Ben Collins pilots Range Rover Sport down Inferno ski slope for world record
Former Stig Ben Collins drove a Range Rover Sport down Switzerland’s Inferno Murren ski course, tackling 2,170 metres of descent and setting a new world record for a car on the route.
Ben Collins, best known as the former Stig on BBC’s Top Gear, has set a world record by driving a Range Rover Sport down the full length of the Inferno Murren ski slope in Switzerland. The feat saw Collins descend 2,170 metres from the summit of the Schilthorn to the village of Murren, covering 14.9 kilometres on a course usually reserved for skiers.
The Inferno Murren is regarded as the world’s longest and one of the most demanding downhill ski races. For the challenge, Collins piloted a Range Rover Sport with a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine producing 510hp. The car was largely stock, though it was fitted with a full roll cage, racing seat and harness, and tyres suited to the mixed conditions. The route is notorious for its combination of steep gradients, up to 75 percent, sharp bends and rapidly changing surfaces.
Course conditions and car setup
Collins faced a course that shifted between snow, ice, loose rock, mud, broken asphalt, grass and gravel. The Range Rover Sport’s all-wheel-drive system and electronic aids were tested across the descent, which included both wide, high-speed sections and narrow, technical stretches. Despite the treacherous conditions, Collins reached speeds of up to 96mph (154km/h) on the steepest sections.
- Full roll cage for safety
- Racing seat and harness installed
- Tyres upgraded for snow and mixed terrain
Why attempt the Inferno in a car?
The Inferno Murren has a reputation for challenging even experienced skiers. Attempting the descent in a car required careful preparation and a driver with considerable skill in both high-speed and low-grip environments. Land Rover’s choice to use the Range Rover Sport highlighted the SUV’s performance credentials and off-road capability in extreme conditions. Collins’ background as a professional racing driver and stunt performer made him a natural fit for the attempt.
Record and public response
Collins’ successful run makes him the first person to complete the Inferno Murren ski course by car, establishing a new world record for the route. The event drew attention to both the capabilities of the Range Rover Sport and the technical demands of the course. While the feat was a publicity exercise for Land Rover, it also demonstrated the engineering required to manage such a descent without incident.
