Automotive
The Porsche Off Road Experience
On the Road or off the road, Porsche lets their customers decide
Text: Hani Mustafa Photos: Various Sources
The Automotive brand, Porsche is well known around the world for their iconic sports cars, – The Carrera, Boxster, Cayman et al. But when they decided to make a Sports Utility Vehicle to cater to growing demands globally, everybody got curious. How can a sports car manufacturer build SUV’s? It’s just not their “Pint of Beer”, pun intended. But, then the Cayenne was born and all those voices have been silenced long since then. The Cayenne was then later followed by the Porsche Macan, which too has proved successful for the Automotive marquee. Both these SUVs defy gravity and has been proving Physics wrong when it comes to their driving dynamics. But its Off-road capabilities were unknown to their customers and the world. So Porsche India conducts off-road programs around the country to showcase the off-road capabilities of their SUVs. The Porsche off-road experience program was conducted in Kochi, Kerala in front of an excited crowd.
Offroad Training Simplified
As we walked onto the course, we were briefed extensively on how we should tackle this course. A detailed briefing, conducted by Porsche India Officials was exemplary. As the drive started, we had to make some changes to the settings. Primarily, there is an off-road button on the centre console which automatically adjusts the vehicle dynamics specific for the terrain we were driving. The air-suspension electronically changes to its maximum height setting. Then putting the car into Drive mode and releasing the brakes was all that was left.
Luxury – Why Not Off Road Too?
Begin Stage 1, the Pot-Hole section, designed to test the suspension setup and comfort levels of the SUV, the Cayenne felt like a hot knife through butter, however the four wheel drive was what we wanted to know more and the was the Axle Articulation stage. The Four-wheel drive setup on the Cayenne helps it maintain traction even when two wheels are airborne. The four wheel drive system cleverly transfers power to the wheel which has maximum grip. It all depends on how we provide the throttle inputs, as we have to be very light footed to maintain the correct momentum to keep going forward. It was a truly powerful experience for both the driver and co-passengers.
Confidence All Around
The Slip Slope Stage, with the car at a sideways gradient to the road was in store for us as we entered Stage 3, which had two obstacles in itself. Slip Slope (positive) was easy for the Cayenne as we have to give the throttle inputs slowly. At the maximum slope we can feel that the Cayenne is rock solid and it can be pushed a little bit more. Exit this and Slip Slope (Negative) was awaiting this beast. The right side of the car is going over an incline and this one is a curve. Once you start driving over the initial slope it gets pretty easy. We can’t see the road so we have to follow the instruction of the Marshals over a Walkie-talkie.
The Cayenne Knows It All
Amazed by the ease with which the Cayenne handled the last 4, the Hill Descent hurdle looked like a piece of cake to us. This specific test was created mainly to flaunt the exemplary control of the SUV. The principle is that the vehicle maintains required braking as we go down the incline and I don’t need to use the brake. Very easy, Right? I just had to hold on to the wheel. The Cayenne simply rolls down at a pre set speed limit. That was fun!! Initially it was tough for me to give full control to the system as it is wired and they told me not to use brake pedal going down the hill. But the system proved that it knows best & took the vehicle down without any fuss whatsoever.
Four Wheel or Three
I was enjoying this so much that I didn’t realize we had reached the last few stages. The Axle twister, as the name suggests is quite a challenge in itself, hence put second to the last. Here, one wheel would be going into a dip while the other wheel remains airborne. This one was also piece of cake for the mighty Cayenne. I had to just give proper steering inputs and follow the Marshals guidelines. The Grand Finale was the tough one, codenamed – The Side Trench, put my driving skill to the test. Challenge: – Drive down a dip at an angle. As we go in, the right rear wheel will be in the air and we come out, the only thing we see is the blue open Sky as the angle was pretty steep. The throttle and steering inputs need to be precise, or you can’t exit properly from the ditch. After completing the course, I was totally blown away by the capabilities of the Cayenne. It can match any sports car on the track and also be truly fun off the tarmac. The versatility is simply great and it’s a good alternative for people who are looking for great performance on-road and also weekend fun by going off-road.
The Verdict
After the Cayenne, it was time for me to tackle the course with the Macan, the smaller of two SUVs. The Macan was compact in size compared to Cayenne and we could feel that the obstacles were easier for the Macan. The feel from both cars are almost similar. Just like in the Cayenne, we just need to press the off-road mode button to ready the Macan. Compared to Cayenne, the Macan feels more light and nimble when going over obstacles especially over Axle articulation and Axle twister. The clever off-road system works just like on Cayenne. Even though the Porsche Macan is not as powerful as the Cayenne it was not felt on the track and the power was always enough as the torque was always there to pull you out of any situation. Overall, it was a fun-filled day as I got to do some off-roading with two pretty expensive cars. When we compare the both, the Cayenne is better as it’s a much bigger SUV and comes loaded with lots more features and powerful engines, but at a premium price-tag.
Digital Version: https://goo.gl/Bs9vlq
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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