Narayanan Pillai, an 85-year-old former advocate from Mavelikkara, Kerala, is an inspiring car enthusiast. Unlike many who buy cars as status symbols or showpieces, his car shopping stems from genuine enthusiasm and a desire to experience the thrill of driving. Over the years, he has owned more than 60 cars, making him a unique figure within the enthusiast community. His journey with cars spans decades, countries, and countless miles. The latest addition to his garage is a brand-new BMW 2 series Gran Coupe (220i) in Black.
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The BMW 220i is powered by a 2.0L Twin power turbo petrol engine that produces 189 bhp and 280 Nm. The front-wheel-drive sedan is quite fast and can do the 0-100 kph run in just 7.1 seconds.
Pillai’s fascination with cars began during his early career when he moved to Australia. His first car, an Audi Fox, marked the start of a lifelong love affair with cars and SUVs. Essentially a rebadged version of the Audi 80, it was one of the most advanced cars of its time and left a lasting impression on him. As his financial situation improved, he ensured that his garage always housed new cars.
What sets him apart, however, is his approach to car ownership. Rather than building an extensive collection, Pillai prefers to buy a car, use it for a year or two, and then exchange or sell it to try another model or brand. This method has allowed him to explore a variety of vehicles over the years, satisfying his curiosity and enthusiasm.
Life’s journey took him across continents. After spending 43 years in Australia and seven years in the UK, Pillai finally returned to India, bringing with him a love for luxury cars and the driving experience they provide. His first car here was a Volkswagen Jetta, which he used for a year before trading it in for another model.
Gradually, he developed a preference for high-end luxury vehicles, citing their superior comfort, features, and performance as the key reasons. Among all the brands he has owned till date, BMW holds a special place in his heart. Since 2008, he has exclusively driven BMWs, purchasing around 14 vehicles from the EVM group dealership in Kerala.
His loyalty to the brand stems from a combination of factors- their driving dynamics, safety features, and speed. The most recent acquisition is a BMW 2 Series coupe, a compact luxury car which is well-suited to Indian road conditions. He is fond of its compact proportions, which makes it easier to navigate through narrow roads and tight streets, while still offering a premium, engaging and fast driving experience.
He values it not just for its comfort and features offered, but also for the safety, which he considers is critical given his preference for speeding. Remarkably, despite his age, he insists on driving himself, than being chauffeured around.
Pillai loves long-distance driving. He frequently travels to Tamil Nadu and has driven across almost every corner of Australia. He considers his vehicles as temporary travel companions than permanent assets.He says that his next car could be a facelifted 2 series or the 3 itself.
This approach underscores his philosophy that cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed, and not simply collected. Narayanan Pillai also breaks the stereotype that car enthusiasm is limited to younger generations alone. It also goes vocal about age being no barrier to pursuing one’s passions and ambitions in life.
The post 85 Year Old Man Buys His 60th Car – A Brand New BMW first appeared on Cartoq.
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