SUV (sports utility vehicle). Article on DNA India Powerful, brattish, even stylish, this brute has become the pet horse(power) for boosting the family’s status. As salaries bloat and the economy booms, you might just hear the vrroom vrroom of SUVs in your neighbourhood.

No wonder sellers are smiling: already, over a dozen brands have launched in India in the last couple of years and half a dozen more are queuing up. Yes, the SUV craze is driving Mumbai nuts.

Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty says his Hummer H2 is a superride, not just for the four-wheel drive, power and comfort, but also for style and attitude. “SUVs are a luxury within themselves; they have sporty looks and loads of attitude. The Hummer is bigger compared to any other SUV and it makes a tremendous style statement. Even the looks are a killer; it’s all steel and iron.”

Vikram Pandya, director of Pandya Roadlines, who recently bought the Pajero, is in complete awe of the 2.8L 8- valve engine that drives the monster. “It’s macho to drive an SUV. If there’s a sedan around, I can always give that ‘I can throw you off the road’ look to the driver,” says Pandya.

Dilawar Nensey, joint managing director of Royal Palms, who possesses a Porsche Cayenne, says: “SUVs are very stable cars and perfect drives with higher ground clearance. You don’t have to be extra cautious while driving an SUV; in a sedan you always have the fear of someone scratching you.”

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