Haven’t you always wanted to find out what it feels like to be a celebrity stepping out of a stretch-limousine? I know I have. And that's what I felt like in a Scorpio. Yes, you've read that right - but it isn't any old Scorpio, this one's the Mahindra DC Scorpio First. Mahindra offered us a ride, and I was off like a shot before anyone else could cover it.

The Scorpio First is, well; a first for Mahindra and Mahindra. They've roped in car customization guru Dilip Chabbria to give the Scorpio unlimited choice -literally. You can specify any paint you want, with any colour for the side cladding, and - wait for it interiors in any shade you can possibly think of. There isn't any effective way to avoid attention, what with tinted windows being outlawed, and no retractable blinds being offered. Mahindra is setting its sights on fleet sales to rental companies as well as individuals, and they'd surely appreciate a little privacy on the way to or from the airport. I can't imagine it being a pleasant experience, nodding off in the car because of jet lag and then waking up at a stoplight only to have a number of curious bystanders looking unashamedly at the interior.

There's precious little on the outside to distinguish the Scorpio First from an ordinary Scorpio, except for a redesign front bumper, indicators on the rear-view mirrors and discreet 'First' and 'DC' badging, but open the door, step in - take two steps in, there's that much space _ and you sit facing a circular entertainment centre dominated by a Sony LCD TV. Look carefully and you'll find a DVD player, JBL speaker system, Playstation 2, chiller, mini-bar, coffee maker and fold-out trays. This isn't a car; it's a small living room on wheels! You can't see much out the front through the small window, which can make you feel claustrophobic despite the acres of space. Give your chauffeur instructions via the walkie-talkie, set your air-con to the setting you prefer at the back, sit back with a glass of chilled Chardonnay and watch your favorite movie while you get whisked off to your meeting or party. The ride, unfortunately, is typically Scorpio and might cause that Chardonnay to spill, so make sure you don't top up your glass! If you feel like reading or finishing work, you can fold out the well-finished aluminum trays, swivel the reading lights or switch on the diffused LED lighting and beaver away. When not required, the trays disappear into the sides so nearly, you will never realize they're there. They are undoubtedly the First's party trick. Little buttons abound in the cabin; they power the tinted screen, retract or raise the television, work the lights and adjust the seat. The seat glides backward and forward with a soft whirr from the electric motors; forward, to a surprising degree - an average-sized person can have a nap in the back! The seats are not entirely comfortable, even for short trips. The contours taper towards the centre and you find yourself sliding towards the middle.

All things considered, the Scorpio First prototype we rode around in has its niggles - there are no blinds; some ergonomics like the positioning of the door handles could be better; there are lap belts at the back, not three-point belts; and at a premium of Rs 6 lakh over the regular Dlx, Slx or Vlx you want customised, it costs almost as much again as a base Scorpio but that's a small price for some to own a car which is truly one-of-a-kind. The niggles will probably be sorted out by the time Mahindra-DC offer their customers the Scorpio First sometime this month, with delivery within a month of the order being placed.

I couldn't resist one last ride in the First before leaving - after all, it isn't often you feel like king for a day. To the club, Jeeves!