Cars are naturally bound by what they are made for but some machines go the extreme was as we found out. These would be within the realm of performance or capabilities going over the traditional. We hunted down three cars and took them for a spin to see why it separates them from the others. Take a look!
Mercedes-Benz G Wagen
The G-Class is different and is not your regular SUV. Born out of military origins, the G Wagen as it is also called is one of the most popular cars with celebrity owners all over the world and a massive waiting list as well. The appeal of this SUV is because of its timeless lines which have not been tampered with and is true to the original model. However, now it is a pure beast which also offers luxury. Think of a bulletproof car which you might want to drive through an apocalypse. When you walk up to the mighty G400d- its newest version, you see its tall and boxy design with it is also quite striking.
There are no curves at all here as it is about straight lines and bulging muscles. The G400d is clad with the Adventure edition tagline which instantly gives it even more cool quotient. Aside from the more rugged demeanour, the G400d is ready for adventure with a roof rack, ladder and even a full-size spare. Inside, you sit tall and are surrounded by Nappa Leather with all the typical Mercedes touches but here, the focus is on the analogue side of things rather than just technology. There is no touchscreen for example and the infotainment system is not the latest Mercedes fare but the door locks make a loud noise as they operate like the closing of a safe.
You feel like you are sitting inside one as well with the way the doors close and the toughness. You can get the G Wagen in many iterations with performance enthusiasts opting for the too fast G63 which has a petrol V8 but this G400d could be the more practical sibling. It is a diesel but quiet and has loads of torque which is ideal for this beast and gives it good range to explore places. One thing is clear that you feel invincible behind the wheel with its toughness and the way it goes over bad roads.
Sure, the steering is not as easy as the floaty GLS or the other SUVs but driving it is a different experience altogether. Off-road, the G400d is king and you can really throw everything at it while on-road it is also fun to drive. Most owners would be seen driving around the city though with paparazzi all over the place. Thing is, the G400d is also a star in its own right!
Lotus Eletre R
Electricity has its own shock value and how nonchalantly it devours through an open road. The Lotus Eletre is the fastest electric car and the fastest SUV that you can buy in India. Extreme the word you would use with the Lotus Eletre R producing more power than pretty much everything else and doing a 0-100 km/h time in an unbelievable under three seconds. This is not fast but the kind of speed which makes people numb or sick but also embarrasses supercars.
Nothing much can catch a Lotus Eletre here. The way the performance is delivered is also like a punch and comes at the drop of a hat. The Eletre is fast but it also feels more like a sports car rather than a big and heavy SUV. Somehow Lotus has made something so big drive like a sports car. It steers like on and stops like one while this level of performance on a big SUV is surreal to say the least. One look though reveals why since it is full of ducts and curves along with slashes which increases aero efficiency. It is all there to make it streamlined and go like a fighter jet. It looks cool and futuristic even if it is quite big in the flesh. Inside, it feels like a futuristic aircraft with a touchscreen which greets you when you enter to sensors checking where your attention is diverted and more.
The design is also different with a slim information panel which runs throughout the cabin and a massive heads-up display. There is also a mix of various materials but all very futuristic. It seems like a road-going spaceship and goes like one when driven hard.
Being electric the range is decent but the crazy performance is the highlight here as is the technology on offer. We always knew that EVs are fast but this shows the progress of this technology and how it simply beats the conventional powered cars in terms of raw speed. If you want the fastest, the Eletre R really is it.
- By Somnath Chatterjee