FEATURE

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CHEVY CAMARO ZL01

DRIVE

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INFINITI FX 50S

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SKODA RAPID

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SKODA RAPID

ENGINE 1,598CC / IN-LINE 4-CYLINDER / DOHC / 16 VALVES

FUEL PETROL

TRANSMISSION 5-SPEED MANUAL / 6-SPEED TIPTRONIC / FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE

POWER 105BHP @ 5250RPM

TORQUE 153NM @ 3800RPM

ENGINE 1,598CC / IN-LINE 4-CYLINDER / DOHC / 16 VALVES / COMMON RAIL DIRECT INJECTION / TURBOCHARGED

FUEL DIESEL

TRANSMISSION 5-SPEED MANUAL / FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE

POWER 105BHP @ 4400RPM

TORQUE 250NM @ 1500-2500RPM

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FORD FIESTA AUTOMATIC

ENGINE 1,499 CC / 4 CYLINDERS / 16 VALVE / DOHC /VARIABLE CAM TIMING

FUEL PETROL

TRANSMISSION 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC / FRONT WHEEL DRIVE

POWER 108 BHP @ 6045 RPM

TORQUE 140 NM @ 4500 RPM

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FORD FIESTA AUTOMATIC

RIDE

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YAMAHA R15

CO

WE SAMPLE THE BEST OF BAVARIA – ON TWO WHEELS AND FOUR – TO SEE WHICH IS MORE CAPTIVATING. TEXT ASHISH JHA IMAGES KAPIL VASHIST

FEATURE BMW 650i & BMW S1000RR

AS I GLANCE INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, AMEYA HAS SET OFF WITH HIS CO-PASSENGER RECLINING HIS HEAD WITH EYES CLOSED – TAKING IN THE IMMENSE SATISFACTION THAT COMES WITH OPEN-AIR MOTORING

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FINGERS DEPRESS THE CLUTCH, THE FOOT TAPS THE GEAR LEVER, AND THE RIGHT WRIST OPENS THE THROTTLE. THE REAR OF THE RR SLIDES A LITTLE, AS THIS TWO-WHEELED JET TAKES OFF INTO A VOID OF THE UNKNOWN

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face. I slow down, and Ameya pulls up alongside me. I gesture and shoot off –

we would meet at the designated point.

The S1000RR is one of the most complete superbikes I’ve ever ridden. I’ve

always believed that the 2009 Yamaha R1 is one of the greatest bikes ever. But

the S1000RR is just better than that. The sheer rush of power from the handlebar

to the exhaust is dramatic. Some reptiles and fish are supposed to be extremely

agile, but the RR could give them an educative session on agility. I must admit

that the bike wasn’t prepared for my riding style, and I would have preferred to

change the setup a bit – but, frankly, there just wasn’t enough time. But, even

with the setup not to my taste, the RR was simply in a league above everything

else I’d ridden lately. The handling is Samurai-sword-sharp, the ride is compliant,

and the steering responds to your thoughts – period! We didn’t quite get to

redline the motor, but even taking it to 9500 revs, you’re assured with authority

from the lungs of this 999cc engine that the raw pulsating power is only going to

get fiercer as you go further though the rev counter.

After taking in the best of Bavaria, on two wheels and four, we pull over

once again. Needless to say, everyone is smiling. I take my jacket off and,

understanding my intentions, Ameya gives me the keys to the 650i. I press the

gas pedal as deep as it would go, and the sweet smell of rubber fills the air

behind me. After tackling the same route in the car, I return – still smiling. But,

truth be told, there’s a sense of incompleteness in comparison to the bike. The

650 simply doesn’t have the theatre of the S1000RR from behind the wheel.

The 650i is, without the shadow of a doubt, an immensely satisfying car. But

it doesn’t set your heart racing – it doesn’t let you feel the blood rushing through

your veins. The 6 series encourages you to witness a celebration – to be central

to it. But, the S100RR – that is a celebration.

As we headed back to the madness of our daily lives, we felt inspired – we felt

alive. And what more could you ask from two of Bavaria’s finest!

ENGINE 4395CC / V8 / 32 VALVES / TWIN TURBOCHARGED

FUEL PETROL

TRANSMISSION 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC

POWER 407BHP @ 5500-6400RPM

TORQUE 600NM @ 1750-4500RPM

PRICE `1.1 CRORE (EX-SHOWROOM, DELHI)

ENGINE 999CC / IN-LINE 4 CYLINDER / 16 VALVES / DOHC

FUEL PETROL

TRANSMISSION 6-SPEED MANUAL

POWER 193BHP @ 13000RPM

TORQUE 112NM @ 9750RPM

PRICE `23 LAKHS (EX-SHOWROOM, MUMBAI)

BMW 650i

BMW S1000RR

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BMW 650i & BMW S1000RR

THE 6 SERIES LET’S YOU WITNESS A CELEBRATION. THE S100RR – THAT IS A CELEBRATIONFACTOR

FEATURE

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AUDI A8 DIESEL

TEXT DHRUV BEHL

A GP WITH SOUL!

FEATURE

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INDIAN F1 GP