To celebrate the occasion of the 75th year of Indian independence, Team evo India set a new national record for the longest drive along India’s western border on August 22, 2022. The drive was flagged off from Tanot in Rajasthan and it culminated at the Zero Point in Nadabet, Gujarat, covering a distance of 579km. The Border Patrol drive was attempted with four Volkswagen Taigun SUVs, and these were also the first civilian vehicles to drive on the BSF Border Fence patrol road. The record run coincided with the one-year anniversary of the SUV.
The Border Patrol drive was a test of endurance for both man as well as machine, as the drive took place in the searing temperatures of Rajasthan, with the road conditions ranging from smooth tarmac roads which were part of the Bharatmala Project, to no roads, with only trails leading the way as we drove in the sensitive border regions. Four Volkswagen Taiguns took part in the record run, representing each engine and gearbox combination available.
The team that attempted the drive consisted of Sirish Chandran and Aatish Mishra from evo India, along with Gagan Mandal, Head of Press Communication and Abbey Thomas, Chief General Manager - Head Marketing from Volkswagen India. Rounding up the lineup was Madan Choudhary from Rajasthan Motorsports.
The record run was validated by Mohit Vats, adjudicator from the India Book of Records, with the vehicles being driven non-stop from the flag off at Tanot to the Zero Point in Nadabet, stopping only for refuelling. Apart from setting a national record, this was also the perfect showcase for the suitability of the Volkswagen Taigun for our conditions, and the Border Patrol record run also coincided with the one-year anniversary of the SUV.