Standing in the pillar-less basement under Sachin Tendulkar’s house, you could be forgiven for thinking that the world’s greatest batsman’s first love isn’t cricket, but cars. Adorning the walls are framed pictures of some of his favourite cars, along with a blow-up of Michael Schumacher. Parked neatly to one side is a row of BMWs, each one of them freshly polished and gleaming. Sachin is a bit manic about ensuring that his cars look nothing less than pristine. He is known to give his cars the occasional shampoo himself, which he finds is a good way to unwind. “Yes, I am particular about my cars, I care about them and it means a lot to me how they look and how they are maintained. So even my drivers know that when it comes to my cars, they have to give me hundred per cent,” says Sachin.
What he’s most excited about right now is his latest acquisition, a BMW i8. “When I saw it in Mission Impossible, I told BMW that I’ve got to have this car. At that time, I was told it was just a concept, so when it became a production reality and was actually on the streets, I knew I had to get it. Then I remember our Autocar Track Day in London, when we drove many cars together, but you said I’ve got to drive the i8 to understand what handling is. Today I can compliment you for having recommended this car!” says a beaming Sachin, who’s all set to take me for a quick spin in the hybrid supercar.
Setting off from his Bandra residence, Sachin selects eDrive (full electric mode) and discreetly eases the i8 into the early morning traffic, which is building up fast. “It’s so silent, you can hardly hear the car. When I want to drive peacefully without being disturbed, or if I’m in my own world thinking about something, I like to drive it in this mode,” he says. The problem is, Sachin in an i8 is as discreet or inconspicuous as Katrina Kaif would be if she were to stick her head out of a sunroof on Marine Drive. It’s the stunning design of the i8 that first turns heads, and then, when they spot the driver, the crowds just go mad.
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