Born for the fast lane

The world's fastest, most-powerful and expensive car, Bugatti Veyron, vroomed into the Indian market last week. Now we wonder how this car will be able to negotiate our roads.

The world's fastest, most-powerful and expensive car, Bugatti Veyron, vroomed into the Indian market last week. Now we wonder how this car will be able to negotiate our roads.

HT Image

It is all very fine in James Bond movies for the sexy gunslinger to race around at 400 kmph but here even half that will ensure that you will be mowing down several passing people and livestock.

The car may run foul of environmentalists with its excessive gas guzzling but that will not stop the rich and famous from buying this latest accessory. There is no doubt how much of a love affair Indians have with cars. It was not long ago that over a 100 Mercedes cars were bought in a single day in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Now many among us less fortunate may prefer our trusty little cars which can weave around on the roads. But with the rash of luxury cars coming into the market, all we can hope is that there will be greater pressure to build better roads. The fabled Bugatti actually attracts tourists in France who can watch personalised cars being handcrafted.

But at Rs 16 crore, be assured that we will have to be content with writing about the Bugatti and are not likely to be driving it home any time soon. And since the car is rumoured to accelerate faster than an aircraft, we also don't want to be fined for flying too low. But emerging superpowers need things commensurate with their status, and a Bugatti or two in the garage does signal that you have arrived.