Finding a 6/7 seater

Problem statement:

Dear friends of ours have moved to a new city. Though they got the Nexon with them, they need to start looking at a second car: a 6 or 7 seater to add to their fleet. 

Aditi & Abhishek - with their top of the Line Nexon

I'll reveal a bit more: these guys have moved out of a city called Mumbai. Hence they are (i) spared of the ridiculous property costs and are coming to terms with their new found extreme richness (ii) Having escaped the wretched city, they are overwhelmed by that phenomenon called happiness. 

We attack this problem statement after collecting requisite ammunition: the options available in the market and trying to match them as per the requirements of the couple.

We have with us the Tata Safari, Ertiga/ XL6, Mahindra XUV 700, Kia Carens, Alcazar, THE Toyota Innova, and the other niche guys: all vying to be taken home by the lovely people.

If one has romanced with anything that closely resembles to 'work experience and execution' in life, experience recommends to remove the garbage first. 

And this is precisely what we will do for the first option.

Suzuki XL6/ Ertiga 

Stretch the Swift = Ertiga

So XL 6 and Ertiga are out. No dear Maruti: You could offer cheap service, longevity of cars etc. But stop trying to rely too much on that and forgetting engineering, finesse and the need to stay abreast with technology. Though at a decent price, the terrible engineering and obsolete components make them seem extremely expensive to me. Correction: replace that phrase 'terrible engineering' with 'no engineering': the first model was not even engineered - they started stretching the Suzuki Swift until it broke in the workshop; the end result was a longer Swift with new row of seats that could collapse at the slightest impact. On the good side: it would spare its occupants from prolonged suffering with the guarantee of instant death in case of an accident. Also: Lets be clear: putting leather upholstery on a terrible product is not termed luxury, when the core design is horrible. In that sense, XL 6 should be charged with dacoity. And I will not let my friends be the victims here.

Tata Safari

We do venture into the Tata Safari territory but as the family already has a cool Tata Nexon, maybe a brand change would be fun. But maybe it could reign supreme in terms of design and drivability.

One more plus: in its current avatar, this is suspiciously more of Land Rover territory that Tata.

XUV 700 and the Mahindra affair

Stunner: XUV 700

An imposing road presence, a ship load of electronics and screens: In short, XUV 700 is a stunner. But so are all new cars at any showroom. The driving position and the height do give you that 'feel like God' feeling and I have witnessed people on the road running in panic when I am driving a Mahindra spiritedly. 

Root Cause analysis of that to follow and it revolves around the critical role these cars have played in all nefarious activities. 

Stunner: inside as well

I have no qualms in admitting that I have little faith in these machines from our dear manufacturer which does a better job at tractors (fan of the 265 DI). Like everything else, all products look spectacular in the showroom, but their mettle is proven only with age. And Mahindra has not proven much to me here. 3-5 year old XUV 500s or Scorpios are incredibly rattly, have buggy electronics and I would rather pick up a 10 year old Japanese/ Korean over these machines. They serve me well to explain the concept of 'Cost of Poor Quality' - with ample quantitative data at the spare parts bazaar: where at time of me buying a wiper blade or a polish for my Honda, I found many Mahindra owners desperately scavenging for turbo-chargers, electronic components, etc. for their stalled vehicles. Bolero being an exception here - though of a different league and for a different purpose.

To give Mahindra a fair chance, I decided to have an unbiased assessment to gauge the candidature of the XUV700 for the suave couple.

XUV - the dream car for many

My inhibitions apart, the problem for Mahindra's candidature was a different one in this scenario. It was what they call a 'Fitment challenge' . At the outset, my friends seemed far too sophisticated for a XUV700. They seemed to have little in common with the paan spitting politicians throned in the rear or goons found in driver's seat in Mahindras. While ruggedness of a Bolero has a purpose to it, that of the XUV is crass and reeks of deceit.

Still, to give a fair chance, I decided to dig for something dark in their life to have them qualify for a Mahindra Scorpio/ XUV700. Who knows: Maybe some part of their wealth was ill gotten, being on the wrong side of the law. My scheme involved tricking Aditi & Abhishek to a dungeon, which had ample of those ancient torture tools in supply, tying their limbs and commencing my interrogation. Here are the results:

Mahindra fitment questionnaire 

https://gifs.com/gif/the-laws-of-physics-does-not-apply-in-bollywood-jROG1Y

Sigh… Truth being told, we were personally invested in justifying the Mahindra fitment for these guys for our own little devious scheme. A few minutes ago, Bugga and I had talked about the downward trend of the macroeconomic indicators these days and their degree of potential correlation (adverse) with our job security. A Mahindra available to borrow from friends, could indeed help our kidnapping business take off if times called for it.

However, these guys were hopeless. Regret to note that my interrogation was a total failure. Not only did these guys check 'No' for all the questions, they also mentioned words like 'please', 'pardon', 'thank you' during the interrogation!

Data also revealed that they had passed their 10th (1st attempt) and I know their path to education has been marred with those premium schools that have too many 9s. (99.999999 percentile was it? Nope, I think i missed some 9s). 

Mahindra is out for them.

Toyota Innova:

MPV or an indestructible tank?

No point harping on the obvious. We all love the Innova and all of us have been ferried in it amply. In its latest avatar, the Crysta is a remarkable drive, gives you decent feedback of the road and makes its presence felt on the road. With angry eyes/ headlamps these days and some effort expended in hiding it's van-ish profile, it is a smart looker too. Though deprived of 4X4 option, it still does a good job when there are no roads. Personally, I have featured in plenty of stories which involve an Innova gorging a large family inevitably late, their million pieces of luggage, zipping across roads and no-roads with supreme comfort, making up for lost time on way, finally disemboweling its passengers and their luggage at the airport, railway or bus station - in time, without drama.

But here is the problem: Toyota knows too well of the market's cognizance of the quality & unsinkability of this product, and they ask for a handsome premium for it. Well, with those dated interiors, the price, and their claim of indestructability, all the best to Toyota to try selling it to the Israeli ground forces to replace their Merkava tank battalions. But I wont allow them into conning my friends of their hard earned cash. My friends are a genuine moderate use family, with no imminent plans of getting into the taxi business. 

Kia Carens

Kia Carens - the smart front 3/4 look

As for the Kia, my experience is limited to a test drive only. All of us were happy when we heard the price of the Carens and had expected it to be (a) a stretched Seltos with scaled down features (b) Cheap Innova which could be floaty while turning & on highway maneuvers (c ) A flimsy build & structure, just enough to do its job of bettering the horrible Suzuki Ertiga/ XL6. 

A test drive allayed all these apprehensions, for this is something unique indeed. I tried to model it as a scaled down Innova or a stretched Seltos, but failed spectacularly. Of course, the interiors are Selto-ish, parts would be carried over. But when it comes to the drive, this one manages a distinct soul.

Looks feature lower in my priority, but the word that strikes me upon seeing it in flesh and blood is 'exquisite' - there is a charm about this when looking from the front and three quarters view. The fresh front donned by unique lamps, the grill being given a miss gets it some degree of handsomeness . From the side though, it is sadly MUV-ish but the rear is fairly modern. To note that you have to look too hard at the silhouette to find its underpinnings common to the Seltos.

On the downside, there is a lot of material inside which reminds you of the Seltos and the seating position - though very comfortable with an upright driving stance, is a faint reminiscent of the ol' king of kidnapping: Maruti Omni. Also, there is ample going around pertaining to safety issues and rating of the Seltos, assuming Carens' case could be similar.

What finally tilts the balance in favor of the Carens is the price. After test driving, I could not believe the number. A tad cheaper than its mate, it makes a Seltos purchase seem like thievery. Note: the author had spent money on the Seltos and had thought it to be the best value for money at that time. I am not alone with this perception: a nine month waiting list proves that the entire market feels that way, and we could expect a price increase sometime soon.

Hyundai Alcazar: 

It is an incredible option and what we say for Carens ticks for this with a lot more. Though this has different underpinnings that the Carens, I just cannot come to terms in recommending this full heartedly at that price difference over its sister brand. Sorry. If the price difference between the Kia and Hyundai narrows, perhaps we may take a look very seriously. 

Jeep Meridian: 

Expensive. But more worryingly, we are scared about it aligning to its peers' strategy and escaping the Indian market. Chevrolet's and Ford's recent exits have rekindled this fear. Yet with its core SIV underpinnings, I believe it could have the potential to keep the Ford Endeavor (now defunct) fans interested. This is perhaps the only option left for them without needing to switch to the Japanese (Fortuner) 

Skoda Kodiaq: 

Lots of bling, good price, but no Skodas to buy in India please (This line is carefully thought through and drafted by a Skoda owner).

MG Gloster: 

Living is China, I can say MGs are firecrackers when it comes to avionics loaded for that much money . In India at the moment, I feel the prices are not that competitive yet. In its home market, there is a huge difference between the Germans>Japanese/Koreans> MG/Roewe. So thanks, but no thanks to this beautiful video game^. MG India - please stay true to who you are and give up that British brand deceit. I see Morris Garages motif getting larger and larger. 

^MGs have next generation tech at unbelievable price, giving max for the buck for the screen loving population of these times. But cant say that for sharpness in driving.

Verdict: 

Those looking for a 7 seater to immediately book a Carens to start their waiting period, think hard in the first month and then: (a) Buy Safari, Alcazar or Innova as per logical analysis, then cancel booking of Kia or (b) Keep waiting for the Carens

The Saga of Proton

This is the story of Proton: the automotive star of Malaysia.

Appalled by the degradation of investigative journalism in the recent times, our dear Shubham has donned a long kurta, picked up the pen, diary and a side-sling bag to cover the journey of Proton. To avoid personal biases creeping into my study & assessment, I refrained from referring to the media or even the Malaysian people, majority of whom are very proud of their country and its national produce (especially Proton).

Hence I decided to direct my studies and discussions to the dispassionate assessors of the product. The native inhabitants of the land were nominated- those of who were not necessarily using the product, but have seen it evolve over generations.

One of the First Proton Saga to roll out: @ the National Museum, KL

1. Malaysia & Proton

Hornbill

Good journalism calls for understanding the roots first before getting into the detailed study, and I am not someone who disagrees with this. To understand the genesis of the country and evolution of Proton, I went to the ancient Hornbill.

SP (me): Greetings Ms. Horn-Bill, how you dooinn..?

HornBill (HB): Squeak.. Snarl..

I recalled reading somewhere that hornbills hated small talk and thought it would be wise to get straight to the point.

SP: It would be great if you could throw some light upon the story of Malaysia and its rise..

HB: Malaysia gained independence in 1957 and we have worked tirelessly to emerge as a newly industrialized economy. To give you some perspective, let me throw some numbers. The per capita GDP of Malaysia is $17,500 (against $4,000 in India). In terms of Forex reserves, we are ranked #20 in the World and #26 in terms of export, ahead of many advanced economies.  The economy had been traditionally fueled by natural resources but we have evolved a lot with our former PM: Mahathir Mohammed’s vision of creating an industrial power to be reckoned with.

Under Mahathir, Malaysia undertook an ambitious range of traditional industrial-policy programs. The two most prominent focused on the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) in export-oriented manufacturing, and efforts to develop “national champions” in mass manufacturing and heavy industry, most contentiously in steel and automotive.

(Source: CIA World Factbook)

SP: Could you tell me something about Proton?

HB: Ahh.. Proton.. Well. We are proud to be the only South-East Asian country to have indigenously designed cars. Sure, Thailand next door has a lot of manufacturing facilities for Toyota, Honda etc, but they are simply shops producing the designed pushed from Japan (or elsewhere). The idea was conceived by Mahathir Mohammed himself, who had the vision of creating a product that will not just be an enabler for the citizens of the nation, but also a means to reduce the import bill of the nation. Initially, we started with the Proton Saga, which- along with the subsequent models were essentially re-badged Mitsubishi Lancers. However, we have come a long way since.

 

SP: Is Proton still the leader? Do we have any numbers to back that fact?

HB: Not precisely.. Proton was the leader for many years. It was only recently, that those pesky mini-cars from Perodua have taken the lead in Malaysia.

SP: Thank you for your time Ma’am, its been a pleasure.

2. The Rise: From Domestic leader to a true Multi-National

The Chimp

Armed sufficiently with an evolution story, I sat down for extensive research. My initial findings did not portray a very clear picture, for there were a lot of things happening at Proton. There were a wide array of models, some phenomenal hits, with certain vanishing without a fight. The journey was a ceremonial one, marked by an incredible takeover of a British sports car firm by Proton and the transition from a state owned company to a privately held one. I decided I needed to head to my second interviewee: the Chimp. I had reservations about approaching this species, but I was time and again reminded of their street-smart nature and analytical abilities.

SP: Hi there!

Meeting the Analyst Chimp

Chimp: Howdy..

SP: I am here to get gain cognizance of Proton’s strategy. I heard that Proton initially started as a manufacturer of Mitsubishi vehicles, then there was a failed partnership with Citroen and the Lotus. Are Proton cars truly Malaysian?

Chimp: Well you are right about the journey. What you miss is the major milestone: The Waja. This was the first indigenously designed Proton car. While we have considered partnerships, we are now truly capable of designing and producing our own cars.

 

Proton Waja: Going Indigenous

SP: Ah! The Waja! I have sat in a couple of Wajas here. Not all great reviews to hear, I’m afraid. Some people end up comparing it with the old Wira.

Chimp: If you would be kind enough to list the names of those who dislike Waja, I will pray hard that they all be struck by lightning.. That is after I have personally shot them twice. Moving on. What more do you need to know?

SP: Now I have to tell you: when Proton took over Lotus, a premier sports automotive marquee, I was very much impressed. I find a dash of irony there as well; for while the British ruled Malaysia in the recent past, it is stunning to see the Malaysian powerhouse taking over (and saving) one of the brands that had played a vital role in establishing British supremacy in automobiles in the early world war era.

Chimp: Well, that’s how things are in the flat world. Have you read Thomas Friedman’s books by the way? Once we Asian tigers have grown well after capitalizing our home-ground markets, the world is our next playground. Whatever Proton has done is remarkable but so have what you Indians and other Asian tigers have.

SP: Err.. I do not quite get it. You say we Indians have done something similar??!

Chimp: Bah. And they call me chimp brain.. Of course you have Mister. This South East Asian automotive phenomenon started off with Thailand first, China and India thereafter. And as for the acquisition story, what better than your TooToo fellow buying out those automotive houses that are still considered the pride of Britain.

SP: Wow! Right you are!! It’s Tata by the way. Not TooToo.. Mr. Ratan Tata. A great man, if I may add. Yep. Tata did come in as the white knight for Jaguar and Land Rover brands. This also helped Ford revitalize itself with the cash, which I am told, was what it was desperate for in those times.

Chimp: Yea Yea. Tata it is. And it does not stop there. It was your home grown Tractor company that made sure that SsyangYong survived. Did you know, what a great task this Mahindra has done?

SyangYong: A formidible player in Korea in the past

SP: SsyangYong??! Those overpriced monsters they try to sell us in the name of luxury? I don’t think that’s what I call an achievement. Taking over a tiny motor company.

Chimp: Your ignorance with worldly matters is highly irritating. Wait.. I had it on my files somewhere. Looking Looking.. Ahh!! Here it is! This is not what I say, but what KPMG guys say in their reports:

So much for your claims about SsyanYong being a miniscule forgettable player. You homo-sapiens have much to learn..

SP: Thanks chimp, I walk away with a better understanding of how automotive players transition from domestic markets to the global platform

Chimp: Glad I could help.Now if you could excuse me, I have a banana to finish..

Baby Croc

To further the discussion on the recent state of affairs of Proton, I headed to the Crocodile park of Langkawi. All the crocodiles here were in deep slumber and none responded to my rapid fire of questions. Finally, I accosted a jovial young’un, who seemed quite interested in a tête-à-tête.

The fellow analyzed me very deeply, seldom blinking or breathing. So I thought we were in a good frame to exchange ideas.

SP: So what are your thoughts on the future of Proton? Do you think it will perform beyond it’s home market?

Baby Croc: Wheee… Look how I wag my tail..

SP: Charming.. But your thoughts on the domestic player getting out of its comfort zone into mature international markets…

Baby Croc: Watch us! We siblings can pile up each other.. Wait.. Sara’s not here. Nor is Tommy.. It’s a lot more fun when we all create a mountain out of us…

I chose not to continue the discussion. It seems 4 month old crocs are oblivious to the future of their nation’s champions. I ought to have carried on the discussions with elders of the clan, but as I elucidated earlier, it was impossible to wake them up from their slumber.

3. The Road Ahead: What Destiny has in store..

I decided that the matter needed someone wiser and more experienced. I decided to look up to the wise one of the land; the name of whom I had been hearing ever since my arrival to this nation. After running for dates with the wise brains of the land, I finally was granted audience with the wise white bird. On the fateful date, we met for our round table conference. Excerpt from the discussion:

Wise Bird (WB)

SP: Greetings wise bird! Thanks for meeting me at such a short notice. Really appreciated. My mind has been burdened with a pressing question all these days.

WB (Wise Bird): Glad to see you distant traveller. Now tell me: What is it that weighs your mind? 

SP: I am a bit worried about Proton. In Proton, I see a lot of hard work and effort of the nation. I will be crestfallen if it fails.

WB: You read Wodehouse, don’t you? Pray ponder on these lines: Success comes to a hard-worker as a rule, so gradually that it is always something of a shock to him to look back and realize the heights to which he has climbed

SP: I cannot in my dreams try to belittle the toil of Proton, but hard work alone does not make you a winner. I am particularly concerned about the road ahead for Proton. In the local market, another homegrown behemoth: Perodua threatens to weaken Proton (see figures attached herein). Internationally, I am not sure if Proton is actually making a significant impact. So in short, I am anxious about the future of your national car maker.

(Source: Malaysian Automotive Association)

WB: Ahh. I see concern. Is it love? Yes. I see it in your eyes.

SP (shocked): Err.. Love?! Well I don’t know.

WB: Speak without fear child. It will easier to further the conversation once you pour your heart out.

Proton Wira: Loved by all

SP: Thinking about it. Yes.. I do want Proton to survive. Love? Well yes again. It started when I saw the first era Saga and then the Wira. It is the Wira that won me over. A huge fan of the boxy low riders of the 80-90s, the Wira did not have to try too hard. Like every red blooded male, I loved the original Lancer & the Evo series. When I got to know that the Lancer design was carried over for the earlier Protons (more prominently in the Wira), I was elated! 

Proton Persona

To top it all, all the cab drivers in the interior of Malaysia seem to be in congruence with my line of thought. And in my opinion, who are better judges than cab-driver: who spend a lot of time with their cars in varying terrains. Why, I met one in Langkawi who said he would never trade his 10 year old Wira for the latest Persona; for there was no car as tough and durable as the Wira. He went on to say that stopping production of Wira was a conspiracy aimed to make room for other Proton cars.

WB: Great to have shared your feelings for the Wira. I am glad to see the respect it commands not just in Malaysia but even beyond.. But you did not impress upon where your concern for Proton comes from? I believe there is more that you have to say.

How did the wise bird know I had more? That I was apprehensive in admitting my feelings for a relatively small automobile player? Could it read minds as well?

The challenger: Perodua MyVi

SP: I am intrigued by your powers o wise one. You are right. There is more to Proton that just a car (Wira) or two. My admiration is more to do with the story of Proton itself. I happened to read the recent history of Proton and am awestruck. A nation which gained independence later than my country- went on to dream of a superb infrastructure and produce cars to reduce the weight on the economy due to imports. Under Mahathir, Malaysia did make this dream a reality. It is an absolute delight for me to see Malaysian families moving around in Protons and Peroduas. For I feel Proton has indeed been an enabler for the citizens, giving them good cars at a reasonable price. And in return, the nation loves Proton and it is great to see the pride in driving cars designed by your nation. At the same time, I do feel a pang of jealousy that my nation has been left behind in this domain.

WB: Thank you dear fellow. Pray take a seat. Now tell me, Don’t you have the same feelings for your national players: Tata, Maruti & Mahindra?

I took a seat, as Ordered

SP: I do O wise one. More so on the two wheeler front. In fact, I ride a motorcycle indigenously designed in my country and am proud of the fact. I can’t say the same about the other names you mentioned. Mahindra and Tata make really great feature rich vehicles but age does show on them thanks to the gaps on the quality front. As for Maruti, I feel as market leaders they are cheating us a bit for the substance they put. Moreover, it is not Maruti- it is a Japanese Suzuki.

WB: I understand your concerns mortal. But do not be too harsh on your national jewels. Quality is not something that evolves overnight. Give Tata time. Rather, it’s time is just around the corner- I have heard of its new product offering. As for Maruti, I agree they try to pinch you when they sell you outdated models or jack up prices of their bestsellers like the Swift. However, do give them credit for setting the right examples for the industry, by giving India specific solutions. I for instance am very impressed by the Auto Shift transmission (not Automatic) on the Celerio. A great solution, at a great price.  

SP: Thank you wise one. I will try to assuage my thoughts to a more rational side. But forgive me. I fear I drift from the topic.

WB: Coming back to our discussion, I would like you to come up with the answer. I can show you the path, but you are the one who has to tread on it.

SP: I am afraid I do not quite follow you wise one.

WB: Stay with me fellow. Now let us address your concerns one by one. First, you were concerned about Perodua right? I can’t blame you there. Perodua’s little cars have taken over Proton market share since for a good time. Now tell me all you know about Perodua.

SP: Well. As far as I know it is controlled by the formidable Japanese Daihatsu, which in turn is controlled by Zeus of mass automobiles- Toyota! So we are looking at Daihatsu Sirion/ Toyota Passo being labeled as the Perodua MyVi to become the biggest seller of Malaysia.

WB: Right you are. Now can you name Perodua’s mid-size offering?

SP: I’m afraid I can’t. As far as I know, Daihatsu specializes in mini-cars and small jeeps.

Spreadsheet: Prices in Malaysia (1 RM=INR17)
(Proton Saga costs 55% less than similar sized Honda)

Little Laddu: Not as little as the Perodua

WB: Excellent. So that answers your first question. Remember, small cars may be a temporary phenomenon in a nation with great roads and low fuel prices. And as our nation’s people are empowered further, they will aspire to move from hatchbacks to saloons. And that is what Proton is prepared to do. It is the starting point for a mid-size car, coming at a fraction of price of its Japanese rivals.

Sample this spreadheet:

SP: The Price comparison puts things at perspective. But do you feel that Proton is slowly being labeled as a cheap brand?

The suave Proton Preve

WB: Partly yes. One place where Proton has erred is the brand perception. The problem with this strategy has been similar to the one faced by Tata. The Nano, an excellent piece of frugal engineering saw several Indians shunning it away thanks to the ‘Cheap’ tag. Some of it is true for Proton as well. With rising incomes in Malaysia, people are aspiring for more expensive brands. But now, I believe with a product makeover, Proton is very well prepared to take back the lost ground in the near future. Lets see how the new Perdana, Preve’  and Suprima premium fight to win their lost share.

Proton Suprima

SP:  I hope so with all my heart that the value proposition works for Proton. But this 'cheap' tag is tough to shake off among critics.

WB: “Criticism comes easier than craftsmanship”-  Thus spoke Zeuxis in 464 BC. And I stand by his words to defend Proton products, which offer great build & quality at an affordable price.

SP: I agree. A small fact: I appreciate the thickness of metal used in Protons. Different from our Marutis at home- which seem to be thinning the sheets to drive up profitability and fuel efficiency for the Indian community.

Proton Lekir (L) based on the gorgeous Lotus Elise (R)

Legendary Mitsubishi Evo (L) inspires the Proton Jebat (R)

WB: Coming to your second apprehension: Proton in the international waters. I have no qualms in accepting that the company is still maturing in international markets. Ironically, the best way forward is leveraging the expertise of established players while we create a decent user base. Here is the Jebat: ostensibly inspired from the Mitsubishi Evo & the Lekir; based on the Lotus Elise. You have to understand that international markets were limited for Proton, which did not start producing Left Hand Drive vehicles until mid 90s. Though there is not a big bang coming up in the near future, Proton will certainly retain its share in the market of cost effective automobiles in UK (quite a many Police cars are Protons here), Australia, Indonesia, China, and who knows, may march into India as well. History has not written us off yet; we may not Remember- men/ companies in however high power ought to fear the humble.

SP: You say there is no big bang. Pray tell something more. At least even some remote possibilities for the good of Proton.

WB: Haha. So you really are a true well-wisher. As for the potential growth spots, I can say this: Proton now owns Lotus. Though Lotus’ future may be questionable, Proton now does have access to the Lotus Engineering arm, which has a rich history in racing. Also it brings along its experience in designing futuristic cars- in house and in a consulting capacity for other manufacturers. Also, the collaboration with Honda is something to look out for.

SP: Interesting..

Proton Perdana: Based on the old Honda Accord

  

Mere Mortal: With the Wise Bird (WB)

WB:  As access to engineering opens up several doors of possibilities, I assure you Proton will not vanish in the future. If anything, it will be stronger and a force to reckoned with. It has seen many things in its time and is moving ahead with a stronger resolve.

Borrowing a quote, I say this:

Viklavo veeryaheeno yah sa daivamanuvartate

Veeraah sambhaavitaatmaano na daivam paryupaasate

SP: Err.. Sir, I am not sure I understand.

WB: I borrow these quotes from your scriptures dear fellow, this one from the fabled Ramayana. What I wish to convey is that:

Only the timid and the weak leave things to  destiny (daivam)  but the strong and the self-confident never bank on destiny or luck (bhagya)

Here’s wishing Proton a great journey ahead and hope to welcome it to India soon..

Renault Fluence

Jerome often bashes the French for being a bit boring. He’s not very wrong when it comes to driving Renaults. This is about the Renault Fluence test drive and lest you are overwhelmed with the gloomy start, let me assure you that though the Fluence is plain-Jane, it is indeed a brilliant overall package.

Lets look at the good things first. This is Renault’s first vehicle for the Indian market (let’s forget the Renault-Dacia-Mahindra Logan) and the company’s enthusiasm is apparent. The dealers are motivated and you do get to see the Fluence on a couple of billboards.

The car looks smart and simple. It can put up a show better than the Skoda Laura and the Jetta, but that’s about it. The profile is smooth and nothing outrageous so to say. The curves are just right, the prominent headlamps surrounding the small linear grille with the huge Renault logo make quite a sight.

It is difficult to distinguish between the petrol and diesel from the outside but once you step in the cabin, there is a huge difference. The Petrol offers interiors which is leagues beyond the diesel. The diesel does not get the display, the beige interiors and the snazzy dash. Don’t get me worng, the quality is top notch. Once you touch that dashboard plastic, you would be confused as to whether to classify it as leather or plastic. The soft compound is something I’ve never seen before. But at a cursory look, it seems that it is similar to a car that comes for 1/5^th the price. The music system is quite ordinary and the steering mounted controls are difficult to access. The steering system is European with controls on the wrong side stating that this is just makeshift engineering from a left hand drive vehicle. The cabin noise is negligible and the clatter of the oil burner can be sensed only at lower RPMs. The seats are very comfortable but again I’m not sure if its leather I’m looking at. When I expressed my reservations about the interiors, the sales executive suggested a Rs. 80,000 upgrade to ape the petrol’s interiors sans the display.

The car is quite a decent performer though the engine generates only 106bhp. The word only is necessisated in this case due to the competition from the Chevy’s 140bhp diesel rocket called Cruze and the Laura. The motor is mated to a 6-speed transmission which is a pleasure to operate. The turbo kicks in a little beyond 2000 rpm and is a bit gradual. (Some turbos give me jitters as they seem to multiply power beyond 2500 rpm). I thought out aloud: “This ought to difficult in the city, shifting gears and waiting for the turbo to kick in.” The sales execute immediately responded: “But that’s your chauffeur’s problem isn’t it sir?” Well err… he does have a point. But aren’t there any individuals who still love driving when they move up in life?

However, once the turbo kicks in the drive is pleasurable if not spine breaking. The braking is a bit sudden as you take time to get used to the vehicle avionics (EBP, ESP and ABS are standard). The steering is firm and you get ample feedback. I loved the overall feel of the car. Lighter products like the Civic maybe powerful and luxurious but do not like being thrown around corners the way the Fluence does. You do not cringe in the Renault  when you corner it hard or take off a speed breaker. There are not many that inspire you to drive this way. The doors close with a reassuring thud and the metal is top notch. Renault offers a 5 year warranty on the finish.

Bad:

Renault, please give us better interiors. Not to forget, we love delving upon the variants and accessories. Choosing from LXi, Vxi, Emotion, Tum-tum or yoyo models gives us a high which cannot be explained. Perhaps we take it as an extension of bargaining. So Renault, if you are serious about us, please offer us more configurations. Ever heard of that company called Maruti? If offers Swift Vxi, Swift LXi, Swift Automatic, Swift LDi, Swift VDi and maybe even a Swift Eco-Green (CNG) soon..

As much as we Indians love high mileage diesels, we cannot do without pomp and show. My friend rightfully pointed out: If I were to shell out that kind of money, I’d like to be surrounded by something more graceful.

Toyota Etios test drive..

No matter how hard I try, it is hard to keep the Logan out of my mind everytime I see the Etios on the road, in the paper or on TV. The lines, the wheel arches, the same cubic centimetres of the engine, the flat boot with a ‘in your face triangular rear lamps’ and the plain-jane front can't all be co-incidently same.

The Logan-ism is re-instated as I set my eyes on the sparkling new Etios at the Toyota showroom. The interiors are spacious. In fact, the boot claims to squeeze in more bags than the big-bro Corolla. The interiors are smart and simple. The peculiar Air-con vents and the instrumental panel at the centre of the dashboard reminds that something is new and ummm.. different. The quality is not all that great, but the plastics have been smartly used and make an agreeable sight.

Now the test drive started. The acceleration is good and there is ample torque at lower revs. The words ‘Smart and simple’ pop up yet again in my mind. The next thing that pops up is ‘Remembering the Logan, are we??’. The handling is fine and the steering is little too soft; something like the previous-gen Honda City ZX. The transmission is mated brilliantly and though there is no need for shifts at lower speeds, the power peaks at mid range. The low range torque set-up makes it a lovely city dweller. The vehicle is light and Toyota has removed anything and everything it thought was unnecessary. They even upgraded the brake casing to better it for the Indian roads where bouncing pebbles, stones are not uncommon.

As I step out, I feel peculiar as I am happy but not impressed. There is nothing missing here. It is a great deal which smartly packages the right elements to optimize comfort, power and space. Some will pay that price just for the Toyota emblem that comes along with it, because in India, hasn’t Toyota always been enjoyed only by the classes? I would love it some 10-15years later, when I need a nice sedan to haul a family and value proposition is paramount. But today, its different. I don’t want to be that sensible and no-nonsense fellow today. And this is where the Toyota lets me down. It has all the right elements; it maintains that perfect balance. The power is just enough to haul itself, there is ample space and the steering is very practical. However, most will agree that Practicality of the ideal good boy/girl has never impressed my generation. Even a fool can tell that the Etios will be a big hit, the 3 month waiting period post booking points in that direction. Yet the mean looking Fiesta, the street smart Swift and the gorgeous Linea will still attract the youth as the Toyota sadly might be too ‘nice’ for them.
The way Toyota has played with the price with the Etios has got all the competition on its toes. Suzuki is shortening it's Swift Dzire to get the tax advantage and slash its price, Hyundai &Ford are looking for replacements for their existing models. If Toyota manages to maintain similar pricing, God save the hatchback market once the Etios Liva is launched..