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.

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Who wouldn’t want to experience the Luxe life? Need we say more when luxury brand Mercedes comes to the Queen of Arabian Sea with their Luxe Drive? Held at the Samudrika Convention Centre at Cochin Port Trust in Willingdon Island, the event saw much anticipation as the cars were set on a specially designed track to give the patrons an adrenalin rush. Based on the three pillars of Adrenaline, Gourmet and Lifestyle, the event seamlessly combined the luxurious brand with excellent food and fashion on display.

Renowned Chef Ranveer Brar ensured the guests enjoyed some appetizing cuisines prepared by him. Famous Designer, Nandita Mahtani also displayed her set of fashion collectible at the venue. Mr. Roland Folger, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “Kerala is one of the most important markets for Mercedes-Benz with the luxury car market incessantly flourishing in the state. Luxe Drive provides us an apt platform to expand our base in terms of learning from our patrons, their preferences and familiarizing them with our brand. Such events are of immense importance to us as we constantly endeavor to bring more novelty to interact with our existing and potential customer base. Luxe Drive ensures that our patrons experience the best of adrenaline, gourmet and lifestyle, making it memorable for them and their entire family.”

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Apart from these attractions, Genesis Luxury will have an exclusive lifestyle boutique at the venue that will offer luxurious souvenirs. Along with this, Luxe Drive will also facilitate a complementary car evaluation and provide patrons an opportunity to pick up exclusive Mercedes-Benz merchandise from the venue. Many more attractions like live band music along with the display of New Generation Cars are also lined up for more fun and frolic.

Other Highlights:

• Merchandise Zone – A special zone for the sale of exclusive Mercedes-Benz merchandise
• Kids Zone – Special games to engage the tiny toddlers while their parents get the feel of the Luxe Drive
• MercedesTrophy Zone – Exclusive golf section that will highlight the popularity of the MercedesTrophy and educate patrons about the renowned golfing tournament
• Vehicle Evaluation Counter – The pre-owned car sales team will conduct a free car evaluation for all the participants and will also provide an opportunity for special trade-in with personalized finance offers
• Mercedes Benz Financial provides innovative and customer friendly finance solutions, focused at increasing sales of Mercedes-Benz cars. The aim is to identify the best ownership solution for our customers by offering differentiated products and services via leasing, financing & insurance. Association with events like Luxe Drive gives MB Financial a great opportunity to interact with customers & showcase their offerings

Details:

Date : 25th and 26th March, 2017

Venue : Samudrika Convention Centre, Cochin Port Trust, North East, Willingdon Island, Kochi, India 682009

Time : 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m

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Words by Hani Mustafa    Photographs from Nithin Nambyar

Luxury is a word that has a lot of definitions, and it varies according to individuals – a state of great comfort or elegance especially when it involves great expense. The term luxury has been defined more clearly and in a broader manner by a car recently in India. Swedish luxury car maker Volvo always had an identity that stood out amongst its rivals. It’s the term ‘safe’ that comes first to your mind when your hear someone saying Volvo, but Volvo Cars do not just settle at being the safest cars on Earth. They are unarguably, masters in crafting unique designs and comfort features which is what is otherwise called luxury. Having a strong pedigree in making extraordinary, stylish, and comfortable cars, with legendary models like P1800 and 940 to show up as examples, you will always defend someone who calls Volvo the pandit of luxurious products.

Power Joins Elegance

The modern day masterpiece of Volvo you have known so far was the XC90. It’s obvious that the Volvo XC90 sits on top holding the flag, but I am talking about the segment where luxury, comfort and elegance are showcased. The Volvo S90 was showcased late last year as a replacement for the ageing S80 sedan and a competitor to the German trio Audi A6, the BMW 5-series and the Mercedes E-class as well as the British Jaguar XF. From the design it’s evident that the Volvo S90 has been pampered well inside the factory during its make, since you see no unnecessary lines or curves on its body. It’s literally clean with a straight and simple shoulder line spread along from the bonnet to hood. With chrome detailing and coupe like finish, the car looks stunningly beautiful from the side. The new Thor’s hammer LED treatment of the headlamp and a very impressive grille borrowed from the old estate version P1800, together gives credit to the very beautiful face. Being larger and wider than all its rivals, the presence of the S90 on the road is intense. The most attractive part of the car to me is the rear. You get to see a fresh new tail lamp treatment which speaks of Volvo’s heritage and modernity. The placing of the Volvo logo is another notable character. It’s magical how the five letters of the brand stay immersed in the whole rear end design of the car. The Volvo S90 sits on beautiful 18” ten spoke alloy wheels that make a statement. The boot is equipped with gesture control. Swipe your feet under the rear bumper to open and once it is, you see a sizeable trunk that can accomodate a goo amount of luggage.

The Volvo Comfort

The interiors of the car borrow heavily from the XC90, which by itself had set benchmarks in interior quality and luxury. The instrument cluster is similar to the one in the XC90 with the high-res display in the centre of the speedometre and the odometre, a heads-up display and the Sensus touchscreen infotainment system with a B&W audio system. The wooden finish and the one piece chrome line across the fascia are very attractive. The knob for the start-stop system, the mode select roller and the other control switches on the centre floor console are the same as on the XC90 and then again, unlike anything else in its class. Seats which are similar to the XC90 have good support. Whether on the front or the rear, they ensure you a fatigue-free travel. Made of leather across the range, they not only look premium but also feel premium with the contrast colour stitching and the Swedish flag motif sewn in. Though the engine is a bit noisy on the outside, it’s calm on the inside; there’s no engine noise or noise of the wind or tyres getting in.

The S90 has been powered by Volvo’s latest 2 litre displacement engine that produces 190hp and 400nm torque. Not a massive power mill but the S90 is not meant for that. So is the story of all its rivals as far as power is concerned; all of them have a smaller engine. The engine of the S90 is mated to an 8-speed gearbox which is quite smooth and gives good response. It offers you three modes of driving; Eco, Comfort and Dynamic. Though the small engine restricts you from pushing the car to the limits the Dynamic mode can help you if some decent performance is what you are after. The S90 also gets the lane assistance but this may not always help you on most of the Indian roads though on expressways it will obviously work. Suspension is a mix of MacPherson struts up front and air-suspension at the rear and here is where Volvo’s focus becomes very clear. The car is engineered towards comfort and luxury and where that is most evident is from the rear seat. Of course the ride is exceptional and the car does not lose it even when pushed hard around the twisties. The S90 also offers the park assist feature. All you have to do is use the gears as instructed and the car will park itself in the available space. Needless to say, being a Volvo, there is a long list of safety features. The Volvo S90 will be available with only one engine, the D4 and in one variant, the ‘inscription’ at a price of 55.15 lacs (Ex.Sh Kochi) which puts it right up there with its competitors.

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Gallardo is a special breed of fighting Bulls. A snorting war machine, with malice in it eyes, column like legs, and on a small provocation would destruct everything in its path.
This is Lamborghini Gallardo, a world famous sport car, with all the characteristics of the Gallardo breed. A small touch on the accelerator makes this machine race to 100km in 4.2 sec, who can beat that?

Lamborghini
These beauties belong to Italy, Ferrari, Maserati , Lamborghini, this is the chant on every sport car enthusiast’s lips. All of them are Super cars breed of sports cars. 1960 saw the birth of Lamborghini. In 1998 it became the subsidiary of Volkswagen’s Audi. Even though a subdidary of a big company, they produce 3000 cars a year. Miura, Murcielago, Gallardo, are a few cars that set the pulse racing for super car fans.
Gallardo is Lamborghini’s best selling model; from 2003 more than 10,000 cars have been sold. “FWD is test driving Gallardo’s variant called Spyder” .The 2008 L.P 560.4 Spyder variant is going to be tested to its limits.

Drive
The engine fires up, my feet on the accelerator, 10 valves open up like anti aircraft guns, the Gallardo pounces, without a slight tremor on the steering wheel. A glace, showed 140km on the console, the world has given way to Spyder.
5.2 liter, 560 bhp , direct injection,V-10 petrol engine , with 8000 rpm maximum output. 4250rpm torque @52kg produced. It’s an AWD (all time 4 wheel drive), with electronic assisted power steering and disc brake. This cute beast has a maximum speed of 315km/h true to its Italian tradition.

View
A road hugging beauty, with wide geometric sloping bonnet, a wide open air dam on both sides of the bumper. A bull like single barrel headlight is unique to Lamborghini. It looks like a notched arrow ready to fly, from the sides. 19inch alloy wheels take up most of the sides. A bulging body line that begin from half the door ends in air scope. A back engine calls for a huge air intake.
This soft top super car, at the flip of a switch the top folds up in 20 sec, and Gallardo becomes verve topless speed machine.

Interior
The inside is plain and functional, unlike the price tag, an aggressive 2 seater. A small navigation screen on the dashboard and Ac switches below it, and fuel, temp consoles to top it. Convertible switches next to the automatic gear switch.
Limbs of the paddle shift are on both sides of the steering, even though it’s a fixed speed automatic gear, it can be driven automatically. Interior components includes polycarbonate rear and side windows.

The author is a automobile connoisseur and chief editor of the Malayalam automotive magazine Overtake

Price: 2.2 crores

Show Room
The Ashok Hotel 50 B, Chanakya Puri New Delhi – 110021 Delhi
City : New Delhi,

Trivia
BBC Journalist Top Gear presenter Jermy Clake owns a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder.

The author is a automobile connoisseur and Chief Editor of the Malayalam automotive magazine Overtake

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