung.
Supported by an electric motor with instant torque and a powerful gasoline engine, the British car manufacturer’s vehicle handled the steep steps without incident (via Land Rover).
If the stunt goes successfully, it could, without exaggeration, be incorporated into a Bond movie during a chase scene. However, if it fails, as with Chery Automobile, it probably fits better into a fail compilation.
If you are fascinated by daring stunts and spectacular failures, read through which films have truly excited the directorial icon Quentin Tarantino: Quentin Tarantino names one of his favorite action films, and of course Jackie Chan is in it
