Meet The DBX : Aston Martin's First SUV

German supercar manufacturer Porsche shocked the world when it launched the Cayenne SUV way back in 2003. The Cayenne was a mid-sized luxury SUV that also delivered on the supercar-like performance, experience one would get when driving a conventional supercar. The Cayenne started the trend and pioneered the luxury performance SUV segment. Iconic British car manufacturer Aston Martin is the latest car brand to join the luxury performance SUV segment with the Aston Martin DBX. James Bond can now finally drive an Aston Martin SUV!

   The Aston Martin DBX is the first SUV from the house of Aston Martin. Aston Martin is a name world-renowned for manufacturing luxury sports cars and grand tourers. Beautiful design and outstanding performance are the hallmarks of any Aston Martin car. One of the best car designers in the world - their cars have a great blend of traditional, contemporary design. With the DBX, Aston Martin has ventured into unchartered territory…however, they have yet managed to create a masterpiece of automobile design! See the DBX for the first time and you are awestruck with its beauty, it has an understated charm of luxury which is a common design philosophy all Aston Martin cars share. The signature Aston Martin grille is a better fit on the DBX SUV, as it gives the car a good identity, commanding road presence. The headlights on the DBX are a classic Aston Martin touch. While designing the DBX Aston Martin emphasized the car being beautiful rather than performance-oriented…the design of the Aston Martin DBX speaks for itself in this regard. The beautifully designed rear spoiler on the DBX is the cherry on the icing! The DBX is slightly over 5 m long this makes it fit well between the smaller Porsche Cayenne and larger Bentley Bentayga. The DBX has a lower ride height when compared to competitors, however, with a long wheelbase the car is spacious on the inside allowing for passengers for a comfortable and luxurious experience. Moving inside the cabin is plush and built with the highest level of luxury materials. One of the best sights to see is the seating for passengers at the rear…well done Aston! Aston Martin has been going through a difficult patch over the past year or so. Dwindling sales, loosing close to 3 quarters of its valuation after being listed on the stock exchange and trying to keep up with the competition have times difficult for the iconic British carmaker. Aston Martin has pinned a lot of hope and expectation on the DBX SUV as the brand looks to pull itself out of the difficult phase it has been enduring. Aston Martin has set a target of selling 4000 DBX units in a year. The Aston Martin DBX sports an electronic all-wheel-drive system that can distribute up to 50% torque to the front wheels. The air suspension on the DBX can raise the ride height to 45 mm or decrease by 50 mm. There are 6 driving modes to choose from (4 on-road, 2 off-road) Powering the car is an AMG-sourced 4.0 L V8 engine churning out 550 bhp of max power and 700 nm of max torque; making the car capable of hitting 0-100 in around 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 290 km/hr. With great driving dynamics and strikingly fast speed…the Aston Martin DBX will be a thrill to drive!

    The Aston Martin DBX is a very important car for the brand and marks a milestone in the company’s rich history as it transitions to building a new type of car – the SUV. Yes, Aston Martin arrived late to the luxury, performance SUV segment, but they have absolutely hit the sweet spot! Like all Aston Martin cars, the DBX is a great balance of beautiful design, luxury, and performance. All set to reach the Indian shores in 2020 the Aston Martin DBX is a car with an exciting future!  

The X1 Racing League Is Here To Revive Indian Motorsport

Motorsport has historically been a very exciting, fascinating experience for fans and spectators across the world. Just like any other sport, motorsport too has an emotional connect with its fans. A strong grassroots foundation is the stepping stone for sporting success in any country.  Competitions such as F1, WRC, NASCAR etc. are the pinnacle of global motorsport and have played a very important role in making the foundation of motorsport strong, while also setting young aspiring drivers a benchmark to achieve. The main body for motorsport in India – the FMSCI has built a good structure for motorsport in the country, however motorsport yet does not get the recognition it is worthy of deserving. The Indian motorsport industry needs a revival.

    Indian racers Aditya Patel and Armaan Ebrahim have a solution for this revival – The X1 Racing League. With over 15 years of experience in motorsport and having participated in races across the globe Aditya and Armaan are confident that the X1 Racing League will revolutionize motorsport in India and make it accessible to all. The Indian population has taken very well to the league format for sport in the country. The IPL (Cricket) set the trend and other leagues followed suit soon – ISL (Football), Pro Kabaddi League (Kabaddi) etc. These leagues have seen huge success and popularity within a short period, more importantly reviving the sport at the same time. The X1 Racing League is the world’s first franchise-based motorsport racing league. The X1 Racing League has 3 pillars – The X1 Racing League, X1 Racing e-sports, X1 Speed Summit. To uplift the sport set up of a country, it is very important to uplift its stakeholders as well. Indian racers - Narain Karthikeyan, Karun Chandhok, Gaurav Gill have achieved great success on the international scale. Motorsport is one of the most expensive sports in the world, this is often one of the biggest barriers to entry for any athlete; especially in India. With the advent of the X1 Racing League Indian talent will be exposed to a homegrown race championship and have an opportunity to race against international race stars. The X1 Racing League aims to not only uplift India’s driver talent pool, but also the country’s engineering and technology capabilities. X1 has decided to go the e-sports way, with the X1 Racing e-sport – i.e. the e-sports arm of the X1 Racing League. E-sports is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and is quickly garnering a lot of attention, fans in India – games such as Counter Strike, DOTA, FIFA are amongst the most popular. X1 Racing e-sports is a driving simulator-based racing car game. Operated a PlayStation 4 console that is connected to a driving simulator set up – steering wheel, pedals, driving seat. The participants get to play the Project CARS 2 game, but instead of controlling a car via a PS4 controller…the participants must drive it! X1 has given participants a virtual experience of driving a race car; hence making motorsport accessible to all. X1 Racing e-sports is designed as competition across 6 cities – Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Delhi. Top 3 racers from these cities will be selected basis a competition format and will battle it out to be the best e-sports racer in the country. The winner of the e-sports championship will be given a chance to be trained and groomed under Aditya & Armaan to become a professional race driver. The venues for the X1 Racing League are Buddh International Circuit, Noida (30^th November to 1^st December 2019) and Madras Motor Race Track, Chennai (7^th to 8^th December 2019). 6 franchises that will be taking part in the League. Each franchise will have 2 cars and 5 drivers who will be eligible to participate; the drivers are a good mix of Indian and International racers – Gaurav Gill, Narain Karthikeyan, Alex Yoong, Pippa Mann, Mikkel Jensen etc. amongst others. The competition format is quite innovative and unique in comparison to races globally, including a Le Mans style race start where drivers must sprint to their cars! Ravi Krishnan, a pioneer in the field of Indian sport, media is the chairman of the league and will be guiding the young founders towards building a wonderful sports property. The man behind Premier Futsal - Abhinandan Balasubramanian is the Chief Business Officer for X1 and will be looking at replicating the success of Premier Futsal. X1 has locked in some great partners the likes of – JK Tyres, OnePlus, Sony PlayStation etc. The races will be broadcasted on the Sony Network.

   The X1 Racing League is all set to revive Indian motorsport by making it mainstream and give it the due recognition it deserves. The X1 Racing League is a made in India sports property which has the potential of turning around the landscape of Indian motorsport and something Indians should be proud of. The stage is set, the cars are ready, drivers have their foot on the pedals…India are you ready to play the rush?!

    

    

Maruti Suzuki Launches The S-Presso For The Indian Market

Today Maruti has launched their latest car for the Indian market – the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso. The S-Presso is a ‘micro-SUV’ which is built on Maruti Suzuki’s Heartect platform. Other Maruti cars such as the Wagon-R, Swift, Dzire are also based on the Heartect platform. The dimensions on the S-Presso are quite compact which makes it very well suited in city conditions, parking and maneuvering in tight spaces will be a breeze. The S-Presso has a good ground clearance which enables to take a beating and tackle our Indian road conditions with ease.

     The styling and design of the S-Presso are based on the Maruti Future S Concept car which was showcased at the Auto Expo 2018. At the front, you notice a squared-off front end and high bonnet-line. The halogen headlamps are well integrated with the grille and the Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) are placed below the headlamps. At the rear, the S-Presso gets a clean and simple tail end with a high rear bumper line. Hauling luggage into the boot might be a slight challenge due to the high access point for the boot. Given the compact dimensions of the car, the luggage space at the rear seems well suited for a weekend picnic. Step inside and you will be welcomed to a refreshing change in cabin layout by Maruti Suzuki. The S-Presso gets an all-black theme for the interior. The center console is the star of the show here. An orange Mini-like circular insert encompasses the touchscreen infotainment system and centrally mounted tachometer, odometer. In the safety department, the S-Presso comes equipped with ABS, driver and co-driver airbags, speed warning alert system, etc. The S-Presso gets a good equipment list – 7.0-inch touchscreen SmartPlay Studio infotainment system, steering mounted controls, etc. Powering the S-Presso is Maruti’s BS-VI compliant K10B 1.0 L petrol engine which makes a good 68 bhp of max power and has a torque output of 90 nm. This engine is a tried and tested one, superbly reliable and as efficient as can be! The engine will be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and an AMT.

   The S-Presso will take on the likes of the Renault Kwid, which is due for a facelift just around the corner. Maruti has informed the S-Presso will be sold across Maruti Suzuki Arena network of dealerships. With prices starting at Rs.3.69 lakh onwards, it shall be interesting to see how the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso competes in the market.  

  

Hyundai Venue: One Of India's Best Value For Money Cars

The Indian market is a value-centric one. Most Indian customers make their buying decisions basis value for money factor derived from a product or service. The Indian car market is one of the best places to witness such consumer behaviour and buying patterns. The Indian car market has a wide variety of cars on offer from Rs.1.5 lakh all the way to upwards of Rs.5 crore…yet cars below the Rs.12 Lakh mark make up the bulk sales. Car manufacturers who consistently provide value for money cars at a competitive price have been reaping rewards in the Indian market – just ask Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai! Both Maruti and Hyundai have championed the value for money factor with cars such as the Santro, Alto, Swift, i10, Wagon R, Ciaz, Creta etc. The latest addition to this amazing list of cars is the Hyundai Venue compact-SUV. The Venue is a superb value for money car with all the ingredients to make it one of Hyundai’s most successful cars of recent times. We find out what makes the Hyundai Venue a superb package for the Indian customer.

    Thorough market research and customer feedback are the stepping stones for making a successful product. Ever since the launch of the Santro, Hyundai’s first car for the Indian market…the Korean car giant has excelled by listening to the demands, wants of the consumers and successfully implementing the same in their cars for India. The Hyundai Venue is a compact-SUV which is positioned under the Creta and is Hyundai’s entry-level SUV offering for the Indian market. Your first impressions of the Venue might be that it looks like a smaller Creta; however, though there is quite a bit of resemblance the Venue does have subtle differences. The Venue has a neat front end with a sleek LED strip in place of the headlamps, just below are the projector headlamps with an LED DRL (daytime running lamp) surround. A large hexagonal grille takes centre stage, giving the Hyundai Venue a good stance and road presence. At the rear, the Venue has a rather simple and clean design which complements its compact dimensions well. The compact dimensions of the Venue make it a great companion to have in the city, urban environment where traffic and parking woes are a major concern. Moving inside the Hyundai Venue has a practical and well laid out cabin. Quality of materials used is pretty good, with the fit and finish scoring well. Yes, odd hard plastics are present but that’s not a deal-breaker. The Venue shares quite a few design elements and features with other Hyundai cars, which is not a bad thing as the cabin is quite modern and inviting. The Venue has good space in the backseat, fitting 3 adults sitting abreast will be easy. Though on long journeys, with respect to passenger comfort the backseat space is ideal for 2 adults. The addition of a charging socket for the rear passengers is a practical addition. The Hyundai Venue when launched was the first ‘Connected’ car in the country, equipped to the brim with a whole host of tech and connectivity features. Sitting atop the centre console is an 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system which comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The connected features on the infotainment system of the Venue blow the competition apart! The system comes with its own dedicated embedded sim-card which allows the user and car to be connected always. Ever wanted to start your car and air conditioning to your desired temperature before you sit in your car? Well, Hyundai has made this possible! Using Hyundai’s BlueLink app, a user can remotely start or stop the car, start the air conditioning, unlock/lock the car. Now that’s some amazing practicality all at brilliant value for money proposition! Other tech features include – navigation, voice recognition, geofencing, vehicle information, driving data etc. On the safety side, the Venue is well equipped with features such as ABS, ESC, Hill-Start Assist, parking cameras and sensors, dual front airbags for the front passengers and the top-end variant also gets side and curtain airbags. The BlueLink system comes equipped with on-call emergency assistance and Road Side Assistance (RSA). The Venue comes with a good high driving position and great visibility. When you drive the Venue, you will be assured and confident of nipping in and out of small gaps while evading the gruelling traffic hours. The compact dimensions also play a crucial role in the city as ease of parking is enabled. The Venue also comes equipped with an electric sunroof and wireless charging (available in the top-end spec variant). The Venue gets decent driving dynamics well suited for city driving conditions, good balance and stability on the highway. The Venue is not a car to drive in a spirited manner, best driven in a leisurely manner. The Venue is powered by a choice of 3 engines – a 1.2 L petrol engine producing 82 bhp of max power, a 1.0 L turbocharged petrol engine producing 118 bhp of max power, a 1.4 L diesel engine producing 89 bhp of max power output. All engines are mated to a manual gearbox with the 1.0 L turbo petrol engine getting a 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox. The DCT gearbox is absolutory effortless to drive and our pick of the lot in the segment. We drove the petrol automatic variant and were convinced that this is a great marriage perfect for our traffic-laden driving conditions. All customers looking to get a great petrol automatic under Rs.13-14 lakh should consider the Hyundai Venue. In the Venue, Hyundai really has a winner on their hands!

   Hyundai does seem to have a knack of getting things spot on with their cars for the Indian market. With the Venue, they seem to have hit the correct nerves yet again. So, in a nutshell, what does the Hyundai Venue offer a customer? – A well designed compact urban SUV, with superb value for money proposition, loaded to the brim with all the bells and whistles you can ask for, a connected car system which leverages technology to make driving a breeze for the user…all this at an extremely competitive price point! We at AutoGuru are quite certain the Hyundai Venue is one of the best value for money cars you can buy in the Indian market today. 

Understanding Your Car: Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Driving a car is a constantly engaging process for the driver. Braking and handling are amongst the most crucial components of driving. The active safety of a car depends on the way a driver safely brakes and handles the car. Car handling refers to how a car responds to the inputs of the driver (braking, turning, accelerating etc.) and how it moves along in the desired direction of travel. A car being a wheeled vehicle is prone to understeer and oversteer. Understeer occurs when a car turns less than the steering input made by the driver. Whereas oversteer occurs when a car turns more than the steering input made by the driver. When a car experiences understeer or an oversteer situation the driver loses control of his vehicle and this often leads to an accident which can be fatal. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is safety technology which mitigates the risk of understeer, oversteer during a critical driving situation and helps the driver regain control of the car due to lack of stability. Let’s find out more about this safety technology.

   ESC technology was introduced in 1995 with the Mercedes-Benz being the first car manufacturer to introduce ESC in their Mercedes-Benz S 600 Coupe. This technology was jointly developed by Mercedes and Bosch. When the car tires are in contact with the road surface traction is produced. As a result of this traction, the car travels along the road in the direction desired by the driver. A loss of traction often results in the driver losing control of the car. An ESC system is a computerized system which improves the stability of the car by detecting traction or loss of steering control and prevents the car from understeer, oversteer. ESC comes to the rescue during evasive manoeuvres and comes very handy when driving on low traction surfaces such as slippery, icy road conditions. An ESC system has multiple components – a steering wheel sensor, yaw control sensor, accelerometer and a wheel speed monitor. The yaw control sensor monitors the lateral or sideways movement of the car, while the steering wheel sensor keeps a check on whether the car is travelling in the desired direction of the input given by the driver. The ESC systems spring into action when it detects a loss of steering control of the car. When ESC is activated, the system takes corrective measures to ensure the car is brought back on route safely. In case of an understeer situation – the ESC system automatically applies brakes on the rear wheel of the car, to control and bring the car back on the desired direction of travel. In case of an oversteer situation – the ESC system applies brakes on the front wheel of the car, to control and bring the car back on the desired direction of travel. ABS and ESC are technologies that work parallelly to ensure the safety of the passengers and car. The Indian government has made it mandatory for all cars in the country to be equipped with ESC. The great thing about ESC is the fact that it is always on! The next time you see the ESC warning light flashing in your car, make sure to get it checked with a mechanic or your service station.

   ESC is often regarded as the most important car safety technology invention after the seatbelt. ESC plays a crucial in not only preventing damage caused by accidents but more importantly in saving countless lives. There goes an old cliché – respect, take care of your car and in return, your car will take care of you!

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.

BMW's Flagship SUV The X7 Is Launched In India

BMW have launched their flagship SUV the X7 for the Indian market. The X7 comes positioned above the BMW X5, hence taking over the mantle of flagship SUV from the German car giant. With the launch of the X7 BMW finally has a competitor to the Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV. The X7 is a large SUV, with a very good and powerful road presence. The size of the X7 is such that you will not miss out on it and is going to be a sure shot head-turner wherever you go. The design on the X7 is everything you would expect from a BMW – an elegant yet sporty design, a large signature BMW grille and sophisticated, muscular design. BMW’s signature grille just keeps on getting bigger and bigger, stamping a distinctive identity. The grille is flanked by slim LED headlights. The rear of the X7 has a sleek and clean design, with intricately designed horizontal taillights.

   The BMW X7 is based on the Cluster Architecture (CLAR), BMW’s X5 is also based on the CLAR platform. On the inside, the BMW X7 has a layout like the BMW X5. The X7 offers customers the added functionality of the third row. The X7 comes in 6 or 7 seat configurations with all rows having the ability to recline. The X7 has a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system which has features such as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, gesture control, a digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting, a 3-piece glass sunroof and autonomous parking (park assistant). Other features on the X7 include – air suspension, dynamic traction control, hill start, and hill descent control, cornering brake control, etc. The X7 comes in 2 variants – xDrive40i and xDrive30d DPE Signature. The xDrive40i is powered by a 3.0 L straight-six turbo-petrol engine which produces 340 bhp of max power. While the xDrive30d DPE Signature is powered by a 3.0 L straight-six turbo-diesel engine producing 265 bhp of max power. Both these variants are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and come equipped with BMW’s xDrive four-wheel-drive system.

   Prices for the BMW X7 start at Rs.98.90 Lakh. The BMW X7 will compete with cars the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Land Rover Range Rover. 

A Tribute To The Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most popular and instantly recognizable cars in the world. The VW Beetle has been a historic and revolutionary car in several ways. The Beetle can be credited to the creation of the German car giant Volkswagen which today has grown to become the second-largest car manufacturer after Toyota from Japan. The Beetle took German car manufacturing prowess from Germany to the world! Earlier this month the last Beetle to be manufactured rolled off the assembly line at VW’s Puebla plant in Mexico. This marked an end to 81 illustrious years of the car in production. We pay a tribute to the VW Beetle and take you on a journey to find out the impact this little car had on the world!

   It may be hard to believe but the idea for the Beetle was envisioned in 1935 by Adolf Hitler …yes, the infamous German dictator! Hitler wanted a simple and affordable family car which was easy to drive and could move swiftly across Germany’s newly built network of roads, highways – the Autobahn. There was a need for a ‘Volkswagen’ (means people’s car in German) which was designed and manufactured in Germany. The legendary automobile engineer Ferdinand Porsche was given the task of conceptualizing and bringing the car to reality in its production form. In 1938, Porsche delivered a 2-door rear-engine economy car which could seat 5 passengers. The original Beetle, known as the “Type 1” at the time could reach a top speed of 100 km/hr. and produced a max power output of 24 bhp. The newly designed car was put into production at VW’s newly commissioned Wolfsburg factory. However, due to the onset of World War 2 production came to a screeching halt and only about 200 Beetles were produced. The Wolfsburg factory was made to manufacture military vehicles and equipment as part of the German war effort. VW’s Wolfsburg factory was a victim to the extensive damage caused by the Allied bombing during World War 2. After the war, the Allies turned their focus towards rebuilding a devasted Germany. VW’s factory was an important source of employment and a critical element of the economy in the Wolfsburg region. The Allies found plans and blueprints of the Beetle but did not seem to be interested in taking on the task of producing it. The Allies tried multiple ways of getting rid of the factory by offering it for sale to potential bidders. US car giant Ford was also offered the Beetle and the factory for free…but Ford refused as they could not see any value in the car for the American market. The Wolfsburg factory was soon handed over to the German government who against all odds managed to bring the factory back to full production capacity. Come 1946, VW’s Wolfsburg factory was producing over 10000 Beetles!

    

    The first Beetles began arriving in the USA in 1949. During its first year in the US market, VW sold only 2 units of the Beetle. The car was inferior with respect to the value on offer and underpowered for the American car buyer. However, the sales numbers gradually began increasing in the years hence. The 1950s saw sales of the Beetle boom as export orders began to pick up in countries worldwide. Suddenly an undesired car was becoming the darling of the world! The Beetle soon became a sensation in the US market. Housewives, college students buying their first car, families wanting a second car and hippies…all became beloved customers of the VW Beetle. In 1955, Volkswagen manufactured its 1 millionth car, this was an amazing feat for a relatively young car brand. The Beetle - An affordable, reliable and easy to drive car backed by a smart and creative advertising campaign ensured VW became a household name across the globe. The success of the Beetle paved the way for an entire range of rear-engine cars such as the popular VW ‘Type 2’ Bus, and other family cars through the 1960s. Many of other VW favorites such as the Golf, Passat also take inspiration from the VW Beetle. In 1967, VW gave the Beetle a much-needed mid-cycle facelift. The facelift gave the Beetle new headlights, revised bumpers, redesigned taillights, a redesigned dashboard for the interior. VW also added 2 wind-shield wipers, a 12V electric system, and upgraded brakes. Adolf Hitler was inspired by the impact Henry Ford had on the automobile industry with the Ford Model T. He wanted the VW Beetle to recreate this impact. Hitler’s wish came true in February of 1972 – Volkswagen built the 1,50,07,034^th Beetle to surpass the Ford Model T as the best-selling car in history. 

    The VW Beetle received its first major upgrade in 1998, after 60 years of its introduction. The New Beetle as it was called, brought along with it a 2.0 L petrol engine which produced 115 bhp of max power output. The New Beetle had a new design based on the VW Golf platform while maintaining the DNA of the original Beetle. The new car became popular amongst millennials and young professionals alike. The Beetle continued to sell through the 2000s albeit not with the same popularity as what it once had. 2013 saw a significant dip in sales of the Beetle as the car found it difficult to cope with the competition. In 2018, VW announced that it would seize production of the Beetle in 2019 ending a production run of 81 years! We can very well attribute the rise and existence of the VW group to the success of the VW Beetle. There have been very few rare cars that have defined and helped build companies to stand the test of times – Porsche’s 911, VW’s Beetle, Toyota’s Corolla are stalwarts and brilliant examples of such legendary cars. Cars such as the VW Beetle do not come around quite regularly…whether we have another car which can sell over 21 million units on a single platform remains to be seen…until then the VW Beetle will remain in our hearts until eternity! 

Understanding Your Car : What Is Perfect Car Care?

     The car has become one of the most important means of transport for humans. In today’s day and age, the car is not only a means of transport but has also become a necessity for millions across the world. It is estimated that there are over a billion cars in use all over the world. On average a car owner uses his car for a period of approx. 6-8 years. Owning a car is a very high involvement process and requires attention and care in order to use it to the best of its potential. The car is a machine and has over 30000 moving parts! A whole host of electrical, hydraulic and mechanical systems work in harmony to operate and effectively function the car we drive every day.

    In today’s world, we drive and use our cars in a variety of conditions (bad roads, extreme weather conditions, long and extended periods of driving, severe stop and go traffic conditions in metropolitan cities). This takes a toll on the car and causes stress, fatigue on the parts, systems of the car. Hence, in order to prevent fatigue, stress and to maximize the life of a car; it is very crucial that we take perfect care of our cars. There have been cases of many car owners who have used their cars for over a 500,000+ km over a period of 20+ years, this is a true testament to the importance of car care.

Perfect car care is nothing but carrying out and ensuring the following:

• The car should be maintained at regular and timely intervals. This also includes a regular car check-up every 6 months or every 5000 km completed. Referring to the maintenance schedule manual provided by the car manufacturer is a very good practice to follow.
• The car has many moving parts, oil and lubrication of these parts enable them to work optimally. Hence, it is important to keep the car parts such as the engine, gears, brakes, etc. well-oiled always.
• Driving the car in a safe manner to ensure the safety of both the car and its passengers.
• Replacing old and worn out parts at the correct time. While replacing these parts it is very important that genuine and car manufacturer-certified car parts are used.
• The brake, clutch, gear lever are car parts that are the most prone to wear and tear. They should be used with care and should be replaced, repaired at the first sign of any sort of them not working properly.
•  Warning signs (such as check engine light, ABS failure light, etc.) should not be taken for granted. Prompt action should be taken as and when these warning signs appear on the instrument cluster.
• Car tires should always be filled at the correct pressure. A car tyre not filled to the correct required pressure at any given time is a safety hazard and can lead to fatal accidents. Driving on a worn-out tyre compromise the grip and stability, this must be avoided at all costs.
• Ensuring all electrical and electronics of the car are working properly. Changing headlamps, bulbs at timely intervals.
• Usage of certified, genuine accessories, parts is extremely crucial and it is also important to get the maintenance, repair work done from a credible and reliable source.
• Adhering to all traffic rules and the rules of driving.
• Respecting the car, passengers, fellow drivers, passengers, surrounding cars, ones’ own self while driving the vehicle always 

There goes an old cliché! ‘Treat the car with respect and it shall certainly treat you well!’

Pininfarina Battista : Beautiful Design Meets An EV Hypercar

The love affair between Italians and cars is well known. The car has been an integral part of Italian society for many years. Italy has been the birthplace of iconic car brands such as – FIAT, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Lamborghini. These brands have produced some of the best designed and best-performing cars we have ever known. Designing a car is a highly specialized expertise. Italy is also home to arguably the greatest car designers in the industry – Pininfarina. Founded in 1930 by Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, the legendary Italian design studio has designed numerous cars including Ferraris, FIAT, Alfa Romeo amongst others. Indian automobile giant Mahindra acquired Pininfarina in 2015 infusing a fresh breath of life into the company. Battista Pininfarina had a long-standing dream of manufacturing Pininfarina branded cars. Pininfarina launched a new company in 2018 – Automobili Pininfarina which would develop, design, manufacture and market Pininfarina branded cars. At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, Automobili Pininfarina unveiled its first car the Battista. Expected to launch in 2020 the Battista will fulfil the Pininfarina family’s 90-year-old dream!

   The Pininfarina Battista is a 2-door fully electric (EV) hypercar. Yes, you heard that correctly an EV hypercar! The car is named after the legendary car designer and founder of Pininfarina – Battista Farina. Pininfarina has to its credit designed some of the finest and most beautifully designed cars we have come to know – Alfa Romeo Spider, Ferrari 275 GTB, Ferrari Enzo and many others. To begin with, the Battista looks stunning! In an era of modern hypercars, the Battista is a very good example of the best of both worlds – classic tradition meets aerodynamics and contemporary design. Automobili Pininfarina has used the PURA design philosophy – Purity, Beauty, Rarity under the tutelage of design director Luca Borgogno to create the masterpiece that is the Pininfarina Battista. The low centre of gravity and usage of aerodynamics ensure the Battista will thrill, amaze you with its outrageous performance figures…without causing any harm to the environment. The Battista uses a carbon fibre monocoque structure for body construction. This adds additional structural rigidity at the same time keeping a check on the weight of the car. The Battista is an electric battery powered car; the batteries are stored behind the passenger seats in a T-shaped format. R&D costs are a huge outlay for car manufacturers the world over. Being a brand-new car manufacturer Automobili Pininfarina has taken a different approach to developing technology for the car. Instead of investing in and building an in-house R&D team, Automobili Pininfarina has chosen to work along with carefully chosen partners in the automobile industry to develop the Battista together. The electrical architecture of the car is being developed in partnership with Rimac a well-renowned supplier for performance EVs. The Battista produces a jaw-dropping 1900 bhp of max power output and can hit the 0-100 kmph mark in a sheer 2 seconds! Huge carbon ceramic disc brakes on all 4 wheels ensure that the Battista can complement the tremendous power produced in an effective and safe manner. The Battista is expected to have a range of 450 km. The batteries support rapid charging capability, hence giving the customer the added advantage. When you look at the crazy amount of power the Battista produces and then the performance efficiency the driving range provides…you can rest assured the Battista will be a great everyday companion too! The Pininfarina Battista is a luxury car and there is no doubt about it. The interiors are made and designed with only the finest of materials. Being a high-end luxury car, the Battista will allow for an extensive level of customization to one of the lucky 150 buyers. Automobili Pininfarina has announced that only 150 units of the Battista will be produced. The Battista is expected to retail at a price of $2 million.

  When dreams come true it is one of the best and highest levels of satisfaction, achievement we can ever experience. The dream of manufacturing Pininfarina branded cars were a dream imagined by one of the best and most well-known car designers – Battista Farina…fast-forward 90 years and this dream will soon become a reality after 3 generations of legacy and unwavering persistence to uphold the dream. The product is the first car to be designed, made in Italy also being the most powerful road-legal Italian manufactured car. The Battista is and will remain a Rockstar in the global car world for many years to come!

 

Kia Begins Its Indian Adventure With The Seltos SUV

Kia Motors has marked its long-anticipated entry to the Indian market with the launch of the Kia Seltos SUV.  At a recently concluded event in New Delhi Kia unveiled the Seltos SUV as its first offering for the Indian car market. At the 2018 Auto Expo, New Delhi Kia presented a massive line up of their global model range for the general public to see. Amongst these was the Kia SP2i mid-sized SUV concept – the Seltos is based on this concept. Expected to take on the likes of the Tata Harrier amongst others; let us have a look at what the Seltos has to offer.

    When you look at the Seltos the first time, you will be mesmerized by the beautiful design of this modern SUV. The design language of the Seltos is unlike anything we have seen before in the Indian market. Starting at the bulky front end which is dominated by Kia’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille. This gives the car a great road presence. The grille is flanked by intricately designed LED headlamp clusters along with DRLs (Daytime Running Lights). Kia has given great attention to the detailing, with very elegant looking ‘Ice Cube’ fog lamps at the lower end of the front bumper. The overall front design of the Seltos not only distinguishes the car from others in the market, but it also gives the car a great stance and road presence. Moving along the sides the Seltos gets squared-off wheel arches and a strong shoulder line which merges well with the rear end of the car. The rear of the Seltos is smartly designed with a good dash of chrome and good-looking tail lamps which are sophisticated and modern. Kia has not yet disclosed the technical specifications, however, the Seltos looks bigger than the Hyundai Creta. Kia has hit the sweet spot with respect to the size, the Seltos is neither too large nor too small. This is something that will surely excite car buyers looking to buy a new mid-sized SUV. Though official interior images of the Seltos are not revealed it can be safe to say that the interior looks premium, modern and made of high-quality materials. With the recent trend of connected car technology, expect the Kia Seltos to come with all the bells and whistles we have come to expect from a car in this segment. Kia has confirmed that the Seltos will be powered by 2 petrol engines – a 1.4 L T-GDI turbo-charged, 1.5 L and a 1.5 L diesel engine. All these 3 engines will be BS-VI compliant. The Seltos will be packed with a whole host of safety features such as – Hill Start Assist, ABS, Vehicle Stability Management, Electronic Stability Control, rear parking sensors etc. A great safety and practicality addition which the Seltos shares with its Hyundai cousin the Venue is 3 buttons on the rear-view mirror. The buttons are for contacting emergency services, calling the call centre and sending out an emergency SOS in case of an emergency.

    Kia will commence sales operations later this year and has already set up a nation-wide network of 265 consumer touchpoints across 160 dealers. The Korean brand wants to cover every part of the country including the tier-IV cities. The Kia Seltos is expected to be priced in the range of Rs.11-17 lakh (ex-showroom). The final price of the Seltos will only be revealed at the time of launch i.e. end-August 2019. Kia has begun its Indian journey very well with the Seltos. It has not only made its mark on the industry but it has also got the car buyers very very excited!

What Does Kia Have In Store For The Indian Car Buyer?

The year 2019 is going to be a very exciting and important one for the Indian automobile industry. The first half of the year has been dominated with new car launches the likes of Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV 300; we have also seen the much-loved Honda Civic in an all-new avatar marking its re-entry into the Indian market after a gap of 7 years. Well...if you thought the first half of 2019 was great, then you are certainly in for an awesome second half! In the second half of 2019, India is going to witness the arrival of 2 global car brands – Kia and MG Motor. Yes, you read that correctly…South Korea’s second largest car manufacturer Kia is all set to enter the Indian market in mid-2019. We look at the brand and help understand what Kia has in store for the Indian car buyer.

   

    The origins of Kia can be traced to the Kyungsung Precision Industry which started off as a manufacturer for steel tubing and bicycle parts. The Samchully, Korea’s first domestic bicycle was manufactured in 1951 by Kyungsung. Kyungsung changed its name to Kia Industries in 1952 and went on to build Honda-licensed motorcycles, Mazda-licensed trucks and cars. In 1981, Kia was forced to stop the production of cars as a result of industry consolidation enforced by the then South Korean government. Five years later, Kia re-entered the automobile industry with Ford as its partner. Kia entered the USA market in 1992 and there has been no looking back since! Kia cars quickly went on to become very popular amongst American car buyers. The USA remains a very crucial international market for Kia to this day. Kia became a victim of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and filed for bankruptcy. This led to Hyundai acquiring a 51% stake in Kia. Both Hyundai and Kia are sister brands (Hyundai being the owner of Kia) but, both the brands have their own unique identity, philosophy. On the one hand, Hyundai is a global car brand which targets a more mature, elder age group of customers who lay emphasis on good, elegant styling, efficient performance and most importantly value for money. On the other hand, Kia is a global car brand which targets the youth, new age car buyer. Kia is a more premium brand in comparison to Hyundai – with more sporty and modern styling, more inclined performance, equipped with the latest technology and features Kia cars appeal to the new age young car buyer. Being a premium brand Kia commands a slightly higher price when compared to Hyundai, a Kia car is one of the best you can get in case you are looking out for a premium car on a budget.

     

     Hyundai and Kia share common vehicle platforms and components, yet there is a noticeable difference between cars of both brands with respect to design language, philosophy. Hyundai cars are known for their fluidic and yet elegant free-flowing design, this is a rather evergreen design which appeals to all ages. In India Hyundai cars have been very popular with customers and score well in the design department. Kia has a different approach to car design, Kia follows a sporty, modern design language which would appeal to the new age young car buyer. Globally Kia cars have won many accolades for amazing design, Kia would be banking on the same to achieve great success in the Indian market. Being a premium brand Kia has a very good interior, the build quality, fit and finish, materials used is quite good and offers great value for the customer at a price that would not break the bank. Kia offers a very extensive and capable range of petrol, diesel engines along with manual and automatic gearboxes as part of their powertrains. A lot of these powertrains are commonly shared with sister brand Hyundai. With a lot of market research and customer feedback, Hyundai has been very successful in understanding the Indian consumer and offering value-oriented products for the Indian market. Over the years Hyundai has developed a very strong marketing network across India, Kia will have the advantage in the Indian market as they seek to leverage this network towards a great impact in the market. Kia has a very large model range globally, with cars starting from hatchback to a large premium SUV…Kia has it all! This is a win-win situation for both Kia and the Indian consumer. Kia gets to offer their cars across a wide array of segments at the same time launching a multiple-segment offensive against competitors. The Indian customer gets a lot more choice across segments while choosing the next perfect car for him/her. At the New Delhi Auto Expo, 2018 Kia showcased 15+ models from their global line-up, the visitors at the event were amazed by the cars and the market remains very excited and positive about Kia entering India this year. Superb times ahead! Kia has not yet confirmed the list of car models which will be on offer for the Indian market. However, Kia has communicated that they will be entering the Indian market with a compact SUV (based on the Kia SP Concept) sometime in mid-2019.

   

    They say you should strike the iron when it is hot…Kia is doing exactly this with the Indian market. India is one of the largest car markets in the world, most car buyers are the youth. With an increasing disposable income, product awareness and need for a premium, tech-loaded and most crucially value for money product; the Indian market has all the ingredients needed to make Kia’s time in India a very successful one. Will Kia’s power surprise and win the hearts, minds of the Indian car buyer? We certainly think so!  

Hyundai Unveils The Venue Sub-Compact SUV For India

Over the years Korean car giant Hyundai has built a very strong foundation in the Indian market. Hyundai in a short span of time has quickly become one of the market leaders and amongst the most trusted, loved car brands in India. Hyundai has had an excellent track record of producing cars that have the latest technology & safety, efficient and reliable in performance and most importantly offer an amazing value for money proposition to the car buyer. This has been a very important factor which has led to Hyundai becoming a force to be reckoned with in the highly competitive Indian car market. Hyundai has a presence in various segments ranging from hatchback to premium SUV. Indians love SUVs and one of the most lucrative, fastest growing segments in the country is the sub-compact SUV. However, Hyundai does not have a product offering in this segment until now.

   Today at an extravagant launch party aboard the Angriya cruise liner Hyundai have showcased their plans for an all-new car! Yes, Hyundai has unveiled the Venue sub-compact SUV which will mark the entry of the brand in the sub-compact SUV segment of India. The Venue is a highly awaited and anticipated car, and rightly so…it is an all-new car from the Korean brand in India! The Venue is a global sub-compact SUV which is being simultaneously unveiled at the New York International Motor Show as well. The Venue comes as a very important product for Hyundai as it will also serve as a blueprint for future products in key global markets such as the USA & India. The Venue will be positioned under the Creta SUV and will be Hyundai’s first SUV offering in the country. Hyundai cars are very well designed with their cars sporting a modern and contemporary look. The same can be said about the Venue. The new Hyundai car shares the design language of bigger SUVs in the Hyundai line up, this is always a good thing. Hyundai has showcased an all-new nose grille with the Venue along with a new dual headlamp cluster, LED DRL (Daytime Running Lights). The Venue shares a similar stance with its sibling the Creta, however, is smaller in proportions. The Venue has an all-new interior which is different to the other Hyundai cars we are akin to. A touchscreen infotainment system takes center stage in the dashboard. The Venue comes loaded with all the bells and whistles – an Arkamys sound system, cooled glovebox, rear AC vents etc. The Venue has an edge over its rivals in the connectivity department. Touted as India’s first ‘Connected SUV’ the Venue will be the first Hyundai car to feature the Blue Link connectivity system which adds practicality and aids in a more ‘connected’ driver experience by leveraging the latest technology, artificial intelligence. The Blue Link system encompasses – vehicle management, safety, infotainment etc. The Hyundai Venue will be powered by 3 engines – a 1.2 L petrol (producing 83 bhp of max power), a 1.0 L turbo-petrol (producing 120 bhp of max power) and a 1.4 L diesel (producing 90 bhp of max power). These engines will come with a choice of a 6-speed manual or an all-new 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox (dual clutch technology). The Venue will be the only car in the segment to be offered with a DCT gearbox.

  The Hyundai Venue will go up against the likes of the Ford Ecosport, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 300 when launched in the second half of May. The Venue is a car aimed at the youth and modern urban car buyer. With prices expected around the 8-12 lakh range, Hyundai seems to have hit the sweet spot! 

Porsche Launches The Eighth Generation Of The 911 In India

German car maker Porsche is one of the most popular and successful performance car manufacturers in the world today. Porsche has to its credit one of the most successful and best-selling supercars of all time – the Porsche 911. The 911 is an automotive icon, a legend in every sense of the word! Introduced in 1963 as a replacement for the Porsche 956, the Porsche 911 has grown from strength to strength ever since. The latest generation of the Porsche 911 was unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November 2018. At an event in Delhi today Porsche has launched the latest 911 for the Indian market.

   The Porsche 911, now in its eighth generation has evolved gracefully over the past 50 years. Its design has successfully stood the test of time something its original designer the legendary Ferdinand Porsche would be very proud of. It is quite common for car design of any given car to change/evolve from one model generation to another. But this is not quite the case for the Porsche 911. Hats off to the designers at Porsche who have done a superb job of keeping the original design blueprint at the same time giving the new 911 a very modern look. The 911 in its latest avatar has grown – the car is now longer, wider and taller while retaining the same wheelbase. The new 911 has added more muscle and is more aggressive with respect to styling. The bonnet is slightly longer, and the cooling ducts add some nice character to the front section of the car. The rear of the 911 gets a good dose of OLED treatment. There are OLED tail lights which wrap around the rear width of the car giving it an awesome modern look. Porsche has added a new rear spoiler for better performance. Moving inside you will see a new and more angular dashboard. The fit, finish of the cabin and the materials used are top notch! The large sport seats ensure that you are in a comfortable, safe driving position always – whether cruising or drive at breakneck speeds! There is a new steering wheel unit which comes along with a Sport Response rotary dial. This dial is used to switch between the various driving modes. A 10.9-inch infotainment touchscreen comes standard across the 911 model range, this comes equipped with the Porsche Communication Management system. Coming to the biggest change…the engine – the 2019 Porsche 911 gets a new engine, a 3.0 L turbo-charged flat-six petrol engine powers the new 911. The rear mounted unit produces 450 bhp of max power and 530 nm of torque. This is an increase of 30 bhp and 30 nm of torque over the previous model. The engine is mated to an 8-speed PDK automatic gearbox. The 2019 911 can do the 0-100 kmph sprint in only 3.7 seconds!

    The latest generation of the 911 will be available in 2 variants - the Porsche 911 Carrera S coupe and the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet. Both the variants having a price tag of Rs.1.82 crore and Rs.1.99 crore respectively