Job: Managing Director
From: India
Wheels: 2012 Fisker Karma
In the UAE: 17 years
Welcome to My Wheels, Parul. How did your passion for motoring begin?
Like most boys, I was very passionate about bikes and cars. In my teens, I was highly inclined towards bikes, but as I grew up that passion turned towards automobiles. The first car I bought was a red Mitsubishi Lancer and it felt so special that to me it was like driving a Ferrari! I try to change my ride every two years. I’ve owned a Range Rover Supercharged, Jeep SRT8, Nissan Patrol, Cadillac SRX, Toyota Fortuner and a Ford Explorer.
Right now, I have a BMW 7 Series, which is my daily driver, plus a 3 Series, Audi A4, Volkswagen Beetle, and probably the most eye-catching of them all, a Fisker Karma.
It looks great but it’s not the most obvious choice of car though..
It was love at first sight with the Karma. ?For a long time, I had been looking for something with a cutting-edge design but it had to have four doors. When I saw the Fisker Karma, it ticked all the right boxes; it had four doors, an incredible design, ample space and I love that the roof features a solar panel. I was considering the Bentley Continental GT, but it only had two-doors and in the end, I opted for the Karma and am so glad I did.
It is so much fun to drive. In fact, I just can’t describe in words the pleasure I get from it. It’s just amazing, exhilarating and wonderful, and although the plan was to drive it only on weekends, I am struggling to restrain myself to that at the moment!
It had you stumped when you first sat in it, right?
Yes, and it was a slightly embarrassing moment! I kept pressing the start button and wondered why it wouldn’t crank. I thought there was something wrong with it until the salesman sitting next to me said, “Sir, the car is on, it has no noise.” I was dumbfounded!
But while running, it produces a fake sound in the interest of pedestrian safety, so people can hear it coming.
Tell us about the drivetrain...
It’s powered by a pair of electric motors and it has an on board petrol engine, which acts as a generator.
It has two drive modes, Stealth and Sport. The first one allows me to maximise efficiency by running on battery power but even then it can reach 100kph from rest in around 8.0 seconds. In Sport mode, the petrol engine/generator kicks in and enables the 0-100kph dash to be completed in 6.0sec.
The ride is supple , however, this is a heavy car and the weight makes itself known when you hit the corners. But I don’t ever drive too fast, I prefer to cruise at 100kph. I guess the age has passed where I would want to drive much faster.
That’s OK, it’s a car that needs to be seen. How proud are you of it?
I am told that this is the first ever Fisker that was sold in Dubai so I am very proud to own this beautiful car. Whenever I drive it, I feel like I am a superstar as everyone stares my way as it glides down the road. Quite often, people roll down their windows to get a photo or to compliment me on it. But the car is the hero — I am just the supporting actor.
Anything you don’t like?
The car itself is fine however I am told that getting parts could be an issue and that they could take weeks before they are available here.
Let’s hope you don’t ever need too many. Finally, what’s the dream?
I made a vow to own each and every automobile brand before I die. This is why I prefer to change my cars so often. This dream may not have been possible back home, but in Dubai, I think it’s achievable. I also follow all the motor shows worldwide so, let’s see what’s next!
Got a hot ride? Email us at mywheels@gulfnews.com with a photo and description and you could be our next my wheels star!
