Posted by Paul Handley on Fri 23rd December 2011 at 08:00 AM, Filed in Luxury Auto
The luxury industry in India has experienced an exponential growth with figures set to increase at a minimum rate of 25% per year, and when you consider the state of the world’s finances this figure is more impressive.
India can now be seen as one of the World’s most illustrious and emerging hyper-luxe destinations.
With India’s luxury market expected to touch a staggering $14.7 billion by 2015, Performance Cars are in the driving seat presenting Aston Martin’s most iconic sports cars with utmost exclusivity to its customers across India.
Mr. Lalit Choudary is Managing Director of Performance Cars (a division of Infinity Cars Private Ltd). Lalit saw the opportunity for luxury cars and products in India and established Infinity Cars Private Limited in 2006 with the dealership of BMW in Mumbai.
Having an exclusive deal with Aston Martin is an exciting prospect for Performance cars during this massive growth period.
Performance Cars’ Aston Martin dealership provides enthusiasts with a high-end boutique environment and the ability to custom specify the cars according to their preferences.
Aficionados of the brand can view and test-drive selected variants from Aston Martin’s entire range of V8 Vantage Coupe, V8 Vantage Roadster, V12 Vantage, DB9 Coupe, DB9 Volante, DBS Coupe, DBS Volante and the four-door sports car – Rapide, and in addition the newly launched V8 Vantage S, Virage and Zagato.
Lalit Choudary is a young business entrepreneur. He is a Graduate of IIM Calcutta and worked as an Investment Banker at Lehman Brothers for 8 years, based in Hong Kong for the most part. He relocated to India in 2006 to establish the India operations of the Bank.
On his part Mr. Lalit Choudary expressed, “Partnering with Aston Martin has offered Performance Cars an opportunity to bring one of the world’s most iconic brands to one of the world’s most discerning and fast growing markets. We have been pleased with the response we have had thus far and are confident about the brand’s growing success in India given the range of models, the comfortable ride quality the cars offer on our roads and the exclusivity they accord. With the launch of Aston Martin,Performance Cars is even keener to demonstrate its commitment to offer the latest automotive technology to its customers in India.”
Christmas is all about the giving rather than the receiving, right?
So why do we all still end up with dodgy jumpers, socks and hankies?! Maybe some inspiration is required…
Well how about something that the recipient will be overjoyed to receive and the memory of the gift will stay with them for all time?
And how about a gift that you can enjoy too? Lussorian has found the ultimate luxury Christmas gift package….Thrillax!
Rockingham Circuit has created the perfect package which combines all the adrenaline of the racetrack with the luxury surroundings of a four-star hotel.
Rockingham’s Thrillax is ideal for those who like to share their experience with others whether it is enjoying hospitality at the races, a relaxing evening in the glorious surroundings of Rushton Hall or having someone special providing moral support from the pit lane as you take part in two very different track activities.
The package does not exist anywhere else and is a unique and exclusive product to Rockingham. Thrillax combines a number of adrenalin experiences with a stay at a luxury hotel, which can be split into either four or three separate visits.
The Thrillax package is not designed purely for the ‘piston-head’ who wants to get ahead on the track but will also appeal to those who like the finer things in life. So break from tradition and send your other half to the spa while you set a lap record on track in their car!
Track Day Product
You don’t have to have a supercar to enjoy a Rockingham Track Day. Whether you have got a Reliant Robin or a Rolls Royce, you will be surprised by the variety of ordinary cars joining you on the same track used by some of the UK’s top motor racing drivers. It is not about what you drive, but the experience of mastering every corner and powering down the straights as you try to perfect your racing line.
Supercar Driving Experience
In partnership with The Racing School at Rockingham, the Supercar Driving Experience allows you to get behind the wheel of the red hot Ferrari, and test both your own and the car’s limit. The renowned Italian supercar has been adored by generations of families and will provide a totally different driving experience and require a new set of skills of those on the Track Day.
VIP Hospitality
The package includes two passes to one of the Rockingham VIP Hospitality suites where you will enjoy fine cuisine and all day refreshments while watching one of the Rockingham 2012 race events of your choice! This could include the British Touring Car Championships or one of the many other top British race meetings which Rockingham hosts. Get the chance to see how the professional racing drivers cut corners and stick to the Apex and compare it to your own experience on track.
Rushton Hall
Round your weekend off with a Sunday overnight stay with breakfast at the four-star Rushton Hall Hotel and Spa which is situated in the beautiful village of Rushton – just a short drive from Rockingham. To make the most of your stay why not take advantage of a 15 per cent discount offer and enjoy one of the luxury treatments at the hotel’s Stableyard Spa. The ability to relax while staying in the heart of the English countryside gives you the opportunity to unwind after an exhilarating day on the track.
The four-part experience has a retail value of over £560 and is on sale at the special introductory price of £399, a saving of nearly 30 per cent. Thrillax can be purchased online at rockingham.co.uk/thrillax.
Three years ago, Tata Motors unveiled the world’s cheapest car, the Tato Nano. At £1,300 the Tato Nano was billed as ‘the people’s car’ for India and after the launch, Tata Motors had an enviable waiting list.
Demand has dropped somewhat since. Safety issues (a number of cars have reportedly burst into flames) and consumer pride have been cited as reasons for the slump. It seems status is everything, owning a new car is paramount, owning a Nano is not.
So how about this for status? The Goldplus Nano takes the base level car and turns it into something….well, I don’t know really.
For 3 million quid, you get the £1300 Nano, with extras. The extras are extra special, but I do not think it makes the Nano anymore desirable! You could buy over 2300 standard Tato Nano’s for this, although I’m not sure what you could do with them!
Covered in 80kg of 22 carat gold and 15kg of silver, it will turn heads. It will also probably make those same heads hang in shame.
There has never been a better example of why ‘bling’ is so vulgar. Mutton dressed as lamb, it is never a good thing.
The Goldplus Nano doesn’t stop there though. It is also inlaid with 10,000 semi precious stones and gems.
With Tato’s drop in sales with the base level Nano’s, it’s a relief that the Goldplus Nano is a one off. This unique car is for promotional purposes only and will tour Tata owned jewellery stores across India.
The ‘people’s car’ of India may struggle to attract any buyers, with its £3 million price tag.
The Jaguar C-X75 Inspirations & Icons - a new short movie from dunhill's DAY 8
To celebrate the birth of the new Jaguar C-X75 Alfred Dunhill have filmed a short movie that links its inception to the legendary 1960’s icon - the Jaguar XJ13. The movie is a must for all car lovers everywhere.
The long lost 1960’s XJ13 was possibly Jaguar’s most stunningly beautiful design. Produced to compete (and surely win) Le Mans, it sadly never raced due to a change in competition rules.
Forget the e-Type, it is this Jaguar design that holds special with the Jaguar manufacturers. There was only one XJ13 ever made.
dunhill’s new movie is yet another inspiring black and white affair, harking back to the Iconic XJ13, which is now the inspiration behind a modern interpretation – the state of the art C-X75.
The film is beautifully shot and captures the inspiration and design methods for this superb machine. The C-X75 is a lovely looking car, its performance isn't too bad either! It is propelled by a combination of four electric generators, two jet turbines and a diesel engine making it very fast and extremely efficient.
The C-X75 is the perfect successor to the most beautiful Jaguar ever made. Combining modern engineering and design with the aesthetic delights of the XJ13, this is Jaguar’s chance to re live the glamour of the 1960’s in today’s modern world.
This movie is part of dunhill’s DAY 8. DAY 8 lives on
dunhill.com and as an iPad app. DAY 8 is collection of the best cool content that the web has to offer, it's one of my favourite destinations online.
You can view the inspiring film
HERE, and I urge you to. It is fascinating stuff.
On 1st March, Rolls Royce unveiled their new model at the Geneva Motor Show 2011.
The 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric (EE) is the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury sector.
Continuing the Rolls Royce tradition, this experimental version will be used to gauge reaction and opinions of a range of stakeholders including owners, enthusiasts, members of the public and the media.
This is more than just an electrical luxury car, it has to be the way forward.
Added extras include a special paint job - Atlantic Chrome, 16 coats of a highly reflective paint giving a wet impression to the car.
The interior is swathed in Seton Corinova, an experimental vegetable-tanned leather that accentuates the curves and creases of the leather.
The car is powered by the largest passenger car battery in the world.
The 102EX will have a top speed of 100mph and a 0-60mph time of under eight seconds
There are no plans to build a production version of this car, but this is a significant direction for Rolls-Royce.
It will be interesting to see if the 102EX is deemed an acceptable compromise for the purists in the luxury car sector….We hope so.
