Report The 6th Maruti Suzuki Rally Desert Storm was the toughest till date p4

WheelsUnplugged
A Red Tree Convergent Media Publication

Unplugged
VOL 1 I ISSUE 5 I MAY 2008 I www.wheelsunplugged.com

Test Drive My Say

Chevrolet Captiva challenges Madhuri Sen finds clutch problem
Honda CR-V
p8 in Honda Civic
p11

INTERVIEW
CELEBRITY

Adrenalin and
just adrenalin
RAMJI
GOVINDRAJAN
PAGE 12

AUTOS WOOING CUSTOMERS WITH

MEGA SHOWROOMS
DREAM CAR: FERRARI SCAGLIETTI 612
ACCESSORIES: GPS FUNDA
2 WheelsUnplugged MAY 2008

COVER STORY

Brand it right!
THEY ALREADY MAKE
great cars. Numbers are
flowing and newer models are
keeping the interest alive.
So, what next? If automotive
trends are to be interpreted,
then the current one is a
massive across-the-industry
brand-building exercise.
Making the customer happy
goes much beyond making
good vehicles. So if Hyundai
has an ‘Always Around’
campaign, Maruti does it
with special ‘brand stores’
similar to what Bajaj and Royal
Enfield have done for the two
wheelers. Honda is taking
their worldwide approach of
safety-with-environment-
friendly to India as well. While
India’s biggest two-wheeler
company Hero Honda builds
its brand image with emphasis
on the green steps it has taken
in its production.
How far will the companies
go to woo their existing and
potential customers? What
are the schemes that add real
value and what are plain
fanciful? Do consumers really
like the perks or are they just
happy with a good car and
good service? We answer all
these and more.

WHAT’S OUT THERE

Along with leading sales
figures, Maruti Suzuki is also
leading the brand image race
in the most logical way - with
more dealerships and service
stations. The company already
has about 2,600 authorised
service stations and dealers in
over 1,200 cities. With its aim
of touching 1 million annual
sales by 2010, Maruti has
gone on an overdrive and
intends to increase the service
network to 3800 and dealers
to 1700.
While that is a nationwide
move, Maruti has also been
busy with schemes aimed de-
mographically - like the Mera
Sapna Meri Maruti: New Pan-
chayati Scheme last year that
was aimed at rural markets,
one of the biggest segments
in the country, with special
discounts and financing
options. With most of its sales
coming from small cars, and
Maruti being universally
popular for its low-mainte-
nance and easy to run cars,
the scheme makes sense.
The urban market is trickier.
Afterall, there is no dearth of
showrooms or service stations
of other brands. So, Maruti has
now come with unique brand
stores or Mega Showrooms.
These will be unique - for
one, they will be the first
A massive image enhancing exercise is underfoot in the auto industry - from
mega showrooms to innovative rallies, finds Indu Prasad
company owned display-only
showrooms in its two-decade
history. For another, they will
span thousands of square feet
of prime real estate and
showcase not just the existing
11 models, but the forthcom-
ing ones as well. So if you got
see the Splash, A-Star, Kizashi
etc only at auto shows till now,
pretty soon, they will be at a
Maruti Mega Showroom. The
first of these showrooms will
appropriately be in South Delhi.
With aggressive marketing
the order of the day, we just
might see a Maruti Suzuki
version of Toyota’s Megaweb
in Japan that is complete with
driving simulators, test tracks,
future technologies, the
company’s most famous
models etc. The funda of the
exercise is simple. “If there are
people coming here and
seeing the menu of Maruti
Suzuki, it makes them inter-
ested,” as Shinzo Nakanishi,
managing director of the
company said. Then, “they go
to the dealer and buy it.”
In a mileage and fuel-
economy driven market,
Hyundai regularly makes the
point with its Miles & Smiles
rally for i10 and Verna users.
The participants were briefed
on fuel efficient driving
practices. Then all of them
tanked up at the nearest
Indian Oil pump, IOC being
one of the co-sponsors. The
tanks were sealed, trip metres
set to 0, odometre readings
noted and the rally flagged
off. At the end, the one who
had used the least fuel for
the 110 km-long run, was
declared the winner.
Then there is the innovative
Always Around campaign.
How about getting your car
checked and serviced while
you shop for your weekly
groceries or even while you
catch a flick at the mall? And
what if it is all free of cost and
done on the spot, rather than
at a service station? That is
what Hyundai is aiming to do
with its second edition of
Always Around. By December
2008, the company would
have reached 3,000 locations
and 60,000 Hyundai owners.
As Hyundai’s senior general
manager, Service, B. Mani said,
“Always Around is an effort
to reach out to the customers
long after they have purchased
the car. It is yet another op-
portunity for us to make our
customers feel ‘Special’. This
campaign aims to give our
customers a little more
attention and a lot more care
and going that extra mile to
show them that we value
them and they are really
important for us. It is an effort
at continuing and sustaining
long term relationship with
our customers.”
In an attempt to go the
Honda way, Hyundai also got
mileage when they gave a
Hyundai Tucson to environ-
mentalists T. Srinivasa Rao and
R. Gnanasekaran to go on a
planet-wide crusade to raise
awareness on global warming.
Another mass market
player, Tatas is now gearing
up to extend its network in a
massive way to get ready for
the Nano onslaught in
October. As an added benefit,
they also had the free summer
check-up for Tata vehicle
owners in March this year that
included free check-ups es-
pecially of parts that are critical
for summers like air conditions
and electricals, repair discounts
and expert advise from
Original Equipment Manu-
facturers of air conditioners,
fuel injection systems,
batteries and auto electricals.
GM marked its 5th year an-
niversary recently with the
Cashless Ownership Offer -
where the company would
take care of labour costs, parts
for all services and mainte-
nance and running repairs for
Lexus showroom
three years or 45,000 km. This
along with its plans to increase
its network to 125 sales and
135 service outlets across the
country should pull in some
numbers.
While the players in the
numbers game aim at the
‘common man’, the premium
car manufacturers take the
high road. They aim to dazzle
their customers and potential
buyers with swanky, state-of-
the-art showrooms and
service centres. Visit the BMW
dealers, Deutsche Motoren,
on Mathura Road in NCR
Delhi. The 45,000 sq ft is ev-
erything that BMW cars are -
stat-of-the-art and packed
with luxuries as well as the
latest technology. Over 35,000
sq ft has been devoted to
service bays, body shop, a
unique exhaust emissions
management systems and
an electronic diagnostic
centre to programme the
car’s extensive on-board
MAY 2008
COVER STORY
computers. Not just your car
gets pampered, but you can
relax at the luxurious VIP
lounge, complete with a bar
and a massive LCD television
hooked up to a B&H audio
system. Peter Kronschnabl,
president of BMW India, who
inaugurated the facility in
December said that it had
been designed by the moth-
ership, BMW Munich.
Getting onto the display-
only showrooms, BMW will
also inaugurate its studio
at Janpath in Central Delhi
by June this year. The 3,000
sq ft space will be used to
display all BMW India’s
offerings - Series 3, 5, 6, 7 and
the X3, X5 and X7 SUVs. You
will also get a preview of
its models intended for India
in the future - the MINI and
Rolls Royce brands.
Then there is the Audi
showroom in Gurgaon, the
largest luxury car showroom
in the country. Taking a cue
from BMW, Audi has used
German furniture, Japanese
lighting, Australian flooring
and Italian tiling to make
the 13,000 sq ft showroom
truly world-class. With 65
employees manning the sales
and service fronts, it is a one-
stop-shop to take in the
complete Audi experience.
Their German counterpart,
Porsche too, has done a spin
on its international showrooms
in both Mumbai and Delhi.
With its distinctly Porsche
elements, the 3,000 sq ft
Mumbai showroom has an un-
mistakable Porsche environ-
ment with transparent design
and Porsche corporate identity
elements as seen globally. The
sales team has a special task
of also advising customers on
the individualisation of their
cars with Porsche Exclusive.
Among the two-wheeler
manufacturers, even though
catering to bigger numbers,
only Bajaj and Royal Enfield
have cashed in on innovative
marketing initiatives. Rein-
venting itself as the maker
of sports and enthusiasts’
bikes, Bajaj has opened Pro-
biking showrooms in Pune,
Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad,
Hyderabad, Kolkata and
Navi Mumbai. These slick
showrooms will have no run-
of-the-mill executive class
bikes. But instead showcase
the cult bike, Pulsars and Bajaj
imports, KTMs.
Similarly, Royal Enfield has
made use of the fact that it is
more an enthusiasts bike
rather than a commuter one
in its showrooms. You can
learn about the various Bullet
clubs in the country, know
about the big Bullet trips -
Delhi to Leh, Northeast, The
Konkan highway etc.
Hero Honda, the country’s
largest bike makers, is now
waking upto the concept of
special showrooms and plans
to start a new retail chain
format to enhance its brand
status.
CUSTOMERS’ TAKE
The effectiveness of marketing
and brand building exercises
are only as good as the
number of people they reach.
While some people that we
spoke to were skeptical of the
quality in a “free” check-up,
others thought the idea of
display-only showrooms was
interesting enough to visit
once atleast. For premium car
owners, the swanky comforts
were more matter-of-fact for
the price they pay.
“I haven’t used the special
check-ups but I read about the
rally they held for i10 and
Verna. I would have liked to
try it out on my Getz as well,
but that wasn’t possible. My
wife regularly uses Hyundai’s
pick-up and drop facility,” says
Ramesh, a merchant navy
engineer from Chennai.
Anthony T, a media profes-
sional in Delhi, says, “I missed
the Auto Expo. But I think the
Suzuki Kizashi is really cool.
When their special showroom
opens here, I will probably go
over to check it out. There isn’t
much to know about the
current cars, but their inter-
national concepts… those I
want to check out.”
Girish T, a software engineer
in Bangalore, on the other
hand says that free check-ups
“are a waste of time. I get my
Indica serviced regularly, and
there are just too many people
at the free check-ups. Infact,
I try to avoid going in for repairs
or service when they are
happening. The mechanics
are all busy attending the free
camp and it’s painful waiting
around.”
But when a swanky show-
room of a premium car opens,
some people atleast walk in
for the experience. Like Mala
Chandreashekar in Bangalore
who visited the Volkswagen
showroom because “I used
to pass by the place when they
were doing it up everyday.
When it finally opened it
looked so swanky I dropped
in to check out the place rather
than the cars.”
News of new branding
exercises and expanding
The biggest
highlight of the
Maserati
showroom is the
futuristic loop
with the complete
Maserati model
line-up displayed
mid-air, including
some of its
historical models!
networks is definitely good
news to many, especially
from remoter regions. Namita
Punjkaran, a veterinarian in
Manali who owns a Maruti
Suzuki Zen hopes that Maruti
will open an authorised
service station in Manali and
stock it up well with spares.
“Currently, I have to drive all
the way to Mandi 100 km
away to get spares or any
decent service,” she says.
INTERNATIONALLY
Selling cars is no longer a
matter of putting them in a
white room with windows.
That is why newer ways of
doing it has become an
art form. You can check out
Maseratis hanging mid air, win
a Ferrari in a casino in Las
Vegas, walk down Wall Street
to pick up the latest WSJ and
a BMW, take a Toyota for a
spin in a specially-prepared
test track in Japan, check out
an Aston Martin in a bank
vault in California or catch a
glimpse of the latest Audi
release on a big screen in
Munich. The idea is to
enhance the brand image,
because, after all, your car
says something about you.
Eddie Sotto, who calls
himself an “experiential
designer” is the brains behind
some of the most innovative
car showrooms in the world
today. His Sotto Studios was
responsible for setting up the
Ferrari Maserati dealership
outside the casino at Steve
Wynn’s US$ 2.7 billion hotel
in Las Vegas. The idea was
simple - anyone could win a
Ferrari. Those who hit the
jackpot in the casino, walk out
and collect their Ferrari at the
dealership. Lesser winners can
go home with leather acces-
sories or even spare parts.
But the idea became such
a rage that they had to
impose a US$10 entry fee
to manage crowds.
BMW discovered that the
best way to sell was to go
where their customers are. So,
you can spot a rare BMW deal-
ership in the middle of Wall
Street - ideal to catch the
attention of brokers and
bankers. Audi has followed
up the successful European
adaptation of kiosks as Audi
WheelsUnplugged 3
Maserati’s
showroom
Aston Martin showroom
Forums with one on Park
Avenue at 47th Street, as elite
an address as you will get in
New York. For variety on Park
Avenue, you will also find
Mercedes/Maybach and
Ferrari Maserati showrooms.
Another Sotto inspiration
is the Aston Martin showroom
in LA, California. Inspired by
the James Bond theme
(remember Bond always drives
an Aston Martin?), the deal-
ership is designed as an Aston
Martin vault. The cars are given
individual ‘bank vaults’ that
are entered with special cards
and finger print readers.
Called Club Aston, it is a
private club inspired by Bond.
Bond music plays when you
enter the plush circular room.
Complete with a bar where
you can play around with
colours on your favourite
Aston while nursing a drink.
You can kick back with a book
and at the end, place an order
for your car. Receiving your
car is the best part - you are
invited for a party of sorts with
your friends and family and a
fantastic colour light show
finally unveils your car - in a
private bank vault.
In Europe, Maserati’s show-
room in its headquarters is a
stunning creation by Ron
Arad, an Israel-born architect.
The biggest highlight of the
showroom is the futuristic loop
with the complete Maserati
model line-up displayed
mid-air, including some of
its historical models!
The big daddy of auto
promotional space is, of
course, the Toyota Megaweb.
Sprawling three building, it
has every Toyota passenger
car in the market, including
the Lexus. You can get into
any of them and try out the
interiors. Better still, you can
take it for a spin on the
Megaweb’s 1.3 km test track
(a mere 2.6 US$ gives you two
laps around the track). You
can even ogle at the legendary
Toyota race cars, go green with
the Hybrid Wonderland and
get a glimpse of classics at the
History Garage.
Even hopping buildings is
done with élan with eCom
Ride, a self-propelled electric
commuter car that runs on an
elevated track. Toyota has even
planned something for the
kids (a 150m course where
they can pedal a motor-
assisted cart) and older kids
(Gran Turismo 4 on a massive
Mega Theatre screen. And
there are the inevitable restau-
rants and gift shops where you
can load up on Toyota goodies.
If that were not enough,
Toyota has now embarked on
a unique proposition. The
Tressa Indoor Shopping Mall
that was opened on March 27
this year in Yokohama is one
big Toyota showcase. The
walkways are strewn with the
latest Toyota models and even
the shopping carts look like
cars. Toyota’s MOBIRO robots
- one playing a violin - are also
on display and Toyota says
some of them might soon be
assisting you in shopping!
UNPLUGGED’S TAKE
Since cars have to be reached
to the consumers the new ag-
gressive marketing strategies,
not just in India but also in-
ternationally have proved
effective. Time only will
determine for the final sales
figures. But innovative pre-
sentations are definitely
garnering more attention. For
the consumer, it means a more
appealing display and services
of his favourite cars.
For comments and feedback
on this article reach us at: edi-
tor@wheelsunplugged.com
4 WheelsUnplugged MAY 2008

NEW LAUNCHES REPORT MARUTI SUZUKI RALLY DESERT STORM

Operation
Thunderbird’s new heart
desert storm
Royal Enfield is finally coming of age. The
cult bike has more or less stuck to its retro
looks and technology... and it has worked
for it. But adding an integrated gearbox
would not take away much from the looks
of the bike and make it perform better. So
finally, after nearly a 7-month wait the Thun-
derbird Twinspark will be here this month.
The 350cc Thunderbird will now be fitted
with the UCE (Unit Constructed Engine) but
no fuel injection. Royal Enfield says that it
will give better fuel efficiency but that the
usage and application of the technology
is different from TVS and Bajaj bikes. The
bike is good news for those who loved the
Bullet but hated the high maintenance of
the old-style engine. The UCE will have less
wear-and-tear and give better performance.
While the company has not announced
the price yet, speculation is it will cost a tad
more than the existing Rs. 74,000.
You can check out the ad for Thunderbird
Twinspark at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1SneeEKs4A

The 6th Maruti Suzuki Rally Desert Storm recently concluded in

Quietly comes in…
The new Fabia. Yes, the Fabia had its big
launch in January with all the hype that
could be expected for a new “segment-
creating” car. But Skoda decided to have a
quiet, almost no-noise launch of a new
version of the Fabia, the 1.2 litre petrol. The
new Fabia comes in two variants and with
all the characteristics that make it a premium
hatchback - power steering and windows,
airbags, defogger, stereo systems, wheel
caps and adjustable steering in the Classic
and the addition of alloy wheels, ABS, ad-
justable seat height and remote locking in
the Ambient. For a 1.2 litre car it is fairly
expensive however. The Classic will set you
back by Rs. 610,000 (ex-showroom Mumbai)
and the Ambient is more expensive at
Rs. 678,000 (ex-showroom Mumbai).
Jaipur. Indu Prasad gives you a lowdown...
DRIVING FOR MILES WITH
nothing else but camel and
mule carts on the road, miles
of arid sand all around and
only occasional dry scrubs for
greenery. That is what made
up the 6th Maruti Suzuki Rally
Desert Storm that took place
between the 13th and 18th
of March.
As always, the Desert Storm
was organised by Northern
Motorsport, in compliance
with the International Sporting
Code of the (International Au-
tomobile Federation) FIA and
the General Prescriptions of
Motorsport Association of
India (MAI). Kicking off in New
Delhi, this year was extra
special. The organisers had
taken the trouble to introduce
quite a few firsts in this edition
of DS. For one, this was the
first time that one of the com-
petitive sections near Bikaner
was held at night.
This was also the first time
that they had introduced a
separate 4WD SUV category
(Xplore) for amateurs, pro-
bably recognising the fact
that clubbing the 4WD SUVs
with regular cars just didn’t
do justice to either. This was
in addition to the Xtreme
(for pros), Ndure (for all cars)
and Bikes.
The route too was the
toughest set till date with new
competitive sections and
remote state roads. The four-
day rally traversed over 2,200
kms through the best of
Rajasthan - Bikaner, Jaisalmer,
Khimser and Jaipur where
heritage properties served as
night halts.
MAY 2008
REPORT MARUTI SUZUKI RALLY DESERT STORM
THE MEN, WOMEN AND
THEIR MACHINES
The 2008 edition of DS also
recorded the highest partici-
pation till date with 96 entries.
There were teams from as far
apart as Arunachal Pradesh
and Goa. There were doctors,
businessmen, engineers and
housewives who had all taken
off the time to participate in
the ultimate endurance test.
There were also a good mix of
all-women teams and a couple
of husband-wife teams.
For the first time, six teams
of Maruti Suzuki employees
competed in their Esteem,
Swift and SX4s. If you wanted
any more assurance on the
cars’ reliability, it was given at
the DS. There were also teams
from abroad, including one
from Australia headed by a
veteran rallyist, Niyaz Ali.
There were the regular
presence from both the Indian
Army and Indian Air Force.
Among the pros, were the
familiar faces of Khushwant
Randhawa, Sunny Siddhu,
Suresh Rana and Harpreet
Singh Bawa. Even among the
amateurs, there were some
familiar faces - Jitender Bajwa
and Siddharth Sawhney. It was
in the Bikes category that you
saw lots of new entrants, the
ones that you should look out
for in the Raid De Himalaya
later in the year as well.
Like always, Maruti Suzuki
Gypsy was the preferred
vehicle for most pros while
some gave preference to the
newer Grand Vitara. Then
there were the regular mix of
Esteems, Swifts, Lancers in the
Ndure category. The 4WD for
amateurs, Xplore was a
showcase of the best 4WD in
the country - from Mahindra
Scorpio to Tata Safari.
THE STAGES
Each day started early at 5 a.m.
to beat the heat down harder
as summer set in. The route
was broken into competitive
sections for Xtreme, Xplore
and Bike categories with time-
speed limitations on tough
terrain and transport sections
on regular roads. For the first
time, there were 16 new com-
petitive sections testing the
WheelsUnplugged 5
drivers and their machines on
sand, gravel and lake beds.
The last of these was infact at
the beautiful Sambhar lake
near Bikaner.
At the end of it, the teams
had driven through Dussarna,
Bikaner, Panchori, Kanod,
Jaisalmer, Sanawara, Pokhran
(yes, the very same nuclear
testing ground), Khimser,
Methdi and Jaipur.
WINNERS ALL
Last year’s winner Kushwant
Randhawa was left out of the
running by Sunny Siddhu who
clocked in 4:41:14 penalty
points when he reached Jaipur
in his Maruti Suzuki Gypsy.
Himachal Pradesh’s Suresh
Rana was a very close second
with 4:52:25 penalty points
and Capt Sameer Pande of the
Indian Army came in third with
4:54:35 penalty points.
Mathew Paul Barrett with
6:09:54 penalty points was
the winner in the Bikes
category. He was followed by
Mohan Lal Sharma and Raj
Singh Rathore with 6:17:05
and 7:07:42 penalty points
respectively.
In the 4WD Xplore category,
Umesh Raheja with 2:53:45
penalty points was the winner
followed by Gaurav Sadana
(2:55:56) and Dharam Pal
Jangra (3:10:32).
Of the four teams that
completed the Ndure run,
Dr. Pramod Singh was the
winner. He was followed by
Siddharth Sawhney, Jitender
Bajwa and Amith Bajla.
For comments and feedback
on this article reach us at: edi-
tor@wheelsunplugged.com
6 WheelsUnplugged MAY 2008

NEW LAUNCHES RETRO FORD MODEL T

The first people’s

Accord-ingly
In an otherwise-dull month, the imminent
launch of the 8th generation Accord in May
car: Ford Model T
kept auto forums busy. And why not, it
looks even better than the current Accord
and has almost taken the Accord into the
E-segment. With the Camry eating into
Accord sales, the 8th generation will
breathe fresh life into it. This is the third
Accord generation to make its way to India
since its launch in 2001. Cosmetic changes
on the new Accord include the trapezoidal
grille, raked headlights and a brand new
rear, all of which give it a chiseled look
rather than a soft touch one. Even the
interiors have got a makeover with oodles
of extra space, a new dash, metals spokes
steering wheel and a sleeker gearshift. The
heart of the new Accord, internationally,
has two new petrol engines - 2.4 litre and
a 3.5 litre V6. The base 2.4 is similar to the
older engine but tweaked to produce 177
bhp, 35 bhp more than the earlier one. The
V6 packs in a whopping 268 bhp and 22.3
kgm of torque. The new Accord, once it
hits the road this month will cost approxi-
mately Rs. 21 lakh ex-showroom, Mumbai.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Best so far
With the financial year ended, April was a
month of relative relaxation for the
industry. It was a time to plan for the
launches for the coming year and look back
on how the company performed in the
previous one. And the ones who made the
biggest killing were the guys at Maruti
Suzuki with the company’s total income
going up by 23.4 per cent (Rs. 188,238
million) and the net profit up by 10.8 per
cent (Rs. 17,308 million). The star sellers
though were not the traditional Alto and
Esteem but Swift and SX4. And along the
way they set some records:
> They sold 764,842 vehicles in 2007-08, the
highest ever in the history of the company
> Exports of 53,024 vehicles during 2007-
08, was the highest ever in the company’s
history
> Also attained leadership in the A3
segment for the year 2007-08. The
company sold 49,335 cars in the A3
segment, a whopping growth of 66 per
cent over the previous year
No wonder the official release of the
company states 2007-08 as the ‘best year
ever for the company so far’.
WheelsUnplugged doffs its cap to the oldest... and the finest
STARTING THIS ISSUE,
WheelsUnplugged brings you
affectionate tributes to auto
legends that made history —
and how! They were the first,
the biggest, the fastest, the
quietest, the most powerful,
and the timeless. Aptly, we
think, this series begins with
a reprisal of the classic Ford
Model T, the world’s first mass-
produced car. While the patent
for the first gas-fueled car
might have been given to Karl
Benz in 1886, it was Henry
Ford’s eponymous Model T
that made the automobile
an integral part of our lives.
The very first car for ‘the
great multitude’ as its maker
termed it, the Model T was
singularly responsible for
transforming the car from
an impossible luxury to an
affordable necessity.
Fasten your seatbelts, every-
body. Let’s step back in time. him from planning the car he that were used in American
really wanted to build, the automobiles provided 60,000
FARMER FORD Model T. He famously said that pounds of tensile strength.
A farmer by birth, Henry Ford cars should be commodities, Then Ford heard of vanadium
would have been lost to “Just like one pin is like another alloy. They were used in French
obscurity if he had not been pin when it comes from the pin luxury cars, which were much
passionate about mechanics, factory, or one match is like lighter and provided 170,000
and unhesitating in its pursuit. another match when it comes pounds of tensile strength. In
He built his first car in his from the match factory.” It the next five years, the only
garden shed in 1896 and even went against everything the cars to use vanadium steel
managed to sell it for US$ 200 auto industry stood for at that were French luxury cars and
(not an inconsiderable sum at point — essentially, the builders the Model T.
the time). Barely seven years of status symbols. But Henry The first Model T rolled off
later, in 1903, he formed the Ford was convinced that it was Ford’s Piquette Avenue plant
Ford Motor Company, where the only way to go, and history in Detroit on October 1, 1908.
125 workers made 1,700 cars proved him right. Priced at US$ 825, it was “best
in three different models, all buy” of the time, with a rela-
fairly expensive. BUILT TO A T tively powerful four-cylinder,
Opposing the then prevail- Not only was the Model T a 20 bhp engine and a fairly easy
ing thinking, Henry Ford was concept car for the multitudes, two-speed, foot-controlled
the only car maker to insist that its very ideation was novel and planetary transmission. In its
automobiles should be built unafraid, and that made all first year of production, the
for the masses. His Model N, the difference. For instance, Model T sold a record 10,000
a pioneering step in this metal was the most expensive cars. Popularly known as the
direction, was only a tepid part in the making of a car. At Tin Lizzie or Flivver, it profited
success. It didn’t, however, stop the time, the finest steel alloys from innovative promotion:
MAY 2008
RETRO FORD MODEL T
Ford rodeos had cowboys
riding Model Ts as they tried
to rope calves. In a 1909 auto
race from New York to Seattle,
the only survivors were two
Model Ts.
DRIVEN BY NUMBERS
The Model T was rolling. There
seemed to be no stopping its
sales. If 19,000 cars were
made in 1910, 34,500 were
made in 1911, and then a
staggering 78,400 in 1912.
Ford had also managed to
keep his hypnotic hold on
the market by a continuous
reduction in prices. When
the Model T was priced at
US$ 575 in 1912, for the
first time there was a car
that cost less the prevailing
average annual wage in the
US. Ignoring shareholder
warnings of recklessness, Ford
went on to reduce the price
further. In turn, the Model T
sales reached unimaginable
heights. In 1913, its sales
graph exploded to 2,48,000
cars. From the vast plantations
in the South to the boulevards
of California, the Model T was
everywhere. It was adapted
serve as ambulances, school
buses, hearses, mail delivery
vehicles… and only 13,000
workers at the Ford Motor
Henry Ford did not stop production of
the Model T until the last one rolled off
the factory in 1927, its master’s
indomitable will defeated for once by
the very factor that made him the king
of the road: market realities
Company made 260,720
Model Ts. Compare that
with this: 66,350 workers
in the rest of the industry
made 286,770 cars. Henry
Ford’s 1909 prediction, “I’m
going to democratise the
automobile… when I’m
through, everybody will be
able to afford one, and about
everybody will have one,”
seemed to be coming true.
LORD OF THE ASSEMBLY LINE
The Model T became the first
mass-produced car because
it had many other firsts to its
credit. It was the first car to be
produced in an assembly line.
Henry Ford was inspired by the
beef packing industry in
Chicago, where each packer
cut out a piece of the meat
before it moved on. In another
flash of original thinking, he
decided to reverse the process
for making cars. His new
assembly line brought
assembly time from 12 hours,
30 minutes to 5 hours, 50
minutes per car.
Henry Ford was also the first
to see the vast, unskilled labour
of the automobile industry as
potential customers. The
workers, who were paid a
meager US$ 2.38 for a nine-
hour shift, were also the biggest
contributors to the high
attrition rates that beset the
industry regularly. In 1914, Ford
shocked everyone by an-
nouncing US$ 5 for an eight-
hour shift plus a profit-sharing
plan, unheard of at the time. It
was a shrewd move — attrition
was curtailed, a budding
attempt to unionise his
company was dissolved, and
some of the US$ 5 that he paid
came back when his workers
turned into Model T customers.
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
The Model T had a continu-
ous and successful run
between 1908 and 1927.
However, in1924, when the
10 millionth Model T was
made, there was another
automaker gearing up to give
it competition. General
Motors, a conglomerate of
car companies and parts
suppliers, began to offer in-
expensive Chevrolets that
came with features lacking in
the largely unchanged and
now outdated Model T.
Besides, instead of the sturdy
but old-fashioned planetary
transmission, the Chevy
offered a smooth three-speed.
As the Chevy became a
common sight, price and value
weren’t the only factors that
were considered by car buyers.
At this point, the Model T cost
only US$ 290 but the market
was clamouring for something
different from Ford. But Henry
Ford, who owed his life’s
purpose to the Model T, was
as unwilling as ever to listen
to what everybody said. He
did not stop production of the
Model T until the last one
rolled off the factory in 1927,
its master’s indomitable will
defeated for once by the very
factor that made him the king
of the road: market realities.
If you have an exciting driving
holiday to share, write to us at:
editor@wheelsunplugged.com
WheelsUnplugged 7
INDUSTRY NEWS
News from Beijing
Two of the cars that will perhaps soon make
their way to India were unveiled at the
Beijing Auto Show last month. Volkswa-
gen wooed the Chinese with the new Jetta,
based on the 5th generation European
Jetta. The interesting bit was that VW
developed this one with its local partner
FAW. According to VW, the car has taken
into account Chinese cultural elements with
“prominent front and rear end styling that
is inspired by a lion.”
Then there was the new Teana, Nissan’s
most expensive ‘Made in China’ model.
With the latest V6 engine, the new
Teana continues with its sleek, rich looks.
The company’s president and CEO, Carlos
Ghosn even emphasised Nissan’s China
interests with, “The all-new Teana again
demonstrates our commitment to high
quality and world-class products for the
Chinese consumer.”
Design cues
Tatas might have bought Land Rover and
Jaguar, but as far as their Indian cars go,
they still have a lot to learn in terms of
styling. That is why the latest announce-
ment from the company is that is would
like to pick up a stake in the Italian auto
design studio, Pininfarina, one of the best
in the business. Remember, this is the
same studio that is responsible for some of
the best cars ever - Volvo C70, Ferrari 612
Scaglietti and Maserati Gran Turismo.
Unfortunately, the international market
slump has got to the exclusive studio as well
and has run into hard times - with a debt
of 145 million euros plus operating losses.
But Pininfarina’s losses might be Tatas gain,
if the Indian biggie manages to buy a
substantial stake in the studio. Pininfarina
has also announced that it would like
to open an international design centre in
Pune to service Tatas as well as other
international brands.
Not to be left behind, Mahindra has set
its sights on another Italian design studio
Stile Bertone. The Turin-based auto design
company has given us great lookers
like Alfa Romeo, Lamborghini, Aston
Martin and Ferrari. According to a report
in Economic Times, the company with
revenues of 39.1 million euros will give
the Mahindras a global footprint.
8 WheelsUnplugged MAY 2008

INDUSTRY NEWS TEST DRIVE CHEVROLET CAPTIVA

Captivating
drive
Porsche prepares for
Transsyberia
One of the best known rallies for the hardy
and adventurous, the Transsyberia Rallye
is also the one where auto makers show
off their hardiest and most adventurous
vehicles. For this year’s run from Moscow
to Ulaanbaatar, Porsche has announced
that it will be competing with the brand
new, improved Cayenne S Transsyberia.
The previous version of the vehicle had
managed to get all three spots at last
year’s Rallye. In this year’s model, the
off-road capabilities have been strength-
ened with a stronger sump-guard, design
modifications to allow a larger angle of
driving slope and an all-terrain offroading
tyre from BFGoodrich. Now, the wait till
July to see if the new Cayenne will do the What makes the new Chevrolet Captiva a worthy contender for
same magic as the last one.
segment leader Honda CR-V? Indu Prasad tells you
Food for thought
The Maharashtra Highway Safety Patrol
has just concluded a study of driving HONDA’S CR-V HAS BEEN the smaller details - how the plastic bits with the faux wood shift is handy but it means that
ruling its class almost since it curves on the bonnet are raised finish very well indeed. And it eats up into the storage
conditions and statistics in the state. The
was introduced. The new, to merge with the wings, or Chevy has also done a spin on space between the front seats.
study lasted all of 2007 and has given us improved Grand Vitara that the vents under the grille. It’s higher-end SUVs with lots of But that is made up for with
some of myth-breaking facts: Maruti Suzuki introduced last brawny, sure but it is also gadgetry, including a digital all that other nooks and
> Foggy conditions actually reduce the year dented its sales a bit, but reassuring and confident. compass on the information corners that GM engineers
rate of accidents, since drivers are more not by too much. Hyundai Inside, there is lots of plastic- display screen. Another small have intelligently converted
cautious in their approach. didn’t give too much compe- and we don’t mean it in a touch that you don’t notice into storage bins.
> A whopping 60 per cent of accidents, tition with its Terracan either. bad way. When a vehicle right away - the storage space Where the Captiva will score
But finally, there is a worthy costs Rs. 20 lakh plus, you in the central console, right in in a big way is the 3rd row of
and 64 per cent of fatalities occur due to
contender to the CR-V now. can’t afford to load with the the middle of all the buttons seats. Sure other SUVs have it
overspeeding. GM India has taken on Honda regular grey-matte plastic. The and knobs. to - but because they are so
> In comparison, drunk driving accounts with the Captiva - it offers all Captiva mixes the classy cream The positioning of the gear- badly designed they end up
for only 5 per cent of accidents. that the CR-V does, with a acting a second boot. But the
> Overloaded/overcrowded vehicles are diesel engine to boot. Too WU RECOMMENDS Captiva has a genuine 3rd row.
second on the cause of fatality. sweet to be true? We took a Maybe your 6-ft uncle won’t
> Third on the list is the sheer lack of driving spin in the Captiva and came WHAT WE LIKE fit in there, but your 13-year-
away… there is no other word > Oodles of power and torque old easily will, along with your
skill. However, this causes a lesser (rela-
to it, captivated. > Brilliant handling on bad roads St Bernard. The legroom too,
tively) number of deaths, presumably > The reassuring build in all the rows, is ample and
due to the lower speeds maintained by THE LOOK > 3rd row of seats the front two seats seem to
unskilled drivers. The first thing you will notice > That it is diesel and has great fuel economy have gotten special attention
> Rural areas account for only 36 per cent about the Captiva is its size. It > Level Ride Control making them as comfortable
of accidents, but a whopping 64 per cent is simply you-will-not-miss- as any front seats will get.
of deaths. This is obviously due to dismal me-on-any-road. But credit WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
must go to GM designers for > The little effort it takes to get used the hard clutch initially UNDER THE HOOD
levels of medical infrastructure.
making it a non-threatening This is where the Captiva will
> The evening hours 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. attention grabber. The sloping WISHLIST gather points and how! The
are risky due to twilight conditions. bumper and the greenhouse > More gadgets like Parking Assist VDCi 16-valve 1991cc engine
> About 1,000 Indians die of AIDS each curves that you now find in > An all-wheel drive option as the risk of making the that goes into the Captiva
year compared to a whopping 90,000+ almost all SUVs give it a smiling, Captiva more expensive complements the tough,
in road accidents! friendly appearance. Notice brawny looks perfectly. Don’t
MAY 2008 WheelsUnplugged 9
TEST DRIVE CHEVROLET CAPTIVA
be deceived by the smaller cc,
the engine is completely up-
do-date. Developing nearly
150 bhp at a mere 4000 rpm
and with a whopping 32 kgm
of torque that kicks in at a
miniscule 2000 rpm, the
Captiva is all about power.
The numbers promise quick
and effortless delivery and it
definitely does. The speed-
ometre is eager to go on
climbing and if you are on the
highway, it does - all the way
till 170 kmph. The engine’s re-
finement is evident in the
speed runs. You hit 0-60 in just
5.9 seconds and 140 in less
than 30 seconds. And all this
is done without any pitching,
lurching, grunting or whining.
The motor feels like it can take
on some more bulk and power
Specifications and that is reassuring in a
vehicle as big as the Captiva.
Engine 1991 cc 4 cylinder inline, diesel
Power 148.5 bhp @ 4000 rpm ON THE ROAD
Torque 32 kgm @ 2000 rpm The Captiva is pure pleasure
Transmission 5 speed manual on the road. Not just because
Suspension Front is independent Mcpherson strut it flicks away two-wheelers
with coil springs, anti-roll bar, Rear is and smaller cars effortlessly
independent, multi-link, coil springs but also because it eases in
Tyres 235/60 R17 tubeless and out of traffic lanes without
Brakes Ventilated discs + ABS too many ripples.
And the bulk of the Captiva
really does make a difference.
It feels sure-footed and com-
pletely in control on all surfaces
and that’s saying something
because we tried it out on
snow, slush, sand, rocks and
plain bad mountain roads
between Manali and Rohtang
Pass. That, despite the fact
that GM opted not to give the
Captiva the all-wheel-drive
option. On hairpin curves, you
notice a minute roll in the body
but with the rest of the car very
firmly rooted to the tarmac
ensures you don’t go over the
edge. What is really reassur-
ing is that you can take it
beyond - to Spiti or Ladakh
and the Captiva will gobble
up the miles happily. What is
not reassuring is that if you
have a breakdown, then
finding GM spares in these
parts are next to impossible.
If the driving is good, the
braking is better. The engine
gives way as easily as it picks
up and the tyres stop willing
enough not to leave scorch
marks on the road. The noise
insulation is not as good
as you would expect in a
modern-day diesel, but con-
sidering the power it delivers
and the handling it offers,
you don’t mind the little bit of
noise that filters into the cabin.
The suspensions are neither
hard nor soft, but seem to
respond to the road conditions
thanks to the automatic Level
Ride Control which uses a reg-
ulatory pump to keep the ride
quality same irrespective of
the road conditions and load
inside the car. Really handy that
one, for those who complain
of truck-like-handling of SUVs
when there are just one or two
people inside. On the whole,
what is satisfying is that
the Captiva adapts itself to
feel like a car on the inside
but handle like a SUV.
THE CONTENDERS
Honda CR-V is the direct
contender of course. There is
very little you can fault in the
Honda build. But where it loses
out on is that it is a petrol
vehicle. The Captiva that
almost matches the CR-V
point to point on the drive
quality wins on numbers
alone. That is really com-
mendable considering the
diesel engine it comes with.
Honda CR-V
Maximum power - 141 bhp
@ 6000 rpm
Maximum torque - 19 kgm
@ 4200 rpm
Power to weight ratio - 96
bhp/tonne
Torque to weight ratio -
13.2 kgm/tonne
Fuel consumption - 8.4
kmpl in cities, 10.5 kmpl on
highways
Chevrolet Captiva
Maximum power - 148.5
bhp @ 4000 rpm
Maximum torque - 32 kgm
@ 2000 rpm
Power to weight ratio - 81.5
bhp/tonne
Torque to weight ratio - 18
kgm/tonne
Fuel consumption - 9.5
kmpl in cities,11.5 kmpl on
highways
UNPLUGGED VERDICT
If you have in excess of 18
lakhs to spare for a SUV and
are looking for economy, good
ride quality and space enough
to fit in your family and a
couple of friends, then the
Chevrolet product is perfect.
It has everything going for it -
the build and look, spacious
interiors, an efficient engine
and fuel economy that is phe-
nomenal for a car that size and
one that runs on diesel.
If you are the kinds who likes
to drive upto the nearest
beach or hill station on week-
ends or if you are a Raid-de-
Himalaya aspirant, then the
Captiva is ready for both and
then some.
For comments and feedback on
this article reach us at:
editor@wheelsunplugged.com
10 WheelsUnplugged
COMMENT: ANAMIT SEN
Bahrain GP
The city of Calcutta is famous for its pro-
cessions that are taken seemingly at the
drop of a hat. Crowds throng the centre
of streets, causing problems for others and
the whole city slows down…in short, for
anybody stuck in traffic, it’s a helluva bore.
But for one afternoon in Bahrain, it seemed
as if Calcutta’s influence in terms of pro-
cessions had been transferred to the track
at Manama.
Yes, there had been some excitement
during qualifying with the Pole Robert
Kubica (Koo-beet-sa) grabbing pole posi-
tion, no doubt making Poles everywhere
very happy. However, everything changed
once the race started and once Ferrari’s
Felipe Massa grabbed the lead, he hung
onto it for dear life and made life very
boring for everybody at the track except
Ferrari of course.
Of course, the lead did change hands when
he dived into the pits but that always evens
itself out as the others go in for their pit
stops – unless the race leader has a really
bad pit stop and it influence the result. But
the talking point was not just the absence
of Lewis Hamilton, who behaved a bit like
a novice through the day, who not only
did not make the podium but also man-
aged to stay out of the points! First he had
his car in anti-stall mode at the start while
everybody else had theirs’ in launch mode,
then he ran into Alonso’s car, (memories
of last year overriding common sense?).
The only entertainment came from cars
running into each other – Vettel into a
Force India, then Coulthard into Button
not once but twice. Perhaps the two Brits
got bored and wanted to play dodgem
cars, like they have back home.
Talking of entertainment, this is definite-
ly not the sort of race one would yearn
to see. Yes, Ferrari had a 1-2 finish and
BMW a 3-4 but they were the only ones
excited, one supposes, at the end of the
day. People buy tickets to come and watch
a race and having paid good money they
expect to be entertained. But watching a
Calcutta procession – the Ferraris are red,
remember – will not do good things for
the F1 cause. Moto GP is a case in point –
even the puny 125cc bike category can pro-
vide very good entertainment with sever-
al changes in the lead in just a single lap!
People are always talking about value
for money but the 2008 Bahrain GP was
anything but that! Please, let’s try not to
have races like this one during the rest of
the season!
MAY 2008
ACCESSORIES WORLD GPS FUNDA
Find your way...
WHAT DO ALL D-SEGMENT
cars, whether Volkswagen or
BMW or Audi or Porsche, have
in common? In a word: tech-
nology. In two: topline gadgets.
Parking sensors have now
become as common as
steering-mounted controls and
Bluetooth-enabled stereo
systems. Some cars even come
with a camera in the rear, which
lessens your dependence on
the viewing mirror while driving
or parking. Now, many auto-
mobile makers are offering the
king of cool devices: GPS-based
navigation systems. But what
exactly are they, and how do
we use them?
STAY ON COURSE
GPS navigation systems use
data from satellites to
determine where you are. The
GPS antenna, which can be With GPS navigation systems, you can have the
either in-built, or placed on
the roof of your car, enables world on your dashboard
the systems. In older tech-
nologies, this was achieved
using the unit’s map database. determine where you are. fold into the dashboard while and comes with an LCD screen.
Now, with the same inputs, Most navigation systems have others are fixed to the centre The most easy to use
the system gives directions to a text-to-voice facility with console. Intelligent navigation systems are the compact plug-
other locations in its carto- voice prompts. Newer, more systems can also include and-play varieties. In particu-
graphic database, including refined navigation systems not personal information planners lar, they suit users who don’t
information on one-way only give you precise driving for appointments, anniver- want a permanent installa-
streets, designated parking directions, but also receive saries and address books. tion. Such portable units can
areas, fuel stations, and and give information on If your car doesn’t come with be plugged into the cigarette
distances and so on. traffic congestion and suggest a factory-fitted navigation lighter for power, and can be
Generally, vector images alternative routes. system, you could always get placed on either the wind-
display a top view of maps. one fixed. Other than the in- shield or the dash. The screens
Some intelligent systems like A WEALTH OF CHOICE dash navigation system, you are between 3 and 7 inches
the BMW iDrive also enable If your car comes with a GPS can choose a remote mount wide and come with touch-
the map to rotate and shift navigation system, it will be or opt for a plug-and-play screen controls, voice prompts,
along with the automobile. worked into an LCD screen, system. A remote mount ar- a built-in speaker and an in-
They also allow you to check becoming the interface for rangement requires a self- tegrated GPS antenna.
the road a little further ahead your vehicle’s music system, contained GPS receiver that
of your vehicle’s current DVD player, SMS messages you must connect to the car’s For comments and feedback
location, or get a bird’s eye and phone calls while driving. stereo system. Just make sure on this article reach us at:
view of a larger area to Some screens are designed to the stereo is GPS compatible editor@wheelsunplugged.com
Do you want to get your car a navigation system? Features: The Nuvi is more expensive and that much better
WU RECOMMENDS
Here are some of the best in business: too. It not only provides navigation basics and Bluetooth
compatibility but interesting add-on features like the
HP IPAQ RX5900 TRAVEL COMPANION estimated time of your arrival at any intended destination.
Price: Not available
Features: It’s not merely one of the best GPS systems, MAGELLAN MAESTRO 4250
it also acts as your Bluetooth companion plus PDA Price: US$ 339 – 499
(personal digital assistant). Features: This is, without doubt, is one of the most accurate
devices in the market. Helpful features like voice control
TOMTOM GO 720 make the Magellan Maestro a highly recommended mid-
Price: US$ 337 – 505 level system.
Features: It’s different. TomTom incorporates a Map
Share tool that enables you to access constant map MAP MY INDIA
updates. There’s also a safety option in case of emer- Price: Rs. 21,000 – Rs. 22,000
gencies. Features: A navigation system designed for India, Map My
India incorporates real time turn-by-turn navigation and map
GARMIN NUVI 660 guidance with voice instructions. It also supports music, movies,
Price: US$ 394 – 906 games and photos. Ready for your on-board computer?
MAY 2008 WheelsUnplugged 11

MY SAY MADHURI SEN EDITOR’S LETTER

Honda Civic: A clutch problem Branding is

the new
mars the glam quotient watchword
Which car do you have and
how long have you had it?
I have a Honda Civic. Bought
for auto
it in September ‘07.

How did you end up

companies
choosing the car in the first
place? Nirmal Kumar Sharma
I had the Hyundai Accent earlier Editor WheelsUnplugged
and after checking Skoda &
Optra Magnum, checked out AS THE SUMMER HAZE SET IN, THERE
Honda Civic. Lingsay Honda let was a sense of relaxation in the auto industry.
me test drive it and I just fell The financial year had ended with some of
in love. The glowing dials, the the companies like Tata Motors and Maruti
spacious backseat… everything Suzuki reporting record sales and profits.
was great. But along with it, there was also an air of
anticipation... like the lull before the storm.
Has the car lived upto all Product line-ups for the year are being revised
that you had heard? and plans for big launches and bigger sales
Pretty much, yes. It’s com- figures are afoot.
fortable, it definitely has the What better time than to look at some of
wow factor and the glamour the more novel methods auto companies
quotient. It is a car that people are adopting to push up sales figures or in
look at and say, “You are doing some cases, just to make an impression.
well for yourself!” Just have Whether they are mile runs or Mega
one minor snag with the Showrooms where current and future
clutch that I intend to check models will be displayed, we will get to
with Honda. But since I bought see the entire gamut of marketing this year.
it right after the rains, this year Then there are pure automotive experiences
the monsoons will be a big A car that is suited for all, winning all the awards abroad like the Toyota Mega Web or the
test to see how it performs. Maserati display in their headquarters. Read
last year and one of the best in the market, all about them in our cover story.
What do you have to say For our Test Drive, we took a spin in Chevrolet's
about the overall perfor- Honda Civic has just one minor hitch says latest offering that was launched at the
mance of the car? Auto Expo, the Captiva. Negotiating crater-
It has been good. The mileage
isn’t as good as I had heard.
Madhuri Sen of Text 100, a PR firm in Mumbai sized potholes between Manali and Marhi
and later on, just letting it glide along the
But I really didn’t buy it for the smooth road to Kullu, we were convinced that
mileage. I get about 10 kmpl gear. And I am very careful Lighting - Excellent sions, the pick-up and the it was a worthy competitor to the segment
within the city and about 13 about releasing it slowly, but Legroom - Excellent music system to everyone. leader, Honda CR-V.
when I go on the highway. it still happens. In Mumbai Music system - Excellent And we took a break from driving holidays
traffic that means the guy AC - Excellent If you could add any one to bring you a report of the Maruti Suzuki
Is there any particular tech behind me thinks I am moving Safety features - Just right feature to the car, what Rally Desert Storm held in Rajasthan a month
spec or feature of the car and he accelerates and ends Exterior colours- Could be better would it be? earlier. In a year that has already seen so
that you treasure? up hitting into me. I already Headlights - Excellent Maybe more safety features. much action – think Auto Expo, Nano, Dzire
The suspensions are very have one broken taillight. The Brakes - Just right If they have made the car - and promises lots more, we also thought
good. The music system that Honda mechanic says that it Suspension - Excellent capable of reaching such high it was appropriate to rewind to the first
came with the car is very good is a problem with all Civics, but Overall exterior design - speeds they should also give automobile that marked the difference
as well. There are controls in I would like to have it checked Excellent it safety features that match between customized luxury and mass-
the backseat that is very useful. again. I am not sure if it’s a the speed. And if it means produced, the Ford Model T.
It also has climatronic that is problem with just one car. Technically, what feature adding to the cost, people will
handy. The airbags are only a about the car do you think still be OK paying it. It makes Read on.
psychological comfort though Who do you think the car is its best selling point - the car so much safer.
since there is no anti-roll bar is best suited for - women, engine capacity, power,
in the car and when the car families or just about torque, pick-up? Do you have any particular
rolls, the airbags are pretty anyone? I don't remember the tech concern/problem with the car
much useless. I am not too stuck with gender- specs of the car off-hand. But that you think the company
specific looks. The Honda Civic I would say the pick-up is great. should know about?
Would you say it’s a city suits me. As for driving it, I think I can easily hit 180-190 kmph The clutch. I have been asking Vol 1 Issue 5 May 2008
car or best suited for it is suited for anyone because without the engine taking too around and other people have Editor and Publisher : Nirmal Kumar Sharma
highways, keeping in mind it is so comfortable. much time or sounding told me that they have the Managing Editor: Indu Prasad
the mileage? strained. And this is with the same problem. If the clutch is Contribution: Anamit Sen
Both, I guess. It’s very com- How would you rate the car car loaded. a manufacturing defect, Design: Sunil Dang
fortable for four people to on the following parameters Honda should look into it. Head Advertising: Anirban Mukherjee
travel in over long distances. Upholstery - Just right If you were to recommend Published from BMS Centre, 2 Gujarat Vihar, Vikas Marg,
In city, my only problem is with Combination of colours - Just the car to anyone what For comments and feedback Delhi-110092 by Nirmal Kumar Sharma for and on behalf of
Red Tree Convergent Media Private Limited
the clutch. The car stalls every right would you say? on this article reach us at:
Write in at: editor@wheelsunplugged.com
time I try to take off on first Dashboard - Excellent I always mention the suspen- editor@wheelsunplugged.com
12 WheelsUnplugged MAY 2008

C e l e b r i t y I n t e r v ie w DREAM CAR FERRARI SCAGLIETTI 612

RAMJI GOVINDRAJAN
From an aspiring
professional racer in
Chennai in the 90s to
running plaNETsurf
Ferrari is coming...
Creations, one of
the leading web
studios in Bangalore,
Ramji Govindrajan
has come a long way.
One thing has stayed
the same though: his
passion of wheels

Adrenalin and just

adrenalin is what it gives
How car/bike crazy are you Pondy on ECR and on the
on a scale of 1-10? Ghats, I enjoyed my drive
A perfect 10 for both, cars and from Hubli to Karwar.
bikes.
What is your dream car/bike?
Are you more a car person Dream car would be any
or a bike person? Ferrari, McLaren LM F1 and as
Tough one! If I have to take for the bike, I already have a
sides then I guess I am more a super sport Yamaha R1 but I
bike person. The adrenalin would love to own a Honda
rush I get from riding a beasty CBR1000RR and a Yamaha
bike can never be compared MT 01, too.
to a drive on four wheels.
Anamit Sen conjectures on Scaglietti 612, the car Ferrari
How difficult is it to
What do you drive/ride maintain the high profile
might bring in when it finally comes to India
currently? Why did you imported models in India?
choose it? When you buy mechanical
Yamaha YZF-R1 2008: Had to beauties you really need to FERRARI IS COMING TO to rebody his damaged car production and assembly got under the bonnet,
fulfil my dreams. Honda Civic: maintain them as they are like India! That’s the buzz that Enzo took notice of technologies, this has Guv?’ The answer is an
Comfort, class, superior tech- ‘super models’. High profile currently and many people Sergio’s skills and started resulted in an overall body aluminium V12 engine,
nology - Automatic/Paddle imported vehicles have always have asked why, when you entrusting him with weight reduction by a designated Tipo F133E,
Shift options. Mahindra been difficult to maintain with have the Lamborghini, design work. massive 40 per cent and with a capacity of 5.7litres
Bolero: Utility. regards to availability of spares Porsche and Bentley The 612 however, enhanced the torsional (5748cc), bore and stroke
but with an official launch, be already here, has Ferrari though paying homage rigidity greatly. The weight of 89 and 77mm respec-
What has been the most it Yamaha or Porsche, I am sure decided to stay away! to Sergio, is a Pininfarina distribution has been tively with a cylinder bank
memorable incident on these companies will plan their Well, Ferrari is certainly job. The Scaglietti (skal- optimised, 46 per cent angle of 65degrees. What
wheels/drive? spares stocks for high wear coming. Ok, hold your yeti) has been in produc- front and 54 per cent rear, it does is make sweet
My most memorable days on and tear parts but having said horses there a bit - Ferrari tion ever since 2004 and which has resulted in two music and spew out
a bike will always be my road- that, I am certain spares will is coming but only in 2010! the fastback coupe design benefits - the known blis- 540bhp of power at
racing days in Chennai. Also have to be imported on That’s two years away or replaces the earlier 456 tering performance ad- 7250rpm & 588Nm of
I raced for a team called CBX request, so one will need to three if you still have the M. Produced at Ferrari’s vantages of a rear-engined torque at 5250rpm. What
Racing in Chennai. I wanted wait as it doesn’t make wisps of 2007 around you. Carrozzeria Scaglietti car with the comfort and that translates as to the
to be a professional racer but business sense for them to But which model will they plant, the design is said to spaciousness offered by a nut at the wheel is a max
my vision was too futuristic maintain dead inventory. launch first? Again the pay homage to the front-engined package. speed of 320kph and a 0-
way back in 1994 when mo- buzz is the 612 Scaglietti custom 1954 Ferrari 375 The Scaglietti 612 is 100kph time of 4 seconds.
torsports was not considered Big bikes are being seen model, strengthened by MM that the famous 4.9m long and 1.957m The Scaglietti 612 also
a profession in India. more and more on the roads. the fact that there are two director Roberto Rosselli- wide. It stands just 1.344m does the quarter mile drag
Does it make sense to buy of these driving around in ni had commissioned for above the ground, with a in 12 seconds. Power is
Do you remember the very them, keeping in mind the India currently. So, lets have the equally, if not more, wheelbase of 2.95m. transmitted to the wheels
first time you got behind traffic conditions in cities? a look at the Scaglietti famous Ingrid Bergman. That’s longer, wider and via either a 6-speed
the wheel or on the bike? These are not mass produced (Scal-yeti) 612. Ferrari has for long had a taller than a Gallardo and manual transmission or
What was that like? bikes and even Japan has The Scaglietti 612 is tradition of building longer than a BMW 5 the 6-speed ‘F1A’ semi-
Yes I remember both. My first only 1000 R1s on the road. named after Sergio Scagli- excellent 2+2 cars and the Series as well. The Scagli- automatic box with
drive was a 1983 Premier These bikes are not for daily etti, a famous car designer Scaglietti continues in that etti 612 rides on 245/40 paddle shift operation.
Padmini rally-ready car which commuting and are built for who specialised in Ferrari vein and combines per- ZR19 tyres in front and Here’s hoping that
had come to my dad’s service performance and people who designs during Enzo’s early formance with comfort 285/40 ZR19 at the rear Ferrari will have a change
station and I drove it when I understand this will surely years. Scaglietti and his for four occupants. and retardation is brought of heart and bring the car
was 12. My first bike ride: Ah! buy one of these bikes. Traffic brothers set up shop In the Scaglietti 612, about 380mm discs on the along with the other
Was on an Enfield Silver Plus. conditions are the same in opposite the Ferrari es- like in the 360 Modena, front wheels and 360mm models in its range to India
any international city and tablishment in Modena Ferrari has used wheels at the rear. sooner than later.
Do you have any favourite traffic alone can’t stop one repairing damaged aluminium for the chassis The real question, as is
roads for long drives? from buying these super Ferraris. But it was when and the bodywork. the case with any For comments and feedback
Without any doubt the GQ machines. Where there is a a gentleman racer com- Together with the latest sportscar and especially if on this article reach us at:
road to Chennai, Chennai to will, there is a road! missioned the Scagliettis and with sophisticated it’s a Ferrari, is ‘What’s it editor@wheelsunplugged.com