Advancing by Leaps and Bounds:
LAST MONTH I DROVE THE NEW AUDI A4 IN GERMANY AND THE SQ7 IN
France. I don’t know how they do it, but it is amazing how they make the previous model appear totally dated in every respect; whether it is the looks, design, and quality of the interior or the features. They are able to extract more power and increase fuel efficiency, besides improving on the refinement level at the same time. The ride and handling have gone up by a couple of notches too.
The SQ7 is simply mind-boggling for it delivers performance like a sports car and handling without drama in the lap of luxury. This SUV has benefited from Audi’s endurance racing programme as it shares its electric turbo with none other than their Le Mans car, the R18. It is gratifying to see that racing technology is contributing towards improving road cars and SUVs.
When some of the India-specific cars are launched, they seem to struggle to match what is already on the road. What exactly is it that holds them back: the cost or the will to give Indian customers a top-class product or is it that they are not capable?
This month we have done the first drive of the new Honda SUV, BR-V, in Udaipur. I must say that Honda are very confident of the BR-V’s airconditioner for they held the fi rst drive in the summer heat of Rajasthan.
The big difference among the three aforesaid drives was that in Rajasthan you have to keep a lookout of 360 degrees to see when someone will come from which direction, whether it is a single road or a dual-carriage one, whereas in Europe you can rest assured that even on a single road the oncoming traffic will not cross the white line and transgress on to your side of the road.
EDITOR – ASPI BHATHENA
