Jun 22, 2005 01:09 AM
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(Updated Jun 22, 2005 01:11 AM)
Cars are supposed to be technological marvels, beautiful avtaars of the vehicle, machines to take us places and do so in comfort and safety. But there are always some idiocies lurking in every market of the world that deal blows to the aficionado's heart. Here I take a look . no I can only afford a glance . at 5 of such Indian atrocities at large.
HM Ambassador: As reliable as our mantris, this'official''carrier' of the who's-who is what the RSS should be demanding the resignation of! Safety is no longer a criterion. The mill is as refined as the Delhi Munipal Corporation's water and it sips as the man without the meter. HM stresses on the'vintage' looks. We add'vintage' comfort, 'vintage'output, 'vintage' everything. How to tell HM that Mr Henry Ford's first car if remade would NOT sell!
HM Contessa: The very fact that HM still sells it is the miracle of the decade. The long hood that Mr. Bachchan once flaunted is no longer long. The chrome insides and outsides are no longer'in'. And yes, fuel price hikes are as often and damaging as ministers getting bails - one of the 18226 facts that hint at the long impending death of the fuel-glutton. Once I read in my Social Studies book -'the petroleum in the world is going to last only another 80 years.
Maruti Suzuki Omni: You know what, this box-on-four-wheels is good at everything other than comfort, safety, performance, looks, handling. now don't you say I have a big mouth or I will complain to Ms. Sherawat. Here's a car, driving which, you have to really avoid the pedestrians and its not just because of their safety but yours! Its a family car as each and everyone of the family will hate to own it - and one can only dream of the perils of the driver!
San Storm: What do you do if you want to wreck a great concept - hand it to the Indian manufacturer(now I respect Tata but.). Its a'sporty' car they say which in motoring languages says that the mill is the size of of your already hurt heart. The chassis will lose battles to an 800 and the finish will be hopeless compared to the Indica. At a price where you can buy two Altos, its anything but'reasonable' priced. If names mattered!
And here is our atrocity numero uno
Maini Reva: Here is a design that could have given Mr. Pininfarina a massive heat-attack(KILLER LOOKS!). With torches for headlights(INNOVATIVE) and possibly pencil-cells for engine(GO GREEN), this'car' can only do 80 km at a stretch. And here's the icing on the(gulp) cake - it can reach speeds of up to . hold your breath . an astonishing 60 Kph! Now that probably explains the delay in its launch. An Indigenous attempt that should have remained just that - an attempt.
Now after such a heart-rending discourse as this, I do deserve your valued comment. Or do I?
