Photographs By Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala & Siddharth Dadhe
As a kid, I loved dirt. I played in it, rolled in it, and occasionally sampled it — which always earned me a stern look from my mother. One particularly nosey lady once suggested to my mother that it might be calcium deficiency. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. But one thing I know for sure — I never outgrew my love for dirt. And that brings us to the Slush Fest — Motoring World’s glorious tribute to all things muddy, mucky, and magnificently off-road.
And guess who got the keys to this year’s shenanigans? Yours truly. Yep, I was handed the baton (or should I say the steering wheel?), and boy, was I grinning like a kid in a candy store. Only, this candy store was filled with 4x4s, and the candy is caked in good ol’ slush. We were ready to play!
Step one: Line up the machines. We’d shortlisted some real beasts: the Mahindra Thar Roxx, the Force Gurkha, the Jeep Wrangler, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, the Land Rover Defender, the Toyota Hilux and the mighty Mercedes-Benz G 400d. A dream team for dirt addicts like me. But as luck would have it, only three from our shortlist made it to the party.
Step two: Location. Enter Keshav, our Boy Scout, who got in touch with Rahul Richard — an off-road maestro, ex-auto journo, and the proud owner of 4XFarm, (Four-by Farm, that’s how you say it) just 50 km outside Mumbai. This 21-acre playground comes with about six to seven obstacles designed to test our metal and mettle. Here we go!
All of this was set against the backdrop of nature’s beauty — a trail running beside a serene lake, perfect for reflecting on life’s more important question: Can we make it through without getting stuck? Now, there were four Motoring drivers, who had to beat the benchmark time set by Rahul in his Jeep.
With the obstacles set, the show down was about to begin. Rahul, in his restomodded Jeep, took off as we all watched in awe. This classic Willys bounced over rocks, ploughed through the muck, and handled the dip-and-dash with ease, as if it were a casual Sunday drive. The beauty of the Willys lay in its simplicity.
Its 2.5-litre Mahindra D.I. engine packed enough torque to muscle through the toughest obstacles, while the MM540 transfer case provided five low-range gears to deliver just the right amount of power at the perfect moment. No fancy electronics, no diff-lockers — just raw, mechanical grit. It twisted and turned its way through, axles flexing like they were showing off at a bodybuilding competition. We couldn’t help but admire the way this 76-year-old machine dominated the course. Rahul’s performance was a show-stopper.
He returned with an impressive time of 08:03:35 — a benchmark we knew would be tough to beat. The challenge was officially on!
First up was Keshav, our resident enthu-cutlet who’s convinced old cars are the future and believes two-strokes are a few days away from making a comeback. He opted for the Jimny, a solid choice, but started off at a snail’s pace. Slowly but surely, he muscled through each obstacle, like a determined tortoise on Red Bull.
The real drama unfolded at the articulation pit, where he managed to lift the rear left wheel like a yoga pose for off-roaders. Naturally, as an overly curious bystander, I leaned in for a closer look. That’s when my shoe, which I thought was safely above ground, made an executive decision to explore the
depths of the slush pit. Turns out, it was a LOT deeper than expected. The situation went from Oops to Oh no, and before I knew it, I was holding my mud-soaked shoe in one hand and embracing the barefoot lifestyle for the rest of the day. Slush Fest, 1. My dignity, 0.
The Jimny’s true strength lies in its lightweight design and simplicity, making it stand out. Weighing in much lighter than many of its rivals, the Jimny’s nimble nature allows it to handle challenging off-road obstacles with relative ease. This lightweight advantage was especially and maintain control on uneven surfaces. The electronic locking differential (ELD) further aided in distributing power between the wheels, ensuring that even when one wheel was slipping, the others maintained traction, which is especially useful when climbing or crossing water-logged pits.
With its 41.8 degree approach angle, the Thar Roxx tackled large obstacles with ease, though the undercarriage did scrape a few times — but to be fair, that happened to all the vehicles, so no biggie there. The independent front suspension did a great job soaking up the bumps and dips scattered across the course. Add to that the short overhangs and rugged tyres, clear during Keshav’s run through the course. While other vehicles battled the terrain’s heaviness during the track-walk run, the Jimny almost floated over the rough patches, its frame helping it crawl out of muddy pits that would leave heavier SUVs bogged down.
Its short wheelbase also adds to its manoeuvrability, making tight turns and quick adjustments feel effortless. Though the Jimny doesn’t boast many high-tech features, it proves that off-road capability doesn’t require complexity. Its straightforward design is precisely what makes it such an effective off-roader — easy to drive, easy to maintain, and perfect for taking on everything from rocky hills to slushy pits.
Anyway, the Jimny trotted along like a little off-road goat, gracefully bouncing over every obstacle without so much as a hiccup. It nimbly danced through the course, avoiding any embarrassing moments of getting stuck (unlike my shoe). Keshav clocked in with a respectable time of 09:05:11 — a whole minute slower than the benchmark, not too shabby for a compact off-roader, right?
At every Slush Fest, there’s always that one brave soul who decides to dive headfirst into the mud, and this time, it was our very own novice, Manaal. Now, this guy is a legend on two wheels — I’ve seen him go sideways more times than I can count — but watching him tackle the off-road terrain was like watching a cat try to swim. His steed of choice? The Thar Roxx. As he revved up, it was clear Manaal was wrestling a bit with the throttle, trying to get that initial momentum to tackle the obstacles ahead. But fear not! The Thar Roxx is no slouch and was more than equipped for this chaos.
Powered by the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine, it has more than enough power to muscle through sticky situations. The engine’s high torque output helped the Thar Roxx to crawl out of tough spots which provided superior grip on the muddy surfaces.
The rest of us placed our bets on whether he’d make it out unscathed — spoiler alert: we were wrong! At the notorious dip-and-dash, Manaal found himself stuck, losing precious seconds as we all collectively groaned. He crossed the finish line at 14:06:30, which was almost six minutes behind the benchmark. I won’t throw Manaal under the mud-covered bus for this one, but it was a bummer that the Thar Roxx didn’t quite strut its stuff as we’d hoped. Nevertheless, it was a good attempt.
Next up was Kurt. He picked the Jeep Wrangler, and I was sure he’d conquer anything the course threw at him with its fancy features combined with expertise in off-road machines. As soon as he hit the gas, the Jeep took off like a rocket! It climbed the 25 degree incline as if it were a gentle hill at the park, showcasing its impressive 44 degree approach angle and solid ground clearance.
When it hit the articulation pit, the Wrangler’s beefy axles, combined with the electronic disconnecting sway bar, allowed Kurt to unleash the full range of wheel articulation. This clever feature enabled the front wheels to move independently, hugging the ground like a pro. As a result, the Jeep navigated the terrain smoothly, almost like a lumbering elephant effortlessly soaking up all the quirks of the course.
The Wrangler’s 4:1 low-range gear ratio meant it crawled through mud and muck without breaking a sweat. The notorious dip-and-dash? A walk in the park, thanks to the electronic locking differentials and its ability to send torque wherever it was needed most. It zoomed along the downhill descent and struggled a bit while taking that right-hander, probably because of its long wheelbase.
The Jeep wrapped up its lap in 09:17:93, landing in second place after the Jimny. While it didn’t quite beat the benchmark, it sure gave it a good run — just a minute and 14 seconds off! But hey, who needs a trophy when you can strut around in a Wrangler, looking like the coolest off-roader in town?
Finally, it was my turn, and Keshav couldn’t resist the urge to poke fun at me. He started placing bets with the others on whether I’d get stuck — especially at the dip-and-dash, which was the muddiest of them all. Determined to prove him wrong, I was ready to show him that I had what it takes. With the choice of three vehicles, I initially reached for the keys to the Jimny, the one that had set the closest lap time. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the Thar Roxx sitting there, looking all tough and capable I thought, why not give this beast a shot at redemption? So, in a last-minute decision worthy of a reality show twist, I swapped to the Mahindra.
As I climbed in, I half-expected Highway to Hell to start playing in the background. I switched to Mud Terrain mode, engaged 4 Low, and we were off! I gunned it, steering carefully to stay on track.
The Thar Roxx powered up the incline effortlessly, and having witnessed Manaal’s first run, my confidence soared. As I navigated through the articulation pits, I could feel the axles flexing gracefully. Each bump and dip was effortlessly smoothed out by the independent suspension, which soaked up the terrain like a pro, making the ride feel remarkably stable and controlled.
Approaching the infamous dip and-dash, I decided it was time to build some momentum. I eased off the throttle just enough to prepare for the drop, and as we hit the dip, I floored it to dash out. Mud flew everywhere, splattering the windshield like nature’s confetti. I could feel the electronic locking differential engaging, distributing torque to the wheels and ensuring I had the traction I needed to power through the muck. Rahul and Siddharth, our onboard camera guy, erupted into cheers as we soared through the dip-and-dash in a spectacle of mud and mayhem, creating a scene worthy of drama.
Finally, I was zooming through the smaller slush puddles and finally barreling down the downhill descent. As I reached the finish line, Rahul hopped out with the timer in hand, grinning he turned to the boys and shouted, ‘A bloody six-six!’ Whoa! I patted the Thar Roxx on the dashboard, feeling like a rockstar, and got out yodelling like I’d just won the lottery. The Thar Roxx had crushed the benchmark by two minutes, setting a new record at 06:06:44! All the boys cheered me on, turning to Keshav with mischievous grins, his expression a mix of disbelief and confusion, as if he were trying to solve the mystery of the universe: How did you do that?
It was time to celebrate our latest Slush Fest success at Motoring. We posed with our rugged rides like proud parents at a kindergarten graduation. I even hoisted my mud-dyed shoe as a cheeky victory trophy. The others started talking about doing a ‘shoey’, but I quickly thought the better of it. I mean, who wants to risk cholera, hepatitis, or any of the many other delightful waterborne maladies? I’d rather keep my toes disease-free and my trophy just a little bit… earthy.
The Mahindra Thar Roxx rightly snagged the title of champion at Slush Fest 2024, boasting impressive capabilities, a powerful engine, and good looks. Plus, it’s surprisingly livable — perfect for those who want to go from conquering trails to conquering brunch. The only bone I have to pick is with the white interior. Sure, it made the cabin feel spacious, but thanks to our shenanigans, it had morphed into a delightful shade of brown. Mahindra, let’s chat about swapping it for something a bit more stain-resistant, shall we?
Coming in hot as the runner-up is the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, the lightweight champion that breezed through obstacles like a hot knife through butter, setting the closest lap time to the benchmark. I’ve never doubted its off-road prowess; I just wish it were a tad more livable on the road. And let’s not forget, it’s also the lightest on the wallet — who doesn’t love a good deal?
As for the Jeep Wrangler, it’s a beast with a legacy to uphold, and boy, does it deliver! But let’s be real — it’s a two-tonne monster that could use a few more convenient features and better on-road manners. I’ve felt the rear end wobble over rumble strips, which can be a bit irritating at times, especially when you are unsettled as the car goes over a bad patch of road. All three of these cars are like the superheroes of the off-road world, each with their own unique powers and a knack for turning mud into pure fun! Whether you’re looking for a rugged adventurer, a nimble sidekick, or a classic powerhouse, there’s a ride here that’ll tickle your fancy.
At the end of the day, it’s all about embracing the glorious mud, madness, and mayhem these mean machines bring to the table. So, here’s to Slush Fest 2024 — where every splash is a memory, every skid is a story, and every drive is a delightful adventure! Until next time, keep those wheels muddy and your spirits high!
