What got you interested in cars and driving?
I used to love sitting in the passenger seat on road trips with my parents and I'd pay extra attention watching my dad as he drove us around and changed gears. It always fascinated me.
I've been into cars ever since my childhood, but when I came to Dubai all my dreams of driving some of the best cars were fulfilled.
And what would they be?
I started off with a Chevrolet Cavalier but then moved on to a BMW 535i and a Ford Explorer.
I currently own a Dodge Charger, Jeep Wrangler Sahara, Ford Expedition and a Volkswagen Beetle that my wife drives.
And now, you are the proud owner of this fabulous Dodge Ram SRT-10. And it's not just any old Ram either, is it?
It's a very rare truck indeed. This is number 4 of 200 Commemorative Editions that were built in 2005. Perhaps it is the only one in the UAE.
I would say this is the ultimate boy's toy. It has tremendous power and is an absolute head-turner.
Is it just a head-turner, or is it actually enjoyable to drive?
It's in fact a great stress buster. Driving this beast at night on the empty highways with my son and dad is extremely enjoyable. They are always eager to accompany me for a ride in this particular car.
Do you drive it daily?
No, I drive it sparingly and when I do, it's with a lot of love and care. It is a great pleasure to man the steering wheel on any road, except off-road as this does not have AWD.
It's at its best on big, open roads and I always avoid congested and clogged areas or cramped car parks.
Smart move. How did you come across it?
I purchased it from a good friend of mine who had imported it from the US. It was in mint condition and had very low mileage and when he told me it was for sale, I just jumped at the opportunity to own this unique and wonderful machine. It's been mine now for just four months.
I must thank my sweet parents and loving wife for allowing me to fulfil my dreams by buying this truck.
It's got a beast of an engine under the bonnet, hasn't it?
It has an all-aluminium 8.3-litre V10 engine with a six-speed manual transmission. It gives you a lot of satisfaction to have over 500bhp and 700Nm of torque at your disposal. At the same time you have to be very careful and not get carried away as this machine can be dangerous in the wrong hands. As a matter of principle, I don't push it more than 100kph. But, at that speed, it provides more than enough enjoyment.
Tell us more...
It has performance anti-lock disc brakes and tuned shock absorbers, catchy electric blue stripes, 22in polished aluminium wheels with special Pirelli Scorpion Zero tyres. And to top it all off, it has an amazing exhaust system.
The interior boasts dual-zone AC, an amazing eight-speaker Infinity audio system, performance pedals and power seats with blue stitching and embroidered logos.
Must be hard to keep a low profile in this…
It sure is! It attracts a lot of attention and people often pose with it for photographs.
Finally, what's your dream car?
I have three — a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Porsche Carrera 4S and a Mercedes G55 AMG.
Bio
Name Ishan Laitu
Job Sales manager
From India
Wheels 2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Commemorative Edition
In the UAE 15 years
