Well, the 2015 Cricket World Cup is upon us and as we see the teams battle it out for the top prize we have to spare a thought for those who are the real enthusiast when it comes to cars. There are way too many of them in the Indian team itself but we will try and accommodate a few others too. So we picked a few who drive some brilliant cars.
Sachin Tendulkar: Nissan GT-R
Probably a no-brainer this, but everyone in the world knows about the master blaster's love for fast cars. His journey began with BMWs eventually graduating to Ferraris, however, his prized possession in todays day is the Nissan GT-R. A monster of a machine which was air freighted straight from Japan and landed on Indian shores in 2011.
The car which has a brutal soundtrack thanks to the 4.4-litre Twin turbo V6 engine which generates about 530bhp and each engine is handcrafted so technically the power that each engine churns out is different but around the 530 mark. 0-100 takes just 3.2 seconds if you use launch control and 3.8 if you don't. Top speed is rated at 300km/h but we are sure Sachin won't be able to do that in Mumbai traffic conditions.
Shane Warne: Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
Shane Warne might be the king of spin but he clearly wants to be the king of speed when it comes to his choice in cars. The Australian leg spinner owns a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. It's the first amongst the lightweight from Lamborghini and is built and bred for just one thing - performance.
Under the hood of the car is a 5.2-litre V10 engine which punches out 570 bhp and which is why it can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds. With a more determined lightweight design, a focus on high performance and a purist look, it marks the very pinnacle of the Gallardo family. So, is it safe to say then that he takes it out for a spin, then?
Virat Kohli: Audi R8 V10
He might be compared to Sachin Tendulkar and he welcomes the compliment paid to him every single time. He too, like Sachin, is all for German cars but where he differs in opinion is the brand. The batting sensation for India in the past couple of years, Virat Kohli, has been even able to woo Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma, so one has to give it him for the choices he has made. Well, for a car, he chose the Audi R8 V10.
The R8 V10 is a mid-engined Coupe and because of that there is a balanced distribution of axle load. The 5.2-litre V10 generates 541bhp and 540 Nm of torque. 0-100km.h is dealt in just 3.6 seconds and boasts of a top speed of 314km/h. The R8 V10 is a capable car both on the track and on the road which is what makes it extremely fun to drive.
It gets the S-tronic 7-speed dual clutch transmission which ensures that there is no lack of power when you stomp on the accelerator. Well, after reading what the car is capable of, it becomes clear why Kohli chose this one above the rest.
Suresh Raina: Porsche Boxster Limited Edition
The southpaw from the South has been the Mr. Reliable in the middle order and comes in handy when it comes to change in bowling strategy. Suresh Raina has proved time and again what a valuable player he is not only for the Indian cricket team but also for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
However simple he may look, his choice when it comes to cars is extremely sophisticated. During the IPL, he was seen at the wheel of his Porsche Boxster which was yellow dedicated to the team he was playing for. The Boxster gets a 3.4-litre flat 6 engine which develops 326bhp and comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch PDK. Extremely fast and one has to admit, that the Boxster is one of the most engaging cars in that Porsche line-up.
MS Dhoni: Ferrari 599 GTO
He is a self-confessed automobile lover but he has a fascination for fast bikes. However, that does not really allow him to shy away from having a fast car, does it? The captain of the Indian team who has been at the helm of affairs for quite a few years now has the unique distinction of having two World Cup trophies to his name the T20 and the one held in 2011.
While he might be known for his helicopter shot, he loves to fly flat out with something that is a bit of a driving sensation. Yes, Dhoni owns a Ferrari 599 GTO. This is a custom built GTO flaunting the Indian Tricolor Flag on the bonnet. Probably will be a one off as well.
For those who are not aware about this car: It is basically a road going version of the 599XX - a car that used to hold a Nurburgring lap record. Ferrari says that the 599 GTO is the fastest road car ever to be able to lap the Fiorano test circuit in 1 minute 24 seconds.
It gets a monstrous V12 engine which churns out 665bhp and develops 620 Nm. It can reach 100 km/h in less than 3.35 seconds and has a top speed of over 335 km/h. What else does one want?
