Introduction
When a Chinese automaker Range Rover stunt attempt goes wrong, the internet never forgets. That’s exactly what happened when Chery tried to recreate the iconic Range Rover climb up the 999 steps of Tianmen Mountain. The original stunt was flawless and legendary — but Chery’s version quickly turned into a dramatic fail that captured global attention and became an instant viral moment.
The Original Range Rover Stunt: A Viral Benchmark
Before diving into Chery’s failed attempt, it’s important to understand what they were trying to match.
The original Range Rover stunt was a global sensation. A Range Rover Sport PHEV climbed 999 steep, narrow, slippery steps to Heaven’s Gate. The physics alone seemed insane:
- Steps barely wide enough for tyres
- A near-vertical incline at some sections
- Wet, uneven stone pathways
- A massive drop on both sides
Yet Range Rover pulled it off flawlessly. The stunt boosted their global brand image and became a viral marketing masterpiece.
Think of it as watching someone perform the perfect backflip—clean, confident, iconic.
Chery’s Attempt: Ambition Meets Reality
Seeing the viral potential, the Chinese automaker tried to recreate the Range Rover stunt with its Fulwin X3L SUV. The setup was grand:
- Drones filming
- Engineers on standby
- Safety ropes attached
- A fully staged promotional shoot
To Chery’s credit, the SUV actually climbed a significant portion of the staircase. The initial run looked promising. The marketing team must’ve been ready to post the “We did it!” video.
And then… things took a turn.
The Fail: How the Attempt Went Wrong
Right when the climb reached a critical steep section, several things went wrong at the same time:
- A safety rope’s anchor shackle came loose.
- The rope tangled with the right front wheel.
- The SUV lost traction and power instantly.
- The vehicle began sliding backward—on one of the steepest stone staircases in the world.
- It finally came to an abrupt stop after hitting a guardrail.
The result?
A dramatic, highly shareable fail that spread across social media like wildfire.
Even worse, the SUV remained stuck on the staircase for two hours, turning into an unintended tourist photo spot.
Relatable moment: It’s like walking confidently up stairs, missing one step, and suddenly turning your day into a full-blown action scene.
Aftermath: Apologies, Damage, and Viral Reactions
Chery quickly issued a public apology for the failed attempt. They admitted to:
- Poor risk assessment
- Inadequate safety procedures
- Damage caused to Tianmen Mountain’s tourist site
They also promised to compensate for repairs and “deeply reflect” on the incident—a corporate way of saying, “We really messed up.”
Meanwhile, the internet did what it does best—create memes:
- “Range Rover watching calmly like: ‘Nice try.’”
- “When you copy homework but forget to check the formula.”
- “Wish.com version of the Range Rover stunt.”
The fail even gained more attention than the attempt itself.
Why the Chinese Automaker’s Stunt Failed
Here’s a simple breakdown of why the Chinese automaker Range Rover stunt didn’t go as planned:
1. Safety Equipment Failure
The rope shackle detaching was the first domino.
2. Extremely Narrow, Dangerous Steps
The Tianmen staircase is barely wide enough for a SUV’s wheels.
3. Poor Torque and Traction at High Slope
The wheel jam from the rope caused instant loss of power.
4. Overconfidence in Marketing vs Technical Limits
Even a small miscalculation on a 60-degree angle can turn into disaster.
5. Not Enough Pre-Testing for Extreme Conditions
Unlike Range Rover, Chery didn’t simulate enough worst-case scenarios.
Simply put: ambition was higher than preparation.
Chery’s Surprise: Planning a Second Attempt
Here’s the twist—Chery isn’t giving up.
They have announced a second attempt, with improvement plans such as:
- Better all-terrain tyres
- Improved torque distribution
- Upgraded angle monitoring system
- More reliable safety equipment
- Stronger climb control engineering
So, Round 2 might be coming soon. Whether it ends in victory or another viral fail… we’ll all be watching.
Conclusion
The moment a Chinese automaker tried to recreate the viral Range Rover stunt and failed miserably became one of the most talked-about automotive incidents of the year.
Chery may have slipped—literally—but their boldness got the world’s attention. Whether their next attempt becomes a comeback story or a sequel to the fail, one thing is certain:
The internet will not miss a second of it.
Should they try again? Or should some legendary stunts remain untouched?
Tell us what you think.