Back In September 18, 2001, I was studying in class XI, Somer Ville School, Noida, when I was giving my mid terms and while the world was reeling under the USA twin tower attack shock (September 11, 2001), I kept reading HT daily and came across these teaser ads:
T-max will give Sachin the power of 100 horses
T-max will give sachin the top speed of 185 kmph
T-max. Technology to the max.
About 10 days pass, and then finally on September 30, 2001 I see a full page ad at the back of HT about the most important launch of 2001-Fiat's "comeback" car-the PALIO.
Past history be damned.
Uno bookings=2,90,000. Sales=Disaster.
Siena=disaster.
Siena weekend=disaster
and bla bla bla...
unlike its tinny competition (Santro, wagon R, zen, alto) it felt UNLIKE any hatchback we have ever seen before.
the doors shut with a classic thud...
the bonnet was heavy, too heavy to lift with one hand...
the chic Italiano Guigiaro reskinned exteriors were simply stunning....
the interiors simply took my breadth away...
that tangerine mist, mystic yellow and fern green shades swept off my feet...
that 1015 kg kerb weight made the Indica look pretty bantam in comparsion...
the first-in-class 32 bit ECU controlled 1.2 SOHC 8V FIRE engine made a sweet and smooth sound the minute someone pushed the throttle....
the low slung dashboard and driving position felt like a limo when compared to the tall boys...
the 1.6 with one hundred Italian thoroughbred horses reminded me of how the horse dominated the mind of the early races, especially of the Mediterranean!
You were a lord if you had a horse.
Far back, far back in our dark soul the horse prances.... The horse, the horse! The symbol of surging potency and power of movement, of action, in man, and his car...
That 100 16V badging hiding the beast underneath the so called "torque" motor looked classic....
you knew that you were in treat before you just started that ignition and sped away in India's first 14" wheeled hot hatch, leaving the competition behind....
You kept watching those lovely Sachin ads on TV. In papers. In print. And the more you kept on liking its shape....
power to the max
style to the max
technology to the max
safety to the max
comfort to the max
colours and trims to the max
all you wanted to have in a big car, but for small car prices...to the max...
Suddenly, I go to Vivek Auto, Bikaji cama place and find hordes, hordes of people waiting to test drive the beauty....
a flame red EL and a tangerine mist GTX wait for your treat, to the max...
sweet 16 that time did not made me eligible for the license, so felt a bit heartbroken that I cannot test drive the palio.
Sunday. A day in November 2001. A new dealership-samyak motors, patparganj is opened with a swanky new showroom and state of the art workshop and a couple of my old friends welcome me, I felt like a 16-year old king......
Time: 2 PM
Flame red ELX 1.2
He starts the car, I sit at the co driver seat. 0-100 in 14 seconds flat...
It reminded me of the meaning of the word PALIO-which is a horse race held by the Italians to celebrate the harvesting seasons, in a town, the name of that town is Siena.
Now I knew where Fiat got these names from.
she was smooth riding...
she was agile...
she was spacious...
she was chilling...
she gave me a sense of coziness...
she was butter smooth shifting...
she was driver oriented....
she felt safe and secure when he piloted her through its paces...
that blue FIAT centenary logo was a blessing in disguise for her...
and I kept dreaming and dreaming, without realizing that my honeymoon was all but over.
But wait!
did I say my honeymoon was over?
Not quite, sweetheart...it was just a beginning...
3 PM, same day
Tangerine mist 1.6 GTX
Bigger, bolder, brash yet gentle on me...
the honeymoon added even more honey to the moon...
start the ignition and that raspy exhaust note reminds me of a harmonica... I play the harmonica.
The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window.
The harmonica sounds amazing.
oops...I am again day dreaming...
I again sit on the co-driver's seat while my friend starts to put her through its paces...
0-100 in 11 seconds flat...
I feel the G forces...
sharp steering, sweet handling, she is an Italian pride...
those gorgeous white veglia dials with a tacho...
those lovely velour upholstered seats...
shining through the metallic finished vents....
spoiled with beauty with those gorgeous alloys and a roof top spoiler....
1.6 GTX my new dream car...
sports car performance and handling for a small car price...
But beauty is more than just a skin deep...
owning her takes about 4-6 weeks while keeping her takes eternity..
she moves in about 3-4000 garages every month....
but she is no ordinary babe.....and suddenly,