My Garage : New Volkswagen Beetle

The automotive sequel to the best selling Volkswagen Beetle, this new Volkswagen Beetle had some massive shoes to fill but rather than sticking to its age old formula VW decided to change with the times and shifted to a front engined front wheel drive format. The simplicity of the original though was lost and though the car had loads of people booking it in hordes, primarily because of the nostalgia factor, mechanically the car had its own niggling issues which has kept it from attaining cult status.

Numerous versions with different engine options have been released to ensure that theres a Bug for everyone.

Would I buy one: Despite the tugs on the nostalgia strings, personally Ill take the new Fiat Abarth 500.

Would I drive one: It doesnt look manly enough, personally Ill take the new Fiat Abarth 500.

My Garage : Volkswagen Beetle

21 million. Thats the number of Volkswagen Beetle cars that have been manufactured between 1938 and 2003 which makes it the longest running and most manufactured automobile on a single design platform. Ever. Commissioned by the one and only Adolf Hitler, who wanted a basic peoples car that could transport a family, the Beetle went on to become a stupendous sales success in several countries across the world. India too has its own Beetle clubs and its not difficult to see why. They were simple but more importantly lovable cars.

And that is something not many car manufacturers understand.

Would I buy one: Cars like this need you to invest time and money. And they make people think youre as old as their grand dad.

Would I drive one: On sunday mornings, definitely yes.

My Garage : Abarth 500

The original Fiat 500, known to the world as the Topolino (or little mouse) was a popular small car (if you thought modern small cars were small you need to check out this car) that was made for almost two decades till the mid 50s. The decidedly larger new Fiat 500 was launched in 2007 and Fiat's performance division Abarth was not far behind with its 1.4 litre Abarth 500 being released a year later. With 133 hp, low ride suspension, 16 inch wheels and sporty interiors, the Abarth 500 is the most affordable version to have among the different variants that Abarth has churned out.

Oh and those racing stripes with matching side mirrors are pretty sweet.

Would I buy one: I'll take three. One in black (with red stripes). One in red (with white stripes). And one in white (with red stripes) .

Would I drive one: Hot hatch. Hot performance. Fiat. Ticks all my boxes.

My Garage : BMW X6

For all intents and purposes, this car should never have been given the approval for production. Never before has a car maker tried to combine the benefits of an SUV with the styling of a coupe. And there was a reason why nobody ever tried it. Its just plain wrong. The proportions are all over the place but at least BMW give you multiple engine options. This 2 tonne xDrive50i model features a 3.3 litre V8 with 407 PS and a top whack of 250 kmph.

You will need all that power to escape the eyes of people wondering who on earth is dumb enough to spend so much money on such an ugly car.

Would I buy one: No. I don't want to be disliked by all and sundry.

Would I drive one: No. Not even if it was my last day on earth.

My Garage : Audi Q7

Bollywood's reigning sweetheart on four wheels, the Q7 does boast of a quattro permanent four wheel drive system with a central differential lock and an adjustable-height air suspension which means it isn't just for the poser crowd. This 4.2 litre TDI with 322 hp is more than enough to speed away from the waiting paparazzi. The success of the Q7 has ensured that Audi has been able to extend the SUV range to the smaller Q5 and Q3.

My personal pick of the German SUV brigade.

Would I buy one: I'm no Bollywood star nor do I have political connections.

Would I drive one: Honestly I wouldn't mind. Throw in a Bollywood starlet and that becomes a yes ....

My Garage : Maserati Gran Turismo

The gorgeous Italian supermodel that shares its 4.2 litre V8 engine with Ferrari finds the picture perfect sweet spot between beauty and brawn. Numbers don't matter on a car that looks this good. An impressive feature list doesn't matter on a car that looks this good. In fact, your personal stock would go up if you are seeing driving around a car that looks this good. And isn't that what maters when you buy a car this expensive?

Just try to keep up with the classiness that the Maserati exudes.

Would I buy one: Its a car that oozes with elegance and sophistication. Just my type. I'll take one in black with red leather interiors.

Would I drive one: Yes. And enjoy the mammoth inflow of attention. The car is the star.

The Need for Speed

An open letter to dads, moms, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, colleagues, teachers, neighbours and all other well wishers.


A couple of incidents over the last few days have prompted me to write this letter which I hope will help you understand me and my passion better. It all started when I overheard a conversation in office (I know, I know. One shouldnt eavesdrop but its not like I can block my ears with my fingers or stuff them with cotton each time someone speaks) in which a colleague was discussing driving down from Bangalore to Pune in his car. During the course of the conversation he casually mentioned that he was not comfortable doing speeds above 100 kmph which according to him were dangerous and that no one should be doing those speeds on Indian roads.

The second thing which prompted me to jot this down was an email forward which contained the following image.

I am a biker. To me its more than just 4 simple words. It means that I enjoy riding my bike and not just for reasons of convenience (easier parking, wriggling past stationary cars at each of our by now accepted traffic jams, the ability to offer a lift to a pretty colleague without having to worry about you boss & teammates piling on like they would if you had a car etc: ). It means that I sometimes just need a break from the stressful corporate life that I lead and a long distance solo bike ride is the one medicine that has never failed me to date. It means that I enjoy the occassional pulling away from a traffic light as if my life depended on it. It means that at times I do ride at speeds of close to a 100 kmph, if not more, within city limits. Now before you start shaking your head in disapproval while reinforcing your perception that combining youngsters (I'll take that as a compliment, thank you) with bikes is a bad idea, hear me out.

I am a responsible biker. To me its more than just 5 simple words.

It means that over the last few years, while other were out buying clothes and shoes at the latest season sale or treating themselves to a new mobile phone, I didn't. Instead I have been saving money to buy my riding gear which now includes a KBC helmet, a DSG jacket, Cramster full gauntlet gloves, Cramster knee guards and Alpinestar SMX 2 boots. Now while these names may not mean anything to you, what I can tell you is that I have spent in excess of Rs 25,000 of my

own money on riding gear over the last few years and I haven't just bought them as a style statement or to put up pictures on Facebook only to be dump them in a cupboard after a week. With the exception of the knee guards (which are too impractical for daily use) I wear all my other riding gear every time I take my bike out. Is it difficult walking around a mall carrying your jacket and helmet in one hand while carefully carrying all your friends shopping (if our friend is a girl) in the other? Yes, it is. But its a difficulty I'm willing to live with.

(Im quoting from a previous well received post of mine on safety gear) - This is not to say that wearing riding gear will save someone in every instance. The fact is they do make a massive difference between a one way trip and a two way trip to the hospital.

It means that in the 9 years of riding my bike with over 70,000 kms under my belt that has mercifully included only 2 minor spills and a trip to the racetrack in Madras, I am fully aware of my limits and my limitations on a bike. I know how long I can ride my bike while being able to concentrate fully and when I need to take a break and for how long I need to take a break. I know that dogs, drunkards, kids and just about anything else can suddenly decide to run across the otherwise empty road and I am prepared. I know that the bus in front of me might just decide to stop and pick up passengers in the middle of the road and I am prepared. I know that the poser on the bike next to me thinks that he needs to prove his prowess on two wheels and when the signal turns green he will ride recklessly to prove something to himself and I am prepared. I know that the driver in front of me is new to tackling Indian roads and that he / she just might panic and make a hasty move and I am prepared. I know that people, in all their infinite wisdom, try crossing our roads while traffic is moving at a fair clip and I am prepared. I know that if I get knocked down by a speeding car that has just jumped a signal and crashes into me, I will be the one who gets hurt and I am prepared.

So yes, I do occassionally ride fast but I do so responsibly and fully aware of the consequences. I do not do so if I have a friend with me on my bike because I take extra precautions when someone else's well being is in my hands. I do it because the road in front of me is empty and I do not see any potential risks as I continuously scan the road. I do it because I know that I am in full control at all points in time & that I will back off the moment I sense danger. I do it because those 30 seconds of riding fast makes me feel more alive than I have all week.

Everyone who is riding fast is not a menace. Please do try and understand.

Yours truly,

A responsible biker

My Garage : Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV

Honestly, I have never been a fan of its predecesor, the Miura which is widely hailed as one of the most beautiful cars of all time. The Countach though was the first real Lamborghini to grab my attention. Blame the scissor doors and the razor sharp styling that looked like it could cut any object into a million pieces. Just 676 of the 5000 QV (quattrovalvole) were built which featured a 5.2 litre engine that had four valves per cylinder (hence the name) with 455 bhp on tap with a top speed of 295 kmph.

The car to have on your wall as a kid growing up in the 80s.

Would I buy one: I would need super human powers to be able to reverse this car, given the near lack of rear visibility from the drivers seat. And no, I dont have super human powers ....

Would I drive one: As long as I dont have to reverse the car, I most definitely would.

My Garage : Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

Within the first 6 years of production, Dodge sold a rather incredible 10000 Vipers, proving what a runaway hit it was. 3 years after its launch Dodge released this updated Viper which produced 450 bhp from its monster 8 litre V10 engine. The insane performance (0-60 mph (97 km/h): 4.0 secs and 0-100 mph (160 km/h): 8.6 secs with a top speed of 298 kmph) was coupled with ridiculously poor brakes (even after the addition of ABS) which made it one hair raisingly terrifying car.

(A scary overdose of) power to the people!

Would I buy one: No. I have too many things to complete on my list of Things to do before I reach the better place.

Would I drive one: Yes. But given the atrocious braking, I will be driving it very slowly. Im too young to be standing in line at the Pearly Gates.

My Garage : Subaru Impreza WRX

To casual motorsports fans, the word rallying is associated with the Subaru Impreza in its trademark blue and and yellow paint scheme. Bug eyed it may be but there was no arguing with the turbo charged 227 hp 2.5 litre engine. Critics of the styling eventually had their way and the car was released with updated styling in 2004 but this one is beautiful in its own way. This WRX version had wider wheels with lower profile tires, better suspension bits and larger brakes.

And yes, the gold alloy are delicious.

Would I buy one: For the legacy and the pedigree, yes. With the rallying stickering added on of course.

Would I drive one: Tackling Bangalores monster roads will be a walk in the park with this.