Unlike in the developed nations where one often comes across custom built cars and motorcycles according to the taste of the consumers, transportation in India has always been technology driven with little or no thought given to the desires of the customers. For a long time, there were only the Ambassadors and the Fiats that plied on the Indian roads. In spite of being dumbos, these vehicles were considered to be status symbols owned by the rich and the famous. With the opening up of the economy, the automobile industry in India has witnessed a sea-change in the automotive design sector. The new age cars and motorcycles come in sleek and sophisticated designs that are aerodynamically optimized for better performance and geared up with a host of high-end features. Some of the notable examples in this relation are as follows:

• Honda has been working constantly on its flagship brand HondaCity and has given considerable upliftment to it since its launch in India.

• Maruti has given a total makeover to its old war horse Maruti 800 keeping in mind the refined tastes of the upwardly mobile segment.

• Even Hindustan Motors has got inspired to change its age old model Ambassador a more sophisticated and classy look.

• Bajaj Pulsar has got style and performance in equal measures.

• TVS Apache is a very good combination of style, power and mileage.

The primary aim of automotive design is to build a vehicle that is aerodynamically efficient without compromising on its engine and related parts. More than anything else, cars and bikes often become an extension of the personality of the owner than being just a mode of transport. This phenomenon has resulted in the launch of a course in Transportation and automobile Design by the National School of Design. One of the pioneers in this industry is Mr Dilip Chhabria, popularly known as DC of the 'Tarzan-The Wondercar' fame. If exclusivity is what you are looking for then he is the person to look upto. Be it macho, sweet, cute or sexy look for your vehicle, you name it and he has it. In this relation the customer has two choices. He can either go for a makeover for his car or bike, retaining the engine and chassis of the vehicle or building a new car or bike altogether. The customer can also go for some cosmetic changes in the bumper, mudguards, headlights, tail-lights, bonnet, wheels and the interiors to turn some heads on the road while on the go.

However, as they say, all good things in life come for a price, so do these cars and bikes, which often cost as much as a brand new car or motorcycle. It will amaze you to know that sometimes it costs even more than that. However, as DC maintains that 'wondercars' are something that are special and ought to be driven by someone special, the price tag is something that needn't be bothered about and is hardly a barrier for those who want their machines to speak loads for themselves.

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