A friend of mine – Sanket – was connecting with me after a long time and we discussed about the common longing for classic and retro automotive shapes we share. And that made me get back to the assignment that I’d deferred for a later time tagging it as a work-in-progress. I was working on two concept designs – two cars essentially. One was to be a proper muscle car that would also handle well, for a surprising change, and the other one – a proper 4x4 SUV. When I worked out the cost, I realized it would make sense to either wait a while or get one of those Scorpios or Safaris. I decided to wait. I am still waiting. You see, the problem is that if I get down to building it, I am going to go beyond 15 lakh or so, which I cannot afford.
However, that got me thinking. Which SUV out there comes close to being the vehicle that I’d settle for? I am an avid off-roading fanatic and want something that can handle the rough terrain like a doddle and be a comfy ride all through. It should also be easy to live with as I intend to use it as an everyday car. And it should not cost more than 8-10 lakh. Here, I expect all of you to be ready with your respective lists already; and trust me, they're going to be more or less similar. I just know it. I’ve discussed this topic with people and they always have, broadly, the same vehicles in mind. Scorpio, Safari, Innova, Bolero and now we have two new entrants – Xylo and Rio.
I must make it clear right away that I don’t want anything that even remotely looks like a stretched and/or pulled hatchback – so MUVs are a strict no-no for me. Not that I have anything against the Innovas or the Xylos; I think they are decent products. It’s just that they are not for me. I simply cannot imagine owning a MPV/MUV and not whine against it. I know I will always be at a constant tussle against the car.The Premier Rio? Let's just pretend that we've never heard of it, please.
So your list has been shortened by a great degree – Safari, Scorpio and Bolero then? Well, not exactly. I have a list of my own too. I’d chalked down Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Mahindra Bolero and Scorpio, Tata Safari and the Force Gurkha, which is the odd one out here, for it is never on any sane person’s mind when thinking about a SUV that would do its business in city as well.
Although a mountain goat when it comes to execute off-roading activities, I decided not to opt for the Gypsy owing to its horrid ride quality and the lack of creature comforts. I also want it to be a diesel which would not only save me a considerable amount of money at fuel stations, but will also endow the SUV with a tide of torque spread evenly across the rev band. Gypsy cancelled. Perhaps a Safari, then? It is a modest off-road tool, for certain, but has a bit too soft a handling under normal use. Don’t laugh, but the Gurkha was on top of my mind, really. It looks the part, is great when it comes to dancing off the road and has an unpretentious but moderately potent engine too. Still, it is too crude and highly unrefined and the lack of any essential item does it for me. So it was all boiling down to either the Bolero or Scorpio, and anyone, in his sane mind-frame would opt for the latter, right? Wrong. It was not to be that way for me.
I was not drunk to my bladder to actually pick the Bolero over Scorpio. The Scorpio, you see, is too supple for me. I like the square-ish, manly design of the Bolero and the ride and handling characteristics of the Bolero are quite good, too. I think it rides and handles better than the Scorpio. But – and it’s a big thing – there is Bolero Stinger that Mahindra introduced that has made my mouth go salivating. It had everything going for it. Almost. It comes with the CRDe engine, so power and torque will not really be an issue with me. But heck, there’s still no 4WD option coming in, so that ruins the party. And the cost is another factor, which at smiling end of 10 lakh is a little steep for the brand value of the ‘Bolero’ name. But there is no way on earth that I can now go back to Bolero after experiencing the Stinger.
I must make it clear right away that I don’t want anything that even remotely looks like a stretched and/or pulled hatchback – so MUVs are a strict no-no for me. Not that I have anything against the Innovas or the Xylos; I think they are decent products. It’s just that they are not for me. I simply cannot imagine owning a MPV/MUV and not whine against it. I know I will always be at a constant tussle against the car.The Premier Rio? Let's just pretend that we've never heard of it, please.
So your list has been shortened by a great degree – Safari, Scorpio and Bolero then? Well, not exactly. I have a list of my own too. I’d chalked down Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Mahindra Bolero and Scorpio, Tata Safari and the Force Gurkha, which is the odd one out here, for it is never on any sane person’s mind when thinking about a SUV that would do its business in city as well.
I was not drunk to my bladder to actually pick the Bolero over Scorpio. The Scorpio, you see, is too supple for me. I like the square-ish, manly design of the Bolero and the ride and handling characteristics of the Bolero are quite good, too. I think it rides and handles better than the Scorpio. But – and it’s a big thing – there is Bolero Stinger that Mahindra introduced that has made my mouth go salivating. It had everything going for it. Almost. It comes with the CRDe engine, so power and torque will not really be an issue with me. But heck, there’s still no 4WD option coming in, so that ruins the party. And the cost is another factor, which at smiling end of 10 lakh is a little steep for the brand value of the ‘Bolero’ name. But there is no way on earth that I can now go back to Bolero after experiencing the Stinger.
An ever growing wait it is then, or perhaps I should start hunting for one of those Mini Pajeros. One in good nick. I wonder, why can’t our auto-makers come up with something as purposeful as a LR Defender? A cut-price one, but at least give it a shot! That would fit my parameters the best.For the time being though, I am back swinging leg around the saddle of my two-wheeled steed and driving my city car. Sigh.
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