Kia Seltos: Kia Finally Launches Its First Car For India

This week has been quite an exciting one for the Indian car market with 3 amazing cars being launched already – The Grand i10 Nios, Maruti Suzuki XL6, BMW 3 Series. One of the most awaited and highly anticipated car launches of the year has taken place today. Kia Motors have finally launched their first product for the Indian market – the Kia Seltos SUV. Before being officially launched the Seltos has already garnered 23000 bookings (bookings started on 16^th July 2019). This is a huge amount for a brand-new car! Kia is world-renowned for offering premium cars which are sporty, tech loaded, modern and have an amazing design…all this at a price which will not break the bank.

   The Kia Seltos is a mid-sized SUV which is positioned above its Hyundai cousin the Creta. The overall design of the Seltos is quite like the Hyundai Creta. However, Kia has taken the design game a few notches above! The Seltos is a beautifully designed modern, urban SUV which is sure to be a head-turner. Starting at the front there is Kia’s signature Tiger Nose grille, which creates a distinct identity for the car at the same time giving it a bold, sporty character. The grille is flanked by intricately designed headlights and integrated LED DRLs. The Seltos has a muscular stance when compared to the Creta, this adds to the road presence. At the back, the Seltos has a pair of detailed LED taillights which look awesome! Moving inside the modern and well laid out cabin assures you of being in a premium car! The materials, fit and finish are of very good quality, for once you do seem to think am, I sitting in a car a few segments above? The Seltos gets a dual-tone colour scheme for the Tech Line variant, the GT Line variant, on the other hand, gets red stitching for the interior. A huge 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a highlight, this system is loaded with all the bells and whistles you would expect from a car of this segment including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Being a connected system, the driver/car owner has the added ease of operating the system with a mobile app. For example, one can turn on the car and start the air conditioning system remotely. The Seltos comes with an air-purifier system, Bose speaker system, cruise control, heads up display etc. The Seltos has an extensive safety list such as multiple airbags, ABS, vehicle stability program, blind-spot monitor system etc. The Kia Seltos comes with 3 engine options – 2 petrol engines and 1 diesel. The 1.5 L petrol engine churns out 115hp and is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and a CVT automatic option. The 1.4 L direct-injection turbo-petrol engine produces 140hp comes with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The diesel engine produces 1.5 L and makes 115hp mated to 6-speed manual or torque converter automatic gearbox options.

   The Kia Seltos is a brilliant all-rounder and gives the Indian customer a premium car at a very attractive price point of Rs.9.69 lakh onwards. Kia wanted to enter India with a bang! And the Kia Seltos is exactly that!  

BMW Launches The Latest-Gen 3 Series Sedan For India

The BMW 3 Series is one of the most popular compact luxury sedans in the world. The 3 Series offers a great blend of driving performance and luxury. BMW launched the 3 Series sedan in 1982, seven generations since the 3 Series remains one of the best-selling luxury cars in the world. The latest generation was globally introduced in March earlier this year. Today, BMW India has launched the latest-generation 3 Series sedan for the Indian market.

   The new 3 Series is built on BMW’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform shared with the larger 5, 7 Series sedans. This latest-gen 3 Series is larger and lighter than the car it replaces. The overall design of the new car remains unchanged, BMW’s signature kidney grille just keeps on getting bigger and bigger! At the front, the new 3 Series gets L-shaped LED headlights instead of the round ones we are accustomed to seeing. At the rear, the tail lamps get a new rectangular design which adds to the bold and athletic appeal of the 3 Series. Step inside and you will be welcomed by a familiar BMW cabin. The cabin design is like other BMW cars such as the latest X5 and X7, which is great! Though the new 3 Series has grown larger, space inside is relatively the same as the previous model. BMW has made practical changes such as the addition of storage spaces and providing an option of split seats for the rear. Being a luxury car, the 3 Series comes with all the bells and whistles you could ask for. The new 3 comes with 2 touchscreen options – an 8.8-inch (for the 320d Sport) and a 10.25-inch (for the 330d Luxury & 330i M Sport) both these can be controlled by the iDrive system via the rotary dial, voice control, gestures, and touchscreen. Other features include – electric sunroof, 3-zone climate control, digital instrument cluster etc. The new 3 Series is powered by 2.0 L turbocharged petrol and diesel engines both of which are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

   The BMW 3 Series will rival the likes of Mercedes-Benz C Class, Audi A4, Jaguar XE. With prices starting at Rs.41.40 lakh onwards, this segment is an interesting one to watch out for.

Maruti Suzuki Launches The XL6 Premium MPV For India

The Toyota Innova was the car that won the hearts and minds of Indians in a short span of time. The Innova was a car which introduced the concept of the MPV as an alternative to the SUV for the Indian market. Even today the Innova is known as the undisputed MPV in the Indian market. Maruti Suzuki introduced the Ertiga as their offering in the MPV segment. Since its introduction in 2013, the Ertiga has been a huge success in the Indian market. Recently there has been an increasing demand for premium cars at a price which is affordable and offers value for money to the customers. Maruti Suzuki being experts at offering affordable cars at a great value for money proposition have identified this trend. Today, Maruti Suzuki has launched the XL6 premium MPV for the Indian market.

   The XL6 is a 7-seat MPV which is based on the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. At first glance, the XL6 looks quite like the Ertiga. However, when you look closer you will notice the changes in design. Starting at the front the XL6 gets a refreshed and bold styling for the grille. The XL6 gets a larger grille, more chrome and sleek LED headlamps; this gives the car good road presence, good and bold character. Along the sides, the XL6 gets plastic body-cladding giving it a robust appearance. At the back, the key highlight is the beautifully designed taillights which look stunning! Step inside and you will notice a cabin layout like the Ertiga but unlike its Maruti sibling the XL6 gets an all-black colour scheme. One of the USPs (Unique Selling Proposition) of the Toyota Innova was its individual captain seat configuration for the middle row. This configuration offered customers a lot of space and legroom providing them with a comfortable experience even on long journeys. The Maruti Suzuki XL6 comes with this winning configuration – individual captain seats for the middle row. The XL6 comes loaded with tech and features such as a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, AC vents for the rear passengers, cruise control, keyless entry, engine start-stop button etc. The XL6 gets safety equipment such as ABS, EBD, dual front airbags as standard across all variants and hill hold assist is also an option. The XL6 will be offered only in the petrol fuel type with Maruti’s tried and tested 1.5 L naturally aspirated petrol engine. This engine also does duty on the Ertiga and Ciaz; comes with mild-hybrid technology and is BS 6 compliant. The 1.5 L engine produced 105 bhp of max power output and will be mated to both a manual and AMT gearbox. The XL6 will be only sold at Nexa dealerships across the country.

    The XL6 is a great option for a car buyer who is looking out for a premium MPV on a budget. The XL6 will also prove a car for fleet operators (premium hotel chains, corporates). The XL6 will be competing with the likes of the Mahindra Marazzo, Honda BR-V amongst others. The XL6 is priced competitively with prices starting at Rs.9.80 lakh onwards.

  

Hyundai Launches The Grand i10 Nios For The Indian Market

The Hyundai i10 has been one of the most popular and successful hatchbacks in the Indian market. Hyundai launched the i10 for the Indian market back in 2007, it has been a force to be reckoned with ever since. India has seen 2 generations of the i10 – the i10 and Grand i10 respectively. Today, Hyundai has unveiled the third generation – Grand i10 Nios for the Indian market. The Grand i10 Nios will slot in between the current Grand i10 and Elite i20. In a smart move, Hyundai has decided to continue selling the Grand i10 alongside the new Nios.

    Hyundai says that the word ‘Nios’ means more as they aim to deliver more on features, performance, and space with the new car. The Grand i10 Nios sports a new avatar, which resembles the Hyundai Santro. At the front, the Nios has a large grille with nicely designed headlamps that flanking on either side of it. The Nios gets projector headlamps and DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) are smartly integrated with the grille. The muscular bonnet and rising window line give the Grand i10 Nios good character. The rear of the Nios is designed well giving the car a bold and sporty look. The Nios, in general, has a free-flowing design which looks very sporty and youthful. Moving inside the Nios has a spacious and modern cabin. Overall the cabin is practical with good storage spaces and passenger comfort is kept in check. There is a good amount of space in the backseat for 3 passengers to sit comfortably. The Nios gets good boot space – easy to store luggage for a weekend trip. The Nios gets an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system which is well integrated with the digital instrument cluster, this gives the touchscreen a cool floating design. The infotainment system gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto along with Bluetooth, USB connectivity, etc. Features such as passive entry, engine start-stop button are also provided for the convenience of the customers. The Nios comes with ABS, Dual Airbags and a segment-first - emergency lights during a panic braking situation. Hyundai has decided to carry forward the same 1.2 L Kappa petrol engine and 1.2 L U2 diesel engine which do duty on the Grand i10. Both these engines are BS 6 ready. The engines will be mated to a manual transmission along with an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) for both the petrol and diesel variants.

   The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios is designed for the millennial and new-age car buyer. It is a good package which promises exciting value for the customer. With prices starting at Rs.4,99,990 (Ex-Showroom) we shall have to wait and see how the Nios performs in the market!

Understanding Your Car : Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

Braking is one of the most important elements of driving. The brakes of a car enable a driver to have control over his/her car by reducing the speed. A slower speed allows for greater control of the car, hence enabling the driver to make a turn, maneuver in traffic, park the car, etc. When a car is in motion it has a lot of kinetic energy. When car tires are in contact with the road surface friction is generated, this friction is very important to determine both maximum speed and minimum stopping distance of a car. In order to reduce the speed of a car or bring it to a complete stop, the brakes use friction to convert kinetic energy into heat. Cars are driven on a variety of surface conditions – dry, snow, wet/slippery, etc. Most car drivers are sure to have experienced an emergency or sudden braking situations while driving on a highway, slippery surface or even in the city conditions. When a car is at speed and brakes are applied the wheels tend to lock up, this is where ABS comes in to save the day!

  The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is a safety feature and a very crucial component of a car’s braking system. ABS is an electronics assisted safety feature which prevents the car wheels from locking up under braking conditions. ABS was invented in 1929 by French aviation pioneer Gabriel Voisin for application in planes. When wheels of a car lock-up under braking conditions the car loses grip and slips. ABS works on all driving surfaces and is often the most important under slippery conditions. When driving under slippery conditions the car tires are most vulnerable as they have the least available grip. ABS comes in very handy and provides for safety to the driver and co-passengers, car and other vehicles on the road. ABS is based on the principles of cadence braking and threshold braking. Both cadence, threshold braking are techniques derived from motorsport. Cadence braking allows a driver to safely perform a turn while applying optimum braking force. Threshold braking, on the other hand, is also called limit braking or pump braking. In this technique, a driver pumps the brake repeatedly to slow down the car to the desired limit. The ABS system prevents the wheels of a car from locking up while braking and allows the driver to steer the car while in an emergency braking situation. An ABS system is made up of 4 primary components – sensors, electronic control unit (ECU), valves and a hydraulic control unit (HCU). The sensors attached to the wheels of the car detect skidding and monitor the speed of each wheel. When the sensors detect that the wheels are locking up, the sensors automatically apply and release the brakes to prevent the wheels from skidding and allowing for safe steering. With the help of electronic, hydraulic systems ABS can apply and releasing brakes at a much quicker rate than what a human would be able to. While braking under emergency situations it is very important for the driver to keep the brake pedal firmly pressed then steer the car to safety. In case you are driving a car, which is not equipped with ABS – it is very important to keep on pumping the brakes repeatedly if your car begins to skid. For an ABS system to work effectively it is very important that the car tires are in good condition (they should not be worn out) and are properly inflated.

   With the advancements in technology and their application in cars, the modern car is becoming safer with each passing day. Car manufacturers are constantly vying to showcase and provide cutting edge technology to customers who wish to buy their cars. It should be noted that ABS is one of the earliest electronically assisted safety systems to be used in a car, yet it continues to be one of the most basic and important safety systems in a car. ABS works behind the scenes, continuously working in the shadows to ensure the driver, passengers, the car and surrounding vehicles are safe at all times!

Bharat Stage VI : India Moves A Step Closer To Green Mobility

Road transport is one of the most important means of transportation for humans all over the world. We, humans, use road transportation in one form or the other – cars, bikes, trucks, buses etc. on a day to day basis no matter where we may reside! A majority of road transportation across various countries all over the world use fossil fuels to power them. Fossil fuels (such as petrol, diesel) when combusted in an internal combustion engine generate heat and produce power to run the vehicle. As a bye product of the heat, the power generated in the engine harmful, polluting gases are emitted from the exhaust of the vehicle. Harmful gases such as hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide is emitted from vehicles. This, in turn, leads to widespread air pollution. In cities, the world over vehicular pollution contributes greatly to the pollution levels going up. To combat this increase in pollution, governments all over the world have a set of emission control standards. These standards are aimed at curbing the ever-increasing rise of air polluting gases emitted from road vehicles. Vehicle manufacturers are mandated to adhere and strictly follow emission control standards set by governments.

  The emission control standards followed in India are known as the Bharat Stage (BS) emission standards. Introduced in India by the Indian government in 2000, these standards are based on European regulations. India is currently using the BS-IV standard emission norms which have been in place since 2010. In 2016, the Indian government decided to skip the BS V norms and directly adopt the BS-VI norms by 1^st April 2020. This is a very important decision as it sets India on a path closer to greener mobility. In a recent judgement the Supreme Court of India has banned the sale and registration of motor vehicles which comply with BS-IV norms from 1^st April 2020. Beginning with the Delhi, NCR (National Capital Region) BS-VI compliant fuel is already being distributed in petrol pumps across the country. The BS-VI emission norms are stricter in comparison to the current BS-IV norms. BS-VI focuses on the reduction of Sulphur and other particulate matter and norms to control them. The current BS IV norms allow for 50 parts per million (ppm) of Sulphur. The new BS-VI norms when enforced will limit the Sulphur emissions to 10 ppm. This will lead to a reduction of 80% particulate matter. Motor vehicles also emit Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) which is very harmful to the environment. As a result of BS-VI norms, NOx will decrease by up to 80% for diesel cars and 25% in petrol cars. The new BS-VI norms will not only have an adverse effect on the car industry, but it will also have a big impact on the oil industry – oil suppliers, processors, distributors etc. Oil suppliers will have to upgrade the octane content in the fuel to make it compliant with BS-VI norms. Fuel with higher octane content allows for higher compression. The higher the compression the more energy available to extract from the engine. Car manufacturers will have to put in devices to monitor and control fuel performance in order to comply with BS-VI norms. This may require them to alter the dimensions of their vehicles. If so, they might not be eligible for the sub-4m tax benefits. OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) will have to improve the design of engine components such as piston rings, turbochargers etc. improvements in design will lead to a better and more efficiently performing engine. These modifications and changes to comply with BS-VI will come at an added cost –the price diesel cars are expected to increase by approx. Rs.75000-Rs.100000. For petrol cars – OEMs will have to increase the Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium content in the catalytic converter. Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium are used to filter and purify the harmful gases produced in the engine as a bye product of fuel ignition. With these changes, the price of petrol cars is expected to increase by Rs.15000-Rs.20000. Car manufacturers have already started making changes to their cars such as – modifications to engines, exhaust systems and other parts in order to comply with BS-VI norms. Quite a few car manufacturers have also increased the selling price (Ex-Showroom price) of their cars as a result.

   With the advent of BS-VI norms, petrol cars seem to have an edge over their diesel counterparts. It may be difficult for small diesel cars to cope with the increase in price due to the BS-VI norms. This will see a lot of car buyers switch over from diesel cars to petrol ones, especially in the small car segment. Petrol cars have 2 aces up their sleeve too – the reducing price gap between petrol and diesel fuel rates, the less significant price increase in a petrol car versus a diesel one. The Government of India is pushing for quicker adoption of electric vehicles with the ambitious FAME scheme. With increasing pollution levels and the negative impact road vehicles have on the environment the Government of India sees the FAME scheme and BS-VI as effective tools to combat increasing pollution and reduce our carbon footprint. Adopting to BS-VI emission control norms is a remarkable effort by the Government of India as India moves a step closer to greener mobility.