Honda Cars India kicked off the 12th edition of its ‘Drive to Discover’ series on December 9, 2023. This year's drive showcased the company's lineup, including the Honda Elevate, City e:HEV, City 5th-Gen, and Amaze, across the breathtaking landscapes of Sikkim and West Bengal.
Our Drive to Discover began in Siliguri and wound its way through the beauty of Sikkim, including Gangtok, the 14,140ft Nathu La pass, Pelling's peaceful charm, and Kalimpong's friendly farewell. We were excited because it was unlike anything we did every day - we drive cars, but we do not go to the mountains every day for five days!
Imagine winding roads carved through lush valleys, the Himalayas towering in the distance with their snow-kissed peaks. Imagine the engine's purr mingling with the cool wind's whispers - that is the Honda Drive to Discover 12. Buckle up, and let us tell you the story.
The first leg of our 'Drive to Discover' journey began in Siliguri, where we were given the legendary Honda City in its new hybrid avatar for our mountain ascent. After battling the city's construction-induced traffic, we finally hit the open road, winding through the mountain foothills. The City, a nameplate that has been on Indian roads for 25 years, proved its mettle yet again, effortlessly navigating the difficult terrain.
The hybrid powertrain provided the ideal combination of power and efficiency, seamlessly switching between the electric motor and the gasoline engine. It carved sharp corners while remaining composed even at high speeds. The expertly tuned suspension absorbed the bumps and potholes that littered the mountain roads, demonstrating the car's ability to handle the harshest conditions.
Our journey was not without challenges. A long stretch of traffic snarled our progress, but even then, the City Hybrid shone, delivering an impressive fuel efficiency of 19kmpl even in stop-and-go conditions. Finally, as dusk fell, we arrived in Gangtok, marvelling at the ease with which the City had overcome the day's challenges. We retired for the night, excited for the next day of our expedition, with a day of adventure behind us and another exciting car awaiting us in the morning.
Our first day of the Honda Drive to Discover promised a pleasant journey, but the mountains had other plans for Day 2! We awoke with the urgency of reaching Nathu La before 1 p.m., a crucial deadline for access. Our morning was transformed into an exhilarating battle against breathtaking mountain scenery as a result of this unexpected challenge.
The Honda Amaze was the trusty steed for this adventure, a compact sedan that proved its worth in the face of adversity. It handled the treacherous twists and turns of NH 310 with grace and agility, conquering sharp bends and effortlessly navigating the road's daunting potholes. The 1.2-litre engine surprised us with its impressive power, especially in the hairpins. Driving the Amaze felt more like piloting a go-kart; it responded to every move with precision, which was essential for maintaining control on these treacherous roads.
Our journey took us to the snow-covered roads of Nathu La, which marked a watershed moment for the Drive to Discover expedition. This was the first time any Drive to Discover iteration had walked through snow! We returned to Gangtok after spending some time in this winter wonderland, ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.
We left Day 2 behind, knowing that the road ahead would not be as smooth as we had imagined. A change of plans was necessitated by rumours of rougher roads ahead. The two sedans had served us well, but for the mountain climb to Pelling, we decided to try out the SUV. Enter the Honda Elevate, a mid-size SUV with plenty of ground clearance and all the comfort of the City, ready to take on tough terrain.
The 128km Nayabazar-Legship-Reshi road lived up to our expectations, with broken tarmac and breathtaking bends. But the Elevate dealt with everything. Its suspension soaked up potholes, and the engine's eagerness to pull until more than 6000rpm got our hearts racing. Hours passed into twilight, but complaints were replaced by breathtaking views of the mountains. When we arrived in Pelling, our exhaustion was overpowered by triumph, a hard-won victory on the road.
The third day was about more than just getting somewhere; it was about the ride itself. The thrill of conquering unknown roads, the warmth of the bonfire, and the growing bond between participants were the highlights. Stories were swapped, jokes were told, and a tapestry of shared experiences and blossoming friendships was created.
We were itching for a worthy challenge on the 12th edition of the Honda Drive to Discover. The Elevate, a mountain-climbing yeti, was the obvious choice, but we were looking for something a little more challenging. So we hopped in the naturally aspirated Honda City with a manual transmission and headed for the toughest roads we would see all trip.
Darjeeling, perched atop the Himalayas, became our Everest. Doubts started haunting us: could this city car, designed for grace, handle these rough, broken roads? But the City took us all by surprise. It climbed and navigated tight turns and treacherous gravel (and mud) with ease. When we arrived in Darjeeling, we were surprised to see that we were the first in the entire Honda convoy to arrive. This elegant gentleman, who appeared to be better suited for city commutes, had just climbed what was bigger than our egos of judging cars based on their appearance.
The path to Kalimpong wasn't much kinder, but we didn't flinch. We were riding with newfound confidence, knowing we were in the hands of a warrior. And, indeed, the City carried us through, dropping us off ahead of everyone else again!
The last day of the Drive to Discover 12 arrived. While our adrenaline was still pumping from yesterday's mountain challenges, we wished for a gentler farewell. But, true to our #thrillofdriving spirit, we could not help but choose the agile Amaze again. Today's roads were a soothing balm, with curves softening into mellow rolls and the mountains whispering goodbye. The Amaze purred in agreement, allowing us to take in the scenery, a last taste of freedom before the grip of city life tightened.
We devoured the 65 km stretch in just over two hours, the Amaze gliding like a trusted friend. Back in Siliguri, however, the familiar chaos awaited. Under-construction roads became our playground, with the Amaze weaving through traffic with the playful agility of a go-cart, which we adored again. But soon, the hotel gates loomed, signalling the end of our adventure.
The 12th Drive to Discover had concluded, leaving an echo of laughter, dust, and a shared spirit of adventure behind. As we settled in, a bittersweet pang crept over us: the road had come to an end, but memories, like mountain peaks, would stand tall in our hearts forever.