First Drive
Cyrus Dhabhar
Aug 23, 2017, 9:09 PM
The Mercedes-AMG GT R might not be a super limited sports car/supercar like the SLS AMG Black Series that it spiritually succeeds but that is actually a good thing. Priced at Rs 2.23 Crore (ex-showroom) without personalisation, the AMG GT R can actually be enjoyed by a lot more people than just a select few. The AMG GT R is actually great value for money when you compare it to some of the other cars in the range that just seem a little too common. That said, with the average age of an AMG customer in India pegged at 37, we expect the AMG GT R customer to be a mix of young and young at heart individuals who just want a roaring loud (and loud to look at) V8 powered car! So, would I buy one? Well, if I had the money, I most certainly would but maybe in a different and more sinister colour!
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Cyrus Dhabhar | Aug 23, 20172017 Hyundai Verna: First DriveThe Hyundai Verna, originally launched over a decade ago went through three generations in Indiawas long overdue for an update. With competition selling nearly 10 times the number of units Hyundai sold every month, the Korean automaker needed a much needed shot in the arm in this segment.Now in it's fifth generation globally and fourth in India, the new sedan has now officially been launchedat a competitive price of 7.99 lakh to 12.61 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)to take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City, Volkswagen Vento and the Skoda Rapid. We got behind the wheel of the new Verna at Hyundai's in-house test track at the Chennai research and development centre to get a first hand feel of the new car. Read on to know more!1 min read
Cyrus Dhabhar | Sep 22, 2017Tata Nexon Subcompact SUV ReviewThe sub 4-metre subcompact SUV segment is one of the most popular and most aspirational automotive segments in the country. Maruti Suzuki consistently sells over 10,000 units of the Vitara Brezza every month and the Ecosport single handedly helped recover Ford India's lull a few years ago. Mahindra has four SUVs in this segment too - the TUV 300, the Bolero Power+, the KUV 100 and the NuvoSport. So it was only obvious that sooner or later, any automaker who wants to be a real volume player in the Indian market needs to have a model present in this segment. Tata Motors first showcased a concept sompact SUV called the Nexon at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo. While most of us expected the production SUV to be watered down or 'paani-kum-chai' version of the concept, the Indian automaker has surprised us by launching the Nexon subcompact SUV that is very close to the concept's original look and design. And the last time that happened was when Jaguar launched the F-Pace! So read on to know more about the brand new 2017 Tata Nexon!1 min read
Ameya Naik | Jul 27, 2017Mercedes-Benz S-Class Facelift First Drive ReviewThe Mercedes-Benz S-Class has achieved a benchmark status, in its class, as it has always been a car that has been ahead of its competition; may it be in terms of innovation, comfort or even engines, for that matter. However, you cannot completely deny the fact that it seems a little too coincidental that no sooner has Audi launched its brand new self-driving A8, than we see ourselves driving the S-Class facelift, which comes with a bit more tech and some design changes.1 min read
Ameya Naik | Jul 12, 2017Datsun redi-GO 1.0L ReviewThe Datsun redi-GO will now be available with a 1-litre engine and yes, it's the same as the one on the Kwid delivering the same amount of power, 67 bhp and same torque 91 Nm. Datsun calls this powertrain i-SAT or Intelligent Spark Automated Technology, which it says is better on performance delivery. Does it really? We find out.1 min read
Cyrus Dhabhar | Jul 11, 2017Tata Tiago Petrol AMT Reviewthe Tiago went on to win the 2017 NDTV Hatchback of the Year Award too. The only thing it missed was an automatic gearbox. And now, Tata Motors has launched a new variant of the Tiago which gets an AMT option. Under the hood is a 1.2-litre three cylinder unit that also does duty in the standard manual gearbox equipped car. You get 84 bhp of peak power and 114 Nm of peak torque. The gearbox essentially stays the same, a 5-speed unit on which is mounted the AMT shifter module. The module is mated to a traditional shifter lever, which replaces the manual shifter in the cabin. Just like the unit on the Nano and the Zest, the Tiago also gets an AMT unit with a drive, neutral and reverse mode and a manual mode that allows the driver to shift up or down. The Tiago AMT also gets a sports mode to compliment the AMT unit.1 min read
Ameya Naik | Jul 5, 2017Exclusive: Mercedes-Benz GLA Facelift ReviewWhen the Mercedes-Benz GLA was first launched in India, most dismissed the car as an A-Class on stilts but the German auto giant knew the potential of this car and the facelift finally made its public debut in January 2017 at the Detroit Motor Show. A little over six months and it's all set to launch in India and we drive the GLA facelift to sample all the changes.1 min read
Cyrus Dhabhar | Jun 5, 20172017 Lamborghini Aventador S Track ReviewI rarely swoon over the way a car is or drive but the new Aventador S is genuinely that good a car. The old one was great but it did have its issues and now with the new one Lamborghini has really got the formula spot on. I have spent hours and hours on the Lamborghini configurator after I drove this car and I even came up with what could be my dream spec. But alas, for us mere mortals, the Aventador S is quite expensive with its Rs 5.01 Crore (ex-showroom, Delhi) price tag. Maybe Ill just get a 1:18 scale model than and hope to win the lottery someday. Because if you really do have the money to consider a Rs 5 Crore car, the new Aventador S has to be at the very top of your list!1 min read
Kingshuk Dutta | May 31, 2017Isuzu MU-X ReviewThe Isuzu MU-X is the latest SUV from the Japanese company and we were rather excited to get behind the steering wheel of this one. Here's how it felt.1 min read
