Porsche is one of those few renowned brands that are still listening to automotive purists, and delivering what they want. Sure, most of their cars are now turbocharged, their cars do not come with a flat six all across the range anymore but despite that, every now and then, new models come up in their line up which makes us withdraw these complaints. The latest cars to follow the purist philosophy are the new 718 Cayman GT4 and the 718 Spyder. With these cars, Porsche brings in the naturally aspirated flat-six engine and a proper manual gearbox. Read ahead to know more about these Porsches.

Both the cars would come with a naturally aspirated, 4-Litre, flat six engine. However, this is not the same engine as the one found in the 911 GT3 model, but Porsche has used the 9A2 flat-six from the 911 Carrera range, removed the turbochargers, and added some new upgrades, including cylinder deactivation and piezo fuel injectors. The result is an engine that generates 414 horsepower at 7,600 rpm and 420 Nm of twist which is available from 5,000-6,800 rpm. This makes both the cars sprint to 100 kmph in a rather quick 4.4 seconds. The Cayman gets a top speed of 303 kmph while the Spyder tops out at 301 kmph.

The power is put on the ground via a proper three-pedal system. The gearbox also comes with an auto-blipping system, which would automatically rev match the car while downshifting, but since purists would not appreciate it, Porsche gives you an option to shut it off. The gear ratios on the car have been kept a bit longer, so that these cars would comply with the ever so strict emission norms all over the world. Talking about strict emission norms, that has also forced Porsche to include a larger starter and battery for the auto start/stop system and a pair of exhaust particulate filters which brings the total weight of the car to a bit more than 3100 pounds, 200 pounds more than the previous model.

Also Read: The Porsche Cayenne Coupé Is Here to Challenge the X6 and GLE Coupé

Compared to the previous model, there also have been some aerodynamic changes done to the cars, which include a new diffuser generating 50% more downforce than before. Porsche will also offer its latest torque vectoring setup, a mechanical limited-slip differential, new active dampers, and some more. The Cayman GT4 currently retails for $99,200(INR 69,11,214) while the Spyder retails for $96,300(INR 67,09,172), which may be a bit pricey, but for purists, it might be worth every penny.

AIS 145 safety norms will be enforced by the government of India from the 1st of July, 2019. As part of these norms, manufacturers must offer a range of safety aids across all variants as standard. The list of safety features includes a driver side airbag, seat belt reminder for driver and co-driver, rear parking sensors and an over-speed alert as part of standard equipment, even from the base trim level. The cars will indeed benefit from these safety features, and leading Indian car manufacturer, Mahindra, is prepared to offer these features on all its cars from the first of July, 2019.

However, these safety aids will also be accompanied by a price hike. Mahindra will have to pass on the cost of these safety aids to the customers. While Mahindra does not tell us the exact amount that they will add to the price of their cars, however, the company says that prices will rise by up to INR 36,000 across models. SUVs like the Scorpio, Bolero, TUV300 and KUV100 NXT shall receive a steep rise. This is due to the fact that base models of these cars did not come equipped with even basic safety aids.

However, the XUV500 and the Marazzo MPV will get a marginal rise considering that even the base models of these cars come with many safety aids. There is no mention of the new XUV300, which is very likely to not get a price hike, considering it already comes with all these, and many more safety features in the base variant itself.

According to Rajan Wadhera, President – Automotive Sector, M&M Ltd., “At Mahindra safety has been at the core of our product development process and we welcome the regulatory requirements relating to safety upgrades. We value every road user’s life and have been effectively contributing to the evolving safety ecosystem. However, the safety regulatory requirement has led to some cost increases. Consequently, we are taking a price hike across some of our passenger vehicles, effective July 1, 2019.”

Also Read: Mahindra Thar 700 Is A Limited Edition Farewell To The Legendary Off-Roader

Talking about Mahindra, we recently drove the AMT transmission equipped XUV300, which is about to be launched in the market by the end of this month. Linked below is our video which talks about the details of this transmission and our take on its performance, do have a look.

Following huge hype, the Austrian bike maker KTM has finally launched the RC125 motorcycle in the Indian market. With an ex-showroom price tag of INR 1.47 Lakh, the bike, in terms of price, is far away from any 125 cc motorcycle in the Indian market, but then, the RC125 is unlike any other motorcycle in the Indian market. A popular offering in the international market, the India-spec RC 125 looks a bit different and also comes with some changes, like the exclusion of a side exhaust and incorporation of a saree guard. The motorcycle can now be booked across all dealerships for a deposit of INR 5,000 and deliveries are expected to begin by the end of this month.

Offered in a dual tone shade of black and orange, the RC125 is quite a looker. The mechanically superior trellis frame of the bike is painted black while the wheels are orange. This frame is the same as the one seen on the larger siblings, the RC200 and the RC390, which would make the skilled riders happy as they have a brilliant chassis to play around with. At the heart of this frame rests the 125 cc, single cylinder, fuel injected, liquid cooled motor. This engine is tuned to produce 14.5 PS at 9,250 rpm and a twisting force of 12 Nm at 8,000 rpm. The recently launched Duke 125 from the Austrian brand uses the same engine.

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

The RC125 also borrows the brake setup from its sibling, the Duke 125. It uses a 300 mm disc at the front and a 230 mm disc at the rear, governed by a single channel ABS unit and rear wheel lift mitigation system as standard. Suspension duties are done by a USD fork in the front a pre-load adjustable mono-shock at the rear. At INR 1.47 Lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi, it indeed is a bit more expensive than its competition, the Yamaha R15 and the Pulsar RS200, both of which have an ex-showroom price tag of INR 1.39 Lakh. Is the Austrian worth the extra money? We shall find out soon when we do an in-depth review of the motorcycle very soon, stay tuned.

Ahead of its global unveiling tomorrow, Korean carmaker, Kia has revealed one last teaser of their upcoming Seltos SUV. Unlike the teasers we have seen before this time we get to see the car on the move. Based on the SP Concept that we saw at the Auto Expo last year, the Seltos is an important car for the Indian market, that is why the Korean brand will be unveiling the car in India and USA simultaneously tomorrow. This SUV will be up against the likes of the segment-leading Hyundai Creta, the Nissan Kicks and the Renault Captur. Moreover, the car will also be a nice alternative for those who are planning to buy the more affordable, lower variants of the Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass and the MG Hector.

The teaser starts with the car parked inside a parking lot. Upon unlocking, the horn honks, giving an aural confirmation and we also see mirror mounted turn indicators on the side. The driver gets a three-spoke steering wheel which gets a huge number of buttons as well. The cruise control buttons are on the right while the buttons on the left control the infotainment system. The instrument console comprises two analogue dials, one for the car speed and one for the engine speed with a MID screen in between.

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

We also see the engine to be redlined at 6,000 rpm, and get a glimpse of the chrome accented gear knob suggesting that the car driven here is the 1.5-litre petrol manual. Kia will also offer a 1.5-litre diesel engine with the car, and both these engines are expected to come with an automatic option. In the teaser, we also see the SUV going on rough terrain, which would be easier with the off-road mode button we saw in the teaser images released by the Korean brand. We also see the presence of an automatic climate control system and a sunroof in this teaser. With just a day go to the unveiling of this car, keep looking at this space for more updates on this car and detailed coverage straight from the unveiling event of this car. In the meanwhile, do have a look at this teaser uploaded by Kia linked below.

Renault today unveiled the brand new Triber. This 7-seater car measures less than 4-metres in length, making it quite a unique offering in the Indian market. The car comes with three rows of seats, with easy fit seats in the third row which can be removed or installed easily, making it a modular car, with the ability to change the seating to suit the requirements of the customers as and when they want to. The car would also offer air conditioning vents for all three rows, AMT type automatic transmission, cooled storage and a class leading boot space of 625-litres in the 5-seat configuration. Read ahead to know more about this car.

The car measures 3,990 mm in length, is 1,739 mm wide and stands 1,643 mm tall. The wheelbase of the car is 2,636 mm and it tips the scales at 947 kg. Under the bonnet, Renault shall provide the 999 cc, three-cylinder motor from the Kwid. This engine develops 72 PS of power at 6,250 rpm and 96 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm. As standard, Renault would provide a 5-speed manual gearbox but the Easy-R AMT gearbox will also be offered. High-end variants will come with 15-inch wheels, shod in 185/65 section tyres while the lower variants will come with 14-inch wheels with 165/80 section tyres.

Renault will offer a digital instrument console for the driver, a segment first feature. Along with that, there is another infotainment screen at the centre. Apart from having Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, this touch enables screen will also allow users to play videos via USB. A smart card type key is also on offer, which has four buttons on it but also allows for keyless entry and exit along with the push start/stop button. Renault has also given a cooled storage space beneath the cabin, which can also be accessed by second-row passengers. A chilled glovebox too, is on offer.

Also Read: Electricity Powered Renault Kwid(K-ZE Concept) Captured In Spy Video

Safety too, has been a high priority for Renault. Apart from having proper three-point seatbelts for all occupants, Renault will also offer 4 airbags in the top-end trim levels. Apart from that, features like ABS, EBD, seatbelt reminder, high-speed alert, rear parking sensors and some more will have to be offered from the base variants as standard. Expected to be launched in the next few months, the Triber has the potential to become a game changer, by providing a huge amount of space, within the length of 4-metres. The pricing too, expected to start from INR 5 lakh, will be revealed at the launch of the vehicle.

From April next year, car manufacturers will have to comply with the more strict BS – VI emission norms in order to sell their vehicles in their market. Currently, manufacturers comply with the BS – IV emission norms, which were implemented some years ago. Ahead of its implementation, we have caught many test mules of various car companies, which are testing the new BS – VI engines. This time around, we see a camouflaged Tata Tigor. With a facelift version launched not too long ago, it is very likely that this test mule is equipped with a cleaner engine, do have a look. A hat tip to fellow petrolhead Adish for sending in these images.

We see the test mule holding a set of bulbous headlamps, and the fog light area too has been covered completely. Given that the car is already launched and in the market, we wonder what Tata is hiding, perhaps some minor changes would be done to that area. Apart from that, the design seems to be pretty much the same, with most of the changes taking place beneath the bonnet. Currently, the Tigor is offered with a 1.2-litre Revotron petrol motor and a 1.05-litre Revotorq diesel motor. The former motor will be upgraded to meet the new emission norms but the oil-burner is highly likely to be axed. In order to make the diesel mill comply with BS – VI emissions, the rise in cost would be tremendous, which is why even Maruti Suzuki is pulling off small diesel motors from next year.

Also Read: Tata Motors Partners With Janani Tours To Deploy Tigor EVs In Bengaluru

In the facelift of this model, Tata’s compact sedan received a number of changes. These changes include the introduction of projector headlamps, diamond grille, 15-inch dual tone alloy wheels, clear lens tail lights, a 7-inch Harman powered touchscreen infotainment system, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and much more. Tata recently added to more AMT equipped variants to line up of this car. Currently, the ex-showroom, Delhi prices of this car range from INR 5.5 Lakh to INR 6.78 Lakh for the petrol manual, INR 6.40 Lakh to INR 7.25 Lakh for the petrol AMT and INR 6.4 Lakh to INR 7.70 Lakh for the diesel motor. Coming back to the spy images, expect Tata to unveil this new model early next year, way before the emission norms are enforced.

It is no secret that the Indian market loves its SUVs. From the tiny Mahindra KUV100, to the gigantic Rolls Royce Cullinan, we love all shapes and sizes of SUVs. That is maybe why Kia, a renowned automotive company over the world, decided to make its debut in the Indian market with one SUV. Last year, the company showcased the SP concept to us, which would be the base of the upcoming SUV from the Korean car maker. After that, the band started working on their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Southern India, where these SUVs shall be produced. Then began the testing of this SUV, which covered the whole country in the camouflage wrap. Finally, the day has come, where we shall see this SUV for the first time.

Today is the global unveil of the SUV, where we shall get a first glimpse at the upcoming SUV. From spy images and the initial sketches of the car, we can confirm the fact that the car will come with Bose Sound System, 10.25-inch Touchscreen, 360° Camera, Ventilated Seats, Powered Driver’s Seat, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Sunroof, Air Purifier, Automatic Climate Control, Rear AC Vents and Disc brakes all around. Do refresh this article to get the latest updates, straight from the unveiling ceremony.

12:10 PM: The stage is set and the event is underway. The host introduces the team of Kia, who has come for the unveiling of this global SUV.

12:14 PM: Kia aims to set new benchmarks in the Indian market, with cars crafted specifically for the Indian market.

12:15 PM: An AV plays showcasing the journey of the brand over the years.

12:17 PM: Mr Han Woo Park takes the stage to address the audience. He starts talking about the incredible journey of the brand in India.

12:20 PM: Kia also aims to cultivate automotive skill development in the region of Anantapur, where the state of the art of facility of Kia is located. The brand has created more than 10,000 jobs.

12:21 PM: Kia aims to provide the best customer experience in India. To have 265 touchpoints across 160 cities. By 2020, they aim to have 300 touchpoints, and also partner with leading financial establishments for customers.

12:22 PM: Despite being a global model, the Seltos has been designed for the Indian market with a powerful AC, great fuel economy and best in class level of quality.

12:24 PM: Kia Motors realises the importance of the future of mobility and investing in the same. The brand will be a major contributor to the Indian automobile industry.

12:27 PM: Tom Kearns, President and senior chief designer for Kia, talks about the design philosophy of the Seltos SUV.

12:29 PM: Designers had a goal of creating an SUV for both urban and outback activities. Indian customers were kept in mind at every step of the design.

12:31 PM: The Seltos comes with a music linked mood lighting system, which changes to colours of the ambient lighting according to the music being played, creating a club-like atmosphere. An air purifier will also be offered.

12:36 PM: Mr Lorenz Glaab, Vice President and Head of Global Product Management, takes the stage to share the specifications of the Seltos.

12:40 PM: Seltos to come with 10.25-inch infotainment screen. Also comes with an 8-inch heads-up display, blind spot monitor and 360-degree camera, 8-speaker Bose system and a GT line with a 1.4-litre turbocharged SUV with a 7-speed DCT.

12:42 PM: To come with second-row window shades, rear AC vents, ventilated seats, multiple storage spaces and many more features for your friends and family.

12:44 PM: Seltos to come with BS – VI compliant engines, along with a number of safety features, including TCS, ESC and more.

12:48 PM: Mr Manohar Bhat, vice president and head of sales and marketing Kia motors India takes the stage to talk more about the car and the brand’s journey.

12:50 PM: Safety has been a high priority, with a strong structure. The car will also come with SOS and roadside assistance call options.

12:51 PM: 4 transmissions on offer, 3 automatic gearboxes and a six-speed manual gearbox.

12:55 PM: An AV plays displaying the progress of the Kia dealerships all over the country.

12:58 PM: The moment we have been waiting for, the Kia Seltos is about to come on the stage.

1:05 PM: While a Seltos finished in red takes the stage, 2 other cars can also be seen, one of which is finished in white with a black roof, the other is finished in Orange with a white roof.

Marking its entry to the Indian market, leading Korean brand Kia has unveiled their first product for ht e Indian market, the Seltos SUV. To make its way to showrooms soon, this SUV comes with a number of features, many of them are segment first, and the car is built to global standards for the Indian market. This car, when launched, would be competing against the likes of the Nissan Kicks, Renault Captur and the segment leader, the Hyundai Creta. Moreover, going by the immense number of features on offer with this car, it could also prove to be a nice alternative of lower variants of cars like the Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass and the newcomer MG Hector. Here is all you need to know about this brand new Korean SUV.

Interior

The Seltos is quite a looker. On the inside, the car comes with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, along with an 8-speaker system from Bose. Customers of this SUV will also get ventilated seats, an air purifier, ample storage space and ambient lighting which works in conjunction with the music being played. Rear passengers get their own sunshades and AC vents. The overall quality of the materials appears to be good and feels well built. Another segment first feature of the Kia Seltos is the inclusion of an 8-inch heads-up display, which is seen in cars in much higher segments.

Exterior

The Seltos comes with a trademark tiger nose grille, which is found in all Kia cars sold all over the world and number of other design highlights. Here are the exterior design highlights of the car:

• Kia signature Tiger Nose Grille
• Premium Crystal Cut alloy wheels
• Crown Jewel LED headlamps
• Kia Signature Heartbeat shape LED DRL &  tail lamps
• Ice cube LED Fog lamps
• 3D Multilayer Side turn indicator
• Diamond shape knurling on the front grille
• Well-designed Lower Air dam & Bumper
• 8 colours and 5 two-tone options
• Dual muffler design on rear bumpers
• Bridge chrome line on the rear

Drivetrain

Kia made it clear that all the engines that would be offered with the Seltos SUV would be BS – VI compliant. While details of the other engines are not revealed yet, Kia did mention the offering of GT line of the SUV, which would come with a 1.4-litre turbocharged GDI petrol motor. This motor would be paired with a 7-speed DCT gearbox, delivering the most engaging driving experience. Another petrol and diesel motor would be offered as well. In terms of transmission options, Kia will off a total of four, 3 automatic and one manual, they are:

• IVT (Intelligent continuously variable transmission)
• 7-speed DCT
• 6-speed AT (torque converter)
• 6-speed manual

Moreover, the SUV will also offer different engine mapping options, which are eco mode, normal mode and sport mode, which would lightly change the way the car performs and delivers its power. Moreover, the car will also come with multiple grip modes – mud, wet and sand mode, which would make the car perform better in those particular situations.

UVO

The Kia Seltos will also offer the UVO connect feature, which will provide a host of connected features. This system will offer a total of 37 features, under five distinct categories i.e. Navigation, Safety and Security, Vehicle Management, Remote Control and Convenience. This service will be free of cost for customers for the first three years. Some of the features of this system are:

• AI Voice Command
• Stolen vehicle tracking and immobilization
• Auto Collision Notification, SOS-emergency assistance etc.
• Remote engine start & stop
• Remotely operated Air Purifier and In-Car Air Quality Monitor
• Safety alert (Geo fence, Time Fence, Speed, Valet, Idle)

Safety

Safety has been a high priority for engineers and designers at Kia. The Seltos uses a lightweight structure which uses 73% high Strength Steel and segment’s 1st Hot Stamping. Apart from that, Kia will also provide a segment first blind spot monitor, along with a 360-degree camera and driving rearview monitor (DRVM). Other highlights on the safety front include:

• 6 Airbags
• ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
• ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
• HAC
• VSM (Vehicle Stability Management)
• Traction control system
• BAS (Brake-Assist System)
• HAC (Hill-start Assist Control)
• Stolen vehicle notification, tracking and immobilization
• Stolen vehicle notification and tracking

Kia Motors considers India to be a very important market, and has invested a lot of time and money to be successful over here. Apart from creating a brilliant product for the Indian market in the form of the Seltos, the company has also worked to create a solid dealership network. Kia will go live with a vast 265 authorised touchpoints across 160 cities in India, and is committed to providing the highest number of touch points from a new car manufacturer in the country. Adding to customer’s convenience and delight, Kia Motors India will also digitalise its sales and service offerings enabling a hassle-free ownership experience. As Kia Motors India proceed further, the company is all set to increase the number of its touchpoints and committed to offer its service to even tier 4 markets along with tier 1,2 and 3.

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

Commenting on the occasion Mr Han Woo Park, CEO & President, Kia Motors Corporation, said, “India is a crucial market for Kia Motors overall growth story and will play an important role in expanding our global footprint. India is a diverse country with the distinct driving condition across the country and hence it was crucial to introduce a vehicle which is perfect in every sense. We are excited to pursue our India journey with Kia Seltos which is crafted and built keeping in mind the Indian customers and their needs. We believe that Seltos is all set to propel Kia into becoming one of India’s prominent automobile players in the years to come. Globally, the world premiere of the Seltos is an important milestone for Kia as it shows our commitment to the Indian market. This is just the beginning as we have many surprises for the 4th largest auto market in the world.” With such a promising car and such a promising start to the journey, stay tuned for more updates, including the specs, variants and pricing of the car, as and when available.

Established in the year of 2016, Neeva Foundation’s initiative called TaxShe, a cab service designed exclusively for women and children currently is working in the city of Delhi and Bangalore. This firm employs trained women drivers from Neeva Foundation to offer transportation services exclusively for school children and women workers. Ford, leading American car brand has donated a brand new Figo hatchback and Aspire sedan to Neeva Foundation in their efforts to provide training and employment to women as drivers. The efforts from Ford fall in line with the company’s commitment to facilitate a safe and empowering environment for women at the workplace as well as society at large.

The vehicle handover ceremony took place at Ford’s Sanand Plant where Anil Patel (Site plant Manager) along with Kalyan Murugan (Plant Manager), Mehul Trivedi (NMP Chief Engineer) and S. Girish (Area Manager-Paint Shop) were present to hand over the vehicles. Present on the occasion from Neeva foundation, NGO associated with TaxShe were Sushil Shroff (COO TaxShe), Ms Aarti Singh (HOD Neeva Mobilization, Delhi NCR), Ms Monika (HOD Neeva Training, Delhi NCR).

Vandana Suri, Founder & Director, Neeva Foundation and TaxShe said, “We are committed to bringing safety for women and kids through a pool of professional women drivers, whether as chauffeurs, cabbies or trainers and proud to have Ford India support us in our efforts.” Mr Anurag Mehrotra, President & Managing Director, Ford India said, “At the heart of Ford’s commitment to India are people and communities. It is therefore immensely satisfying to contribute two of our world-class vehicles to Neeva Foundation for a cause that is sure to take people forward and make a positive impact on the society.”

Also Read: Ford Continues To Inspire The Audience With Its #DiscoverMoreInYou – Campaign

Launched in a revamped avatar, both the Ford and the Aspire, share the same platform. Both the cars also use the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder dragon series motor. This petrol engine is tuned to deliver 96 PS of peak power and maximum twist of 120 Nm. The 1.5-litre oil burner, on the other hand, is tuned to develop a respectable 100 PS of peak power and 215 Nm of twist. Below, you can find our in-depth video reviews of both these cars, do have a look.

Ford Figo Review:

Ford Aspire Review:

Jawa Motorcycles brought in two new motorcycles and a wave of nostalgia in the Indian market. An overwhelming response from the public lead to a rather long waiting period for the motorcycles. At the time of the launch, the company had no physical dealerships, but the brand has now more than a 100 present all over the country, delivering to the customers who have waited for a rather long time period. Initially launched only with a single channel ABS module and rear drum brake, Jawa added the option of a rear disc brake and dual-channel ABS quite soon after the launch. Deliveries of the safer bike will begin from the last week of June as confirmed by Classic Legends CEO, Anupam Thareja on Twitter.

Someone will call you. However the deliveries of dual will start towards last week and depending on you number you should get it. Hang in there mate

— Anupam Thareja (@reach_anupam) June 19, 2019

Customers, who were waiting for the bike, were given an option to switch to the safer offering without having to break their number in line. Evidently, many customers decided to do so, but have not got any news on the delivery of their Jawa yet. One such customer, tired of asking the dealer, again and again, used the popular microblogging site to get some answers from Anupam.

Also Read: Listen To A Brand New Jawa 42 Roar With Its DB Killer Removed

Both the offerings, the Jawa and the Jawa 42 use the same engine. This liquid-cooled, DOHC, single cylinder, 293 cc engine is rated to produce 27 hp of maximum power and 28 Nm of maximum torque. Great effort was put in to mimic the sound the 2-stroke motors from the past produced. The power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed transmission. Suspension duties are taken care of by conventional telescopic forks in the front and twin shock absorber at the rear. While a single channel ABS is offered as standard with both bikes, customers can pay a little extra to get a dual disc variant with dual channel ABS. Price of the Jawa 42 is INR 1.55 Lakh and that of the Jawa is INR 1.64 Lakh, whereas the dual disc variant of both these models attracts a premium of INR 8,000.

Mr Rudratej Singh, or Rudy as he is called affectionately, has been appointed as the new president and CEO of the BMW India group. He shall take his place in the new office from the 1st of August, where he will be handling all three brands under the BMW India group – BMW, Mini and Motorrad. One of the largest premium car manufacturers in India, BMW Group has its sight set firmly on the premium sector of the Indian automobile market. Wide range of its activities include a manufacturing plant in Chennai, a parts warehouse in Mumbai, a training centre in Gurgaon NCR and dealer organisation across major metropolitan centres of the country.

Mr Rudratej Singh was earlier working with Royal Enfield and brings over 25 years of experience with him. Having held multiple leadership positions both in the automotive and non-automotive industry, he has worked with Unilever in India and international markets for over 16 years. Mr Singh graduated from Delhi University and holds an MBA degree in Marketing and Finance from Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad. He replaces Mr Vikram Pawah, who is now the Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group Australia and New Zealand. With Pawah taking the new job in August 2018, the void in the company was filled by Dr Hans-Christian Baertels, Director, Finance and Administration at BMW Group India.

Mr Hendrik von Kuenheim, Senior Vice President, Region Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, BMW Group said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr Rudratej Singh as the President and Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group India. As a priority market for the BMW Group, India presents tremendous potential for future growth and development for the luxury automotive segment. Having worked across diverse industry segments, Mr Singh has a deep understanding of strategic business techniques based on fundamental consumer insights, a transformational leadership approach and fresh thinking that will strengthen BMW Group’s operations in India.”

Also Read: All-New BMW M8 Is A 600+ HP Grand Tourer

In other news, the German brand has recently launched the brand new, 4th generation X5 SUV in the Indian market. The car comes with a choice of one petrol and one diesel engine, both paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Prices of the car range from INR 72,90,000 to INR 82,40,000, ex-showroom, India. To know more about this SUV, do watch our walk around video of the same is linked below.

Entertaining a niche segment of buyers with a very unique product in the Indian market, Isuzu has recently launched the facelift of their lifestyle pick-up truck. The new for 2019 D-Max V-Cross comes with 20 more additional features and revised looks, while carrying the same price tag as the model it replaces. As an introductory offer, Isuzu has priced the pick-up at INR 15.51 Lakh for the standard variant and INR 17.03 Lakh for the Z variant, both prices being ex-showroom, Mumbai. The facelift also comes with two new colour options – Sapphire Blue and Silky Pearl, which join the previous colour options of Ruby Red, Titanium Silver, Obsidian Grey, Cosmic Black and Splash White. Bookings of this pick-up truck are now open across all Isuzu dealerships.

From the outside, the pick-up sports a number of changes. The front fascia is adorned by a sporty grille, flanked by bi-LED headlight clusters. The fog lamps get a dash of chrome treatment, a metal e Indians love. The side silhouette is enhanced by diamond cut, 18-inch alloy wheels, which come with flared wheel arches, giving an aggressive appearance. The roof rails are new too, so is the shark fin antenna. Isuzu has also integrated a side step to make ingress and egress much easier. The B-pillar gets a blacked-out treatment and the rear side comes with LED tail lamps.

Coming to the inside, the truck comes with an all-black theme. The top-of-the-line Z variant of the car comes with perforated leather seats. The instrument cluster is new, which comes with a new 3D Design Electroluminescent Meter and Gear Shift Indicator. The second row also gets USB ports for charging devices. You also get steering mounted audio controls and a 7” touch screen audio system with USB input, DVD, AUX, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity. The facelift also comes with a number of new convenience features like PESS (Passive Entry & Start/Stop System), seat-belt with pre-tensioners & load limiter, speed sensitive auto door lock, co-driver seat belt reminder, HSA (Hill Start Assist) and HDC (Hill Descent Control).

Also Read: Isuzu Puts Their D-Max Pick-Ups on the Government e-Marketplace Portal
Under the bonnet of this new model is a 2.5-litre, BS – IV compliant, high-pressure Common Rail Fuel Injection, diesel motor tuned to generate 134 hp and 320 Nm of torque. The engine is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission and comes with a 4WD system, with the ability to shift on the move.

Considered to be the highest testament of reliability, the 24 hours of Le Mans is a race where every major car manufacturer competes against each other in various classes. One of the oldest races in the history of motorsport, this year marked the 87th 24 hours race. This year the race was conducted on 15–16 June 2019, on the famous Circuit de la Sarthe circuit at Le Mans, France. A race that goes on for a whole day pushes each and every component of the car to its limits. Completing this race itself is a remarkable feat, but Toyota tops it by not only completing it, but also coming first in the race, for the second time in a row. This makes Toyota the first Japanese automaker to win the title twice with a self-charging hybrid electric vehicle.

Toyota Gazoo Racing, the motorsport division of the Japanese brand competed with a self-charging hybrid electric vehicle, the Toyota TS050. This year, the car has been further improved with a 1000 hp hybrid electric powertrain and mounted on the car to strengthen its reliability. Driving the 1000PS TS050, Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Fernando Alonso (Retired Formula1 driver) defended their Le Mans crown and secured the drivers’ World Championship in the process. Also driving the TS050, Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López bagged the second place in the race.

Also Read: Beyond The Gates Of Toyota’s Manufacturing Facility In Bangalore

Commenting on Toyota’s win, Mr Masakazu Yoshimura, Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “Toyota self-charging hybrid electric vehicles have not only proved their performance on the roads but also on the tracks. Toyota’s recent win at Le Mans stands true testimony to that and further reiterates our position as the world leader in self-charging hybrid electric technology. Thanks to the combination of a responsive petrol engine and powerful electric motor, Toyota self-charging hybrid electric vehicles are not just cleaner and efficient but also torque-full to drive and more economical. This ‘fun to drive’ aspect of our self-charging hybrid electric vehicles is further resonated by the acceptance we have received from our customers all over the world.”

While most of you are familiar with the iconic American motorcycle brand, Harley Davidson, but who are Zhejiang Qianjiang? Well, this company is quite a renowned motorcycle brand from China, and Benelli is a subsidiary owned by these folks. Now, these two brands have come together to create a bike in the sub-500 cc segment, a 338 cc motorcycle. This motorcycle will initially be available only in the Chinese market, but would soon make its way to other Asian markets, India included. This motorcycle is very likely to borrow quite a few parts from the Benelli bin, primarily of the TNT 300. Do read ahead to know more.

Going by the initial sketches of this bike, we can notice quite a few similarities between the TNT 300 and this new Harley Davidson. Unlike most Harleys in the market, this model will not be your typical laid back cruiser but is in fact designed to be a sporty naked roadster. Built around a trellis frame, which appears to be borrowed from the Benelli, this Harley can be expected to be quite a good handling machine. Apart from the frame, other mechanical bits like the brakes, suspension and fenders too appear to be the same as the Benelli. The engine seems to follow a parallel twin format unlike the V-Twin format we associate with Harley Davidson over the years, which could very likely be a bored out version of the TNT 300’s engine.

Also Read: Benelli’s 300 cc Range Receives A Price Cut

The styling of the bike, however, is unlike that of the TNT 300. The fuel tank can be seen finished in a dual tone scheme, which looks nice with the metallic tank shrouds. The footpegs are rear set, offering a sporty riding experience and the saddle, despite being a single piece unit, comes with a step-up design. We also see a retro looking, round headlamp unit but it features LED illumination. Expected to be launched in the Chinese market by 2020, we can expect this bike to make its way to Indian shores by 2021. When launched, this bike would be the most affordable model in the Harley Davidson line-up, a place currently held by the Street 750 motorcycle.

S&S Cycle Inc. is a US-based aftermarket parts maker. This brand has been known to build a number of high-quality power parts and accessories for bikes from brands like Harley Davidson and Indian. Recently, the brand also diverted its attention towards our very own motorcycle brand, Royal Enfield. With the newly launched 650 twins gaining quite some attention and rising in popularity, S&S has already created a number of parts for these two newly launched bikes. However, until now, there was nobody who was importing these parts to the Indian market. Yes until now, for Delhi based High Note performance has started taking pre-orders for the S&S exhaust system, as seen on their Instagram account.

 

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NEWS ALERT!!! S&S Exhaust for the Royal Enfield Interceptor is coming to town! Call us at +91-9953705220 or email at info@highnoteperformance.com to Pre-Order today! #interceptor650 #interceptor #exhaustpipe #sandscycle #royalenfield #re

A post shared by High Note Performance (@highnoteperformance) on Jun 20, 2019 at 12:45am PDT

The post, however, does not mention the price of this part but you can surely DM or call the folks at High Note Performance to know more. Powering the new Royal Enfield 650 Twins is a 648 cc air-cooled, SOHC, fuel-injected, parallel-twin motor producing out 47 hp at 7,100 rpm and 52 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. According to the S&S website, customers can expect a power bump of 13.5% with this new exhaust. The exhaust also changes the delivery of the power and torque, making it more felt in the middle of the rev range, where the bike would be during your average ride.

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

The power generated by this engine is sent to the rear wheel with a 6-speed transmission which comes with a slipper and assist clutch. Other equipment on offer with the motorcycle includes disc brakes at both ends, measuring 320 mm in the front and 240 mm at the rear, governed by a dual channel ABS module as standard. The twin cradle tubular steel frame is suspended by 41 mm telescopic shocks in the front and twin, gas-charged shock ups with five steps of adjustment. The front shocks offer 110 mm of travel while 88 mm of travel is available at the rear.

Seems like Maruti Suzuki is on an upgrade spree. After updating the Baleno, Swift and WagonR with a BS – VI compliant engine, India’s largest car manufacturer has now endowed the Dzire with the same. Apart from the updated engine, the car will also be accompanied by some additional safety. features, to make it compliant with the AIS-145 safety norms which would be enforced from July 1st. This includes the addition of a seat belt reminder for the front passenger and a speed-alert system as standard across all variants. Apart from that, the car already came with features like driver seat belt reminder, ABS and dual airbags as standard.

The compact sedan will come with two engine options, one petrol and one diesel. The petrol engine is a 1.2-litre unit which is now updated to be BS – VI compliant. This motor generates 82.94 PS at 6,000 rpm and 113 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. The diesel engine continues to be BS – IV compliant. This 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder motor is tuned to produce 74.78 PS at 4,000 rpm and 190 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. Both the engines come with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard but an AMT type automatic is also available as an option. The diesel motor, however, will not be upgraded to the BS – VI emission norms, as Maruti Suzuki announced that they will be discontinuing smaller diesel engines from next year. This update comes with a price hike, prices of the petrol model now range from INR 5,82,613 to INR 8,68,613, while the diesel ranges from INR 6,71,622 to INR 9,57,622. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Launches CNG Powered Alto, Priced From INR 4.10 Lakh

Having crossed the 19 Lakh units sales milestone, the Dzire is arguably one of the most popular compact sedans in the market. In its latest avatar, the car uses the fifth generation HEARTECT platform. Features on offer include DRLs (daytime running lamps), precision cut two-tone alloy wheels, rear AC vents and SmartPlay infotainment system (compatible with Android and iOS users) make it a solid package in its segment. This car competes against the likes of the Honda Amaze, Ford Aspire, Tata Tigor and Volkswagen Ameo in the Indian market.

From 22 June, Volkswagen Motorsport India’s Ameo class of the MRF MMSCI FMSCI National Championship 2019 will be kicked off. Taking place at the Kari Motor Speedway Coimbatore. 18 passionate drivers including nine new drivers and nine from the previous seasons are all geared up to take their positions on the grid this season. Drivers will have two free practice sessions today to get their first-time laps in the Ameo class race cars before heading into the Qualifying Session on Saturday, June 22nd. These sessions will then be followed by three races spread between Saturday and Sunday. After the first round, the second, third and fourth rounds will be held at the Madras Motor Race Track, Chennai in July and August and October respectively.

In preparation for the race weekend, the selected drivers were put through two-day fitness camp in Pune along with Multifit to evaluate their fitness levels and to guide them towards achieving the fitness levels needed for the race track. The two-day camp witnessed the drivers undergoing multiple sessions on workouts, posture correction, diet and nutrition. The training sessions were designed to enhance the performance of drivers with prehab and rehab training. Post the fitness regime, the drivers got into the cars at Kari Motor Speedway over the last three days to have their first test sessions before the season officially begins. During these sessions, Driver Coaches Rayomand Banajee and Karthik Tharani conducted several training sessions that included the fundamentals of racing. Racing lines to be used at the track, braking drills and so on.

Also Read: Volkswagen Opens Up A New Showroom In Ranchi, Showroom Count Now Stands At 119

Mr Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India said, “The 2019 season will be yet another thrilling season for us. As we enter the 10th year of Motorsport, we are eager to witness the season unfold. The drivers have already started training and are charged up to start racing”. He further added that the season is also special for us because our premier one-make series with the Ameo race cars is now a recognized national championship and the winner will be officially crowned a National Champion by FMSCI”.

‘The Decision’ is Ford’s latest story under its Brand Campaign – #DiscoverMoreInYou. After spreading awareness on the issue of road rage, accident prevention and ‘helping the injured’ in its previous videos, Ford India now presents a new emotive story in its third and final social video. This latest TVC is about adoption and the attitude of Indian consumers who aren’t afraid to challenge traditional customs, be it the car purchase or the life-changing decision of adoption.

The latest story features a bold, independent and confident woman who is travelling with her parents on a surprise holiday in her new Ford Freestyle. As they confidently drive up the hills in their compact utility vehicle, the daughter tells her father of the bigger purpose of the trip. Her plan is to drive back with a fourth passenger, a child that she will be adopting. The woman is looking for emotional support from her father, as she is planning on breaking social taboos and becoming a single independent parent. When she first told her parents about it, she got an uncertain look from both of them. However, her positive decisions in the past and her confident driving skills, result in the father prompting her to pull over. Their worried look, however, dissolves into a heart-wrenching, emotional moment as the father is seen walking towards them with a child-seat to welcome the new member in the car and the family.

Also Read: Ford Donates Two Cars To Neeva Foundation To Empower Women

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. This video is BBDO’s first creative campaign for Ford India and has been led under the creative supervision of Josy Paul, Anunay Rai & Gaurangi Mathur. All the three TVCs have been directed by ace filmmaker Shimit Amin. Apart from being the leader in the UV segment, the company continues to promote safer roads through its #Cartesy and Driving Skills for Life programs.

Also Read: Ford Continues To Inspire The Audience With Its #DiscoverMoreInYou – Campaign

“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. “While our campaign continues to encourage viewers to make the right decisions, the third TVC is also a celebration of the changing face of Indian consumers who are confident, optimistic and believe in driving the change they want to see in the society.”

Boasting to have one of the largest dealership networks in the country, Maruti Suzuki has recently taken a step to help their dealer partners. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of understanding for being the ‘Preferred Financier’ for its dealers. This MoU was signed between Mr P S Jayakumar, MD & CEO, Bank of Baroda and Mr Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited. Mr Ajay Seth, Senior Executive Director & CFO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited and other senior officials from both the organizations were also present. With this partnership, Bank of Baroda will allow Maruti Suzuki to provide more comprehensive financing opportunities for dealers as well as customers. The dealer inventory financing will be done as per bank of Baroda’s existing product program of Supply Chain Finance.

Commenting on the alliance, Mr Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “We are confident that this collaboration with one of India’s largest public sector bank will offer new-age banking and finance solutions for our customers and dealer partners. At Maruti Suzuki, we strive to deliver the best customer experience and this new collaboration will help us in ensuring the same. I’m confident all our customers and dealer partners will take benefit of this new alliance.”

Sharing his thoughts on the alliance, Mr P S Jayakumar, MD & CEO, Bank of Baroda said, “We are delighted to be associated with India’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer – Maruti Suzuki India Limited. Given the huge potential available in the auto loan/commercial finance segment, we are hopeful that this agreement strengthens our presence in these segments and increases market penetration for Maruti Suzuki in India.”

Also Read: This Modified Maruti Esteem Claims To Be A 200 kmph Sleeper

Apart from making financing more convenient for its dealer partners, Maruti Suzuki has been busy upgrading its cars with a BS – VI compliant motor. The Japanese automotive giant has already equipped the BS – VI compliant 1.2-litre petrol motor in cars like the Baleno, WagonR, Swift and Dzire. These cars also received a number of safety updates to comply with the upcoming AIS-145 safety norms of the government. For more news on India’s largest car manufacturer, stay tuned.

Last month, Hyundai Motor India had launched the country’s first Smart SUV, the Venue, and the car received an overwhelming response. With over 17,000 bookings and 80,000 interested people on the first day, the smart SUV received a clear and positive response from the Indian customers. After a month, the Venue continues to remain one of India’s most favourite compact SUV, as it now records over 1,000 retail deliveries in a single day. The SUV has received over 33,000 bookings in less than a month and around 2 lakh customers have also expressed their interest to purchase this vehicle.

Talking about the car, the design of the Venue exhibits a confident and tough SUV, which also displays Hyundai’s signature design language. The vehicle’s side profile showcases a solid and full volume wheel arch along with a strong character line. The front bold mesh pattern grille includes the new Hyundai signature face, while the unique character line flows over the body and blends into the tail lamps. The Hyundai Venue is 3,995 mm in length, 1,770 mm in width and 1,590 mm high, and also gets a boot space capacity of more than 350 litres.

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

The Venue is offered in six variants: E, S, SX, SX(Dual-tone), SX(O) and SX+. The car gets a total of 4 drivetrain options, a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 81 HP and 114 Nm of torque paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, a 1-litre petrol engine producing 120 HP and 172 Nm of torque paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed automatic gearbox and finally a 1.4-litre diesel engine producing 90 HP and 220 Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The prices for the Venue start from INR 6,50,000 (ex-showroom, India)

Also Read: Hyundai Venue Gets A Positive Response From Its Indian Customers

Commenting on this day, Mr Vikas Jain, National Sales Head, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “Hyundai VENUE has bolstered our commitment towards offering Smart Mobility Solutions to India’s aspirational customers’ needs. Being India’s first Connected SUV with Blue Link Technology, VENUE received a phenomenal response. Today, as we celebrate 1st month Anniversary of VENUE, I’m overwhelmed to share its historic success with record bookings of 33,000 cars in less than a month and retail delivery of over 1,000 units in a single day.  I’m confident that Hyundai VENUE will create new milestones making our customers’ life a ‘Happy Life’.”