Chinese SUV tries Range Rover’s viral stunt: Watch Epic fail!

Back in 2018, Land Rover set the bar absurdly high when it sent a Range Rover Sport up the legendary 999 steps leading to the Tianmen mountain arch. That climb became folklore in automotive marketing, part engineering showcase, part cinematic spectacle, and brands everywhere took notice.

Fast-forward to now, and one Chinese manufacturer decided to script its own moment on the same iconic staircase. Chery selected its Fulwin X3L, a boxy, Defender-like SUV, to attempt a similarly dramatic ascent. But instead of a triumphant reenactment, the stunt spiraled into an online fiasco.

Footage from the attempt shows the X3L working its way up the massive stairway, seemingly steady at first. Then, without warning, a loud crack echoes, and a dark piece of equipment drops from the vehicle.

The SUV jerks to the right, hesitates, and instantly loses forward motion. Gravity takes over. What follows is an uncontrolled backward slide: the vehicle grinds against a handrail, smashes through part of a barrier, and comes to an awkward stop before limping uncertainly for a moment.

The clip ends there, right at the peak of the chaos.

The failed climb spread quickly across Chinese social media, forcing Chery to respond.

Their statement described the event as an “extreme challenge test” conducted on November 12. They explained that a safety tether had detached mid-run, wrapped itself around the right wheel, and cut off power to the vehicle. With propulsion gone and steering compromised, the X3L drifted into the guardrail and toppled the fence.

Chery acknowledged flaws in planning and oversight and said it would repair the site, compensate for damages, and apologize to visitors who witnessed the incident.

The Fulwin X3L itself is positioned as a value-packed, adventure-themed SUV. Its range-extender setup pairs a 1.5-liter engine with a 33.7 kWh battery, and buyers can pick between rear-drive and a stronger dual-motor AWD configuration. The latter delivers 422 hp and 505 Nm, along with a substantial electric range of 205 km and a claimed combined range exceeding 1,000 km. It offers 225 mm of ground clearance, approach and departure angles of 22° and 30°, a suite of terrain programs, 21-inch wheels, and even a tank-turn feature, equipment clearly intended to position it alongside established off-road nameplates.