[pillaian]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

In my opinion, you need not go for AWD if you intend driving mainly in city limits of highways.
Also please refer to the post as quoted below by Sommos.
He says that the AWD of XUV does not allow for offroading.

Thanks dhanushmenon, I know it’s not an off roader but I was planning to explore length and breadth of India and if i get stuck somewhere i should not curse myself for not going in for an AWD, that’s where i circle back and think between a FWD and AWD.

Originally Posted by Sommos

In that case you may not go for the AWD for not only the cost but also the complexity of the AWD system and obviously a higher maintenance cost involved.

Dhanush, the XUV is actually a mild offroader unlike the offroading done by the old fashioned jeeps. The AWD system is different from the four-wheel-drive or 4x4 vehicles that are used in extreme off-road situation.

However, the AWD had the following benefits :-
# Provides increased grip and control in all road condition.
# Gives sportier handling and traction.

Thanks Sommos, I didn’t factor in the higher maintenance cost involved, now it really gets me thinking, to go for it or not to go for it.

[Sommos]

Originally Posted by pillaian

Thanks dhanushmenon, I know it’s not an off roader but I was planning to explore length and breadth of India and if i get stuck somewhere i should not curse myself for not going in for an AWD, that’s where i circle back and think between a FWD and AWD.

If you wish to do that with your own vehicle then do not think again, go for the AWD. It gives you the flexibility to push your vehicle harder in such extreme conditions. You must have gone through Anshuman's thread on the XUV and seen the pictures.

On the contrary you can have a rented 4x4 vehicle for such extreme drives on the mountains or the sand dunes and avoid the pain of maintaining a AWD vehicle all the time.

The decision is yours.

[dhanushmenon]

Mr D took me on a few drives recently.
Phew!!!
Boy... wasn't it a relief to stretch my legs!!!

First he took me to Coorg on his monsoon drive and then he took me to the "drive-in-beach" at Kannur.

No points for guessing the bright flash of my teeth and the glitter on my eyes.

Attaching a few snaps.

Amongst the greens of Thamarassery Ghats, Calicut



A breather in between, amidst the forests in Wayanad



And miles to go before I sleep....







Beached...





Experience loss of words- Drive on a beach!!!

[Sommos]

Wow, you had a gala time on the beach.
Hope you've got a under body wash shorty afterward.

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by Sommos

Wow, you had a gala time on the beach.
Hope you've got a under body wash shorty afterward.

Oh yes.
Mr D got me washed nice and proper.
Not a nook in me which is salt laden.

Giving me a wash was his priority after the beach run

[fusionbang]

How well did you manage to run on the beach with the water rushing towards you? Did you feel like you were pushed by the water at any point of time?

And how were your shoes behaving on the wet sand?

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by fusionbang

How well did you manage to run on the beach with the water rushing towards you? Did you feel like you were pushed by the water at any point of time?

And how were your shoes behaving on the wet sand?

It was an exhilarating at the same time anxious feeling to see the water gush towards me. For a second, I was frightened whether the gush will wipe me over; whilst at the next moment I was yelping with excitement.

It was really a moment which takes the words out of your senses

I did not feel myself being pushed by the water. After all, I am pretty heavily built. My shoes gave me good grip.
Before I set forth to the sand, Mr D was apprehensive whether I might get stuck in the sand or may be sink onto the soil.
However, nothing of that sort happened.

[harish_K]

Danush, really a wonderful thread. I have taken the plunge and booked a White AWD from TVS Kochi.

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by harish_K

Danush, really a wonderful thread. I have taken the plunge and booked a White AWD from TVS Kochi.

Fantastic.
How much is the waiting period these days??
Do haggle well for the goodies

And also do post your ownership review

[fusionbang]

Dhanush, Can you post some pics of your car interiors? Also can you let me know how are the beige interiors holding up? I am in a dilemma whether to go for a Silver or White XUV and your feedback on the beige interiors probably be a twist in the tale of my buying process I started considering white inspite of having beige interiors is because, it kind of gives you a premium look, isn't it

Also, any suggestions how easy it is to maintain the beige interiors down the line?

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

My owner and I are getting relocated to Goa within a couple of months and Mr D intend changing the registration to 'GA' once he reaches there.

Had a short interraction with a defense personnel at the KA RTO. He mentioned that KA RTO has stopped the provision for government employees to pay life tax for a single year, which has forced him to pay LTT and request for refund at the home state.

What about Mr.D? Did he go through the same trouble?

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by fusionbang

Dhanush, Can you post some pics of your car interiors?

I am sorry fusionbang. I do not have any latest interior pics at hand. Shall take some and upload soon.
A few pics of the ineteriors can be found in post # 8, page 1 of this report (the one which shows the 3D Kagu mats)

Originally Posted by fusionbang

Also can you let me know how are the beige interiors holding up? I am in a dilemma whether to go for a Silver or White XUV and your feedback on the beige interiors probably be a twist in the tale of my buying process I started considering white inspite of having beige interiors is because, it kind of gives you a premium look, isn't it

Also, any suggestions how easy it is to maintain the beige interiors down the line?

I had the same dilemma with colour. I was staunchly against having a beige interiors due to the main reason that I have two kids, both always clutched in the devil mode. (aged 6 and 4 yrs).
I contemplated Silver for a long while because it is almost as much a shade white and that it also came with black interiors. However, the home ministry was against silver. Ofcourse, then there are no questions asked after that.

We then homed on to white and Red. I already have a red Figo and knew very well how difficult it is to maintain that colour in its prime. The huge surface area of the vehicle also gave me only snares when I thought of it.

Atlast, with a promise of self discipline to keep the kids not so naughty within the car, we went in for white. Other than the beige interiors, White ticked all the boxes of my colour requirement.

On hindsight, I feel that I have made the right decision.
The leather beige interiors are holding up very well and is easy to clean too.
It is NOT a dirt magnet, contrary to what I had presumed it to be.
With just normal cleaning of the inside, the cabin holds up good and pretty.

You take the call.

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

He mentioned that KA RTO has stopped the provision for government employees to pay life tax for a single year, which has forced him to pay LTT and request for refund at the home state.

What about Mr.D? Did he go through the same trouble?

No buddy, Mr D did not have any issues regarding that.
The Life time tax is something which is impressed upon from state to state. I reckon it is pretty much a headache in Bangalore and also in Port Blair.

He hasn't yet shifted out to Goa. Shall update here if he faces any issues.

[fusionbang]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

On hindsight, I feel that I have made the right decision.
The leather beige interiors are holding up very well and is easy to clean too.
It is NOT a dirt magnet, contrary to what I had presumed it to be.
With just normal cleaning of the inside, the cabin holds up good and pretty.

You take the call.

Thanks Dhanush. Good to know you are not facing much issues with the beige interiors

Also, I am planning to check out the interiors in test drive vehicle's as it will be a white colored XUV across all showrooms. At least it will give me a fair amount of information as to what would be the worst case scenario with a beige interior.

[Blue Bird]

I know this is coming in pretty late sir , however my Official congratulations on Tbhp. Wishing you more smiles per miles. Now i need to get back to reading all the write ups of yours which I have opened up in the subsequent tabs.

[rav11stars]

these days I'm just reading threads and just living on. This is a very nice way of expressing something. Absolutely brilliant and I loved the composition of the snaps. I love the alloys on the Figo; They're similar to that of the Punto Scorpione.