Midnight Outrage

The New 718 Is Compact, Fast and Agile. Perfect for a Secret Delivery Across the City in the Dead of the Night, Then...

- Agasti Kaulgi

1:30am, Haji Bunder, Sewri, Mumbai. I’m in the new 718 Boxster with four cylinders lying flat in the engine, and a turbocharger attached to it; and a mission to complete. Although Haji bunder is no normal port of entry for the consignment that I have to take delivery of, and the barge you see in the pictures isn’t the sort of transport a small briefcase really needs. But this isn’t a run-of-the-mill delivery, nor is the cargo regular, and neither is the vehicle the cargo is going to be delivered in.

A special shipment of something really extraordinary is arriving in the country and I call this ‘special’ for two reasons: the value of the goods which all fit in one pocket is worth many times the new Porsche 718 Boxster, and because, in a very long time, India has not seen this sort of rocks –14 exquisite, rare solitaires. The special import has been organised for a gentleman who refuses to be named, and who not only has very deep pockets, but also has fine taste in cars. The mission for today, sort of hovers on the line between legal and illegal: delivery of diamonds from a port in the middle of the night to a designer famous across the world for intricate jewellery.

1:40am, a speedboat moors at Haji Bunder after the customs department paperwork is dealt with. A man, wearing a hoody, jumps to the shore, the tiredness of the journey he’s just made evident on his face. But what can also be seen in his body language, is the relief of delivering the consignment safely and on time. His job is done, now, mine starts.

The 718 Boxster has been picked for this mission for many reasons. Which includes its ability to change directions like a fly, and at the same time, to not wake up the neighbourhood and attract attention at a time when most of the city is asleep. Now, you must be muttering to yourself, “Sportscar, but not loud? Wait, how is that a good thing?”