Mazda Epic Drive 2024, and CX-60 among the wonders of Morocco

“Choose a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life“. Although with a little reservation, the famous aphorism of Confucius can explain how much (despite the period of crisis) automotive journalist can be considered as one luck. Events like the one concluded recently, then, are proof of this.

Let’s talk about Mazda Epic Drivean event organized every year by Casa in interesting places and impenetrable roads. 2024 edition, held in Moroccogave us an unforgettable experience, starting from the lively streets of Marrakesh for a silent scene Sahara desert and to the winding streets of celebrity Growing up in Dadesalso cover the long unpaved sections between interesting scenery. Legal “companion traveller”. Mazda CX-60which he showed great complexity for more than 1000 kilometers spent behind the wheel.

Mazda Epic Drive 2024, leaving Marrakech with CX-60

The city of Marrakesh, a repository of history, art and culture, was the starting and ending point of our journey. An almost “magical” place where we had the pleasure of visiting with a local guide, among others buildings in red tones (reflections of the sun on white could spoil public opinion, ed.), chaotic and colorful plots. soukas well as popular Kasba in the heart of the old city, its name Medina.

But back to the journey. We get into the Mazda CX-60 in the morning, ready to travel about 600 kilometers of roads that will take us. I have passed Tizi n’Test and then arrive Ourzazate. Japanese SUV, in the top trim of the range Takumipowered by inline six-cylinder diesel common rail da 3.3 liters ability to give 249 horses and 550 Nm maximum torque. The engine is paired with an efficient and powerful eight-speed automatic transmission i-AWD with intelligent all-wheel drive. The latter is a basic characteristic for cope with unpaved roads with ease which awaits us.

Already from the first kilometers we value comfort confirmed by the structure of equality: despite 20 inch wheels and low-wall tires, the suspension takes bumps well. By yourself rear axle and solution Multilinkperhaps due to the adoption of very stiff springs and soft shock absorbers, It “jumps” a little‘ a lot in the dips. Excellent sound insulationthen, it further increases the stability while driving along with the safety guaranteed by Advanced fees.

From Tizi n’Test to Ouarzazate

It doesn’t take long before it arrives the slopes of the Atlas – a mountain range that stretches for more than 2,500 km between Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia – to start the dirt road that will take us to the pass. Right here off-road driving conditions it always provides us better tractionto allow a large SUV (length 4.75 meters, for the well 2.87 wheel) Of easily overcome poor faces and full of traps. We arrive Tizi n’Test, at an altitude of 2,093 metersmarveling at the plaque commemorating the laying of the road between 1926 and 1932. But we don’t have much time: we have almost another 5 hours ahead of us to arrive Ouarzazatethe largest city in the pre-Saharan oases in Morocco.

Thanks to its strategic position – between Marrakech and the desert – Ouarzazate has always been a very important commercial center and is famous for being. a location chosen by many film producers. In fact, films set in places that imitated some distant or no longer exist (such as, for example, ancient Rome or Tibet) were shot here. After a long stretch in the middle of canyons and desertsmingling with isolated villages that seem out of date, we finally arrive at our destination for the afternoon: we will sleep inEcolodge Ouednojoumaccommodation facility built between the mountains and aoasis and palm grovemade by materials with low environmental impact and is powered by photovoltaic panels. But first, a visit with colleagues in the middle Ouarzazatesink into”Moroccan Hollywood” while drinking regular mint tea. We return to Ecolodge tired, but satisfied with this first day. It’s time to sleep: a long journey awaits us.

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