Bolt Drive to Lonavala with Tata Motors!!! #BoltDrives

It’s that time of the year I eagerly wait for to plan my travels. Kiddo starts her summer vacation this month end and lot of travelling lined up for the coming month. Meanwhile few of we blogger's were invited last weekend by Blogadda for a drive to Lonavala. What better way than escape to a nearby hill station, to beat Mumbai's summer. The drive was to test and experience the drive with the new Bolt by TATA Motors.

All we bloggers joined at Cafe Infinito at BKC, for a presentation and breakfast. We were briefed about the features of the New Tata Bolt (you can go through my previous post on the features here) and the schedule for the day. Blogger's were divided into groups of three with a supervisor in each team, and would drive the Bolt, Revotron or diesel version (which would be exchanged in the second half of the drive). I was in Team D1(the diesel version), and flagged off at Cafe Infinito after which we had the first activity for the day, the Suspension and driving test at the test track created at MMRDA ground. Even before we were flagged off, Captain Bolt, our guide for the day, an unseen, mysterious voice, called on the Tab assigned to our car and made us comfortable about the drive and the activities for the day. The Suspension test was to trace the dots creating picture of a car on a sheet of paper while the car was undergoing the suspension test, to show the balancing ability of the car, even while driving on those bumpy roads.

Then we started our drive to Lonavala. What better road can you expect than the Mumbai-Pune Express Way to take a test drive?? While its ePAS(Electric Power Assisted Steering) with speed sensitivity and active return function, made the driving comfortable, its superior cabin space added to the comfortable drive. We tried all the features of the car, throughout our drive. Its multi mode feature, ECO, city and Sport modes. The voice command, which recognizes most of the Indian accents and controls most of the car functions, like the temperature control of your A/C, the volume control of your audio system, even sending SMS, calling a person from your phones contact and many more. The car has also been given a sporty exterior style with smoked projector headlamps, flame-shaped tail lamps, dynamic alloy wheels and Floating roof.

Drive through the Mumbai-Pune Expressway

There was lot of tweeting and facebook updates going on throughout the drive and Captain Bolt was in constant touch with all the teams. Though we initially lagged behind the other teams, we joined them at Triose at Lonavala on time for the lunch. Had lunch, some chit chat with the blogger friends and then drove to Tiger's point. There was lot of photographing, clicking selfie with the Bolt, with the fellow bloggers, the group pic and lot of pics of the sexy Bolt at the Tiger's point, before we started our return drive.

Our final pit stop of the drive was CCD on the Express Way, where we rounded up the event with the social media contest winners declaration, refreshments and lot of memories from the day. A Sunday well spent at #BoltDrives with Bolt from Tata Motors in association with Blogadda.

Get Set Bolt!!!

I have mentioned in many of my previous posts, how my hubby's craze for driving and cars, has helped me travel more. The more he drives, the more I can explore;) When I received e-mail from Blogadda for the Get Set Bolt activity, I just grabbed the opportunity, without giving a second thought.
As part of the activity, few of we bloggers got the glimpse of the new Tata Bolt and were introduced to few of its cutting edge features which makes it stand-out in the present HatchBack segment. For the activity, I opted TCS Neptune a mall near-by my place, though Viviana was nearer, by the time I got to know about the Arena, the schedule at Viviana was long over.

The Bolt and its features, which makes it stand out in its segment:

Lot of considerations go before getting a car on road. I am stuck to my TV screens, every-time I watch Megafactories Tata Nano on Nat Geo, how each and every factor needs to be considered, especially when designing a car for Indian roads. So here is what Bolt comes with:

• Safety: What is the most important feature that you look for in any car? Yes, its safety, even before the looks and the price. The new TATA Bolt comes with the 9^th Gen ABs by Bosch for improved braking, Corner stability control and dual airbags, which makes the car more safer in its segment.
• Looks: 

• Exterior: Though the first look of Bolt reminded me of Tata Indica V2, the new tail lights and projector head lights, with sharp shoulder line profile gave it a refreshing look.
• Interior:
• Segment Superior: The interior is quite spacious and comfortable with rugby shoulder seats. 
• ConnectNext: 
• The touchscreen infotainment by Harman gives you the access to array of entertainment. 
• MapMyIndia's most localized maps with voice guidance, offers you the best smart phone based GPS navigation. 
• Advanced Bluetooth, voice command recognition, SMS notifications and read outs, keeps you connected with your world. 

•  Ride: Though I haven't taken the test drive yet, here is what I was told about its features,
• Multi Drive: Bolt comes with Multi Drive feature, where you get to select between Sport, Eco and City. Sport mode when you need a burst of power, Eco mode for excellent fuel efficiency, for those long drives on Expressways or City mode for a perfect balance between the two.
• Engine: Revotron 1.2T, with 84bhp, Turbocharged MPFi petrol engine and speed sensing steering wheel, make Bolt stand-out in the Hatchback segment. 
• Plush Ride: Driving on Indian road, is really not an easy task. You need not go off-road for adventures, as Indian roads in monsoon, are no less than any off-road adventure. The suspension provides plush ride quality which helps Bolt ride easily over potholes.

So go take a test drive (register here) to experience the all new TATA Bolt. For rate inquiry and online bookings do visit here. Meanwhile have a virtual tour of the car in the videos.

PS: Arena being in the company premises, photography was restricted.
“This post is a part of the Get. Set. Bolt. activity at BlogAdda.”

Mission '24', with Anil Kapoor and Tata Motors

Date: 12 November, 2013
Venue: Lake House, Tata Motors, Pimpri, Pune
Website: http://www.tatasafari.com
Few months back I was part of Xtreme Drive bloggers meet organised by Indiblogger, sponsored by Tata Motors. As a member of Indiblogger and been part of Xtreme Drive, I was invited by Tata Motors(the title sponsor of the action packed TV series '24') for a lunch with Anil Kapoor, the star of the series. Initially I wondered whether to join, as the event was in Pune. But Inditeam confirmed me of transportation been provided by Tata Motors, so I made up my mind.

Me, Nandini Deka, Vaisakhi Mishra along with Tata team and few social media contest winners gathered at Dadar station. While Deepti Verma and Punit Dubey joined us on the way, at Vashi. By around 12:30 we reached their plant at Pimpri, Pune.

We along with Anil Kapoor and few other dignitaries were taken through a drive of the plant. The drive reminded me of my industrial visits during Engineering course.

Vintage Car at plant

The first Indica model

Different terrains for testing



Safari Assembly Line, where the ragged SUV gets assembled

The company staff gathered in huge number to cheer for Tata Strome and Anil Kapoor starrer series.   

Anil Kapoor paying homage to JRD Tata

 Back from plant, we joined the event at Lake House.

Anil Kapoor awarded few of Tata dealers for their performance, greeted we bloggers and social media contest winners and shared his thoughts on '24' and Tata Safari.

Tata Motors presented Mr. Kapoor a specially manufactured, Jai Singh Rathod(the character as a chief of Anti Terrorist Unit, he plays in '24' series) edition of Safari Storme- Safari Strome, the rugged SUV which symbolizes power, resilience, style and performance, which truely compliments the essence of the series '24'. Mr Ankush Arora, Sr. Vice President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors stated, Tata Motors was proud to partner with Colors to be the title sponsor of the series '24' in its Indian avatar. He also claimed that Safari Strome sales had a hike of 30% with the start of this series.

The specially manufactured Jai Singh Rathod edition of Safari Strome

The event ended with lunch and we started off by 4PM to reach Vashi around 6:30PM. Me and Nandini Deka took a train from Vashi to reach home.

Exploring Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Recently on a lazy Sunday morning, we went on exploring Yeoor, in Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

The national park has a great treasure of flora and fauna. The up hill climb encounters you with lined up trees, with botanical names on them.

 Few warning boards here and there about the wild encounters in the forest

A Crater lake

Artifical nesting places for birds during hot summer

Yeoor is known for its panthers and wildlife. There are many villages inhabited by Varli tribes. There is also Indian Air Force station located here. What a journey it was amidst the wilds and greens!!!
This is an entry for the contest 'I Am Explorer', sponsored by Tata Safari Strome.

An Extremely Thrilled Evening with TATA Safari Strome!!!!!!!!

What would be your first thought looking at this SUV???

BIG STYLE, SEXY, love to drive!!!