Chrome bumpers from 1960 next to MotoGP-inspired winglets from 2022 might just be the greatest definition of the word ‘contrast’. And that word is the only reason why you see these spectacularly different machines together on these pages. That, and the fact that I wanted to annoy ex-boss Srinivas Krishnan into waking up early and driving his bright green Beetle halfway across town so that we could annoy him even more with our well-timed jibes. His grumpiness is also a perfect contrast to his cheerful not-so-daily driver. Too bad I didn’t take him for a ride on the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S. Then again, the Italian brute had a pillion seat the size of my palm, so it probably wasn’t a wholly realistic prospect to begin with.
Anyway, what began with Hitler’s baby, the Beetle, grew into a global juggernaut that eventually bought Ducati which then made the Streetfighter V4 S. The entire world’s technological progress after the last great war is contained between these two machines. It’s almost mind-boggling to think that Srini’s retina-imprinting Beetle came 22 years after the first one, and then the model went on for another 43 years — a 65-year run that flew in the face of planned obsolescence. Quite brilliant, I say, and I must add the cliche that they certainly don’t make them like that anymore. Pity. They still should have.
Denne historien er fra April 2022-utgaven av Motoring World.
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Denne historien er fra April 2022-utgaven av Motoring World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ELECTRIC VANILLA
It has everything that makes a regular EV, but does it stand out amongst everything out there?
HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE!
Just about everything you want in a rider-friendly dirtbike, now in a street-legal avatar!
THREE'S A CROWD?
The third 125cc bike in the Pulsar lineup the N125 will disagree
CARNIVAL CRUISE
The Carnival is back in town, and it's looking to make a statement. Let's see if the higher price tag brings added value and luxur
CLASSICAL ROMANCE
Much more of the same cannot be a bad thing... right? Right?
ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS
The new E-Class betters what it's always been good at being an office on wheels
MPV OR MVP?
An electric rival to the Innova? Or does it redefine the segment?
PAW PATROL
Experience the charm of open-air cruising with the sleek new Mercedes-Benz CLE
SLIDE WHIPS
Want to burn rubber and make doughnuts? Here's the recipe!
AN ORANGE SURPRISE
This Basanti will dance, jump, and sing through a titanium exhaust, just for you