In-car entertainment

IN STORE

Cars on Indian roads are getting jazzier by the day. On one hand, the BMWs Porsches, Audis and Bentleys have become a common sight, on the other, non-luxury cars too are coming out with new variants almost every quarter. All this has definitely helped the busincess of car accessories swell. Audio systems, DVD players, security management systems as well as gadgets like mini-fridges and sunroofs are in demand. We pick out some of these add-ons for your prized four-wheeler.

Audio systems, video players, iPods, Bluetooth-enabled systems and what have you: There’s a plethora of options as far as in-car entertainment is concerned. Brands like Sony, Blaupunkt, Pioneer and Alpine have come out with different models that are suited to varied needs and pockets. Sony, for instance, has a model for a music system which costs Rs 30,000 and doesn’t require you to insert either cassettes or CDs. Instead, on this system, you can upload songs and listen to other preloaded songs. Such systems come with touch-screen displays as well as steering remotes which make it easy for you to manage the device while driving.

Our pick is the Pioneer’s DVD player that comes with an in-built digital sound processor and has a seven-inch wide touch screen. It is also Bluetooth enabled so you can receive calls on your mobile phone. This is priced at Rs 70,000.

Going alloy

To give your car a more rugged look and better control, it makes sense to opt for alloy wheels. These are easily available and give better mileage than the usual tyres. You can also opt for tubeless alloys. Here, many brands are available and you can make your choice depending on the size of the wheels you want. Kumho, for example, is a good brand and if you have a SUV, it could make your car look extremely sturdy.

Not too difficult to manage, the prices of these mean wheels vary. Starting at Rs 4,000 for a basic model, the price can go up to Rs 10,000 per wheel. Though they haven’t found too much acceptance with Indian buyers, alloy wheels make the drive much smoother. Besides, these could be the right choice to make on our potholed Indian roads.

Body kits, makeovers

High-end cars, the likes of Porsche and Audi, deserve to be decked up. No wonder, these cars have stylish “body kits” that include fancy front- and rear- bumpers and roof-spoilers, besides other interesting gadgets. So, if you need to give your car a sporty look, you can do so by simply getting a “body kit” installed.

A sporty look can set owners of high-end vehicles back by Rs 3 lakh, while a makeover for cars like the Honda Civic can cost Rs 40,000. You can also get the interiors of your car changed to include mini refrigerators (Rs 2,000 onwards). As far as security goes, warning buzzers, which automatically switch on if you are getting close to any other car while reversing, are priced reasonably at Rs 1,500 and are available at most stores that sell car accessories.