Aston Martin DB9

The car that began one of the greatest comebacks in recent automotive history. The DB9 remains one of the world’s most desirable cars. Wipe the drool. Wipe it.

There's plenty of space for pilots in the front, and not so much in the rear, but who wants a mistress with children anyway? Makes for supreme fast-attack cruising, but the car feels big on back roads and you'll be forever stopping for fuel.

Some 470bhp makes for a 4.8 second 0-62mph time and 186mph if you've got enough room. The six-speed, paddle-override ZF auto is also supreme at making those shifts work for you and if that isn't enough, it sounds like it's doing 321kph when you start it up.

There's nothing like a bit of raw bamboo/teak/cherrywood to get the pulse racing and a pure crystal starter button is no bad thing when you're out to impress. Suffice to say the DB9 is a pretty special place to spend time. There have been gripes about some electrical issues, so it's not all a bed of roses, but overall the quality is where it should be: stratospheric.

The DB9 was conceived specifically as a GT and you should expect it to handle as such; there's a big V12 hanging out there at the front, so it shades to understeer when you really push. You can cure the tendency with a stab of throttle, but that's not really the point. A bit firm if we're being pedantic

If you want to look like a million dollars, then be prepared to pay for it. Low teens for mpg, huge group 20 insurance and standard (read hefty) depreciation now the sugar rush of newness has worn off the market make the DB9 an expensive car to own.

The price is $189,915 which makes 3 to 4 crores onroad.

Dodge VIPER gets a new Badge !!

Every generation of the Dodge Viper gets a new badge on the front. What's a bit weirder is they all have names too. First we had "Sneaky Pete", then there was "Fangs". And for the latest generation we have "Stryker".

Now, they all may sound like characters from Biker Mice from Mars, but they are a lot more menacing than three anthropomorphic mice motorcyclists. Stryker will take pride of place on the front of the new SRT Viper set to be unveiled this year at the New York Motor Show in April.

We don't know a lot about the new Viper apart from it's being produced by Dodge's high performance SRT arm. But according to Vince Galante, the man who must've watched a lot of snake documentaries as the designer of the logo, Stryker "has some lines that reflect the new Viper".

We're expecting to see the return of the raucous 600+bhp 8.7 litre monster V10 but with some added MultiAir technology when the covers come off. There are also rumors of an entry-level V8 Viper in the not-too distant future.

Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS Review

Finally after 10 years we have an all new Bajaj Pulsar, and thanks to its great looks it has made quite an impression from the launch day.

There's clearly no doubt that this is a handsome looking bike. Especially with the yellow paint job, the bike looks like Bumble Bee (from the Transformers films... not the insect) has traded its Chevy Camero exterior for the new Pulsar 200 NS (Naked Street). The dual tonality if the colors second that opinion. Speaking of Transformers, the headlight draws a face which looks like the Bumble Bee (again, not the insect) in battle mode.


The crouched stance, broad fuel tank and the high tail light add to the sporty look of the bike. It carries quite a few signature Pulsar styling elements with a whole lot of new ones and somehow it all fits very well together. What gets us bummed is the grim fact that this bike will get a ‘saree guard’ and a number plate smacked right on top of that beautiful headlight.    

The engine is an all new 199cc motor which shares some of its mechanics with the KTM Duke 200. It makes around 23bhp of power, 18Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. While riding it feels very refined and has a linear power delivery all across the rev-range. It is especially good in the low-end and mid-range where we kept the bike at 35-40kmh on sixth gear and the still it pulled effortlessly. Though we did not push the bike too hard we did manage to get to a 134kph on the straight section of the track. Stopping all that power is done by front and rear disc brakes made by Bybre (Indian arm of Brembo brakes, makes brakes for bikes below 600cc).


Riding the 200 NS is a simple affair, and though the bike might have a sporty stance it does not expect same from the rider, it is more commuter friendly than it looks. The overall seating position is fairly upright, which should be good to manoeuvre the bike in city traffic. The seat height is also higher and coupled with the short wheelbase, it gives better agility to the bike.

It does not shy away from corners, the NS 200 not only handles way better than the older Pulsar, it is right there with the likes of the Hondas and Yamahas. The only thing that we felt that could have been better on this bike is the set of tyres. Mind you, the tyres are good for daily commute but for enthusiast riding we would suggest an upgrade.

The Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS impresses in every way. It's not only miles ahead than the bike it replaces but it also has the performance to match the best bikes in the 200cc segment on sale today in India.