Dicartomy

“The era of sedans is over”, screams Mahindra’s new ad even as a huge container from outer space mercilessly mashes an innocent white sedan meekly parked by the road-side much to the horror of the sapiens on the sidewalk. The Xylo is coming soon to obliterate all sedans or at least that is what it purports to do. But didn’t M&M just hail the arrival of their much hyped wide-bodied Renault-blooded sedan, Logan, a few winters ago?! Agreed Logan was still-born, but still, the last rites need not be so caddish. Do you perhaps reckon that the advertisement would have been craftier if Logans were actually scorching Indian asphalt? I feel bad for Renault, not because it launched an absolute dud of an oil burner housed in an even more uninspiring monocoque, much like the person who endorses the vehicle, lots of oomph but little substance (ok wimmin, don’t frown at moi) but for having partnered with the likes of M&M which seems to be cold-shouldering its now already attenuating French partner!

With a front grill that looks like an accessory rejected from a badly designed chariot made for Ben-Hur, I can’t seem to understand just what the honchos at M&M were up to when they saw how their supposedly Innova-beating baby (could actually happen you see, Indians have taken to the WagonR for gods-sake) looked head-on! We are on territory where “Pathetic” is synonymous with “Praiseworthy” as far as looks go (apologies, Xylo lovers) but the automobile itself seems to be endowed with intelligent interiors, good build quality and a nice engine, all of which are offered at an honest price. Can’t think of a better word than utilitarian notwithstanding the multi-functional display being touted as a fuel-conserving widget, hardy har har!

Xylo, my dear friends, is an MPV squarely built for Parveen Dabbas, not Aamir Khan.

And for Renault, let’s hope that Bajaj snubs you much more subtly and not with a campaign like "The era of small cars is over! Coming soon, Bajaj Tuk-Tuk"