7 Vehicles You Would Want To Drive In 2012

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

Image:JP Moczulski/ Reuters

A twelve-cylinder family car isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. So how about eight? The Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S has a 4.7-litre under its hood and is this Italian manufacturer’s most powerful sedan producing 444 PS of power and 490 Nm of torque. That’s enough to take you from 0-100 kmph in just 5.1 seconds. It also has the roar of a sportscar at a higher rpm. This Italian beauty costs Rs. 1.43 crore (ex-showroom) in India. At Rs. 2 crore less than the Ferrari FF, it’s not a bad deal at all.


Lamborgini LP700-4
If a convertible messes with your hair, then you can opt for the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4. At Rs. 3.69 crore there are many more reasons why you would want to own this beast. This 6.5-litre, 700 PS object of desire goes from 0-100 kmph in 2.9 seconds. And thus becomes one of the few, maybe the only, vehicle that reaches the three-figure mark before you can say its name. With a top speed of 350 kmph, you will be screaming its name a lot.  Yet, for whatever its worth, this baby boasts of a 20 percent drop in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.


Caterham 7
The arrival of the Buddh International Circuit means India’s rich and famous petrol-heads now have a very interesting playground. And now, they have a new weapon of choice: The Caterham 7. The Burman brothers (of the Dabur family fame) have brought this iconic British brand to India. The Caterham Roadsport 150 weighs just 550 kg and is only 114 cm tall. But it produces a mean 150 PS of power. Which means you can get from 0-100 kmph in less than five seconds.


Ducati Panigale
All of the above four-wheeled objects of desire make people go weak in their knees. But at times just two wheels are enough. The Ducati 1199 Panigale, named after Borgo Panigale in Bologna where they have their factory, is the most powerful bike Ducati has ever built. It has a staggering power output of 195 PS. The bike has a dry weight of only 164 kg. It has a TFT colour display for the instrument panel which actually changes the information according to the riding mode selected. This will definitely be a fun bike to ride on the Buddh Circuit.


Mini Countryman
Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis are indeed iconic cars, but there are icons and then there are icons. The Mini belongs to the second category. The good news is that it’s coming to India. The Mini Cooper is what made the brand famous but another interesting model is the Mini Countryman. The only Mini to have five doors. The larger dimensions mean that you have more of the nose, making its bulldog stance even more prominent. While the prices are not out yet, you can expect it to be around Rs. 25 lakh. BMW will have a separate dealer network for the Mini.


Ferrari FF

Image:Mohamed Azakir/ Reuters

Now, there are some for whom family comes first and indulgences like sportscars create an unnecessary conflict. Ferrari to the rescue then. The Ferrari FF has four doors and yes, four seats. The Italian manufacturer claims the rear seats can accommodate people as tall as 1.85 metres. But to ensure that the ‘sports’ has more emphasis in the sportscar, Ferrari has gone ahead and put their largest capacity engine in the FF. The 6.3-litre V12 produces 650 PS of power and 683 Nm of torque. It can be yours for Rs. 3.42 crore (ex-showroom).


Bentley Continental GTC

Image: Corbis

If you like your number steak very well done, then how about a 6.0-litre twin turbo 12 cylinder engine, 567 PS of power, 700 Nm (700!) of torque, 2.5 tonnes of metal and all of this for a little over Rs. 2 crore (ex-showroom that is)? It’s the Bentley Continental GT Convertible and it’s Goliath with the dexterity of David. In spite of its sheer mass, it will propel you to 100 kmph in just 3.88 seconds. All of that weight and still when you floor the pedal you can feel the front wheels trying to lift off the ground. It can reach a top speed of 314 kmph; something that will definitely bring the roof down when you show it off.  

Courtesy: Overdrive