FEATURE
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CHEVY CAMARO ZL01
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DRIVE
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INFINITI FX 50S
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SKODA RAPID
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SKODA RAPID
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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
FORD FIESTA AUTOMATIC
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FORD FIESTA AUTOMATIC
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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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RIDE
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YAMAHA R15
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FEATURE
BMW 650i & BMW S1000RR
WE SAMPLE THE BEST OF BAVARIA – ON TWO WHEELS AND FOUR – TO SEE WHICH IS MORE CAPTIVATING. TEXT ASHISH JHA IMAGES KAPIL VASHIST
CO
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 68
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BMW 650i & BMW S1000RR
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!
BMW 650i 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)
BMW S1000RR 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)
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THE 6 SERIES LET’S YOU WITNESS A CELEBRATION. THE S100RR – THAT IS A CELEBRATION december 2011 | autox.in |
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FEATURE
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AUDI A8 DIESEL
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FEATURE
INDIAN F1 GP
A GP WITH
SOUL! TEXT DHRUV BEHL
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