Bike of the Year: Yamaha YZF-R15
Yamaha’s YZF-R15 should have won this award with greater ease. Full credit for Yamaha for making it hard on the R15 with the excellent FZ16. But where the FZ16 is a quick, stylish and capable commuter, the YZF-R15 represents a big step forward for Indian motorcycling. Every single part of the motorcycle, for instance, is there for a purpose. The technology laden engine - liquid cooling, four valves and more, the slick mini-R1 fairing, proper big bike looks and a full set of features don’t even begin to give you perspective on why the R15 is such an important motorcycle. You see, this Yamaha breaks the commuter stranglehold and redefines Indian motorcycling. All of the little details add up to create a fantastic motorcycle that is highly attuned to its purpose. Meet India’s first production sportsbike. We’re not kidding. We might have R1s and its ilk on sale in the country, but it is this motorcycle that will bring the joy and intensity of sports motorcycling to a wider audience. Cynics who have dismissed the ‘normal’ displacement of the Yamaha’s motor have had to eat their words as the effortless Yamaha with its fluent dynamic ability disappeared into the distance ahead of competitors with larger engines and even larger reputations. UV of the Year: Chevrolet Captiva
General Motors did the smart thing by launching the Captiva in India. You see, the closest diesel SUV, price-wise, to the butch Captiva is a fair distance away. The strong engine powers an impressive looking, generously sized SUV that seats seven easily, offers the gamut of in-cabin features and goes about town with an effortless, plush feel that is just right for our urbana. The packaging is smart and the choice of only two-wheel drive reinforces the role clarity of the Captiva. It is meant to be a slick SUV for urban India, and in that role, it’s nigh-on perfect.
|
