Mahindra Adventure Off-Road Training Academy: Experience, Details, & Pictures

The Mahindra Adventure Off-Road Training Academy is located at Igatpuri, near Nashik in Maharashtra, and is spread over 28 acres. Mahindra's facility is complete with vegetation, and on a more exciting note, broken paths, water bodies, and intense inclines.

Mahindra's Adventure team are a group of young, experienced, and enthusiastic drivers who are masters of terrain, and always excited to take up new challenges from behind the wheel. The team is well-trained and equipped to get novice drivers out of any situation.

The Global Explorer program is scheduled over three days. The three day program features off-road paths that are progressively difficult, a lot to technical training, a visit to the off-road workshop, and a quick first-aid course.

Participants start of with an introduction and a basic introduction to off-road driving before getting a chance to drive a course. We got a chance to experience the Mahindra Global Explorer program and we have to say, it was a blast!

Day one began with an introduction and briefing, which was followed by drivers comoleting the first course which is a circular loop on a small hill. The terrain was slushy thanks to the monsoon season. There were a limited number of cars so that meant drivers spent more time waiting to drive than on the course.

Day two began with a visit and an education about how what makes the Mahindra Thar a fantastic off-roader. We were fed with interesting facts about lock-pins, suspension, differentials, and know-hows of driving a 4X4.

This session was followed by a briefing about the obstacle course for the day, and a quick walk over the course. The idea of walking the course is to understand what path the wheels of the car will take, and to better understand where to steer the Thar.

Day two saw four courses, all of which were absolutely intense. The first course featured boulders and rocks, slippery surfaces, the need to put the vehicle into reverse, and an unprecedented amount of slush. Needless to say, this course is built across two hillocks.

The second course gave us the chance to wade through water and some slush, drive around a few rocks, and then took us into what looks like a miniature ravine. This we have to say, was the course we enjoyed the most.

The third and fourth courses were incline specific. The drive features a beautiful incline at the beginning, and the rest of the course was just as fun. So much fun that some of us got lost, and needed to be rescued.

The day also saw the lads at Mahindra's Adventure Academy teach participants how to use a wench in the right way. Participants were taught how to work as a two man team, and also to use the wench alone.

Day three started with checking out, and heading to the Training Academy, which was followed by a quick training session of how to build a wooden cross-over when one encounters a large gap in terrain.

Learning how to build the cross-over was followed by learning how to communicate using hand signals. This course requires one person to drive the car, and the other to direct the driver. The Academy says it is best to communicate using hand signals only. True that!

Closure to day three was a final ‘test' that required for drivers to put all their learnings to use. Drivers had to complete a course and also pick up traffic cones placed around the course, without getting out of the vehicle.

The Experience

The entire program is split into various obstacle courses that include dips, mud, water, and steep inclines. The Global Explorer program is designed to help drivers how to efficiently use the pedals and the right gear.

Driver and passenger safety is restricted to a roll-cage, and stock seat belts. While this worrying at the beginning, one realizes that the top speed you touch is between 15kmph and 20kmph. Walking the path or course helps to better understand where to direct the vehicle, making off-road terrain easier to drive on.

We found that the best way to conquer any course is to engage the 4x4 Low, put the vehicle in first or second gear and release the clutch. The Thar does the rest with the driver needing to concentrate on steering the vehicle. Some places require reversing and going forward again.

Inclines and declines also big roles in off-road terrain. The best way conquer an incline while climbing is to engage the 4x4 Low, pop the transmission in second gear and gently throttle. Working a decline means leaving the vehicle in either the first or second gear, de-cutch, and let the vehicle roll down. It is best not to use the brake pedals.

Braking is the enemy when putting the Thar through an off-road course. Braking makes the vehicle go faster on different terrain because the knock sensor feels the vehicle has a faulty detonation (when engine lugs if braked without using the clutch). More fuel is pushed to the engine to prevent it from stalling. This causes the vehicle to move faster.

Wading through water and slush is challenging but heavily entertaining. Traction plays a big role and if not approached correctly, chances are one might need a winch to get out.

Articulation is another factor important for off-roading. It is basically how much a wheel or axle can tilt with respect to the chassis. Articulation determines the level of contact between the wheel and a tough terrain; aiding traction, in turn.

The Conclusion

The Mahindra Adventure Off-Road Training Academy is definitely worth it for folk who want to experience what off-road means. It teaches owners and enthusiasts alike about the capabilities of the Mahindra Thar. The experience is nothing short of thrilling.

Pricing And What You Get

The two-night, three-day adventure program is priced at Rs 25,000. This cost includes basic first aid training, theory and driving techniques, skill set development, mechanical workshops, a visit to the Sula Vineyard, and accommodation for two nights. And of course, the thrill of driving a Thar like its meant to be driven.

The costs do not include flight tickets, airport transfers, off-road shoes/ gumboots, visitors (without prior permission), and does not include refreshments and or lunch for visitors.

The Mahindra Thar

Mahindra offers the Thar in three different variants. All models are powered by a 2.5-litre CRDe diesel engine that produces 105bhp of power, and 247Nm of torque. Power is sent to either the rear wheels or all four wheels in High and Low formats. The engine comes mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

The Mahindra Thar is priced between Rs 9.6o lakh and Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). In related news, Mahindra will launch a Thar petrol model next year with the aim of entering the lifestyle segment.

Rahul Jaswal Thinks

Definitely recommend that auto enthusiasts experience this program. The knowledge and heightened skill set is worth the Rs 25,000. Exhilarating, intense, and absolute fun! Thank you Mahindra for an experience of a lifetime!