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The Streets Of Mumbai Are Seeing The Last Days of The Premier Padmini

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Premier Padmini
Images from WikiCommons

As one of the symbols of Mumbai’s street life nears its end, we take a look at some of the other automobiles that were once champions of the Indian roads

Text credit: Charishma Thankappan

Like all good things that come to an end, one of the iconic symbols of Mumbai is in its last days. The epochal yellow and black Premier Padmini taxis that were once ubiquitous in the lanes and by-lanes of the city, are on their way out.

Premier Padmini

Manufactured by Premier Automobiles Limited, the omnipresent public mode of transport has been a reliable service to the people of India’s Maximum City since the 1970s. The production of the city’s well-loved taxi has finally ceased, even as the government’s decree of phasing out automobiles older than 25 years came into place in 2008.

Taxis became swankier with time, moving from the Padmini to Hyundai Santro, to several of the new models. Eventually, the entire taxi experience has evolved from hailing one on the streets, to booking one with your fingertips thanks to the likes of Uber and Ola. However, none of the new age plush taxis can wipe off the memories of the creaking doors that needed to be slammed shut, the hand wound windows that needed to be rolled up and down, and the colourful patterns of the upholstery; that have now metamorphosed into nostalgia.

While we bid adieu to this exemplary symbol of Mumbai, let us remember the illustrious vintage fleet it will be joining, that once ruled the hearts and streets of India:

HM Ambassador

Ambassador

Fondly called the ‘King of Indian roads’, the Ambassador was the definitive Indian car that was the pride of Indian car owners from 1958 to the early 2000s. Manufactured by Hindustan Motors, it was the symbol of luxury for one of the first generation of indigenous Indian car owners. It later became the face of taxis in Kolkata.

Hindustan Contessa

Contessa

Another classic from the stables of Hindustan Motors, the Contessa was the more modern face of Indian car that put it at par with American cars in terms of looks and design. In production from 1984 to 2002, the car was popular for its contemporary appearance but lost out for its underpowered engine.

Maruti 800

Maruti 800

The first of the city cars that became the mass car, the Maruti 800 captured the Indian auto market like a storm. Affordable, yet meeting the requirements of a modern family car, it remained the ‘best selling car’ in India till 2004 from its inception in 1983.

Bajaj Chetak

Bajaj Chetak

The handy all-time go-to vehicle for all Indians, the Bajaj Chetak was the forefather of Scooters in India. From solo riders to accommodating the entire family, the Bajaj Chetak pervaded the heart and soul of the country for its affordability and ease of use. It was a collective emotional moment when its production was halted in 2006 after its birth in 1972. It was what truly proved to be “Hamara Bajaj” for millions of Indians.

Yamaha RX 100

Yamaha Rx 100

The bike that gave the youth of India wings of freedom and mobility, the Yamaha RX 100 was an instant hit when it was launched in 1985. It rose to a cult status and set into motion the beginning of the biker generation in India. The Japanese company ceased its production in 1996.

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Mahindra Thar Roxx: Where Power Meets Style

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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.

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The All New Mahindra Thar 5 Door

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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.

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Mustang Forever

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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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