BENGALURU, 2 APRIL

Ferrari's inaugural showroom in Bengaluru has ignited a fierce online debate, with many questioning the practicality of owning a luxury sports car in a city plagued by potholed roads. The showroom, situated near the ITC factory in Meenakunte Hosur village, has sparked a flurry of tongue-in-cheek comments on social media.

One user quipped, "Where will we even drive this car in Bangalore? The potholes are so deep, how will the car come out of it?" Another suggested that luxury car manufacturers should provide the necessary infrastructure to support their vehicles, jokingly proposing that they build roads as an accessory.

The discussion also touched on the showroom's compliance with the 60 per cent Kannada signage rule, mandated by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in December 2023. However, one user pointed out that the signage appeared disproportionate due to the three-syllable Kannada translation of "Ferrari".

Despite the controversy, many enthusiasts are thrilled about the new showroom, which will also deal in pre-owned Ferraris. Bengaluru joins Mumbai and New Delhi as the only cities in India with a Ferrari showroom, with the Delhi and Bengaluru outlets operated by Ferrari dealer Select Cars Private Limited.

According to reports, Bengaluru already boasts around 20 to 30 Ferraris on its roads. The city's penchant for luxury cars is undeniable, but the question remains: where will these high-performance vehicles be driven?