Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, wish to share with you the experiences of driving I-10 Auto Gear between Vijayawad to Polavaram.
The occassion turned out to be the wedding of one of our esteemed colleagues in Polavaram Village, a typical Andhra Type village in the banks of scenic Godhavari. As you all know most of the Andhra Marriages happen in deep nights or early mornings. However, sensibly our colleague had fixed the Reception and dinner from 9.p.m. onwards.
We started threesome, with one of our colleagues getting the car on loan from his friend, and two more of our colleagues also joined us making a total of five.
Me being an enthusiastic car lover, offered to drive the car from our Guest house (at least in NH-5) before you take a turn to Rajamundhry (about 130 odd Kms) at 4.00 p.m.
Being a seasoned driver for last 10-12 years. I was in rude shock when I started the cari. I was confused how to use the left leg. Result, a jerkful stop in three seconds. My spirits were challenged and again I started the car to end up in another jerky stop in two seconds. My colleagues advised me politely to take a back seat and with a bit of dignity, I was forced to go back. Sitting back the revelation hit me :
Rule no. 1. conventional drivers be careful before you make mental adjustments with the AT model.
Now we entered NH-5. Sitting back I realized that the pick up is really good. The engine note changes into deep purrr as the car developed speed. The second revelation came to mind.
Rule no. 2. It is not difficult to drive an AT. You need to mentally condition your reflexes.
Now the car was on high way and before Hanuman Junction, we turned into AP Lorrry owner’s Petrol pump and tanked up the car fully for Rs.1700/-. Realization that came to me.
Rule no. 3 - The tank is really big even though it does not appear so.
Next, we purposely downed the windows and the car simply jacked in full speed, never less than 110 and enjoyed the air that was cooled by en-route showers. The revelation that came to me was
Rule no.4 - The car is spacious and can accommodate five easily (two were hefty in back seat).
On taking a left and leaving NH-5 to Rajamundhry, the road was damaged by heavy rains and badly potholed. However, the car was graceful, quick to slow down and was avaricious to pick up the speed. We stopped for comfort breaks and coffee breaks in a remote tea shop and also to get directions.. The head lights were powerful and we had switched on the ACS. The revelation that came is
Rule no. 5. AC is really powerful. The engine is easily able to take the AC load.
On reaching the barrage, we took a right to Polavaram village through the road that went on the banks of Godhavari. The road turned bad and non-metaled but the car never groaned or slacked. It went on peacefully untill we reached Polavaram. By the time, we were following the groom’s car and vov, what a grand entry we got in the village (with band, Aarthi, Mala, sweets, cool drinks, tilak, fire-works, courteous enquiries, (well we concluded that the Bride’s father is really influential in the local community). Every single home was decorated for the marriage like as if the marriage is happening in their own home. Revelation
Rule no. 6 - More than us, the car got the most looks from the villagers.
Next the entire village had turned up for the dinner. We had our dinner in the Shamiana Pandal, when the downpours started. Dinner was halted in mid-way and the food was made into buffet.
However it got late, we wished the bride and groom, dressed in traditional Andhra fashion with silks and robes. Meanwhile, few of our other colleagues had reached the venue driving directly from Hyderabad in an Santro and Spark and there was a rush to crowd the car and take a look once again.
Rule no. 6 - The car is a crowd puller.
The Muhurat was at early morning 4.00 a.m. and we decided to take leave after congratulating the bride and groom. I had to take a train back to Hyd next morning and my colleague had to take a train back to Chennai. So we started the next leg of journey back to Vijaywada.
My colleague who was driving all the way from Vijaywada, now politely changed seats and gave a golden advice’ Never use the left leg and you will be OK’.
By now the confidence had returned to drive and I took the vehicle boldly. Came to the main road and started tracking the back way. En-route, dropped two colleagues to take a fast RTC bus to Vizag and happily started driving. Well, next revelation,
Rule no. 7 - The car is really powerful and the pick up is good. Shifting the gear from neutral to drive was smooth and the car just picked up speed even with the accelerator was not touched. All you have to do is put slight pressure and the speed rose to a hum with RPMs rising.
Now started the downpours in a big way for almost two hours. Good thing was the lights were powerful and negotiating the potholes was easy (than a normal car). Adrenaline started pumping up and slowly I took the car to 110 speed (roads were clear). After a bit of resistance, the engine gathered speed and simply shot.
Rule no. 8 - Grip on the road is great (despite rain wet slippery roads).
After about an hour we got into the NH-5 again and I got bold and push the accelerator to the floor to get a top speed of 130.
Rule no. 9 -Car did not swing or sway and simply shot on the high way. Well after about a hour we reached Vijaywada and I was surprised to note that the fuel guage was totally empty.
Rule no. 10 - Car is not a guzzler in the high way.
Well Ladies and Gentlemen that ends my experience in driving I-10 AT. I had an strong inhibition that ATcar is a ladies car and the myth was shattered. It has equal power and maneuverability and is definitely a car for cities. The sweet memories are still lingering even today.
Will I recommend I-10 - Ofcourse I will to all.
Thanks,
Car Lover 2010.