Range Rover Sport claims desert crossing record

The last couple months have seen a number of cross-country record attempts, but here's one we didn't see coming, and frankly couldn't imagine taking place. But Land Rover claims to have broken the record for crossing Saudi Arabia's 'Empty Quarter,' starting at Wadi Adda Wasir in Saudi Arabia, and traveling east across the desert to the United Arab Emirates border. The 'Empty Quarter' is known to be one of the harshest and most challenging environments on the planet, and is actually the largest sand desert in the world and the second largest desert overall after the Sahara.

The vehicle used was a standard production new Range Rover Sport with a 5.0 liter supercharged V8 gas engine, using standard tires. The only thing that was added for the trim was an underbody protection plate. The Range Rover Sport was driven by Moi Torrallardona, a 47 year-old Spanish off-road racer with Dakar Rally experience. Torrallardona has driven the Dakar Rally for ten years in a row, with a best finish of sixth place.

Land Rover
Team driver Moi Torrallardona has more than ten Dakar Rally races behind him.

"The challenge of the desert is like nothing else, it is a brutal, unforgiving and sometimes deadly environment" Torrallardona said. "Desert driving requires a unique combination of speed, finesse and technical skill. It is crucial that you tackle the dunes with precision. Knowing the right time to go full throttle and the right time to slow down, takes experience and clear judgement."

Torrallardona completed the run in 10 hours and 22 minutes, averaging 51.87 mph over the 527 mile route. And that's not counting fuel stops, because there weren't any. The team set off in the morning of November 3rd, just as the sun was coming up, and arrived at the United Arab Emirates border some ten hours later navigating a route of sand dunes, canyons, and more sand dunes. The Range Rover Sport arrived just for the start of the Dubai Motor Show, and frankly we can't think of a more impressive entrance by a vehicle to a car show.

Land Rover
A stock Range Rover Sport was used.

"This unique way of driving requires a vehicle which has the same skillset - it must be both incredibly fast but also agile, responsive and well planted. The Range Rover Sport is exactly that. It is massively capable and is truly the best tool for conquering the desert" Torrallardona added.

A short film documenting the record-setting run will be out next month, and we can't wait to see it.

By Jay Ramey