Snazzy cars, wine and cheese. Or to make an exception on this night, cheesecake. It doesn’t get more luxurious than that on a Friday night in Chennai. At the launch of a brand new Volvo showroom in the city on Cenotaph Road, conversations and carnatic melodies flowed freely. Punya Srinivas, popular for her veena experiments that often blend western classical influences, had everyone’s attention as she took the stage.
And of course, the highlight of the evening was the launch of Volvo’s S60 T6 Petrol in India, in association with Artemis Cars. With a plush leather steering wheel and seating, as well as piano back wood decor and LED daytime running lights, this baby is clearly an aspiration for many. And shopping at the expansive 14,000 sq feet showroom, which will be India’s biggest Volvo showroom once it is complete, is bound to be an experience in itself.
Owner of the franchise for South India, Nrithya Shetty who looked gorgeous draped in a rich blue sari for the occasion said, “Our first showroom in Chennai was launched at Express Avenue mall a couple of years ago. But shopping for a car in a mall is still a concept people are getting used to. And that’s how the idea for this location came into being.” Apart from the brand’s new model and stylised features, she points out, “One priority with Volvo has always been safety.” For those who aren’t car savvy, look out for unique features like ‘pedestrian airbags’ and an auto cycle alert that brakes for any object within a certain distance and reduces the risks of blind spots. “Of course, by that we mean objects above a certain height, like a cat for example, may not be as lucky!” she says.