Nissan Qashqai sets a new record with a gravity-defying bungee jump

Performing a standard bungee jump is already a challenge, but doing it in a car takes it to a whole new level.

Nissan (France) accomplished this feat by setting a new record for the highest car bungee jump, reaching a staggering height of 65 meters (213 feet 3 inches) in Puteaux, France, on August 12.

This record requires a minimum jump height of 65 meters to qualify.

Nissan’s Marketing Director, Jérôme Biguet, noted that a bungee jump was a natural next step for the Qashqai. The car has previously featured in TV ads doing activities like skateboarding, surfing, and paintballing, so achieving a daring world record was a fitting evolution.

The stunt required a month of meticulous planning, including the construction of a custom platform to accommodate the car.

To execute the stunt, the platform needed to support the car in two positions: horizontal and at a 45-degree angle to build momentum before the jump.

A custom-made bungee with eight ropes was designed to precisely control the car's descent distance and speed.

Both a crane and a cage were used to stabilize the car, requiring the crane operator to carefully time the jump and manage the platform’s movement.

The attempt occurred in the sweltering 38°C (100.4°F) heat of the Paris Business District.

Teams arrived at 6 a.m. to set up and level the crane.

Before the bungee jump, Official Adjudicator Prav Patel used a laser tape measure to record the crane’s height from the ground.

Nissan enlisted French race car driver and stuntman Laurent Lasko to take the wheel during the stunt.

With the car secured on the platform, the crane lifted it into position for the jump.

Once the cage opened, the car smoothly descended.

The red Nissan car plummeted towards the ground before rebounding up and down, mimicking a standard bungee jump.

After the jump, the car was gradually lowered back to the ground.

For the attempt to succeed, both the car and the bungee cord needed to remain intact.

Following a tense wait, Prav confirmed with the witness and bailiff that a new world record had been set!