Surf’s Up

Nothing beats spending a few days in the sun trying to catch some waves

HYUNDAI ELITE i20

The Hyundai Elite i20 was a brilliant companion on our surfing getaway. It tackled the 1.600km round trip to the beach with effortless ease. The 1.4-litre diesel engine is refined and efficient and coupled to the six speed gear box, it was a great highway tool. The considerable time we spent in the car was made all the more exciting with the feature rich interiors of the car. The 2-din audio system and 8-speaker setup allowed us to enjoy our tunes streaming through the Bluetooth audio player and the 1GB built in memory

I couldn't think of anything more relaxing than spending a day at the beach gathering some rays and having a cool drink but then trust us humans to take a tranquil and peaceful place and make it a fast paced, adrenaline pumping playground. At least that's what I thought surfing was about before I took my first surfing lesson. The sport of surfing was something that I'd always admired from afar, enjoying the many internet videos of ‘surfer dudes' riding big waves in Hawaii, but I finally decided it was time to take the plunge myself and so we headed out to the coast to catch some waves. Surf s up, let's hit the water. 

We first had to make our way from Mumbai to the town of Kemmannu, near Udupi in Karnataka. We made the 800 kilometer road trip in the new Elite i20 and for November, the weather was a pleasant surprise. It was a cloudy day with light showers that continued through the day. The Elite i20 made short work of the distance and the kilometers ticked off the odometer quickly. The i20 is a great car for the open road and the smooth, efficient diesel engine and six speed gearbox was great for cruising down the NH4. When the road turned twisty as we neared the coast, it handled the twists and turns with equal ease. We reached our hotel late in the night and were quickly asleep. Surfing was not turning out to be quite as laid back as I thought and the early bird gets the wave or something, and that's why we would be waking up at 6am the next morning. Who's heard of waking up early in the morning to go to the beach?

Beginner's lesson

If you want to learn surfing, the day starts early and we were on the beach just after sunrise, ready for our first surfing lesson. Unlike most other adventure sports, unless you already know how to surf, it's not quite an 'arrive and drive' type of activity. You actually have to learn how to do it before you venture out on a board. And after my first lesson I realized why - it's nowhere near as easy as the surfer guys and gals in the videos make it look. To artfully carve through the waves on a surfboard takes years of practice but then everyone has to start somewhere. There are a small number of surfing schools on both the east and west coast of India that are happy to introduce newcomers to this way of life. We visited the Shaka Surf Club that is run by Tushar Pathiyan and Ishita Malaviya. They show you the ropes and provide you with rented surfboards to get you started. They recommend that you spend at least three days learning the ropes on your first try so that you can grasp the basics thoroughly.

After a quick theory lesson from Tushar, we hit the water and I spent the better part of the morning session finding my balance on the surfboard and learning how to paddle. The next step was standing up on the board and this was the really crucial step.  It requires you to spring up from completely prone on the board to standing upright in one smooth motion - quickly enough so you don't miss the wave and smooth enough so you don't upset the balance of the board. For me the standing up bit was not quite that easy on account of the number of doughnuts I've put away over the years. So, standing up on the surfboard would have to wait for later. The next few days were spent in the water, trying to catch my first wave. And when I did, the experience was like nothing else. I could feel the water grab hold of the surfboard, propelling me forward to the shore. I could feel the wind in my face and see the water rushing by. And in a flash, it was over and I knew one thing for sure, I wanted more. 

Hanging loose

As I gained my balance and confidence on the board, things started to take on a more mellow hue and I started to relax. Once you get past the physicality of it, you start to appreciate how brilliant a sport surfing is. It was no longer as fast paced as I imagined. In fact, things started to slow down rather than speed up. I now understand how so many people say that surfing is more of a lifestyle than a sport. As we bobbed up and down on our boards chatting with each other, we scanned the horizon for the next wave. Taking in the sun, soaking in the cool water and watching the fishing boats go out to sea. In surfer spiel, we were just 'hanging loose' or 'chilling out' - living in the moment so to speak.

And then the next wave rolled in and I heard Tushar shout, "paddle, paddle, paddle..." and I set out to try and catch it. I paddled my heart out and it still got away from me and I chide myself for messing up the timing. "Chill out dude", says Tushar, "there'll be another one along in no time."

Published by : Overdrive

So Full of Options

The brand new Hyundai i20 has joined our long term fleet. Here is the first impression.

The last few weeks I have been receiving constant updates on how the Hyundai i20 has been racking up sales figures for Hyundai. The i20 also proved its mettle in the AUTO BILD INDIA road test taking top spot. So it was but obvious that we put the car through our long term test cycle. So here is our first impression.

First and foremost, the i20 looks the part. It has received a multitude of creases which make it look smart. It has a 'hunkered down' look especially from the rear. A special mention to the smart alloy wheels which complement the looks of the car.

I love the way the car 'wakes up'! The moment one approaches it with the key in the pocket, the mirrors unfold. Step inside and there is an aura of luxury. The all new dash looks good and quality of plastics are top notch as well. Press the start button and the lights gradually light up instead of just popping up! It is all kind of soothing. But the one thing which has made life rather easy for me is its Bluetooth connectivity. It is something that is available in a host of cars, but in the Hyundai one can store most of the data from the phone thus ensuring ease of operation. The voice quality too is good and an echo is missing, which is great.

Words by : Rahul Ghosh

Published by : Auto Bild  

PEEKABOO!

It was all going swimmingly until an inescapable obstacle came in the way...

It really could do no wrong, our Grand i10. It was thoroughly dependable, supremely capable and desperately efficient. These qualities made it an ideal Motoring long-termer, what with all the shoots, the long commutes to and fro work, the many, many trips to Pune, and the like. But then, the day came when it got its sump ruptured thanks to a truck blocking my vision of a desperately large rock in the middle of the road. It was all I could do to avoid swerving into another car to shield the Grand from the damn rock, but, a few minutes later, there I stood on the side of the road, cursing my luck and having to call for a tow truck to send the Grand in for urgent repairs.

After what seemed like an inordinate amount of time, the Grand did return to us, apparently new and fresh from a service. I say apparently because within a few kilometres of driving it, it was stupidly obvious that there was something drastically wrong with the way the turbo spooled. And so, off it went once again to the service station. In the end, Hyundai thought it better to hand us another long-termer, an Xcent, instead of the Grand itself.

Sadly, then, our last month or so with the Grand wasn't spent driving the car so much as it was waiting for it to get back from the workshop. All in, though, the months that proceeded the last month were a joy with the Grand, as our past reports would convey. In that sense, it's a shame it couldn't spend more time with us, so its end came rather abruptly and unexpectedly. I can't stress how good a car it was, though, so maybe, with some luck, our paths will cross again.

Published by : Motoring World

WHAT A D-ELITE!

Moving up to the bigger Hyundai i-hatchback

First things first: Thierry Neuville snagged Hyundai's first WRC win in the Rally of Germany in August. Fine achievement, that, but I couldn't help notice that even they don't have the new i20's face on their WRC machine. Next year, probably. As it stands now, I think it's up to me to give the new Elite i20 a proper shakedown run, WRCstyle. But I'm afraid to put even the slightest dent on the car. Sigh.

This new i20 is SUCH a good-looking car! Especially in this shade of blue that I've got, it's simply begging to be turned into a rally special. Every time I get inside it (after giving it a long, hard gaze, of course), I imagine that shade of blue screaming louder, decals emerging from within it, wheel arches assuming monstrous proportions, a giant wing sprouting violently above its hatch and a six-point harness holding my innards in place. Having moved up to the i20 after having lived with the Grand i10 and then the Xcent, I do see and feel the difference. It feels familiar on the inside, but much better in terms of quality and kit.

I can't really complain about the way it looks or runs. Heck, even the boot has already become home to my spare wheel and tyres. I love it already.

Published by : Motoring World

Hyundai Elite i201.4 CRDi Asta

FROM THE TIME IT BECAME clear that Hyundai would introduce the next generation of the i20, I had been secretly hoping for a unit to be made available to us. After having used the Grand i10 for several months it was more than an educated guess at the time that the i20 would come loaded with features, some of them class-leading and some others even first in segment. Knowing how Hyundai operate, the quality of interior would also be top-notch. Of course, at the time I had no idea what the car would be to drive like. 

Fast forward a few months and not only have I driven one to discover that the Elite i20 (as this new-gen i20 is being called by the Korean auto giant) is vastly improved over its predecessor where dynamics are concerned, but my secret desire also has come true. Hyundai have been kind enough to provide us with a spanking new unit of the Elite in the range-topping Asta trim. Needless to say, I have managed to wrangle the keys to this unit and appropriated it as my choice of wheels for the rest of the duration of the long-term test. The fact that it comes with the famed 1.4-litre CRDi diesel engine mated to six-speed transmission, of course, helped me make the right choice.

We are hoping to pile on the kilometres over the next few months as we assess how the vehicle is to live with. So do stay glued to this section of the magazine for updates on life with the Hyundai Elite i20.

Words by : Aninda Sardar

Published by : Car India

Hi20!

In keeping with the tradition, we introduced the newest member of the Garage fleet by taking it for a spin out of town on a weekend. This time around, however, I didn't get a head-start early in the morning, and got caught up in the traffic.

The exterior of the Elite i20 looks great, and manages to attract the attention of many road users and pedestrians even at standstill. When travelling at a snail's pace in the city, our journey was fairly stress-free. The air-conditioning unit worked flawlessly, cooling the cabin down in no time. The cabin proved to be well insulated from noisy outside world, while the Bluetooth-ready audio system worked well in dishing out background scores, keeping us entertained while the world around the i20 did its thing. The 1.4-litre four-pot diesel engine performed seamlessly, and the car's suspension held up well over all sorts of road conditions, including the steeply-inclined gutted road that lead to our destination.

The short-throw six-speed gearbox is a gem to use and the engine felt relaxed on the open sections of the highway. 

Cruising down the highway at 120kph was an absolute breeze, and the Elite proved to be quite impressive, no matter what I threw at it or under its wheels. I really liked the fact that the entertainment system offers 1GB of storage space, which effectively pissed my girlfriend off when she realised that it was full of rock music. Sadly, she discovered that she could wipe everything off the hard drive by pressing a couple of buttons. But that really isn't the Elite i20's fault. The wheel feels nice and light at all speeds, and houses a number of operational buttons that control the audio system and phone calls. They are of good quality and feel great to use. On the whole, the Elite i20 comes across as a capable, contemporary hatchback, and, thanks to the sharp styling, it also manages to look the part.

Published By : Top Gear

Live Un-Compromise

Mumbai-based Girish Salian - restaurateur, social worker and a Hyundai owner - on keeping up with the times, spreading cheer and his drive

The Fort district, in Mumbai, is famed for its wide variety of restaurants. The claustrophobically narrow lanes are home to many of Mumbai's iconic restaurants, and, especially Manglorean eateries, which were set up by Kannadigas in the late 1960s and '70s.

Among them is a no-frills restaurant called Harish Lunch Home. Every day, at lunch hour, office goers sit shoulder to shoulder on its benches and foodies swear by its Lady Fish and Lape fry, Kori Roti, and, among others, Bangda Curry. Watching the steady stream of customers - and there are as many who come in the evening for beer and dinner - you'd think it has always been smooth sailing for the restaurant, and that its owner can simply sit back and rake in the money forever and ever. But Girish Salian, who owns the eatery as well as nearby Harish Refreshment and a much larger establishment called Tanish Residency, near Taloja, on the outskirts of Mumbai, hardly the person to do that. In fact, he knows very well he can't afford to. Salian, 54, is a practical man, and is familiar with the pitfalls of complacency. About a decade after Salian took charge of the restaurants from father, who set them up, he realised that the restaurant business was changing very rapidly.

"Fort was no longer the hub of business in Mumbai, or the only place for offices. People were moving elsewhere. Plus, tastes were changing rapidly; health-consciousness was gaining ground. Thalis, which drove our business, were losing traction. In the early 80s, we used to sell as many as 300 thalis during lunch every day, that number was more than halved in the 1990s," says Salian, who owns a Hyundai i20. "Even if you have been around for decades, it's never easy in the restaurant business."

Salian, who has been associated with the India Hotels and Restaurant Association as joint secretary and treasurer, could have simply capitulated to changing times, and reflected on the glories of his restaurants in his old age. But, he swung into action after studying the changing dynamics of the market, and applied the lessons he learnt to his decades-old business quickly. "I didn't completely do away with the thali. But, I realised that you have to focus on a la carte more. Offer options, and that I learnt from McDonald's, as well as streamlining operations. And, we learnt to cater to each individual's preferences and dislikes, rather than do a sort of one size fits all thing which had worked earlier." For his vegetarian restaurant, Salian also procured a beer license. The strategy worked, and Harish Lunch Home is full at lunch hour and dinner most days, even though Fort is a shadow of what it once was. And, to attract newer, younger customers, Salian also organizes food festivals every couple of months. "When I first entered the business, we had never heard of food festivals. But one has to move with the times."

When Salian set out to buy a biggish premium hatchback over five years ago, he applied the same logic to his car-buying decision as he has to professional matters. "It had to look premium, have enough space, features, and, most importantly, deliver good fuel efficiency. I think it fit the bill for me and my son, who uses it more than I do, and who it was intended for." What does he think of the new i20 Elite? Salian likes it. He is surprised that the premium hatchback comes with a Start button, and thinks that it's a very feel-good thing to have in the car. He bought the previous generation i20, because he wanted to have a car for the city. "I drive to Navi Mumbai often, and I happen to stop at various places along the way, so I needed a car that could be parked anywhere without any problem, and yet was big and stable enough on the highway." The new i20 Elite, he thinks, is a tempting prospect. "It's smoother, more refined and there's a lot more space inside," he says, as he drives it around town. Salian says that the new i20s interiors are loaded with features, but, as importantly, he is happy that the interior design is tasteful. "I find a lot of cars too flashy from the inside, but this one is subtle, and, yet, offers you nearly everything you'd want." Salian likes his cars to look sharp, and the new, edgy design of the i20 Elite finds favour with him. "It looks young, my son would love it. He's the one who drives our i20 more than I do."

The other things Salian notices is the sprightly nature of the Elite i20, the smooth power delivery of its 1200cc, 82bhp engine, and the soft, cushioned seats. Does he feel like replacing his old i20 with the Elite? Salian thinks for a while. "It is a very interesting car. If I buy this one, I'll stop driving my sedan. But who knows? Maybe" he says.

Salian is not just a successful restaurateur, he is also a driving force behind his community's efforts to help the less privileged among them. "I always think that your community is important for you to succeed. They are your people, it's like a large family. Connections are made, help is rendered and accepted, one things leads to another. In today's fast-paced world, where people don't even know who their neighbours are, it only makes sense to stick together. Together, we can help ourselves and many others." Salian's leadership has seen the Kulalas, who hail mostly from the Tulu-speaking part of Karnataka, set up community centres, donated funds to help with education of children, encouraged and facilitated adoption of orphans and is now working to set up a Kulala Bhavan, in Mangalore.

Published By: Top Gear

Head Rush

We found that conquering one of our greatest fears is a heady mix on a hot Sunday morning.

Gravity is our friend. It keeps our feet firmly on the ground and ensures that we don't get hurled off into space by the massive centrifugal forces generated by the earth spinning on its axis. We also learn to respect our friend at a young age when we take our first steps as a baby and then fall back to the ground. As man has evolved over the generations, we have also developed an ingrained fear of high places, a fear that tells you that you have no business being so high off the ground. It's a fear that's telling you if you don't respect gravity, it can quite easily smash every little bone in your body as it sends you crashing back into earth. It's that same fear telling me that if I step off the edge of this 150-foot high platform, I'm surely going to end my life. But now it's time for me to end today's physics lesson as I hear someone start a countdown to my doom. "Three, two, one... Jump!" No way siree.

If you haven't already guessed it, I'm about to make my first bungee jump. For those of you who don't know what that is let me explain, bungee jumping is a sport where seemingly sane people intentionally throw themselves off cliffs, cranes, bridges and even buildings, attached to what are essentially rubber bands, just for the thrill of it. The sport started in the 8o's and now has grown to be a global craze. And it plays on one of our most basic fears - the fear of falling. In India, there are a number of places you can experience bungee jumping with sites in Rishikesh, Bangalore, Delhi, Goa and Lonavala. So one bright and sunny day we piled into the Hyundai Elite i20 and headed to the nearest one - Lonavala.

The journey to Lonavala makes for a great Sunday morning drive and once out of Mumbai city limits we were greeted with the open highway and clear skies. The i20 was brilliant on the drive with its efficient diesel engine and six-speed gearbox eating up the kilometres in effortless fashion. We felt quite spoilt in the luxurious interiors of this hatchback and in the tunnels on the expressway, we noticed many of its impressive features like the automatic headlights that are activated as soon as the car left bright sunshine and entered the dark tunnels. Or the automatic windshield wipers that came on when we drove through some water falling from the roof of one of the tunnels up the Lonavala ghat. These are features that you would expect only in larger, premium cars and they are present on this excellent hatchback.

Roughly two hours after having started out from home we pulled into the parking lot of Delia Adventure's extreme adventure park in Lonavala. The adventure park is an exciting place with a wide array of ways for thrill seekers to while away a frenzied Sunday afternoon. They have activities like a massive 1250 foot flying fox, ATVs and a nice rock face for rappelling, to name a few. But we're here for the huge 150 foot crane sitting right in the middle of the park which is actually the bungee jumping platform. They also have internationally certified staff and equipment, which is reassuring.

What went through my mind as the crane bucket made its way to the jumping height? Not very much, although judging by the rather loud noise caused by my knees knocking together, it was evident that I was scared. It was even more evident that there was tremendous apprehension on my part when, as two rather genial personages strapping my ankles to the bungee cords, I had a fake smile plastered onto my face all through the experience. Then I was led to the edge of a platform. It was like surveying the entire world, in Lego brick size. Three... two... one, they counted down. Jump? Off this? Me? You've gotta be kidding me! But, seeing as there was no way to go but down, I let myself drop. At first I felt myself rushing through the air with a whooshing sound. Then, the world slowed down. It felt like it took an eternity, the sky, the clouds, the ground coming nearer, before I was yanked back up. "So this is what it feels like." I mumbled softly. Yes, that's what it felt like. And I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything in the world. It was over in a flash but that overwhelming feeling of being alive stayed with me long after I shut my eyes and went to sleep at the end of an exciting day. I'm a bungee jumper now and I even have the certificate to prove it. 

Published by: Overdrive 

Hyundai Elite i20

FIRST REPORT The new Elite i20 has joined our fleet, and yes, it's as elite as a hatch can get.

It's when I stopped at a traffic light, alongside one of the many Santro cabs that have replaced Mumbai's black-and-yellow Padminis, that the pace of Hyundai's evolution as a carmaker struck me. Sitting in our long-term Elite i20, still fresh from its global launch three months ago, the Santro seemed like a dinosaur. Both these cars may be separated by 17 years, but the differences seem light years apart. It epitomises Hyundai's rapid and relentless transformation from a Korean upstart to a global powerhouse.

It's no surprise then that the new i20 is a big jump over the previous one. Hyundai thinks it's worthy of the 'Elite' prefix, to suggest that it's more premium and upmarket than the competition. Arrogance or just plain confidence from the Korean automaker?

Away from the spotlights of the glitzy launch and the royal settings in Rajasthan for the media drive, it's time for a no-nonsense evaluation of Hyundai's latest, in Mumbai's more down-to-earth surroundings. The truth is that the Elite i20 doesn't stand out in the scrum of traffic like the tall-boy Santro once did. But that's also a reflection of the design maturity Hyundai has reached so very quickly. The toothy and oddly proportioned Santro was a caricature on wheels, a good example of Hyundai's design excess. The Elite i20, in contrast, is more restrained and a fine example of Hyundai design at its best.

Mornings are usually a rush, but before jumping into the i20, I can't help but give it the once-over - it looks that good. I just love the proportions of this new hatch, the way the wheels have been pushed out to each corner, the subtly muscular window line and, for a Hyundai, the simplicity of form. Even the grille is smartly executed and looks brilliant. It's a shame that once you get in the car, you can't see what it looks like because the interiors aren't quite as impressive. It's a very busy cabin, brimming with buttons, especially on the steering wheel; it took me a couple days to figure out all the functions. Pairing my phone and streaming music was pretty straightforward. And with 1GB of storage, you're likely to have a lot of music to sift through. 

There's a sense of luxury the Elite i20 exudes, which you quickly get used to and take for granted. It's when you step into another hatch you realise how plush this Hyundai really is. There's a lot of stuff in the Elite i20's cabin which you never thought you would use. You'd think two 12V chargers in the front is an overkill, but with the proliferation of battery-chomping iPhones, there have been enough instances of both sockets being used to juice up. And in this age of Cafe Coffee Day and Starbucks, I've used the large cupholder pretty frequently too.

Mumbai roads can bring out the best and worst in any car. There's not a single smooth surface in the city, not around where I live at least, and the 7km drive to work in peak traffic takes around 40 minutes. That's the habitat the Elite i20 has been living in for the past month, so the simple question is, what's it like to drive in traffic and on bad roads?

The clutch, steering and gearshift are fairly light, so you're not tired after a long drive. The 1.4 diesel engine is fairly alert on part throttle and doesn't suffer from the turbo lag of the previous i20 - a big boon in traffic. The performance is more than adequate for daily driving and the good thing is that there's enough torque to restrict gearshifts between 2nd and 3rd gears for most urban duties. Coming off speed breakers, there's no need to slot into 1st. The i20 pulls smartly from a crawl even in 2nd gear. What's the new i20 like to spend time in over long distances? My next drive up to Mahabaleshwar will give all the answers.

Words By: Hormazd Sorabjee

Published by : Auto Car india

Roadway to Heaven

In this, the last part of the Hyundai Santa Fe travel series, Car India leaves Srinagar and its placid lakes and sets course for the Himalayas and the highest motorable road in the world - Khardung La

I gently steer the Santa FE round the final bend on this dizzying upward climb. Amid a crowd of people, something scrawled across a nondescript signboard catches the eye. It says, 'Welcome to Khardung La, the highest motorable road in the world'. It suddenly hits me when I see that sign, and all the tiredness, all the shortness of breath, and the weariness from this long and arduous journey are buta fleeting afterthought as I think of what this car and I have managed. From Indira Point at Kanyakumari to Khardung La in Leh. One heck of a journey we've had, and this last leg began in Srinagar.

The screech of a kite cuts through the early morninghush as I look out of the window of my room at the Welcome Hotel in Srinagar. A new day has dawned, and has brought with it a fresh dose of enthusiasm as we headout to explore Srinagar and divine some of its secrets.Since our hotel is placed on Boulevard Road and only the thin stretch of tarmac that is the road itself stands between it and the Dal Lake, our first stop on our little tour of Srinagar was pretty much a given.

Often referred to as the jewel of Srinagar, the Dal Lake is spread over 22 square kilometres, and is absolutely breathtaking to look at. The colourful houseboats and shikaras that bob along the far bank, the patches of lotus plants floating across it, and the glimmer of the rising sunplaying off its surface all made for an enchanting image.There are also a few fountains planted near the edge of the lake that only add to the beauty. The road is lined with trees and rings around the lake, offering you a panoramic view of the water body.

Next up on our agenda for the day is Nishat Bagh. This spectacular garden was built by Asif Khan, father-in-law and Prime Minister to then Mughal monarch Shah Jahanin 1633. An interesting anecdote is often repeated around these parts regarding this garden. It seems that Shah Jahan was enthralled by and was quite envious of this garden when he first laid eyes on it, and expressed his adoration for the garden three times to Asif Khan on his first visit there in the hope that Khan would make a present of it to his lineage. When this chain of events failed to transpire, Shah Jahan supposedly ordered that the water supply to the garden be blocked in an act of spite. This action disheartened Khan to no small degree, and he lost all vigour after these circumstances played out. His servant seeing his master thus dejected took the bold step of restarting the water supply to the garden to alleviate his master's misery. When Shah Jahan heard of this, instead of being cross, he was appreciative of the servant's faithfulness and allowed the water supply tocontinue. After personally witnessing the splendid gardens with your own eyes, you might just begin to understand Shah Jahan's point of view in the story too, petty though it might seem to begin with.

After the Nishat Bagh, we drove on to Hazratbal Dargah, or shrine, one of the most visited spots in Srinagar. Hazratbal, and particularly the Moi-e-Muqqadas relic that is placed within is of particularsignificance to the Islamic fraternity, because this relic is believed to be a holy relic of the prophet Mohammed himself. The mosque that holds the relic is the only domed mosque in all of Srinagar, and made of pristine white marble, and if you do visit on a Friday as we did, you'll see just how many of the devouthold a special place in their hearts for the shrine.

Other notable places to visit in Srinagar that we stopped by during our whirlwind tour of the city include the Shalimar Bagh. Another picturesque garden steeped in Mughal history - Emperor Jahangir built this garden for his wife, NurJahan, in 1619, and the garden leads out on to a bank of the Dal Lake, giving an additional pinch of wonderment. The garden tour wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden and Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden either, nor could we skip out on Chashme Shahi garden, which, I may add, is widely renowned as a garden with great architectural constitution. An accolade you wouldn't begrudge it either, once you take a leisurely walk through its leafy hollows. Last on the agenda was Pari Mahal or "the fairies' abode". That lofty title is well-deserved, too, because this garden, perched atop a hill and commanding a magnificent view of the rest of the city, boasts of seven terraces, and is another example of the craftsmanship ofthe Mughal Empire, although the actual complex situated there was once a Buddhist monastery.

Before heading out of Srinagar, we dropped by the New Market, and sampled some of the local cuisine. The road that leads out of this, the summer capital of J&K is a pleasure to drive through. Smooth, uncluttered, and flanked on both sides by expansive farmlands smothered under the shadows of knotty ridges that stand tall on the farms' outer reaches. The further you go, the better it gets, because Sonamarg is the next little hill-station that falls en route, and this places is beyond amazing.

The boundless Sindh River meanders down your right flank, crashing and gurgling, throwing up a ferocious, swirling white foam that is in sharp contrast with the clear blue tinged with green that makes up the natural colour of the river. This beautiful sight is set up against the backdrop of peak upon peak flush with Deodar trees on the opposite bank, making for a majestic wall of green topped off with a sprinkle of snowfall white. I even spotted a herd of horses enjoying their daily fare with not a care in the world as we drove past. Just before we arrived at the mouth of the daunting Zoji La ('La' stands for pass in a number of local tongues, which would render the addition of the word pass' after writing Zoji Laredundant), we stopped for a quick chomp at ParadiseFood Court - the proprietor of which, an elderly gentleman, regaled us with anecdotes of the local history while we enjoyed our piping hot food.

Moving on, it was onwards and upwards for the Santa Fe as we approached the legendary Zoji La, 11,500 feet above sea level and widely credited as one of the toughest passes in the world. Landslides are a dime a dozen, and the roads don't have barriers, meaning shooting off the side into the abyss is just one flick of the wrist away. All the while strong, powerful winds buffet you, throwing you off course. This wasn't a problem for me, though, as the Santa Fe's size and aerodynamics meant it wasn't perturbed by the winds.

We did, however, get stuck for a good four hours at the very top of the pass, and not because of a landslide either. A routine road-widening project required traffic to behalted, it's a daily phenomenon between 12.00 noon and 4.00 pm I was told, meaning our timing couldn't have been worse. Something to keep in mind if you plan to headdown this road yourself in the near future. Another thing to keep an eye out for is truckers driving through the pass. One such trucker came hurtling up a sharp hairpin with not a care for oncoming traffic (in this case, me), and I was forced to jerk the Santa Fe on to the shoulder of the road,and perilously close to the edge and a 10,000+ foot dropbeyond. It’s extremely galling to witness such little regard for other people's lives. It wasn't an isolated occurrence either, and happens on a disturbingly regular basis according to the locals I mentioned the incident to once we completed our passage through Zoji La, or Godzilla as ourresident shutterbug Sanjay started referring to it as.

Once you exit the pass, though, it's like passing through a magic veil. The brown and barren mountain face littered with stones is at once transformed into a lush green valley dotted about with little huts. Another brook appears, and the road instantly transforms from precarious and distinctly spiral to arrow-straight. The fact that it isn't littered by or susceptible to massive rocks descending from the heavens also takes the driving delight factor up a few notches.

Zoji La connects Srinagar to the Ladakh district, and pretty soon after the end of the pass, you come across a massive board informing you of just this fact. A little further away is the first established dwelling you'll see this side of the pass - Drass. An inconspicuous sign in the centre of this tiny town proudly proclaims it to be the second coldest inhabited place in the world (after Siberia), although you wouldn't know it from inside the Santa Fe, the heater was turned up and I was nestled in and quite comfortable, thank you very much. The colder climes are extremely harsh here, though, with temperatures dropping down to an incredible minus 45 degrees Celsius at winter's zenith. Drass also had the misfortune of being one of the Pakistani infiltrators' prime targets for shelling during the Kargil war. On a more positive note, though. Drass is a hub for a multitude of trekking passes, and is often used as a base-camp for those of the bush walking persuasion.

Since Kargil was our destination for that day's travels, the War Memorial was an obvious port of call along the way. Placed in front of the very hills were captured from the Pakistani infiltrators back in 1999, the Kargil War Memorial is a short distance away from the town. The one structure that absolutely dominates the Memorial is a massive sandstone wall with the names of all the soldiers who lost their lives in the war inscribed, set against the backdrop of an eternal flame that burns in their memory. To stand before it and just take it all in is one of the most emotional and evocative experiences I have ever had in my life, and to read the tales of our soldiers' bravery, eloquently laid out in words and images around the Memorial, while the actual hills they defended stand immediately behind it will definitely leave you overwhelmed with pride and sadness in equal measure.The whole Memorial has been built with elan and infused with beauty, and everything from the parking area, the Army personnel working there, the constructions, and the restaurant are absolutely top-notch.

The open road awaited us as we left the Memorial and headed towards Kargil. The one thing that people constantly say about Kashmir is that there's something picturesque to see no matter where you're looking, and I can vouch for the truth in this statement. Something as simple and often mundane as highway leading to the city turns into a veritable visual treat. For example, on the way to Kargil, the air was clean, the mountain face was flush with greenery, waterfalls were abundant, and at certain points you could even see huge blocks of ice melting and morphing into little streams that fed the many crevices and fissures in the mountain side. Couples that with a powerful, well handling car like the Santa Fe and the pleasure of just being there is amplified to a greater level. I definitely didn’t want this journey to end, but as the lastrays of the sun hid behind the peaks, a glitter of lights in the distance indicated our arrival at Kargil.

This small town has a primitive charm about it. Nestled as it is in the lap of theHimalayas. There's no flamboyance or glamour about the place, instead the buildings, bazaars, and streets are all simple and efficient, and the people are always ready for a quick chat. We set down for a night's kip at the Zojila Residency, and thankfully the hotel was nothing like the pass, allowing us some precious downtime. Well rested, we headed out of Kargil and towards Leh, with a lot of things to be seen along the way.

The terrain took on a different look as we crossed over to the other side of Kargil, with bare, brown mountains now dominating our line of sight once again, no less majestic in their bearing, though, just differently cloaked. The route takes you past Fotu La, although any similarities between the name of the pass & how well it photographs are purely coincidental. Another pass that soon follows is Namika La, and, as expected, the roads on both these passes aren’t roads really, but rough patches  and little streams that needed to be forded, but were  absolutely no hindrance to the Santa Fe and we were back to smooth tarmac again soon enough.

On the way, we also took a quick stop at the Magnetic Hill just outside Lehand even had some off-roading fun in the area. After all what else are you expected to do when you have a sturdy 4x4 and an empty, gravelly area? Once allthe romping about on the hillside was accomplished to our hearts' content, it was time to turn back on to the roadif we wanted to reach Leh before nightfall.

We did arrive before nightfall too, and Leh was quite a revelation when I first set eyes upon it. When approaching Leh, you see rustic, irenic monasteries andsmall huts lining the sides of the road. Even the actual entrance to Leh is dominated by a monolithic gate with an indistinctly oriental flavour, and an absolute explosion of colour. As soon as you pass through the gate, you come across a massive central structure with twin-prayer wheels and flags abound. All this affirmed my initial impression of the city of Leh, one of peace, tranquility, and a slightly orthodox way of Life. Boy, was I wrong!

The deeper you delve into the city, the tinier, and more lively the roads get. While the latter was intriguing, the former made life a little difficult, because the Santa Fe shuffing mass was forced to squeeze into a few tight spots, and my dexterity as a driver was tested to the limit as I navigated it through the borderline chaos that is a staple of Leh's streets. Honestly, the a forementioned liveliness didn't help matters either, as the eye was ever drawn to the merriment being carried out at little restaurants and cafes by the wayside. Leh isn't a little old quiet town by any stretch of the imagination; it has a vibrant underbelly that likes to party hard. This is probably what attracts the throngs of young foreigners who can be found littering Leh's streets by the dozens. We checked in at the Hotel Namgyal Palace.

I've often heard Kashmir in particular described incessantly as breathtaking, and I always interpreted that as a figurative statement. It wasn't until I had to climb the one flight of stairs to reach my room at the hotel, however, that I realised Kashmir is literally 'breathtaking', in the sense that something as simple as climbing stairs can take your breath away and leave you panting like a stallion at the end of a mile-long race at the Ascot. The situation was made all the more curious (and embarrassing) by the fact that the hotel had employed a group of young women to help transport the guests' luggage to their rooms. These women insisted on carrying our bags, not taking 'no' for an answer, and lugged them up that one flight with consummate ease. I was worried that my junk food addiction had finally gotten to me for a second, until I remembered that the lack of breath was only one of the side-effects of being 15,000+ feet above sea level, after which the only feeling that lingered was the crippling embarrassment.

The following morning it was time for some Leh exploration and then the moment I'd been waiting for -ascent to Khardung La. As we head out of the hotel, roads were mercifully empty, and we made our way to Stupa. This two-tiered domed structure is built on Chanspa Hilltop and affords a bird's-eye view of Leh and its surroundings. Step inside and you can see delicate paintings that show Buddha in different stages of his life. We then travelled to the Leh palace, which isn't the most glamorous palace you'll ever see, although that very unpretentiousness of its construction is what lends itits own unique charm. Construction on the palace beganin AD 1553, but after being abandoned in the 19th century, it was refurbished by the Archaeological Survey of India in recent times, and is another point that offers an alluring vista of the craggy expanse around. We also grabbed some grub at the Leh Palace restaurant before we finally set off for Khardung La.

The road approaching Khardung La is narrow and smooth tarmac till you reach the base site of South Pullu. On the way up, you're very likely to see the yak sedately chewing on the tough shrubbery growing there, as we did. At South Pullu you are required to submit a form that costs Rs 10, not to mention another breath-robbing walk across the camp to reach the shop where you can buy it, before you can proceed upwards. That's when things get a little hairy, though, because the previously smooth roads disappear, and all you're left with is a mountain path full of mud and loose stones. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and the Santa Fe powered through with a plomb, which I had by now come to fully expect of it. Funnily, though, the first thing that caught the eye when Iascended to the top and, consequentially, Khardung La wasn't the snow-capped peak. It wasn't even the sign that gave me the epiphany I spoke about at the beginning of this article, no, the first thing I saw was a flight of stairsleading up to a small Buddhist temple and the only thing that crossed my mind when I saw that was, "Great, more stairs, just what I need, haven't I climbed enough?" Afterthe mini-whine, though, it was all glorious wonder and wide-eyed astonishment. Here, at the top of the world, in the cradle of clouds, I thought about how people always talk either about a 'means to an end', or 'it’s all about thejourney, not the destination'. This trip was a little bit ofboth I think, because the destination - the very roof of the world - is indescribably exquisite-looking, and an experience in itself, but that sense of accomplishment wouldn't ever have been felt if not for the journey it took to get here.

It's worth mentioning my faithful companion through this entire journey too, the Santa Fe. By this time, I feel aboundless affection towards this car, and even when I cross one on the road today, or see it in a parking lot, it brings a smile to my face. This car has been rock-solid throughout the rigours of this journey, through the 47 degrees of Dasada and the freezing cold climes of Kashmir. From coastal runs to mountain drives and everything in between. This car is reliable, comfortable, and packed with gadgetry, one that I could go to the ends of the world in without a single complaint.

After a deep sigh, (and a long breath, seriously I can'tstress enough how thin the air is up there) we piled into the car and I turned it around. The journey was over, the task at hand accomplished, and being a glutton for the cliché that I am, I played Led Zeppelin's Kashmir before heading off. These few words from the song resonated very strongly in that moment, as I vowed to myself that I would come back here as soon as circumstances allowed.

"My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon, I will return again Sure as the dust that floats high in June, when movin’ through Kashmir."

Story : Harket Suchde

Published by : Car India

Punching Above Its Weight

Hyundai's successor to their i20 hatchback is here and they call it the 'Elite i20'.

Does it live up to its aristocratic moniker?

We get behind the wheel to find out

When the Hyundai i20 was first launched in India, it was a breakaway success. Not just because it was a head-turner either (which it was), but because it brought something else that was unique to the table. The i20 broke convention when it married competitive prices to top-of-the-line features. Hyundai will have been mindful of the legacy that the i20 badge comes with then, and will have been sensitive to the weight of expectation that goes with it. It's only human nature, after all, to compare successor and predecessor, and based on initial impressions, Hyundai just might have done it again.

When you take in the exterior of the Elite, it's attention-grabbing qualities are quite apparent. The original i20 was quite a looker in its own right, but the i20 Elite is even better. The wider body and longer wheelbase coupled with the Fluidic 2.0 design cues give the car a mean, aggressive look. This is further accentuated by the in-your-face hexagonal honeycomb grille. The sharp, flowing headlamps give the car's visage an added touch of the mischief, something further emphasized by the twin rivets running across the length of the hood and those trapezoid fog lamps. Look at it from side on and you'll find a blackened out C-pillar, which in confluence with that protective moulding' strip across the bottom half of the doors and indicator mounted rear-view mirrors, and chrome handles further add to that sporty look. Round the back, too, the Elite doesn't lose its posture or its sharpness, with the three-piece wraparound tail-lamp a particular stand-out. Its kicks, wrapped as they are around some snazzy 16-inch alloys, also do their bit in contributing to the car's predatory aesthetics.

The inside, though, is where you'll be spending all your time in this car anyway. The interior has been infused with artistic swashes of black, accentuating all that beige and giving the car a more sophisticated flavour. The gadgetry, as with the first iteration of the i20, is on another level for this class of car. The headlines include sensor-infused auto-lamps, rear a-c vents, sunglasses holder, and front console armrest with storage. All this along with the others we've come to expect from Hyundai by now too, such as push-button start, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver's seat, a cooled glove-box and the like.

The seats are comfortable, no matter the length of journey, with adequate thigh and back support and a forgiving suspension working together to provide a soothing ride. Space, too, isn't an issue; the rear seat is wide enough to fit three, and a maximum knee-room of 840 mm means you won't have to worry about cramping up even in the back. The fit-and-finish and the plastics used on the interior are of a high quality, and the leather wrapped steering provides a firm grip. Boot space of 326 litres means there's room for a fair bit of luggage, too, more so than a lot of other options in the Elite's segment.

It's the little details, though, that really set this car apart from the throng. Backlit USB slot and 3.5-mm jack to make plugging in your tunes that much simpler, and these flanked by twin 12V power outputs so that you can charge more than one of the numerous devices people seem to earn,' around with them these days. Even that little slot sitting snug below the a-c controls and which looks as if it's there to gobble in your ATM card is, in fact, a ticketholder, meaning you don't need to flounder around in that little pocket of time at a toll stop where you juggle putting away the receipt and driving forward at the same time.

Before I get into the details of performance, it's imperative to mention that I was driving the Asta trim 1.4 CRDi diesel engine version of the Elite. Step on the gas and you'll find that turbo-lag is present, but not very apparent. 90 PS of grunt and 220 Nm of torque translate into a greater degree of fun on open roads. The car's power can be drawn out from as low as 1,200 RPM, although it really bares its teeth after you've hit the 1,800 mark on the rev count. The front McPherson strut and rear torsion beam axle suspension system, though still on the softer side, isn't a deterrent to open road fun either. This is because the suspension isn't as willowy as in some of Hyundai's other cars, which is a huge boon when driving down the highway with the little dips and bumps that are ever present, and even while cornering.

The Elite i20 doesn't inspire anything but confidence in you when you're taking the car round a bend quickly, and this is because Hyundai have struck a balance between ride quality and handling in the Elite, a balance that was lacking before. The feedback from the steering wheel is also greatly improved, and the lightness of the steering itself means the car is a willful turner, and doesn't require any effort to manoeuvre even in the tight spots of city by-lanes. Handling then is a far cry from its predecessor and quite impressive overall.

Going back to highway driving, the six-speed manual gearbox mated to the 1.4 CRDi engine means it isn't just fast, but also economical — something backed up by the staggering 24 km/1 we got out of the car on the highway. The Elite is no city-slacker either, as it still gives 18 km/1 when driving around in densely populated urban areas. Another factor about the Elite you'll notice when driving around the city is how refined the engine is. At low revs, it operates really quietly, something that helps keep the stress factor down when driving through traffic. A car that goes fast needs to stop fast too, and the Elite does manage that without losing its composure despite the fact that it has been fitted with drum brakes in the rear to go along with the discs in the front.

All things considered, is the Elite i20 the absolute best driver's hatch in its price range in the market (the Asta 1.4 CRDi costs Rs 9.16 lakh, OTR Pune)? It isn't, but it comes very close to the top, and this shortcoming is mitigated by the comfort, style, and practicality that this car brings to the party, which means that Hyundai have, in fact, done it again and created a car that will give its competitors a pause for thought.

Words : Harket Suchde

Published by : Car India 

Hyundai Elite i20

It’s not just striking to look at: the Elite i20 sets new benchmarks for premium hatches 

We often notice companies use the term 'customer is the king'. It's an old adage, and is thrown around by companies all over the world. But how often have we come across companies that actually understand who their customers are? Even if they claim that they do, are they right? Because if a company isn't clear who its customers are, then it will likely do a poor job of serving the said 'king'. 

This aphorism works for car companies too, where models are tailor-made to suit customer demands. But how many carmakers really understand what their customers want? It's a grey area, and we shall refrain from dwelling on that, but, over the last couple of years, if there's been one carmaker in India which has done its homework properly, it's Hyundai. Just look at the Elantra, Grand i1O and Xcent to understand how well it has come to terms with what its Indian customer base needs. And the latest addition to its capable India fleet is the new Elite i20.

Is it any good? Oh yes, it is. In fact, it's better than the one it replaces in every single way. It's a stellar package, and it has set new benchmarks in the premium hatchback segment as far as luxury goes. There it is, we've said it! Now let us explain what makes it this good. We won't even begin with the feature list, which is long enough to put you to sleep. There's more to this Hyundai than just that. Like any mouth-watering delicacy, it all starts with the presentation. With the new i20, things look promising from the moment you lay your eyes on it. The attractive new fascia, a sporty stance and the stylish boot round off the fresh styling pretty well - it's edgier than before, with sharp, crisp lines dominating the exterior.

It's a similar story once you get into the cabin, and it's not just pretty to look at, it's also quite pleasant to be in. The edgy design theme takes centre-stage, with top-drawer plastics giving the interior a plush feel. The cabin of the Elite i20 is right up there with the best, and that's a job well done by the Korean manufacturer. Interior space and comfort are significant talking points here. The seats are well-cushioned, offer ample support, and the cabin is ergonomically sound, too. If you thought the new i20 is just a poster boy, then you're mistaken. The car on these pages is the top-end oil-burner, with a 1.4-litre unit churning out a fine 89bhp and 230Nm of pulling power, with power sent to the front wheels via a slick 6-speed manual gearbox. The numbers themselves indicate the i20 has all the power you'll ever need from a diesel hatchback, and it doesn't disappoint out in the real world. Acceleration is brisk: we managed a 0-100kph run in 12.89sec in extremely wet conditions, and when you keep the revs above 1800rpm, the in-gear acceleration, for urban driving, is quite strong. The motor loves stretching its legs all the way to 5000rpm in every gear, and that actually makes it fun to drive out on the highway too. Also helping matters here is the gearbox, which offers short and precise throws, and when combined with a lighter clutch, it makes life much easier on the go. Topping that is a suspension that's set-up specifically for Indian roads - bump absorption is first-rate, with the suspension keeping loud thuds at bay. It's a good highway car, and it'll happily munch mile after mile. It won't even grumble if you do triple-digit speeds for hours on end. 

Like all modern Hyundais, this too is a highly practical car that caters to the needs of an entire Indian family, and not only the needs of the one at the wheel. It's a perfect family hatch that offers good looks, ample legroom and luggage space, a top-quality cabin, a comfortable ride, and it's efficient, too. For Hyundai, the customer really is 'the king', and the new i20 is a testament to that.

Words : Devash Shobha 

Published by : Top Gear

THE KHAN, THE CAR & MR KIM

Is the near two decade mark, a good time to rethink a well-loved brand and celebrity association? No, says both Hyundai and Shahrukh Khan. Here's why

In the history of longstanding celebrity-brand associations—think Zakir Hussain and Taj Mahal tea or Sachin Tendulkar and Reebok, it's now safe to add Shahrukh Khan and Hyundai. Just three years short of the two decade mark, Khan stars in the latest film for the Korean car maker's Xcent model, playing a bumbling well meaning dad who wants a little extra in everything including his car. It may seem business as usual for Khan and Hyundai, but according to those working on the brand, it represents the next logical step in a long journey. Saurabh Dasgupta, Executive Creative Director at Innocean, points out, "Graduating him from i1O to Xcent is evolving the brand as well as the celebrity. The early ads for Santro had him as a lover-boy chasing girls and getting into trouble. Now he's a mature family man."

It's unlikely that the original team working on the brand anticipated such a long association. At the time, the main task was convincing the Indian consumer about an unfamiliar brand from a relatively unknown country. Unlike Germany, the USA or Japan, Korea didn't have any car manufacturing pedigree that the bulk of Indians were aware of. V Shantakumar, Managing Partner, DoingThink, headed Saatchi & Saatchi, the agency that worked on the launch of Hyundai. He recalls, "Our brief was to give them a level playing field in six months. It seemed impossible since brands are built over time.” Brainstorming sessions between agency and client spawned the name for the launch vehicle—'Santro': an abbreviation of San Tropez, a town on the French Riviera. Shantakumar recalls wryly, "We wanted an exotic name and were toying around with options like Cannes and Monaco. We went with Santro since the two syllables sounded good. No one knew what it meant and so you could add values to it." The other big decision was to rope in a celebrity: a brave move since film stars were mainly associated with beauty and glamour products or colas. Shahrukh Khan stood for the disbelieving Indian, incredulous about Hyundai which was represented by Mr Kim. "We wanted to take the public with him through a journey from disbelief to acceptance and endorsement," recalls Shantakumar. 

Over the years, the association was strengthened by the star proactively introducing the vehicle into some of his films like PhirBhi Dil Hai Hindustani. Last year, a film for i1O built around a crowdsourced script where a young boy imagines his average Joe father transforming into Khan on entering the car spurred Innocean to re-imagine how they could use the actor, resulting in the move from i1O to Xcent. According to Dasgupta, the idea of replacing Khan has never once crossed their mind. He says, "It's difficult to not think of him.

Every time the temptation is to deploy the strongest missile in your arsenal."

Hyundai is in no hurry to fix what isn't broken. The brand has been doing well for itself even through tough recessionary times according to Rakesh Srivastava, Senior Vice President – Hyundai Motors India. "Last year we achieved our original business plan which was 380.000 domestic sales and '250,000 exports. We did not go in for layoffs and shutdowns and operated on 98.5% capacity utilisation. The next best in the industry operated at 71%." He believes the long lasting link with Khan is because both brands stand for the same values: "strong performers who are reliable, trustworthy and versatile." Research has validated the strong linkages between brand and star, he adds.

There are some who believe that the magic is wearing thin though. Says Shantakumar, "People adore Khan since he has a sense of humour and can laugh at himself readily. He's a guy with curiosity about life and people. If they don't bring that to bear or allow India to see that, the brand suffers to an extent. They need to figure another story like what he did with Kim years ago."

In Conversation with SRK

Through the long course of your association with Hyundai, have you ever contributed ideas or made suggestions about the commercials?

I believe if you are going to be very creative, do it in a movie that's niche. Many times, I see ads that make me say "this is totally different from what I thought it could be." It's not happened with Santro but you've got to respect the fact that those who are making the product know the best. Within those parameters, if I can add on a bit, my clients allow me to try it out. But I've always done what's expected of me.

How do you make sure the ads are not overwhelmed by tech specs?

In this category, it can be a challenge. I sometimes say "this is too technical" for instance 'this is a new carburettor with a fuel injection pump'. I tell them I never buy a car for any of these things. Just what makes me feel warm or proud. But sometimes the innovation is so path breaking; they feel proud talking about it. Sorry to bore you with the details but it’s an important part; not just to sell, but to inform. That give and take has been there for years now. And when the association is this long, it becomes organic and natural.

The first film we did with Mr Kim was just specs — the people who worked in the factory, the new fuel innovation; but we still made it fun. I play a guy who is least interested and just wants to drive. Most of the time we are trying to say it's a small car, it's warm, spacious romantic and sweet. We have very few tech specs. Instead it's the sunshine car: a sweet pretty little thing that you can own, afford and have a good time driving.

We hear there's likely to be a larger, more corporate role for you as a brand ambassador for Hyundai?

I think there should be a utilisation of the brand Hyundai with me rather than just some products. I don't want to be part of every ad they make but I can be part of an overarching programme given the length of my association. Even when the new CEOs and heads join — to be very honest — they talk to me as if I am the oldest, the longest employee of Hyundai in India. We could talk of the philosophy of Hyundai. I think we should realise that one of the biggest breakthroughs in auto in this country has been Hyundai. I am sure other companies are doing well but the only other one that's found a place in the hearts here is Hyundai. I also happen to be of a similar situation. I've made a place for myself in the heart of Indians. Maybe we could speak about that. And if the lights and specs have to be spoken about, we'll do that too.

Published by : Brand Equity ( Economic Times )

i20/20 Vision

An all-new i20.

I like hatchbacks - a lot. I like them to look good, I like them to act like scalded cats and I like them to make a nice noise. This is why I can’t remember the last time I had a really good time in an India hatchback. Some others have come along & raised my expectations, only to fail to match them in some regard or the other. I was thus hoping that the Elite i20 would move the game forward. It’s a really good car, looks absolutely smashing and has a whole lot going for it, which is what I’ll try & tell you about over the next pages.

To give you a little of the back story, as a manufacturer, it’s always a pleasant problem when one of your cars become so popular that demand can’t immediately be met. Back when the original i20 was launched, Hyundai faced just such a problem of plenty- it was even somewhat taken aback by the popularity of its premium hatchback. The i20 was a confident contender, and one with its own set of strengths, such interior space and features. With the new Elite i20, Hyundai is confident from the off that it has a surefire winner on its hands, and after a quick spin in one, I can understand why it is so bullish about this car. On to the important bits, then.

Does It Look Good?

The short answer is ‘Hell yes.’ The Elite i10 has taken Hyundai’s Fluidic design philosophy several steps ahead, to the extent that I will say it’s the best looking Hyundai on sale in this country. This is no family resemblance to the older car. This car has no such drawbacks- it positively bristles with good looks and sex appeal.

Compare to some other Hyundais, some of which are rather OTT, the Elite i20 shows a maturity and restraint in its exterior design. There’s a greater purpose to its lines, which flow in a smooth and unhurried manner, lending the car an air of sophistication. The wide, hexagonal grille sits low, integrating well with the sweptback headlamps, and the flat hood gives the car a greater presence.

In profile, the car looks even better, with the 16-inch alloy wheels standing out in particular (the base models get 14-inch steel wheels) and the blacked-out C-pillar lending it a sporty touch. This car looks its best from the rear three- quarters. Overall, it’s a fresh, attractive and young design- full marks.

What’s it like on the Inside?

Typically Hyundai is what; you’ll recognize a variety of switches, dials and other bits as having come from the Hyundai parts bin. The cabin is spacious and airy, with plenty of leg, head and elbow room at the front and back; the increased wheelbase has helped here (45mm more), even though the car’s overall length has been reduced by 10 mm. The mixture of beige with black accents looks quite good, and the overall level of quality is more than acceptable. 

As is to be expected, the top end variants of the i20 (from the sports trim onwards) are stuffed to the gills with features- rear A/C vents, steering-sensitive rear parking camera, a front armrest/ storage areas, a smart function (which disengages the accelerator in case it’s pressed at the same time as the brake pedal), a 2-DIN audio system with 1GB of onboard storage, a multi-function steering wheel, a cooled glovebox, a storage area for ticket just under the audio system and a whole bunch of other doodads.

What’s it like to drive?

I had a quick run in the diesel variant first, powered by Hyundai’s 1.4-litre, 88.7 bhp, 22.4 kgm U2 CRDi engine. The first thing I noticed was the impressive suppression of noise- from within and without, the NVH suppression is excellent, and there’s none of the diesel clatter in the cabin.

I found that third gear was sufficient for most city conditions (in Jodhpur anyway), and out on highway, it was an absolute breeze to cruise along at 120kph in sixth, with the engine completely unstrained.

Is it fun to throw around?

It’s a huge improvement over the older car, and its dynamic abilities felt much better during my short spin. This car felt less soft and springy, the steering wheel felt a little more communicative and grip levels from the 16-inch tyres were pretty good; the overall balance in the chassis has gone up appreciably.

I must mention that the diesel car feels much better planted– the additional weight up front definitely helps. The car’s ride quality is very good indeed, with only the biggest potholes producing thuds; at all other times, especially in the city, the car keeps you well–cushioned.

The last word?

The Elite i20 is very possibly the best large hatchback you can buy right now.  It’s a real looker, and continues to offer the sort of value that Hyundai has honed to near-perfection.

Words : Pablo Chaterji

Published by : Motoring World  

Hyundai i20

What is it? Latest generation of Hyundai's premium hatchback Price from Rs 4.89 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) On sale Now

New i20 looks larger than its predecessor although overall size is near identical. Styling is crisp and modern.

YOU DONT NEED to think too hard to understand why the Hyundai i20 has been such a strong seller in India. Its stylish exterior, spacious cabin and lengthy features list have always given buyers the impression that they are getting more than their money's worth. Hyundai is now out with the new i20 (called the Elite i20) and the good news is that it doesn't cost much more than the outgoing car with prices ranging from Rs 4.89 lakh (exshowroom, Delhi) to Rs 7.67 lakh. That's important because this is no facelift or cosmetic upgrade; it's a whole different car that's been built on an all new platforms. 

While overall dimensions are near identical, its flat bonnet, shorter bumpers and the greater distance between its front and rear wheels give the Elite i20 a far sportier stance. Even the styling is quite different. It's not as flamboyant as the older car, but it's more grown up and will look attractive for longer. The low-set and chrome-lined hexagonal grille is the focal point at the front though the neatly detailed and swept back headlamps are very attractive too. What also remains to be seen is the visual impact the smaller 14-inch diameter wheels on lower spec i20s have on the car's overall look. Top-spec i20s (such as the one pictured here) get 16-inch alloy wheels and it must be said, they do look really special. The angular shape of the rear windows and well-executed stylistic creases on the doors also give the new i20 its distinct identity. Its blackened C-pillar and spread-out tail-lamps also look simply spectacular. The boot is generous too with enough space to store more than a weekend's worth of luggage. 

Swept-back headlamps look very attractive but there are no daytime-running lights here.

What's it like on the inside?

Wide door openings make entering the cabin very easy and once inside, there's lots to like. Cabin space, for one, is remarkable and comparable to that of a larger mid-size sedan. This should make the i20 a hatchback the chauffeur-driven will take very keenly to. Rear legroom and headroom are very impressive, as on the earlier car, and there is sufficient width to seat three. The rear seat also scores well for good back and leg support. Those sitting up front will like the good visibility out while drivers will appreciate the option to adjust the steering for tilt and reach. 

Space apart, the i20's cabin also scores well for perceived quality. Fit and finish are of a high standard, detailing is impressive and the two-tone dashboard looks suitably up-market. It's a well thought out cabin too with lots of storage space through the cabin. In addition to the medium-sized glovebox, there's a bottle holder on each of the doors, a box between the front seats, and a usable recess with two charging points low down on the dashboard. The top-spec Asta trim featured here comes with automatic headlamps, push button start, automatic climate control, a rear air-convent, an audio player with 1 GB of onboard music storage, autofolding mirrors and rear view camera with guide lines. There's also Hyundai's safety pedal that overrides the throttle when pressed simultaneously with the brake. It works surprisingly well and is something that could come handy in panic braking scenarios. Of the five variants on offer, we'd also recommend you to take a close look at the mid-spec Sportz variant that's fairly well-equipped. 

What is it like to drive?

The i20 is available with one petrol and one turbo-diesel for now. The i20 diesel comes with the same 89bhp, 1.4-litre, common-rail engine as the previous i20 and uses the same six-speed manual gearbox as well. The 1.4 diesel has smoothness with which it spins is very nice. Where it does impress is in terms of refinement. Idle is quiet and for the most part, there's only a subdued clatter from the engine bay. What further aids the experience are its smooth shifting gearbox and adequately light clutch.

The light and easy gearshifts on the five-speed gearbox are some of the traits you'll find in the i20 petrol too. While power output is unchanged from the earlier i20, the 82bhp, 1.2-litre motor has been re-tuned to improve power at low engine speeds. The engine does feel a bit better than before as well. Things get progressively better as you rev harder. The i20 petrol builds speed quickly and revs quite readily past 6,000rpm. 

Hyundai has clearly made progress in terms of suspension setup. Once again, it's in more everyday driving conditions that the i20 is at its best. The light steering makes parking easy, the suspension is absorbent (save for the odd thud on big bumps) and even suspension noise is very well contained. There's also an improvement in the i2o's high-speed manners.

Should I buy one?

The Elite i20 betters the old car on almost every front and that alone should give you an idea of how appealing it is. Hyundai offers everything the majority of hatchback buyers would want. It looks special on the outside, and is really well-equipped, spacious and comfortable on the inside. Both diesel and petrol engines offer unstressed motoring and promise to be very efficient too, with ARAI-tested fuel economy figures of 22.5kpl and 18.6kpl, respectively. Even refinement levels are on par with far more expensive cars. Then there's also the promise of a stress-free ownership experience courtesy Hyundai's proven service backup. Add everything together and you get a premium hatchback that's very- easy to recommend.

Words : Nikhil Bhatia

Published by : Motoring World