Mahindra Royal escape

Despite the 184bhp available on tap, the Rexton can’t make it up the dune. The wheels are spinning and if I continue to let it, the two-tonne car will quickly dig itself in. I slot the transmission into reverse and back down the hill. There is a mountain of fine sand looming up in front of the windscreen and my brain tells me this heavy automatic SUV with road tyres was not meant to go off-roading on fine sand.

But I am betting on the car’s 41kgm of torque to pull me through. I once again check that the ESP is off and the auto ’box is slotted into manual mode, let the revs build and give it another shot. The heavy SUV nearly makes it to the top, but not quite. Now things are getting personal and I am adamant to get the Rexton up the dune. Third try. I build as much momentum that the engine will allow and the big, heavy vehicle finally claws its way up and over the crest.

I am in Rajasthan. At the Sam sand dunes near Jaisalmer, to be more precise. Not for an off-road adventure or rally, but for a relaxed driving holiday with Mahindra Adventure. The adventure I am on, the Royal Escape, is a 1700km drive through Rajasthan over six days, starting and ending in the capital city. The dune bashing was just a twist in the sobriety of the otherwise sedate drive. A chance for the 60-odd people to experience what the Mahindra vehicles, and themselves, are capable of. Most of the 24 cars on this drive are 4WD Scorpios painted in Mahindra Adventure colours, a few Thars and just two Rextons – one of which I am driving.