October’
2002,
Austin, Travis County, Texas.
“How was it?” Aryan’s forehead puckered, “too much of grill, is it so?” he asked as he noticed Jenny’s eyelids drooped.
“It was not bad,” Jenny spoken in hushed voice, “you should be fine. Good luck”
Aryan… Aryan…. A professor walked towards him, “Aryan, it’s your turn. Meet them in Room No. 203” he motioned his hand towards the entryway. “Nail it,” Jenny shook his hand with him.
Aryan trembled in apprehension and walked in lack of harmony. He entered in the room and found three foreigners in their professional suits. “Are you this guy, Mr. Aryan?” one of them who was seated in between the other two sounded in strong vocals. His voice reverberated in Aryan’s ears for more than a short while as he marched so as to near the desk. He looked to Aryan as though the man may had withheld a dictatorial regime in his past, he gave the impression that he must be a strict rep from the company. He didn’t care to smile when Aryan entered the room and glanced at him. He’s got full length thick beard and thick moustache; his hair side parted. He kept his eyes locked at Aryan through his large sized rimless frame spectacles with his right eyebrow lifted up, partly closing his left eye, his mouth snapped shut. His dark complexion made him look no better in any manner. His bewildered look cut the bag of scariness in Aryan eventually spilling over like the overflowing water from a fully filled glass. While the aged man grabbed his full attention, the other two reps were in an undisguised forced smiles. “Please be seated Aryan”, one of the other two reps gestured his hand towards the chair. Aryan was placed at his ease with his pleased utterance.
“We would like to quickly wind this up boy,” the aged man began in his strong vocals, “I have got couple of questions for you and if you get it right. We will comply with you in listening further on your project details” He said and turned to his right to look at his colleague, “Patrick, proceed” he said.
“What is the most important feature to be considered before going for the design of a sports car engine? And also tell me why?”
Aryan couldn’t follow up on Patrick’s question at first. He was pre-occupied by several other thoughts in his mind leaving no space for his presence before the interviewer. He closed his eyes for a long breath.
“Hello Sir, Are we doing this?” the voice from the aged man brought him back to consciousness.
Aryan abruptly began, “A sports car should be able to accelerate swiftly without any dwindle in the rate. In addition, it is required to have a car with an effective response throttle performance. It’s known to us patently that if the vehicle is heavier, then we would require more power to accelerate the load. For sports cars though, we require more power and less heavy vehicle. I mean we require a limit over the weight for the engine. Thus helping us to generate rapid accelerations with the available power suitable for racing cars. So the important feature to be considered for building a racing car is the power to weight ratio.” He said without a nag in his free flow of thoughts.
The rep on the left side of aged man followed, “Alright, how do you deal with the ratio?” he asked in an optimistic tone looking for answers round the corner of Aryan’s lips.
“A quick answer would be to use lightweight materials like alloys” Aryan answered in his stern voice, “we could just use the aluminum alloys for the cylinder heads. The weight of the car engine would be reduced significantly” he chewed his bottom lips for a sec, “and to raise the power to weight ratio, we have the turbo chargers” Aryan widened his cheeks revealing a genuine smile after delivering his final words.
“Would you like to present us with your design Aryan,” Patrick asked. “Just hold on for a minute or two” the aged man pressed the alarm to call in the attendant. “I am gonna call Jenny in here. I was informed that you both had worked together on the model. I would like it if you presented it together as well” the aged man talked and Aryan obliged to his courteousness.
Aryan began to convince the reps that he is the right candidature the company members were looking for. He and Jenny nailed down every moot point during the course of demonstration, the reps were under the obligation of the young men’s sagaciousness.
“… So the most important consideration in my model is the center of gravity (COG) keeping it as low as possible. Now why and how is this important? If we look into the picture” Aryan pointed the laser on the projector screen, “Engine is the heaviest component in the car and it is mandatory to consider the mounting of the engine inside the car because of its inherent effects on the center of gravity. For a perfect racing car we require the COG to be as low as possible because it essentially helps us to transfer the weight from the outside wheels into the inside wheel especially while cornering allowing the drive a safe drive in turning”
“How do we keep the COG low” the aged man spoke, “Jenny you may want to answer?” he asked laying his eyes on him.
“Sure”, Jenny said and took a step forward, “Look for the cylinder layout configuration. We have multiple layouts, as we require a low and flat engine to meet our requirements. It is wise to consider the boxer engines” Jenny made no gaffe.
All the reps nodded in concordance with the boys’ demonstration and an approved look on the visage of the three reps was transparent. Aryan took the charge over and continued, “So, our primary goal in this project is to fabricate a high-performance sports car design which can not only increase acceleration control but also contributes to the handling ability of the sports car resulting in safer car and fun drive which attracts more buyers”
“Congratulations, High-quality and admirable stuff,” the three of them joined their hands together for commending, “we are totally convinced and impressed with your skills, capabilities, and passion for the work.” Patrick uttered.
The aged man looked over to the head of Dept. as he, along with the other two rose from their seats, “Sir,” he said, “Wrap up the material and see that it is delivered to my office at the head-quarters. Let’s discuss the proceedings with the DIA”, they wend their way into the Chamber of the DIA. The three men spoke highly about Aryan and Jenny that made the DIA and the head of the department feel contended.
Aryan and Jenny stood inside the chamber alongside. The aged man looked at the men and spoke, “So Aryan and Jenny, you both will have to visit the company in Germany for a six-month period as an internship candidates. As per the MOU, the entire program will be sponsored by the company. Your hospitality, travel and any other requirements will be taken care of as well,” he casted his eyes back on the DIA, “We will let you know in a short while about the visit” he said.
Aryan couldn’t have asked for more. He was absolutely empty minded when the aged man was talking about the deal and program. Rekha always told him to be him, self-dependent individual. That day, he felt he’s half accomplished for what he was.
Aryan and Jenny took leave and made their way back to their classroom. They kept walking until a voice from behind stalled their ingression. Both of them turned to see the head of dept. “Great of you guys, it is so mesmerizing. The university deserves to have smart people like you who would afford and bring a change. Once again congratulations to both of you and I wish you all the success” he said, “I will let you know more about the details of your tour in a week or so, till them keep in touch”
After a week and half time, Aryan received a mail from one of the three company reps:
Dear Aryan,
Congratulations again! We are happy to invite you to our AUDI principal assembly plant located in Neckarsulm, Germany. Please find the flight tickets and other important documents with information on your arrival date, hospitality, and travel attached with this mail. I will be your advising executive hereafter. Should you be having any queries don’t hesitate to write back. Looking forward to meeting you soon here in Germany.
Regards
Lorenz Whittington.
Power and Pelf 