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An MEDIA MARKETING SUPPLEMENT Mon to Fri, 10pm Starts 22nd October

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Cars, as we know, them are for the daily commute and transportation. But for a few committed drivers, cars are much more than that. They are a style statement and a way of life. Supercars are for those who don’t just like driving but swear by the experience it gives them. The thrill with which the four-wheeled beasts vroom past 60 mph in a matter of seconds can't be described. Therefore, to capture the essence of what it takes to worship the cars that are beyond the normal we spoke to people who drive them and are privy to the experience that driving a supercar offers. Talking about these mean machines, brought to the fore not just their passion for all good things in life that they enjoy but their passion to live life as they desire. While some of the supercar fanatics drool over the latest , others fall for the Rolls Royce Phantom.

The definition of a supercar, many say, is subject to debate. For some it's the uber luxury that the vehicle offers while for others the sporty looks and the consequent adulation are what takes the cake away. As is evident from varying viewpoints and loyalties, there might not exist a common ground to judge a supercar. It can either be the plush interiors that flatters those who drive it, the adrenaline rush that it gives while accelerating from zilch to beyond 200 mph in no time, the unmatched new age looks or the novelty of being one-of-its kind or a combination of them all.

With technological advancement, supercars are no longer relegated to literature, comic strips or Hollywood films but are seen, driven and admired on the roads. Car-makers are also not leaving any stone unturned to assuage the desires of the hearts which long to own the latest super performer in the stable. Supercars are not just symbols of crude money power at play but also symbolise a passion and zeal for the best that the world has on offer. This special supplement on Supercars not just demystifies the concept that has driven past many hearts and pockets, but also brings to light, what works and what does not.

By Ankit Bhatnagar [email protected] KEERTAN ADYANTHAYA MANAGING DIRECTOR, FOX INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL, INDIA

1. Which was your first car? TATA Sierra.

2. What is your current car? Skoda Yeti.

3. What is your dream car or the car you really admire? FJ Cruiser.

4. What is the most important difference your car makes to you? As you’ll notice from the above, I’m more into SUVs than cars. They allow me to make my own road.

5. Do you enjoy long drives? Any favourite or memorable road trips? I absolutely love road trips. In fact, that’s my favourite form of travel. I remember a road trip from Mumbai to Jaisalmer via Jodhpur, Udaipur and back to Mumbai which was just fantastic and also a road trip from Delhi to Leh which was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The thing I like about road trips is the varying visual landscapes that you get to see across India and also the local food that you get to taste along the road. LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR

IN 2011, ALMOST A DECADE SINCE THE RELEASE OF ITS LAST FLAGSHIP MODEL, THE MURCIELAGO, LAMBORGHINI LAUNCHED ITS LATEST CREATION - THE AVENTADOR. WITH A TOP-SPEED OF 350 KMH AND IMPROVED HANDLING, IT'S A SYMBOL OF A NEW ERA FOR LAMBORGHINI. MEGAFACTORIES VISITS ITS FACTORY IN NORTHERN , TO FOLLOW THE STORY OF ITS CREATION FROM CONCEPTION TO LAUNCH AND TO WITNESS AN INCREDIBLE PRODUCTION PROCESS, FROM THE BRAND-NEW 5,400 SQUARE FT FACILITY, DEVOTED ENTIRELY TO THE CREATION OF THE AVENTADOR'S REVOLUTIONARY FULL CARBON-FIBRE MONOCOQUE, TO THE ASSEMBLY LINE, WHERE HIGHLY SKILLED MECHANICS WORK ALONGSIDE STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT TO PRODUCE FOUR OF THESE SUPERCARS EVERY DAY. DEBARPITA BANERJEE VP, MARKETING, FOX INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL, INDIA

1. Which was your first car? Maruti Zen Vxi.

2. What is your current car? Verna Fluidic.

3. What is your dream car or the car you really admire? I do not have a dream car. But I have always admired the VW Beetle for its funk quotient. I would love to drive one around town. In larger cars, I have always liked the original concept of Jeep, especially the way the Wrangler is built with a miniature pick-up truck feel to it. I would love to travel long distances in one of these.

4. What is the most important difference your car makes to you? It still fulfills a pretty basic desire- allows me to be impulsive when I want to. And tops it up with a very smooth finish.

5. Do you enjoy long drives? Any favourite or memorable road trips? A friend was driving down his Qualis diesel from Delhi to Bangalore once and was looking for a co- driver. And I happily jumped in. We drove non stop for 44 hours- Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat,Maharashtra and then into the Deccan plateau and Hubli, making it to Bangalore. I think it was 2500 kms or more. Awesome experience, lots to see on the road, great night time driving, and forever changing roadside food. And yes, what a sturdy vehicle. The cherry on the cake, road-side for sure. BMW X-3

BMW HAS MOVED PRODUCTION OF ONE OF THEIR MOST POPULAR CARS, THE X3, TO THE SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA BMW FACILITY. TO KEEP UP WITH THE HEAVY DEMAND, THE SOUTH CAROLINA FACTORY INCREASED PRODUCTION BY 50%, HIRED 1,000 NEW WORKERS AND PURCHASED 300 ADDITIONAL ROBOTS, ADDING OVER A MILLION SQUARE FEET, AND EVEN BUILT AN ECO FRIENDLY PAINTING FACILITY THAT IS POWERED BY THE METHANE GAS EMITTED FROM A LOCAL LANDFILL SITE. JOIN ULTIMATE FACTORIES AS WE TAKE YOU BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE PRODUCTION OF THIS "ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE." SAM BALSARA CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, MADISON WORLD

1. Which was your first car? Fiat 1956 model (with rounded back)!

2. What is your current car? Jaguar.

3. What is your dream car or the car you really admire? Nothing really.

4. What is the most important difference your car makes to you? It should be comfortable spacious and reliable. Then she is my friend.

5. Do you enjoy long drives? Any favourite or memorable road trips? Not really. One 3-4 week trip I vaguely remember was in my dad’s Vanguard when we went from Bombay to Simla, visiting so many places on the way. It was called going on a ‘tour’ then. ASTON MARTIN ASTONISHED THE INTERNATIONAL AUTO INDUSTRY BY CREATING A MILLION-POUND PRODUCTION CAR - AT THE HEIGHT OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS. WITH UNPRECEDENTED FILMING ACCESS, OVER 3 YEARS, TO THE COMPANY'S SECRETIVE DESIGN AND BUILD PROCESS, THIS UNIQUE EPISODE OF MEGA FACTORIES FOLLOWS EVERY DRAMATIC STEP - FROM CONCEPTION TO LAUNCH - IN THE CREATION OF THE AMAZING ASTON MARTIN ONE-77. WE POSE THE QUESTION: HOW COULD ASTON MARTIN EVER SUCCEED? AFTER ALL, THE COMPANY WAS ASKING CUSTOMERS TO PAY AN INCREDIBLE £1 MILLION PER A CAR, WHILE ECONOMIC EXPERTS CONTEMPLATED THE COLLAPSE OF WORLD MARKETS. WOULD THE ONE-77 EVER MAKE IT TO FULL PRODUCTION? HOW WOULD THE PRESS REACT TO A CAR PRESENTED AS AN 'ART FORM?' AND WOULD ANY ONE-77S EVER BE BOUGHT, IN A WORLD WHERE AUSTERITY WAS RIFE? SAMEER SHAH DIRECTOR – BRAND MARKETING, HARMAN INTERNATIONAL

1. Which was your first car? My first car was actually the Maruti Gypsy which I bought in 1998. I, of course, went on to remove the roof and the doors and used to drive around with the windshield down.

2. What is your current car? I drive a Honda Civic now, and as I work for the world’s largest audio company, Harman , it’s fitted with the latest state-of- the-art speakers, amps and subwoofer.

3. What is your dream car or the car you really admire? There is no one car, it’s more like dream cars! The Koenigsegg Agera R, the Huayra, Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse… I could go on forever! Bleeding edge design meets sheer power and performance.

4. What is the most important difference your car makes to you? It gives me a sense of freedom.

5. Do you enjoy long drives? Any favourite or memorable road trips? I love going on long drives. The most memorable being the first one I took - Dehradun in Uttrakhand to Siliguri in West Bengal, almost 1500 kms. in the gypsy. It was awesome! JAGUAR XJ

HOW DO YOU IMPROVE ON 75 YEARS OF CLASSIC AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY? ENTER THE JAGUAR MEGA FACTORY IN CASTLE BROMWICH, ENGLAND AS WE UNCOVER THE DESIGN SECRETS THAT GAVE LIFE TO THE NEW XJ. A LIGHTER, YET STRONGER CAR MADE WITH AEROSPACE INFLUENCED ALUMINUM SPACE FRAME TECHNOLOGY. SRIRAM SHARMA VP, STARCOM AND HEAD – TEAM SAMSUNG, STARCOM MEDIAVEST

1. Which was your first car? Maruti 800.

2. What is your current car? Honda City.

3. What is your dream car or the car you really admire? BMW.

4. What is the most important difference your car makes to you? Gives me peace while listening to music. Time to introspect.

5. Do you enjoy long drives? Any favourite or memorable road trips? Lots of road trips. One that certainly stands out is a Karnataka - Goa road trip. The route that I took was Bangalore to Hampi to Hubli to Goa. Stayed-over in Goa, reached Bangalore back through Karwar, Gokarna, Udupi, Mangalore, Hassan and Bangalore. KOENIGSEGG: THE SWEDISH SUPER CAR ADORED BY MANY AND OWNED BY A FEW, KOENIGSEGG HAS DEFINITELY HIT THE STREETS TO QUICKLY BECOME ONE OF THE GREATEST HYPER CARS IN THE WORLD. EACH CAR IS LOVINGLY HAND BUILT IN THE SWEDISH FACTORY THAT LOOKS MORE LIKE AN ART STUDIO THAN A CAR PRODUCTION PLANT. ENTER THE KOENIGSEGG MEGA-FACTORY AND DISCOVER WHAT IT TAKES TO CREATE ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL CARS IN THE WORLD. RAJIT DESAI VP, LODESTAR UNIVERSAL

1. Which was your first car? Tata Indica.

2. What is your current car? Honda City.

3. What is your dream car or the car you really admire? BMW / Mercedes Cabriolet.

4. What is the most important difference your car makes to you? Makes me feel good about driving.

5. Do you enjoy long drives? Any favourite or memorable road trips? Yes. A drive to Goa. Haven’t driven much in the hills, but want to. FF

A RARE LOOK INSIDE THE FERRARI FACTORY WHERE THEY ARE BUILDING THE NEW FF, THE FIRST FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE FERRARI WITH FOUR FULL-SIZED SEATS. THE FF'S 12-CYLINDER ENGINE IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL ENGINES EVER BUILT AT THE FACTORY IN MARANELLO, AT 651 HORSEPOWER. THE ENGINE BLOCK IS ACTUALLY CAST THERE AND MUST GO THROUGH MULTIPLE QUALITY CHECKS BEFORE IT'S READY TO JOIN THE FINAL ASSEMBLY LINE. KARTHIK LAKSHMINARAYANAN COO, CREST

1. What is your favourite super car and why?

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, for looks and design!

2. What car do you drive at present?

Toyota Corolla Altis V - Automatic 1.8.

3. What is that one super car that you aspire to own one day?

Ferrari

4. What's your take on speed and cars?

Speed thrills but also kills. Drive safely.

MERCEDES OVERHAUL AT THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TRUCK PLANT, ONE OF MOTOR MANUFACTURING'S OLDEST COMPANIES FACES THE CHALLENGE OF GEARING UP FOR THE FUTURE. MERCEDES-BENZ IS TAKING A GOOD THING - THE WORLD'S BEST TRUCK - AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE IT EVEN BETTER. TO COMPOUND THE CHALLENGE, EACH TRUCK IS CUSTOM MADE TO THE CUSTOMER'S DEMANDS - THE SUPREME TEST OF EFFICIENCY FOR A MEGA FACTORY THAT ROLLS OUT ONE TRUCK EVERY TWO MINUTES. THE NEW VERSION OF THE ACTROS WAS EIGHT YEARS IN DEVELOPMENT. THE WHOLE TIME, IT WAS KEPT UNDER WRAPS FROM PRYING EYES - UNTIL NOW.... SECRECY. CAMOUFLAGE. FANATICISM. WHO KNEW BUILDING A TRUCK COULD BE SO DRAMATIC? RAJAT GANDHI INDIA HEAD - SVP, ZED DIGITAL

1. Which was your first car? Maruti 800.

2. What is your current car? Honda City.

3. What is your dream car or the car you really admire? None in particular, few of them - BMW, Land Rover, Jeep, Ferrari, .

4. What is the most important difference your car makes to you? It gives me freedom.

5. Do you enjoy long drives? Any favourite or memorable road trips? Yes. Love long drives. Favourite road trip - Delhi to Leh and LA to Grand Canyon. FORD F-150

THE FORD F150 IS BUILT INSIDE ONE OF THE COMPANY'S MOST MODERN PRODUCTION FACILITIES -THE DEARBORN TRUCK PLANT IN MICHIGAN. THE FACILITY HAS THREE MAIN BUILDINGS: THE BODY SHOP, THE PAINT SHOP, AND THE FINAL ASSEMBLY LINE. THE PLANT IS BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP TO MAXIMISE EFFICIENCY AND A NEW F150 ROLLS OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE EVERY MINUTE. IT IS A REMARKABLE FEAT SINCE THE DEARBORN TRUCK PLANT MANUFACTURES TEN OF THE ELEVEN F150 MODELS. THE ELEVEN DIFFERENT MODELS OF THE TRUCK CAN BE ORDERED IN OVER 500,000 DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS OF CABS, BEDS, ENGINES AND COLOURS ETC. S. YESUDAS MANAGING DIRECTOR – INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT, VIZEUM

1. Which was your first car? A six-year-old, second-hand Blue Colour Maruti 800. It was quite a bit of excitement sitting in the first owned car. I drove it with my wife to Flora Restaurant at Worli for dinner that night. I had just got my license and still remember the stress when the car had to be stopped at awkward positions with other vehicles tailing behind you

2. What is your current car? I currently own a BMW, having progressed to it through a good journey from Maruti 800 to Zen to Lancer to Ceilo to Toyota Corolla (during my stint in East Africa – company owned) to Honda CRV (in Indonesia - company rented) to Honda City (back in India – company owned) to Honda Civic and finally got myself the BMW last year.

3. What is your dream car or the car you really admire? BMW, indeed. A dream of many years. I’m quite happy with the possession.

4. What is the most important difference your car makes to you? Do you enjoy long drives? Any favourite or memorable road trips? My current car is a big stress reliever for me. When I get behind the wheel and the music comes on, I can forget stress, completely. The car is awesome to drive. I do make my driver sit beside me and get on the wheels, as often as possible. There have been times, I have gotten out of office and taken the car for a spin either to Marine Drive or to Worli Sea Face, Mumbai – though a very short drive from the Office – and come back quite refreshed. While I have gone on longer trips, the most memorable one is the drive home to Chembur on the day of the delivery, from the dealer’s premises at Andheri. It was a dream come true feeling! I think most marketers lose a big opportunity in capturing such feelings! CORVETTE ZR1

A RARE LOOK INSIDE THE CORVETTE MEGA FACTORY WHICH PRODUCES THE ZR1-A GENUINE AMERICAN SUPERCAR. IT IS THE FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL, AND MOST EXPENSIVE CORVETTE EVER BUILT AND IT CAN COMPETE AGAINST THE BEST THAT EUROPE HAS TO OFFER. SANJAY GUPTA DGM – MARKETING, TOYOTA KIRLOSKAR MOTORS

1. Which was your first car? Maruti 800.

2. What is your current car? Toyota Corolla Altis.

3. What is your dream car or the car you really admire? sports model LFA.

4. What is the most important difference your car makes to you? It brings out my inner self.

5. Do you enjoy long drives? Yes.

6. Any favourite or memorable road trips? Bangalore to Coorg, Delhi to Shimla.

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