KANYAKUMARI TO KASHMIR

Everyone is out to find an alternative to petrol or diesel. Could this be yours?

- GAVIN RODRIGUES

CONQUERING THE K2K: A FUEL EFFICIENCY ODYSSEY THROUGH INDIA

Have you ever dreamt of a road trip that stretches across the entire breadth of India? A journey that tests your endurance, exposes you to breathtaking landscapes, and lets you experience the country's vibrant tapestry of cultures? Buckle up, because we're about to embark on exactly that adventure, with an added twist: a quest to improve fuel efficiency.

Fossil fuels are a precious resource, and with prices constantly on the rise, saving money at the pump is a priority for many drivers. While electric and hybrid vehicles are gaining traction, there's a certain charm to the internal combustion engine (ICE) experience that many just can't resist. So, we set out to explore an alternative -performance additives that promise to boost both efficiency and power.

We opted to bypass the typical closed-circuit tests and headed straight for the real world. Our chariot for this epic journey? A quartet of Hyundai vehicles - two Tucson diesels and two Exter petrols, one automatic and one manual transmission in each pair. Our destination: Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India, to Kashmir, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, a distance of roughly 3,000 kilometers. Scenic detours and unexpected obstacles were all part of the adventure.

The secret weapon in our arsenal? Milex, a performance additive by Dorf Ketal Chemicals. Their claims were bold: a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency. We were determined to put those claims to the test.

Our journey began amidst the confluence of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. After filling up all four vehicles at Nagarcoil, we introduced a 50ml dose of Milex into one Tucson and one Exter. The first leg took us towards Bangalore, cruising along scenic highways with gentle elevation changes.