What Exactly Is the Dragon Challenge?
In February 2018, Land Rover staged one of the most daring automotive feats ever attempted: the Dragon Challenge. The mission? Take a production SUV, the Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and drive it through two brutal obstacles at China’s Tianmen Mountain:
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99 hairpin turns on the notorious “Dragon Road” — a 7-mile stretch famous for dizzying switchbacks and perilous drops.
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999 steep steps, rising at a punishing 45-degree incline, leading to the legendary Heaven’s Gate rock arch.
It was the first time a vehicle had ever attempted — let alone completed — this route.
The Driver: Ho-Pin Tung
Behind the wheel was Ho-Pin Tung, a professional Formula E racer and Le Mans 24 Hours winner. Even with his experience, the challenge pushed him to his limits:
“I’ve experienced Formula E, Formula 1, and endurance racing, but this was something unique,” Tung said. “The Dragon Challenge tested both the driver and the car to the extreme.”
The Tech That Made It Possible
The Range Rover Sport PHEV wasn’t modified beyond safety requirements. Instead, Land Rover relied on its built-in tech:
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Terrain Response® 2 system → optimized driving modes for different surfaces.
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Dynamic Mode → used on Dragon Road for maximum performance through tight curves.
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Mud and Ruts Mode → used on the 999 steps for traction at near-impossible gradients.
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Twin motors (gasoline + electric) → combined 404 hp to deliver the power needed for steep ascents.
Every inch of the climb was carefully calculated — from tire grip to power delivery — to make sure the SUV didn’t slip or stall.
The Results
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Time to summit: 22 minutes, 41 seconds.
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Distance covered: 11 km of Dragon Road + 999 stone steps.
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Outcome: A flawless ascent to Heaven’s Gate.
For Land Rover, it was more than a stunt — it was a message: the Range Rover Sport PHEV wasn’t just about luxury, but true off-road power, even in the most extreme environments.
Why the Dragon Challenge Mattered
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Engineering Showcase – Proved hybrid technology could deliver raw performance alongside efficiency.
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Global Branding – Land Rover’s video campaign generated 15 million views in 3 months and over 800 million impressions worldwide.
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Cultural Symbolism – In China, 9 is a lucky number, and the 99 turns + 999 steps carried symbolic weight, making the feat resonate even deeper.
Quick Facts Recap
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Tianmen Mountain, Hunan Province, China |
| Road | 99 turns on “Dragon Road” |
| Steps | 999 to Heaven’s Gate arch |
| Driver | Ho-Pin Tung |
| Vehicle | Range Rover Sport PHEV |
| Gradient | Up to 45 degrees |
| Time | 22 minutes, 41 seconds |
The Dragon Challenge wasn’t just about spectacle. It was a defining moment that showed what happens when cutting-edge engineering meets bold imagination. Land Rover didn’t just climb a mountain—they climbed into history.
For car lovers, it’s a reminder that vehicles aren’t just machines; they’re storytellers. And the Range Rover Sport’s story that day was one of courage, technology, and pure adrenaline.
So, next time someone says SUVs are just for city driving—remind them one climbed a mountain with 99 turns and 999 steps.
