PROJECT MAYHEM: 2008

does driving an SUV need SPECIAL SKILLS??

Posted on 2:15 AM comments (3)
Labels: mahindra ABS scorpio accident suv

I dont think anyone will disagree with the fact that there is a huge rise in the sheer number of SUV's that are being seen in the cities. In fact, this SUV trend is pretty evident throughout the country if u go to see (and i am happy!).
As i've already said in my last post(click here to see), the skills of the drivers are equal in both the cities (Delhi-Mumbai). That being said, many people think that driving an SUV specifically needs special skills since it is a bigger, heavier vehicle with the chances of a 'turtle' happening always at a high due to its high ground clearance... They are right and wrong.
Now, while driving an SUV is not half as difficult as driving jumbo jet! The above mentioned have been the issues that have been coming forward with SUVs in the past. But then we can also be assured that the companies who are investing millions on these cars will take care of any problem that arises (if they wanna continue earning the millions, that is!)
The latest mHawks, for instance, that have come out from the Mahindra stable, are equipped with features like:
ABS (or Anti-lock Braking System) that makes sure u don't lose the control of your car and if the car is in control it will never 'turtle'.
Cruise Control, this is perfect for long drives/highways where u can rest your feet and let the machine take over for a while as it continues to move at a constant, controlled speed.
The Parking Assist is a small but important feature that will be used the most often in the cities i guess. It is helpful while reversing the big beasts to park them. Ultra-sonic sensors judge the distance between the car and anything in the way and display it on the rear view mirror! Very Bond... James Bond!
Sounds so simple isn't it? Well, it actually is. ABS, cruise control and parking assist apart from stuff like 'fire retardant upholstery', 'rain sensor' and 'crash protection crumple zone' make the experience of driving a SUV further more enjoyable, safer and u dont need special training for it either!

are DELHI drivers BETTER than their MUMBAI counterparts??

Posted on 2:26 AM No Comments
Labels: delhi, drivers, mumbai, rules, traffic

NO, period.
sorry to break the entire summary in the first line itself but its a fact. I am, today, breaking a myth I have been hearing of for a long time, every time traffic in the city is discussed.
Come on guys (and gals, since they have also commented to my posts), this is INDIA and every metro has similar drivers (I dont mean chauffeurs I mean drivers).
Driving pleasure is greater in Delhi, marginally, not due to the miraculous existence of better drivers in that city but because it is the goddamn capital of this country and due to that it is witness to:

better quality roads
more fly-overs
stricter police restrictions

how does being the capital result in these 3 ultra important points coming into creation? because my friends, the capital of our wonderful country has cars equal to Mumbai, Kolkatta and Hyderabad combined!
And most importantly, it has 90% of the VVVVVIPs (politicians) staying there and they do not like travelling on bumpy roads. Also, like Ostriches (who hide their face in the ground and think the predator cant see them), they make the city they live in look beautiful and think that the entire country looks like this!
Anyways, forget about them... if I start I wont be able to stop myself. Coming back to the main point, the drivers in both these cities are equally skilled, in fact the public transport is much better in Mumbai (im talkin about buses not metro) but our Pandus here are happy taking their small bribe n letting us go where as the thulle over their have an axe on their head to keep traffic in control.
Systematic traffic lines followed in Mumbai is very visible when you compare it with any other cities in India, therefore Mumbai definitely has more patient drivers than their counterparts.

Top 6 all time favourite indian SUV's

Posted on 11:12 PM No Comments
Labels: mahindra jeep scorpio tata safari tata sierra maruti grand vitara suv

I just thought of writing on some aged honchos with scope for improvement

Few would know that it was 1941 when the Jeep- car type and the brand, both- came into existence. India, thanks to Mahindra, had the Jeep (im talking bout the car type, not the brand) within 5 years. Further, few would know that Jeep (car type) is considered to be for SUVs… what monkeys are to humans. The only difference being that Jeeps and SUVs both continue to evolve till date. Also, you wouldn’t want to become a monkey but you would love to own a Jeep!!
The evolution to SUVs took 20 years in the US market. In India it took us 50 years!! It was Tata Sierra, in 1990s… remember that car? In the 50 years, Mahindra started making agricultural tractors, pick up vans and also more version of the Jeep, including the smaller, city-popular "Classic" but no SUVs.
After Tata Sierra, the market opened and SUVs are now as much a part of Indian roads as regular cars. This post of mine I have written to talk of such SUVs that hold potential for an upgrade or revamp or… you get the idea.
Tata Sierra:
The 3 door SUV.
· It holds nostalgic value for many.
· It design had potential to be worked on.
· It also carried a gear for overdrive.
· The engine will need to be worked on though… desperately… it gave 89bhp@4500rpm!! and 190Nm@2500rpm!!

Tata Safari:
It received an upgrade a little over a year ago but many things still need to be worked on. Im talking about their Dicor range, the others are not even worth talking about. Overall it had a very macho look
· The gear box, steering, irritating right-aligned placement of the pedals. The car is just not "fine-tuned" well enough; these are small but irritating things that you expect to be taken care of.
· The interiors! The interiors! Still not fine… just giving it a wooden look doesn’t make it good! The finishing is just not there and the plastic is bleh!
· Engine really shows itself only after reving it till about 1600.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara:
Has come to India after visiting the world but not been able to make any mark here.
· Horrible mileage- below 10!
· High maintenance cost… weird for a Maruti car in India!
· Plastic interiors… really?!

Mahindra Scorpio:
It has been revamped with the mHawk and automatic versions within the next year and I think they have been spot-on with their research of what the consumers wanted more.
· The only thing they can still improve on further is lengthening the seating space but then, that is compensated by the nice and high seating.

Mahindra Bolero:
Another SUV by Mahindra, this time in the extremely cost-economical range. It received an upgrade last year but I still feel it has more potential.
· Looks can be upgraded (although personally speaking, considering the low cost, getting good modifications is a good option and that may be the reason why there are many modified Boleros around).
· Although it is working well as a pick-up truck also… more power can be provided.

Mahindra Jeep- Classic:
Last but not the least… back to the beginning. Classic should definitely be brought back… and if what I have heard is true, it is!!
· It has a strong nostalgia factor to it
· Its look can be modified by accessorising it according to personal preference.
· The interiors need to be up-to-date with the current scenario.
· Suspension, is probably the only major factor that needs to be looked at.

CRAZIEST TRAFFIC RULE IN INDIA!

Posted on 1:21 AM comments (6)
Labels: auto, funny, Mobile phone, ticket, traffic rules

And yet again some more rules I have found...This has to be the craziest...god these many outrageous rules can only happen in India

Q. Can I use mobile phone while driving?
A. No. For 4 & 2 wheelers both.
(Neil: understandable law, I completely endorse it!)

Q. Can I keep my mobile phone switch on while driving?
A. If you are alone in the car, you shall switch off your mobile phone while driving any motor vehicle. (Section 250 (A)(2) of M.M.V.R.1989)
(Neil: what is this even supposed to mean?? be cut off from the world while driving? Your house caught fire behind u but sorry, u won’t know till u have completed your long drive from Mumbai to Goa because we couldn't contact u!!)

Q. After receiving call or SMS on mobile phone, Can I park my vehicle and use mobile phone?
A. No. Since the phone is supposed to be switched off.
(Neil: why? Just tell me why? What sense does this make?!)

u also cant smoke while driving! Its a serious offence and your licence can be cancelled with immediate effect.

Don't be sad though... u feel the need to take out the frustration on someone else? Well u can! Just find a rickshaw/taxi driver.

As per MMVR- 21(29)/177 u can take him to the police if u feel his rickshaw/taxi wasn't clean enough!

i love the law,

i really do... but the nincompoops who make it are drunk while doing so, I guess!!
Whatever stupid laws the government creates Indians always get the best of them. I came across a lovely photo of how the SMART mallus obey the law in Kerela, where the pillion rider need not wear a helmet...

Also friends, remember, this is India... we have a way out for everything...
its also written that the 'Challaning officer' cannot stop your car until you do visible traffic offence. So basically do the crime, just hide it well.
lol... till later... CRIMINALS!!

1. To read Part 1 of the funny traffic rules click here
2. To read Part 2 of the funny traffic rules click here

MORE RULES BY TRAFFIC POLICE!

Posted on 12:43 AM No Comments
Labels: drunk driving, funny, traffic rules

I found some more funny traffic rules ....

now the circus, we r doomed if the police does not have a breath analyser but suspects u of drunken driving!

We will be instructed to take 9 steps, heel-to-toe but if we:
i. are unable to keep balance while listening to instructions.
ii. begin before instructions are finished.
iii. stop while walking, to regain balance.
iv. do not touch heel-to-toe.
v. use arms to balance.
vi. lose balance while turning. vii. take an incorrect number of steps.
We will be detained!!

We may also be instructed to keep one foot approx 6 inches off the ground and count aloud till further notice but if we:
viii. start swaying.
ix. use arms to balance.
x. hop to maintain balance.
xi. put the foot down.
We will be detained!!
note: i dont know about u guys but for a country that hardly ever wins any medals in the Olympics, this seems real tough to me!
and then,

driving without the rear number plate being illuminated is a serious offence!

we can not stop on a zebra crossing (start looking out for the ever fading line that no one cares about)

the driver can not leave the vehicle with the engine turned on. Not even if the car is in neutral with the hand-brakes pulled!! so basically anyone sitting inside should die in the heat! (maybe this is a population control method in disguise!)

1. To read the craziest traffic rule posted click here
2. To read some previously written funny rules click here

FUNNY NEW RULES BY TRAFFIC POLICE!

Posted on 2:01 AM No Comments
Labels: mumbai, police, ticket, traffic rules

Its surpirising that the rules i will mention here are not new rules but we have never heard about them
I firmly believe that the traffic police is working their a** off in the heat and pollution on the roads while being paid peanuts for it but they can't be taking all that frustration out on us! A recent incident got me pumped up and searching about the traffic laws in our wonderful country. Without further delay, I present to you, some useful, some useless and some absolutely psycho laws, etc. that need to be followed by us as well as the police.
Here goes...
lets start with the basics,

the process of getting a chalan (ticket) - officially called... “Challaning”!!

the dude who comes to us to give us a ticket - officially called... 'Challaning Officer'!

very hinglish, the traffic police are definitely up-to-date with the lingo it seems.
now something that will never happen,

Our 'Challaning Officers' are supposed to address us as “Sir/Ma'am”!! and... They cant talk rudely to us! It's the law!

moving on,

ever had that guy annoying u with his excessive honking? Drag him to jail!

According to Rule 170 (1) Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993 and Rule 178 (1) Motor Vehicles Rules, 1990, u have this right.

Ever annoyed someone with excessive honking? Did he drag u to jail?

Counter file a case on him! According to Section 122, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 u have this right.
This one i love,

Realisation dawned upon the U.P. Govt. and they have given total exemption to women from wearing a helmet under rule 193 U.P. Motor Vehicle Rules '90 (because of absence of brains inside??!! :p)

I am still looking for more rules that are funny...let me know if any of you guys have had a funny incident with the ‘Challaning officer’..hehe

1. To read Part 2 of the funny traffic rules click here
2. To read Part 3 of the funny traffic rules click here

US ARMY: HUMMER… INDIAN ARMY:HUMMER?

Posted on 4:24 AM comments (4)
Labels: american army, Hummer, mahindra, News, SUV

Everyone strives for their share of the Great American Dream, even if they are not American! And that should explain why two of India’s biggest companies are fighting for the ownership of General Motor’s ‘HUMMER’ brand.

According to Just-Auto an ‘unnamed official’ at Mahindra has said that "Mahindra is very keen on acquiring the Hummer". The other company is said to be (the one that is possibly going after every brand in the world) - Tata. Mahindra and Tata have, both, been similar-minded on the whole acquisition scene with them showing interest in bidding for Jaguar and Land Rover (both European but owned by Ford) and the right to own Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta. Jaguar and Land Rover, like almost all other companies that they bid for, fell into Tata’s lap. As for this new desire to get HUMMER, probably the most American of all American cars, we’ll have to wait and watch.

It would certainly be interesting to see Mahindra get HUMMER… for simple reasons:
· HUMMER is the car for the American army.
· Mahindra’s Jeep is its equivalent for India’s.

· In the SUV market, Tata’s got the good old Safari, the stunningly revamped Sumo and now to top it all off, Land Rover!
· On Mahindra’s side, we have the unbeatable Scorpio, the reliable Bolero and if it works out… HUMMER.
(you can count the good old jeep in it if you want, although its high time for an upgrade)

It would just keep the competition levelled and plus, I would really love to see the army get its hands on some HUMMERS!

It could still be wishful thinking though, since none of the companies have made an official statement on the same. The best we got is, the fact that General Motors is having meetings with its dealers regarding all the possibilities for its HUMMER brand. The reason for this may be the 60.2% dip in sales it saw in May ‘08, compared to May ‘07. Let’s also not forget the rising oil prices that can’t be helping the situation much for the car that falls in the worse group for fuel economy (actually that is a point even Mahindra may have to work on… if they get it, that is.).

Mahindra, moving on, also has plans to launch itself in the American car market in the coming few years. They’ve planned a four-cylinder diesel pick-up that was earlier named Appalachian (??!!) but reports say they have dropped the name and plan to go with something alpha-numeric. It will be galloping around 150 horses of power with its displacement standing at 2.2 litres. Its engine has been produced exclusively for the US with the help of Bosch and AVL. The car is expected to be hitting the American market by the end of 2009. (if they get HUMMER by then, their tag line can be: we paid you a lot of money, now we are here to make some back!)

Coming back to the Tata, their interest may have died down a bit after the big purchases it has already made. Mahindra’s unnamed source has been heard, sounding enthusiastic as ever (I can understand, I would be too!), saying that, "The U.S. market might not be able to afford their own HUMMER any longer, but India is a growing and strong economy. When Indians like something we go out and get it, no matter what the cost, because we know how to make it work for us."

So, are these my isolated feelings or maybe its all of us who want the competition going and more Hummer's on the Indian roads with the army's camouflage colours? What say?

How SUV’s can help the concept of carpooling

Posted on 4:46 AM comments (3)
Labels: Carpooling, economy, environment, SUV

There are a few things that no one likes. Say, depleting ozone layer, melting polar caps, traffic jams, getting late for work, pollution, heat, rising fuel prices, public transport… you get the idea.

It’s not as if there is no solution though, it is most probably the only solution that solves so many problems and more than ‘quite-a-few’ people have already started it. Without building further suspense I’ll tell you that I’m talking about carpooling. I’ve also seen websites that can be used to find fellow poolers- yes, in India! It has begun… In fact, a few sites also give the option of finding poolers through sms!

Now, I have not used it (till now) but it seems like the general way of functioning is that people travelling on similar routes can tag along with the person who owns the car and he gets some points from the websites. The points can be redeemed for petrol and stuff.

How is car pooling helpful??
The simplest example is- imagine 5 guys going to work in their 5 respective cars. They occupy their respective space on the roads, contribute their respective share of pollution and pay their individual share of fuel. Now imagine all 5 of them in 1 car. 5 times less pollution, 5 times more empty roads and 5 times reduced costs on fuel! Forget 5 guys, take just 2 people and you have still reduced pollution, congestion and fuel costs by HALF!

Now for my idea- using SUV’s for car pool. The main problem with car pool is the congestion that might happen inside the car… but SUV’s, as everyone knows, have that problem tackled already. They are more spacious and provide enough room for 5 people to sit extremely comfortably while also keeping their bags in the spacious last row (please don’t call it a dickey). With a little adjustment, 6-7 people can be seated inside happily with their bags. So the car owner, if using one of the websites, can easily adjust more people and earn more points (don’t get greedy and start stuffing people, though).

I know, not everyone travels in large groups but with SUV’s they have a comfortable option to try and expand the pooling group while reducing personal hassles.

SUV’s are also many-a-times accredited with better suspension (they should be, considering they are supposed to handle the “off-roads” as well). This is a plus point for the Indian roads especially if a group is going to be travelling inside the car.

You can say that a car working on full load will give reduced fuel efficiency and to top it off SUV’s, world over, are considered to be heavy fuel consumers. But, here in India we do things differently, Indian SUV’s do not follow the same route and give similar or sometimes more efficiency than the sedans (users, including me, have been able to achieve an economy of around 15 with their Scorpio).

(afterthought: maybe that is the reason Sumo was so popular with private taxi operators)

All in all, save the environment people… lets car pool (I’m registering myself today!). I really think car pooling may turn out to be a very good option when compared with public transport, once it actually catches on. It gives all the same benefits, in fact more, while reducing the disadvantage.

Why females should not drive a vehicle..

Posted on 9:27 PM comments (6)
Labels: accident, Female, SUV

disclaimer: I AM NOT A SEXIST!!

As I said, I’m not a sexist… but that doesn’t mean I can’t discriminate. Anyone who has ever been on the road (by anyone I mean even the poor frail street dogs) would know that this particular heading is one of the most important topics of our times.

Let’s get straight to the point, The Incident:

The day has gone well and I’m off from office a little early.

I’m comfortably sitting in my car with the air conditioning turned on along with some soft music.

The signal is red and I’m in the centre lane.

A female arrives to my right, in her CRV… and then it begins…

She tries to overtake me (on a red signal, on an empty road) and I later realised that she had somehow thought the right lane is best suited for her when she actually wanted to go left!! This part I still understand but what I don’t get is why she couldn’t wait for me and the one car behind me to pass? While she was cautiously trying this stunt (and I praying that she knows her turning radius well enough not to hit my month old Scorpio), a guy was about to cross the road in front of her.

She then, in an attempt to overtake that man as well, rev-ed up loudly and sped ahead for a feet or two before landing her tyres on the poor guy’s feet. Again, this part I understand but what I don’t get is why did she panic and put the car in reverse gear to come back and hit my front bumper?!!

The quarrel, etc. that happened after that is irrelevant to the point I am trying to make. If you have been observing the road of late, Females and SUV’s are becoming a more and more common match. I can’t remember how many times it has happened that I have guessed a female driver correctly by simply looking at how the car is moving, cutting, etc. I may be sounding too hard but it is really difficult to control my emotions, especially when my month old Scorpio that was standing quietly on a signal has taken a hit on one of the most empty roads I’ve seen.

Now, females can get panicked, nervous and confused a lot and very quickly too. It is because of this, that even a small car like Zen can turn into a mania on roads, so when they are given SUV’s to drive… I think I’ll be taking the train.