B>Sipani Dolphin : **Oh the good old days in 80’s when Sipani in Bangalore wanted to create a rage with Dolphin but immediately lost the market to Maruti 800. Reasons: Decent Engine from Renault but horrible body with almost interiors and seats from junk yard. It was good initiative but getting obsolete technology and plunging them into FRP bodies is unacceptable. If I remember right there was a diesel variant too named D1 with remarkable fuel economy.
Reva: I thought for long before including Reva here as it was hard to decide whether it’s a powered rickshaw with a hard top or a car. For sake of Kinetic I will consider it as a car. All manufacturers from day one are trying hard to beat Maruti 800 with crazy concepts and this one is indeed a classical living example and takes the cake. Chaps don’t ape it, but do it the TATA way and get something better at affordable prices. Among ventures of Kinetic only Kinetic Honda after Luna is saving grace and none of their products made it big and I reserve my comments on their new scooterette.
Standard 2000: Yup a beautiful design straight from Rover but married to an aged vanguard engine.( Reminds me of getting a through bred race horse and mated with an old mule to produce off springs). It almost staggered when AC was switched on and barely managed to drag itself with all passengers on board. It was a good move by Standard to include all luxuries like AC, Power windows, central locking, rear wiper, defogger and these features were unheard in 80’s .It was a major fuel guzzler and made the driver look sheepish when a rapid overtake was considered due to underpowered engine. AC was strictly switched off to take steep inclines and sometimes even passengers thrown out to aid mobility. Absolute screw up of Rover reputation in India by vintage vanguard engine. A very crude manner to wreak vendetta against British for ruling us.Courtesy Standard Motors.
Zen Classic: What a waste of time writing about this ugly buck toothed soothie with tail lamps resembling goose bumps on ar*e. What made Maruti try this and my compliments to those who bought this paying hard earned money. Heck I wouldn’t even allow someone to park this ugly creature close to my house let alone owning one even if a free specimen is offered. In fact Maruti has excellent knowledge about customer demographics and knows there are lot of Indians who love ugly stuff and customers themselves identified to Maruti by buying these paying a premium cut above the regular version… A total yawn.
Versa: Again another trick played after Zen Classic by Maruti to identify customers who love ugly stuff. Lo and behold again customers who bought this helped Maruti identify those who have no flair for good looks and just want to pay more to get uglier. I seriously see no purpose being fulfilled by designing a tin can powered by 1.3 liter engine and adding all goodies, hey guys tempo traveler costs the same and is safer too. The only beneficiaries are Bachans. Father and Son made big time money by endorsing this.
Oops did I mention Ford Esc*rt. More later.