autocar-logo
Delhi

Me and my cars: Yohan Poonawalla

We speak to Yohan Poonawalla, chairman, Poonawalla Group about his dream cars, his motorsport hero, his automotive bucket list and more.
1 min read3 Nov '24
Autocar India News Desk
Petrosexual, Yohan Poonawalla cars

What are you driving and why?

For my daily drives, I use the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Bentley Flying Spur, Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes-Maybach S 680 or the Land Rover Defender. I also love driving my Ferraris, like the 458 Speciale Aperta and 488 Pista Spider, depending on the place and occasion.

What’s next on your wish list?

A Ferrari Monza SP2.

The most fun you’ve had in a car?

Driving my 1964 Lincoln Continental convertible ‘Popemobile’ in the first ever Mille Miglia in the UAE, alongside some of the best and most iconic cars in the world. 

Favourite / Dream money no object car?

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé.

Who is your all-time greatest motorsport hero?

It would have to be both Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

Favourite road?

Along the Cote D’Azur in France and the Jebel Jais in the UAE.

What’s on your automotive bucket list?

Well, the list is endless!

What would you do with your last litre of fuel?

Put it in my favourite super car, the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta, with the top down and hear that multi-award winning engine scream down the Cote d’Azur.

Me and my cars: Yohan Poonawalla
Yohan also has a collection of vintage Rolls’.


Your ideal 5 car garage would be?

Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB with Privacy Suite

Bugatti Tourbillon

Ferrari Monza SP2 

Bentley Flying Spur W12 Speed 

Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Honestly, a 5-car garage is way too limited and a big compromise for me.

What was your first car?

A Mercedes-Benz 220 S (W111) , when I turned 18, which I still take to the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally.

Tatanagar armoured car: the first ever Tata vehicle driven

Did you know Tata helped make an armoured car – the Tatanagar – during World War II? Neither did we
5 min read2 Nov '24
Shapur Kotwal
Tatanagar - the first Tata car

Feature: Vintage car preservation masterclass

Pranlal Bhogilal became famous for being the most prolific collector of vintage cars in India
7 min read1 Nov '24
Shapur Kotwal
Feature: Vintage car preservation masterclass

Experience: Testing JK Tyre Levitas Ultra on a Mercedes E Class and BMW 6 Series GT

Homegrown tyre maker JK is foraying into higher, more premium segments and to do this, the company has developed a new set of tyres specifically meant for larger luxury cars and SUVs, from the Audi A3...
3 min read1 Nov '24
Rivan RS
JK Tyre Levitas Ultra tyres test at NATRAX

BYD eMax 7 vs e6: what's changed

BYD recently launched the eMax 7 electric MPV in India as a replacement to the e6, which marked the brand’s entry into the country back in 2021
2 min read29 Oct '24
Sahil Kukreja

Tata Harrier or Mahindra Thar Roxx: which is better for bad roads?

I love the mountains and discovering off-beat destinations and trails
1 min read29 Oct '24
Autocar India News Desk
Mahindra Thar Roxx, Tata Harrier
Rolls-Royce Phantom, Bentley Flying Spur, Land Rover Defender, Yohan Poonawalla cars, petrosexual - Introduction | Autocar India