Demolition derby: The 220ft chimney brought crashing down in spectacular publicity stunt for pick-up truck

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated: 04:27 EST, 5 May 2011

Not so long ago it would have taken a team of crack explosives experts armed with tonnes of dynamite to demolish a 220ft tower.

But modern car engineering has developed so much that the job can now be done by a couple of regular pick-up trucks.

And yesterday Volkswagen demonstrated the power behind its latest model by using four of the vehicles to take down a 140-tonne steel chimney in Reading, Berkshire.

Tall story: This sequence of pictures shows how the tower came toppling down in a matter of seconds

The structure, which stood almost as tall as Westminster Abbey, would normally have been demolished using a 40-tonne excavator. But after months of careful planning from structural engineers and demolition experts, the Volkswagen Amarok was given the opportunity to be the first pick-up to attempt the stunt.  

A series of tests were developed to challenge the power and traction delivered by the Amarok. The structure was prepared using a standard procedure for any ‘pull-down’ demolition by flame cutting a ‘shark’s mouth’ into the base of the chimney, reducing its structural integrity, while ensuring that it remained upright.

Taking the strain: The pick-ups pull away and the tower starts to lose its footing

Four 200m lengths of rope were then rigged to the top of the chimney and attached to the towbars of four standard Amarok pick-ups, each a four-cylinder, 2.0-litre TDI engine - capable of producing 163 PS of power.

The vehicles were also fitted with a ‘quick release’ safety mechanism for the towing ropes, ensuring the safety of the stunt drivers in the unlikely event of the structure falling in the wrong direction.

Once the green light had been given, the four pick-ups accelerated away and the chimney came crashing down.

Full speed ahead: The vehicles accelerate away as the tower takes a tumble. Thankfully the quick release safety mechanisms were not required during the stunt

Simon Elliott, Director, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: ‘The new Amarok is packed with power and intelligence, and we wanted to achieve something extraordinary to demonstrate this for its launch.  

'Working with the right experts and taking a scientific approach, by demolishing a 67 metre steel chimney we’ve shown the maximum strength and power of the Amarok.’

The vehicle will be in car showrooms from next week.

Mission accomplished: Within seconds the tower is reduced to rubble - without the need for so much as a single stick of dynamite