Autocar India

Me and my cars: Viraj Dhond

From owning a Mercedes SLK 55 AMG to his money-no-object dream car and motorsport heroes, Viraj Dhond shares his passion for cars.
1 min read14 Dec '25
Autocar India Team Autocar India Team
1K+ views
me and my cars viraj dhond

What are you driving and why?

I’m currently driving a Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG. It represents the best of both worlds – the power of an AMG and the pleasure of a convertible.

What’s next on your wish list?

Another purebred AMG like the ML 63 or the E 63.

The most fun you’ve had in a car?

At the recent Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally, while driving my SLK in the new coastal road tunnel.

Dream money-no-object car?

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

Who is your all-time greatest motorsport hero?

Michael Schumacher, because he’s the greatest of all time. 

Favourite road?

The derestricted Autobahn in Germany.

What’s on your automotive bucket list?

I want to do a road trip from Goa to other countries like Thailand or the UK.

What would you do with your last litre of fuel?

Go for a quick spin in my SLK on the beautiful beachfront road in Panjim, Goa. 

Your ideal 5-car / bike garage would be?

Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII, Range Rover SVR, Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, and Defender 90 5.0 V8.

What was your first car / bike?

My first car was a Maruti Esteem diesel, and my first bike was a Honda Activa.

Buying a used Maruti Baleno: What to look out for

Rs 7.3 Lakh will get you a range-topping Baleno MT with less than 20,000km.
3 min read14 Dec '25
Soham ThakurSoham Thakur
Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Nissan sub-4m MPV: What to expect

Nissan prepares a budget three-row MPV to rival the Triber.
2 min read14 Dec '25
Dhruv DhakaDhruv Dhaka
Nissan sub-4m MPV

New Kia Seltos: Missing features offered by rivals

Even though it is the most recent midsize SUV, it misses out on 6 essential features offered by its rivals.
2 min read13 Dec '25
Dipan SurDipan Sur
New Kia Seltos: missing features offered by rivals

New Kia Seltos: 5 improvements over its predecessor

Prices for the new Seltos are due to be announced on January 2; bookings are underway.
3 min read12 Dec '25
Saptarshi MondalSaptarshi Mondal
Kia Seltos 2026

How Maruti can make the Brezza facelift better to drive and more affordable

With the Brezza facelift, Maruti Suzuki can seize a classic ‘two birds, one stone’ opportunity.
4 min read12 Dec '25
Viraaj BhatnagarViraaj Bhatnagar
maruti suzuki brezza front tracking

Poll of the month

Which powertrain type makes the most sense for you right now?

Petrol
Diesel
Hybrid
EV
CNG
Flex-fuel
4235 votes20 days remaining

Upcoming Cars

Nissan Terrano
Nissan Terrano

₹ 40.00 - 45.00 Lakhs

Toyota Land Cruiser FJ
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ

₹ 30.00 - 35.00 Lakhs

Jeep SUV
Jeep SUV

₹ 15.00 - 20.00 Lakhs

JSW Motors Chery iCar V23
JSW Motors Chery iCar V23

₹ 17.00 - 20.00 Lakhs

Tata Avinya
Tata Avinya

₹ 35.00 - 40.00 Lakhs

Trending Cars

Maruti Suzuki Brezza
Maruti Suzuki Brezza

₹ 8.26 - 12.86 Lakhs

Kia Seltos
Kia Seltos

₹ 11.00 - 21.82 Lakhs

Maruti Suzuki Fronx
Maruti Suzuki Fronx

₹ 6.85 - 11.84 Lakhs

Hyundai Exter
Hyundai Exter

₹ 5.81 - 9.46 Lakhs

Latest Cars

Ferrari Amalfi Spider
Ferrari Amalfi Spider

₹ 4.60 Cr

Lexus ES Hybrid

₹ 66.10 - 71.80 Lakhs

Nissan Tekton
Nissan Tekton

₹ 10.49 - 18.59 Lakhs

Skoda Kodiaq RS
Skoda Kodiaq RS

₹ 66.99 Lakhs

Tata Sierra EV
Tata Sierra EV

₹ 18.79 - 25.99 Lakhs