By Jagdev Singh Sidhu

TAKING a road trip has always been there about at the top of my to-do list this year.

Plans have been hatched in my head over the route and places that I would want to see as I drive along the preferably B-roads that link most of the towns and cities on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

When the opportunity came knocking, I jumped at it. The chance of driving three different vehicles to Lake Kenyir, a destination I have not been to, was much too good to pass up and hence began the DRB-HICOM Amazing Hunt to Lake Kenyir.

The destination was DRB-HICOM's Lake Kenyir Resort & Spa.

Like the old saying goes, the early bird gets the worm and the plum choices of cars, SUVs and trucks from the stable of DRB-HICOM were all snapped up on the morning of our departure.

The first vehicle I drove was the Isuzu MU-7 - a big SUV powered by a 3-litre common rail turbo diesel engine. Boy, it needed every ounce of torque to pull a car of that size.

As with most modern diesels, the torque at low revs was more than adequate to propel the huge mass along and getting to the legal speed limits on the highway was not a drag on the car.

The unfortunate thing was the suspension of the MU-7 was a little too bouncy and soft for my liking especially since the first leg of the journey was getting out of the Klang Valley and heading towards Kuantan.

That meant traversing the winding roads of the Karak highway after the Gombak toll.

Once we hit the straights of the highway, the MU-7 chugged along and we appreciated the ample elbow room and space within the cabin of the truck-based SUV.

The convoy stopped for lunch in Kuantan and once again there was a rush for the Audis.

Luck was not on my side yet again but I did manage to swap the MU-7 for a more nimble and car-like Honda CR-V.

The second part of the journey would see us drive through B-roads and the CR-V, although not packing the biggest punch, was more than adequate for that purpose.

The comfortable interior and car-like driving mechanics made for a more pleasant drive up north.

And the CR-V would more than qualify to be anyone's vehicle of choice for any road trip in Malaysia. Being an SUV meant it could accommodate more luggage.

Space within the cabin, and the comfortable seats, meant that the dreariness and the energy-sapping nature of long drives could be staved off for a little longer than normal.

In about six hours or so after we left Holiday Inn in Glenmarie, Shah Alam, we finally arrived at our Lake Kenyir destination.

During the two-night stay there, participants were treated to a barbecue, took part in a mini-version of the Amazing Race (in which teams had to complete a series of tasks. The team I was in finished first!) and got to sample the wonderful flora and fauna of the sprawling lake, which was incidentally the largest man-made lake in South-East Asia.

The accommodation was nice with a great view overlooking the lake and the staff at the resort were friendly.

After missing out on the much sought after Audis, I thought that I would have a chance of driving either one of the three German cars they brought along for the journey but luck again was not on my side. I suppose that was all used up in the "Amazing Race".

The journey back from Lake Kenyir would see us retraced the route we took minus the Kuantan stop. And our trusted vehicle for the return trip was the Chevy Captiva.

This was the first time I was driving a Captiva. I found the car living up to the accolades.

It was well built, comfortable and spacious. What was a plus were the numerous cupholders and cubicles to store food and drinks that three adults would need on a long drive.

The 2-litre diesel engine had enough oomph! to enable the Captiva to dart in and out of traffic along federal roads with the weight of luggage and three adults in tow.

Once the car hit the highway, it held a pretty decent speed with the assurance and steadiness of a passenger car.

Getting back to Glenmarie Holiday Inn after six hours on the road was a welcome relief.

A cup of coffee and a small snack was enough to put back what a long drive took out.

In all, the cars that I sat in and drove handled the tasks given them with aplomb.

The only gripe I had was missing the chance to travel the more scenic coastal road.

That would, however, be reserved for my return trip to Lake Kenyir one day.

--The Star/ANN