Pune: Crossing water bodies, negotiating a turn in slush, climbing and descending hilly terrains with ease, the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque did it all making it look very easy during the Land Rover Experience at 19 Degree North, Aamby Valley, last weekend.
After the Land Rover Experience tour began in Hyderabad and moved to Kochi and Bengaluru, Land Rover continued its adventurous journey in Aamby Valley.
Those participating in the event got to explore some of the toughest off-road terrains with the versatile and stylish Land Rover vehicles at hand.
Known for their off-roading capabilities, the Sports Utility Vehicles of Land Rover were tried and tested in intense conditions as the off-roading route at the venue is considered as the best one, amongst people in the fraternity. While other tracks in the country are prepared specially for off-roading, the one at Aamby Valley is a natural one amidst the forest, which makes it more exciting and the level of difficulty is high.
After having heard of the event from the past few years I finally got an opportunity to attend it.
Entering the venue, we were greeted with a sight of a couple of Land Rover cars, which were ready to take us for the off-roading experience. After the required signing of papers followed by a safety briefing we headed to the cars accompanied by a professional instructor, who took to the wheels and we straightaway got into what we were there for: off-roading.
The route was fully natural strewn with stones, mud, loose soil and rocks, sharp turns, ascents, descents, water bodies and other elements present in any forest.
As we descended on a steep way, the hill descent control did its job as we slowly went downhill at a set speed of 4-kmph, which can be increased depending on the situation.
This was followed by a route which was slippery as it had recently rained and we had to negotiate through some loose boulders as our instructor ensured that none hit the car, while doing this we were explained the various settings of the Terrain Response system.
There was a spot where one tyre could not spin freely and was caught but with power being given to the other tyres, it got us out of that situation with ease.
The most exciting part of the route was going through a water body. Looking at an Evoque, which was ahead of us, doing it with ease by crossing over to the other side, we were sure our Discovery Sport will also not have any issue and it did stood to its promise.
Then there were watery and slippery conditions, which our instructor went through at a slow pace as we saw how the SUV performed without any hiccup.
The other cars following us could be seen slowly moving ahead as drivers truly enjoyed the off-roading experience, which was on offer. It can truly be amazing for enthusiasts, provided all the rules are followed.
