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THE VOLVO EVOLUTION

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FWD Life THE VOLVO EVOLUTION (1)

Meet the Volvo S90, the car that is engineered towards comfort and luxury

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.

FWD Life THE VOLVO EVOLUTION (2)

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.FWD Life THE VOLVO EVOLUTION (6) 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.

FWD Life THE VOLVO EVOLUTION (3)

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.

FWD Life THE VOLVO EVOLUTION (5)

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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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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