The all-new Range Rover Sport established a new record on Thursday for a production-standard SUV on the Pikes Pike International Hill Climb course.

The Range Rover Sport tackled the 12.42-mile asphalt course from a standing start in 12 minutes 35.61 seconds with an average speed of 59.17 mph (95.23 kph).The Pikes Peak course goes through 156 corners and ascends from 9,390 feet (2,860m) to 14,110 feet (4,300m). At the final altitude the air contains only 58% of the oxygen it does at sea level, diminishing engine performance and blunting human physical and mental performance.

The record breaking Range Rover Sport with a 510 horsepower 5.0-litre supercharged petrol V8 engine was almost stock, with the only addition of a roll cage and harness seat belts to meet racing safety requirements.

The Range Rover Sport was driven by American competition and stunt driver Paul Dallenbach, who is a well known Pikes Peak specialist.

Dallenbach said; “There’s no margin for error at Pikes Pike – you only need to misjudge one of those 156 turns and you’re into the trees or over the edge of the mountain. To take on this place the way I did today, you need complete confidence in your vehicle, and the Range Rover Sport sure gave me that – it’s fast, responsive and agile. I was able to place the car exactly where I wanted it on the road to keep to the optimum high-speed lines through corners. This is a hugely capable vehicle and I’m proud to have been part of demonstrating that by setting a new Pikes Peak record”