Since past winter I have been driving the new KIA Sorento 2013 3.5L model. It was a steal compared to similar models in the Japanese lineups and I could not care less that it was Korean. I knew that many Japanese brands were also manufactured outside of the mainland and with the latest arrangements between American models and Korea I was confident of its quality and engineering. But I was not as confident of its aftersales support. This was a about to change...
The 4x4 allowed me access to parts of the UAE (where I was born and brought up) that were out of bound before and I was full of energy and enthusiasm to explore them all. I identified the Ideal way is to sign up with like-minded off-roading enthusiasts and that is exactly what I did. The first 3 trips in the Nazwa region went extremely well, I drove the Sorento in one and a cousins Pajero 3.3L 2009 in the second and the third. I could feel the difference in the power between the two and realized how the extra 0.2 L helped. Hence for the 3rd trip (to the Camel rock in Khatam, off Sharjah-Kalba road E102) I am keen to take the Sorento again.
In the first hour we climb the hill closest to the Highway nearly 900 ft above sea-level. The Sorento fills us with pride as we climb to the very top… something that even a Cherokee fell short of. As we set off to the Camel-Rock we come across a huge Valley that we are asked to cross one after the other. Since we are at a vantage point we are able to see each car cross one after the other. The first five cars (a Petrol, 2 Jeeps and 2 Cruisers) do so in a breeze – completely uneventful. The Fortuner 4.0L before us starts rolling down, accelerates to what seems like 60 kmph but loses speed at the bottom and struggles its way up… barely making it to the safe point. We are next. As I start to roll I vouch to cross it in the first attempt as I don’t want anyone to frown on my Korean ride… I avoid speeds higher than 50kmph but decide not to slow down at the bottom. Little that I know the bottom is solid rock with very little sand padding. The Sorento bounces as it crosses the valley and a frightening thud follows before we climb comfortably to the other side. Once safely up I get down for an inspection.
To my horror the spoiler beneath the bumper is dragging on the sand and a trail of liquid extends far behind us! This marks the end of our otherwise a great learning dune bashing experience for the season! Here too we learnt the difference between Nazwa and Khatam, but the hard way! Khatam is a mix of dunes and rocks and unlike in Nazwa you need to be careful where you bounce.
We wait for the 4x4 tow truck service to pull us to the road close by and watch the sun set from a peak close by.
But this is a gift in itself, as the days without a car are also a blessing in disguise. And the culminating day in KIA motors Service Centre has been truly exceptional.
The 4x4 allowed me access to parts of the UAE (where I was born and brought up) that were out of bound before and I was full of energy and enthusiasm to explore them all. I identified the Ideal way is to sign up with like-minded off-roading enthusiasts and that is exactly what I did. The first 3 trips in the Nazwa region went extremely well, I drove the Sorento in one and a cousins Pajero 3.3L 2009 in the second and the third. I could feel the difference in the power between the two and realized how the extra 0.2 L helped. Hence for the 3rd trip (to the Camel rock in Khatam, off Sharjah-Kalba road E102) I am keen to take the Sorento again.
In the first hour we climb the hill closest to the Highway nearly 900 ft above sea-level. The Sorento fills us with pride as we climb to the very top… something that even a Cherokee fell short of. As we set off to the Camel-Rock we come across a huge Valley that we are asked to cross one after the other. Since we are at a vantage point we are able to see each car cross one after the other. The first five cars (a Petrol, 2 Jeeps and 2 Cruisers) do so in a breeze – completely uneventful. The Fortuner 4.0L before us starts rolling down, accelerates to what seems like 60 kmph but loses speed at the bottom and struggles its way up… barely making it to the safe point. We are next. As I start to roll I vouch to cross it in the first attempt as I don’t want anyone to frown on my Korean ride… I avoid speeds higher than 50kmph but decide not to slow down at the bottom. Little that I know the bottom is solid rock with very little sand padding. The Sorento bounces as it crosses the valley and a frightening thud follows before we climb comfortably to the other side. Once safely up I get down for an inspection.
To my horror the spoiler beneath the bumper is dragging on the sand and a trail of liquid extends far behind us! This marks the end of our otherwise a great learning dune bashing experience for the season! Here too we learnt the difference between Nazwa and Khatam, but the hard way! Khatam is a mix of dunes and rocks and unlike in Nazwa you need to be careful where you bounce.
We wait for the 4x4 tow truck service to pull us to the road close by and watch the sun set from a peak close by. But this is a gift in itself, as the days without a car are also a blessing in disguise. And the culminating day in KIA motors Service Centre has been truly exceptional.
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