Hindustan Contessa 4X4 is the real deal: Features a V6 petrol engine!

Modifications and customisation are not very popular in India due to the strict laws and laws. But there are many who do work on crazy builds like this Hindustan Contessa 4X4 by Dashmesh Customs.

This Hindustan Contessa 4X4 project definitely is an eye-grabber. But how did it come to life? Here is what you need to know.

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Suzuki Vitara-based Hindustan Contessa

This Hindustan Contessa is based on the Suzuki Vitara XL7 platform. The body of the Hindustan Contessa has been carefully merged to the frame of the Suzuki. The Suzuki Vitara XL7 was a body-on-frame SUV with a ladder frame chassis. It seems like a simple job of changing the platform of a car but it is a lot more than that.

The Contessa and the Suzuki Vitara XL7 were completely different vehicles. Matching the body to frame and perfectly merging all the systems to the body requires a lot of modifications.

While Dashmesh Customs did not reveal the exact time and cost for this project. It definitely is a work of months and will require a big fat capital as well.

Powering this Hindustan Contessa 4X4 is the same V6 petrol engine that powered the Suzuki Vitara XL7 in India. The gas-guzzler generates a maximum 183 PS and peak torque of 244 Nm. Suzuki offered it with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Vitara offered a shift-on-fly 4WD system, which did not require the car to stop for shifting from 2WD to 4WD.

With the new platform, the Contessa definitely looks very different from earlier. It now gets a massive ground clearance and you can spot a lot of mechanicals underneath as well.

Not the first Contessa 4X4

This is not the first such Contessa 4X4 in India. There is another Contessa located in Delhi-NCR that gets a similar set-up. However, the engine powering that car is the 3.0-litre diesel.

The older Contessa 4X4 even has videos of doing off-roading trails without any problems. You can watch the video to know how the Contessa tackles all the different terrains.

Not road legal anymore

Such structural changes are not legal in India. The supreme court of India and the Motor Vehicle Act bans any such modifications to operate on public roads. Such vehicles can be project cars for many and one can use them on private properties like a racing track or at a farmhouse. However, the cops can seize them from public roads.

In India modification is not allowed and even aftermarket accessories like the bullbar and other structural changes are banned too. In fact, tyres that are too big for a vehicle are banned too. Such vehicles sure do attract a lot of attention on the roads but since they are made at local garages without proper welding equipment, they can be dangerous.

If a vehicle disintegrates while going on a road, it can become a cause of a serious accident. The police of different states set up check-points to keep an eye on such modifications and also issue challans.

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