Special feature: Going the Distance with Hyundai Venue
What makes any journey special is not the number of milestones that you cross, but the number of experiences that you collect along the way. Like in life, there will be unpredictable moments along the way, and all you can do is take it in your stride. And that's exactly what we did, travelling through some of the most iconic and challenging locations that the country has to offer. Since this was an experience about the 'real India', what better companion than an SUV that was designed for India, the Hyundai Venue? Also, make sure you read till the end as there is an exciting contest that can take you places with Team OVERDRIVE in the Hyundai Venue
They say design is subjective and can leave a lasting impression. Well, if the design is of a structure that is 182-metre high, it is bound to leave a giant impression. We took the Hyundai Venue to visit the towering Statue of Unity, a testimony to India's unity, and an homage to the spirit of the 'Iron Man of India', Sardar Vallabhbai Patel. This statue is larger than the Statue of Liberty in New York, or even Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. Drawing parallels between the statue and the Hyundai Venue, the former conveys a strong message with its towering presence, whereas the latter packs in technological advancements in its compact dimensions, without compromising on presence.
While proceeding to our next destination, we experienced the true potential of Venue's 1-litre turbocharged engine, which not only offers punchy performance in the city but can munch miles on the highway with great confidence.
Next up, the state of Rajasthan, known for its colours and culture. And, of course, its harsh summers. As luck would have it, we just happened to be driving through at its peak, with temperatures soaring. Keeping us cool was the well-insulated cabin of the Venue with its powerful climate control system. After enjoying some of the finest tarmac in the country, we continued our journey to beautiful Punjab.
One of the most energetic states in the country it offers lovely green fields running along both sides of the highway. You can't help but stop and admire the simple beauties while travelling India by road. However, it was the next destination, the Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh, which was an experience in itself. Synonymous with the city, and designed by French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier, it's an amalgamation of an open hand and a dove, signifying peace, unity and prosperity of mankind. It's also one of the highlights of Chandigarh, a city otherwise known to be the best planned city in India.
But, it's not like you have to visit an iconic location to enjoy a roadtrip, right? One lazy Friday evening in Mumbai, we packed a weekend's worth of luggage in the generously sized boot of the Venue and just hit the road without any particular destination in mind. The idea was to escape the buzz of city life and slow down the pace of our otherwise fast lifestyle. Directing the impromptu getaway was the Venue's onboard navigation. With information on the best route, points of interest, speed limits along the way and alternative routes, a huge plus point for the adventurer is that it works even when your phone network doesn't.
But we've saved the best for last. One of the most special destinations we have ever travelled to has been Jammu and Kashmir. From the snow-clad mountains guarding the valley, to vast green fields as far as the eye can see, the natural beauty of Kashmir can take one's breath away. Along the way places like Patnitop and Doodhpathri stand out. It's where one realises that we are nothing compared to the grandeur of nature. To capture some of the beautiful landscapes, we deviated from the regular route. And supporting us was the rugged suspension setup of the Venue.
Visiting these destinations was truly an enriching experience. What made our journeys to all these places really special, in addition to the rich diversity that the country offers, was our companion. Battling bad roads, traffic, harsh weather, this Hyundai did not hesitate anywhere in between and continued to march onward, making sure we enjoyed the Venue irrespective of the location.
Liked this feature and now want to experience the same?
Click here to visit our Hyundai Venue contest page on Facebook Here's what you need to do:Team OVERDRIVE is giving you an opportunity to visit your dream Venue within India with the Hyundai Venue and live the OVERDRIVE life.
For that, you have to do the following:
1) Reply to the post, with an image of your dream venue, with an explanation on why you want to visit this venue in the Hyundai Venue?
You can either post an original image that you have clicked or source an image. Don't worry about your photography or writing skills, just make sure the caption conveys your genuine feelings for that particular venue.
2) One lucky winner will be chosen by Team OVERDRIVE, who will be taken to that particular venue on a road trip in the Hyundai Venue, India's first connected car.
3) In addition to the drive experience, you will also be featured in the magazine and social platforms of OVERDRIVE, as well as a video that will be shot to document this experience.