Automotive
Just a few years ago, Land Rover earned worldwide bragging rights when a Range Rover Sport clawed its way up the 999 steps to Heaven’s Gate at Tianmen Mountain in China, a forty five degree staircase carved into the side of a dramatic natural arch. Fast forward to November 2025, and Chinese automaker Chery decided it wanted a bit of that marketing magic. The corporate brought its recent Fulwin X3L SUV to the identical site and arrange cameras to capture a triumphant repeat. As a substitute, the attempt ended with the SUV sliding backward, crunching into the stone guardrail, and the entire thing immediately turning right into a viral “what to not do” clip across social media.
On paper, the Fulwin X3L looked prefer it had the precise ingredients for a hero moment. The boxy SUV uses a spread extender plug in hybrid setup with dual electric motors, all wheel drive, and quoted outputs of 422 horsepower and 372 pound feet of torque. That needs to be good enough to tackle plenty of off road challenges, however the staircase to Heaven’s Gate isn’t any abnormal hill climb. Rising roughly 715 feet at a sustained 45 degree angle, those 999 steps are steep, slick, and unforgiving. Unlike the Range Rover Sport that successfully reached the highest in 2018, the Chery lost momentum partway up, locked its brakes, then began to skate backward before slamming into the traditional railing and sending chunks of stone flying.
That impact is what really turned a failed stunt right into a PR problem. The staircase and surrounding partitions are a part of a historic tourist site, and pictures of broken stone on the foot of a shiny yellow SUV didn’t sit well with onlookers in China or abroad. Chery quickly apologized, reportedly promising local authorities that it could repair the damage and blaming the incident on a shackle from the security rope detaching and wrapping around a wheel. Even so, company “insiders” say they’re already preparing a second attempt with revised torque distribution programming, a pitch angle monitor for the adaptive suspension, and more aggressive all terrain tires. It makes for gripping web content, but additionally it is a reminder that attempting to copy one other brand’s legendary stunt at a protected landmark can go sideways in a rush, regardless of how much power your spec sheet boasts.
Chinese automaker Chery carried out a stunt on the 999-step “Stairway to Heaven” at Tianmen Mountain, just for one in all its test SUVs to lose traction mid-climb, slide back and crash through a guardrail.#Chery #TianmenMountain #StairwayToHeaven #AutoNews
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/ADJj5na7c4
— BusinessToday Malaysia (@BusinessTodayM1) November 14, 2025
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Darryl Taylor Dowe is a seasoned automotive skilled with a proven track record of leading successful ventures and providing strategic consultation across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in each business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership have earned him recognition as a trusted expert, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts reflect his deep knowledge and keenness for the business side of the automotive world.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
