My first car “My first car was the humble Hyundai Santro, though in the late '90s, it was still a cut above the average. I have sweet memories of that car, especially as we decided to convert our honeymoon into a road trip to the hills. I eventually sold it, so that instead of gathering dust in my garage, it could drive someone else’s dream. It was in perfect condition when I sold it.”
Marquee wheels “I own a Toyota Fortuner currently. I love it for its comfort and stellar performance. Another highlight is its commanding design. Since childhood, I have been fascinated by the engineering and design of automobiles. The car I want to own someday is the Lagonda, a British luxury car owned by Aston Martin since 1947. I like it for its sharp-edged styling and acceleration. Classy yet powerful, this full-size luxury car is one of a kind.”
Expert advice “I love talking automobiles with my close friend, Madan Mohan. He is a car aficionado and owns a collection of over 300 vintage cars. He is passionate about them and was honoured with a ‘Personal Achievement’ award at the Historic Motoring Awards 2018. Whenever we catch up, cars are the one topic we never fail to discuss.”
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Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Ducati: Top 10 Premium Cars And Bikes Launched In 2018
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2018 was a year filled with exciting car and bike launches, not just in India, but all over the world. Some of the premium auto launches that topped the charts were truly breathtaking. And here’s rewinding to the year which saw some mean machines being rolled in Mo-town.
2018 was a year filled with exciting car and bike launches, not just in India, but all over the world. Some of the premium auto launches that topped the charts were truly breathtaking. And here’s rew..
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The Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster is a more aggressive version as compared to its predecessor Murciélago. The car is aspirated with only one clutch to its seven-speed transmission. Priced at Rs 3.36 crore, this premium drive takes three seconds to sprint from 0 to 62 kmph; top speed is 217 kmph. It comes with a carbon- fibre body which makes the weight comparatively lighter than the predecessor.
Price: Rs 3.36 crore
(Image: www.lamborghini.com)
The Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster is a more aggressive version as compared to its predecessor Murciélago. The car is aspirated with only one clutch to its seven-speed transmission. Priced at Rs 3...
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Priced at a whopping Rs 13.26 crore, the Rolls Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase is touted to be the biggest vehicle in the auto giant's range. It speeds from 0-60 kmph in 5.8 seconds, while the top recorded speed is 160 kmph. Equipped with theatre configuration - which includes two 12-inch monitors with picnic tables - the luxurious drive has a 6749 CC engine and weighs 2745 kgs.
(Image: www.rollsroyce.com)
Priced at a whopping Rs 13.26 crore, the Rolls Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase is touted to be the biggest vehicle in the auto giant's range. It speeds from 0-60 kmph in 5.8 seconds, while the top r..
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On September 28 this year, Ferrari unveiled Portofino for Rs 3.5 crore. This mean machine from the Italian giant is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 in 3.5 seconds. A two-seater convertible, it is powered by an eight-cylinder V configuration engine.
On September 28 this year, Ferrari unveiled Portofino for Rs 3.5 crore. This mean machine from the Italian giant is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 in 3.5 seconds. A two-seater convertible, it is ..
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Rolls Royce launched the eighth generation Phantom earlier this year in February. The car is equipped with a 6.75 litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine capable of delivering 563 H and 900 Nm torque. It is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 kmph in just 5.4 seconds. It is 30 per cent lighter than the predecessors and offers a 600 metre range of light.
Rolls Royce launched the eighth generation Phantom earlier this year in February. The car is equipped with a 6.75 litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine capable of delivering 563 H and 900 Nm torque. It ..
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Mclaren launched the first Hyper-GT this year, Speedtail. Touted to be the most efficient and fast car,. the beast sprints from 0-186 kmph in 12.8 seconds and can go as high as 403 kmph. It has an all-carbon fibre reducing the overall weight.. Inside the speedtail is a luxurious three-seat cockpit and the driver is positioned centrally. It also houses a decent amount of space for luggage.
Price: Rs 16.04 crore
Mclaren launched the first Hyper-GT this year, Speedtail. Touted to be the most efficient and fast car,. the beast sprints from 0-186 kmph in 12.8 seconds and can go as high as 403 kmph. It has an al..
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Another premium bike that hit the Indian markets in September was the Ducati 959 Panigale Corse. Priced at Rs 15.2 lakhs, this one comes with a 955 CC engine which generates 157 HP of power. Other features include electronics package, Ducati traction control (DTC), quick shift engine and brake control. The Panigale Corse had three modes - race, sport and wet.
Price: Rs 15.2 lakhs
Another premium bike that hit the Indian markets in September was the Ducati 959 Panigale Corse. Priced at Rs 15.2 lakhs, this one comes with a 955 CC engine which generates 157 HP of power. Other fe..
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Auto giant Ducati rolled out a limited edition premium bike, the Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak, this year. It is also powered by a 1262 CC Euro 4 compliant engine. The limited edition bike features a new front geometry and longer swingarm.
Price: Rs 21.42 lakhs
Auto giant Ducati rolled out a limited edition premium bike, the Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak, this year. It is also powered by a 1262 CC Euro 4 compliant engine. The limited edition bike features a n..
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Kawasaki, this year, made an effort to strengthen its position in the premium bike segment in India. The auto giant launched Ninja H2 SX in February this year, and priced it at Rs 21.8 lakhs. The bike, available in only one colour, was unveiled with TFT LCD instrument cluster and LED cornering lights. New cyllinders, pistons and supercharger were aimed at making the bike more powerful than before.
Price: Rs 21.8 lakhs
Kawasaki, this year, made an effort to strengthen its position in the premium bike segment in India. The auto giant launched Ninja H2 SX in February this year, and priced it at Rs 21.8 lakhs. The bik..
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The bike that stole the show this year was Ducati Panigale V4R. Priced at Rs 51.87 lakhs, this premium bike is powered by a massive 998 CC engine and also features a race-grade suspension with mechanical adjustment.
Price: Rs 51.87 lakhs
The bike that stole the show this year was Ducati Panigale V4R. Priced at Rs 51.87 lakhs, this premium bike is powered by a massive 998 CC engine and also features a race-grade suspension with mechan..
Celtic sojourn “My most memorable driving moments have been steering through the rolling plains of the Scottish countryside. Two years ago, I had undertaken a road trip from London to Scotland with a friend and the experience was ethereal. I still remember how we took short breaks during our drive, to just sit and enjoy the beauty of the Scottish countryside. Scenic views, smooth roads and lovely weather made my trip memorable.”
Helpful hints “Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel. Don’t just drive, enjoy the ride; ensure minimal wear and tear to the car, to yourself and to the environment. Treat your car like a baby, make sure it is serviced on time.”
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If I had to name my car, it would be… “Nautilus. In Jules Verne’s words, a masterpiece containing masterpieces. One needs to nurture and value such a masterpiece.”
Playing truant
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“I would love to drive an Aston Martin DB5, in true James Bond style. I have been a die-hard Bond fan, and my childhood memories are replete with bunking classes to catch the latest Bond movie screening in town. The scene from Quantum of Solace, where, after capturing Mr White, Bond is chased by two Alfa Romeos from Lake Garda to Siena in Italy, still remains with me. Despite sustaining heavy damage, Bond’s Aston Martin DBS V12 manages to escape, while both the Alfa Romeos are destroyed.”