Try GOLD - Free

Rock And Hard Place

BBC TopGear India

|

August 2018

Few roads are spoken of in more hushed tones than this one. Dangerous often describes it. We had to see for ourselves

- Debabrata Sarkar

Rock And Hard Place

There’s a rather irate policeman glaring at me through the driver’s window. He cannot fathom why I should have trouble moving over on a stony track with a few inches of leeway on either side of my tyres to give him way. All the while, my hands are getting clammy, terrified from trying to make a choice between a rather steep unguarded edge on one side and a jagged rock face on the other. I finally resort to a sort of half-standing position on my seat, to get a better view, while the photographer has his head stuck out of the other window to keep watch. As the glare intensifies, I manage to squeeze into a crevice in the rock face, away from the cliff and the local policeman drives away in disgust, mumbling a few words of choice as he does. Boy, am I glad to be in the XC40, anything bigger would’ve possibly seen a scratch or my heart jump out of my mouth from all the manoeuvring.

Breathe in; breathe out.

MORE STORIES FROM BBC TopGear India

BBC TopGear India

BBC TopGear India

HYUNDAI CRETA N LINE

WHY IT'S HERE? This month, we focused on the sporty looks and how easy the car is to manage.

time to read

1 mins

October 2025

BBC TopGear India

BBC TopGear India

HYUNDAI CRETA ELECTRIC

To see what it has in store for an electric mid-size mid-size SUV buyer

time to read

1 mins

October 2025

BBC TopGear India

BBC TopGear India

MARUTI SUZUKI JIMNY

₹12.32 LAKH ONWARDS [EX-SHOWROOM] WHY IT'S HERE? Testing it for long drives and evaluating its fuel efficiency in real-world conditions.

time to read

1 mins

October 2025

BBC TopGear India

BBC TopGear India

FURY ROAD

Meet the Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution Evo... the world's most powerful internal combustion road car. Jethro pulls the pin

time to read

9 mins

October 2025

BBC TopGear India

EASY GOING MILE MUNCHER: HERO XOOM 160

AFTER WHAT FEELS LIKE AN ETERNITY, we've finally had the chance to ride the Hero Xoom 160. I was really looking forward to it — not just because it's India's first homegrown maxi-scooter, but also because it brings something unique to the table, with a style and character that leans more towards the adventure segment. Unveiled at EICMA 2024, the Xoom 160 made its India debut at the Bharat Mobility Show earlier this year, and was launched at ₹1.49 lakh. It features a new engine, stronger underpinnings, and a host of other upgrades, all aimed at competing with the likes of the Yamaha Aerox 155 and the new TVS NTorq 150. So, what’s it like from behind the handlebar? Read on to find out.

time to read

4 mins

October 2025

BBC TopGear India

IN THE SHADOW OF GIANTS

The S1 LM is a tribute to arguably the world's greatest racing car, based on the world's best supercar. Here's how it happened, from the man who dreamed it up...

time to read

8 mins

October 2025

BBC TopGear India

BBC TopGear India

SCOTLAND TO INDIA'S SWEET SPOT

Could the Mk3 Q3 be the turning point for Audi in India? We explore it in Scotland

time to read

4 mins

October 2025

BBC TopGear India

BBC TopGear India

LACKLUSTER LEAP TVS ORBITER

THE TVS NTORQ 150 WAS A HIGHLY anticipated scooter, but the TVS Orbiter is a scooter that nobody expected. Designed to be a comfy and practical everyday runabout, it's aimed at those who want something laid-back, but with a head turning design and a fairly good range.

time to read

4 mins

October 2025

BBC TopGear India

BBC TopGear India

AUDI S5

WHY IT'S HERE? To see how it fares in the daily shenanigans around Mumbai

time to read

3 mins

October 2025

BBC TopGear India

BBC TopGear India

RUF RIDERS

\"Streets raised us, horses saved us\" We stop by the Compton Cowboys in a Ruf Rodeo. .. the collab you didn't see coming

time to read

7 mins

October 2025

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size