Automobiles have character. They are living beings and I believe that no two automobiles are alike; even if you're talking about identical models. A lot depends how they're raised, and circumstances and events that influenced their thought. Much like humans and other animals.
I like to visualize automobiles as animals. I shall list out a few and explain why I think they resemble that species.
1. Hyundai i10
The only good thing about the i10 is its size. It is extremely tiny; as a result, it is extremely quick through narrow lanes. Other animals that are tiny and quick include squirrels and cats, but the i10 is certainly a rat. You're never overjoyed when you spot a rat. Nothing provokes you to go ahead and make it your pet or even wish you encounter another one in your life. I'd avoid this car like the plague.
2. Mahindra XUV 500
Mahindra claims that this vehicle is inspired by the cheetah. The folks at Mahindra have very good reasons too. A W8/W12 turbocharged engine producing an extra large serving of torque and power can make people assume that it is a cheetah. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
The XUV is a European Common Cuckoo. European common cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds' nests, and they're raised by sparrows which think that they're some genetic mutation of themselves. The XUV is an impostor. It wouldn't be an impostor had Mahindra used some other name to sell it. Someone at marketing probably suggested that the eXtreme Utility Vehicle acronym would be a very good idea. I went for a ride in a friend's car, and the only thing that makes it "extreme" enough to handle the Indian roads is a massive ground clearance. The suspension is softer than a new born baby's bum, and it rolls around like a drunk whale. Yeah, it has all the toys you'd want but that doesn't make it a SUV. It is a bloated city car, that's about it.
Don't be fooled, my friends. It is a cuckoo; it wants you to think that it is a sparrow.
3. Suzuki WagonR
The Maruti WagonR is a whale. I have had the fortune of driving a WagonR more than once. A friend owns one and we rented one out in Goa.
The WagonR, like a whale, has a massive belly. The WagonR also has the body roll of a whale. It doesn't want to go too fast, hates aggressive downshifts. All it wants to do is carry two adults and three kids peacefully.
If you fold the rear seats of a WagonR, there's space for at least one pregnant cow. I assume that there's space for at least one pregnant cow in a whale's tummy too.
4. Volvo B7R
Isn't it obvious? Long chassis, a huge separation between wheels and a low center of gravity. Bangalore's Volvos are Dachshunds.
I grew up around Dachshunds, and they're surprisingly quick. One of them always rotated it's tail when it was going fast, and they can go around corners quite well too.
5. Maruti 800
The Maruti 800 is a lovable street dog. I never thought belting a puny 800 cc engine would be so much fun. The 800 isn't the show-dog German Shepherd or the supermodel Golden Retriever. It is a street dog, which can weather hard times quite easily. The 800 is by far the most common car in India, and you wouldn't have to go too far to get one fixed, in case it breaks down.
It makes you feel like you're connected to the road, and almost every pothole is like reading braille, but in a very good way. I never thought I'd love a Maruti 800, but I'm as surprised as you are.
I like to visualize automobiles as animals. I shall list out a few and explain why I think they resemble that species.
1. Hyundai i10
The only good thing about the i10 is its size. It is extremely tiny; as a result, it is extremely quick through narrow lanes. Other animals that are tiny and quick include squirrels and cats, but the i10 is certainly a rat. You're never overjoyed when you spot a rat. Nothing provokes you to go ahead and make it your pet or even wish you encounter another one in your life. I'd avoid this car like the plague.
2. Mahindra XUV 500
Mahindra claims that this vehicle is inspired by the cheetah. The folks at Mahindra have very good reasons too. A W8/W12 turbocharged engine producing an extra large serving of torque and power can make people assume that it is a cheetah. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
The XUV is a European Common Cuckoo. European common cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds' nests, and they're raised by sparrows which think that they're some genetic mutation of themselves. The XUV is an impostor. It wouldn't be an impostor had Mahindra used some other name to sell it. Someone at marketing probably suggested that the eXtreme Utility Vehicle acronym would be a very good idea. I went for a ride in a friend's car, and the only thing that makes it "extreme" enough to handle the Indian roads is a massive ground clearance. The suspension is softer than a new born baby's bum, and it rolls around like a drunk whale. Yeah, it has all the toys you'd want but that doesn't make it a SUV. It is a bloated city car, that's about it.
Don't be fooled, my friends. It is a cuckoo; it wants you to think that it is a sparrow.
3. Suzuki WagonR
The Maruti WagonR is a whale. I have had the fortune of driving a WagonR more than once. A friend owns one and we rented one out in Goa.
The WagonR, like a whale, has a massive belly. The WagonR also has the body roll of a whale. It doesn't want to go too fast, hates aggressive downshifts. All it wants to do is carry two adults and three kids peacefully.
If you fold the rear seats of a WagonR, there's space for at least one pregnant cow. I assume that there's space for at least one pregnant cow in a whale's tummy too.
4. Volvo B7R
Isn't it obvious? Long chassis, a huge separation between wheels and a low center of gravity. Bangalore's Volvos are Dachshunds.
I grew up around Dachshunds, and they're surprisingly quick. One of them always rotated it's tail when it was going fast, and they can go around corners quite well too.
5. Maruti 800
It makes you feel like you're connected to the road, and almost every pothole is like reading braille, but in a very good way. I never thought I'd love a Maruti 800, but I'm as surprised as you are.
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