Volkswagen has demonstrated the power of its brand new Amarok pickup model by using it to demolish a 67 m high steel chimney weighing approximately 140 tonnes and standing at nearly the same height as Westminster Abbey.
The chimney, in Reading, Berkshire, would normally have been demolished using a 40 tonne excavator. The structure was prepared using a standard procedure for any ‘pull-down’ demolition of flame cutting a ‘shark’s mouth’ into the base of the chimney, reducing its structural integrity, though ensuring that it remained free standing.
Four 200m lengths of rope were rigged to the top of the chimney and attached to the towbars of four standard Amaroks, each with Volkswagen’s 2.0 TDI engine producing 163hp. For this demonstration they were fitted with a ‘quick release’ safely mechanism for the towing ropes, ensuring the safety of the stunt drivers in the unlikely event of the structure falling in the wrong direction.
At the chosen time of demolition, the Amarok pick-ups simultaneously pulled the chimney crashing to the ground.
