Kerala’s first Jeep Wrangler Rubicon sports a No. 1 number plate worth Rs.6.25 lakh

Our Correspondent

Who said vehicles ply only on roads, or off-roads, for that matter? Yes, some style icons are vrooming through or parked inside minds too – the hottest marketplace ever. Or else how do you explain the fan-following around the all new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon? It’s not easily found everywhere to find out why as there are only three Rubicons you can spot in the entire state of Keala yet.

The first Rubicon which was delivered in Kerala is in Thrissur, sporting a majestic No. 1 on its number plate acquired through a heated auction participated by both NRI and resident business magnets including a couple of tycoons you-know-who. The winner was Dr. Praveen Rana, Managing Director of Thrissur-based business consulting firm Safe and Strong Business Consultants.

As many know, there were only 20 Rubicons manufactured in the second batch and it’s no wonder, the state’s first owner wanted to adorn it with a No. 1 number plate. More than a business consultant, Dr. Praveen Rana is a film producer, director and actor too. Anan, the first movie he produced-directed has been completed shooting with him playing one of the lead roles along with Indrans and Manikandan. Directed by Santo Anthikad, his second movie on a lead role titled Choran was also announced on Tuesday with Remya Panicker playing opposite who acted earlier in Ore Mukham, Tiyan, Hadiya, Chunks, Masterpiece, Liyans and Oruvathilkotta. Interestingly, Dr. Praveen was in the news recently again, for depositing some undisclosed sums during the early days of Covid lockdown into the bank accounts of a couple of cine technicians who were temporarily jobless.

Coming back to Rubicon, Dr. Praveen says the SUV is the best in class off-road SUV in India now. “It was my love for adventure that made me choose this unique star. With 268 bhp power for 400 NM torque, Unicon has got four 2.0 L turbo petrol engines with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The man has got 217 mm ground clearance as well – best match for our Thrissur, the land of Poorams and tall elephants,” Praveen explains.

The higher approach, break over and departure angles, new black fender flares, hood lights are also there in the 2020 model while using the electronic sway-bar locking differential, off-roading performance also is enhanced.  As in other Wranglers, the hardtop is removable. Doors are also easily dismantlable and refitable while its mud tyres with 17 inch alloy wheels make Rubicon a lot safer.

Dr. Praveen is just back from Guruvayur temple after his first puja of his red Rubicon and is looking forward to a Mumbai trip, when, on  his way and back, he and his Rubicon can enjoy the high rides through the Western Ghats, covering Konkan, Lonavala and the like. “I have had such long business trips in my mind when I chose this performer” he sums up.