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Staying well within range
Brunch
|September 14. 2024
Driving from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar in an XC40 Recharge at night means going against the odds but it's not dangerous
Just how much more dangerous can Indian roads get? That's what I set out to discover on a drive to Mahabaleshwar, via NH 66 or the old Goa road. NH 66 is treacherous at best due to its unfinished state. Imagine a super-smooth surface suddenly giving way to an unfinished, potholed, dirt road; and three lanes merging into two, then into one, often without warning.
Add lashing rain, potholes that make the moon's surface look smooth, and all of this at night; the conditions couldn't be worse.
Now, why would I do something that some may think borders on suicidal? It's to prove that no matter how deadly the driving conditions, a safe driver in a safe car can stay out of trouble. The car for the task was the Volvo XC40 Recharge, an allelectric SUV packed with safety features, and with enough range for the 250km trip.
This story is from the September 14. 2024 edition of Brunch.
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