COST BENEFIT

Should a private car buyer care about a CNG-equipped Tigor?

- Rivan RS

You know that thing that always happens when you state your profession and the immediate reaction is advice on said subject? The conversation goes something like this. ‘Oh you’re a doctor? Could you take a look at this discolouration on my arm?’ Or ‘Nice! You’re an auto journalist. You know, I’m thinking of buying a new car on a strict budget. What would you recommend?’ Just a couple of days ago, I had a conversation with a policeman that started almost exactly like this.

One of the hazards of driving a car around with a red number plate is that the police are more likely to pull you over at a blockade for a ‘random check’. I was driving the Tata Tigor iCNG on a circuitous route from the shoot to get a better feel of the car. As the papers were in order, I got ready to push the gear lever into first and depress the weighty clutch, and just then, a cop started walking towards me and motioned me to wait. My heart sank as I thought, ‘What now?’ The number of stars on his shoulder told me was high up in the food chain, though his question, asked earnestly, made me smile (not that he could see it behind my mask).

‘That’s the new CNG Tigor, isn’t it? I’m thinking of booking one for my daughter. She’s going to start travelling to college, and she should have something safe and cheap to take her there. Is it good? Should I get one?’ I told him that’s exactly what I was in the process of finding out. He asked me to take his number and let him know how it went.