As things start getting back to normal, let me reminisce about some of my favourite driving experiences
The lockdown and the slow reopening of the economy, not just in India but across the world has hit people hard. Across sectors, including the media, jobs have been lost and salaries slashed. I wish I could reassure my readers that things will improve soon but it might take a year. I have been speaking to several marketing chiefs in automotive companies who are positive publicly but they don’t expect 2021 to be a stellar year and only see proper growth in 2022. However, this view is not shared by every one.
The automotive sector is perking up with several new vehicle launches such as the Honda City, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar and new variants and engines in the Maruti-Suzuki S-Cross. But the Skoda Rapid and the rebadged Brezza (now also called the Toyota Urban Cruiser), sales have been relatively tepid in the past few months as auto retailers struggle to move stocks. Maybe, the post-harvest festive season will see some sales return but the good times are still some time away. I’m not sure if all the dealerships and automotive journalists will ride out the storm. We can only hope for the best and that the damage is limited.
As there are some drives coming up in the few days, next week you will read about what the new K15 petrol engine does to the S-Cross, then there is the electrifying new Mercedes-Benz EQC too. I will also be driving the new clutchless IMT variant of the Hyundai Venue, a technology that might dramatically change the entry-level automatic market and start the move away from AMT gearboxes. So keep reading this column for regular reviews and opinions on new cars and automotive technologies. You can even catch some of the videos that I have shot over the past few months on my YouTube channel.
But before all that, let me reminisce about some of my enjoyable drives over the years. By far, the most amazing experience I’ve had with a car was the Audi Ice Drive in Finland, a few years ago. Driving on a frozen lake in winter, sliding and slipping all over the place was one of the most exciting things I have ever done. The best part is that this is open for anyone who can afford. Of course, in pandemic times, Audi might have curtailed their drive experiences but if you get an opportunity to drive around in the ice and understand what ‘opposite lock’ is all about, consider it. And if you can afford an Audi, you can easily afford to go to Kittila in Northern Finland.
My next most enjoyable scenic drive was with the Mini Convertible. It is the perfect car to drive around in perpetually sunny Southern California. And mid-February meant that the Pacific was still cold and the surfer boys were nowhere to be seen on Malibu beach. It was fantastic driving weather. Another great experience with Mini was a couple of years ago on the island of Mallorca. Again, the perfect car for that part of the world with its narrow roads and sunny weather. I enjoy the Mini so much that I’ve decided, the day I can afford one, I’ll buy one.
For my most enjoyable driving experience in India, I’d have to go back almost two decades ago to the day when drives happened at one go and not in ‘batches.’ I enjoyed the drives without needing to worry about videos and social media. It was the Hyundai Santro ZipPlus variant which I drove from Bengaluru to Goa through the ghats. It was so much fun that a few years later, I ‘borrowed’ an early-build Scorpio from Mahindra and drove from Mumbai to Allapuzha in Kerala making unplanned stops at beaches all the way down.
Now, as I sit and think that it has been almost six months since I last caught a flight, I realise that things might never be the same again. But cars are still around and I will keep driving and writing about the experience for you to read and enjoy. Do tweet me if you have any feedback.
