CHENNAI: Are you an auto-buff? If the deep-throated roar of an engine and the smell of burning rubber excite you, an auto show is the best place to be. Come November 5 and 6, the Chennai Trade Centre will be the site of the first edition of The New Indian Express’ Auto Expo, a two-day event that will showcase a range of new automobiles — from entry level hatchbacks and two-wheelers to the most luxurious models an Indian automobile fan can hope to own…or flaunt.
With representation from over 30 unique brands, including Honda Cars, Mahindra & Mahindra, Harley Davidson and homegrown auto design firm DC Design, the expo will provide visitors a unique opportunity to experience products most would not have the opportunity to, otherwise.
“The expo is not just an opportunity to check out models you want to buy. We’ve designed it so that visitors can experience high ticket luxury models from top automobile players,” pointed out a spokesperson for the expo.
The list of models an auto-buff would want to test drive, or even snap pictures with, are impressive. Besides, an entire range of Harley Davidson motorcycles, renowned Indian car designer Dilip Chhabria’s DC Design will be showcasing their flagship sports coupe — the DC Avanti. Also showcased, with many available for test drives, will be models from auto majors like Honda, Ford, Fiat and Tata Motors.
According to the organisers, many dealerships, including Lanson Toyota and Transcar, will be participating in the event. The opportunity to interact with dealers will also open visitors to discounts and other offers during this festival season.
Additionally, visitors will also have an opportunity to take part in contests and get discount vouchers for a wide range of auto accessories. Dealers will also provide finance and loan solutions, including EMIs, to visitors interested in purchasing a vehicle.
The event will also have parallel entertainment events, like a bike stunt show by a Chennai-based stunt crew and safety themed demonstrations. “We have a side theme of driver-oriented safety. It will emphasise the importance of safety measures that drivers themselves can take — the most basic of which are wearing helmets and seatbelts,” said the spokesperson.
The show will open at 10:30 am and close at 8 pm on both days and will be held in an exhibition area covering 15,000 square feet. Entry is free.
Offers
The expo will have several offers from manufacturers and dealers participating in the event. Offers that are available range from exchange offers for old vehicles and easy EMI deals for purchasing new ones. All visitors will also get a discount coupon book on entry, which they can use to avail discounts on purchases made with event partners.
DC Avanti
The guaranteed showstopper of the expo, the sports coupe DC Avanti is one of the most celebrated sports cars to come out of an Indian manufacturer’s fold. Unveiled in 2012 by DC Design, the Avanti is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing a whopping 250 bhp of power mated to a six-speed manual transmission. It costs `48 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
Rip roaring bike stunts
It isn’t enough to own a bike that can do 200 kmph. Pro Guyz Stunt Inc, who will perform eight one-hour long stunt demonstrations during the two days of the expo, do a lot more than just own their bikes. They ride them in every way imaginable. The team has proved itself in circuit racing, drag and street racing across India, and is now into freestyle street bike stunt riding. The demonstrations will showcase members of the team perform heart-stopping stunts on different kinds of motorcycles.