Oct 11, 2002 11:48 PM
4420 Views
(Updated Oct 11, 2002 11:51 PM)
IKON... the name itself means something special, an icon is according to the dictionary an image or a representation, its a representation of what we would like to have in a car.Fast. Peppy. Full of JOSH. Too young to buy a car of my own, means that what I write here today is from the experience of having driven my Dad's IKON (my dad owns a 1.3 ltr IKON CLXI) and let me tell all you aspiring car buyers out there IF YOU GOT THE MOOLAH THIS IS THE CAR FOR YOU
Let me explain why I say this:
Our IKON is a 1.5 yrs old and has not given us any problems till date. The engines in any of the versions of these cars are possibly the best in the middle category (cars in the range of 5 to 7 lakhs). It has absolutely unbeatable pickup (I just love revving the engine, aha what a soothing sound it is :) ). The official description states that the Ikon can touch a max. speed of 165 kmph and let me tell you that this is most true, both me and my bro have touched the above mentioned speed on some of the better stretches of our Indian Highways.
We went all the way to Orissa recently in our car and I swear this is the truth, prior to leaving my dad got the car serviced, then for 3600 kms it didnt see a service station and it was driven at an avg. speed of about 90 kmph and we didnt have a single problem not even a tyre blowup ( boy we were all very impressed, tell me a car that can do this!!!).
Interiors
The IKON has pretty spacious interiors and good leg room for even the very tall (which I, unfortunately am not :( ). The power steering comes standard with all models, but if theres a problem in the Ikon then its the fact that you have to fight tooth and nail to get any extra peripherals fitted free of charge, and the bloody spare parts are soooo expensive (thats where they make all their money).
The seats are pretty comfortable and seat belts are standard on both front and back seats. The company music system is pretty lousy (Kenwood though it might be, but I have a very low opinion of it).
Exteriors
If ever one had to complain about an intrinsic feature of the Ikon it would have to be about the shape of its rear end. Thats where it really loses out to the Accent. Its looks dont really compare to the Accent, City, Baleno, Lancer (though the last 3 are in a higher price range).
Still the Ikon has a very sturdy body and has seamless body panelling, and the paint job is of international quality and the Ikon can stand beside any imported car and not look like it has a tacky paint job.
Conclusion
I'll restate my earlier statement, if its ride comfort, genuine pleasure in driving, and if you have the moolah to afford it then there is no better car in this segment and even in the higher segment only the City beats it in pure performance.
This is quite easily one of my fav. cars on Indian roads today
