Mayank ponders the benefits of driving during Middle East ‘winter’ in the Jaguar F-TYPE V6 S
| Driver's Log | |
|---|---|
| Date acquired: | May 2014 |
| Total kilometres: | 21,274 |
| Kilometres this month: | 1,993 |
| Costs this month: | $0 |
| L/100km this month: | 12.4 |
It always intrigues me when I see hordes upon hordes of people in the region, donning jackets and overcoats and boots in Dubai. It’s never really that cold. So before the rest of you call foul on my terminology, I’ll refer to Middle East winters as ‘cooler summers’.
It’s one thing though to drive in the cold and quite another to drive when the heat is upon you. So, one bright and early morning in the first week of February after having my car out for a wash at Select Nano, I set off for (another) mountain drive. When I stop along the desert and breathe in the fresh morning air, I see the beauty before me. Fred — and his boys — have really done it. The paint shines like chrome in the early morning rays, the reflections create mirrored images and the engine billows soft vapors into the cold air. Mystifying itself.
On the drive back I passed another F-TYPE, so naturally I rolled down my window to give him a big grin and a thumbs up. He reciprocates. “We’re growing”, I say to myself. “We’re growing,” but more than the thought that there is another on the roads. It’s the satisfaction of knowing that somebody else, like myself, has opted against the Porsche 911 and taken a chance. And the driver’s continuously planted smile is something that propels all of us to get into cars and buy the ones we truly love. That’s the joy of driving after all.
Heads were turning every time I drove down the street. But as Fred had warned, “stay focused on the road. They’ll be turning their heads even more when I’m done with it.” And I must agree that they do. Quite a few do. And that pride helps keep that smile firmly planted as the depression of the pedal emanates another rumble from the rear end.
‘Winters’ in Dubai. Driving a Jaguar in them really is a treat.
crankandpiston.com Journals is a contributor-based section, the contents of which have been provided by site readers and enthusiasts. All thoughts and opinions expressed are those of the authors concerned and do not necessarily reflect the views held by www.crankandpiston.com.
