A drive through Heaven

Srinagar to Kargil Green valleys, sun kissed mountains, bountiful orchards and gorgeous gardens make up the land called Kashmir.  On the other hand, wide stretches of barren mountains, high-altitude deserts and placid blue waters form the extraordinary landscape that is Ladakh. The juxtaposition of these two completely contrary environments is...

Dec 21, 2024

Rainy Rhapsody

Rainy Rhapsody The Monsoon Challenge was the first TSD rally organised by Mahindra Adventure and we were invited to participate in it. Incidentally this was our first-ever TSD and terms like tulip chart, TC and PC were absolute Greek. The event was spread over three days with a total driving...

Dec 21, 2024

A good karma

A good karma Karma Enduro rally, a charity event, organised with the help of Hindustan Motors was one the participants would cherish forever The excitement was infectious. With only 195km to be covered through the day, starting early wasn’t really necessary. But, it was just about 0800hrs and the parking...

Dec 21, 2024

Auto Expo 2012 Preview

Part 1The event starts from January 7 and will be on till January 11 at the familiar venue of Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. What will not be familiar however are some new rules that organisers have put in place in the hopes of keeping every part of this massive event...

Dec 21, 2024

Excitement at its peak

Baja SAEDeveloping a car is every automotive engineer’s dream. Baja is one such platform for them. We cover the event for you. The memories of the first Baja SAE India race (pronounced as Ba-ha) were refreshed when Mahindra invited me to cover the event. Those were the engineering days, and...

Dec 21, 2024

Detroit Motor Show 2012

Part 1The global downturn of 2009 had a profound effect on the American car industry. A couple of years later, there are signs of revival and that was best seen at the recent Detroit Motor Show Not only did the American auto giants, namely General Motors and Ford, show their...

Dec 21, 2024

Terrestrial highlanders

Terrestrial highlanders  What is common between Britain’s most successful band, the German number one carmaker and the suave French automobile manufacturer? Beetle (The Beatles in case of the band). The iconic Beetle from Volkswagen explains the common denominator but how does Renault fit in? The French connection here is the...

Dec 21, 2024

Journey of awakening

Story What’s so special about a jeep? Especially an open top version that vibrates so much that your teeth might work themselves loose, that gathers so much dust that insides soon begin to look like a poor imitation of the Sahara desert? Well, unless you’re a bit of a Crocodile...

Dec 21, 2024

High on Lakes

High on Lakes  Ladakh they say is a mystical place. Time and again explorers make their way through treachourous terrain and respond to its calls. Last year we endured this treachery in trying to get the cheapest car in the world on top of Khardung la, the highest road in...

Dec 21, 2024

Bentleys at YAS Marina

Part 1 Spur of the moment. An experience reaching stratospheric levels. AUTO BILD INDIA drives Bentley's Continental Flying Spur and GT at Yas Marina Circuit and we also take a ride in the new GTC and EXP2, the oldest Bentley. Gone are the days when Middle East used to bring...

Dec 21, 2024

Mahindra Great Escape

Part 1 Dunes bashed. The annual Great Escape took us to the sand dunes of Sam. Here’s what happened… If you look at the truth, the toughest hurdle crossed by a modern SUV these days is mostly a pavement. The little toggle on the console reading ‘4wd-H’ and ‘4wd-L’ remains,...

Dec 21, 2024

The Statesman Vintage And Classic Car Rally

Part 1When one of the oldest vintage and classic car rallies in the country takes place, it does have something special. Of course it has the usual clutchof fans, bevy of lovely old ladies – the 139 cars, and all the fanfare one expects at an event of this nature....

Dec 21, 2024

Geneva Motor Show 2012

Part 1The business world has been scouring through turbulent times. As a result the auto industry along with other sectors took a massive hit. This was evident especially in Europe. Most of the shows held in the last year have let us down with very few truly breathtaking showstars.Moreover most...

Dec 21, 2024

Datsun: What was it all about

Part 1With the European and American economies still in doldrums and the BRIC markets gaining importance by the day, most manufacturers are busy formulating a gameplan of harvesting a ripe crop. Some manufacturers have already cast the die while Nissan believes its subbrand, Datsun, holds the key for its successful...

Dec 21, 2024

Mahindra’s Parable of the XUV500

Mahindra’s Parable of the XUV500  Buddha’s Parable of Kisotogami has been one famous story from Buddha and Buddhism. This is a tale of a girl called Kisotogami who was attacked by a cheetah and rescued by one of Rajah’s servant. An interesting tale where Gautam Buddha speaks about the cycle...

Dec 21, 2024