Skoda Auto India recently launched its newly designed 3S (Sales, Service, and Spares) facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh under the ‘India 2.0’ project, with the help of Kamal Kishore Auto Corp. Pvt. Ltd. This integrated sales and service outlet will be a part of Skoda’s global redesigning process. The facility was inaugurated by Mr Zac Hollis, Director – Sales, Service, and Marketing, Skoda Auto India Pvt. Ltd. and Mr Neeraj Rastogi, Dealer Principal, Kamal Kishore Auto Corp. Pvt. Ltd. Under the ‘India 2.0’ project, Skoda also aims to increase the brand reach, by doubling its dealer network across 50 new cities, over the next 3 years.

With this new facility, Skoda India aims to further expand its presence in Uttar Pradesh and get a strong foothold in the northern markets of India. Kamal Kishore Auto Corp. is a strategically built showroom/service-centre that is located at 329-330 Kamta, Opposite High Court, Faizabad Road, Lucknow. This Skoda facility will offer the best ownership and service experience with absolute comfort and convenience across the region. This state-of-the-art facility is spread over an area of 18,256 sqft (1,696 sqm) and can accommodate a 6-car display, over 6 mechanical stations, and about 7 body shop bays. The workspace area at this facility gets over 20 dedicated aftersales personnel and has a capacity to serve around 3,000 Skoda vehicles every year.

Also Read: Skoda Inaugurates Its Largest Workshop In India Under ‘India 2.0’ Project

Commenting on the inauguration of the new customer touchpoint, Mr Zac Hollis, Director – Sales, Service, and Marketing, ŠKODA AUTO India Pvt. Ltd. said, “ŠKODA AUTO India is fully geared up to strengthen its presence in the northern markets of our nation. In line with our expansion strategy, and Uttar Pradesh being one of the key markets, we are pleased to partner with Kamal Kishore Auto Corp. We are confident that our new partner will play an important role in scaling up the brand in the region.”

Mr Neeraj Rastogi, Dealer Principal, Kamal Kishore Auto Corp. Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are delighted to partner with ŠKODA AUTO India to introduce our newly designed dealership facility. The new appearance and optimized business processes will provide the ideal backdrop for the presentation of ŠKODA products to our discerning customers. The advancement of ŠKODA AUTO makes us more affirmative, confident, and committed to our valued patrons.”

Bentley is a brand that has become synonymous with style, luxury and speed. This iconic English car manufacturer has unveiled the third generation model of their luxury limousine, the Flying Spur. This new generation model just carries the name from its predecessor and has been designed from scratch, on the MSB platform. Bentley claims that despite being a cabin with all the amenities of a luxury limousine on offer, this car also offers driver engagement of a sports sedan. This implies that this generation model is not only meant to be driven around in but owners can also drive to places, in a rather engaging manner, a quality which not many cars in this segment are known to have.

Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Great Britain, the Flying Spur pushes the existing boundaries of refinement and attention to detail to create the finest super-luxury sports sedan ever built. The insides have gained in dimensions, thanks to an increase of 130 mm in the wheelbase of the car. Just like the new generation Continental GT, the Flying Spur too, comes with the unique rotating centre console with choice of a 12.3-inch digital touchscreen, beautiful analogue dials or digital detoxifying veneer. Bentley will offer a multitude of hides and veneers to choose from to further enhance the interior space. Moreover, for the first time, three-dimensional diamond quilted leather door inserts are used in a car.

On the exterior, this car will come with LED matrix headlights as standard, with unique cut-crystal effect detailing. A chrome sleeve has been added behind the cut element making them sparkle, even when not switched on. At the rear, wrap-around lamps utilise the familiar ‘B’ graphic and similar to the diamond knurling of the interior air vents. A choice of new 21-inch wheels are offered as standard, as well as the option of two unique 22-inch Mulliner Specifications. Another change seen on the outside is the inclusion of an electronically deployable and illuminated Flying B mascot.

Also Read: Bentley Continental Flying Spur – Interiors Of The New Luxury Limousine Teased

As of now, Bentley will offer only one engine, their trademark, 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12. This motor is tuned to produce 626 bhp and a whopping 900 Nm of torque. Combined it with the standard all-wheel-drive system, and this car, which weighs nearly 2.5 tonnes, would accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph within 3.8 seconds and would go on to achieve a top speed of 333 kmph. Expect it to be offered in the Indian market by next year, where it would compete against the Rolls Royce Ghost.

Rains would not be the only thing pouring down upon s this monsoon season. Tata Motors is celebrating this season with the rollout of the ‘Great Cars, Great Benefits’ campaign. Applicable to customers of the passenger vehicles of the brand, this campaign is now available across all Tata dealerships in the country. With the introduction of this campaign, the brand aims to boost customer morale and help build positive sentiments, showering irresistible offers this month, under this campaign. Moreover, in addition to the Great Cars, Great Benefits, Tata Motors has special offers in store for Government Employees, Corporates, Doctors and Teachers walking in dealerships, nationwide.

The ‘Great Cars, Great Benefits’ campaign will cover models such as Tiago, Tigor, Nexon, Hexa and Safari Storme and will offer benefits up to Rs.86,000*, under the National Exchange Scheme, which will provide customers exchange bonus over and above their car valuation. Through this offer, one can avail exchange offer bonus of up to Rs.40,000*, depending on the model. The customers also stand a chance to win a 1gm gold coin worth Rs.3,500 or avail any other offer of the same value for bookings till 15th June.

Also Read: Customised Tata Sierra Looks Ready For The Jungle

Currently, the company is running high on the success of its latest SUV, the Harrier. One of the most awaited SUVs in the Indian market, the Harrier is based on the same platform as the Discover Sport and uses a 2-litre diesel engine borrowed from the FCA group. Only available as a 5-seater for now, Tata will soon be introducing a 7-seater variant of the same. Apart from SUVs, Tata is also focussed on the hatchback segment. Their crossover hatchback, the Tiago NRG was recently endowed with an AMT type automatic gearbox for ease of driving. Moreover, the next launch from the brand is set to be a hatchback, that too in the premium segment. Dubbed the Altroz, this premium hatchback will be up against the likes of the Hyundai i20, Volkswagon Polo, Maruti Suzuki Baleno and so on when launched in the market later this year. Keep looking at this space for more updates and stay tuned for more.

When you think about a premium electric scooter brand, Ather is undoubtedly one of the first names to come up in your mind. Catering only to the city of Bengaluru, for now, Ather has successfully completed its first year in this niche market. Since the launch, the start-up has achieved quite a few milestones, making it rather hard to believe that this technology-driven start-up, owned by students from IIT Madras is just a year old.

Does Ather need to worry about this emerging threat?

Before we present you with the numbers, let us talk shortly about the various turning points in Ather’s journey over the last year. With FAME II approval, Ather could pass on some benefits to all of its owners. The government too, has been in full support of the brand, offering home and public charging infrastructure is set-up without any hassles. A proud moment for the team was when the first batch of scooters were delivered to the customers and subsequently stocks being sold out till September 2019. Finally, an official owners meet was organised in April 2019, and 6 major Over the Air updates were given to the Ather 450, making it one of the fastest iteration cycles in the industry.

Here are some of the statistics, Ather has collected over the last year

• Ather 450s have travelled more than 6,00,000 km collectively.
• 3,87,580 km driven in Ride Mode
• 2,18,014 km driven in Sport Mode
• The maximum distance covered by a single scooter – 8,344 km (Nandi Hills – Tirupathi – Hyderabad – Vijaywada – Amaraathi – Dharmasthala)
• Average riding distance on weekends – 14 km
• Average riding distance on weekdays – 17 km
• 72 % charging at home, with a majority of charging taking place during 7 pm-6 am
• At 5% public charging isn’t deal breaker for two-wheelers
• 23% with charging cable
• 65% of charging start over 40% state of charge
• 90% of rides start over 40% state of charge
• Non-Ather two-wheelers dominate Ather Grid usage
• Bengaluru’s most popular charging location is Ather Space.
• Restaurants and Cafes make up for 49% of charging stops

Also Read: Ather Energy Raises 51 Million Dollars In Its Latest Round Of Funding

Currently, the brand has two scooters on offer, the flagship Ather 450 and the Ather 340. While both these scooters share major mechanical components, the latter comes with a smaller battery pack for a more affordable price point. Currently, only available in the city of Bengaluru, the company has already started to work on its expansion to other Indian cities, the first being Chennai where its extensive charging network, the Ather Grid is being set up. Post Chennai, the brand would be aiming to enter cities like Pune, Mumbai and Delhi, gradually making its way all over the country.

Today, Italian bike manufacturer, Ducati announced the launch of the all-new Hypermotard 950 in India. The Hypermotard 950 is a smaller and more aggressive version of the Hypermotard 1100 and has the image of a ‘fun bike’ which perfectly blends innovation and technology of Ducati’s latest motorcycle models. The bookings for the bike have now started, and the bike is available for sale across all Ducati dealerships in Delhi – NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad. The prices for the bike start from INR 11,99,000 ex-showroom, India)

Engine and Transmission

The all-new Hypermotard 950 is equipped with a 937cc twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, which has greater pulling power and new electronic system to help ensure smoother control. This twin-cylinder engine has been completely rebuilt and is now 1.5 kgs lighter than the previous generation twin-cylinder engine. The engine is now able to produce an extra 4 horsepower compared to its predecessor, achieving about 114 HP at 9,000 rpm and 96 Nm of peak torque at 7,250 rpm. The 950 is also fitted with a 6-speed gearbox and a hydraulic slipper-clutch.

Design

The front view of the bike is defined by the trademark Hypermotard ‘beak’, which is fitted with a compact headlight and a DRL. The bike is also equipped with a set of 3-spoke Y-shaped aluminium rims, fitted with R17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tires. The new 950 sports a new handlebar, a narrower side profile and a new seat, featuring a flat, extended profile and a moderate bulge in the passenger area for improved comfort. The riding position of the 950 has also been completely changed for maximum riding fun and control.

Chassis

The bike gets a Tubular steel Trellis mainframe and a Trellis subframe, that is kept in clear view, to expose the compact profile of the bike. The new 950 is also about 4 kgs lighter when compared to its predecessor. The Marzocchi USD fork, the single-sided swingarm and Monoshock also enhance the overall sporty look of the 950 Hypermotard. The front braking system feature two radially mounted discs and 4-piston Brembo brake callipers, while the rear gets a single disc, 2-piston Brembo brake calliper. The bike has a kerb weight of about 200 kgs and gets a 14.5-litre fuel tank.

Features

The Hypermotard 950 is loaded with many ultra-modern and sophisticated electronics, that include Bosch Cornering ABS with the Slide by Brake function, Ducati Traction Control EVO (DTC EVO) and the Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO. However, the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up and Down EVO is only available as an accessory on the Hypermotard 950. The Hypermotard gets a new TFT colour-display and comes equipped with provisions for the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), which enables users to connect the bike to a smartphone and manage key multimedia functions, like incoming calls, text messaging and music. These functions are displayed on the TFT instrument panel via Bluetooth.

Also Read: Paper Fight: Triumph Scrambler 1200 Vs Ducati Scrambler 1100

Sergi Canovas, Managing Director of Ducati India said, “Hypermotard range has been loved and appreciated by riders who look for a fun and adrenalin-packed motorcycle. The new Hypermotard 950 inherits the sport and fearless characteristics which aligns to the personality of a rider who wants pure fun. It does not confine itself to a supermoto bike alone but rather comes with the performance of a dirt bike and soul of a sports bike. It’s a perfect choice for riders who’re looking for a thrilling yet sophisticated motorcycle.”

Are you a Lamborghini fan? If yes, then Bologna Airport in Italy has a small treat for you. The passengers travelling through the Airport will now be able to spot Huracan RWD “Follow Me Car”, designed by Centro Stile Lamborghini. This Lamborghini guides the planes to the runway and helps them take off. The rear-wheel-drive Huracan is the perfect balance between agility, drivability and good looks.  Have a look at this attractive Airport Assistant, which is specially built by Lamborghini’s design team.

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All the passengers at the Bologna Airport have something really spectacular to see: it’s the “Follow Me Car”, a Huracán RWD with a new livery, designed by Centro Stile Lamborghini, helping airplanes to takeoff. #Lamborghini #HuracanRWD #FollowMeCar #Bologna

A post shared by Lamborghini (@lamborghini) on Jun 10, 2019 at 9:30am PDT

In terms of engine and performance, the Huracan RWD is fitted with a 5.2-litre V10 engine, which can crank out 571 HP at 8,000 rpm and about 540 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. The engine is further paired with a Dual-Clutch 7-speed gearbox. The car is able to do 0-100 kmph in about 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of around 320 kmph. The car also gets a fixed-rear spoiler for improved stability and performance.

Also Read: Honda City Modded Into a Lamborghini Centenario

Talking about the Huracan’s Design, the exterior of the car is created to provide a pure “fun-to-drive” experience, as every line and detail is designed to inspire and take the driver’s breath away. This RWD model also features new front and rear bumpers, bigger exhaust pipes, a set of rear grills and 19-inch Kari rims, which make the Huracan look more aggressive than ever. However, the interior is much calmer and relaxed, as it is offered in various colour combinations and finishes. The state-of-the-art infotainment system also adds to the comfort.

Also Read: Say Hello to the Brand New Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster

The “Centro Stile” is Lamborghini’s design division, that designed this Huracan RWD. This division was built in 2004 to be an innovative studio for talented designers, to combine the brand’s culture and soul with innovation and new looks. This is why Centro Stile Lamborghini is committed to taking the unique tradition of Italian automotive design straight to the production process. In addition to this, the Centro Stile is located just next to Lamborghini’s Technical Department, so that the new design ideas are converted into reality as quickly as possible.

The Royal Enfield Interceptor has now found its way to many international markets as well. Taking people back to the basics of fun riding, this motorcycle, along with its sibling, the Continental GT 650, has created a strong fan following, all over the world. With quite some time elapsed since the launch of this motorcycle, we have seen quite a few examples which have been taken to aftermarket garages all over, to be modified to suit the taste of the people who own them. Here is yet another example of a modified Interceptor that has caught our attention, do have a look.

Seen on the Instagram account of Ranger_Korat, a renowned customisation shop in Thailand, this Interceptor seems to have started its life as a regular, custom variant model finished in a dual tone shade of black and red. The first visible change is the front end, which endows a completely different front look to this motorcycle. The front fender is raised up, enduro style and the tyres come with a knobby pattern, for better performance on the dirt. The wheels themselves do not seem to be changed but get a visual upgrade with a black cover. The headlight looks retro, not too different from the stock unit but comes with modern LED illumination. The handlebar also has been changed and the mirrors have been taken off for a neat look.

Also Read: S&S Cycle Introduces 865cc and 750cc Big Bore Kits For The Royal Enfield 650 Twins

Moving further ahead, we see a redesigned seat, which would hold one person comfortably, while looking quite rich with the quilted stitching. The rear fender too has been raised, with the rear stop light mounted on top of it. The engine seems to be left untouched, however, the exhaust unit is new. This custom exhaust, runs in a single curved line from the engine, head to the end can, and presumably made of some expensive material, considering the heat discolouration seen on the pipes. Apart from reducing weight, this exhaust system would provide a small boost in performance, thanks to better airflow in the engine. In its stock form, the Interceptor is capable of producing 47 hp at 7,100 rpm and 52 Nm of torque. Below are some more images of this mod job, do have a look.

As a final ode to the legendary, bare-boned off-roader, the Thar, Mahindra will be launching a final Signature Edition od this SUV. This would be the last variant of the Thar that we have loved for quite a long time, as it soon will receive a major overhaul, in order to comply with the new emission and safety norms of the Indian government. The name Signature Edition has been coined due to the fact that this model will be offered with a plaque, with Anand Mahindra’s signature etched on each of the 700 models that would be sold. This model will attract a slight premium over the standard Thar CRDe which retails for INR 9.5 Lakh, ex-showroom.

Apart from the signature bear plaque, the Signature Edition will be offered with a number of more features, all of which are listed below –

• Introduction of Aqua Marine Colour (Currently available with the Marazzo)
• New Kolon Leatherette seats for the front row
• Thar embroidery on the seat
• Satin Silver treatment on the front bumper
• Decals on the side of the body
• 5-spoke 16-inch Alloy wheels on all corners and spare wheel

Apart from these features listed above, customers will also benefit from ABS with EBD, a driver airbag and passenger airbags. While these are quite crucial and life-saving aids, given that the Thar is meant to be taken off the road, it could pose a problem from adventure enthusiasts. However, there is no doubt that safety would be increased on the road.

Also Read: Mahindra XUV300 Diesel Spotted With An AMT Gearbox

The changes in this Thar edition model are only limited to the safety and aesthetic parts of this SUV. Mechanically, the car will retain the same components as the regular Thar CRDe variant. This means that power will come from a 2.49-litre, 4-cylinder oil burner. Tuned to generate 79 kW of peak power at 3,800 rpm and 247 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 2,000 rpm, this motor will comply with the BS – IV emission norms. This motor will come paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, which comes with high range and low range ratios as standard. Stay tuned for more updates surrounding this SUV.

Image Source: 4×4 India Group on Facebook

‘A Helping Hand’ is Ford’s latest story under its Brand Campaign – #DiscoverMoreInYou. After grabbing attention with a thought-provoking message on the issue of road rage in its last video, Ford India now presents a new emotive story to spread awareness of road safety and accident prevention in its latest social video. This video is the second part of Ford’s road and safety awareness campaign, and the third one will be coming soon. The video is specifically aimed at encouraging viewers to lend a helping hand to those in need, instead of just passing by or taking photos and videos.

The story features a father-son duo driving through traffic in a city in their Ford EcoSport where they suddenly spot a crowd on the roadside. Having taken a closer look, they identify it to be an accident, with several onlookers surrounding the victim, but reluctant to help. The son, who is an innocent and sympathetic kid, asks his father if they would receive help, in this similar situation. This moment makes the father aware of what he is driving and what he should do next. The father then assures his son, that they are sitting in one of the safest vehicles in India, and then he steps out to help the injured victim, thus, setting an example for his son to follow.

Through these emotional stories, Ford’s campaign is touching relevant social issues that grip our society and require a discussion and debate. The campaign shows the owners taking actions, and being the change needed to build a better India. BBDO’s first creative campaign for Ford India has been led under the creative supervision of Josy Paul, Anunay Rai and Gaurangi Mathur. The three TVCs have been directed by ace filmmaker Shimit Amin. Recently, Ford also held a road safety survey covering over 10 cities to unravel and understand the behaviour and attitude of average Indian road users. The study showed that nearly 41% of respondents admitted to not taking an accident victim to the hospital. Just like the commercial, the Ford Courtesy survey also urges users to stay cautious, compliant and courteous to all pedestrians and fellow drivers to make our roads safer.

Also Read: Ford EcoSport Thunder Edition: What’s New?

“Our latest campaign – Discover the More in You – draws from experiences of our customers for whom the situations in Ford UVs lead to self-discovery, making them choose what’s right,” said Rahul Gautam, vice president, marketing, Ford India. “Much like the first message on being the bigger person and avoid road rage, we hope the message of good Samaritans will encourage  more to play their part and make travel safe for all,”

Today, Honda revealed a new BS-VI variant of its best-selling scooter, Activa. The new Honda Activa 125, not only gets a BS-VI compliant engine but also gets a new fuel injection system, along with a load of other features which will reduce the scooter’s emissions and make it much more efficient and attractive when compared to its predecessor. As of now, the Hero Splendor iSmart is the only other 2-wheeler in the Indian market to comply with these new emission norms. Let’s have a look at all that’s changed in the new Activa 125 FI:

Silent Start and Idling Stop System

The Silent Start with ACG (Alternate-Current Generator) turns on the engine without much noise, while the Idling Stop System automatically switches the engine off at traffic lights and other brief stops to save fuel and reduce pollution.

Fuel-Injection System

The highly efficient and advanced 125cc HET engine is now BS-VI compliant and is fitted with an advanced programmed fuel injection system, that feeds optimum fuel to the engine, as per the automatic feedback from the sensors.

Side Stand Indicator and Engine Inhibitor

The side stand indicator informs the rider about the stand position when in motion, while the engine inhibitor prevents ignition when the side stand is out.

Style

The chrome plated emblem on the side and centre, along with the LED position lamp at the front, makes the scooter look even more attractive and complementing.

External Fuel-Fill Cap

Fuel stops will now be far more convenient on the Activa 125, as the external fuel filler cap opens with just a flip of the dual function switch.

Premium Features

The other category defining features include an intelligent digital and analogue meter that displays important ride information like distance to empty, average fuel-consumption and real-time fuel efficiency. The Activa 125 also gets a big and spacious front glove box. In terms of safety, the scooter has a full metal body, a pass switch to overtake safely and CBS (Combi-Braking System).

Also Read: Honda Activa 125 FI Is India’s First BS-VI Compliant Scooter

The Activa scooter will be a segment-leader and will most likely remain the best-selling scooter for the next few years, as it is expected to launch by September 2019. When launched, the Activa 125 BS-VI is expected to be priced around INR 60,000 to INR 64,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Today, Taiwanese Company, KYMCO announced that they would be setting up a manufacturing facility in Bhiwadi, Haryana. This production facility would be built under the joint-venture between KYMCO and 22motors. The company also revealed its new logo and launched the competitive price points for its new scooters, that will be available in India from September 2019. Prices for the 22KYMCO range start from INR 90,000 (on-road, Delhi).

The manufacturing plant is said to be equipped with an annual production capacity of around 2,00,000 units and will manufacture the iFlow, Like200 and the X-Town 300i ABS for the Indian market. India was always a part of KYMCO’s list, and since then the two-wheeler maker is aggressively expanding its reach in the country with a phased expansion plan. KYMCO’s focus markets in India are New Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. The organization also intends to build a strong India dealership network with over 300 touch points, in the next 3 years.

Also Read: Greaves Cotton Launch The Ampere Zeal Electric Scooter

22KYMCO has also revealed its new electric two-wheeler scooter range, which includes the iFlow, as well as the Like200. However, the X-Town 300i ABS is a new 276cc offering from KYMCO for the Indian market, and it is placed in the premium Maxi scooter category. The prices for the iFlow start from INR 90,000, while the Like200 gets a price tag of about INR 1,30,000 and the X-Town 300i gets a price tag of INR 2,30,000 (all prices, on-road, Delhi).

Also Read: BattRE Launches The Batt:Mobile Electric Scooter In 4 Indian Cities

Speaking about the India market, Mr Allen Ko, Chairman – KYMCO, said, “For us, India is one of our most important markets and we are very excited about entering India’s thriving two-wheeler market to explore its promising market potential. With the country’s strong policy framework that encourages e-mobility in a big way, electric awareness and consumer purchase intent towards e-vehicles in India is witnessing a paradigm shift. Given the encouraging e-mobility environment here, we are certain that our unified mobility solution is sure to ‘make it big in India’. Combining KYMCO’s 55-year old legacy in the automotive world with 22Motors’ expertise in the Indian market, 22KYMCO makes for a stronger team together. We look forward to an exciting journey that will shape India’s e-mobility revolution.”

Also Read: Sahara Rolls Out A Wide Range Of Electric Vehicles For The Indian Market

Mr Parveen Kharb, CEO and Co-Founder – 22Motors added, “22KYMCO realized that there is a significant need gap in the Indian two-wheeler market since customers are increasingly opting for premium high-end scooters, but the lack of options in the product category is driving scooter consumers away. Our range of offerings ensures that we have a product for every rider type on the street. The range of Maxi scooters will fill this need gap for this set of audience. Besides this, the dialogue on the electrification of vehicles in India has picked up pace like never before and electric vehicles are the future. All our actions are focused in the direction of building a strong electric mobility ecosystem in India and our customers continue to remain at the forefront of our strategy.”

Yesterday, Swedish Luxury carmaker, Volvo and Leading ride-hailing firm, Uber, presented a jointly developed self-driving XC90 which is now production ready. The car is now capable of driving by itself and is the result of the joint engineering agreement and strategic collaboration between the 2 companies. Uber and Volvo Cars entered this joint agreement in 2016 and have since developed several prototypes aimed at accelerating the companies’ self-driving capabilities. The Volvo XC90 SUV is now the first production car in combination with Uber’s self-driving system that is fully capable of driving itself.

This autonomous drive-ready production vehicle includes several back-up systems for both steering and braking functions, as well as a battery back-up generator. So, in case of any system failures, the back-up system is designed to immediately act on bringing the car to a halt. In addition to Volvo’s built-in back-up systems, an array of sensors at the top and on the exterior of the vehicle are specially designed for Uber’s self-driving system to safely operate and manoeuvre in an urban environment. The XC90 base vehicle is also equipped with key safety features that allow Uber to easily install its own self-driving system, thus enabling the possibility of future deployment of self-driving cars in Uber’s autonomous ridesharing network.

The autonomous drive-capable production vehicle revealed today is a part of Volvo Cars’ 2016 commercial agreement with Uber for the delivery of thousands of autonomous drive-ready base cars in the next few years. When paired with Volvo’s vehicle platform, Uber’s self-driving system may one day allow for a safe and reliable journey. Volvo Cars also plan to use a similar autonomous vehicle concept for the introduction of its own future autonomous cars by the early 2020s. These new technologies will be introduced on the next generation of Volvo models based on the SPA2 vehicle architecture and will include features designed to enable unsupervised autonomous drive in clearly designated areas such as highways and ring roads.

Also Read: Volvo Cars And POC Develop World’s First Car-Bike Helmet Crash Test

“We believe autonomous drive technology will allow us to further improve safety, the foundation of our company,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars. “By the middle of the next decade, we expect one-third of all cars we sell to be fully autonomous. Our agreement with Uber underlines our ambition to be the supplier of choice to the world’s leading ride-hailing companies.”

Also Read: Uber Partners With Yulu In Bangalore For An Efficient And Eco-Friendly Commuting Solution

“Working in close cooperation with companies like Volvo is a key ingredient to effectively building a safe, scalable, self-driving fleet,” said Eric Meyhofer, CEO of Uber Advanced Technologies Group. “Volvo has long been known for its commitment to safety, which is the cornerstone of their newest production-ready self-driving base vehicle. When paired with our self-driving technology, this vehicle will be a key ingredient in Uber’s autonomous product suite.”

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Mahindra partnered with Blu Smart, ride-hailing service, to help launch a new unique, connected, all-electric ride-sharing service in India. To inaugurate this event, Mahindra eVerito sedans were flagged off in New Delhi by Chief Guest Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog. As a part of this strategic partnership, Blu Smart Mobility will induct around 70 Mahindra eVerito premium sedans in the first phase of its all-electric programme, across Delhi/ NCR including Gurugram, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. In the future, Blu Smart will add more than 500 Mahindra eVeritos into its all-electric ride-sharing fleet by the end of April 2020 and further expand the service to other cities, such as Mumbai and Pune.

To further boost the charging infrastructure, Blu Smart has strategically installed around 15 charging points in Delhi/NCR which in turn has helped the eVerito to travel more than 180 kilometres in a day. Blu Smart has also been able to achieve a range of about 187 kms on a single charge with its premium Mahindra eVerito fleet on the Delhi–Jaipur highway. 50 more charging points are planned to be operational by the end of August 2019. This includes setting up charging points on all major National Highways such as Delhi-Jaipur and Delhi-Chandigarh.

Delhi/NCR citizens will now be able to book all-electric rides using the Blu Smart Mobility app, which is available for download on Android devices and will be launching soon on Apple devices too. Within the first year of operations, this service has the potential to save over 2,200 metric tons of CO2 emissions in the National Capital Region, which is equivalent to planting over 10,000 trees. In addition to the environmental benefits, Mahindra Electric Vehicles (EVs) come fully loaded with Next Generation Mobility (NEMO) connected features that help fleet operators, such as Blu Smart to optimize their fleet usage.

Also Read: Ratan Tata Invests In Ola Electric Mobility As Part Of Series A Round Of Funding

Speaking at the flag off in New Delhi, Mahesh Babu, CEO, Mahindra Electric said, “Mahindra’s electric vehicles have already crossed the landmark figure of 130 million electric kilometres, which in turn has helped to save over 11,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions across the country. Today, we are proud to flag off our zero-emissions, all-electric Mahindra eVerito sedans and make them available on the Blu Smart App. This marks another big step forward in the electric mobility revolution in India. Our partnerships with fleet operators are aimed at increasing the large-scale adoption of electric vehicles in the country, helping bring a positive change in consumer’s daily commutes.”

Also Read: Mahindra Collaborates With Uber To Deploy E-Taxis In Hyderabad

Punit K Goyal, Co-Founder, Blu Smart, said, “Today’s announcement is the first step towards transforming the way Delhi will commute. Blu Smart is bringing together the world’s most innovative mobility concepts under a single mobility platform – RideSharing, CarSharing and SharedCharging. We are delighted to induct Mahindra eVerito to our ridesharing fleet and are committed to having 500 Mahindra eVerito premium electric sedans in our fleet by April 2020. By August 2019, we will have 65 charging stations in the National Capital which will be strategically located based on traffic-heavy routes.”

Mr Goyal further added, “We soon plan to commence long-distance intercity all-electric rides. Globally, the key mobility trends are Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric and combining them in a comprehensive package will drive a true smart mobility revolution. Blu Smart aims to transform cities by providing the most convenient and sustainable mobility solutions.”

As we all know, side impact collisions are among the most dangerous type of road accidents, which account for nearly 700 deaths every year. Keeping this in mind, a German brand called ZF has now created an external side airbag that deploys just milliseconds before a deadly collision. This extra safety feature will provide an additional lateral crumple zone, which can help save lives and reduce occupant injuries by up to 40%. To make this possible, ZF has also networked the airbags to the vehicle’s sensor systems and has developed algorithms that are capable of detecting an impending crash and choose whether or not to deploy the airbag.

ZF is currently the only company to provide the full range of integrated vehicle safety technologies such as sensor systems, algorithms, and control units to active and passive actuators. ZF also gave a live demonstration of the prototype for the world’s first pre-crash occupant safety system with an external side airbag in Memmingen. The predictive information about an unavoidable collision also helps to further improve the effectiveness of established standard safety technology. For example, the ACR (Active Control Retractor) can warn the occupants or help secure them in a safe position in the fraction of a second, just before the collision.

The biggest challenge in the development of this system was reliably recognizing an unavoidable collision and deploying the external side airbag before the collision takes place. The system has approximately 150 milliseconds to make the decision to deploy the airbag and fill it, which is roughly the amount of time it takes a person to blink. The vehicle’s sensors first have to identify a potential impact quickly and accurately. This is possible with connected cameras, radar and lidar. Algorithms within the system software decide whether or not a collision is unavoidable and the deployment of the airbag is both possible and beneficial. If all these decisions are positive, the system ignites the inflators to fill the airbag.

In a side impact collision, the occupants may have a set of serious injuries in the chest area, if the passenger cabin is severely deformed. However, the ZF pre-crash safety system can reduce this impact by up to 30%, helping to significantly decrease the occupants’ risk of injury. The airbag has a capacity of between 280 and 400 litres, which is about five to eight times the volume of a driver airbag depending on the vehicle. Then the airbag expands upwards from the side sill to form an additional crumple zone in the door area between the A and C pillars.

Also Read: Volvo And Uber Team-up To Reveal Production Ready Self-Driving Vehicle

“We highlighted that this safety system has the potential to significantly reduce occupant injury severity in cases of side impact collisions. Our deep understanding of the entire ’see. think. act.’ the process enables us to conceptualize and realize integrated vehicle safety solutions such as the new pre-crash safety system,” explains Uwe Class, Head of the Safe Mobility Systems department, within ZF’s Advanced Engineering team.

Today, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors have announced that they have invested in Aurora Innovation to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicle technologies. This move will strengthen the strategic partnership formed between these companies in 2018, under which Hyundai, Kia and Aurora have been collaborating on self-driving technologies for Hyundai’s flagship fuel cell vehicle, the NEXO. With this new investment, the companies have agreed to expand research to a wide range of models and to build an optimal platform for Hyundai and Kia’s autonomous vehicles to perform.

Hyundai and Kia’s partnership with Aurora is part of the Group’s ongoing efforts to lead the autonomous driving domain. Back in 2017, Hyundai’s IONIQ successfully demonstrated autonomous driving technologies in an urban environment in Las Vegas at CES. Hyundai also presented a fleet of autonomous vehicles equipped with Level 4 technologies at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games. Hyundai Motor Group’s future mobility plans not only include the commercialization of Level 4 autonomous vehicles by 2021 but also lead the launch of a fleet of autonomous robot-taxis in several smart cities. By overcoming current limitations created by automobiles and drivers, the Group aims to improve the lives of its customers and deliver ‘Freedom in Mobility.’

Since its inception, Aurora instantly secured its place as the industry leader in the development of self-driving technology. Its self-driving system, the Aurora Driver, comprises of the lidar, radar, and cameras that can easily recognise the world around it, along with the computer that runs the software modules, enabling it to understand the world and plan a safe path through it. With the integration of the Aurora Driver, Hyundai and Kia vehicles will enhance their ability to monitor, react, and adapt to different surroundings.

Also Read: Hyundai Kona Electric SUV – 5 Things You Need To Know

“Aurora is the leading innovator of self-driving technology and we look forward to building a stronger collaborative partnership with them,” said Youngcho Chi, President and Chief Innovation Officer at Hyundai Motor Group. “Working closely with industry leaders around the world will help us develop fully self-driving vehicles that are safe and innovative for our customers.” “We are pleased with the progress made with the Hyundai and Kia teams,” said Sterling Anderson, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Aurora. “Together with all of our ecosystem partners, we are seeing the convergence of a powerful platform that will deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.”

In a market, where people tend to associate a displacement of 125cc with rather dull to ride, everyday commuters, KTM took a huge leap of faith by launching the Duke 125. This bike has brought technology like fuel injection and liquid cooling in a segment where it was never seen before, and despite having received multiple price hikes, the bike has been growing ever so strongly in terms of popularity as well as sales. With one success already in their hand, the launch of the KTM RC 125, too is quite near now. The Austrian bike maker confirms this fact by releasing a small teaser video, which showcases the silhouette of this upcoming 125 cc super sports bike, have a look.

 

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Get ready to unlock the Moto GP racer in you! The all-new KTM RC 125 is arriving soon. Stay Tuned! #KTMIndia #ReadyToRace #RC125 #MotoGPGene

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Spied undergoing testing on Indian roads quite a few times already, the RC 125 shall use the same 125 cc motor as the Duke 125. With a DOHC setup, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid cooling and fuel injection, this motor generates 14.5 PS at 9,250 rpm and a twisting force of 12 Nm at 8,000 rpm. Just like the Duke 125, expect the RC 125 to come with an upside-down fork suspension in the front and a pre-load adjustable mono-shock at the rear. Brakes too, are expected to be the same as the Duke 125, measuring 300 mm front disc and a 230 mm unit at the rear with a single channel ABS module and rear wheel lift mitigation system offered as standard.

Also Read: KTM RC 200 Raids Its MotoGP Cousins’ Wardrobe

When launched, expect the KTM RC 125 to be priced marginally more than the Duke 125 which now, after 2 price hikes, comes with an ex-showroom price tag of INR 1.30 Lakh. If launched in the range of INR 1.35 Lakh to INR 1.40 Lakh, this entry-level sports bike will compete with the Yamaha YZF-R15, which has an ex-showroom price tag of INR 1.39 Lakh. Although being lower on power, the trellis frame of this motorcycle will be the same as that of its larger siblings, imparting very good riding dynamics to the machine, perhaps even better than the Japanese bike. Keep looking at this space for more news around this Austrian pocket rocket.

The latest entry to the Tata stable, the Harrier SUV has been one of the most awaited SUVs in the Indian market. While quite some time has passed since the launch of this SUV, the car has been having a successful run in the Indian market. Launched at a rather lucrative price point, starting from INR 12.69 Lakh, going all the way till INR 16.25 Lakh. However, due to some reason, most probably rise in manufacturing costs, Tata Motors has given this SUV a price hike, with a hike in the range of INR 30,000 in every variant. Listed below are the new prices, do have a look. 

What started life as the H5X concept at the Delhi Auto Expo last year, the Tata Harrier borrows its design from the former concept car. With quite segment defying looks, the Harrier is sold in a total of 4 trim levels. The base variant model is the XE, which is followed by the XM, XT and the range-topping XZ plus. The top of the line variant comes with a number of features, including an 8.8-inch touch enable infotainment screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, 9-speaker JBL audio system, chilled central armrest storage, a digital instrument console and much more.

Also Read: Tata Motors Rolls Out ‘Great Cars, Great Benefit’ Campaign

Accompanying those solid set of features is a solid set of mechanics. The Harrier uses the same underpinnings as the Discovery Sport SUV from, Tata-owned, Land Rover. This chassis also comes with a strong power plant, a 2-litre Multijet oil burner borrowed from Fiat. Dubbed the Kryotec engine, this motor has been tuned to produce 140 PS and a maximum twisting force of 350 Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, and comes with three driving modes – Eco, City and Sport. Apart from that, the Harrier also comes with ESP paired with a terrain response system with three driving modes – Normal, Rough and Wet which help the car improve its performance off the road, despite being a front wheel drive vehicle. To know more about this SUV, do watch our in-depth review, which has been linked below.

To be unveiled, globally, on the 20th of June, Kia’s brand new Seltos SUV will be the first product it launches in the Indian market. Ahead of this premiere, the company has released yet another teaser of this SUV. Up against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, the Nissan Kicks and Renault Captur, the Kia is a considerable threat to these cars, especially, the segment-leading Hyundai Creta. This 30-second video uploaded on the manufacturers’ YouTube channel, showcases a number of design elements of this SUV, many of which would be seen for the first time in this segment, read ahead to know more.

The teaser first showcases the red shade option and the headlight assembly of this SUV. Just like the Harrier and the newly launched MG Hector, the Kia too, comes with bonnet mounted DRLs and the headlight assembly is placed lower. Abundant chrome treatment will be on offer too, as seen in the teaser, this shiny metal makes its way near the headlight assembly and many more spots like the door handles. We can also catch a glimpse of the sporty roof rails of this car, along with a shark fin antenna. A chrome lining is also present around the greenhouse area. In the end, we also catch a glimpse of the LED tail lamps of the car.

Also Read: Hyundai And Kia Motors Invest In Aurora Innovation To Build Autonomous Vehicle Technologies

Other features expected to make their way in this SUV include a 10.25-inch touch enabled infotainment screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, ventilated seats, ambient lighting and some more. Initial sketches of the interior also revealed, what appears to look like, an off-road button, suggesting that the Kia would also have some hardware to tackle rough roads. Also expected to be offered are safety aids like hill descent control, traction control, parking sensors and much more. Under the bonnet, Kia shall offer a choice of petrol and diesel engines which are expected to be BS – VI compliant. Both these engines would have a capacity of 1.5-litres and will come married with manual gearboxes as standard but expect Kia to offer an optional automatic for both the engines. Keep looking at this space for more updates on this Korean SUV.

Tata is soon going to be launching a new product for in the premium hatchback space. This segment, which was inaugurated by Hyundai’s i20, has seen many players and high sales volumes as well. Currently, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno leads this segment in terms of sales, followed by the Hyundai and others. Tata shall be offering the all-new Altroz hatchback to this segment of vehicles, which has been in the news for quite some time now. Expect to be on sale in showrooms before the end of the year, Tata has released a new video teasing this hatchback on their YouTube channel, do have a look.

In this video, we see this hatchback, covered in camouflage wrap lined up on what appears to be a testing facility. We see the car taking off at a rapid pace and hitting the brakes hard, the same exercise is repeated on a wet patch of road as well. We also have a chance to see the dynamics of this car and its ability to change direction in a rather comfortable manner in a slalom test, where the cars zig-zags across some cones. Despite having showcased the car at the Geneva Motor Show earlier, we wonder why Tata has still kept the camo wrap on, is there a surprise in store? Time will tell.

Also Read: Tata Harrier Gets A Price Hike, Range Now Starts From INR 12.99 Lakh

Deriving its design from the 45X concept that we saw at the Delhi Auto Expo last year, the Altroz is indeed one of the best looking cars in its segment. Expected features with this car include a 7-inch floating type display, digital instrument console, automatic climate control and much more. Power shall come from a 1.2-litre petrol motor, shall be generating around 100 horsepower. While there is no news on a diesel powerplant yet, we expect it to be not offered considering the upcoming BS – VI emission norms would make it quite pricey. However, an alternative to the petrol engine will be offered, in the form of an all-electric drivetrain, promising to deliver a range of 250 – 300 km on a single charge. Below are some images of the hatchback, released by Tata some time back, do have a look.

Sports cars and supercars are now getting faster and even more powerful day by day. Merely a decade ago, one would think it would be crazy to have a car with more than 1000 hp but now, almost every other car by every manufacturer is getting closer, if not beyond that figure. Cars too, are becoming faster than ever with advancements in technology and what not. To put things into perspective, back in the late 70s. Formula 1 cars took less than 7 minutes to lap the legendary Nurburgring race track. Now we see our regular roads cars achieving such times, that too without any modifications.

To achieve such pace, cars come loaded with a variety of safety aids and computer technology which, according to many, takes the soul out of driving. Sure, this technology makes cars faster, sure, cars have even become safer but it sure does take the thrill out of driving, a reason for which many of us like to be behind the wheel. As dangerous as it sounds, we’d love to be punished for committing a mistake behind the wheel, ending up facing the wrong way instead of having a computer take over us like an electronic nanny. This is where manufacturers like Ultima step in. Their latest model, the RS, is as powerful as you want it to be and comes in a rather basic, bare-bones package.

This car, looks exactly like the sports car you would have had imagined in your head as a kid. Built on a tubular space frame, with glass-reinforced fibre panels to keep the weight low. The car uses a double wishbone setup on all corners. Moreover, the dampers can be adjusted for height, rebound and bump. Power is sent to the rear wheels, measuring 19-inches in diameter. The front wheels too, measure 19-inches and are offered with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s or PS4 S tyres.

Also Read: Ameo Cup Winners Will Now Be Officially Recognized As Indian National Champions

In the engine department, one has quite a few options to choose from. The entry-level motor is GM LT1 V8 crate engine, with 480 horsepower. If that is not enough for you, you can also have a 650 hp LT4 V8 engine or even an 800 hp LT5 V8 engine. If that too is not enough, Ultima will also offer an upgraded version of the LT5 engine, which generates 1,200 hp! However, the highlight here is not the power figures, but the fact that each car made by Ultima would come with no safety electronic aids, not even ABS and a proper, 6-speed manual transmission, making the Ultima RS, an analogue clock in todays digital age.