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The TATA Way

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Tata – the company that sells the world’s cheapest car and also one among the world’s among expensive cars.

India had never been known as a major player in the automotive industry during her first 60years of existence in her modem avatar as an independent country. The partly indigenous Maruti stable of cars, the Premier Padmini and the iconic Ambassador were among the few options people had at that era. The only truly homegrown car to speak of, was the Tata Indica which came into production during the late 1990S. India slowly started arriving at the global stage from then on; but still making only minor ripples on the world stage.

 

But two events in 2008 changed a lot of that. The Delhi Auto Expo saw the unveiling of the world’s cheapest production car the Tata Nano. It was an incredible feat of engineering to build a car that looked good, that could provide a tall lanky Ratan Tata a graceful egress and one that could easily negotiate Indian roads- all at a price lag of 1 Lakh Indian Rupees.

Then there was another biggie. That same company that brought out the cheapest car; also went in and bought out the British icon of luxury Jaguar and Land Rover. Suddenly Tata became this company that sold the world’s cheapest car and also one among the world’s most expensive cars. Oh yeah! India had finally truly arrived.

 

The Nana Saga

Perhaps the Indians are the masters of making things cheap. Therefore it was only logical that it should be an Indian company that should end up being the manufacturer of the cheapest car. But what was amazing was how well Tata went about making the Nano the cheapest. They cut the right comers; the ingenuity they showed in engineering cost is what makes the Nano remarkable. This is reinforced by the dozens of patents that Tata had applied for relating to the construction of the car. The Nano is truly an icon of the modem Indian ambition.

 

British, spiced with Indian

Jaguar and Land Rover were quintessentially British automotive icons that can trace back its history to the days of the British Raj. Nobody would have even in their dreams would have thought that one day these brands will be owned by India. But the world has changed a lot since the Raj and finally it was an Indian company that had to step in to save the two British icons from collapse.

The JLR deal saw Tata Motors being tested in unknown waters. They had never been in the luxury end of the segment. But going by the numbers; they seem to be doing a great job. The latest good news being setting up of a new factory in UK which promises at least a 1000 jobs. The two brands are indeed doing quite well; with tata being able to silence the numerous critics of the deal.

 

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Automotive

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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