We took a journey through the beauty, history and mystery that is India as we embarked on the Great India Drive in the Hyundai Tucson. Here is a quick peak into our adventures with the first part beginning in Dharamshala and ending in Nagpur.
Story: Harket Suchde
Photography: Saurabh Botre
Our journey began bright and early in the morning. Car India magazine’s editor Aspi Bhathena was on hand to flag us off alongside Hyundai India MD & CEO Y K Koo. And what a place to receive our grand flag-off too, up in the verdant mountains of the Himalayas, snow capped peaks on one side, a thicket of lush trees on the other.
As I pushed down the pedal of the Tucson and headed towards McLeod Gunj, I was filled with excitement and the thrill of anticipation that only comes at the beginning of a roadtrip. After a quick gander around the erstwhile home of the Dalai Lama and Buddhist hotbed McLeod Gunj, it was off towards the nation’s capital – Delhi. I had an absolute blast descending the twisty mountain roads in an effort to get there, with the Hyundai Tucson’s supple handling characteristics making life fun around those corners.
After spending some time hitting up the tourist spots in the capital, it was time to head out, the historic city of Gwalior in our cross-hairs. The glorious open highways leading there allowed me to flex the Tucson’s considerable 185 PS producing 2.0-litre engine’s muscles.
Once we arrived at Gwalior, it was time to take in all the historic spots including the Buddha carvings in the cliff face outside the Gwalior Fort, and the fort itself among other things. Next it was time to get on the highway and head to Pench forest reserve.
After a peaceful safari, it was time to make our way to the nearby city of Nagpur. I must press the pause button on my story here, and you will have to wait a little while before I publish part two where we continue our journey to its final destination of Kochi.
The Hyundai Tucson kept us comfortable and gave no cause for complaint throughout the drive. Stay tuned for more on the car and this journey called the Great India Drive.
