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Journalism of Courage
PROBABLY after home and office, it is inside their cars that people spend most time. It is while being on the move that people want updates on the latest happenings, to catch up with their favourite movie or news. The answer to this is technology which has made it possible by filling in these four-wheeled beauties with a variety of gizmos.
The range of car accessories is vast. However, the most wanted item is the audio system. The basic unit of cassette recorder and radio plus four speakers from brands like Sony, Alpine, Blaupunkt, Kenwood will cost you anywhere between Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000. If you want to upgrade to CD player, then the entry model of Sony, Kenwood, Panasonic or Blaupunkt will cost you Rs 12,000 which can go up to Rs 24,000 with features like equalisers and multiple radio channels. All these systems come with remote control. The higher end ones also come with features like digital sound adjustment, dynamic noise control etc.
Then, there are add-ons like the CD changer that can hold up to 12 CDs in the boot. Also, there are CD head units with memory buffers that can prevent CDs from skipping when car goes over bumps.
These days music afficionados are also going in for MP3 players in their cars. The base model of Sony MP3 player with remote control costs Rs 18,000 and can up anywhere to Rs 30,000. Music systems can also be upgraded with amplifiers and sub woofers that are hidden in the boot. From two to four channels, amplifiers can cost between Rs 3,500 to Rs 17,000 while sub-woofers can be added by shelling out Rs 4,000-5,000.
For movie buffs, there are options of having VCD and DVD players. A Kenwood VCD player along with a small LCD screen starts from Rs 45,000 while a DVD player can cost anywhere between Rs 90,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
If you love to drive yourself, Blaupunkt even has specialised stereo system costing Rs 45,000 with built in car phone and remote control on the steering itself. Sony offers a multimedia system for Rs 80,000 which has single CD player with MP3 playback along with a TFT screen and memory stick slot. Through memory stick, which is compatible to laptop and digital cameras, one can see pictures, read data from a laptop and even listen to music downloaded from the Net.
Now, when your car is fitted with such modern gadgets, you need to have advanced security systems too to ensure safety of your precious belongings whenever the vehicle is parked. As a result, hi-tech security systems have also picked up in the after market. These are sensor detectors, impact and motion detectors, key less remote control entry with burglar alarm Rs4-12,000, electronic immobiliser Rs 4,500-Rs 5,000 and mechanised gear lock for Rs 3,000-Rs 5,500 which is mostly imported. The reverse warning system with sensors fitted to the back of the car is also popular, at Rs 2,500.
The other accessories that people go in for these days include window tints, alloy wheels and leather interiors. Alloy wheels are light, better balanced and give a smart look to the car. Good alloy wheels for A and B segment cars can cost anywhere between Rs 15-20,000 while for bigger cars, the cost can go up Rs 25-50,000.
The finicky cars owners also go for exterior restyling with spoilers, side skirts, front/rear bumper, fog lamp and additional door panel. Depending on the size of the car, restyling costs between Rs 25-50,000 and gives a racier, trimmer look to the vehicle. Another trend that is catching on is Teflon coating for the exterior which protects the car from minor scratches and paint from fading. Tinting is another commonly used accessory for luxury cars in the country. If done professionally, it enhances the air-conditioning effect and reduces fuel costs considerably.
Then there are smaller items like clocks between Rs 500-Rs 2,000, special halogen reading light for the rear passenger, just for Rs 2,000. For owners who are passionate about keeping their car clean, floor mats are basic, and a set of custom-made ones can enhance the car8217;s interiors. The market has a huge range of carpeted and embroidered mats that are stylish and creative. They cost anywhere between Rs 300 and Rs 1,500 a set. Stylish interiors done in leather along with leather dashboards in single colour coordination is also catching up fast. The cost of this customisation runs between Rs 10,000 -Rs 30,000.
