Hector in Himachal!
In the peak of summer, with scorching heat over our heads in Mumbai, we were invited by MG Motor India for an expedition to Manali. Without wasting any time, we quickly packed our bags and got ready to explore the valleys of Himachal for two reasons. The first reason was the opportunity to drive and test the MG Hector over all types of terrain that awaited us in Himachal. The second reason was the opportunity to escape the insane weather Mumbai was experiencing.
Our journey began in Chandigarh, where we set off for Manali in the Hector. We started with the petrol automatic version, and the SUV felt effortless as it conquered the ascents while we went higher up the sea level. However, there were occasional dips in pulling power due to challenges thrown by high altitudes.
The road trip spanned over 270km from Chandigarh to Manali, covering well-constructed roads and making our journey tireless. The Hector cocooned us in its comfort and feature-rich cabin. The entire route was filled with scenic views, forcing us to stop and just take in all the beauty almost every 30 minutes.
As we reached closer to Manali, the sun started to set behind tall mountains and the sudden drop in temperature caught us off-guard. However, the automatic climate control of the Hector got us covered by maintaining the right temperature to make our journey comfortable.
At around midnight, our convoy reached the destination, thanks to the massive 14-inch infotainment screen that kept us on the right track with the wireless Apple CarPlay working flawlessly.
The next morning, our Hector was ready to navigate the most picturesque valleys of Himachal, Sissu! Crossing the 9km Atal Tunnel, our excitement peaked as we emerged into a winter wonderland, greeted by snow-capped mountains and a crisp breeze.
In Sissu, we decided to take a detour to test the Hector's capabilities on the riverbed of the Chandra River. To our delight, it performed admirably, all while maintaining its renowned comfort.
The next leg of our journey was Jispa, where we enjoyed a scenic lunch surrounded by breathtaking views. Post-lunch, we captured stunning shots of the Hector by the serene Chandra River. Resuming our journey to Manali, we spent the evening enveloped in the melodious tunes of Bollywood at our hotel. And then, the following morning, we embarked on our return trip with the diesel manual Hector to Chandigarh with enough food, fuel, and memories to cherish.
Throughout this expedition, the MG Hector ensured our comfort and proved to be an exceptional companion for a truly memorable adventure.
