Mazda returns to Morocco after 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Marrakesh
MAZDA make an excellent range of cars and SUVs.
And to showcase exactly how capable their machines are, they have also created an automotive adventure like no other - something called Epic Drives.
These trips have seen motoring journalists, including myself, being invited to drive a Mazda MX-5 from Norway to Finland in winter with the roof down, or travel 800km across Kazakhstan in a CX-30, or crossing the frozen Lake Baikal in Russia in a CX-5.
And this brings us to Mazda's Epic Drive in Morocco in their latest SUV, the mighty CX-60.
Mazda had first attempted this roadtrip back in September but a day before we were about to board a plane to Morocco, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Atlas Mountains with the epicentre near
Marrakesh devastating the region. But eight months on, Morocco is slowly recovering so the trip was back on.
But it wasn't for the faint-hearted as it involved travelling 1,100 km over two days.
We started from Marrakesh and headed to the High Atlas Mountains and the treacherous Tizi n' Test pass.
Calling it a road was doing roads an injustice.
Tarmac was in short supply and evidence of the quake was all around with missing barriers and 500-metre dropoffs inches from your wheels.
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The roadside was littered with rocks and debris, then sometimes the road narrowed to a single track.
Add that to the fearless Moroccan drivers and it was inevitable that you could easily damage a wheel.
But in one afternoon, five CX-60s picked up punctures, including me.
Still, it wasn't too bad having to wait a while for the Mazda recovery crew to arrive as the temperature was a balmy 35 degrees and the views where absolutely stunning.
After climbing to 6,893 ft, and after over seven hours of driving, we arrived in the Sahara Desert where we stayed the night south of Ouarzazate in the Ouednoujoum Ecolodge.
Another early start saw us make our way to Dades Gorge and the start of a climb taking us to over 10,000ft, and on the highest road in the Atlas Mountains.
The scenery here was simply spectacular, and 25 km up the gorge begins to climb through a series of challenging hairpins and the tarmac of the R704 turns to gravel.
This turned the CX-60 into a smoke machine as we created huge dust trails charging the last 20km on to the highest road in the Atlas Mountains where it felt like being on top of the world.
KEY FACTS:
MAZDA CX-60 DIESEL
Cost: From €60,500 (From £45,370 in UK)
Engine: 3.3-litre, 6-cylinder diesel
Power: 254bhp
Torque: 550Nm
0-100kph: 7.4secs
Top Speed: 219kph (136mph)
Economy: 53.3mpg
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Emissions: 138g/km of CO2
Euro NCAP: Five stars
Rivals: BMW X3, Peugeot 3008, Mercedes GLC, Audi Q5
The CX-60 was the perfect machine to tackle the extremes of Mazda's Epic Drive as it's powered by an amazing 3.3-litre diesel engine that produces 254 bhp and 550 Nm of torque.
So it pulls like a freight train and was never lacking in oomph, even in the high altitude.
The in-line six-cylinder configuration produces less vibrations ? it sounds amazing for a diesel - and the engine's high torque delivery allows the CX-60 to tow a 2,500 kg trailer.
And thanks to the combo of DCPCI and a new 48v Mazda M Hybrid Boost system, it's also economical with an average of 53.3 mpg with CO2 emissions of 138 g/km.
For such a big beast it's very agile, and comes fitted with Mazda's unique vehicle stabilisation control technology called Kinematic Posture Control, which provides the driver with greater confidence during high-speed or high G-force driving.
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Then the i-Activsense driver assistance systems ensure active safety at the highest level, which is very reassuring as some of the drivers in Morocco were crazy.
Plus the CX-60 comes fully loaded and the air-cooled seats were a Godsend in the scorching Moroccan temperatures.