The highways are excellent, but be prepared for tunnels, many roundabouts, and single-lane roads. Off the highway, the roads are challenging, steep, and narrow. You need good clutch control skills and a car with sufficient engine power. We recommend compact cars/SUVs so that customers feel comfortable on our roads, navigating obstacles in the best possible way. Our cars are equipped with hill start assist. All cars above group B are equipped with at least 90HP/Turbo engines and sometimes hybrids (gasoline + electric). Vehicles are chosen for their reliability, ease of driving, and lower weight compared to other models, making them easier to start, especially on steep inclines (clutch points/manual transmission). For people who are not used to driving on steep roads or who have not used manual transmission for a long time, we recommend automatic transmission to avoid unpleasant surprises (clutch failure due to misuse). In hybrid vehicles, when you take your foot off the accelerator on a downhill slope, the electric motor acts as a generator and this action transforms the car’s kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is stored in the battery — a process called regenerative braking. Regenerative braking harnesses some of the energy from braking, rather than wasting it as heat in the brakes. When you need to brake harder (for example, on a long descent), the hybrid system combines regenerative braking with mechanical braking (disc brakes). If the battery is full, the car cannot regenerate any more energy. In this case, the system uses the conventional brakes more, and the combustion engine may even kick in to create resistance (“engine braking” mode). Using “B” (Brake) or “L” (Low) mode—depending on the model—increases regeneration and helps control speed without overheating the brakes. Avoid leaving the car in neutral on descents—the hybrid system better manages fuel consumption and safety with traction engaged.
