Blog Posts by Clint Thomas

Sports cars are not an everyday sight on Indian roads. The reason is simple - many of them aren’t ‘daily drivers.’ They are mostly taken out of the garage on the weekend for a romp on the highways or a blaze up the twisties. But the Nissan 370Z flies in the face of the conventional wisdom that sports cars are not practical machines. The 370Z offers not just performance, but everyday practicality along with the technological edge.

A bit of history

The Nissan 370Z didn’t come down in the last shower of rain; it boasts of a rich lineage that dates back to 1960s. The original Z was sold in October 1969 in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and then exported to the US with the 240Z nameplate. It took the Americans by storm with its muscular straight-six engine and the sleek design. Six generations of Nissan Z-cars followed and the 370Z pulls mainly from the 350Z, the model it replaces, but with more 240Z into it. The 370Z got curvier, more fluidic with its redesign – seductive to some eyes, moreRead More »from Road Test and Review: Nissan 370Z

Never thought it would get to this; did you? Rs 80/litre just to get down the road! The need for more efficient vehicles was never 'in your face' as it is now. So, the time is right for Mahindra 2Wheelers to introduce the revamped Rodeo RZ, the highlight of which is certainly the impressive mileage of 59.38 kmpl under ARAI's test conditions.

The new Rodeo is not just another facelift, but an attempt to incrementally improve an already very good product. The 125cc Z series engine got better with the Dual Curve Digital Ignition System (DCDI), which marginally increases the performance while not compromising mileage. Do not expect jaw-dropping acceleration since the power delivery is very linear and smooth, however, the RZ is zippier than its predecessor and rides seamlessly even with pillion on board. Moreover, Mahindra claims best in class 0-60 acceleration of 9.35 seconds, which is better than the Suzuki Swish's 9.4 seconds record.

I rode the Rodeo RZ on various terrains of

Read More »from Test Ride: Mahindra Rodeo RZ

Be it UPA, BJP or any other acronym at the Centre, petrol prices will again head northwards. We can only feel helpless in the face of recurring and economy-driven price fluctuations.  Seeking measures to improve fuel economy is the only way to combat rising fuel prices. Do not disregard these simple guidelines; each little step can really start adding up to significant savings to your budget.

Do Fuel Quality/Types/Additives Help Mileage?

Petrol pump attendants often try to convince you to go for 'Speed petrol' or 'X-tra Mile diesel'. But this need not necessarily help improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Always use the grade recommended for the vehicle by the manufacturer. Higher octane fuel may not only be a waste of money but may harm the vehicle, as well. However sticking to one brand of fuel is always good for the engine. Know more about Octane Ratings

Keep the Windows Closed

Driving with your windows open considerably reduces mileage, far more than keeping the AC on

Read More »from Improve Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency

XUV 5oo on a racetrack? Like any of you, I too had that skeptical smile on my face when Mahindra invited me to drive their hot-selling SUV on the Buddh International Circuit. Well, testing an SUV on the track, fair enough. But intentionally taking them on track for fun could be just the most absurd thing. With these two feelings to contend with, I reached the circuit in the wee hours of the 'XUV 5oo Torque Day'.

I could hear the distant sound of tyre squeal while paying attention to the safety rules of the Circuit. That reminded me of the fact that the XUV uses a race-bred suspension system tuned by Lotus, a world renowned name in motorsport. That was confidence-boosting enough; I put on the helmet and walked into the third car in the convoy of ten XUVs, sandwiched between a pace car and a sweep car. Abiding by the pit-lane speed limit of 15 kmph, I hit the track and followed the pace car for a lap to get to know the circuit.

Having completed the introductory lap, the cars were slowed

Read More »from Track Test: Mahindra XUV 5oo



Can you imagine your car changing its demeanour according to your driving moods? Weekdays a sedan for relaxing business trips, Saturdays a budget car to go shopping, Sundays a sports car for sheer driving fun - and all these at the tap of a button? Interesting; isn't it?

Continental AG has developed a technology that changes the driving dynamics of the car, out of a choice of three pre-configured modes - Comfort, Eco and Sport. The system called 'Simplify Your Drive' enables drivers to exploit their vehicles' full functional potential, rather buy one car and experience many different ones.

Continental has integrated the technology into a Volkswagen Passat. The car doesn't look any different, cosmetically. However, the motor, chassis and suspension settings can be configured to fit any situation on the road. Although many other carmakers offer sport, comfort and eco settings, I must say Continental has the most appealing system so far, thanks to simple yet appealing Human Machine

Read More »from Test Drive: Continental ‘Simplify Your Drive’

Pictures of the face-lifted Hyundai i20 have surfaced on the web. Expected to break cover at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the new model features refreshed styling, enhanced equipment and lower CO2 emissions.

The pictures suggest introduction of the company's 'fluidic sculpture' to the hatchback. Stylists at Hyundai have modernised the i20 with the company's signature hexagonal grille, new headlamp units, a more contemporary front and rear bumpers and freshly sculpted bonnet and fog lamps.

Although details on the interior are not revealed yet, the same design language should undoubtedly extend to the interior as well.

After the official unveiling at Geneva, the new i20 will soon make it to Indian shores.

Read More »from Revealed: The all-new Hyundai i20

Well, more car, for a start. Completely redesigned for 2012, the new Sonata is more refined, better equipped and more freshly styled than the model it replaces.

From a design standpoint, Hyundai has rolled in a healthy dose of its "fluidic sculpture" design, which makes it an inflated Verna in profile. However, the massive chrome grill flanking the cat’s-eye HID headlamps, complemented with two aggressive lines running on the bonnet, puts the Sonata head and shoulders above the contenders. The significantly redesigned tail lamps give the vehicle a splash of class. The exterior, in short, is exhilarating and looks absolutely classy. Thumbs up!

The sophisticated fluidic design character is reflected on the two-tone beige-and-black interior, too. This, combined with Hyundai’s proficiency in interior packaging, has created an interior ambience that delivers class-leading comfort, functionality and practicality. Button-heavy the dash may be, but it’s all clearly labeled and ergonomically Read More »from Road Test and Review: 2012 Hyundai Sonata

When you think Hyundai, the word 'style' pops unbidden to mind. Whether it's an i10, Verna, Sonata or Santa Fe, the company never compromises on style and seamless finish. Underscoring this fact is Eon, the latest offering from the Hyundai stable that is expected on Indian roads in October, priced around 2.5 lakh.

The Eon has a very intricate design accentuated with the fluidic lines we saw on the 2011 Verna. According to Autocar, the wheel arches and shoulder line are so complex that you'd have to go all the way up to a Mercedes-Benz CLS to see anything similar — and that's no overstatement.

Generally, A-segment cars disappoint on the interior. But Eon, unlike any other in the segment, gets a neatly finished and spacious interior.  Also on offer are USB-supported music system, remote locking and even tiltable steering.The Eon will be powered by an 814cc IRDE petrol engine developing 56bhp, which is definitely zippy on a car that weighs at 715-795kg. To add joy, Hyundai is claiming

Read More »from Hyundai Eon to bowl over the small car segment