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Ultra
Luxury Cars
The process of economic
reforms that started about two decades
ago has created a new breed of super rich
Indians who love to flaunt their fortune
with mega mansions and fast cars. Auto
companies have taken heed and now the
best cars in the world are making a beeline
for Indian roads. Even with astronomical
import fees, nothing is stopping the rich
from getting what they want.
The era is passé when car dealerships
across India had to wait to find buyers
for their cars. These days cars tend to
get lapped up as soon at they arrive at
the showroom. But the good thing is that
shiny new models from Maruti, Ford or
Hyundai keep arriving to meet the demand.
In the ultra-luxury or the super car segment
the volumes are much smaller in India
compared to some of the more advanced
markets, but the customers for such cars
are some of the richest, most powerful
people in the world. Cars such as Ferraris,
Hummers, and Bentleys, which were rarely
seen on Indian streets, are now making
heads turn in all major cities. |
This year's broad field of wonder wheels includes
notable upstarts from well-established automakers
Porsche and Audi. While the names of those companies
are internationally associated with high-performance,
no-compromise vehicles, it is only in the last
three to four years that both have seen fit
to up the ante in Indian cities.
An Audi spokesman sounding bullish on India
has announced that the car maker is hopeful
that the launch of the mysterious Le Mans Quattro
concept, will find many buyers in India. The
Le Mans Quattro also dubbed as R8, is to inherit
lessons learned from the company's racing group
as well as from the Lamborghini division. Speaking
of which there are a few Lamborghini riders
in India.
The makers of Lamborghini are also planning
to launch another striking model. The Lamborghini
Murciélago LP640, which is reported to
don a sticker price of around $315,000, and
is a jaw-dropping mechanical piece of art. Wrapped
in spaceship looks, the LP640 boasts a 6.5-liter
V12 that roars to the tune of 631 horses. Maybe
the Ambani brothers will be one of their first
buyers. Even cricket superstar might want to
trade in his $250,000 Ferrari.
Ferrari, meanwhile, is attempting to win hearts
and minds with the beautifully designed 599
GTB Fiorano. Although this prancing stallion
also has a 6-liter V12 that develops a slightly
more modest 612 horses, its truly stunning frontward
lines distinguish it. Its grill smiles more
candidly than any Ferrari in recent memory.
But,
the Germans are hardly sitting still.
Porsche already has a huge presence in
India and the launch of GT3 has the Indian
jet set enthused. The street-scorcher
race mobile's price tag of above $220,000
is after all quite affordable for head
honchos of many desi corporations.
At first glance, Ford's ownership of
Aston Martin and Volkswagen's control
of Bentley seems to make much sense for
India as these corporations already enjoy
great brand value in the country. Aston's
upgraded and unlimited DB9 Volante and
Bentley's Continental GTC can look forward
to getting support from many enthusiastic
Indian buyers. Both convertibles approach
the $200,000 price point. |
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At the topmost end and for the "I
can buy an island" group, Bentley
and Rolls Royce are happy to supply. Both
companies offer models well north of $300,000
+ taxes. These car companies were once
a favorite with the erstwhile Maharajahs.
In democratic India they manage to find
buyers in new breed of corporate and political
Maharajahs. What's more, Rolls is reportedly
going to offer a $400,000-plus convertible
in the near future. One thing is for sure
that when the Rolls Convertible drives
into India, there will be no dearth of
people on the streets who will stop, gawk,
stare and realize that India's conservative
style is over.
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