SLUDGE FEST

Rediscovering the essence of what it means to drive a real SUV!

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It was a dark and cloudy day in Maval, with the sky hanging very low and heavy—a shade of grey threatening to unleash more of the rain that had already transformed the usually serene landscape into a mud-soaked challenge. The drizzle hung in the air as if daring us to turn back. We were on the outskirts of Pune amidst a lot of greenery that would have been inviting on any other day. But we were here for a purpose: a mission to remind the world of what real SUVs were made of, and not even mud or muck could deter us.

Each step added pressure to our boots as they sank deeper into the sludge, creating almost a suction effect. Each twist of the wheel saw the mud cling tighter as though trying to hold the SUVs back from the awaited punishment. Beyond that green, seemingly peaceful curtain of thick shrubs, water-filled pits, and deceitful ruts lay ready to swallow a tyre whole. But amidst nature’s chaos, we were united in a quest for only one thing: pure, unadulterated adventure.

So often, the term “SUV” is used in showrooms for cars that will likely never see a speck of dirt. In that spirit, the convoy includes SUVs from Maruti Suzuki, such as the Jimny, Force Gurkha 5-door, Toyota Hilux, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. The plan was simple: to take these SUVs and see how they fared under conditions most people living in cities would never even dream of. So, let’s dive in!

FORCE GURKHA