CBUs of the Year

CBU Sportscar of the Year: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

With 6.3 litres and 571 PS under that long hood, there is little doubt as to why the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has been crowned the Sports CBU of the year. The only other sports car competing with this monster was the 370Z which looks and feels rather meek when placed besides this engineering marvel from Stuttgart. From the moment the big red Merc was unloaded from the truck it became the cynosure of all eyes with everyone rushed to have a look - and who can blame them! The most distinctive aspect of the SLS' appearance is, of course, its roof-hinged gullwing doors, an homage to the iconic 300SL Gullwing and with both doors open it looks nothing short of a flight of fantasy.

Pressing the starter awakens the monster within and the naturally aspirated 6.3 litre V8 thunders to life. 571 PS @ 6800 rpm and an earth rotating 650 Nm of torque which is available 4750 rpm, the SLS breaks the ton barrier in under 3.8 seconds and go on to achieve a top speed of 317 km/h and its not just in a straight line that the SLS impresses. Corners are attacked and destroyed with equal verve and the car is totally at home on the best of circuits.  And to top it all off, it's practical as well. Lots of stowage places on the inside and a very decent 176 litre boot means the shopping or golf bags will not interrupt the occupants. Crazy fast, looks to die for coupled with a dose of practicality thrown in as well, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is undoubtedly one of Stuttgart's finest.

CBU Sedan of the Year: Jaguar XF

It may have taken the involvement of one Tata Motors, but the Jaguar has arrived and how. After years of Teutonic domination in the luxury sedan segment, Jaguar has finally set its paws on Indian shores. Battling the Jag was the Mercedes-Benz E-Coupe which is another fine example of Teutonic brilliance. The Jag however stands out from the crowd by providing a pretty unique motoring experience. The jury was simply bowled over by the swoopy lines, those brilliant headlights and that big imposing grille.

The money shot however lies in the interiors. The drama that follows after you hit the start button simply leaves you mesmerized. The way the aircon vents and the rotary gear selector knob slide into action is almost like an invitation to drive this beautiful beast. As if the noise from the 5.0 litre V8 wasn't enough, there is the brilliant 9-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system which is like a live band playing inside the car. Thanks to the CBU option, the Jag is loaded to the brim with goodies like Vision Package accessories, Bi xenon levelling headlamps, cooled and heated seats, leather trimmed door and dash with wooden choices, and keyless entry and ignition and then some. Under the hood there is a choice of a 3.0 litre diesel, 5.0 litre naturally aspirated petrol and the thunderous 5.0 litre super charged V8. As far as the Best CBU Sedan of the Year is concerned, this Big Cat has definitely marked its territory there.

The CBU SUV segment saw a whole lot of action this year and it was a tough task for the jury to pick the best amongst this already fine lot. The nominees included the Land Rover Freelander 2, Mercedes Benz GL 350 CDI, Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz R-class and the Land Cruiser Prado. So the why the Cayenne you ask? Well the new Cayenne has hit the sweet spot ever since its launch and gives everything that you could ask from an SUV. Design wise, the second generation Cayenne has come out far prettier and less aggressive than the original. While it may not look as intimidating as some of its above mentioned rivals it is definitely one of the hottest looking car in its class. The new Cayenne has been put through a rigorous diet as well and the Cayenne Turbo has lost a good 185 kilograms between generations - and the weight loss shows in corners with superb agility.

The interiors of the previous car were good, but the new car is even better. Loaded with the latest technology and oozing quality, the insides of the new Cayenne look like a million dollars. Under the hood there is a V6 diesel, V6 petrol, a Hybrid, the V8 and finally the Turbo which simply obliterates many so called sports cars. While the Cayenne might not look like an absolute off-roader and does not possess a low range transfer box, it makes good use of its 8-speed transmission and clever electronic management to ensure impressive off-road ability. Not a surprise why the Cayenne takes home the Best CBU SUV of the year title then.