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Someone once asked me, what’s the best combo in your view? With no particular limits in place, I casually mentioned a drive and good food. Little did I know what I had coming my way the following weekend. Mercedes-Benz had invited us for the ‘Luxe Drive Live’, and I jumped at the first chance to grab the opportunity.
Apart from an array of vehicles to indulge in, Mercedes-Benz, in association with Ranveer Brar, cooked up (pun intended) a mouthwatering spread of food as I controlled my urge to dig in immediately, a subtle reminder telling me that I need to take a few photos to give you an idea of what went down. While the celebrity chef had all our attention, the folks at Mercedes-Benz were putting the final touches to something that would satisfy our hunger for adrenaline, yes, I’m talking about a thrilling experience, be it the Slalom with the CLA and GLA twins or the off-road track with the SUV line-up. Wait, let me start afresh.
Make no mistake, the Luxe Drive Live, currently in its fifth year; keeps you hooked, quite literally (to the grab handle) if you’re attending the event for the very first time. No, I wasn’t scared, my veins were flowing more with excitement than blood as I heard and witnessed the cars do what they do best, screeching tyres, wheel articulation et all, you know what I mean. While waiting in queue, I also had the chance to glance upon quite a few of the models from the line-up including the GLC-Class, C-Class and the E-Class among others. Two other noteworthy mentions also included the C43 AMG Coupe and the new CLS Class, both of which are still stuck on my mind and how.
Before hitting the track, I also indulged in some delectable food including the house grown nachos, mini sliders and thandai cheesecake (no, it wasn’t even my cheat day!), the thought of which keeps me drooling even as I type these very words. We were now ready to hit the track. First-up was the CLA-Class, showcasing its nimbleness in the slalom test, dodging a few cones every now and then, before coming to a screeching halt, thereby showcasing its braking capabilities. I had the option to either take a demo, sitting inside as a passenger or drive the car myself. While I know most of you would’ve chosen the latter, I chose to pick both the options. Let me explain. When taking a demo, you get an idea of the turns and braking points that help you understand and get a better idea of the tarmac and its condition (and an extra round of adrenaline too, if you must). The demo round left me awestruck, as our instructor, Natasha (a part-time Formula 4 racer and a full-time lawyer) asked me to switch seats. Belted in and off we went, with the CLA holding on to the tarmac as hard as it could while returning ounces of fun and a wide grin on my face.
Next up was the off-road section, beginning with the mighty GLS-Class. This was an instructor-only track and hence no individual excluding the experts were allowed in the driver’s seat. As the white GLS slowly began taking all the obstructions in its path with stride, we could see the wheel articulation with the help of the large mirrors positioned on either side of the course. Courtesy of the 4Matic system, a few of the customers in the car did get a bit conscious, though none broke a sweat. The steep incline and descend ahead showcased the Hill Assist, Hill Hold and Hill Descent functions as the SUV slowly made its way to the end of the course.
Next in line was the GLC, eagerly awaiting to showcase what it could do off the beaten path. The model was taken through a series of artificial and man-made challenges, with the GLC effortlessly making its way through as if it was just another walk in the garden. As I made my way out of the SUV, the sun had already set and it was time to head home. But wait! Not before I can spend a little more time staring at these beautiful pieces of German engineering a wee bit more. Time flew by as I glanced over the official merchandise, only to be brought back to reality by the buzzing of my mobile. Ahh! I’ll be back one day, soon enough, I say, as I call it a day.
