The last couple months have seen a number of cross-country record attempts, but here's one we didn't see coming and, frankly, couldn't imagine taking place. Land Rover claims to have broken the record for crossing Saudi Arabia's Empty Quarter, starting at Wadi Addawasir in Saudi Arabia, and traveling east across the desert to the United Arab Emirates border. The Empty Quarter is known to be one of the harshest and most challenging environments on the planet, and it's actually the largest sand desert in the world.

The vehicle used was a standard production Range Rover Sport with a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 gas engine, using standard tires. The only thing added for the trip was an underbody-protection plate. The Range Rover Sport was driven by Moi Torrallardona, a 47-year-old Spanish off-road racer with Dakar Rally experience. Torrallardona has driven the Dakar Rally for 10 successive years, with a best finish of sixth place.

Team driver Moi Torrallardona has more than ten Dakar Rally races behind him. Land Rover

"The challenge of the desert is like nothing else. It is a brutal, unforgiving and sometimes deadly environment," Torrallardona said. "Desert driving requires a unique combination of speed, finesse and technical skill. It is crucial that you tackle the dunes with precision. Knowing the right time to go full throttle and the right time to slow down takes experience and clear judgment."

Torrallardona completed the run in 10 hours and 22 minutes, averaging 51.87 mph over the 527-mile route. And that's not counting fuel stops because there weren't any. The team set off Nov. 3, just as the sun was coming up, and arrived at the United Arab Emirates border just ahead of the opening of the Dubai motor show. That's what we call an impressive entrance.

A stock Range Rover Sport was used. Land Rover

"This unique way of driving requires a vehicle which has the same skill set -- it must be both incredibly fast but also agile, responsive and well planted," Torrallardona said. "The Range Rover Sport is exactly that. It is massively capable and is truly the best tool for conquering the desert."

A short film documenting the record-setting run will be out next month, and we can't wait to see it.

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