Chinese language Chery Fulwin X3L SUV Stairway Stunt Turns Into Viral Misstep : Automotive Addicts
Automotive
Just a few years in the past, Land Rover earned worldwide bragging rights when a Vary Rover Sport clawed its means up the 999 steps to Heaven’s Gate at Tianmen Mountain in China, a forty five diploma staircase carved into the facet of a dramatic pure arch. Quick ahead to November 2025, and Chinese language automaker Chery determined it wished a chunk of that advertising magic. The corporate introduced its new Fulwin X3L SUV to the identical website and arrange cameras to seize a triumphant repeat. As a substitute, the try 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 throughout social media.
On paper, the Fulwin X3L seemed prefer it had the fitting elements for a hero second. The boxy SUV makes use of a spread extender plug in hybrid setup with twin electrical motors, all wheel drive, and quoted outputs of 422 horsepower and 372 pound ft of torque. That ought to be greater than sufficient to sort out lots of off highway challenges, however the staircase to Heaven’s Gate isn’t any bizarre hill climb. Rising roughly 715 ft at a sustained 45 diploma angle, these 999 steps are steep, slick, and unforgiving. In contrast to the Vary Rover Sport that efficiently reached the highest in 2018, the Chery misplaced momentum partway up, locked its brakes, then started to skate backward earlier than slamming into the traditional railing and sending chunks of stone flying.
That impression is what actually turned a failed stunt right into a PR downside. The staircase and surrounding partitions are a part of a historic vacationer website, and pictures of damaged stone on the foot of a shiny yellow SUV didn’t sit nicely with onlookers in China or overseas. Chery shortly apologized, reportedly promising native authorities that it will restore the harm and blaming the incident on a shackle from the protection rope detaching and wrapping round a wheel. Even so, firm “insiders” say they’re already making ready a second try with revised torque distribution programming, a pitch angle monitor for the adaptive suspension, and extra aggressive all terrain tires. It makes for gripping web content material, however additionally it is a reminder that attempting to repeat one other model’s legendary stunt at a protected landmark can go sideways in a rush, regardless of how a lot energy your spec sheet boasts.
Chinese language automaker Chery carried out a stunt on the 999-step “Stairway to Heaven” at Tianmen Mountain, just for certainly one of its check SUVs to lose traction mid-climb, slide again and crash by means of 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 confirmed monitor document of main profitable ventures and offering strategic session throughout the automotive trade. With years of hands-on expertise in each enterprise operations and market improvement, Darryl has performed a key function in serving to automotive manufacturers develop and adapt in a quickly evolving panorama. His perception and management have earned him recognition as a trusted skilled, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts mirror his deep information and fervour for the enterprise facet of the automobile world.
