Automotive
Ignite Your Drive
A new urban tribe is being formed on the roads with Maruti Suzuki’s Ignis
Words by: Hani Mustafa Photos from: Flywheel
India has one of the largest youth population in the world. That means there is immense potential for an incredible business of any commodity that attracts and impresses the new generation. But it is not as easy as you think. The product should be stylish, trendy, sporty and above all, it should easily shake hands with their small pockets. It takes a lot of effort to incorporate all these features into a product and Maruti has succeeded in capturing the minds of youngsters in India with their latest. Maruti Ignis is again the result of Maruti’s decision to follow the Japanese Tall-Bird design. The car looks extremely unique and different from any of its siblings. It is, in fact, stylish and sporty, to fulfill the expectations of the new generation.
First Impressions
From the face of it, Maruti has adopted a brand new design and trend which is evident on the new attractive grille that is attached to the headlamp unit. The top-end variant gets the LED Daytime Running Light which makes the front look beefier. The grille also has an attractive chrome treatment that gives it a premium feel. Huge air vents along with powerful fog units stand out on the front end. In simple words, the Ignis has many minute but stylish details all around. Along the edges of the hood above the front wheel arches, there are small air-vents which are again a sporty element. The wheel arches have been given some muscle to prove that it can be called a handsome man too. The Ignis comes with 5 twin-spoke, 15” alloy wheels and the best thing about the wheels is that for the first time Maruti alloys will look all-black. This matches well to all the sporty elements on the car, especially the new striking colors. Of all the stylish lines on the side profile, the most attractive one is along the C-Pillar, something that we haven’t seen on any Maruti car. The rear looks a little less modern to my eyes with the shape being a little awkward, but that is for a purpose. You get a 65 litre huge boot space on this small car. The tail lamps are large and really Maruti-like. The black treatment on the rear bumper is the only sporty thing at the back.
Feature to Function
The dashboard, unlike any other Maruti, has a fresh design. Like the exterior, it gets a lot of trendy details on it. The dashboard, sharp and straight, with a proper display screen, now looks premium, versus what we normally see on Maruti cars. The center console gets two configurations. The top-end variant will get a climate control system which is very similar to what we see in Mini Coopers. Whereas, the lower variants will get normal rotary knobs, common with the Maruti Cars. The steering is three spoke with steering mounted controls. The meter console is clear and colorful and you have the information screen on the right side of the console. The AC vents too have been placed very well. Maruti has the latest infotainment system that lets you mirror your phone on the screen, and has a convenient navigation. The sound system too is exemplary in the Ignis. The space inside the Ignis is in plenty due to the tall-bird design. Front seats are height adjustable, comfy and cushiony. Though the rear seats accommodates 3 passengers, it lacks enough thigh support. The interiors as a whole has improved a lot in quality. The color of the exterior can be seen reflected here. The Maruti Ignis has all passive and active safety features added to it.
A Driven Performance
The Ignis is powered by a 1.2 litre petrol and 1.3 litre diesel engine. The diesel variant generates 75 BHP of power and 190 Nm of torque while the petrol engine churns out 83 BHP of power and 113 Nm of torque. You also have two gear box options in the Ignis – a 5-Speed Manual and AMT. Having tested all the variants, the remarkable fact is that there are extensive improvements on the AMT when compared to other Maruti siblings. It’s quicker in its shift, and in petrol you get a slightly sporty exhaust note. Maruti claims that the Petrol engine will deliver a fuel efficiency of 20kmpl and the Diesel engine is more economical, delivering 26 kmpl. The suspension is tuned in such a way that it provides less feedback to adverse road conditions. NVH levels now having been improved a lot, engine noises now entering the cabin even on diesel is comparatively low hence, providing a refined feel while in the car on the move. Steering is light and feels easy to handle on any road condition at any speed due to the Ignis being more rigid now, thanks to the new platform.
The Ignis is available in four trims – Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha, all available in six color options for the exterior with three options for the roof colour on the top-spec trims. You can customize your Ignis with a wide range of decals, trims and accessories. The Ignis will rival against Ford Figo, Tata Bolt, Hyundai Grand i10 and Mahindra KUV-100 in the market.
Automotive
Mahindra Thar Roxx: Where Power Meets Style
The long-awaited Mahindra Thar Roxx has finally arrived, and it’s making waves in the automotive world. With a blend of rugged performance and modern style, this 5-door variant is a game-changer in the off-road segment. Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast or someone who appreciates a vehicle that commands attention, the Thar Roxx is designed to impress.
The Thar Roxx presents a more comfortable and family-friendly alternative to the regular Thar, offering enhanced features and greater value. It’s the perfect solution for car buyers seeking an SUV that’s capable of going anywhere and doing anything while still being practical and comfortable for the family. The Mahindra Thar Roxx is priced competitively, with the base model starting at Rs. 12.99 lakh, and the top model going up to Rs. 20.49 lakh (average ex-showroom).
The 2.2-litre 4×4 mHawk diesel engine in the Mahindra Thar Roxx offers two power outputs 150bhp/330Nm with the six-speed manual transmission and 172bhp/370Nm with the six-speed torque converter automatic. It features Crawl Smart for precise throttle control over obstacles and IntelliTurn for executing tight U-turns or navigating tricky off-road trails. With a water-wading depth of 650mm, and impressive approach and departure angles of 41.7 degrees and 36.1 degrees respectively, it’s well-equipped for challenging terrains. The 4XPLOR terrain modes, including Snow, Mud, and Sand, further enhance its off-road capabilities. Driving the Thar Roxx is both smooth and exhilarating, whether accelerating from a standstill or overtaking other vehicles just press the accelerator, and it effortlessly overtakes almost anything on the road. The automatic gearbox is particularly noteworthy for its smooth shifts, quick response, and alertness, making it ideal for both city and highway driving. The Thar Roxx easily reaches and cruises at higher triple-digit speeds, with the diesel engine and automatic transmission combo offering excellent efficiency when cruising between 95-100kmph, making it a great highway SUV. City driving is also a breeze thanks to its light and responsive steering, which makes tasks like parking and performing U-turns effortless. The visibility is decent, the ride quality improves as speeds increase, and its straight-line stability is impressive. The brakes are particularly confidence-inspiring, with a strong bite and a progressive feel that enhances the overall driving experience.
The steering of the Mahindra Thar Roxx feels unresponsive and unnecessarily heavy around the center at three-digit highway speeds, requiring constant corrections to maintain a straight line. It also shakes and feels harsh when driving over bumpy or pothole-ridden roads, and tends to bounce continuously on undulating road sections at higher speeds. The brake pedal has a significant amount of travel before the braking effect begins, which can be disconcerting. Additionally, the automatic Thar Roxx lacks paddle shifters, which might be a drawback for some drivers. Once you exceed 100kmph, there is noticeable wind noise inside the cabin, and driving consistently at these speeds can cause a substantial drop in fuel efficiency.
The Mahindra Thar Roxx is offered in seven distinct colors: Tango Red, Stealth Black, Everest White, Deep Forest, Nebula Blue, Battleship Grey, and Burnt Sienna.
Automotive
The All New Mahindra Thar 5 Door
The automotive industry is abuzz with excitement as Mahindra introduces the much-anticipated All-New Thar 5-Door variant, taking the iconic off-roader to new heights. The most recent update on Thar reveals fresh information about its features, interiors, and design. Here is everything we currently know about the larger Mahindra Thar.
The three-door model on which the five-door Mahindra Thar is based may continue to influence its design and feature set. Highlights of the features could include aggressive wheel cladding, cruise control, remote keyless entry, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, TPMS, power windows, square tail lamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a roll-cage. It is anticipated that this Mahindra SUV will be powered by a 2.2-liter Hawk diesel engine and a 2.0-liter Stallion turbo-petrol engine. Options for transmissions are probably going to include six-speed manual and automatic models. Prices for the Mahindra Five-door Thar are anticipated to vary from Rs. 15.00 Lakh, depending upon the version chosen.
The 5-door Thar’s overall appearance is almost unchanged from the smaller model, with the exception of a few tiny grille adjustments and an updated round headlamp signature. Additionally visible from this angle are the front parking sensors. In addition to the two extra doors, the side profile features 19-inch alloy wheels that are designed differently from the 3-door model. The spare wheel is still installed on the tailboard and the rear profile appears to remain unaltered.
The new dashboard’s dual-tone black and brown theme is the first thing you see inside the vehicle. Additionally, this dashboard has a larger touchscreen entertainment system (maybe a 10.25-inch one), resembling the one found on the upgraded XUV400 electric SUV. This screen is expected to include Mahindra’s ArdenoX connected car technologies in addition to wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
This version, with five doors, is expected to compete with the Force Gurkha and Maruti Suzuki Jimny five-door models.
Automotive
Mustang Forever
It isn’t often that we see a classic muscle making waves even after being a standard mark for about 6 decades, but the charisma it holds on is far more impactful than what we see in the vehicles of today.
The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is clearly the wet dream of any American muscle lover, just look at everything it has. The 2-door coupe FR layout car had an initial Windsor V8 in it as the engine in its 1st generation, while the current successor has a V8 Coyote in it. The 4 transmission car of the late 60s is still a statement piece which can be seen in many movies owing it to be either the inspiration for the modification or the devil itself.
The devilish beauty which has a 250 horsepower, capturing a top speed of 206 kmph making it go 0-100 km in just 8 seconds. This truly is a beast of the classics that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Words By: Goutham Satheesh
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