Automotive
VW Beetle 2016 – A Review
The VW Beetle 2016 stays rooted to its legacy even while being the modern city car
The VW Beetle 2016 stays rooted to its legacy even while being the modern city car
To a car-nut like me, the name Hitler brings to mind a different image, an iconic automobile. The VW Beetle. A car that has never changed its DNA in its 70-year history run, a car that has been given different names in different countries for its iconic shape – VW Kafer in Germany and The Bug in the States. Around the world, the car equates to greatness.
The thought of building a people’s car came to the Fuhrer while serving a long sentence in one of the German jails. He dreamt of building special motorways (Autobahns) and also to mass-produce a car, which would curb the unemployment menace. Once out of prison and in power, Hitler got Ferdinand Porsche to work on this dream project of his. The brief given to Porshe was very clear and precise. It had to be a car with an air-cooled engine, capable of achieving a speed of 62 mph and 42 miles per gallon, with room enough to accommodate 2 adults and 3 children. And most importantly it was to come at a price no more than £86.
After ups and downs, the first Beetle as rolled out of the production line in 1938 and almost three-quarters of a century later; it continues to follow the same elementary design cues. Here I was 78 years later admiring the beauty
Design and Features
The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle incorporated a few modern design cues and elegant-yet-retro body lines. In the 2016 Beetle watch out for the clear lens bi-xenon headlamps with Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The hood looks the same but as you move closer you find modern but beautiful lines laid out in an elegant manner. The air dams and the neatly placed fog lamp/indicator assembly give the car a conventional yet sporty front end. The rear led tail lamps and the boot lid is designed to make you fall in love with it.
The wheel arches with its masculine bulges along with the 16-inch alloys. Though the rear view mirrors look like it’s been lifted from Polo, it gels well. Once you step in, it’s a funky red and black that greets you. The 3 spoke multifunction steering wheel looks familiar and is packed with lots of gizmos such as Bluetooth telephone, audio controls, cruise control, and navigation. The center console is neatly laid out with switches and a large multimedia touch screen. VW could have avoided some hard plastics here and there, as it contrasts the positive attitude of the car. You get power windows, keyless entry, engine start-stop switch, climatronic AC, heated and electrically operated ORVM’s, paddle shifters and a horde of other contemporary features with the 2016 Beetle.
The panoramic sunroof gives an airy feel to the cabin , perfect for a long drive.The front seats are comfortable and the overall visibility is good from the driver’s seat, however, the low headroom at the back makes the rear seats ideal only for kids and short people. The rear legroom and thigh supports are average. Thus, the rear seats are not the best place to be seated at during a long drive. The boot space is minimal and packing big suitcases can be the job of your accompanying car if you really wish to stack them on your journey to the airport.
The Drive
1.4 TSI 110 kW (150 PS) petrol engine is smooth, powerful , pocketfriendly and roars like a dream. The engine is not too “rev happy”, and once you get used to its powerbands, this baby TSI from the VW stable is sure to make you fall for it. The sophisticated and familiar DSG gearbox is a good compromise for those who want the convenience of a modern automatic gearbox without losing out on performance or the control of a manual. That said, the DSG’s responses could be frustratingly slow when you try to accelerate the car in India’s crowded start-stop traffic situations. The Beetle’s handling and dynamics is good though the car’s overall abilities and steering response does not beat a Mini Cooper. The soft suspension shrugs off bumps and absorbs the uneven Indian roads with ease and the dampers get hardened as you climb speeds. Road noise is quite audible even at low speeds, but you’ll get accustomed to it. The brakes are effective, you can be sure of the biting abilities of this VW on your days of excitement and adrenaline pumped driving. The beetle also comes loaded with ABS, EBD, driver and passenger airbags with combined side and curtain airbags as standard safety equipment.
Words and Test Driven by Augustine Libin Peous Photographs by Nithin Nambiar
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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