Motown India April 2015

VOL-5 • ISSUE-7 • APRIL 2015

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

Triumph’s

TIGER XCx

50

INDIA TIGER XRx

TIGER TRAIL

Benelli

BIKES IN INDIA

FIRST DRIVE

REGAL RAPTOR BIKES LAUNCHED

NEW HYUNDAI i20 ACTIVE

2015 T1 PRIMA TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

INDIAN AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL Pages 53 - 68

“WOOOHOOO! GRAZIE! GRAZIE! FORZA FERRARI!”

B2B SECTION Pages 53-82

National Engineering Industries Ltd., Khatipura Road, Jaipur – 302006 CIN: L29130WB1946PLC013643 | Phone: +91 141 222 3221 | Fax: +91 141 222 1926 | E-mail: neisales@nbcbearings.in

P. THARYAN

T

he April 2015 issue of Motown India magazine has a lot of news on the two wheeler front with DSK Benelli, Triumph and a little known Hyderabad based company Fabulous Beyond Motors India Private Limited (FAB Motors) launching a slew of bikes. We have details of the complete line up in our magazine. We also

have reports on the car launches from the stables of Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, BMW Mini, as well as two wheeler launches from Bajaj, Honda, etc. In the review section we have the drive report of the recently launched Hyundai i20 Active. We also drove the Audi RS7 and the BMW X3.

As part of our perfect editorial balancing act, we have a lot of interesting news from the auto industry. Most importantly, we have an automotive components special and along with that a detailed report of the ACMA Automechanika New Delhi with loads of information including interviews with leaders of the industry.

From this issue onward, we shall be having a fair representation of both the automotive consumer world as well as the B2B segment in our magazine. This magazine will continue to be offered at 50 per issue, thereby ensuring that the

magazine is picked up by as many readers as possible.

Let me also digress a bit in my editorial and point out something I am so glad to share with my readers. At Motown India we have always been screaming our hearts out to the government to improve every infrastructure that has a direct bearing on the auto industry, whether it is roads, ports, transport, or venues for hosting mammoth shows like the Auto Expo and the Automechanika. In the past I have even suggested several times in this very column the need to tear down the relic that goes by the name of Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The latest is that the India Trade Promotion Organisation Board has cleared a proposal to demolish six exhibition halls at Pragati Maidan to make way for a convention centre, hotel and vehicle parking. Now is this not a sign of progress?

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Editor

EDITOR P. Tharyan -----------------------------------News Coordinator Jisha P Senior Photographer Mohd. Nasir Correspondents Joshua David Luther, Rahul Kapoor S. Madhavan, Tripti Singh, Jasbeer Kohli Web Correspondents Avdesh Kumar, Seema Paul ------------------------------------------For Editorial contact editorial@motownindia.com editorial.motown@gmail.com ------------------------------------------For Marketing & Sales contact Jisha P - Head-Operations Joshua David Luther - Manager Business Strategy (advertising.motown@gmail.com / +91-9958125645, 9811097399) ------------------------------------------Sheeja Sasindran - Regional Head Ad Sales (Chennai Office - 98849 50491) ------------------------------------------For Accounts Contact Ankit Sharma (ankit@motownindia.com / +91-9654005547) ------------------------------------------For Circulation & Subscription Contact Dalip Singh Bagdwal (subscription@motownindia.com / +91-9811305822) ------------------------------------------Editorial Delhi Office 145 B/9, First Floor, Kishangarh, Next to United Free Church, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070, Tel: 011-26122758/59, Tele Fax: 011-26122757 ------------------------------------------Distributed By Central News Agency, New Delhi ------------------------------------------EDITORIAL CONTENT The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the contents in the magazine are correct. However, he can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Any unauthorised reproduction of Motown India content is strictly forbidden.

------------------------------------------Motown India is printed, published, edited and owned by Punnoose Tharyan and published from 4058 / D-4, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070. Printed at Pearl Printers, C-105, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase 1, New Delhi.

------------------------------------------This issue of Motown India magazine contains 84 pages including both covers.

------------------------------------------Editorial Advisors Salil Sharma, Alexander .T & Annie Jacob

April 2015 I 3

Contents B2C SECTION

PAGES 8-52

TRIUMPH LAUNCHES XRx, XCx

8

2015 T1 PRIMA TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS

MOTORSPORT

WHEELZ & ROADZ

22

Nicolas Prost wins MIAMI EPRIX; Karun Chandhok is 14th

26

Hyundai i20 Active BRAWN HATCH

Regal Raptor motorcycles launched

24

Interview with Karun Chandhok

30

Audi RS7 WILD HORSES

New car launches

25

Vettel wins Malaysian GP

34

BMW X3 CRAGS LIST

10

DSK Benelli launches five models in India

12 14

B2B SECTION NEWS

69

Ford sets the ball rolling in Sanand with new plant

70

Ashok Minda Group companies bag slew of quality awards

72

Volvo Auto India to launch XC90 in 2015 Q3, V40 in Q2

73

Mahindra First Choice Wheels raises $15 million from US investor

79

Not a drop of water wasted with Bosch Jet Wiper

6 I April 2015

18

PAGES 53-82

53

COVER STORY AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL

58

ACMA AUTOMECHANIKA NEW DELHI 2015

INDIA NEWS

TRIUMPH’S Tiger trail XRx - 11.6 lakh, XCx - 12.7 lakh

After cashing in on a highly successful year in India, Triumph Motorcycles has expanded its Adventure motorcycles range with the launch of the Tiger XRx for 11.6 lakh and the Tiger XCx for 12.7 lakh.

All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.

The Tiger XRx and XCx are powered by a liquid cooled, DOHC 3 cylinder 800cc engine. With a max power output of 93bhp, the engine delivers 79Nm of torque at 7850rpm. The XRx variant is set up for everyday road use, while the XCx is kitted out for those who like to ride off-road as the crow flies. Triumph has been known for being the leaders in terms of technology offered on two wheelers across the globe; the Tigers are treated similarly.

With features like Ride by Wire technology making power delivery smother than before, Triumph Traction Control (TTC), switchable ABS

h Motorcycles India

Vimal Sumbly, MD, Triump

8 I April 2015

and first in class inclusion of cruise control, the Tigers are also equipped with WP Suspension on the XCx for better off-road capabilities. In addition, the two Tigers also come with different riding modes – road, off road and programmable rider more where the rider can set up the bikes dynamics individually. Adding to these the bikes also have 4 different throttle maps – rain, road, sport and off-road at the rider’s disposal.

Vimal Sumbly, Managing Director, Triumph Motorcycles India said, “Over the last one year, we have seen a growing interest in the adventure category. The Tiger range is among the most revered motorcycles across the world in its category. To address this emerging need in the Indian market, we have launched the Tiger XRx & Tiger XCx. To give an excellent value proposition, the new Tiger’s will be assembled locally through the CKD route in India.”

INDIA NEWS

THE BENELLI BANG

Five models unveiled in India through DSK Motowheels Price range: 2.83 lakh - 11.81 lakh

Pune based DSK Motowheels has put its best foot forward by launching five superbikes in India from the legendary Italian brand Benelli . The bikes are in the 300cc to 1131cc engine capacities. Bookings and deliveries have opened, with the inauguration of DSK Benelli – Mumbai showroom on March 19, 2015. DSK Motowheels, which has the Hyosung brand under its belt, has unleashed the Benelli brand from Italy. The Benelli models launched include the TNT 300 – In-line two cylinder 300cc engine, TNT 600i - In-line four cylinder 600cc engine, TNT 600 GT - Inline four cylinder 600cc engine, TNT 899 - In-line, three cylinder 898cc engine and TNT R - In-line, three cylinder 1131cc engine.

The prices (ex-showroom Delhi) for these DSK Benelli superbikes are as follows: TNT 300 – 2,83,000, TNT 600i – 5,15,000, TNT 600 GT – 5,62,000, TNT 899 – 9,48,000 and the TNT R (1130) – 11,81,000 The Mumbai dealership for the Benelli motorcycles is ‘Shree Aadya Car Company’. The showroom is located in Jogeshwari (E).

DSK Motowheels will be assembling and selling Benelli bikes across the country and supporting them with a backup of service and spares.

DSK Benelli is set to establish exclusive dealerships across India; these include Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Goa in the first phase, followed by other Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Shirish Kulkarni, Chairman, DSK Motowheels said, “We are highly elated on launching the legendary Italian superbikes from Benelli for the Indian motorcycle enthusiasts. The country’s superbike industry has grown by leaps and bounds, giving us immense scope to tap this lucrative and increasing market. We have full confidence that our exciting range of DSK Benelli bikes will transform the biking scenario of the (L to R) Dante Bustos, Global Marketing Director, Benelli, Shirish Kulkarni, country tremendously. With our in-depth understanding of the market and Chairman, DSK Motowheels, George Wang, Board Director, Benelli, Ugo a strong sales and service network, the launch of these splendid Italian Ciarlatani, Counsulate General, Italy and Stefano Mechelotti superbikes is sure to impact riders all over the country.”

10 I April 2015

www.elof ic.com

Growing With Green Ideas

Filters & Lubricants

INDIA NEWS

Daytona DD350E-6C

REGAL RAPTOR bikes in India to cost 2.96 lakh onward

H

yderabad based Fabulous Beyond Motors India Private Limited (FAB Motors), will soon be importing custom made motorcycles from Regal Raptor Motorcycle. Fab Motors is a subsidiary of the FAB group, which was mainly into wholesale trading of furniture and multi-brand electronic products. The company recently forayed into retail business and appointed celebrity sportsperson Sania Mirza as its brand ambassador.

Fab Motors will be introducing three new range of bikes in the country, beginning with Hyderabad. These include DD 350 E, Daytona and Bobber. The price of the motorcycles will be 2.96 lakh, 3.23 lakh and 3.33 lakh respectively in Hyderabad.

The high-end motorcycles from the Raptor stable will, however, be available only after two years. Mohammed Gulam Shahriq, Managing Director of Fab Group, spoke to Motown India from Hyderabad and noted that “in six months time these bikes will be available across India”.

Young Shahriq is at present handling his

12 I April 2015

organisation with the guidance of his father Dr. M.G.Jeelani and other team members. He said he is very passionate about cars and motorcycles. “The automobile industry is growing in India.

The demand for cruisers and choppers are growing in India.

We wanted to give the Indian customers more and more feature at a much lower price,” he said.

He informed that his company has exclusive manufacturing rights for India and eight neighbouring ector of Fab Group M.G. Shahriq, Managing Dir countries -- Sri lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Yemen and Pakistan.

China. The Lifeng Group was formed in the In a press note, it was mentioned that the year 1962 by Horse Zhang.

DD 350 E can be modified into a police bike by Shahriq said his company is in the process fixing few accessories. of setting up a production facility in Telangana Shahriq informed that the three motorcycles to manufacture Fab Regal Raptor motorcycles. will be imported in CBU condition. The bikes, This bike plant is likely to come with an he said will be initially imported from China as investment of 1,000 crore. The exact location these are manufactured by Lifeng Group of of the plant is yet to be finalised.

INDIA NEWS Locally manufactured Range Rover Evoque for 48.73 lakh The Range Rover Evoque will now be manufactured at the JLR Pune manufacturing facility.

This will be the fourth vehicle at the plant joining the Freelander 2, Jaguar XF and XJ. The exshowroom Mumbai (Pre-Octroi) prices for the three derivatives are as follows: Range Rover Evoque SD4 (188bhp), 5 Door Pure : 48.73 lakh Range Rover Evoque SD4 (188 bhp), 5 Door Dynamic : 52.40 lakh Range Rover Evoque SD4 (255bhp), 5 Door Prestige : 56.21 lakh The Range Rover Evoque will be available in a 2.2 litre SD4 Diesel engine, delivering 188bhp @ 3,500 rpm and maximum torque of 420 Nm @ 2,000 rpm. It will be offered in three derivatives: Pure, Dynamic and Prestige.

All derivatives come with an automatic transmission and include standard features like Front and Rear Parking sensors with Rear View Camera, Navigation System, etc.

CAR LAUNCHES Merc new B-class for 27.95 lakh; A class with new engine for 25.95 lakh Mercedes-Benz launched its third product of the year, the all new B-Class. Part of the ‘15 in 15’ product strategy, Mercedes-Benz India launched the new B-Class in petrol and the diesel variants - B 180 Sport and B 200 CDI Sport. The cars are priced at 27.95 lakh and 28.95 lakh (prices ex-showroom Mumbai) respectively.

The company also introduced the A-Class Model Year 2015 featuring a new powerful diesel engine offering more power and performance for the customers. The A-Class is now available in A 180 SPORT and A 200 CDI SPORT variants, both of which now feature a panoramic sunroof as standard. The cars are priced at 25.95 lakh and 26.95 lakh (price ex-showroom Mumbai) respectively. These cars were launched

by Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India in Mumbai. The new B-Class has an attractive and dynamic design idiom which is accentuated by LED High Performance headlamps.

New Merc E-Class Cabriolet ( 78.50 L), CLS 250 CDI Coupe ( 76.50 L) Mercedes-Benz on March 25, 2015 launched two specialty cars, the new CLS-Class Coupé and the E-Class Cabriolet. This is part of the company’s ‘15 in 15’ strategy. The new E 400 Cabriolet is priced at 78.50 lakh and the new CLS 250 CDI Coupé is priced at 76.50 lakh. (Both prices are ex-showroom Delhi). The new E-Class Cabriolet is powered by a 3 litre V6 turbocharged petrol engine with 333 hp power output and maximum torque of 480 Nm between 1600 – 4000 rpm. The car races from 0 to 100kmph in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250 kmph. The engine is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The new CLS-Class Coupé is powered by a 2.2 litre 4-cylinder diesel engine with 204 hp power output and maximum torque of 500 Nm between 1600 – 1800 rpm. The powerful motor is coupled with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Volkswagen Special Edition Vento Magnific Volkswagen India has announced the launch of the Special Edition Vento Magnific. In Highline trim, the Vento Magnific comes with a high-end Blaupunkt infotainment system with front and rear display units and 3G internet connectivity. In Comfortline trim, the new Vento Magnific gets Alloy Wheels, Garmin navigation device and scuff plates with Vento badging as standard. As with the regular Vento, the Special Edition Vento Magnific also gets dual front airbags, powerful dual-beam headlamps and flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel as standard fitment.

More power for Porsche Boxster GTS, Cayman GTS There is more power to Porsche sport models, the Boxter and Cayman , now that Porsche is extending the GTS principle to them for the first time ever. GTS stands for Gran Turismo Sport. These mid-engine sports models from Porsche feature uprated engines and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) chassis. The Boxster GTS now costs 1.15 crore while the Cayman GTS costs 1,15,36,000. The six-cylinder boxer engines fitted are based on the 3.4-litre units from the Boxster S and Cayman S. As a result of some fine-tuning they deliver an additional 15 hp: the Boxster GTS now has an output of 330 hp, while the Cayman GTS delivers 340 hp. Torque too increases by around 10 Nm in each model.

14 I April 2015

New Mini Cooper S launched for 34.65 lakh The new MINI Cooper S was launched in India at an exclusive driving event held at Aamby Valley, Pune. The all India exshowroom price of the new Mini Cooper S is 34,65,000.

The new Mini Cooper S has a 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine that delivers 280 Nm torque. Developed from scratch for the new Mini, it injects the Mini Cooper S with 189hp. The car needs 6.7 seconds to hit 100 kmph and its top speed is 233 kmph.

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INDIA NEWS

CAR LAUNCHES

Hyundai i20 Active launched for 6.38 lakh onward The new Hyundai i20 Active, a Sport Styled Vehicle, was launched in New Delhi at a starting price of 6,38,586 for the petrol 1.2 litre. The price of the 1.2 S is 7,09,735. The diesel variants are priced at 7,63,228 (1.4 litre base model), 8,34,337 (1.4 S) and 8,89,427 (1.4 SX). The prices are all ex showroom Delhi and are also introductory prices. The Hyundai i20 Active comes with both a petrol as well as a diesel engine option. The petrol engine is the refined 1.2 litre Kappa engine—1.2 Dual VTVT mated to a five-speed gear box. The diesel engine is the 1.4 litre U2 CRDi mated to a six-speed gear box. The i20 Active has a high ground clearance, around 190mm. In order to give it its smart looks it has a tailgate spoiler, a smart uniquely designed fuel cap, hi-tech 3-step LED rear lamp, DRL projector headlamps with cornering lamps and 16 inches diamond cut alloy wheels.

New Ford Figo Aspire sedan to roll out from Sanand

To be launched later this year in India, the new Figo Aspire sub-4 metre sedan will be the first model from the Ford stable to roll out from its new modern plant in Sanand in Gujarat. The new Figo Aspire will come with two engine options: A 1.5L TDCi diesel engine and the 1.2L TiVCT petrol engine.

In new Figo Aspire, Ford’s DNA is instantly recognisable in the trapezoidal grille, which gives the car a substantial presence on the road. The car has large, elongated headlamps, with a raked-back windshield and sweeping lines. Chrome highlights and technical details in the headlight design give the car a premium touch.

With modern interior, the car has roomy cabin with smart storage spaces.

Consumers looking for even greater technological integration can choose a Figo Aspire equipped with SYNC with AppLink, Ford’s advanced in-car connectivity system.

16 I April 2015

New Generation Renault Duster for 8.30 lakh Renault India has introduced a new generation Duster which boasts of superior engineering, all-new safety and comfort features and improved fuel efficiency, made possible by several technical and design enhancements. The new range starts at 8.30 lakh (Delhi ex-showroom).

The New Generation Duster features evolved electrical and electronics architecture and a new “CMO10” engine compartment enabling a superior driving experience with good acceleration and low end torque for better drivability. The New Generation Duster is also built to be compatible with future regulation and its high ground clearance of 205mm adds to the practicality of the SUV.

Skoda India introduces ‘Zeal Edition’ across entire model range Skoda Auto India has launched the ‘Zeal Edition’ across its entire model range. The Zeal edition will sport series changes within the Superb, Octavia and Yeti products; and will have comprehensive accessory packages across three Rapid variants. The new variants across the Superb, Octavia and Yeti model range will sport premium black interiors which includes - black Alcantara leather seats, black dashboard and black door trims. The Skoda Rapid Zeal edition will feature leatherette and Alcantara seats, navigation device with rear view camera, rear Parktronics, observation mirror and floor textile mats. The Zeal Edition is available across all authorised Skoda showrooms in the country since March 9, 2015 for a limited period only.

Renault launches the 2015 Pulse for 5.03 lakh On February 26, 2015 Renault India launched the new Pulse 2015 model for a starting price of 5.03 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). Renault previously announced that it will launch two new products and is enhancing its existing product range. The 2015 Pulse is now available in Renault dealerships across the country.

The Renault Pulse 2015 will feature new automatic headlamps, steering mounted controls and a height adjustable driver seat. The new Pulse comes with classy interiors and a new dual tone dashboard with a piano black finish at the center. The 2015 Pulse will also have features like smart key access with an engine start and stop button, auto folding outside rear view mirrors and a Double DIN music system with Bluetooth and USB. The car also features safety equipment like ABS+EBD, dual airbags and crash sensors.

GM India launches MY 15 Chevrolet Captiva for 25.13 lakh General Motors India has launched MY 15 Chevrolet Captiva 2.2 premium Sport Utility Vehicle. The car will continue to be offered both in manual (MT) and automatic (AT) versions. The ex-showroom Delhi price of MT will be 25,13,528/- and AT 27,36,192/-. The Captiva 2.2 includes a powerful 2.2-litre engine that delivers 186.5bhp @ 3800 RPM and a peak torque of 400 Nm @ 2000 RPM along with an option of six-speed automatic transmission with All Wheel Drive (AWD) system besides the manual transmission variant. The Model Year 15 Captiva comes with additional features like ‎ new Cluster Ionizer which generates ions to purify and deodorise cabin interiors and ‎new Instrument cluster for improved visibility among other attributes. Bold wheel arches, 235/65 R 17 tyres mounted on alloy wheels and a sharp feature line across the length of the Captiva add to the masculinity of its stance, while subtle chrome highlights and a bold coupe-style rear window treatment add grace to the overall visual package.

TWO-WHEELER LAUNCHES Bajaj Pulsar RS200 Launched at 1.18 lakh Bajaj Auto has launched their long awaited Pulsar RS200 super sports motorcycle at a highly competitive ex-showroom Delhi price of 118,000 and 130,000 for the ABS version. The Pulsar RS200 will have a 200cc 4-valve Triple Spark DTSi Engine with Fuel Injection and Liquid Cooling producing 24.1bhp with a max rev of 11,000rpm. The top speed of the Pulsar RS200 is 141kmph. With high speeds you need bigger brakes and the RS200 is fitted with 300mm disc brakes with ABS as an optional variant priced slightly higher. The new Pulsar is also kitted out with Perimeter Frame for high stiffness-low flex and gas filled Nitrox Mono suspension with a throaty midship race spec exhaust for better throttle response. As for vanity, the apart from its sporty design features, the Pulsar comes with HD focus projector headlamps and crystal LED tail lights.

Yamaha scooters get an engine enhancement Yamaha Motor India Sales has introduced an all new range of Alpha, Ray and Ray Z scooters for the year 2015. The company launched the new variants of its scooter range enabled with Yamaha’s Next Generation ‘Blue Core’ engine concept. ‘Blue Core’ is a development ideal for products that take riding enjoyment, fuel efficiency and environmental performance to all-new levels. The engines based on the “Blue Core” ideal are the result of a thorough pursuit to 1) increase combustion efficiency, 2) increase cooling efficiency and 3) reduce power loss.

The Alpha (Blue Core Enabled), (New Colour Gleaming Gold ) will be available for 49,939/-, the Ray Z (Blue Core Enabled)(New Colour Cyan Splash) for 48,936/- and the Ray (Blue Core Enabled) (No new colour addition) for 47,805/-. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.

As a result of this enhancement, the new scooter range from Yamaha will boast of improved fuel mileage at 66 kmpl (Old mileage was 62 Kmpl).

Royal Enfield’s Continental GT now available in black Royal Enfield has just announced that their Continental GT 535cc café racer will in addition to the signature colours -- red and yellow, be offered in the colour black across all markets globally.The current café racer in production from the company is inspired by Royal Enfield’s own 1965 Continental GT. The new café racer from Royal Enfield was launched in 2013, thus introducing the Café Racing culture to India. The black colour GT features a new brown coloured flat sculpted racing seat with contrast stitching.

The black Continental GT is available at 2,13,142/- on road in Delhi which is the same as the signature GT Red and GT Yellow colour variants.

New Honda Dream Neo, Dio to cost 49,034 and 47,851 respectively Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) has announced the availability of the recently unveiled New Dream Neo and New Dio in New Delhi.

The new Dream Neo will be available at 49,034 (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and new Dio at 47,851 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

The new Dream Neo, Honda Eco Technology enabled, in addition to the new graphics on tank, side cowl and stickers on side panel will carry the premium red colored Honda logo. Also, the new lockable side cowl will bring more practical utility for daily commuting. The availability of Honda’s Dream Neo will be in Black with Violet Stripes, Black with Red Stripes.

In automatic scooter segment, Honda’s original moto-scooter, New Dio will offer new stickers, side panel graphics and a sporty logo adding to the trendy look. It will be available in new dual tone color options- Jazzy Blue Metallic, Sports Red, Candy Palm Green and Black.

INDIA NEWS Bajaj Auto launches the World’s Most Fuel Efficient Bike - the New Bajaj Platina ES Bajaj Auto has launched the World’s most fuel efficient bike – the all new Platina. The new Bajaj Platina is not just an upgrade on its hugely succesful model, but also a technological leap. It is an entirely new platform developed with a new DTS-i powered engine which delivers a potent mix of superior power & world champion mileage. In fact, this new motorcycle has broken all the benchmarks on mileage to deliver 96.9 kmpl as per ARAI testing. This is the highest ever among all 100cc bikes not just in India, but also all around the world! Bajaj Auto has done a global study on mileage across more than 50 major countries and more than 500 motorcycle models. All sources such as country specific OEM websites, blogs, industry bodies, and certified automotive publications were reviewed in detail. The findings prove the fact that on mileage the Bajaj Platina ES is unbeatable. No other production bike in the 95 to 105cc range, either in India or globally, comes close.

The new Platina ES has been designed to appeal to the long distance commuter. It gets a new long travel telescopic front suspension and SNS (double spring) rear suspension.

Moreover it has a long wheelbase and three inch wide rear tyres for superior grip and control on uneven roads.

April 2015 I 17

MOTORSPORT

Stuart Oliver takes the T1 PRIMA TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

JK Tyre’s ‘Jetracing’ tyres gather more pace at T1 Prima race Jetracing, the first-ever truck racing tyre in India from JK Tyre, which was a major success when T1 Prima Truck made its Indian debut last year, once again made its presence felt at the second edition of the Tata T1Prima Truck Racing Championship.

The Tata T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship was a major breakthrough in the Indian motorsport and JK Tyre was a partner. This “grippy” tyre performed rather well during

18 I April 2015

the 2014 the T1 Prima race, and continued its winning streak, in a race that was faster than last year because of better performing engines this year.

V K Misra, Technical Director, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. said“Although we were excited to know that the Prima race truck are 10pc faster with a speed of up to 130 km/h compared to 110 km/hr last year, we took it upon ourselves to develop higher specs tyres. The latest tyre has been developed

using new design technique of ‘Tapered tread profile’ completed with ‘HE wire’ and ‘special wire wrap’, these tyres are capable to run up to a speed of 160 kmph.”

“Jetracing tyre is an example of JK Tyre’s superior research and product development capabilities.

Measuring 315/80R22.5, the tyre is designed with special low heat and high traction compound to meet the most gruelling braking conditions of a racing circuit.

With the second season of our

partnership with T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship, we are confident the race drivers will enjoy pumping up the speeds,” he added.

The difference between a usual road tyre and Jetracing tyre is that the contact patch of the latter is optimised to meet the unfathomable turning requirements of a racing circuit. Going deeper into the technicalities, the asymmetric tread pattern is designed for better handling

MOTORSPORT Report: RAHUL KAPOOR & Photography: MOHD. NASIR

T

on a dry pavement. It has asymmetric shoulder drop with a rounded outer shoulder for a balanced cornering and lateral stability. The shallow circumferential grooves with optimised groove sections provide the much needed excellent heat dissipation.

The belt package is optimised in terms of lay and angle for excellent tread stiffness that enhances the steering and handling ability.

he stage was set, the pit lane was cleared, photographers took to their position, and the rain started to pour as the 12 trucks were out on their warm up lap behind the Pace truck.

The over filled grandstands waited patiently to let out a huge roar as the 6 teams took the penultimate corner and the pace truck withdrew into the pitlane, the 45,000 over capacity crowd roared into life as Steve Thomas driving for Team Allied Partners, followed closely behind by Stuart Oliver driving for the Castrol Vecton team and the rest of the pack behind them, drove past at full throttle to start the first Super Qualifier race of the day.

With pouring rain and wet tarmac, watching the trucks struggle for grip was a spectacle on its own as at the first corner, as promised, all the 12 trucks overshot the turn and ended up in the run off area but all managed to return to the track grinding, scraping and spinning each other up to turn 3 where some got stuck in the gravel and again some more trucks stuck at turn 4 in the gravel traps similarly. With trucks stuck on track, the race was red flagged and surviving drivers lined up again on the grid behind the pace truck waiting for the beached trucks to line up behind them eventually.

When the trucks lined up again, after a second warm up lap behind the pace truck, the race restarted with all drivers driving over cautiously hoping to make it to the final race, slowly but surely all drivers managed to cross the finish line behind Steve Thomas taking first followed closely by Stuart Oliver. All drivers returned to the pits safely for an hour long break of entertainment while the mechanics got down to fixing all the damage that was repairable due to the number of collisions during the race.

Eventually it stopped raining and the track slowly started to dry up. After the entertainment performance on track was done with and the grid was cleared, the pitlane exit was opened for the Final 16 lap sprint race and the drivers made their way to the start finish straight to line up on the grid according to their finishing positions in the Super Qualifier. As the lights went green all trucks slowly started to follow the pace truck around the shortened 3.1km Buddh International Circuit . With the track slowly drying up, the drivers gained more confidence to take thing up a notch with their improved top speed of claimed 130kmph by letting out all 370bhp from the engines. Stuart Oliver had one thing in mind and one thing only, to finish first no matter what. As the pace truck dived into the pitlane, the drivers floored it towards the start line and as they crossed neck and neck. Oliver had the edge over Thomas through turn 1, but by turn 3, Thomas regained the position with both of them charging down the back straight toward turn 4. Meanwhile batting for 3rd was Matt Summerfield racing for Team Cummins battling with Team Tata Technologies driver Steve Powell with both colliding and shoving each other for the right of way for 3rd place. Both battles were nail bitingly exciting throughout the race as at every corner, for 1st and 3rd places, all the drivers kept shuffling over and

April 2015 I 19

MOTORSPORT over again. As Oliver would take the lead, Thomas would starting gaining on him using his slipstream to get past but every time Oliver had the door closed as he kept the inside line. Thomas forced Oliver on numerous occasions to make mistakes and capitalized on all of them but Oliver just outsmarted him soon after, every single time.

The battles for 1st, 2nd and 3rd kept going on for the entire 16 lap race. At the back of the pack the battles weren’t cold even at the slightest, because if not the race victory, all were fighting for the team championship trophy. The most significant battle was between Dealer Warriors’ Richard Collett and Paul McCumisky of Dealer Daredevils.

Both drivers were fighting for track position when at the closing stages of the race, both drivers exited turn 4 with Collett’s front left wheel arch wedged into McCumisky’s rear wheel. With turn 5 approaching fast, if they didn’t separate both of the drivers would go straight ahead into the barriers, when Collett’s quick thinking led him to swerve to his left which led McCumisky into a fishtail spin all the way around only for him to crash into the barriers leaving him to retire from the race.

With 3 laps remaining, the fight for 3rd was over as reigning European Truck Racing Champion Matt Summerfield, started to fall behind leaving Steve Powell to drive away in 3rd place. But the battle for the top step of the podium went on until the very last corner with the lead being lost and won again within a matter of 600 meters by Stuart Oliver who went on to cross the finish line inches in front of Steve Powell. With Stuart Oliver’s 2nd place in the Super Qualifier and his victory in the Final Sprint, Stuart and Team Castrol Vecton successfully defended their title from last year.

Stuart Oliver commented on his victory and his experience of the race by saying “I used to think winning European Championships was a great achievement.

To win here last year was a fantastic achievement for sure was one of the high ones, but I think to win today is fantastic. It’s always harder when you’re defending your title. We defended it successfully and I’m extremely happy. I will be back next year for sure.” When asked about the performance of the trucks Stuart Oliver claimed that he was able to get up to about 140-141kmph on the long back straight which he claimed was “Quite Impressive”. “The track is perfect, with all the different variations of corners and the atmosphere around, it’s beautiful, it’s a very nice circuit to race at” he added.

20 I April 2015

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

JACQUES ESCULIER

Chairman & CEO, WABCO Holdings Inc.

Wabco is a leading global supplier of commercial vehicle technologies. Your company has in the past been part of truck racing events in Europe. But the trucks here at the Buddh International Circuit for the T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship were stock vehicles with very ordinary engines. How was the experience, especially as a braking technology partner?

I would not compare to Europe, obviously this year there is more horsepower and higher speeds, but I don’t think it can be compared to Europe. It is the only truck racing event in Asia. It is a leading event for the industry. It showcases technologies that are important on commercial vehicles around the world because arguably this is the most extreme conditions you can face with a commercial vehicle and here you’re demonstrating very important technologies. The braking systems, including the Anti-Lock Braking Systems that will be mandated by the Indian government by the end of this year will be a major contributor to road safety.

The products that we equip these trucks with are not specially designed for these racing trucks. It enforces that the products that we produce in our factories for all production trucks around the world are capable of such extreme conditions.

Wabco products have been an integral part of truck racing abroad. Did these races immensely help your company in its research and development? What were the learnings for your company in these European races?

With five world-class manufacturing facilities, a software design centre and your own test track in India, how has your Indian experience been? Do you think this segment is beginning to see a change, especially with foreign players

We hear that Wabco is trying to work with the Indian Government to make Indian roads safer through Wabco’s technology. Could you shed some light on that?

We are always ready to support a government across the world to increase safety. You have to realise that here in India is only 1pc of trucks that are running on global roads but unfortunately, India generates 8pc of the fatalities. This is very disproportionate and I think that there are a lot of initiatives that we can help the Indian government with to equip truck, busses and trailers with some basic [safety] equipment and later on some sophisticated equipment to address this issue. There is an objective today to save 200,000 lives in the next five years.

MOTORSPORT like Volvo, Scania, MAN, Daimler, etc getting aggressive here?

First of all you have to put things in the right perspective. Wabco products and systems cost an average of $3000 per truck in Europe. In Asia, and India in particular, it will average $500 per truck by next year or so, growing from $250 per truck a couple of years ago. So there is room for safety and efficiency of commercial vehicles here. Now rightfully as you said, those foreign manufacturers particularly coming from Europe bring new standards in technology, reliability and safety. The industry here [India] is growing its standards across the board and we are obviously very happy to support that.

I think there is still a lot of room for further improvement but again we are very proud to help this industry in this part of the world to bring more safety on the roads with commercial vehicles.

Late last year you inaugurated your fifth plant in Lucknow for supply of Advanced Braking Technologies to major truck manufacturers?

What are these advanced braking technologies, can you throw some light on it? Besides, which companies are you supplying to in India? Does it have a potential for exports?

We are supplying, very frankly, not only India but we are supplying to customers all across the world. Here in India in particular, the latest advanced technologies that we are introducing are ABS, a technology that Wabco brought into the world of commercial vehicle in 1981 and we have since built 17 million of those. This shows how important it is for the industry. We are also introducing the AMT systems which will enable fuel saving as well as making it easier to drive a truck. When you don’t have to focus on shifting gear, it will allow the driver to obviously focus on what is going on around the truck enhancing safety. We are also discussing about collision mitigating systems, lane departure warning systems, all those technologies have proven to be incredibly efficient to decrease accidents. For example Wabco introduced for the first time again the collision mitigating system in the US and it has proven since then that the 100,000 systems we have sold

have decreased the rear end collision by 80pc.

Wabco India is the largest employer of Wabco employees in the world. We have in excess of 3.000 people here for 11,000 global population of Wabco which is very strong. About 40pc of revenues of Wabco India actually support the global network outside of India. We export a lot of different products to all the different parts of our business like in Japan, Europe, US and even China. So Wabco India is and will grow further as a major hub for product development and manufacturing.

Very briefly, how has your India experience been? Do you feel that the Indian truck industry is beginning to get its act together in bringing out world class products?

Obviously the economy has had some issues a couple of years ago.

It impacted our industry a lot. The number of trucks built melted down to 45-50pc. We have started to recover very nicely last year with very strong growth. I think India is on a very good path to improve the economy and that will result again in a very strong momentum for the industry. We are predicting very strong growth this year.

I see India for a long term as a very, very strong source of business for our industry.

Lastly, there are talks of truck racing perhaps happening in south of India too, more closer to your own track.

Indian drivers too could be taking part in such races. Do we see Wabco playing a larger role in such races, perhaps having your own racing team, like the way you do abroad?

We always find ways to support our customers in their initiatives to showcase technologies because that what is going on here [at the T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship]. Our main customer in India [Tata Motors] wants to showcase and demonstrate that their truck can sustain the environment of the race which is again an extreme for our vehicles. We are certainly ready to support any customer who wants to join this important communication vector to convince people that this industry is making superb efforts to enhance the overall efficiency around the world.

New Castrol oil adds zing to T1 Prima Truck Racing

Stuart Oliver with Ravi Kirpalani Castrol Vecton RX Fuel Saver 10W-40 diesel engine oil co-engineered by Castrol India Limited and Tata Motors Limited, was launched on March 14, 2015 on the sidelines of the first day of the T1 Prima Truck racing Championship at the Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida. Castrol Vecton RX Fuel Saver is the official engine oil of all trucks competing in the T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship 2015 This oil is designed to increase the fuel efficiency of Tata trucks by 3pc, which will save substantial amounts of diesel as well as operating costs for these trucks.

Castrol Vecton RX Fuel Saver has the potential to save almost 40,000 per annum for a truck which travels about 100,000 kms during a year Ravi Kirpalani, Managing Director, Castrol India Limited, said: “Castrol Vecton RX Fuel Saver 10W-40 incorporates Castrol’s pioneering technology and has been developed and rigorously tested for over four years in Castrol’s laboratories in Pangbourne - UK, and India, and on the roads. The challenge was to develop a product which was fuel efficient but yet tough enough to withstand the huge pressure faced by trucks on difficult roads and under tough operating conditions, including overloading. This co-engineering effort between Tata Motors and Castrol is yet another example of the collaborative manner and the true partnership spirit in which both our companies operate. This year we complete 30 years of our relationship with Tata Motors and we are indeed delighted to work with such a strong and trusted partner.”

With the advent of tighter emission norms, modern diesel engines are becoming more technologically advanced. Castrol Vecton RX Fuel Saver 10W-40, with system 5 Technology, is specifically engineered to deliver extended drain interval and reduced emission, along with increased fuel efficiency.

Castrol Vecton RX Fuel Saver 10W-40 adapts to changing engine conditions to maximise engine performance in five key areas: • Reduced fuel consumption • Reduced oil consumption • Longer oil drain interval • Enhanced component life • Increased power

April 2015 I 21

MOTORSPORT

Nicolas Prost wins MIAMI EPRIX; Karun Chandhok is 14th

Pictures courtesy: FIA Formula E The first Formula E race to be held in the USA saw Nicolas Prost of e.dams-Renault winning the race after a stiff fight with rivals before a 20,000-strong crowd. The streets of Miami were packed and people stood in their balconies overlooking the race track to catch a glimpse of this ePrix.

Prost is the fifth different winner in this maiden Formula E season: his name can be added to the list of Lucas Di Grassi (Beijing,) Sam Bird (Putrajaya,) Sebastien Buemi (Punta del Este) and Antonio Felix da Costa (Buenos Aires.) Making the Frenchman’s day even more special was the podium ceremony.

Handing him his trophy was a “rival” in the form of Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson, while up there to take the team award was the victor’s father Alain Prost, a former F1 Champion of repute.

Mahindra Racing’s Karun Chandhok could only manage a 14th place while his team mate Bruno Senna was not able to finish the race.

A delay in getting the track completed created some early anxiety and meant that the two free practice sessions were delayed and run as one 30-minute session, but once that was sorted out, it was time for the show to go on. In qualifying, another The winner takes it all! Nicolas Prost after his win Frenchman, Jean-Eric Vergne took the top spot he led the pack away into what would making his debut in the series. his move, overtaking Vergne be a thrilling 39-lap race.

After a difficult qualifying saw him with a great pass at Turn 5, after According to a FIA press start from the fifth row, he staged which the Frenchman opted to pit release, a major contender in the a great climb up the order, thanks immediately. However, the run of Miami ePrix was the local hero, to a well executed strategy of pit stops was the undoing of two Scott Speed. The American, energy management and some of the front runners, who found driving for the Andretti team, was brave overtakes. First he got past themselves down in the pack, with Daniel Abt and then, Abt taking the lead, shadowed by he chased Prost right Prost and championship leader di down to the final Grassi. With six laps to go, the two metre of the very last Audi Sport ABT drivers began to lap. struggle compared to their rivals, In the early stages who had more energy available: all eyes were on a first Speed passed Di Grassi (lap close duel between 36) and then it was Abt who had pole-man Vergne and to let Prost and the American pass Sam Bird, with Prost on the penultimate lap. However, tailing the English the German managed to salvage Virgin driver. As the third place and thus make it to first stint was coming the podium for the first time this Richard Branson’s team lost, but that did not stop him from having fun! to an end, Bird made season.

22 I April 2015

New Arrivals

2010 Aston Martin Rapide

2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

2012 BMW 640D Gran Coupe

2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4

2012 Ferrari FF

sales@bigboytoyz.com www.bigboytoyz.com

MOTORSPORT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH KARUN CHANDHOK

LONE SURVIVOR The only Indian driving in the FIA Formula E Championship for an Indian Formula E Team Mahindra Racing

You’re a driver who has driven a Formula 1 car and a Formula E car. Could you briefly describe the difference between the two machines? How was your experience with the drive, the technology, the power, etc?

A Formula 1 car has 800 odd horsepower and is something that has been developed over a long, long period of time. Formula E is coming in with completely new technology; it’s a new form of racing which is using battery technology which hasn’t been around for such a long time. It’s totally different and I think it’s unfair to compare the two. One costs 300 million to build and run the other costs 3 million so it’s like comparing an XKR [Jaguar] to a Maruti 800. It’s not in the same segment, but obviously there is curiosity. Formula E cars being electric have instant torque, the weight of the car is quite heavy because of the battery pack, but driving those around street circuits is a lot of fun. It’s a unique challenge and mentally it is quite challenging. You have to manage your energy; I always keep calculating the battery levels and energy usage and try to find a more efficient way to finish the race.

So yeah, it’s quite a technical and exciting challenge.

How do you manage switching cockpits?

One season you’re driving a GT car, another week in a Formula 1 car then a Formula E car? Do you really need to adapt yourself massively from cockpit to cockpit?

Well the pitstops in Formula E are quite amusing to be honest, especially when we try and jump out of one car and jump into another. It won’t be long when one of us

24 I April 2015

Picture courtesy: FIA Formula E

Report: RAHUL KAPOOR

lands right on our face. It’s amusing but for me it’s not that difficult, I’ve been racing in Le Mans, sports cars and GT for the last 3 years. I’m kind of used to changing with my time spent in Le Mans. Jumping out of one and getting into another, you kind of get used to it. But If you look at Formula E, with a lot of things, the sport is trying to be unique. We are on grooved tyres and not slicks, that’s why we race on city streets to try to engage with the fans more to boost fan following. Formula E is trying to do things differently. We are trying to find a new way of racing to promote a different concept of motoring.

Of course racing for Mahindra is an altogether high for you I presume, especially when we all know that it’s the only Indian company that has made so much inroads into the field of electric vehicles. How was your experience with

the Mahindra Reva engineers and how has the car been since your involvement with the team? You feel that you learnt a lot being around them?

Absolutely, being the only Indian driver driving for an Indian team is huge. When we started this, I didn’t know a whole lot about electric cars until I got involved. I knew how the cars worked but I dint know the ins and outs of how they worked. It’s been good spending time with the Mahindra Racing team in the UK and in Bangalore. Talking to them about how to drive in the most efficient way, I’ve learnt a lot. Spending time in the factory in Bangalore, I saw the enthusiasm of the guys working here, I saw their passion. I think that has been the key to help me and the guys in the UK to go and race. It’s been a lot of hard work mixed with a lot of fun trying to develop the car with the team, trying out the simulator. All in all it’s been an interesting few months.

MOTORSPORT Vettel wins 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix

Pictures courtesy: Ferrari

“Wooohooo! Grazie! Grazie! Forza Ferrari!”

“Wooohooo! Grazie! Grazie!

Forza Ferrari!” were the words of the four time world champion Sebastian Vettel as he crossed the chequered flag at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix for his team Scuderia Ferrari ahead of Lewis Hamilton in 2nd and Nico Rosberg in 3rd of Mercedes AMG in an unusually dry race at the Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur on March 29, 2015 after heavy rains soaked the qualifying race on the previous day.

This also meant that Ferrari got their first victory since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix and Vettel his first since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix. Equally important was the fact that this was Vettel’s first win for Ferrari. He also becomes the 38th driver to win a race for Ferrari.

The race in Sepang was held, barely within two weeks from the season opener in Australia wherein Lewis Hamilton had emerged victorious.

At the Malaysian GP, Vettel, in fact, moved into an early lead when his rivals pitted under the safety car. He never looked back since then, using a two-stop strategy to beat the Mercedes

rivals.

Vettel’s teammate Kimi Raikkonen recovered from an 11th-place start and an early puncture, caused by contact with Felipe Nasr’s Sauber, to finish an impressive fourth ahead of the Williams duo Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa.

The race also saw 17 years old Max Verstappen of Toro Rosso becoming the youngest points scorer in F1 history as he took seventh place for his team, just ahead of team mate and fellow rookie Carlos Sainz Jr. Both the youngsters beat Red Bull mates Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo who completed the top ten.

It was a bad dream for McLaren as both their drivers Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button were forced to retire their cars mid race with technical problems.

Initially in lap 4, Marcus Ericsson was the first man to go out when he spun his Sauber into the gravel, leading to the safety car being deployed, while Pastor Maldonado of Lotus also made an exit because of mechanical woes later in the race.

The race had got underway with Hamilton starting from pole

position in what was his 150th Grand Prix. But unlike in Australia it was Vettel, and not Rosberg, who started alongside Hamilton. Vettel had come within a whisker of giving Ferrari its first pole position since 2012 in a thrilling wet-weather qualifying session.

The race started without Will Stevens as his team Marussia had failed to fix the fuel system problem that prevented him from running in qualifying. That meant 19 drivers started the race.

From the lights out, to the chequered flag, it was drama all the way from the first lap. As Vettel started from 2nd place, the German pushed Rosberg’s Mercedes giving him no room.

Vettel kept his Ferrari in 2nd behind Hamilton.

In the initial stages of the race, as both Mercedes cars, dove into the pits when the safety car was announced, Ferrari gambled to leave Vettel out to take track

position ahead of both the Mercedes cars. This gamble paid off later on as after dropping down to 3rd after his first well-rehearsed 2.4 second pitstop on Lap 22 with a stop left for both, Vettel took 2nd from Rosberg. Though Rosberg had DRS through the main straight, Vettel got a better line through the last turn and was able to keep the place through turn 1 only to drive away from Rosberg.

By lap 25, Vettel closed onto race leader Hamilton and made the same move off the back straight only for Hamilton to dive into the pits and Sebastian Vettel took the lead.

With this win in Malaysia, Ferrari has closed the gap on Mercedes after which was inarguably a horrible 2014 season for the legendary prancing horse.

April 2015 I 25

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

FIRST DRIVE

HYUNDAI i20 ACTIVE

BRAWN HATCH Report: P.THARYAN / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

T

he first thought that comes to your mind when you see a Hyundai i20 Active is, “Hey, I have seen many like that in India”. Yes, the i20 Active may look like an ordinary crossover, but get a closer look and you get bowled over by its sporty design. It’s competing in a market where the likes of the Volkswagen Cross Polo, the Toyota Etios Cross and the Fiat Avventura have already landed. These are built on the already existing hatchbacks existing in each of the company’s stable. At Hyundai too it’s as though the story continues. But then Hyundai does not like the word crossover and refuses to call it one. It’s coined a different name for it, a ‘Sport Styled Vehicle’ or SSV for short. So it’s not a crossover and neither is it an SUV. We had got to understand the vehicle and in Goa, the best one can do is drive through its narrow roads to hit a large patch of beach and try your best to take it as close to the sea waters as possible. At the end of the day, it’s a sporty vehicle, and we wanted to have some fun with it.

26 I April 2015

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

HYUNDAI does not like the word crossover and refuses to call it one. It’s coined a different name for it, a ‘SPORT STYLED VEHICLE’ or SSV for short. So it’s not a crossover and neither is it an SUV. Engine & Transmission 1396cc, 2nd generation / 6-speed MT

Power & Torque 89 bhp 220 Nm

Fuel Efficiency 21.19 kmpl

Tyres 195/55 R16

Price 7,63,228 (ex-showroom Delhi)

April 2015 I 27

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

The Hyundai i20 Active comes with a petrol and a diesel engine option. The petrol engine is the refined 1.2 litre Kappa engine—1.2 Dual VTVT mated to a five-speed gear box. The diesel engine is the 1.4 litre U2 CRDi mated to a sixspeed gear box. We had a diesel car for a test drive.

Mind you, the i20 Active does not have a four-wheel drive or huge Hankook tyres that can sail over sand and unruly terrains. But still, this one’s an i20 that’s had an entire crate of Red Bull! It does feel strong and also drives as though it has wings. We put the car to test when we took it to a beach in Goa’s Verna location. But before that, let me briefly tell you what

28 I April 2015

makes this car different from an ordinary Hyundai i20 hatch.

The i20 Active has a high ground clearance, around 190mm. In order to give it its smart looks it has a tailgate spoiler, a smart uniquely designed fuel cap, hi-tech 3-step LED rear lamp, DRL projector headlamps with cornering lamps and 16 inches diamond cut alloy wheels. The front and rear looks are enhanced by a two tone bumper, with a tusk bar and skid plates. The C pillar is black and glossy. Then there are roof rails and body side claddings. With all these add-ons, the car looks very different from its i20 hatchback cousin.

The i20 Active interiors are

unique in every way. The car comes in either a Tangerine Orange coloured interior or an Aqua Blue coloured interior. The colour reflects in a subtle way on the dash, the seats and the door panels. Loads of convenience features come with the i20 Active.

It has an auto folding outside rear view mirror, and it has a push start/stop button. Loads of infotainment comes in the form of 2DIN Bluetooth audio with 1 GB internal memory, 8 speakers and a fully automatic climate control with cluster ionizer. Not to miss are the sporty aluminium pedals. Then there are several other features that come in the i20 Active that comes from the

existing i20 available in the market, like steering wheel mounted controls, lots of storage spaces for bottles and cups, cool glove box, tilt and telescopic steering, driver seat height adjustment, etc. As for the design, it remains fluidic and macho!

Since it is not an SUV or a 4-wheel wonder, yet it has a sporty look with a 190mm ground clearance. We were tempted to cross over to the shores, cutting across loose sand. It was tricky. If the car were to get stuck, it would be virtually impossible to yank it out of the sand without calling for help from a tow van. Good driving experience combined with a powerful engine to boot can do

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

wonders. Before I could blink, I had cleared the sandy patch to get near to the damp shores. We spent at least an hour driving on the shore line full blast and cornering at high speeds. The car behaved so well, and without a fuss, it waltzed on the damp sand.

Though the Goan sun was beating down on us mercilessly, we could not resist driving with the air-conditioner on and off, just to test the engine power. The handling was perfect and the car behaved amazingly well in those tight corners.

The suspension had been tweaked perfectly to handle all kinds of twists and turns. There was enough torque at even low RPMs. Power too was ample at higher gears. The car

may not be an SUV, but it definitely proved to be a butch hatch. This car will definitely appeal to the young at heart, for those wanting to tell the world that they are restless and are ready for action.

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

WILD HORSES AUDI RS7 SPORTBACK

Because regular horsepower just isn’t enough, its wild horsepower the RS7 SPORTBACK has in its heart

30 I April 2015

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience AUDI RS7 SPORTBACK

Engine & Transmission 4.0 litre, V8 twinturbo DOHC TFSI / 8-speed tiptronic with DSP and sports programme with paddle shift

Power & Torque 560bhp @ 5700-6600rpm 700Nm @ 1750-5500rpm

Fuel Tank Capacity 10.2kmpl

Price 1,35,93,000/(ex-showroom, Delhi)

O

Report: RAHUL KAPOOR / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

n a gloomy cloudy day, when everything was all dreary and one could sense a heavy downpour any moment, we were given two of the best things in the world, an open road and the keys to the Audi RS7 Sportback.

Last year, back in January, Audi had launched the RS7 Sportback in India, and we had been crying over the phone to Audi to let us have a go at it ever since. It’s

taken a while, but now we finally got it in our possession. So what has Audi’s Quattro division done to the regular A7 Sportback?

Well they firstly removed the measly 3 litre V6 and fitted it with a 4 litre V8 with twin turbos mounted between the cylinders heads which gives it 560bhp and 700Nm of Torque. The car weighs just over 2500 kilograms which is a lot, but understandable. Unlike its rivals though, (the CLS AMG and M6 Grand Coupe) who only have to make do with two wheel drives, the RS7 is four wheel drive all the time

which is all well and nice on paper, but how does it fare on tarmac? We will get back to that shortly.

Firstly let’s take a look at the interior.

The cabin looks as busy as Times Square when you see it first, but it’s actually quite simple. At the push of a button, the Audi MMI display screen slides out of the front dash.

This along with the aluminium knob on the centre console lets you navigate through the brilliantly easy, idiot proof, system. It’s so easy to use, you can send the family dog to

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

The roar from the ENGINE, with the push of the start button, the engine comes to life and screams a baritone shimmering the rear with the vibrations. The same vibrations you get when the SPARTANS march into town. go and set the sat-nav before you head out. Above the knob are a few more buttons which handle some other features like the radio and the electronic hand brake next to the gear lever. The steering wheel is nice and thick, with a flat bottom and brilliant grip. The buttons on the steering are the same as all Audis these days. The rake and reach adjustability is extremely easy and so is the cruise control which can be done with just a touch of a button. You just bring the car up to the speed you want the car to maintain, and just press the button and the car will maintain that speed. Back to the centre console… the front dual zone climate control can take some time to figure out but you usually just use the knobs and a couple of the buttons anyway. It’s the same with the controls for the dual zone in the rear. This 560bhp monster also has a massive boot with 535 litres of space and it can seat 4 people in case anyone needs to convince their spouse that it’s essential to get the kids to school on time. Apart from all of that, the buttons are my favourite. Push the start button and the dial in front goes all theatrical, the needles max out and return to their positions, which is quite cool when you see it with all the lights glowing. Then there is the roar from the engine, with the push of the start button, the engine comes to life and screams a baritone shimmering the rear with the vibrations. The same vibrations you get when the Spartans march into town. I have seen and heard them in the movies!

From the outside, you can tell it’s not a normal Audi, but only if you have a keen eye for detail. Even with its flat grey paint, it doesn’t drag attention like any other car in its power range would. It looks like a regular 4 door saloon, which it actually is but it looks harmless, calm, and docile. It’s inconspicuous, but if you let it loose, it will bite your head off.

Put it in comfort, everything is all gooey and soft, put it to automatic and the car changes its characteristics with an educated guess while assessing how you’re driving.

You can also set it to individual and make the settings yourself but if you don’t want to bother with any of that just simply put it into Dynamic mode and awaken the 560 wild horses and the acceleration is sickening, I mean truly sickening. 0-100kmph the RS7 devours it in just 3.9 seconds and keeps going to 250kmph and to top it all off, is the baritone from the archives of Beethoven’s symphonies through the exhaust. Apart from the exhaust, there is the sound from the engine. Even though the 8 speed ZF gearbox feels like it’s made out of lard and you never really feel the gear changes, mostly because the transmission is just so good and partly because Audi has directed the fuel injectors to drop a blob of fuel into the cylinders every time a gear is changed and the result of that is a loud burp of fuel being burnt. The blob of fuel is basically there to regain the power that is lost

32 I April 2015

in those milliseconds the car is busy changing gears to compensate and in conjugation with its four wheel drive system from Quattro AG, the acceleration will make you wish you didn’t have that full plate of butter chicken before you set off. To our knowledge, there is probably no other car especially in its segment that goes off the line quicker than this animal. While competitors would be spinning their wheels and would be being stationary for quite a long time, they would also be left like little dots in the Audi’s mirrors.

When you introduce the RS7 to some corners, it just sails through with no drama at all thanks to the Quattro four wheel drive system. This car isn’t meant to go sideways in; it’s serious German engineering with no sense of humor. But usually four wheel drive cars tend to have a whiff of understeer at high speed cornering; Audi has addressed that with torque vectoring. So when you tell the car to turn right, what the traction control does is, it uses its massive ceramic disc brakes harder on the wheels on the right and sends more power to the wheels on the left, or when you turn left, it would do the same to the wheels again to the other side. Acting like centripetal

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

force, torque vectoring allows to eliminate as much as understeer as possible and the result is blisteringly fast. The limit of the RS7 is the driver, as long as the driver knows what he is doing and his threshold to G-forces determines how fast this car can actually go.

The ride quality of the RS7 with its adaptive air suspension, when in Comfort mode, you can really feel the difference in change from Dynamic how the car behaves, even at low speeds. But if you use the feline friendly MMI to navigate the infotainment system, you can set the dampers, engine, transmission and throttle to your liking, in either in auto or dynamic mode. In addition, you can also change every component from braking, steering, suspension, steering, engine, transmission individually. To enjoy a comfortable ride and pump up the performance of the powertrain and leave the suspension in soft gooey mode when driving along, but bring it back down obviously in city traffic which would make

it more economical. But you don’t buy this car to be economical. You buy it for its pure joy and essence of acceleration.

Let’s get to the practicality of the things now shall we? The RS7 Sportback has a price tag of 1,35,93,000/- and that is before all the paperwork. Then there is the fuel consumption, which won’t be something to brag about to your friends at a party, but all isn’t lost quite yet. You can still convince your significant other that because of the 4 seats and the large boot, you can still use it every day and drop and pick up the kids from school. Also another pointer is that with 6 airbags, safety is assured in addition to the parking sensors, ABS and the massive Carbon Ceramic ventilated disc brakes. So if you can shell out the cash, then there is one thing I can and I will tell you. When the Rolling Stones said that wild horses couldn’t drag them away, they had never witnessed the power of the 560 wild horses in the RS7 Sportback!

April 2015 I 33

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

BMW X3

CRAGS LIST No matter what we threw at it, the X3 just kept going with a “BRING IT ON” attitude

34 I April 2015

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

Report: RAHUL KAPOOR / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

N

o, not the classified portal that goes by the name Craigs list, this new BMW X3 surely makes it to our Crags list. Crag, by the way, means steep rugged rocky mass. This one’s a true off-roader by all means, that’s what I am trying to convey! So, what can we say about the new BMW X3 that hasn’t already been said? It’s a crossover from the Germans for people who don’t necessarily go off-roading, but like the look of a bulky rough and tumble SUV, packaged in a small compact size. A high driving position in a compressed small sized SUV is the exact choice of the average Indian consumer.

The X3 gets an updated styling and especially with the xLine trim, the SUV looks more “today” than “last season”. The headlamps have been updated, the front and rear bumpers both get new styling. With the xLine trim, the X3 is blingged up with an aluminium signature kidney grille, embellished in front and rear bumpers finished in aluminium and side door sills with a shiny chrome finish. What you also get in the xLine trim are panoramic glass sunroof and roof rails. The tail lamps are also new and the door mirrors are now re-shaped for better visibility. On the inside, standard fitment includes dual zone climate control with vents for the rear, electronically adjustable front seats, and a centre armrest for the rear.

On the xLine, you also get some more chromey aluminium bits inside like the door sills and on the key. Furthermore as standard is the BMW ConnectedDrive system which can be used with a clever knob and a couple of buttons. It only takes a few minutes to understand but a few bits of the system are annoying like when you want to drive slow off-road and you activate the xDrive status display to see the roll and pitch of the vehicle,

Engine & Transmission 2.0L 4 cylinder xDrive20d Twinpower turbo / 8-speed automatic with steptronic, including automatic hold function

Power & Torque 190 @ 4000rpm 400 @ 1750-2500rpm

Fuel Efficiency 18.56kmpl

Tyres Runflat with reinforced sidewalls 245/50 R18

Price 52,90,000/(ex-showroom Delhi)

April 2015 I 35

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

if anything that comes close to the body, it changes to the parking sensor even if you turn it off and you have to go through the menus to get it back. Other than that, there is nothing to complain about really. There is enough storage everywhere also if you want to connect your iPhone under the front armrest, the iPhone 4 easily slots in like a glove and you can use it with BMW ConnectedDrive. But if you have an iPhone 5 or 6 we’re doubtful they would fit in the slot. Any other phone is a longshot.

The previous X3 wasn’t exactly what it was meant to be. The old one didn’t look as good, didn’t ride very well on the road and wasn’t commendable off-road either. With the new one though, BMW has addressed all those issues.

36 I April 2015

For starters, the X3 will be powered by an all-new 2 litre 4 cylinder xDrive20d Twinpower turbo diesel engine that produces 190bhp.

Mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission the 400 Nm torque is delivered smoothly and gear changes are so seamless, we can actually feel nothing but the needle on the rev counter move. On a well paved road, even in EcoPro mode, the X3 is just so comfortable that you won’t need the comfort setting, but when the conditions worsen, which they will being in India, comfort mode will help you breeze through without even feeling a bump and with the high ground clearance, nothing comes close to the underbody no matter how bad conditions get. If you want to have some

fun, put it in Sport or Sport+ and the engine forgets about polar bears and charges through.

Put the transmission in sport and you can go even faster. At full sport set up, the X3 can do 0-100kmph in 8.1 seconds which is exceptional for a car of its size and dynamics. Yes if you’re spoilt by the sequential gearboxes of other cars, the sequential “Steptronic” in this will take a while to get used to because to change up to pull it close to you and to change down, you push it away.

When you eventually get bored of rush hour traffic and you want to take it off road the X3 is perfect for the crags. Weather its loose soil, sand or wet mud, the X3 can cope with it all effortlessly. If only it had a manual handbrake,

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

in the wet but smooth soil, getting the tail out would have been easier, but it isn’t that difficult if you know how to do it with the throttle. We just couldn’t find a place where the X3 just couldn’t handle. No matter what we threw at it, the X3 just kept going with a “Bring it on” attitude. At the end of the day, we got tired and went home.

Sitting on the couch you think with a smile on your face that the X3 is brilliant car and perfect for Indian conditions, but when you get to the dealership and find out the starting price for the X3 is 52,90,000/- that smile turns into a confused expression. Forty nine lakh for a crossover is slightly steep when you think about it. When we got into the car we expected it to cost with starting prices of around Rs 40 lakhs, but given the technology and the improvements to the engine and the car itself, it has sort of won us over, you just don’t have any bargaining chips left. You pay what you’re asked for it. It’s a true member of our Crags list…if we had such a thing.

April 2015 I 37

FEATURES & TRAVEL

by Marriott Pune Chakan FACTORY VISITS, GOOD FOOD AND HIP STAY IN CHAKAN

by JYOTI BALANI

F

or those in the automotive industry, Chakan means a very important hub. Scores of automotive businesses, besides others, thrive in this region which is considered to be a part of Pune in Maharashtra. Senior executives visit this region almost on a daily basis. Overseas visitors too flock to this region and German car manufacturer Volkswagen even allows conducted tours for students, tourists etc of their plant in Chakan.

This region has lately become a tourist destination owing to the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Chakan couple of years ago. Apart from being an ideal hotel for a business traveler, the hotel now offers interesting things to do for a leisure traveler. While on the way to Chakan, I was amazed at the lush greenery that this area offers. Conveniently located off the Mumbai Pune Expressway the hotel is a two and half hour drive from Mumbai. The location in itself is great with scenic mountain ranges and green pastures. Courtyard by

38 I April 2015

Marriott Chakan has positioned itself as an urban resort that presents unique options to guests while they stay there. The hotel lies in the heart of the industrial belt of Chakan, one of the largest MIDC zones in the country.

“We offer guests activities like a car plant visit to Volkswagen factory, a visit to Asia’s largest cheese plant (Gowardhan cheese factory), option to learn some horse riding skills at an equestrian farm known as Japalouppe, a visit to the scenic Pawana dam with boat riding options, and for those with religious orientation, a visit to Prathi-Shirdi, which is a replica of the original. There are times when we have taken guests to various auto factories in the vicinity. Since Chakan is an automotive

hub, our guests have an opportunity to experience firsthand manufacturing processes.

This is a big draw with many guests. All these options are located close to the hotel, making it convenient for everyone to incorporate them in their schedule,” General Manager Hemant Tenneti.

“In addition to these outdoor activities, there are various teambuilding options within the hotel.

Multiple outdoor venues and noise free locale creates the perfect atmosphere for teams to bond with each other. Another important component of the ‘Urban resort’

positioning is the food and beverage options at the hotel.

From the arrival drinks to the last breakfast, each and every meal period is themed and customised.

Using unique venues for catering like the kitchen area of the hotel, the gym and the poolside creates the ‘wow’ element that our guests are looking for. The entire experience is but of course tied in with warm, personalized and caring service, which is the most important component for any successful event,” says Tenneti.

FEATURES & TRAVEL

g skills at an One can learn some horse ridinalouppe Jap as wn kno equestrian farm

Momo cafe The 1,000-crore Parag Milk Foods based in Pune, which owns the dairy brand, Gowardhan boasts of unique infrastructure for example mechanized milking of cows in the farms along with an extensive selection of products such as tubed cheese spreads, cheese powder, cream cheese, wedges and cheese sauce, the production of which can be seen by hotel guests during a factory visit. The massive cheese plant facility is one of a kind in Asia with unique state of the art equipment, pioneers in cheese processing equipment. A trip to the factory entails a walk through the gleaming factory floors watching various stages of cheese making processes using machinery specially imported from Europe including a visit to the Bhagyalaxmi Farm where a guest can observe the and the milking process using automated machines.

Japalouppe, spread over a 12 acre facility is the only equestrian facility in the country that provides end to end solutions from riding, breeding of horses, training, education programmes, veterinary

The hotel offers guests activities like a car plant visit to the Volkswagen factory back up, nutrition consultancy to performance horse management.

Each year thousands of adults and children are given riding lessons to train them into becoming adept at horse riding. Japalouppe is located at Talegaon Dabhade, about an hour’s drive from Pune and two hours from Mumbai. Hotel guests who visit Japalouppe are fascinated by the vast spaces and natural environment and often the hotel organises for bonfire dinners in the farm on special request by corporates and tourists. The farm has a rustic feel to it with the presence of various animals such as ducks, horses, rabbits, dogs, etc. Horse riding lessons are given to children which is a major attraction for both parents and children.

Courtyard by Marriott Chakan houses 175 stylish and spacious rooms that includes twelve residence suites, all well

equipped with modern amenities complemented by efficient service that appeals to both the business as well as leisure traveler. With a total area of 11725 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, catering to groups of various sizes, that come with state of the art audio-visual support and banqueting services, features such as High-Speed Internet Access, with additions like In-Building Solutions (IBS) for enhanced mobile connectivity make this hotel a very convenient place to conduct business meetings and conferences.

The hotel’s culinary team is well equipped to create food of international standards. MoMo Café offers a contemporary buffet

and an a la carte menu with an interesting mix of International, Indian and local specialties. Expert chefs under the leadership of Executive Chef Girish Kumar are ever willing to create innovative meals on request or even ‘Ghar ka Khana’ for those who prefer simple home style food in the comfort of a five star hotel. There is a well equipped bar located close to Momo café which offers a variety of cocktails, spirits as well as wines. The property also offers a state of the art fitness centre and an inviting swimming pool, to refresh and rejuvenate after a long day’s work. An executive lounge on the 5th floor is another great option to unwind during evening hours.

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT PUNE CHAKAN Plot P – 7, MIDC Chakan Industrial Area Phase 1 Talegoan Chakan Road, Khalumbre Pune 410 501

April 2015 I 39

FEATURES & TRAVEL BOOK REVIEW

SEVEN UNCOMMONERS Author: Ridhima Verma Publisher: Finger Print Price: `350

Review by P. THARYAN & Photography: MOHD. NASIR It was Valentine’s Day and I was walking each of the experiences of the seven wonderful towards one of the halls at the Pragati Maidan people. The entrepreneur in me was excited in New Delhi where the World Book Fair was reading the real life stories. being held. It was February 14, 2015. I spotted The first chapter is on Pawan Jain of a young lady in a floral dress and wearing Safexpress and I was truly inspired by the smart boots, walking a little distance away man’s remarkable journey as a successful from me near the hall. She looked smart and businessman. As an entrepreneur, I too learnt energetic. Later, I was briefly introduced to her some valuable lessons from his life’s journey.

by Vineet Kanaujia of Safexpress. She was The book says that “...In all these years of Ridhima Verma, the author of the book ‘Seven achieving one landmark victory after another, Uncommoners’. The book features seven first he remains disciplined, humble, unequivocally generation entrepreneurs who came from balanced, and painfully polite”. Now that is humble backgrounds and who had made it big truly admirable. I have met a lot of top honchos in this world of ours. of automotive companies and a handful of Among the seven is Pawan Jain, Chairman them have been able to impress me with their and Managing Director of Safexpress Private humility and charm. Though I have not actually Limited. Being an automotive journalist, I met Jain, I have truly become his fan simply by realised Jain was the only one I really wanted reading about him. to read about since the company is a force to reckon with in the field of supply chain and logistics.

I hurriedly took an autographed book from Ridhima and walked out just after Jain had launched the book at the fair. I wanted to talk to Jain but he was surrounded by too many people seeking his attention.

I took the book home and poured over it for a few days, reading as much as possible, during the free time I had. Being a journalist and an entrepreneur The author Ridhima Verma with Pawan Jain of Safexpress myself, I was keen to learn from

The other six entrepreneurs featured in the book too share an impressive journey, while on their way to making their millions. The common thread that binds all these entrepreneurs is their modest background and their classinspiring achievements. Be it Patu Keswani who owns Lemon Tree Hotels, or Nishith Desai of Nishith Desai Associates or Prasad Lad of Krystal Group of Companies, their life’s journeys offer us mortals a bright beacon of hope. For someone like me who became an entrepreneur at the age of 45 with limited money and absolutely no business experience, the life experiences of people like Pawan Jain and others will definitely open up a box full of hope for me and millions like me.

Painting a BMW car while having your Sunday brunch!

Sometimes a Sunday brunch can become a lot more enjoyable with a colourful painting session. This is what happened at the Westin Mumbai Garden City.

In association with Art Connoisseur Jyotiee Balani, the Westin hotel played host to an exclusive Art Brunch on March 1, 2015.

Renowned artist Sangeeta Babani recreated her canvas magic with painting live on a BMW as guests savoured the scrumptious art-inspired food prepared by Executive Chef Rahul Dhavale and delectable wine by

40 I April 2015

Charosa Vineyards at Westin Ballroom.

It was a perfect blissful afternoon to soak in the sun over an irresistible brunch with Sangeeta Babani painting a masterpiece and her creations on the theme of the bustling and zealous aura of ‘Bombay City’ on a BMW car. The guests who comprised of prominent media personalities, wine, art & food enthusiasts witnessed her signature blend of realism and abstractionism as she painted the swanky BMW car (Authorized partners Infinity cars) with the vibrant palette her art follows.

FEATURES & TRAVEL

Vintage glory Cartier Travel with Style Concours d’Elégance at Jaipur Polo Ground

H

Report: Rahul Kapoor osted by Stanislas de Quercize, President & CEO – Cartier International and Laurent Gaborit, Regional Managing Director, Cartier Middle East, India & Africa, the fourth Cartier Travel with Style Concours d’Elégance 2015, was held at the Jaipur Polo Ground, New Delhi on March

14, 2015.

Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ is among the world’s best four Concours d’Elégance - a one of a kind vintage car exhibition and competition held every two years in India. On invitation only, the 2015 Concours show consisted of 82 of the rarest classic and vintage cars and 32 best preserved motorcycles owned by royal patrons and noted private collectors from all over the country.

As every year, the Concours show plays host to international judges from across the globe. The Judges for 2015 Cartier Concours include chief judge HRH Prince Michael of Kent; Chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance Sandra Button, President of Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Jean Todt, renowned F1 driver Ricardo Patrese, 15 times World Motor Cycling Champion Giacomo Agostini, award winning F1 designer Prof. Gordon Murray, supermodel Yasmin le Bon, acclaimed English musician Simon Le Bon and leading industrialist The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie. The event was curated by the renowned Indian automotive historian and expert, Manvendra Singh of Barwani.

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April 2015 I 41

FEATURES & TRAVEL

Cartier Resurrection Cup - 1920 Moon 6-42 owned by Shrivardhan Kanoria

Mark Shand Adventurer Trophy - 1952 CZ-Jawa 250 owned by Ashok Naidu (Presented by Patrick Mark & Manvendra Singh of Barwani)

A 1933 Minerva AL 40HP owned by renowned collector Diljeet Titus was awarded the Best Car of the Show while the Best Motorcycle of the show was presented to a 1936 Royal Enfield 500cc owned by Parvinder Singh. Other noted awards went to 1952 CZ-Jawa 250cc for Mark Shand Adventure Trophy in honor of LateMark Shand, driving force behind Cartier Travel With Style and 1920 Moon Model 6-42 owned by Shrivardhan Kanoria awarded the special Resurrection Cup. For the first time in its four years of existence in India, the Concours exhibition included two new automotive categories – Piccolo Fiats (celebrating the Italian company’s famous small cars) and Coachbuilders to the Maharajas: Vanden Plas (famous Anglo-Belgian coachbuilder Vanden Plas creations for the Indian Maharajas). In addition, the PreWar, Post-War, Indian Heritage, Preservation and Roadster classes are also present with a huge number of elegant pieces of jewels from the past. Motorcycles from across the country competed in three signature classes – Veteran Vintage, Pre-War and Post-War Some of the esteemed guests in attendance at the Fourth Cartier Travel With Style Concours d’Elegance included Tikka Shatrujit Singh and HH Maharani Geeta Devi of Kapurthala, Meera & Muzaffar Ali, His Highness The Maharaja Gaj Singh II Of Marwar-Jodhpur, HH Tripureshwar Singh Kachhi-Baroda, Ambassador Burak Akcapar and Madame Sebnem Akcapar (Ambassador of Turkey), Diljeet Titus, HH Maharaja Harshvardhan Singh and Maharani Priyadarshini of Dungarpur, HH Maharaja Bhagirath Singh of Himmatnagar (Idar), Tikka Aishwarya Katoch of Kangra with Tikka Rani Shailaja among others. Also present for the pre-judging day of the concours were Ratan Tata and Gautam Singhania.

Speaking about the Cartier ‘Travel With Style’, Stanislas de Quercize,

President & CEO, Cartier International, said, “The relationship between Cartier and India dates back over 100 years, when the royal families of the time commissioned jewellery and watches from Cartier.

Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ is our very special endeavor to renew this relationship and celebrate the remarkable design and craftsmanship of India’s automobile heritage which brings forth the most luxurious and distinctive of cars.”

Talking about the novelty of Cartier ‘Travel With Style’, Laurent Gaborit, Regional Managing Director – Cartier Middle East, India & Africa, added, “. Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ celebrates the remarkable design and craftsmanship of these cars and the total Indian essence, which I think makes it more interesting and different from other Concours. We are now ranked alongside some of the most famous International Concours such as Pebble Beach and Villa d’Este, exhibiting over 100 of the rarest and best-preserved vintage automobiles and motorcycles from across India.”

Manvendra Singh of Barwani, Curator of the Concours, commented, “For each edition we try to raise the bar higher with introduction of exciting new categories and this year will witness addition of the Piccolo Fiats and Coachbuilders to Maharajas: Vanden Plas classes; in celebration of two iconic automotive makers, Fiat & Vanden Plas and their custom built automobiles for the Indian collectors. Cartier Concours d’Elégance has generated great excitement among Indian collectors. More and more owners are now taking interest in maintaining and restoring their cars to the high standards required for such international events. The aim this time around is to once again highlight the automobile heritage of this astonishing country in a larger and improved format.”

1927 Rolls Royce Phantom 1

42 I April 2015

1961 Fiat 500D Cinquecento

1936 Fiat Balilla

FEATURES & TRAVEL

A NISSAN carnival made perfect with

LEAF & PATROL

I

n order to mark its 10th year of production in India, Nissan is celebrating by hosting a Nissan Carnival at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from March 20 to 23, 2015. The company has flown

Report: RAHUL KAPOOR & Photography: MOHD. NASIR down two Nissan Patrol full blown SUVs and the globally popular Nissan Leaf EV from Dubai just for the occasion. The company also has their current Indian product line including the newly launched AMT Sunny and Micra.

At the carnival, Nissan has set

up a couple of slalom courses to demonstrate the abilities of the Sunny and Micra Manual and Automatic both in different zones where Hari Singh, an Indian rally legend mentored the drivers through the course.

At the Nissan Leaf Zone,

Armaan Ibrahim, a highly successful international racing driver from India demonstrated and then guided the drivers through the tight tarmac course set up by Nissan to demonstrate the technology and the drivability of the world’s most popular

April 2015 I 43

FEATURES & TRAVEL

Nissan Patrol

Nissan Leaf

Nissan Micra

Nissan Sunny

44 I April 2015

electric vehicle.

Upon driving the Leaf around the track, the car felt like just any other petrol or diesel powered car would. Mind you, the Leaf is the best selling electric car in the world. Since the Leaf and the Patrol were imported from the Emirates, the cars were left hand drive. The Leaf was exceptionally silent, more silent than a deserted music studio. Thanks to the electric direct drive, the torque delivery is instant as soon as you touch the throttle but it’s not alarming, it’s linear. The Leaf’s suspension is just so soft and comfortable, the track let us test all of the car’s dynamics instantly and it coped immensely well.

The Nissan Leaf is probably the way to the future of mobility. The car is powered by an 80KW AC electric motor which produces 245Nm of torque @ 0rms. With features like ABS, EBD, six airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control and Traction Control System the Leaf is the most successful Electric Vehicle of all time with over 160,000 units sold globally.

Then the chaps from Nissan packed us in the Nissan Evalia and took us around the Buddh International Circuit township compound where they had the massive 4X4 Patrol SUV waiting for us. A proper off-road course was set up to experience the Patrol drive. The off-road track looked intimidating and then we had our doubts on whether the car would be able to handle it at all, and whether it would get beached.

A little later I found myself at the wheel of a 5.8 litre V8 engine producing 400bhp and 560Nm of torque. The vehicle was spacious, almost like an an Indian 1BHK apartment. With a slight nudge of the throttle, we set off and the first obstacle was a hill descent which was so steep that all we could see out of the massive windscreen

was more and more loose soil.

The ABS worked brilliantly to keep the car from locking up and sliding down as we were leveling out. Following that was a small climb with a sharp and tight left turn with no room for error, despite its massive girth, the car managed to glide through. Then came a narrow track with more loose sand, trees and a dog that refused to move. Going off the track, we were sure we would get beached but surprisingly, the Patrol just kept going like it could do this all day. Then we got back on the marked track and met with an almost 90 degree steep climb uphill and we thought sure it can’t do that. But when the guide just asked us to keep going we trusted him and followed his instructions carefully. Slowly but surely we made it to the top. It was able to complete the task because the Patrol comes equipped with an All-Mode 4x4 drivetrain with Multi Surface Selection and Hydraulic Body Motion Control Suspension System that gives its ‘go anywhere’ capability. There is a reason why most of the cars in the Middle East use Nissan Patrols for their Desert Safari’s.

Guillaume Sicard, President, Nissan India Operations said, “At the Carnival we want everyone to experience this first-hand through revolutionary products like Leaf and the technological innovation that we are known for around the world. The event also marks and celebrates our arrival in India a decade ago. Within this relatively short period Nissan has become one of the fastest growing automobile manufacturers in the country with a strong portfolio of seven locally manufactured products across seven different market segments. The Nissan Carnival highlights our growing presence within the market and underlines our long-term commitment to India”.

FEATURES & TRAVEL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

GUILLAUME SICARD

President, Nissan India Operations Go+ has received a phenomenal response from the market.... I’m sure in the next few months we will see the pace and the momentum of Datsun increasing as it has been over the last few months.

Could you tell me briefly about how Nissan’s journey has been from your experience in India?

Well, it has been quite an incredible journey in the last ten years. We have set up a Research and Development Centre, we are employing 5,000 engineers.

We have implemented a plant with 8,000 people working to manufacture our cars and we have set up a full marketing company only a year ago so it’s been quite an adventure. Today, if you see the setup we have, we are employing directly or indirectly 40,000 people so it has been quite an adventure for us from a business perspective.

In the 2015 Union Budget, the government has given some priority to electric mobility. So can we expect the Leaf anytime soon in India?

I think the Nissan Leaf which is the most sold and manufactured car in the world with the electric technology, we would like to bring it to India. This is one of the best cars in the world; we would really love to have this car in India. I think we are listening to what the government is proposing today.

I think the budget has got some small announcements about promoting the electric car so [I Say} let’s keep on working, and I would like Nissan to definitely get involved into selling the Nissan Leaf in India.

Is the Renault-Nissan cross badging formula working for you

in India and globally?

I think what is really important is that at the beginning, everybody is learning. I think it is very important to consider that both companies are competing independently from a marketing point of view and both companies will be competing independently in the car point of view also. We have a lot of things in common from a financial point of view, so a lot of thing you will see underneath the car, like the platform, the engine, the gearbox, are going to come into the alliance.

However the body from now on will be completely different. So you will not be able to guess anymore. But in the automotive industry, there are many cars that are exactly the same car underneath, have the same engine but the skin and the brand are completely different. You know the brands I’m talking about, we are going into that direction as well.

How are the Datsun Go and Go+, performing in India?

Month after month, the brand is picking up. It’s picking up so much that we need to increase the production capacity at the plant in Chennai. So we are always happy to go through those moments where we need to increase production and capacity. The Go+ has received a phenomenal response from the market. It is actually the first time in India that a manufacturer is launching a sub-4 metre compact

MPV with 5+2 people that you can fit inside, which is a total of 7 people, with a price that is the most affordable because it’s way below 5 lakhs. So actually it’s a very good bargain, very good offer, very good engineering and very good technology because it’s all Japanese technology and engineering, so it’s picking up really nicely. I’m sure in the next few months we will see the pace and the momentum of Datsun increasing as it has been over the last few months.

For me they are looking good.

We have around 15,000 people driving Datsun in India, so far.

The satisfaction of the people is very high. In terms of quality there are no issues. There have been no recalls whatsoever. It’s a new brand and a new car and we have got it right. It’s true that it is not a very complex technology. We got it perfect. Of course, I like to sell more. But it will take time. Why will it take time? Nobody knows Datsun in India. We need to build on the familiarity of the brand.

How soon do you make the car stronger (the Datsun Go failed miserably in a Global NCAP crash test)?

The car does not need to be stronger. However, we are going to introduce driver air bags by the end of April 2015 for the GO and the GO+. It was the plan initially.

When you put an airbag, you have got to do some modification inside the car. We decided from the engineering as well as the manufacturing point of view to do it on 100pc of the cars, even the ones that have airbags currently.

There will be slight changes in the car. There is a little bit of sheet metal changes too.

We have heard rumors of the GT-R coming to India. Could we expect it this year?

There are a lot of rumors about what we can bring to India. I think Nissan has got so many exciting cars, be it the GT-R, the Patrol, the X-Trail, so we all like to talk about all those things. GT-R is a possibility, amongst many others but you have to know that due to the import duties, they are quite expensive cars already in their original markets, but to import to India would be quite a consequent price. But in terms of bringing more shine to the brand, it could happen.

What about the new Teana and the New X-Trail? Could you give us a timeline? Possibly this year?

Yes, we are working on it, it could be very much possible, I cannot disclose any information but it is possible. Nothing this year though.

Next year? Maybe.

April 2015 I 45

CAR PRICES

Buyers’ Guide * Prices (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

OFF-ROAD VEHICLE PRICES SEGMENT

MODEL

ENGINE (CC)

PRICE (RS.)

POLARIS

ATV & Youth Mode

Outlaw 50

49

2.64 (Lakh)

Phoenix 200

196

4.89 (Lakh)

RZR 170

169

5.29 (Lakh)

Sportsman 400 H.O

445

7.25 (Lakh)

Sportsman 500 H.O

498

7.67 (Lakh)

Sportsman 570 EFI

567

7.94 (Lakh)

Sportsman 850 H.O

850

14.72 (Lakh)

Sportsman Big Boss 800

760

15.35 (Lakh)

400

455

11.14 (Lakh)

Crew 500 EFI

498

13.97 (Lakh)

Crew 800

760

18 (Lakh)

Ranger Diesel

904

20.48 (Lakh)

Ranger

Ranger RZR Snowmobile

Ranger EV

NA

12.82 (Lakh)

RZR S 800

760

22.85 (Lakh)

RZR XP 900

875

21.13 (Lakh)

RZR XP4 900

875

24.10 (Lakh)

Widetrak LS

488

10.86 (Lakh)

CAR PRICES MODEL

VARIANTS

ENGINE*

FUEL*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

ASHOK LEYLAND Stile

A4 LE - 8 Seater LS - 7 Seater LX - 7 Seater

1.5 1.5 1.5

D D D

20.07 20.07 20.07

7.49 8.49 8.99

Coupe Volante Rapide S V8 Coupe V8 S Coupe V8 Volante V8 N430 V12 S V12 Vanquish

6.0 6.0 6.0 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 6.0 6.0

P P P P P P P P P

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

2.90 (Cr.) 3 (Cr.) 3.50 (Cr.) 1.86 (Cr.) 2.20 (Cr.) 2.40 (Cr.) NA NA 3.85 (Cr.)

TFSI Premium Plus + Sunroof TFSI S Line Cabriolet TDI Attraction TDI Premium + Sunroof Edition TDI Premium Plus + Sunroof TDI Technology Pack + Sunroof TFSI Premium Edition TDI Special Edition TDI Standard Edition TDI Premium Edition TDI Premium Plus TDI Technology Pack TDI Quattro Premium Plus

1.8 1.8 2.0

P P D

16.30 16.30 20

31.40 44.75 24.56

2.0

D

20

28.55

2.0

D

20

32.22

2.0

D

20

34.06

1.8 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 3.0

P D D D D D D

15.64 17.11 17.11 17.11 17.11 17.11 14.94

32.68 29.45 30.10 35.39 38.93 40.79 55.02

ASTON MARTIN DB9 Rapide

Vantage

Vanquish AUDI

A3

A4

MODEL

46 I April 2015

VARIANTS

ENGINE*

FUEL*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

A6

A8 L

Q3

Q5

Q7 RS5 RS7 R8

TDI Quattro Technology TFSI Premium Edition TDI Business Edition TDI Premium Edition TDI Premium Plus TDI Technology Pack TDI Quattro Premium TDI Quattro Premium Plus TDI QuattroTechnology TFSI quattro TDI quattro TDI quattro W12 TDI quattro TFSI TDI TDI Quatrro Premium TDI Quatrro Premium Plus TDI Quatrro Dynamic TDI Quatrro Premium TDI Quatrro Premium Plus TDI Quatrro Technology TDI QuattroTechnology TDI Quattro Premium TDI Quattro Premium Plus TDI QuattroTechnology TDI Quattro Technology TFSI Quattro TFSI Quattro V8 FSI V10 FSI

3.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.2 6.3 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 4.2 4.2 4.0 4.2 5.2

D P D D D D D D D P D D D P D D D D D D D D D D D D P P P P

14.94 NA 17.60 17.60 17.60 17.60 14.50 14.50 14.50 9.20 6 NA NA 9.89 17.3 15.73 15.73 15.73 14.10 14.10 14.10 13.20 12 12 12 11.30 9.20 NA 8 7.60

57.82 45.28 39.90 42.82 48.14 53.68 55.80 60.78 63.13 1.38 (Cr.) 1.17 (Cr.) 1.33 (Cr.) 1.87 (Cr.) 27.40 27.83 32.50 36.97 38.59 49.46 51.42 56.02 62.95 61.52 67.01 76.88 84.86 1.09 (Cr.) 1.36 (Cr.) 1.71 (Cr.) 1.99 (Cr.)

CAR PRICES * Prices (Ex-Showroom Delhi) MODEL

VARIANTS

ENGINE*

FUEL*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

R8 R8 Spyder S4 S6 TT BENTLEY MOTORS

Continental

Flying Spur Mulsanne BMW 1 Series

3 Series

5 Series

6 Series

7 Series

X1 X3

X5

M

Z4 i8 BUGATTI Veyron (Sold out) CHEVROLET

Beat

Captiva Cruze

Enjoy

Sail Hatchback

V10 FSI Plus S-Tronic V10 FSI TFSI Quatrro TFSI Quattro TFSI Quattro S - Line

5.2 5.2 3.0 3.0 2.0

P P P P D

7.60 7.70 10.30 NA 12.40

2.31 (Cr.) 2.19 (Cr.) 52.64 95.25 55.15

GT W12 GT V8 GT Speed W12 GT V8 S GTC W12 GTC V8 GT Speed Convertible GT V8S Convertible Flying Spur V8 Flying Spur W12 Mulsanne

6.0 4.0 6.0 4.0 6.0 4.0 6.0 6.0 4.0 6.0 6.8

P P P P P P P P P P P

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 6.38 8 NA

NA 3.28 (Cr.) NA 3.54 (Cr.) NA NA 4.03 (Cr.) NA 3.21 (Cr.) 3.40 (Cr.) 5.55 (Cr.)

116i Prestige 118d Prestige 118d Sport Line 118d Sport Plus 320d Prestige 320d Sport Line 320d Luxury Line 328i Sport Plus 320d GT Luxury Line 520d Prestige 520d Modern Line 520d Luxury Line 525d Luxury Plus 530d M Sport 640d Convertible 650i Convertible 640d Coupé 650i Coupé 640d Gran Coupé Eminence 730 Ld Prestige 730 Ld Eminence 730 Ld Signature ActiveHybrid 7L 750Li Eminence 760Li Eminence sDrive20d Expedition sDrive20d Sport Line sDrive20d xLine xDrive20d Expedition xDrive20d xLine

1.6 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 5.0 3.0 5.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 5.0 6.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0

P D D D D D D P D D D D D D D P D P D D D D P P P D D D D D

16.28 20.58 20.58 20.58 18.88 18.88 18.88 14.59 19.59 18.48 18.48 18.48 17.09 14.69 17.54 10.86 11.23 18.18 17.54 16.46 16.46 16.46 13.85 11.62 7.46 17.05 17.05 17.05 18.56 18.56

22.65 26.50 29.50 32.50 35.90 39.90 39.90 42.50 44.50 46.90 49.90 51.90 55 62.50 NA NA NA NA 1.15 (Cr.) 92.50 1.06 (Cr.) 1.25 (Cr.) 1.41 (Cr.) 1.46 (Cr.) 1.95 (Cr.) 30.75 36 37.90 47.90 52.90

xDrive30d Expedition

3.0

D

NA

68.90

3.0

D

15.35

74.50

xDrive30d Design Pure Experience xDrive30d Design Pure Experience (7 Seater) M3 M4 Coupe M5 M6 Gran Coupé

3.0

D

15.35

75.90

3.0 3.0 5.0 4.3

P P P P

10.75 10.75 10.10 10.10

1.23 (Cr.) 1.25 (Cr.) 1.39 (Cr.) 1.80 (Cr.)

sDrive 35i

3.0

P

10.37

74.90

3.0

P

10.37

75.90

1.5

H

NA

2.29 (Cr.)

Veyron Grand Sport

8.0

P

NA

12 (Cr.)

PS LS LT LT Option PS LS LT LT Option LT LTZ LT (MT) LTZ (MT) LTZ (AT) LS - 8 Seater LS -7 Seater LT - 8 Seater LT - 7 Seater LTZ - 8 Seater LTZ - 7 Seater TCDi LS - 8 Seater TCDi LS -7 Seater TCDi LT - 8 Seater TCDi LT - 7 Seater TCDi LTZ - 8 Seater TCDi LTZ - 7 Seater PS LS

1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.2 2.2 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2

P P P P D D D D D D D D D P P P P P P D D D D D D P P

18.61 18.61 18.61 18.61 25.44 25.44 25.44 25.44 14.60 12.12 17.30 17.30 NA 13.70 13.70 13.70 13.70 13.70 13.70 18.20 18.20 18.20 18.20 18.20 18.20 18.20 18.20

4.20 4.47 4.90 5.41 5.05 5.34 5.77 6.28 25.13 27.36 14.26 15.81 16.86 6.11 6.13 6.68 6.71 7.52 7.54 7.41 7.44 7.87 7.90 8.60 8.63 4.67 5.16

sDrive 35i Design Pure Traction i8

MODEL

VARIANTS

ENGINE*

FUEL*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

LS ABS LT ABS TCDi PS Sail Hatchback TCDi LS TCDi LS ABS TCDi LT ABS PS LS LS ABS LT ABS Sail Sedan TCDi PS TCDi LS TCDi LS ABS TCDi LT ABS BS4 OBDII LS BS4 OBDII Spark LT BS4 OBDII Neo 3 -10-BS3 Neo 3 Max -10-BS3 Neo 3 Max -7-BS3 Neo 3 LS-10-BS3 Neo 3 LS-7-BS3 Tavera * Neo 3 LS-7(C)-BS3 Neo 3 LT-9-BS3 Neo 3 LT-8-BS3 Neo 3 LT-7(C)-BS3 * Only available in BS3 cities.

DATSUN D D1 Go A T D D1 Go+ A T FIAT Active Fire Dynamic Fire Active Multijet Avventura Dynamic Multijet Emotion Multijet Active Fire Active T-Jet Dynamic T-Jet Emotion T-Jet Linea Active Multijet Dynamic Multijet Emotion Multijet Classic Fire Classic Multijet Linea Classic Classic Plus Multijet Active Fire Dynamic Fire Emotion Fire Active Multijet Punto Evo Dynamic Multijet Emotion Multijet Sport 93 PS FORCE EX 6 Seater LX-ABS 6 Seater Force One SX-ABS 6 Seater SX-ABS 5 Seater Hard Top (4x4) Soft Top (4x2) Gurkha Soft Top (4x4) FORD LXi Duratec CLXi Duratec Titanium Duratec Classic LXi Duratorq CLXi Duratorq Titanium Duratorq Ambiente M/T Trend M/T Titanium M/T Titanium A/T Titanium Ecoboost Ecosport Titanium (O) Ecoboost Ambiente (D) Trend (D) Titanium (D) Titanium (O) (D) 4x2 M/T 4x2 A/T Endeavour 4x4 A/T Ambiente Trend Fiesta Titanium LXi Duratec EXi Duratec Figo ZXi Duratec

1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5

P P D D D D P P P P D D D D P P P D D D D D D D D D

18.20 18.20 22.10 22.10 22.10 22.10 18.20 18.20 18.20 18.20 22.10 22.10 22.10 22.10 16.20 16.20 16.20 13.58 13.58 13.58 13.58 13.58 13.58 13.58 13.58 13.58

5.39 5.99 5.69 6.20 6.36 7.18 5.50 5.99 6.36 6.84 6.74 7.14 7.45 8.05 3.61 3.88 4.18 7.59 8.47 8.79 9.25 9.51 9.62 10.58 11.03 11.30

1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2

P P P P P P P P

20.63 20.63 20.63 20.63 20.63 20.63 20.63 20.63

3.23 3.26 3.59 4.05 3.79 3.82 4.15 4.61

1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3

P P D D D P P P P D D D P D D P P P D D D D

14.40 14.40 20.50 20.50 20.50 15.70 15.70 15.70 15.70 20.40 20.40 20.40 14.90 19.50 19.50 15.80 15.80 15.80 21.20 21.20 21.20 21.20

6.44 7.31 7.18 7.95 8.49 7 7.99 9.15 9.67 8.47 9.62 10.09 6.12 7.13 7.69 4.94 5.36 7.18 5.88 6.51 7.14 7.52

2.6 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.6 2.6 2.6

D D D D D D D

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

9.59 14.34 12.70 12.78 8.71 6.42 8.56

1.6 1.6 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.0 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.5 3.0 3.0 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.2

P P P D D D P P P P P P D D D D D D D D D D P P P

14.09 14.09 14.09 19.68 19.68 19.68 15.80 15.80 15.80 15.60 18.90 18.90 22.70 22.70 22.70 22.70 12.67 10.70 10.70 25.01 25.01 25.01 15.22 15.22 15.22

5.06 5.77 6.58 6.47 6.95 7.68 6.75 7.71 8.70 9.73 9.14 9.70 7.89 8.61 9.60 10.20 22.15 23.73 25.67 8.50 9.39 10.18 4.14 4.71 5.04

April 2015 I 47

CAR PRICES * Prices (Ex-Showroom Delhi) MODEL

VARIANTS

ENGINE*

FUEL*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

Figo

Titanium Duratec LXi Duratorq EXi Duratorq ZXi Duratorq Titanium Duratorq

1.2 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4

P D D D D

15.22 19.99 19.99 19.99 19.99

5.45 5.05 5.62 5.94 6.35

E M/T EX M/T S M/T S MT Plus (i-VTEC) SX M/T VX M/T VX (O) M/T S A/T VX A/T E M/T EX M/T S M/T SX M/T VX M/T VX (O) M/T E M/T EX M/T S M/T V M/T VX M/T VX BL M/T VX A/T VX BL A/T E M/T S M/T SV M/T V M/T VX M/T SV CVT VX CVT EMT SMT SVMT VMT VXMT 2WD M/T 2WD A/T 4WD AVN A/T E S V V (O) E S V V (O) RS RS (O)

1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

P P P P / CNG P P P P P D D D D D D P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P D D D D D P P P P P P P D D D D D D

18 18 18 NA 18 18 18 15.50 15.50 25.80 25.80 25.80 25.80 25.80 25.80 19.40 19.40 19.40 19.40 19.40 19.40 16.50 16.50 17.80 17.80 17.80 17.80 17.80 18 18 26 26 26 26 25.10 13.70 13.70 12 17.30 17.30 17.30 17.30 24.20 24.20 24.20 24.20 24.20 24.20

5.19 5.55 5.94 5.99 6.48 6.87 7.32 6.95 7.78 6.20 6.52 6.97 7.39 7.75 8.20 4.21 4.43 4.78 5.12 5.51 5.99 6.31 6.78 7.53 8.19 8.78 9.37 10.34 9.81 11.42 8.75 9.40 9.94 10.55 11.53 21.09 22.85 25.09 6.75 7.80 9.06 9.75 8.19 8.93 10.09 10.77 11.19 11.87

S M/T SX M/T SX A/T L M/T S M/T SX M/T SX A/T D-Lite D-Lite+ Era+ Era+ Lpg Magna+ Magna+ LPG Magna+ Kappa Magna+ (O) Sportz Kappa Era Kappa Magna Kappa Sportz Kappa Sportz (O) Kappa Asta CRDi Era CRDi Magna CRDi Sportz CRDi Sportz (O) CRDi Asta Kappa Era Kappa Magna Kappa Magna (LPG) Kappa Sportz Kappa Asta Kappa Asta A/T Kappa Asta (O) CRDi Era CRDi Magna CRDi Sportz CRDi Asta

1.8 1.8 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.0 0.8 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1

P P P D D D D P P P P/LPG P P/LPG P P P P P P P P D D D D D P P P/LPG P P P P D D D D

16.30 16.30 14.30 22.70 22.70 22.70 19.10 21.10 21.10 21.10 21.10 21.10 21.10 20.30 20.30 21.10 18.60 18.60 18.60 18.60 18.60 22.54 22.54 22.54 22.54 22.54 18.90 18.90 18.90 18.90 18.90 18.90 18.90 24 24 24 24

13.15 14.38 15.37 13.61 14.34 15.54 16.53 3.01 3.31 3.45 3.71 3.75 4.02 4.05 4.18 4.04 5.23 5.77 6.28 6.63 6.86 6.36 6.90 7.44 7.76 7.99 4.62 4.82 5.25 5.22 5.48 6.23 5.81 5.49 5.68 6.08 6.35

MODEL

Brio

City

CR-V

Mobilio

HYUNDAI

Elantra

Eon

Elite i20

Grand i10

48 I April 2015

ENGINE*

FUEL*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

Grand i10 i10

HONDA

Amaze

VARIANTS

i20 Active

Santa Fe

4S Fludic Verna

Xcent

CRDi Asta (O) Era Magna Sportz Sportz LPG Kappa Base Kappa S CRDi Base CRDi S CRDi SX 2WD M/T 2WD A/T 4WD A/T Base S S (O) S (O) A/T SX CRDi Base CRDi S CRDi S (O) CRDi SX CRDi SX A/T Kappa Base Kappa S Kappa S (O) Kappa SX Kappa SX (O) Kappa SX (O) A/T CRDi Base CRDi S CRDi S (O) CRDi SX CRDi SX (O)

1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.4 2.2 2.2 2.2 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1

D P P P P/LPG P P D D D D D D P P P P P D D D D D P P P P P P D D D D D

24 19.81 19.81 19.81 19.20 17.19 17.19 21.19 21.19 21.19 14.74 13.01 13.01 17.01 17.01 17.01 17.01 17.01 23.50 23.50 23.50 23.50 19.08 19.10 19.10 19.10 19.10 19.10 16.90 24.40 24.40 24.40 24.40 24.40

6.67 4.17 4.41 4.70 4.98 6.38 7.10 7.63 8.34 8.89 26.65 27.86 29.95 7.69 8.79 9.32 10.05 10.09 8.90 9.93 10.52 11.39 12.12 4.96 5.64 5.90 6.58 6.84 7.59 5.85 6.54 6.80 7.47 7.74

D-Max Single Cab D-Max Space Cab Flat Deck D-Max Space Cab Arched Deck BS4 4x2 MT BS4 4x2 MT HI Pack

2.5 2.5

D D

NA NA

5.89 6.09

2.5

D

NA

6.99

3.0 3.0

D D

12.08 12.08

20.20 22

F-Type Coupe F-Type S Coupe F-Type R Coupe F-Type V6 S Covertible F-Type V8 S Covertible XF XF Executive Edition XF XFR Premium Luxury Portfolio Premium Luxury Portfolio

3.0 3.0 5.0 3.0 5.0 2.0 2.2 2.2 3.0 5.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 3.0

P P P P P P D D D P P P D D

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 9.4 NA NA

1.25 (Cr.) 1.37 (Cr.) 1.87 (Cr.) 1.52 (Cr.) 1.79 (Cr.) 50.23 50.55 46.72 58.86 NA NA 95.97 94.80 1.02 (Cr.)

LP 700-4 LP 700-4 Roadster LP 610-4

6.5 6.5 5.2

P P P

6.3 6.3 NA

3.69 (Cr.) 4.77 (Cr.) 3.43 (Cr.)

V6 SE V6 HSE TD4 S BE TD4 SE TD4 SE Sterling Edition TD4 HSE TDV6 HSE TDV6 Vogue SDV8 Vogue SE SDV8 Autobiography V8 SC Autobiography TDV6 Vogue LWB SDV8 Vogue SE LWB SDV8 Autobiography LWB V8 SC Autobiography LWB Pure Prestige Dynamic Dynamic Coupe 5 Door Pure 5 Door Dynamic 5 Door Prestige SDV6 S SDV6 SE SDV6 HSE SC Autobiography

3.0 3.0 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 3.0 3.0 4.4 4.4 5.0 3.0 4.4 4.4 5.0 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.0 2.2 2.2 2.2 3.0 3.0 3.0 5.0

P P D D D D D D D D P D D D P D D D P D D D D D D P

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

1.10 (Cr.) 1.19 (Cr.) 41.61 45.42 47.03 51.02 1.81 (Cr.) 2.06 (Cr.) 2.46 (Cr.) 2.53 (Cr.) 2.61 (Cr.) 2.18 (Cr.) 2.56 (Cr.) 2.67 (Cr.) 2.74 (Cr.) 59.49 67.80 67.50 NA 48.73 52.40 56.21 1.15 (Cr.) 1.31 (Cr.) 1.50 (Cr.) 1.74 (Cr.)

Plus Non Ac BS4 Plus Ac BS4 Ex Non Ac BS4 Ex Ac BS4

2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5

D D D D

15.96 15.96 15.96 15.96

6.88 7.27 6.50 6.90

ISUZU D-Max

MU-7 JAGUAR

F-Type

XF

XJ LAMBORGHINI Aventador Huracan LAND ROVER Discovery 4

Freelander 2

Range Rover

Range Rover Evoque

Range Rover Sport MAHINDRA Bolero

CAR PRICES * Prices (Ex-Showroom Delhi) MODEL

VARIANTS

ENGINE*

FUEL*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

Bolero

Quanto

Rexton

Scorpio

Thar

Verito

Verito Vibe

XUV 500

XYLO

SLE BS4 SLX BS4 ZLX BS4 C2 C4 C6 C8 RX5 MT RX6 MT RX7 AT S2 S4 S4 / S4 4WD S6 / S6 PLUS S8 S10 / S10 4WD Thar DI 2WD / 4WD 4x4 CRDE D2 D4 D6 ABS D6 ABS EXECUTIVE D2 D4 D6 W4 FWD W6 FWD W8 FWD W8 AWD Xclusive Edition D2 BS IV D2 MAXX BS IV D4 BS IV

2.5 2.5 2.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.5 2.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.5 2.5 2.5

D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

15.96 15.96 15.96 17.21 17.21 17.21 17.21 11.18 11.18 11.18 NA NA NA NA NA NA 18.06 18.06 20.08 20.08 20.08 20.08 20.08 20.08 20.08 15.10 15.10 15.10 15.10 15.10 14.88 14.88 14.88

7.30 7.82 7.99 6.41 7.28 7.75 8.26 19.83 21.87 23.17 8.69 9.29 9.70 / 10.83 10.48 / 10.79 11.68 12.32 / 13.45 5.03 / 5.53 7.68 6.72 6.95 7.65 8.13 6 6.27 6.89 11.20 12.47 14.07 15.06 14.49 / 14.65 8.07 7.86 8.49

H4 BS IV / ABS BS IV

2.2

D

14.02

8.96 / 9.20

2.2

D

14.02

10.23 / 10.62

2.2

D

14.02

11.47

E

NA

7.19

E

NA

7.67

P P P P P P CNG P P P P P P P P P P CNG P P D D P P P D D D P P P P P P CNG P CNG CNG P CNG P P CNG P D D D P

22.74 22.74 22.74 22.74 22.74 22.74 30.46 24.07 24.07 24.07 24.07 24.07 24.07 23.10 23.10 23.10 23.10 31.79 23.10 23.10 26.30 26.30 20.73 20.73 19.12 26.30 26.30 26.30 20.73 19.12 20.73 15.10 15.10 15.10 20 20 20 20 16.02 22.80 16.02 16.02 22.80 16.02 20.77 20.77 20.77 10.40

2.46 2.82 3.05 3.21 3.19 3.37 3.62 3.13 3.29 3.92 3.46 3.66 3.95 3.90 4.40 4.20 4.70 4.86 4.50 4.96 8.25 8.85 7.17 7.74 8.87 9.70 10.05 10.31 8.45 9.58 9.03 3.09 3.39 3.26 4.15 3.37 3.76 4.12 5.99 6.61 6.79 6.87 7.39 7.59 7.42 8.06 8.72 22.68

H8 ABS BS IV / ABS AIRBAG BS IV H9 BS IV

MODEL

e2o T20

Electric Motor Electric Motor

Grand Vitara Gypsy Omni

Ritz

Swift

Swift Dzire

WagonR

Alto 800

Alto K10

Celerio

Ciaz

Eeco

Ertiga

Grand Vitara

0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 2.4

FUEL*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

WagonR Stingray

Grand Vitara AT King Soft Top King Hard Top Omni 5 Seater Omni 8 Seater Ritz Lxi Ritz Vxi Ritz Vxi ABS Ritz Vxi AT ABS Ritz Zxi Ritz Mc Ldi Ritz Mc Vdi Ritz Mc Vdi ABS Ritz Mc Zdi Swift Lxi Swift Lxi (O) Swift Vxi Swift Zxi Swift Ldi Swift Vdi Swift Zdi Swift Dzire Lxi Swift Dzire Lxi (O) Swift Dzire Vxi Swift Dzire Vxi AT Swift Dzire Zxi Swift Dzire Ldi Swift Dzire Vdi Swift Dzire Zdi WagonR Mc Lx WagonR Mc Lxi WagonR Mc Lxi CNG WagonR Mc Vxi WagonR Mc Vxi ABS Stingray Lxi Stingray Vxi Stingray Vxi (O)

2.4 1.3 1.3 0.8 0.8 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

P P P LPG P P P P P P D D D D P P P P D D D P P P P P D D D P P CNG P P P P P

9.24 11.96 11.96 10.90 14.70 18.50 18.50 18.50 17.16 18.50 23.20 23.20 23.20 23.20 20.40 20.40 20.40 20.40 25.20 25.20 25.20 19.10 19.10 19.10 19.10 19.10 23.40 23.40 23.40 20.51 20.51 26.60 20.51 20.51 20.51 20.51 20.51

24.60 5.95 6.09 2.51 2.49 4.38 4.78 5.03 5.97 5.39 5.47 5.79 5.98 6.38 4.58 4.70 5.32 6.17 5.76 6.22 7.21 5.08 5.20 5.85 6.67 6.80 5.99 6.86 7.82 3.64 3.96 4.50 4.22 4.53 4.15 4.43 4.72

Gran Turismo Gran Turismo Sport Gran Turismo MC Stradale Gran Cabrio Gran Cabrio Sport Gran Cabrio MC Quattroporte S FL Quattroporte GTS

4.2 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7

P P P P P P P P

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

1.20 (Cr.) 1.30 (Cr.) 1.37 (Cr.) NA NA NA 1.30 (Cr.) 1.40 (Cr.)

180 Sport Standard Edition 180 CDI Standard Edition New 180 Sport New 200 CDI Sport 200 CDI 200 Sport 200 CDI Sport 180 Sport 180 CDI 180 Sport Facelift 200 CDI Sport Facelift 200 Avantgarde 220 CDI Style 200 CDI Avantgarde 220 CDI Avantgarde 200 CGI Avantgarde 250 CDI Avantgarde 350 CDI Avantgrade Cabriolet V6 200 CDI 200 Sport 200 CDI Sport 350 CDI 250 CDI 350 CDI 350 CDI 500 350 250 350 CLA 45AMG GLA 45AMG C 63 AMG E 63 AMG GL 63 AMG G 63 AMG ML 63 AMG SLK 55 AMG

1.6 2.1 1.6 2.1 2.1 2.0 2.1 1.6 2.1 1.6 2.1 2.0 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.0 2.1 3.0 3.0 2.2 2.0 2.2 3.0 2.1 3.0 3.0 4.6 3.5 2.2 3.5 2.0 2.0 6.2 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5

P D P D D P D P D P D P D D D P D D P D P D D D D D P P D P P P P P P P P P

15.50 20.06 NA NA 17.90 15.04 17.90 14.91 18.98 NA NA 14.74 19.27 19.27 19.27 13.82 14.21 NA NA 17.90 NA NA NA 14.80 8.70 NA NA 9.26 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 10.41 NA

26.53 25.61 27.45 28.45 31.50 35 35.90 28.84 27.75 29.45 30.45 41.70 39.90 42.90 41.43 47.40 49.60 59.90 78.50 32.75 36 36.90 77.50 56.60 67.90 1.13 (Cr.) 1.44 (Cr.) 91.90 76.50 71.90 68.50 69.60 1.07 (Cr.) 1.29 (Cr.) 1.70 (Cr.) 1.85 (Cr.) 1.50 (Cr.) 1.26 (Cr.)

Cooper D Cooper S Cooper D Cooper Convertible One Countryman Cooper D Countryman

1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6 2.0

D D D P P D

21.15 21.15 21.15 NA NA NA

32.65 34.65 36.10 36.70 26.55 28.55

MASERATI

Gran Turismo

MARUTI Alto 800 STD Alto 800 LX Alto 800 LXI Alto 800 LXI Airbag Alto 800 VXI Alto 800 VXI Airbag Alto 800 LXI CNG Alto K10 LX Alto K10 LXI Alto K10 LXI CNG Alto K10 VXI Alto K10 VXI (O) Alto K10 VXI AGS Celerio LXI Celerio LXI AGS Celerio VXI Celerio VXI AGS Celerio GREEN VXI Celerio ZXI Celerio ZXI (O) VDi VDi Plus VXi VXi Plus VXi Plus AT ZDi ZDi (O) Zdi Plus ZXi ZXi AT ZXi Plus Eeco 5 Seater Eeco 5 Seater Ac Eeco 7 Seater Eeco Flexi Green Eeco Flexi Eeco Green 5 Seater Non Ac Eeco Green 5 Seater Ac Ertiga LXI Ertiga LXI CNG Ertiga VXI Ertiga VXI ABS Ertiga VXI CNG Ertiga ZXI Ertiga LDI Ertiga VDI Ertiga ZDI Grand Vitara MT

ENGINE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

MAHINDRA REVA T2

VARIANTS

Quattroporte MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class

CLA-Class

B-Class

C-Class

E-Class

GLA-class GL-class ML-class S-class CLS-Class SLK-class

AMG

MINI Mini 3-Door Mini 5-Door Mini Convertible Mini Countryman

April 2015 I 49

CAR PRICES * Prices (Ex-Showroom Delhi) MODEL

VARIANTS

ENGINE*

FUEL*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

Mini Countryman

MODEL

Cooper D Hightrim Cooper S

1.6 1.6

D P

NA NA

31.40 38.75

Sport 4x2 A/T Sport Di-D 4x4

2.5 2.5

D D

13.5 13.5

24.98 25.28

Koleos

Evalia XE Evalia XE+ Evalia XL Evalia XL Option Evalia XV Evalia XV Option Evalia SV Micra XL Micra XL COMFORT Micra XV CVT Micra DCI XE Micra DCI XL Micra DCI XL COMFORT Micra DCI XV Micra DCI XV PREMIUM Micra Active XL Micra Active XV Micra Active XV S New Sunny XE New Sunny XL New Sunny XL CVT New Sunny XE D New Sunny XL D New Sunny XV D New Sunny XV D Premium Safety New Sunny XV D Premium Leather Terrano XL Terrano XE D Terrano XL D Terrano XL D PLUS Terrano XL D THP Terrano XV OPTION D THP Terrano XV OPTION D THP Premium

1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

D D D D D D D P P P D D D D D P P P P P P D D D

19.30 19.30 19.30 19.30 19.30 19.30 19.30 18.44 18.44 19.34 23.08 23.08 23.08 23.08 23.08 19.49 19.49 19.49 17.97 17.97 17.97 22.71 22.71 22.71

9.14 9.67 10.51 10.77 11.22 11.48 12.22 5.16 5.82 6.93 5.74 6 6.62 7.10 7.47 4.38 4.70 5.02 7.40 8.19 9.55 8.60 9.25 10

Pulse

1.5

D

22.71

10.29

1.5

D

22.71

10.50

1.6 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

P D D D D D

13.24 20.45 20.45 20.45 19.01 19.01

10.15 10.13 11.17 11.45 11.64 12.60

1.5

D

19.01

12.92

Careera Careera S Careera 4 Careera 4S Careera Cabriolet Careera S Cabriolet Careera 4 Cabriolet Careera 4S Cabriolet GT3 Turbo Turbo S Targa 4 Targa 4 S Boxter S Cayenne Diesel Cayenne S Cayenne Platinum Cayenne S Diesel Cayenne S Hybrid Cayenne GTS Cayenne Tiptronic Cayenne Turbo Cayenne Turbo S Cayman S Turbo S Diesel Panamera Panamera Diesel Panamera 4 Panamera GTS Panamera Turbo

3.4 3.8 3.4 3.8 3.4 3.8 3.4 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.4 3.8 3.4 3.0 4.8 3.0 4.1 3.0 4.8 3.6 4.8 4.8 3.4 3.6 3.0 3.6 3.0 3.6 4.8 4.8

P P P P P P P P P P P P P P D P D D P P P P P P D D P D P P P

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 10.80 15.80 NA NA NA NA NA

1.29 (Cr.) 1.51 (Cr.) 1.42 (Cr.) 1.61 (Cr.) 1.47 (Cr.) 1.68 (Cr.) 1.57 (Cr.) 1.78 (Cr.) 2.14 (Cr.) 2.20 (Cr.) 2.67 (Cr.) 1.59 (Cr.) 1.78 (Cr.) 92.02 79.06 99.92 86.50 1.02 (Cr.) 91.05 1.16 (Cr.) 71.17 1.60 (Cr.) 2.09 (Cr.) 94.51 1.09 (Cr.) 98.18 1.20 (Cr.) 1.23 (Cr.) 1.22 (Cr.) 1.61 (Cr.) 2 (Cr.)

GX GLX DX LX CRDi

1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2

P P D D D

15 15 13 13 20

4.71 5.16 5.64 6.10 6.70

RXE RXL 85 PS RXE 85 PS RXL 85 PS RXL Plus 85 PS RXL Option 110 PS RXL 110 PS RXL AWD 110 PS RXZ AWD 110 PS RXZ Plus 110 PS RXZ Option

1.6 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

P P D D D D D D D D D

13.24 13.24 19.87 19.87 19.87 19.87 19.64 19.64 19.64 19.64 19.64

8.30 9.63 9.07 10.10 10.80 11.39 11.10 12.40 13.55 12.37 12.42

Fluence

NISSAN

Evalia

Micra

Micra Active

New Sunny

Terrano

Scala

Boxter

Cayenne

Cayman Macan

Panamera

PREMIER

Ghost

Phantom Series II Wraith SKODA

Octavia

Rapid

Superb Yeti

Aria

Bolt

Indica

RENAULT

Duster

50 I April 2015

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

E2 E4 4x2 MT 4X4 MT 4X4 AT RXL RXL ABS RXZ RXE RXL RXL CVT RXZ CVT RXE RXL RXZ

1.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

D D D D D D D D P P P P D D D

20.04 20.04 17.15 16.26 14.56 23.08 23.08 23.08 16.95 16.95 17.97 17.97 21.64 21.64 21.64

14.73 16.31 23.48 26.68 27.75 5.04 6.11 6.80 7.44 8.23 9.41 10.34 8.58 9.10 10.02

Ghost SWB Ghost EWB Ghost V-Specification Phantom Phantom EWB Drophead Coupe Coupe Wraith

6.6 6.6 6.6 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.6

P P P P P P P P

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

2.50 (Cr.) 3.05 (Cr.) NA 3.34 (Cr.) NA 4.01 (Cr.) 4 (Cr.) NA

Ambition TSI Elegance TSI AT Ambition TDI CR Ambition TDI CR AT Elegance TDI CR AT Active MPI Ambition MPI Plus Elegance MPI Elegance MPI Black Package Elegance Plus MPI Elegance MPI AT Elegance MPI Black Package AT Active TDI CR Ambition TDI CR Plus Elegance TDI CR Elegance TDI CR Black Package Ambition TDI CR Plus AT Elegance TDI CR AT Elegance TDI CR Black Package AT Elegance Plus AT Elegance Plus Black Package AT Elegance TSI MT Elegance TSI AT Elegance TDI CR AT Elegance TDI CR 4x2 Elegance TDI CR 4x4

1.4 1.8 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6

P P D D D P P P P P P

16.80 14.70 20.60 19.30 19.30 15 15 15 15 15 14.30

16.25 19.66 17.87 18.55 20.60 7.55 8.43 8.88 9.01 9.22 9.87

1.6

P

14.30

10.34

1.5 1.5 1.5

D D D

21.66 21.66 21.66

8.80 9.48 9.87

1.5

D

21.66

10

1.5 1.5

D D

21.66 21.66

10.83 11.18

1.5

D

21.66

11.31

1.5

D

21.66

11.52

1.5

D

21.66

11.65

1.8 1.8 2.0 2.0 2.0

P P D D D

13.10 13.70 17.20 17.72 17.67

21.65 23.30 26.25 20.10 21.80

2.2 2.2 2.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

D D D P P P P D D D D D D P/CNG P/CNG P P D D D P/CNG P/CNG P P P P P D D D D D P P P P

15.05 15.05 15.05 17.57 17.57 17.57 17.57 22.95 22.95 22.95 22.95 25 25 NA NA 15.64 15.64 25 25 25 NA NA 13.70 13.70 13.70 13.70 13.70 21.02 21.02 21.02 21.02 21.02 25.34 25.34 25.34 25.34

10.42 12.56 15.43 4.45 5.16 5.40 6 5.50 6.12 6.35 7 4.44 4.85 3.90 4.16 4.93 5.21 5.38 5.57 5.95 4.88 5.15 5.97 6.20 6.61 7.59 7.61 6.16 6.93 7.59 8.58 8.51 2.04 2.30 2.06 2.43

TATA

Indigo eCS

Rio

FUEL*

ROLLS-ROYCE

PORSCHE

911

ENGINE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

MITSUBISHI Pajero

VARIANTS

Manza

Nano

Pure LX 4x2 BS IV Pleasure LX 4x2 BS IV Pride 4x4 BS IV XE Revotron 90PS XM Revotron 90PS XMS Revotron 90PS XT Revotron 90PS XE Quadrajet 75PS XM Quadrajet 75PS XMS Quadrajet 75PS XT Quadrajet 75PS ev2 LS BS IV ev2 LX BS IV emax GLS BS IV emax GLX BS IV GLX BS IV GVX BS IV LS LX VX emax GLS emax GLX Safire GLS Safire GLX Safire GVX Safire GEX Safire GEXL Quadrajet LS Quadrajet LX Quadrajet VX Quadrajet EX Quadrajet EXL Nano CX Nano LX Nano Twist XE Nano Twist XT

CARS/TWO WHEELERS * Prices (Ex-Showroom Delhi) MODEL

VARIANTS

ENGINE*

FUEL*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

Nano Safari Safari Storme

Sumo Gold

Vista Xenon XT

Zest

Nano XM CNG Dicor EX BS 4 Dicor LX BS 4 Storme EX BS 4 Storme VX BS 4 (4x2 / 4x4) Storme LX BS 4 CX BS 4 CX - PS BS 4 EX BS 4 GX BS 4 Quadrajet LS BS 4 Quadrajet VX Tech BS 4 XT EX 4x2 XT EX 4x4 XE Revotron 90PS XM Revotron 90PS XMS Revotron 90PS XT Revotron 90PS XE Quadrajet 75PS XM Quadrajet 90PS XMS Quadrajet 90PS XT Quadrajet 90PS XMA Quadrajet 90PS

0.6 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 1.3 1.3 2.2 2.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3

P/CNG D D D D D D D D D D D D D P P P P D D D D D

NA 11.57 11.57 14 14 14 15.30 15.30 15.30 15.30 16.70 21.12 13.49 13.49 17.57 17.57 17.57 17.57 22.95 22.95 22.95 22.95 22.95

2.52 10.20 8.90 11.60 13.02 / 14.35 10.41 6.56 6.74 7.28 7.93 5.28 5.97 9.96 10.99 4.85 5.49 5.69 6.27 5.87 6.55 6.75 7.31 7.25

A/T Hybrid JS G G (CVT) GL VL A/T D4-DJ D4-DJS D4-DG D4-DGL J PS G V VX D-4D JD D-4D GD D-4D VD D-4D VXD J PS G V VX TRD Sportivo D-4D JD D-4D GD D-4D VD D-4D VXD D-4D TRD Sportivo Cross G Cross V D-4D GD D-4D VD 4x2 M/T 4x4 M/T 4x2 A/T 4x4 A/T 4x2 M/T (TRD Sportivo) 4x2 A/T (TRD Sportivo) E Euro IV Non AC 8 Seater E Euro IV Non AC 7 Seater E Euro IV PS 8 Seater E Euro IV PS 7 Seater G Euro IV 8 Seater G Euro IV 7 Seater GX Euro IV 8 Seater GX Euro IV 7 Seater VX Euro IV 8 Seater VX Euro IV 7 Seater ZX Euro IV 7 Seater

2.5 2.5 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.5 1.4 1.4 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5

P P P P P P P D D D D P P P P D D D D P P P P P D D D D D P P D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

12.98 19.16 14.05 14.05 15.22 14.05 15.22 21.45 21.45 21.45 21.45 16.78 16.78 16.78 16.78 23.59 23.59 23.59 23.59 17.71 17.71 17.71 17.71 16.78 23.59 23.59 23.59 23.59 23.59 17.71 16.78 23.59 23.59 12.55 12.55 11.88 NA NA NA 13.31 13.31 13.31 13.31 13.31 13.31 13.31 13.31 13.31 13.31 13.31

26.62 31.20 13.06 14.58 15.88 16.22 17.73 13.93 14.50 15.90 17.54 6.03 6.33 6.73 7.35 7.13 7.43 7.83 8.45 5 5.17 5.67 6.18 6.83 6.18 6.36 6.70 7.21 7.19 6.23 7.63 7.41 7.71 24.17 25.49 25.17 26.49 24.35 25.35 10.51 10.55 11.04 11.08 12.58 12.53 13.15 13.10 15.16 15.12 15.81

VX 200 Premium

4.5

D

9.65

1.19 (Cr.)

Parado VX-L

3.0

D

11.13

88.80

Z5 Z6

1.8 1.8

P P

23.91 23.91

38.10 39.80

TSI Trendline TSI Comfortline TDI Trendline TDI Comfortline TDI Highline TDI Highline A/T Trendline Comfortline Highline Trendline (Diesel) Comfortline (Diesel)

1.4 1.4 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.5

P P D D D D P P P D D

14.69 14.69 19.33 19.33 19.33 16.96 16.47 16.47 16.47 20.14 20.14

14.15 15.67 15.31 17.24 19.14 20.17 5.33 5.95 6.47 6.68 7.30

TOYOTA Camry

Corolla Altis

Etios

Etios Liva

Etios Cross

Fortuner

Innova

Land Cruiser LC 200 Land Cruiser Parado Prius VOLKSWAGEN

Jetta

Polo

MODEL

VARIANTS

ENGINE*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

FUEL*

PRICE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

Polo

Vento

Highline (Diesel) GT TSI GT TDI Cross Polo Comfortline AT Highline AT Trendline Comfortline Highline Trendline Comfortline Highline Comfortline AT Highline AT

1.5 1.2 1.6 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

D P D D P P P P P D D D D D

20.14 17.21 19.78 22.07 16.93 16.93 15.04 15.04 15.04 20.34 20.34 20.34 21.21 21.21

7.82 8.48 8.48 8.37 9.85 10.45 7.77 8.57 9.26 9.03 9.85 10.42 11.05 11.53

D4 Kinetic D4 Summum D4 Summum R-Design D5 Summum D4 Summum D5 Summum D3 Cross Country D4 Kinetic D4 Summum D4 Summum R-Design D5 Summum D5 Summum

2.0 2.0 2.0 2.4 2.0 2.4 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.4 2.4

D D D D D D D D D D D D

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

32.65 35.70 40.55 38.70 42.90 46.90 32.50 42.70 45.95 51.90 49.90 56

VOLVO S60

S80 V40 XC 60 XC 90

TWO WHEELER PRICES MODEL

ENGINE*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

99.27 102 94.38 102 124.6 124.6 144.8 144.8 144.8 134.66 149 178.6 199.5 200 200 220 219.89

90 96.90 91 84 76 76 NA NA NA 68.10 65 58.10 58 NA NA 54.20 49.80

0.39 0.44 0.46 0.48 0.51 0.53 0.54 0.57 0.61 0.63 0.70 0.74 0.91 1.18 (Lakh) 1.30 (Lakh) 0.86 0.81

1170 1170 1170 1170 1293 1293 999 1170 1649 1649 1649

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

24.13 (Lakh) 29.73 (Lakh) 29.73 (Lakh) 25.96 (Lakh) 27.25 (Lakh) 29.41 (Lakh) 29.41 (Lakh) NA 34.35 (Lakh) 37.04 (Lakh) 44.79 (Lakh)

300 600 600 898 1131

NA NA NA NA NA

2.83 (Lakh) 5.15 (Lakh) 5.62 (Lakh) 9.48 (Lakh) 11.81 (Lakh)

249 249 647 647 647 678.2

NA NA NA NA NA NA

2.89 (Lakh) 2.74 (Lakh) 4.63 (Lakh) 3.73 (Lakh) 5.08 (Lakh) 5.79 (Lakh)

803 803 1078 1078 803 1078 1078 992 1198 1198 1198

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

* Engine in CC | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakhs

BAJAJ AUTO Platina 100 Platina 100 ES Discover 100 Discover 100 M Discover 125 M (Drum) Discover 125 M (Disc) Discover 150 S (Drum) Discover 150 S (Disc) Discover 150 F Pulsar 135LS Pulsar 150 DTS-i Pulsar 180 DTS-i Pulsar 200 NS Pulsar RS200 Pulsar RS200 ABS Pulsar 220 Avenger 220 DTS-i BMW MOTORRAD R 1200 R R 1200 GS ADV 0A02 R 1200 RT R 1200 X (RnineT) 0A06 K 1300 R K 1300 S S 1000 RR HP2 Sport K 1600 GT K 1600 GTL K 1600 GTL Exclusive 0603 DSK BENELLI TNT 300 TNT 600i TNT 600 GT TNT 899 TNT R DSK HYOUSUNG GT 250R Aquila 250 GT 650R GT 650N Aquila PRO ST7 DUCATI Monster 795 Monster 796 Monster 1100 Monster 1100 S Hypermotard 796 Hypermotard 1100 Evo Hypermotard 1100 Evo SP GT 1000 Multistrada 1200 Multistrada 1200 ABS Multistrada 1200 S

April 2015 I 51

TWO WHEELERS * Prices (Ex-Showroom Delhi) MODEL

ENGINE*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

* Engine in CC | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakhs

Multistrada 1200 T Streetfighter Streetfighter S Diavel Diavel Carbon 848 1198 1198 S HARLEY DAVIDSON Street 750 Super Low Iron 883 Forty - Eight Night Rod Special Street Bob Fat Bob Fat Boy Heritage Softail Classic BreakOut Street Glide CVO Limited HERO MOTOCORP Pleasure Maestro HF Dawn HF Deluxe HF Deluxe Eco Splendor+ Splendor NXG Splendor PRO Splendor ISMART Super Splendor Passion Pro Passion XPro Glamour Glamour PGM - FI Ignitor Achiever CBZ Xtreme Hunk Impulse Karizma Karizma ZMR HONDA CD 110 Dream New Dio Dio DLX Activa i Activa 125 Activa 3G Aviator CB Twister Dream Neo New Dream Neo Dream Yuga CB Shine CBF Stunner CB Unicorn CB Unicorn 160 CB Trigger CBR 150R CBR 250R CB 1000R CB 1000RR VFR 1200F VT 1300 CX Gold Wing- GL 1800 INDIAN MOTORCYCLE Chief Classic Chief Vintage Chieftain Scout Roadmaster KAWASAKI Ninja 300 Ninja 650 R Ninja ZX 10R Ninja ZX 14R Ninja 1000 Ninja Z800 Ninja Z1000 ER-6n Z250 KTM KTM 200 Duke KTM 390 Duke KTM RC 200 KTM RC 390 LML NV SPL NV LS STAR EURO 150

52 I April 2015

MODEL

ENGINE*

FUEL EFFICIENCY*

PRICE*

199.89

NA

0.53

71.5 124.6 124.6 124.6 125 110 106.7 106.7 110

63.25 40 56.25 59.38 59 63 79.40 85.40 85.40

0.35 0.43 0.46 0.47 0.49 0.45 0.39 0.48 0.43

125 125 125 125

62 60 NA NA

0.67 0.71 0.75 0.79

346 499 346 346 500 346 499 499 499 535

53.40 NA 53.40 NA NA 53.40 53.40 39.35 39.35 NA

0.98 1.42 (Lakh) 1.11 (Lakh) 1.28 (Lakh) 1.63 (Lakh) 1.18 (Lakh) 1.51 (Lakh) 1.53 (Lakh) 1.60 (Lakh) 1.85 (Lakh)

124 112.8 124 112.8 124 149.5 154.9 250 1255 805 1783 1783 1340 999 1037

50.22 63 51 72 68.50 55.70 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

0.49 0.43 0.48 0.45 0.51 0.69 0.72 2.09 (Lakh) 10.75 (Lakh) 10.05 (Lakh) 15.95 (Lakh) 16.45 (Lakh) 15.95 (Lakh) 15.95 (Lakh) 14.95 (Lakh)

865 865 865 675 1050 675 675 800 800 800 1215 1699 1699 2294

18.12 18.13 NA NA NA 16.37 16.37 17.56 NA NA 15.93 NA NA NA

5.99 (Lakh) 6.97 (Lakh) 7.18 (Lakh) 7.91 (Lakh) 11.06 (Lakh) 10.69 (Lakh) 12.14 (Lakh) 12.34 (Lakh) 11.60 (Lakh) 12.70 (Lakh) 18.75 (Lakh) 13.95 (Lakh) 16.19 (Lakh) 21.29 (Lakh)

87.8 87.8 109.7 109.7 99.7 109.7 109.7 125 159.7 177.4

65 65 62 62 87.70 83.90 62 67 NA NA

0.42 0.44 0.47 0.42 0.40 0.42 0.44 0.50 0.69 0.73

113 113 113 106 106 123 123 153 153 150 150 153 153 153 149 998 998 1498 1679

66 66 66 75.74 70.03 71.50 NA NA NA NA NA 62.40 NA 50.81 NA NA NA NA NA

0.50 0.48 0.49 0.38 0.45 0.51 0.55 0.71 0.73 0.77 0.79 0.61 0.58 0.78 0.84 10.72 (Lakh) 15.60 (Lakh) 1.17 (Lakh) 25.65 (Lakh)

* Engine in CC | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakhs

1198 1055 1055 1198 1198 849 1198 1198

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

749 883 883 1202 1247 1585 1690 1690 1690 1690 1690 1801

NA 21.70 21.70 NA 15.80 18.18 17.85 17.85 17.85 13.86 17.85 NA

4.32 (Lakh) 6.32 (Lakh) 7.22 (Lakh) 8.82 (Lakh) 22.02 (Lakh) 10.37 (Lakh) 13.03 (Lakh) 15.08 (Lakh) 16.45 (Lakh) 16.30 (Lakh) 29.91 (Lakh) 49.23 (Lakh)

102 109 97.2 97.2 97.2 97.2 97.2 97.2 97.2 124.7 97.2 109.1 124.7 124.8 124.7 149.1 149.2 149.2 149.2 223 223

49 50 80 80 80 81 81 81 NA 83.10 79 60 81.10 NA 52.40 68 65.10 65.10 55 48.50 51

0.43 0.51 0.38 0.40 0.44 0.43 0.43 0.44 0.47 0.51 0.45 0.47 0.53 0.59 0.57 0.58 0.66 0.66 0.69 0.78 0.97

109 109 109 109.2 124.9 110 109 109 109 109 109 124.7 124.7 149.1 162.71 149.1 149.4 249 998 999 1237 1312 1832

60 60 60 60 60 60 60 70 74 74 65 NA NA NA NA NA 30 NA NA NA NA NA

0.43 0.47 0.47 0.46 0.55 0.49 0.50 0.50 0.42 0.49 0.44 0.54 0.58 0.67 0.69 0.68 1.22 (Lakh) 1.58 (Lakh) 11.81 (Lakh) 15.21 (Lakh) 17.63 (Lakh) 13.99 (Lakh) 28.50 (Lakh)

1811 1811 1811 1131 1811

NA NA NA NA NA

25.50 (Lakh) 28.50 (Lakh) 32 (Lakh) 12 (Lakh) 37 (Lakh)

296 649 998 1441 1043 806 1043 649 249

26 33 14 18 15 18 15 NA NA

3.60 (Lakh) 5.14 (Lakh) 16.40 (Lakh) 17.66 (Lakh) 12.87 (Lakh) 8.13 (Lakh) 12.87 (Lakh) 4.78 (Lakh) 2.99 (Lakh)

200 373 200 373

NA NA NA NA

1.35 (Lakh) 1.87 (Lakh) 1.85 (Lakh) 2.05 (Lakh)

149.56 147.55 150.82

NA NA NA

0.40 0.45 0.47

STAR EURO 200 MAHINDRA 2 WHEELERS Kine Flyte Duro DZ Rodeo RZ Rodeo UZO Gusto Pantero Centuro Centuro Rockstar PIAGGIO Vespa LX Vespa VX Vespa S Vespa ELEGANTE ROYAL ENFIELD Bullet 350 Bullet 500 Electra Twinspark Thunderbird 350 Thunderbird 500 Classic 350 Classic 500 Desert Storm Classic- Chrome Continental GT SUZUKI Access 125 Lets Swish 125 Hayate Slingshot GS 150R Gixxer Inazuma Bandit 1250 SA Intruder M800 Intruder M1800R Intruder M1800R B.O.S.S Hayabusa GSX - R1000 V- Storm 1000 TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES Bonneville A3 Bonneville T 100 Thruxton A2 Street Triple ABS A2 Speed Triple ABS A1 Daytona 675 ABS Daytona 675 R Tiger 800 XC Tiger XRx Tiger XCx Tiger Explorer Thunderbird Storm Thunderbird LT Rocket III Roadster TVS Scooty Pep+ Scooty Streak Wego Zest Star Sport Star City Jupiter Phoenix Apache RTR 160 Apache RTR 180 YAMAHA Alpha Ray Ray Z Crux YBR 110 YBR 125 SS 125 FZ FZ-S FZ Version 2 FZ-S Version 2 SZ-RR SZ-S FAZER FAZER F1 Version 2.0 FZ 1 YZF R1 YZF R15 VMAX

To advertise with us call 9958125645, 9811097399 or write to us at sales@motownindia.com

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL

COVER REPORT

‘MAKE IN INDIA’ is the clarion call Report: : JOSHUA DAVID LUTHER / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

April 2015 I 53

COVER REPORT

I

t has been almost 12 decades since the first car rolled out on Indian roads in Kolkata (then Calcutta) with manufacturers setting up shop in a British controlled India.

The year 1942 saw the birth of Hindustan Motors which produced the iconic Ambassador based on the 1956 Morris Oxford Series III. However, post independence all did not seem to be well with the Indian Auto sector. Policy makers were adamant to ensure that the Indian Industry had fair chance to grow. The result was a Monopoly. A combined effort by the Government of India and the

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL

private sector was established to nurture the domestic production of components and in 1953 an import substitution programme was launched. The year 1970 saw the growth of India’s Auto Industry with a restriction set on the import of cars. The real change however began post liberalisation when private players both domestic and international were allowed on scene.

The auto component industry in India stands testimony to the evolution of policy making in the country. Conservative views have been replaced with liberalistic ideas and the 21st century has ushered in healthy

competition in the industry. The Modi Government has set the pace with a strict demand to ‘Make in India’. The results are yet to come in but projections have indicated that the contribution of the auto component industry to GDP will be approximately 3.6 pc by 2020 and an estimated 2.9 pc for FY 2015-16. The export of auto components from India has also seen a turn with the industry witnessing a growth of almost CAGR 19.6 pc till FY 13-14. The auto component market has been estimated to reach a turnover of USD 113 billion.

“If you look at the Indian auto component industry, it is at US$ 35 billion, exports are at $10 billion, and is poised to become a $ 100 billion industry by 2020 if everything goes right. Exports are expected to increase to $ 40 billion. Out of this $ 35 billion, around $ 6 billion is primarily from aftermarket. We are planning to take this aftermarket business to $12 billion. The aftermarket is been growing at around 15pc,” says Sandeep Balooja, Vice President, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India / MemberAnand Management Committee/ Executive Chairman- Mando.

“If things go well, as our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is saying about ‘Make in India’ and ease of doing business in India, I think that in ten years India will be a country to reckon with,” says Sandeep Balooja, Vice President, ACMA

54 I April 2015

INDIA HOGGING THE SPOTLIGHT With all eyes turning towards our subcontinent, India seems to be hogging the spotlight when it comes to the auto component sector. Companies like Bosch, Delphi, Aisin Seiki, Denso, ZF, Valeo, FAG, TRW and Magna have already invested in the country’s auto component market while several other Tier-1 suppliers have announced plans to increase procurement from their Indian subsidiaries. This market has now been estimated to become the world’s third largest by 2016 and will account for 5 pc of global sales. The key driver of this growth is an increasing working class population. The presence of a large pool of skilled and semi-skilled work force has contributed to the establishment of large manufacturing bases in the country. One of the biggest advantages of being present in India is the frugal engineering standards as believed by

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL some and this has snowballed into a combination of latest manufacturing techniques and technology being combined with an economic means of doing business. As a result global OEMs have begun sourcing from India and the country is slowly but surely turning into a base for manufacture and design.

As a new era in the automotive industry dawns, OEMs have set their sights higher. Technology is at the forefront of requirements by consumers, with demands of increase in performance all at the same cost. Manufacturers are left with slim profit margins and tight budgets. All this has boiled down to a change in the dynamics of component manufacturing.

Automation seems to be one of the solutions rising to the occasion and Ford India has made plans to walk down that path with their plant in Sanand, Gujarat.

Their body-shop will run at 95 pc automation which is the highest level of automation in the Asia Pacific region.

As we embrace the new financial year ahead, we look back in time and see how turbulent the industry has been for the past few years. The industry has registered growth but would it be enough to sustain these

COVER REPORT

FROST & SULLIVAN SAYS INDIAN AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET POISED FOR STRONG LONG-TERM GROWTH The poor condition of roads and, consequently, the increased wear and tear of automobile parts are heightening the need for vehicle maintenance in India. Along with the country’s rapidly emerging status as the manufacturing hub for global automakers, this is strengthening the automotive aftermarket in India.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of the Indian Automotive Aftermarket finds that total manufacturer-level parts revenue in India will grow by a CAGR of 12.4 percent (2014-2021) to reach $16.5 billion by 2021. Demand for routine maintenance parts such as motor oil, wiper blades and brake pads will increase at least 10 times faster across India than in North America and Europe.

“Global automakers operating in India are looking to source parts locally in order to cut costs in a market dominated by cheap small cars, thus opening up new growth opportunities for part providers,” said Frost & Sullivan’s Automotive & Transportation Principal Consultant, Avijit Ghosh. “For example, Volkswagen India plans to develop engines and transmissions in India in a bid to raise locally-made content in its vehicles from 70 to 90 percent,” he said However, aftermarket participants face several challenges that curb their potential in the Indian market: The price-competitive unorganised sector – which does not adhere to government stipulations and to a large extent does not pay excise duties and sales taxes – eats into the revenues of organised aftermarket participants Counterfeit components account for 45 pc of passenger car aftermarket part sales owing to the lack of a mandatory standard and the unchecked production and import of counterfeit parts Close to 70 percent of customers shift to local independent aftermarket (IAM) service centers within two years of their car purchase. Thus, IAM suppliers can assist their service partners in seizing this opportunity by providing high-quality parts at a lower price. The anticipated inclusion of a section on aftermarket standards in the Motor Vehicles Act will help reduce the sale of counterfeit components.

“IAM vendors must focus on the mass supply of parts to multi-brand service chain outlets such as myTVS, Carnation and Castrol Pitstop in order to ensure that car owners receive value for money,” recommended Ghosh, adding that “Venturing into the used car and car exchange businesses will also prove profitable for dealers in the Indian automotive aftermarket.”

Strategic Analysis of the Indian Automotive Aftermarket is a Strategic Insight part of the Automotive & Transportation Growth Partnership Service programme. This study discusses vehicles in operation, key industry trends, consumer trends and major market participants in the Indian automotive aftermarket. It also offers a forecast of manufacturer-level revenue and evaluation of wholesale parts and service channels.

April 2015 I 55

COVER REPORT manufacturers for the times to come? Some industrialists have sought diversification while others have ventured even further. The Varroc Group, led

by Tarang Jain (MD) is one such company which seems to have steered clear of the storm and is sailing on smoother waters. This Maharashtra based component manufacturer has celebrated its 25th Anniversary this March and in these 25 years has managed to raise a turnover of 8,000 crore.

The Varroc Group at present is in the business of manufacturing polymers, electricals & electronics, metallic and lighting products.

So how does a company which had a turnover of 1 crore in 1990 manage a whopping 8,000 crores by 2014? The answer is inorganic growth. The Varroc Group has made full use of the opportunities coming their way and by the end of February 2012 they had signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the erstwhile Visteon Group. Visteon at that time accounted for 6-7pc of the global lighting business and with its acquisition Varroc gained a global customer base which included OEMs like Ford, JLR, PSA Peugeot Citroen, GM, Chrysler and Volkswagen. At present 62 pc of the company’s manufacturing business is abroad and only 38 pc is in India. With plants in Italy, Mexico, Romania, Vietnam, Czech Republic, China and India the Varroc Group has set its sights on a target of 20,000 Crore by 2020.

DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY It may seem at this point that acquisitions and joint ventures are the way to go but not all have that in mind. An example of how to do things differently is NBC (National Bearings Company) which is spearheaded by Rohit Saboo, President & CEO National Engineering Industries

56 I April 2015

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL

Ltd. While the automotive bearings 4Ds – Design, Development, business may be flourishing, a Deliver and Dialogue. The pattern of stagnant growth and company has plants in Jaipur, straight line trends seem to be Newai and Manesar, with a fourth emerging. NBC has a technical coming up in Savli, Gujarat. collaboration with NTN of Japan The aftermarket auto and Brenco of USA. They manufacture bearings for the automotive sector as well as the railways and industrial sector.

While 65 pc of their business comes from the automotive side, 25 pc comes from railways and another 10 pc from the industrial sector.

After investing almost 500 crore in a plant in Gujarat, the company will increase its production capacity by 50 pc. The plant is expected to be File Photo: Varroc Plant ready by 2016 and will employ 1000 people. As era of efficiency components business too is dawns, NBC has opted for this poised for growth in the coming plant to be a fully automated years. The poor condition of one with a production capacity roads and, consequently, the of 50-60 million bearings adding increased wear and tear of to their present capacity of 100 automobile parts are heightening million bearings. But why stop the need for vehicle maintenance at the Indian market, in 2014 in India. Along with the country’s their exports accounted for 20 rapidly emerging status as the pc of the turnover with another 5 manufacturing hub for global pc increase expected this year. automakers, this is strengthening Presently NBC exports to over the automotive aftermarket in 26 countries with 74 pc of their India. export revenues coming from the New analysis from Frost & US, Germany, South Africa and Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of the Brazil. From 2010-14 NBC has Indian Automotive Aftermarket registered a CAGR of 17.7 pc and finds that total manufacturerhas vision to become a 1 billion level parts revenue in India dollar company by 2020. As a will grow by a CAGR of company they believe flexibility 12.4 is their USP and follows a principle of

percent (2014-2021) to reach $16.5 billion by 2021. Demand for routine maintenance parts such as motor oil, wiper blades and brake pads will increase at least 10 times faster across India than in North

America and Europe.

Internet based technology too is expected to give a boost to this aftermarket business in auto components. Says Pavana Jain, CEO & Co-founder, ShiftMobility, “ShiftMobility’s all-in-one platform and smart applications instantly connect a car with specific repairs and

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL

COVER REPORT

“The primary challenge facing Indian part manufacturers seems to be the time it takes them to reach their target markets in Asia, Europe and US with their legacy EDI systems and B2B infrastructure. One of the main reasons is that their product data is not standards compliant and the markets may have shifted by the time their products finally reach there,” says Pavana Jain, CEO & Co-founder, ShiftMobility

diagnostic services, this includes accessing instant part and labour information, you can also quickly locate the preferred brand and the right part with your nearest distributor who can deliver it fast.

Now you have more time to spend on other vehicles or your next customer.

“For example, in the US as well as here perhaps, just to quote for a job it takes at least 20 to 30 minutes. But with our app, you can do it in just 30 seconds. So you are all of a sudden finding the time savings to be a huge advantage and that’s encouraging. That’s the sort of efficiency that people get excited about with our solutions.”

“The primary challenge facing Indian part manufacturers

seems to be the time it takes them to reach their target markets in Asia, Europe and US with their legacy EDI systems and B2B infrastructure. One of the main reasons is that their product data is not standards compliant and the markets may have shifted by the time their products finally reach there. For example, US distributors will not be able to sell their products with paper catalogues and it would cost them a lot more to enable it for commerce. We launched ‘VroomBox’ for ACMA members at the AutoMechanika event. Using this mobile cloud based application, manufacturers can create ACES and PIES compliant files within minutes.

The catalog is mobile optimised for ease

of view and use. The images are optimised for faster delivery on the mobile device. Once the catalogue is published, distributors in our network can sell these parts anywhere and anytime.

The manufacturers were very excited with what they could finally see themselves realize with VroomBox,” Pavana Jain notes.

While reverse engineering the success of some companies may prove to be a challenge, it seems that most manufacturers have established a certain set practise for success. The Government has been formulating plans to improve the auto industry in India with the primary focus on infrastructure development. But while most players are focused on their daily bread, some are looking up to glance into the future. The conclusion of an expert team

responsible for giving inputs to the “Towards Sustainable Road Transport” report published by Elsevier was that by 2050 most vehicles will need to be electrically propelled with a battery or by an on board hydrogen-fuel cell.

With Auto OEMs taking note of these changes and moving in that direction, the government has also introduced green initiatives such as the Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020 to promote a healthier environment. The real question however are the auto component manufacturers prepared to step towards the future which seems to be crawling towards electric mobility.

“If things go well, as our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is saying about ‘Make in India’ and ease of doing business in India, I think that in ten years India will be a country to reckon with,” concludes Sandeep Balooja of ACMA.

April 2015 I 57

COVER REPORT

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL - 2015 ACMA AUTOMECHANIKA

ACMA Automechanika brings cheer to component makers in India There was reason to celebrate and rejoice. Not that the year gone by had brought in a lot of moolah for the automotive industry. The fact was that there was hope. This truly reflected in the moods and aspirations of the 436 exhibiting companies from India and across the globe which participated in the four-day 2nd edition of the ACMA Automechanika New Delhi. Around 12,861 business visitors from India and abroad made their presence felt at the show, creating new records as compared to the last edition of the show in 2013. MOTOWN INDIA magazine was one of the media partners to this prestigious event. We capture the essence of this mega aftermarket event for our readers.

Report: : P. THARYAN / Photography: MOHD. NASIR Inputs: Rahul Kapoor, S. Madhavan, Tripti Singh, Seema Paul

T

he 2nd edition of the ACMA Automechanika New Delhi successfully concluded its fourday run on March1, 2015. The event proved to be a leading networking and sourcing platform for India’s auto-component and aftermarket. The exhibition

58 I April 2015

featured a total of 436 exhibiting companies from India and abroad.

Foreign participation came from Brazil, China, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Poland, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, the UAE, the UK and the USA. It was a completely sold-out event in terms of number of

participants and utilisation of exhibition space at the crumbling edifice that goes by the name of Pragati Maidan. The show that showcased the best of modern day technology had to be content with a venue that reeked of inadequate infrastructure and utter state of collapse. But the ramshackle buildings that

comprised the venue did not deter the spirit of the participants as they braved themselves against it to conduct business in an extremely professional manner.

With a 60 pc increase in the number of exhibitors, the exhibition was completely booked two months before it is scheduled date. The occupied space marked

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL - 2015 ACMA AUTOMECHANIKA a 90pc increase compared to the launch edition of the show in 2013. International participation also increased by 34pc as steady sales and the growing market for auto components in the country attracted auto component players from across the world.

Presenting innovative autocomponents in six different categories of Parts and Systems, Accessories and Tuning, Tyres and Batteries, Repair and Maintenance, IT and Management, Service Stations and Car Washes, the platform facilitated significant business closures, tie-ups and merger announcements during its fourday course.

Bosch, one of the largest suppliers of automotive parts and systems, was the Platinum Partner of the event. Several major Indian auto component manufacturers were present at the show. These included the likes of Bosch, Elofic, Delphi Automotive, Anand Group, Luk India, ZF India, ANG Industries, among others.

Component manufacturers present at the show included those dealing in engine parts, drive transmission and steering parts, body and chassis, tyres & batteries, suspension and braking parts, electrical parts, accessories etc. The show was held at a time when the Union Budget for the country was announced and industry leaders attending the show expressed satisfaction on the Budget’s focus

COVER REPORT

Buyers Guide ACMA Directory 2015 being released during the inauguration of ACMA Automechanika New Delhi.

(L-R) Arvind Kapur - Rico Auto, Ramesh Suri - Subros, Rajan Katoch - Secy, Heavy Industries, Michael Johannes Automechanika Frankfurt and Sandeep Balooja - Anand Group on infrastructure development and its emphasis on power, education, skill development and most importantly, on the ease of doing business and attracting investments.

More than 20 companies chose this platform to unveil new products and component lines.

Several exhibitors and trade visitors confirmed that they had closed sizeable business deals.

Several conferences chaired by eminent speakers, were also held during the show. A white paper on Transformative Technologies of Future Cars was presented by Frost & Sullivan on day two of the exhibition during the concurrently held ACMA Automechanika Seminar. The

seminar presented comprehensive insights on next generation of electronics & safety systems and managing cost of innovation from an esteemed panel of 18 speakers from India, Germany, the UK and the USA. The first ACMA Global MSME Summit: “Make in India – Evolving Manufacturing through Globalisation” was organized which focussed on Indian small and medium enterprises and the evolution of global MSMEs in terms of entrepreneurial ability, technology upgradation and innovation. The session also provided an opportunity to understand business openings in adjacent industries like OffHighway Vehicle, Urban Transport System, Defence (Indigenisation)

and Agricultural Machinery.

ACMA’s popular and educative ‘Asli Naqli’ Pavilion and Messe Frankfurt’s ‘Against Copying’ campaign were aimed at educating aftermarket professionals about disadvantages and risks involved in using fake parts for vehicles.

These also allowed visitors to evaluate components and distinguish real from fake, enabling them to take well-informed procurement decisions.

The next edition of ACMA Automechanika is scheduled from March 21 to 23, 2015 and will continue to present opportunities in the aftermarket as well as address industry concerns on counterfeit products sold in the replacement market.

QUOTES SANDEEP BALOOJA, Vice President, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India “I will not be surprised to see more than 800 exhibitors participating in the next Automechanika in New Delhi and a lot more business being generated.”

HARISH SHETH, Chairman & Managing Director, Setco Automotive Ltd “We are displaying our capabilities here and our new products. It is a place where we meet people. Unlike last time there could be a lot of OE visitors. Most senior OE people do not have time to visit your factory so here it is simpler to see your range. We also participate in the shows in Hanover and Frankfurt also”.

PAWAN SHARMA, VP, Domestic Sales Elofic Industries Ltd “It’s a very good platform for those especially who are not able to go out of the country. A small manufacturer can show their strength and they can attract foreign customers. It is a very good platform and everybody can show the products they have”.

April 2015 I 59

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AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL - 2015 ACMA AUTOMECHANIKA

PAVANA JAIN, CEO & Co-founder, ShiftMobility Automechanika events are capable of bringing people together in an effective way. They are targeted and provide an avenue to meet the right people. It is more personal yet big enough to meet lots of people!

PHILIPPE DENOS, President, Delphi Product and Service Solutions (DPSS) & FAISAL MATIN, Country Director-India & Sub-continent, Product & Service Solutions. Delphi India “Globally we are very much associated with such show. Most important, it enables us to meet all our customers. We want to be close enough to meet our customers. The shows also help us leverage our brand. It adds to our reach to our customers. Customers in turn recognise and realise our worth”.

JOAQUIN MARTORI, General Manager, Mahle Filter Systems (India) Ltd “Energy of the Indian aftermarket is catching attention and we see good potential here. We did a lot of homework before coming to India about the companies we wanted to target and at ACMA Automechanika we met majority of these decision makers.”

GUENTER WEBER, Regional President, Automotive Aftermarkets, Bosch Ltd. “We chose ACMA Automechanika New Delhi to showcase our three products categories – Parts, Bytes and Services – to the Indian aftermarket and saw good progress in building customer relations and sharing product information with our target clientele. Going by the satisfying experience this year, we will definitely consider being part of the next edition in 2017.”

ARVIND CHAUDHARY, Managing Director of Ample Autotech Pvt Ltd “Very worthwhile....We met customers from almost all segments we cater to and with the leads and customer feedback we have received through the show, we will have to consider increasing our production line.”

MATHIAS MOLL, Manager – Trade Fair and Events, Liqui Moly GmbH “We were pleasantly surprised with the quality of visitors as we only met serious buyers at the show. ACMA Automechanika New Delhi was a very well organised with a very supportive team.”

MICHAEL JOHANNES, Brand Manager, Automechanika Frankfurt “We started two years ago with the first edition. Then there were around 200 exhibitors in 2013. We have more than doubled with 425 exhibitors in 2015. We are very proud of our efforts. We have had a lot of visitors coming to the show. We feel that the ACMA Automechanika has been accepted in the market here in India.”

Bosch Automotive showcases mobility solutions business Bosch Automotive Aftermarket showcased the best of its mobility solutions business at ACMA Automechanika New Delhi. On display was its comprehensive range of automotive products such as Diesel Fuel Injection Systems, Common Rail Systems, Gasoline Systems, Filtration Systems, Braking Systems, Lighting Technology, Wiping Systems and Lubricants among other products for the aftermarket segment. There was also on display Spark Plugs and Filtration for the OE segment.

Additionally, the division also showcased India’s largest multibrand vehicle service network - Bosch Car Service and Express Bike Service. There was a wide portfolio of diagnostic automotive service solutions targeted at OEMs, dealerships, workshops, fleets and technicians. These

60 I April 2015

included diagnostic and test equipment, repair and training solutions, IT-enabled tools for OEMs and the service bay as well as the connected cloud services.

“ACMA Automechanika provides Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division a platform to

showcase the best of its mobility solutions offering. India’s auto aftermarket business is poised for a great future and we want to position ourselves as the partner of choice for the industry’s need for parts, bytes and services,” said Guenter Weber,

Regional President, Automotive Aftermarket, Bosch Limited.

“As the Indian automotive market grows and regulations move towards global standards, the Indian consumer will increasingly demand for the best in safety, fuel efficiency and sustainable technology that is prevalent in the industry. As a global player in auto parts, bytes and services, we offer a basket of modern technologies, services and innovation to the Indian consumer across all vehicle segments. Bosch has introduced several global products in India, such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Traction Control System (TCS). As the Indian market matures, we will be bringing in more global products targeted at the Indian consumer. ” he elaborated further.

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL - 2015 ACMA AUTOMECHANIKA

COVER REPORT

Liqui Moly and Anand Automotive partner in India German lubricants and oil major Liqui Moly partnered with Anand Automotive to expand its reach and gain significant market share in India. Ansysco, an Anand Automotive group company, and Liqui Moly signed a partnership agreement for the distribution of the latter’s products in the country.

The agreement was signed at the ACMA Automechanika.

“This lays the foundation for our future success in India,” said Michael Karl, Export Area Manager at Liqui Moly who is responsible for the business in India.

Liqui Moly produces motor oils and additives along with car care products, service products, greases and pastes.

“Basically we offer everything regarding automotive chemicals,” explained Karl. All the products are exclusively manufactured in Germany.

It is part of Liqui Moly’s

Mahendra Goyal, Group President – Group Aftermarket and Business Head - Sub Group III, Anand Automotive Limited with Peter Baumann, Marketing Director, Liqui Moly, Germany philosophy to closely work with local partners in respective countries. “It is them who know the market best and who have established distribution channels,” said Karl, adding that “We are glad to have found such a strong and reliable partner like Anand.”

“Anand Group, leading auto components supplier in India, has been in auto component industry since 1961. The Group has significant presence in OE segment with almost all Indian OE manufacturers as Customers.

Many of its products like shock

absorbers, filters, engine products (Piston Rings, Gaskets and bearings), drive train products, coolants, brake fluids, clutches are supplied in Independent Aftermarket as well,” noted Mahendra Goyal, Group President – Group Aftermarket and Business Head - Sub Group III, Anand Automotive Limited.

Goyal added that “Ten per cent of the group sales come from Independent after market. The Group has a large established network in India comprising of large distributors/dealers, retailers, service stations and mechanics.

To support this network, and to meet just in time supplies, we have established 16 distribution points and we employ a 250 strong sales force. The Group has a very reputable brand image in Indian auto industry, which Liqui Moly can leverage to establish its products in India”

INTERVIEWS

Sandeep Balooja Vice President, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India / Member-Anand Management Committee/ Executive Chairman- Mando We have an ACMA Automechanika show and we also have an ACMA show held during the Auto Exo, is the Indian auto components industry ready for shows of such stature at such short intervals?

Absolutely, I think you made a very relevant point. If you look at the Indian auto component industry, it is at US$ 35 billion, exports are at $10 billion, and is poised to become a $ 100 billion industry by 2020 if everything goes right. Exports are expected to increase to $ 40 billion. Out of this $ 35 billion, around $ 6 billion is primarily from aftermarket. We are planning to take this aftermarket business to $12 billion. The aftermarket is been growing at around 15pc. Now if you look at the ACMA Automechanika, this too has grown from around 200 exhibitors to around 425 exhibitors. This clearly goes to show, what an opportunity Automechanika has created with ACMA for

the people. This is not only for spares parts and aftermarket in India where you have your dealers coming in, but it also gives an opportunity for exports with a lot of foreigners coming in.

According to me, this show for the aftermarket will grow tremendously in the coming years. As for the other show during the Auto Expo, well that also happens once in two years. That show represents a much bigger show. It represents the entire industry. It also attracts a lot of OE manufacturers. We tied up with many of the managing directors and other senior officials of companies. There we showcase a lot of new technologies. Moreover, the show has all the major trade bodies like CII, SIAM and ACMA coordinating. I will not be surprised to see more than 800 exhibitors participating in the next Automechanika in New Delhi and a lot more business being generated.

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COVER REPORT What’s been the response of the overseas companies in this show?

In this show, we have seen people coming in from Germany, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.

It also gives an opportunity for the Indian industries to tie up with them. If you look at from the OE perspective where we can grab this opportunity from China, we have been asked by global companies to increase our capacities. With the right quality, they are willing to give us business. The opportunity

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from abroad is immense for their aftermarket requirements. It is only that we have to scale up operations. If things go well, as our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is saying about “Make in India’ and ease of doing business in India, I think that in ten years India will be a country to reckon with.

What about basic infrastructure when it comes to venues for holding such mammoth shows.

Can we see some improvement in them? Do you have a wish list there?

If you would have seen the last Auto Expo, the auto components show was held in Pragati Maidan and the main show was held at a different location and which I think was a world class location.

We have been discussing with the government bodies to enhance the facilities at the existing venue here in New Delhi and make that into a world class venue. With the new Prime Minister being there, I am sure he will make that happen.

This show is for four days and there were some participants

clamouring that the organisers need to make it of shorter duration. What is your take on that?

Ideally I tend to agree, the show should be for a slightly longer period. There are people coming from all over the country and even abroad and the amount of money that is being spent on the show, having the show for a longer period, gives a lot of flexibility to the visitors to come in on any one day or two. Ideally the show should run for five or six days.

Michael Johannes Brand Manager, Automechanika Frankfurt With more than 400 brands participating in the 2015 ACMA Automechanika in New Delhi, are you happy with the response?

Yes, we are very happy. We started two years ago with the first edition. Then there were around 200 exhibitors in 2013.

We have more than doubled with 425 exhibitors in 2015. We are very proud of our efforts. We have had a lot of visitors coming to the show. We feel that the ACMA Automechanika has been accepted in the market here in India.

How will you compare this show with the big ones in Frankfurt or in Shanghai? Are you hopeful that this show here in India too gets big in size and stature?

Compared to Frankfurt, this show here is small. But you should realise that we started Automechanika in Frankfurt in 1971. So we have more than 40 years of history. We started in Germany in a small way with 300 exhibitors. After a while this show in Frankfurt really became a big success. In the last show we had 4600 exhibitors. This is the leading mother show, I would say.

I think we are on track and Indian has huge potential and if you

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heard about the plans till 2020, there is much more to come here. For the next edition we will see a lot more exhibitors here in India and I am sure it looks very promising. The Automechanika offers such a good platform for the industry.

Apart from the ACMA Automechanika show, we also have an ACMA show along with the Auto Expo show in India. Do you think India is ready for shows at such short intervals?

We are doing this show for our customers. On a regular basis we ask our customers what they want. If they think that the show needs to be annual or there has to be regional shows, then we are open to it. We are there to serve the industry and it depends on what the industry wants. We are happy at present with the bi annual cycle. The market decides what they need, what they want and we are simply the service providers.

What’s been the response of the overseas participants at the show here in New Delhi?

We have much more potential. In total, Automechanika has more than 16,000 exhibitors and with

just 425 coming to India there seems to be a lot of potential.

Having said that, I would like to note that eight major players out of the key ten global players are here at the show. In future, I am sure a lot of global companies will come to India.

Do you have any message for the Indian government in terms of putting up an infrastructure for holding shows of this size?

The outcome of the Budget will have a good effect on the auto industry. As far as infrastructure is concerned, there is a lot of potential for growth and we shall be delighted we can get more space to accommodate our exhibitors. Already there is a waiting list and for the next show we will need more space for this

show.

Do some of the exhibitors here want this show to be held for three days rather than four days?

There is a discussion going on as to how many days this show should go on for the visitors. On our part we ask the exhibitors during the show as to how many days they would prefer, and if they would like five days, then we shall have a five-day show. If they want a three-day show, we shall have a three-day show. Like I said, we are the service providers and we do what our customers want us to do.

How do you see the ACMA Automechanika show shaping up in the coming years?

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL - 2015 ACMA AUTOMECHANIKA I am quite convinced that in the next show we shall have around 600 exhibitors. I have already got requests from companies keen to participate in the next show. In the coming years, I am hopeful that this show will grow in terms

of participants.

Does the show participation also depend on the market condition of the auto industry?

Yes, when the industry is doing well, we will have more

participants. And you will also have more visitors who will be interested in buying products.

We think and we believe that the Indian market has much more potential and we have also seen the past that the quality of the

COVER REPORT Indian products is getting better.

This is good for the Indian auto industry as well as for the export industry. We are also seeing an increase in participation of Indian companies in Automechanika shows abroad.

Philippe Denos President, Delphi Product and Service Solutions (DPSS), Delphi Diesel Systems Ltd, UK

Faisal Matin Country Director-India & Sub-continent, Product & Service Solutions, Delphi Automotive Systems Can you briefly talk about the activities of your division Delphi Product and Service Solutions?

PHILIPPE DENOS (PD): I run this division and Faisal represents us in the Indian sub continent.

This division has the target to take most of the products (OE) that we have in Delphi and bring it to the aftermarket channel.

We complement that offer with other aftermarket products we have. We represent Delphi in the aftermarket. We are in charge of developing the business. Delphi is really designing the vehicle of tomorrow. We are already servicing this vehicle today. It is not only product, but service too is critical. This includes diagnostic tools, technical training, telematics etc. We design all this around a product in order to service it.

When you talk of training, it also requires a lot of equipment.

What are the different tools that you use for this training?

PD: Globally we have a team of engineers who are working on developing the diagnostic tools.

We work with the OE division, the people who write the software inside the vehicle in order to write our software for our diagnostic tools. We cover all kinds of products and all technologies because the diagnostic tool just cannot cover Delphi alone. When you plug it in the car, it should be

the service instrument on the cluster, you need a diagnostic tool. Every garage needs at least one, some of them have two or three, of these diagnostic tools. In the emerging markets too they are going to come through. Because what is good for Delphi and for us is the fact that the technological content in a vehicle is increasing in India. That is very good for Delphi.

(L-R) Philippe Denos with Faisal Matin able to service any car. That is very important and we design this in-house.

What is the demand for such products, especially in the developed markets of US and Europe?

PD: It is huge. These are the

biggest markets for diagnostic tools. Think about it, you cannot do anything with the car without the diagnostic tool, even if one has to change a brake pad. You have the electric arm brakes, in order to remove the arm brakes at the end, you need to plug the diagnostic tool. In order to reset

What’s been the response for such tools among garage owners in India?

FAISAL MATIN (FM): It has been getting better over a period of time. Five years back if I were to talk to someone about oxygen sensors to somebody, people would not know about them.

Today people not only talk about oxygen sensors and also vehicle contents of a car. In the aftermarket they have not yet opened up so much. And when that comes, it will change the market big time. The roadside mechanic too may have to upgrade his skills as he goes by. They may not be phased out because of all the technology coming in, but he may have to modernise. India itself is in that learning phase. It’s not just about a mechanic rather it is for everyone in the country.

PD: Like a lot of emerging

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COVER REPORT markets, India is fast tracking the change. It is not like the same pace what you had in Europe or North America, here in India it is fast tracking. This is very good.

You have a website delphiautoparts.com What purpose does this serve?

PD: We already had an aftermarket website in the past. But we improved it and changed it completely. The response has been very good. We are now more and more involved in social media. What is interesting is that the generation that is entering the

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL - 2015 ACMA AUTOMECHANIKA

garage today, the generation X and Y, they use only one tool and that is the cellphone! We have to reach this technician through the social media be it facebook, linkedin, youtube or anything else.

How is the DPSS division doing in India?

FM: We have been in there in India for the last 15 years. Over a period of time we have developed a lot of products. Fifteen years back we started off with four to seven part numbers. Today we have developed a full range of products for a chassis system,

thermal system, vehicle electronic parts and we have developed the maintenance parts too. There is a huge range that we supply to the aftermarket. Not only the products, but our customers and distributors too have increased over a period of time. Today, we have 11 different product lines in the aftermarket which fall under the four product categories as such.

prevalent in the passenger car segment. But commercial vehicle segment is also big.

Which segment are you more in—the passenger car segment or the commercial vehicle segment?

PD: Globally we are more

How does a show like the Automechanika benefit a company like yours?

PD: Globally we are very much associated with such show. Most important, it enables us to meet all our customers. We want to be close enough to meet our customers. The shows also help us leverage our brand.

FM: It adds to our reach to our customers. Customers in turn recognise and realise our worth.

more traditional ways?

The primary challenge facing Indian part manufacturers seems to be the time it takes them to reach their target markets in Asia, Europe and US with their legacy EDI systems and B2B infrastructure. One of the main reasons is that their product data

is not standards compliant and the markets may have shifted by the time their products finally reach there. For example, US distributors will not be able to sell their products with paper catalogues and it would cost them a lot more to enable it for commerce. We launched

Pavana Jain CEO & Co-founder, ShiftMobility Can you tell us briefly about your company ShiftMobility?

SHIFTMobility’s all-in-one platform for the automotive industry was designed from the ground up to vertically integrate manufacturers, distributors and repair centres to make their businesses smarter, faster, and more agile.

SHIFTMobility innovations in business-to-business commerce, for example, accelerates products to market for distributors over mobile devices. As a result, you can reach your buyers anywhere and at anytime in seconds. With the new W3C standards for connected cars, SHIFTMobility is also in a position to deliver rapid connectivity with in-vehicle devices and infotainment systems.

In essence it means it reduces delays and improves efficiency?

Yes. Imagine an auto part being manufactured in one location and stocked at other places for distribution. Now, when a car is brought into a dealer or a repair shop for either maintenance or when something breaks down, the symptoms need to be diagnosed, parts need to be researched and ordered, hopefully you get the right one to replace otherwise you need to return it back to the distributor,

64 I April 2015

and re-oder the right one. All this leads to delays for the customer.

You obviously want your customers to be happy but you cannot deliver a good experience with broken systems.

SHIFTMobility’s all-in-one platform and smart applications instantly connect a car with specific repairs and diagnostic services, this includes accessing instant part and labour information, you can also quickly locate the preferred brand and the right part with your nearest distributor who can deliver it fast.

Now you have more time to spend on other vehicles or your next customer.

For example, in the US as well as here perhaps, just to quote for a job it takes at least 20 to 30 minutes. But with our app, you can do it in just 30 seconds.

So you are all of a sudden finding the time savings to be a huge advantage and that’s encouraging. That’s the sort of efficiency that people get excited about with our solutions.

In the developed countries like the US and in Europe, ShiftMobility seems to have a great future but what about in India where jobs are done in

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL - 2015 ACMA AUTOMECHANIKA ‘VroomBox’ for ACMA members at the AutoMechanika event.

Using this mobile cloud based application, manufacturers can create ACES and PIES compliant files within minutes. The catalog is mobile optimised for ease of view and use. The images are optimised for faster delivery on the mobile device. Once the catalogue is published, distributors in our network can sell these parts anywhere and anytime. The manufacturers were very excited with what they could finally see themselves realize with VroomBox. So have you made a beginning

in India?

Yes, as I said, we just launched VroomBox for Indian Part Manufacturers. We shall be offering this app to all the manufacturers through ACMA. A lot of manufacturers at the Automechanika seminar event were intrigued by this offering and were keen to get into the programme. We shall be engaging them soon.

Why be a part of this Automechanika show, why not an Auto Expo, which is much larger in size and stature?

Automechanika events are capable

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of bringing people together in an effective way. They are targeted and provide an avenue to meet the right people. It is more personal yet big enough to meet lots of people!

Is the business model of ShiftMobility unique or are there similar offerings from companies globally?

SHIFTMobility is the only company bringing aftermarket manufacturers, distributors, and repair shops on to a common platform. We are also the only company to offer branded mobile apps for all their clients.

Are you a car person or a software person? Tell us briefly about yourself.

I am a software person who happens to love cars and have fun tinkering innovations.

The automotive industry is going through a wave of rapid transformation, there is a lot more to it than what we could talk and demonstrate today given the limited time. It suffices to say, cars are becoming smarter. You would be able drive an autonomous and connected car soon. Aftermarket needs to follow suit and shift to mobility using modern technology and platform.

Harish Sheth Chairman & Managing Director, Setco Automotive Ltd Can you very briefly tell me a about your company, your products and your customer profile etc?

We basically manufacture clutches for medium and heavy duty vehicles. We have been concentrating on this area. Recently we introduced clutches for light commercial vehicles. In the long run we are looking at making clutches for tractors also. My factories are located in Baroda in Gujarat and in Uttarakhand. Our major customers are commercial vehicle manufacturers including Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Daimler (Bharat Benz), Eicher, AMW, MAN. All vehicle manufacturers in the country are our customers.

Do you have a technical collaboration for making clutches?

Earlier we had a technical collaborator when we forayed into commercial vehicles. This started in the year 2000 when Indian vehicle manufacturers in order to upgrade their engines to meet the new emission norms, started importing clutches.

Tata Motors started this by

importing clutches. We with our UK based collaborator, part of Dana Corporation, indigenised the clutch in 200102. And subsequently what Tata was importing, we started manufacturing in India. In 200506 Dena decided to divest their UK subsidiary. We bought that company. So as such we do not have a technical collaboration, but we have an R&D centre in UK

and an equally strong R&D centre in India.

The Indian commercial vehicles segment saw a gloomy period recently, did that have an impact on your business?

As far the OEs are concerned, the demand is slowly picking up this year. As far as the aftermarket was concerned, the demand was always there. A clutch

typically has one life with the OE but at least four lives with the aftermarket. Clutch is something that is changed every two to three years, depending on the usage.

We have also developed clutches for the export market. That is also paying dividend for us.

Coming to clutches for the export market, are these different in any form with

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COVER REPORT regards to build and quality?

No, they are not. Each clutch is designed to suit a vehicle, not necessarily a vehicle manufacturer. It depends on the torque, engine etc. They may remain same for the same application, but in India most of the vehicle manufacturers do not have that big an engine going into 500 hp and 600hp. We have to design clutches for that.

What is the turnover your company has achieved?

We are looking at something around Rs 400 to Rs 500 crore this year. The major chunk of this revenue will come from the aftermarket. In our line of business the larger share of

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL - 2015 ACMA AUTOMECHANIKA

business must come from the aftermarket. OE could be around 30-35pc, exports around 10pc and the remaining 55pc from aftermarket. In the aftermarket we sell directly to consumers as well as through the distribution network of Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland.

What are you expectations from the Automechanika show and what is it that you are displaying here?

We are displaying our capabilities here and our new products. It is a place where we meet people.

Unlike last time there could be a lot of OE visitors. Most senior OE people do not have time to visit your factory so here it is

simpler to see your range. We also participate in the shows in Hanover and Frankfurt also. Today in India, in the OE segment, nine out of ten trucks are fitted with our clutch. We have around 85pc to 90 pc of the OE market.

How will you describe the Automechanika New Delhi show as compared to similar shows held abroad?

You cannot compare this show to the one in Germany. It has been around for a long, long time. But we are getting there, our shows are good, they are well organised.

How does the future look like when it comes to the clutch business?

The OE business which was there in 2011-12, which went down to below 30pc of that in terms of numbers, we can now expect growth to happen. The minute you have infrastructure, power, mines etc, the growth in commercial vehicles will be stupendous.

Basically this line is linked to GDP growth. We in India are looking forward to good GDP growth in the coming years. Then the future in commercial vehicle OE as well as aftermarket becomes good.

We are continuously expanding our capacities. We have a plant in the UK and the US which we use to service our customers there.

But again, overseas if we see an opportunity, we shall be open to it in terms of acquisition.

Pawan Sharma VP, Domestic Sales Elofic Industries Ltd Can you briefly take us through the Elofic journey in the last few years when it diversified from just being a filter manufacturer to engine oils and lubricants?

Our core business is filters and it will remain filters only. Filters and lubricants are complimentary to each other. That’s the demand from the trade. That is also the reason why we have slightly diversified. It is again a very big industry and we are looking at a small of chunk of business from lubes. We shall be consolidating in filters, maybe start in different segments altogether. We are already leaders in automotive filters. We have started two wheelers also. We got a very good response from this segment and got around five or six OE approvals. Suzuki Motorcycles is one of them. This is for air filters.

We have also tied up with Royal Enfield, DSK Motowheels, etc.

We are in talks with Yamaha, TVS and Mahindra and we hope to get approvals from them in the next six months.

As far as the aftermarket is concerned, we have got a very good response. The quality of our

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filters is better that some of the OE filters. For lubes, we have put up our own plant in Faridabad. The capacity is around 400KL. This can be enhanced in three shifts. Right now we are doing one shift and doing around 70 to 80 KL per month. We have introduced the latest grades of lubricants.

Besides, we have greases too.

We hope to introduce brake oil in times to come.

Recently we entered into industrial segment. That means we are now into earth moving construction segment. The dynamics of this particular industry is different from the automotive industry when it comes to filters.

We have invested around Rs 50 crore in putting up the machinery for making these filters. Quality of filters is very important when it comes to the industrial segment.

The customer here is very quality conscious. Initially we shall do the aftermarket and then we shall move to the OE segment. In the next one year we are targeting around Rs 50 to Rs 100 crore revenue from this segment alone.

In the filter business, how much of your revenues comes from the OEs and how much from the aftermarket?

Exports contribute around 30pc, OEM is 30 pc and the remaining 40pc is aftermarket. This ratio will not change and will remain more or less the same in the next few years. We want to balance it out so that recession does not hit us.

Industrial segment business we shall consolidate in the next few years. Then we hope to add more segments to it like water filtration etc. We want to move ahead in the filter business while lubes will be an additional business for us.

We have around 1000 distributors across the country and 20,000 dealers to cater to this trade we have added lubes and coolants.

In the times to come we shall be consolidating ourselves as a global leader.

Can you elaborate on your lubes business?

We get all base oils and additives from leading players. We then do the blending in-house. Then we sell this in our own brand. We are leveraging our brand. The fact that we are selling around 80kl per month, it means we are very well accepted.

AUTO COMPONENTS SPECIAL - 2015 ACMA AUTOMECHANIKA Which regions are the best markets for your products?

If you look at the auto components industry, primary the West and the North contribute the maximum.

East and the South put together contribute around 35pc of the business in India.

What are your views on the trade shows like the ACMA Automechanika? Is it good for the industry?

I feel that it is good for the industry. My opinion is that in the times to come this exhibition will be more of a business show as

compared to the ACMA stand alone show during the Auto Expo. During the Auto Expo, because of the glamour attached to it due to the bikes and cars, the components show takes a back seat. Last year when they separated the components show and the vehicle show (Auto Expo 2014) and put them in two different venues, it was good. It was then very business-like for us, rather than a leisure kind of show that happens at the Auto show. In fact, we have given a feedback to both CII and ACMA, not to merge these two shows again.

The auto components show and

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the vehicles show should be kept separate at two different venues.

What is your take on the number of days that this show needs to be held?

Ideally it should be four or five days, nothing beyond that.

Automechanika is four days and it is fair enough. One day here or there will be just fair.

How do you describe the importance of foreign participation at such shows?

That is very good because it’s a very good platform for those especially who are not able to go

out. A small manufacturer can show their strength and they can attract foreign customers. It is a very good platform and everybody can show the products they have.

Elofic as a brand has grown big time and now the ‘Elofic’ name is splashed on taxis, hoardings, etc. What are you trying to convey or achieve?

As far as diversification is concerned, it’s a “No”. As far as global is concerned, “yes”.

Globally, we may think about getting into a joint venture or an acquisition. We want to be a global leader.

DHARMESH ARORA, President & CEO, President Automotive, Schaeffler India DR ROBERT FELGER , Senior VP Product & Marketing, Business Division Automotive Aftermarket, Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket, Germany MICHAEL SODING, President, Business Division Automotive Aftermarket, Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket, Germany Can you give us a brief overview of the Shaeffler group?

DHARMESH ARORA (DA): In India, we have a business of over Rs 3000 crore of which 50pc is Automotive and 50pc is Industrial.

Both of them are growing fairly well. Maybe Automotive is growing a tad faster than the Industrial business. Over a period of time, maybe this is skewed in favour of Automotive. Within Automotive, the Aftermarket contributes around 20 pc of our business, the remaining 80pc comes from OEM business.

In the Aftermarket, what are your offerings in the country?

DR ROBERT FELGER (RF): We offer all the range we have in the OE, also in the Aftermarket which includes engine components and also wheel bearings of all shapes and sizes.

With more of electronics getting into vehicles, is it becoming more challenging to address the aftermarket needs?

(L-R) Michael Soding, Dharmesh Arora and Dr Robert Felger

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COVER REPORT MICHAEL SODING (MS): Absolutely, that is why next to the products we bring to the market we always think as to what it takes for the workshop to do a professional job so that the end user can get things rectified in the first visit. Next to the products, we have all the training and the tools and all the data that needs to make the repair. For example, a clutch repair takes six to eight hours, so you can imagine how much skill the person in the workshop needs to really make a decent repair. One can visit our web expert online and also information on the tools to carry out the right repairs. We also need to take a close look at the logistics that is involved. With the number of models of cars, for example, increasing, the forecast for a particular product in the aftermarket is getting to be more difficult.

We need to maintain a strong link with our distributors when it comes to meeting this demand for an aftermarket product. Also there is a need for a very intelligent forecasting system to be developed for meeting future demand of products.

Can you throw some light on the different exercises you do in the Aftermarket to keep it robust?

RF: Technology is getting ever more complex. Yes, educating the workshop people is a key factor to get to good quality maintenance, and good quality service. For a global player like us it is mandatory that we train and reach out to mechanics in workshops.

We do factory visits to show how quality product is produced. We do specific trainings. We also do medical camps for mechanics. We will launch a web expert model that allows an individual to see fitting instructions online at the point of service and at the moment of service.

Are mindsets changing in India when it comes to Aftermarket

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repairs and services? Is that wayside mechanic still a great force to reckon with?

DA: Until a few years ago even a Maruti 800 was driven maybe by a chauffeur and the owner sat behind in the small little car.

Things are changing and people now love driving their cars. As this is happening, their expectation, as to who touches their precious investment is also changing. I increasingly feel that the owners will be making the decision as to where the cars will need to be serviced. They would rather go to the organised sector rather than having someone in the street fixing it. Nevertheless, we have a great presence in the marketplace and we work with people on the street

latest models. A couple of years later that technology needs better skills in the aftermarket. The need for upgrading your competences is the very same in any given market. By the way, whenever there is a new technology, the independent workshop is somewhat hesitant to touch it unless he is skilled and trained to understand it.

because we have the education programmes, competency development programmes, but we see that shift happening in the coming years in the country.

example, like Frankfurt. But the fact there is a show on its own, dedicated for the needs of the Automotive Aftermarket, already is a strong signal of how much this market has grown. Ten years ago, we were a sub set of an auto show with a back door entrance for the aftermarket people inside the supplier arena. Now we have an Aftermarket show and the size of the show has doubled. The awareness and attractiveness for our customer are growing strongly.

This year we are doing a technical training for workshop people during the weekend. We have to see how many technicians and workshop owners we are going to attract. This is going to be a new

What about the unorganised sector, is this sector upgrading their skills?

MS: It is mandatory because the cars you are driving are getting more and more complex. There is no simple approach to a simple repair in a complex car. Thus, you need to have a basic requirement, and it may be a surprise for you because there the Indian market is no different to any other global market. Together with the OEs, we bring the latest technology into the

Coming to the 2015 ACMA Automechanika, do you feel that it’s getting better in terms of business enquiries, crowd participation, etc?

RF: Obviously the target group we have in mind here is somewhat different than the target group we have in mind in a place, for

activity for us.

With a new government in place in India, do you see the Indian auto industry growing rapidly?

DA: There are no two views about that. In the long terms this market will grow. All the indicators that are required for the auto industry to grow, exists in India. You talk of demographics, you talk about increasing GDP, the growing middle class, and the growing aspirations of the people in India, all these indicate a positive growth. The basic ingredients are in place. You can argue why the last two years were not good. But with the new government coming in, the sentiments have been put in the right place. The year 2014 was all about having the right sentiments, putting the right vision in place, but 2015 will be crucial. We expect that the industry will come back, what we are getting to know from the OEMs is that the second quarter will be better growth.

Personally for us we have been using the time to build our competencies, ensuring that we continue to expand our portfolio so that we are in place to offer the complete range when the market gets better. Last year Shaeffler India grew by 17 to 18pc and that was primarily because we increased our product lines.

Are your product lines available in India too, or is India still has a long way to go when it comes to having hi-tech products for their cars?

MS: There is a typical German answer which is a mixture of yes and no. If you look at automatic transmissions in the US which is 90pc of the market, we would not say that this trend would come to India. But when you talk of technology supporting fuel reduction, emissions reductions, NVH reductions, then India is in the middle of the global development. The mega trends are the same, the solutions to the market differ.

INDIA NEWS

Ford sets the ball rolling in Sanand with new plant Ford Motor Company is betting big in India and has on March 26, 2015 inaugurated an integrated manufacturing facility including a state-of-the-art vehicle manufacturing facility and a worldclass engine plant in Sanand, Gujarat. The Ford Figo Aspire, a new sub-four-metre compact sedan, will be the first car to rollout from the new plant.

Present at the inaugural function were Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Saurabhbhai Patel, Minister of Finance and Vijaybhai Rupani, Minister of Transport along with senior officials from the government of Gujarat. Ford Motor Company president and CEO Mark Fields was also present at the function in Gujarat.

“With today’s opening of our

Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat with senior officials of Ford plant in Sanand, we have taken our growth commitment to a new high in India,” said Fields, adding that “We are doubling our manufacturing capacity in India, creating good jobs and serving our

customers around the world with great products.”

Since the ground breaking ceremony in September 2011, Ford has invested over US$1 billion ( 6264 crore approx.) in

the two facilities in Sanand, which, spread over 460 acres, include stamping, body, paint and assembly operations for vehicle manufacturing, as well as machining and assembly operations for engine manufacturing.

The vehicle manufacturing plant in Sanand will have an initial installed annual capacity of 240,000 units, while the engine plant will have an initial installed annual capacity of 270,000 engines. Ford’s Sanand plant will launch with single shift operations supported by approximately 2500 employees.

The plant also will generate employment of more than 7500 across tier I suppliers and the rest of the value chain, said a press note from Ford.

Honda 2Wheelers plans 6.4 million capacity by 2016

Honda Cars to invest 380 cr for Tapakura plant expansion

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd., the 100pc subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Japan has announced that it will expand the annual production capacity of its 3rd twowheeler production File Photo plant located at Narsapura area in the southern state of Karnataka near Bengaluru. It started operations in June 2013 with an annual production capacity of 1.8 million units.

The company will be additionally investing approximately 580 crore (5.8 billion) and build a new production line within the existing plant site.

The new production line will add 600,000 units and increase the total annual production capacity of Honda’s 3rd plant at Narsapura to 2.4 million units before the end of 2016.

Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) will be investing 380 crore in its Tapukara plant in Alwar district, Rajasthan to expand the annual production capacity of the plant from the current 1,20,000 units per annum to 1,80,000 units per annum. The additional capacity is scheduled to be ready by middle of 2016. This capacity expansion will generate a fresh employment of about 600 people in Tapukara plant.

Post expansion of the 2nd plant, HCIL’s overall annual production capacity will increase from the current 240,000 units to 300,000 units including the 120,000-unit capacity of the 1st plant in Greater Noida.

HCIL has two manufacturing facilities at Greater Noida and Tapukara in Rajasthan. The company’s product range includes Honda File Photo Brio, Honda Amaze,

Combined with the additional capacity of upcoming 4th plant in Vithalapur, Gujarat which is scheduled to become operational in the first half of 2016, this expansion will increase HMSI’s overall annual production capacity to 6.4 million units.

The list of models produced by HMSI currently includes Activa, Activa i, Aviator, Activa 125, Dio, (all scooters) Dream Neo, Dream Yuga, CD110, CB Twister, CBF Stunner, CB Shine, CB Unicorn, CB Unicorn 160, CB Trigger, CBR150R and CBR250R (all motorcycles).

Honda Mobilio, Honda City and Honda CR-V. The company has witnessed a 44pc growth in its domestic sales during April 2014 – Feb 2015 with 166,366 units as against 115,913 units in the corresponding period in FY 2013 -14. Honda has been introducing all-new models such as Amaze, 4th Generation City and Mobilio in India and maintaining strong sales.

HCIL’s 2nd car manufacturing plant, located in Tapukara started assembly operations in February 2014, with annual production capacity of 120,000 units.

April 2015 I 69

INDIA NEWS Ministry against ban on 15 years AB Volvo divests 12.7 lakh old motor cars shares (4.7pc) of Eicher Motors Owners of old cars in Delhi and elsewhere can now heave a sigh of relief as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has not endorsed the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order of banning more than 15 years old vehicles.

The Ministry examined the order and felt that the certificate of fitness of vehicle, as per section 56 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, should be implemented with regular checks. This will not only reduce the pollution but also improve the road safety scenario.

This information was given by Minister of State for Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Pon Radhakrishnan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on March 12, 2015.

At present, the Ministry does not propose to mandate age limit of private vehicles because this is a short cut approach and fitness testing of the vehicles will prove whether the vehicles has reached its end of life or not, he stated.

However, Sub-rule 1- 4 of Rule 88 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (CMVRs) provides that, no national permit shall be granted in respect of goods carriage, other than multi axle vehicle, which is more than 12 years old; for multi axle goods carriage vehicle which is more than 15 years old and in respect of multi axle trailer approved to carry Gross Vehicle Weight of more than 50 tons which is more than 25 years old.

Further, Rule 82 of CMVRs also provides that tourist permit shall be deemed to be invalid from the date on which the motor vehicle covered by the permit completes 9 years in the case of motor cabs and 8 years where the motor vehicle is other than a motor cab, unless the motor vehicle is replaced. Section 41(7) of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 provides that the certificate of registration in respect of motor vehicle other than transport vehicle shall be valid for a period of 15 years.

AB Volvo has divested 12.7 lakh shares, representing approximately 4.7pc of Eicher Motors Limited’s equity capital.

According to a company release, this divestment will have no bearing whatsoever on Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles (VECV), which will continue to be governed as an equal partnership venture. AB Volvo has a shareholding of around 45.6pc in VECV. It may be recalled that in May 2008 AB Volvo and Eicher Motors Limited (EML) entered into a Joint Venture agreement to create VECV with the intent to drive modernisation in the commercial vehicle industry in India and the developing world.

As a part of the transaction, in addition to acquiring 45.6pc of the shareholding of VECV, AB Volvo had also acquired 22.75 lakh shares of EML representing 8.4pc of equity capital of the company. AB Volvo has now divested 12.7 lakh shares,

representing approximately 4.7pc of Eicher Motors Limited’s equity capital. The Eicher statement said that this divestment will have no bearing whatsoever on VECV, which will continue to be governed as an equal partnership venture. The shareholding pattern and governance framework of VECV remains unchanged.

Both partners- Eicher Motors Limited and AB Volvo are equally committed to grow the business together. Since inception, VECV has made many strategic investments. The more significant of these investments are: • Pro series, a modern range of Eicher trucks and buses that both partners strongly believe represents the future of commercial vehicles in India • Medium duty engine facility, i.e.

Volvo group’s supplier of Euro 6 medium duty engines • Creation of highly capable and optimal industrial set up including bus body facility

Ashok Minda Group companies bag slew of quality awards The Ashok Minda Group companies have in the recent past bagged several prestigious quality awards from their different customers that include the likes of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, Bajaj Auto Ltd, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, India Yamaha and Tata Motors.

The key strategy followed

by Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group since their inception has been ‘Quality is the Best Business Plan’. The company is a leading manufacturer of Automotive Safety & Security Systems, Driver Information & Telematics Systems, and Interior Systems with a specially dedicated Aftermarket wing. The Group caters to the needs of all major car, motorcycle, commercial vehicles, tractor and off-road vehicle manufacturers in India and overseas.

70 I April 2015

Currently operational from 32 plants located in India, Germany, Poland, Indonesia, Vietnam and Uzbekistan with offices in Japan and Russia, the Group has several JVs with leading companies from USA, Japan, France, Italy, and Uzbekistan.

The USP of their products lies in low-cost manufacturing at global quality levels, appropriate in-house design and engineering using state of the art innovative technologies.

Being manufacturers of a vast gamut of automotive components, quality at Spark is achieved through continuous improvements and performance excellence to ensure the high standards of products, services, processes and technology offered to their customers.

Quality assuring activities start from supplier’s quality system development to receipt of final products by the customers.

To ensure Ashok Minda receiving the ‘Best Supplier Award’ from Dr. Pawan Goenka of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. these, the company has dedicated suppliers improvement testing to maintain consistent cells, sample inspection cells and product quality.

Incoming inspection facilities.

Quality is accorded high priority Calibration activities, in process to ensure market competitiveness inspection and pre-dispatch and to enable supply of cost quality audit are supported by effective products to the Quality Planning Activities. customers. Post production, each International level laboratories product goes through stringent are installed to validate new quality checks with the help of products, undertake life testing of hi-tech machines that ensures products and periodic endurance quality-finished products.

INDIA NEWS

Hero MotoCorp, Magnet Marelli JV new centre HMC-MM Auto Ltd., the joint venture company formed between Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HMCL) and Milan (Italy)-headquartered Magneti Marelli (MM), has inaugurated its first autonomous ‘Production and Development Centre’ at Manesar in the north Indian state of Haryana.

The new centre will serve as a production facility and innovation hub to develop new-generation fuelling systems for HMCL twowheelers. HMCL holds majority stake of 60 per cent in HMC-MM Auto Ltd while Magneti Marelli holds the rest 40 pc.

HMC-MM Auto Ltd will help build Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) systems which will offer distinct advantages to the engines used in Hero’s two-wheelers such as adaptability to different working climates, altitudes, improved performance and fuel efficiency, environmental regulations and gasoline blends.

Additional functionality such as immobilisers, traction and slip control, multi map, flexi fuel and

multi fuel management etc. will also be available with the above technology.

With this new centre, HMCL has become India’s first twowheeler manufacturer to have its own EFI Product-line. The joint venture company was formed in in December 2013.

Pawan Munjal, Vice-Chairman, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Hero MotoCorp Ltd. and Eugenio Razelli, Chief Executive Officer, Magneti Marelli, inaugurated the centre at a ceremony attended by several dignitaries including senior company officials, key research & development executives and other associates.

Munjal, said, “India is a growing participant in the global value chain, and is a place where companies can design, develop and manufacture innovative products efficiently. Hero’s vision is to be a part of this global value chain. We have crafted an exciting vision - to use electronics in order to achieve

Pawan Munjal, Vice-Chairman, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Hero MotoCorp Ltd. with Eugenio Razelli, Chief Executive Officer, Magneti Marelli better engine performances, reduced energy consumption and control emissions. I am confident that this company will set a new technological paradigm. One of our core objectives is to position ourselves as a technologically driven, forward looking company, and we will continue to push the envelope in terms of skill, scale, leadership and best practices.”

Eugenio Razelli, said, “For Magneti Marelli the partnership with Hero in India is crucial: together we have the possibility

of bringing a technical revolution in one of the most important two-wheelers market in the world, aiming at a better mobility, great market results and matching innovation, quality and affordability.

I trust this partnership will be an example of perfect cooperation for technical and mobility evolution.

For Magneti Marelli this is also an opportunity to celebrate the birth of the 10th industrial plant related to our activities in India: we are proud of the path we did so far in this Great Country.”

Shiroki Corp Japan acquires majority stake in Technico JV

Safexpress launches logistics facility in Jammu

Shiroki Corporation (an affiliate of Toyota Motor Corp), one of the leading global players for interior and exterior components for automobiles, has taken a 51pc equity stake in a new joint venture company with Technico named Shiroki Technico India Private Limited.According to a press note, the Japanese company had a presence in India by way of holding minority stake in Technico Industries Limited (Technico), a Haryana based Indian auto component player engaged into manufacturing of window regulators, seat sliders, hinges and other auto components. Shiroki Corporation and Technico agreed to split the current business into two parts – (a) hinges and sheet

Safexpress has inaugurated a new logistics park in Jammu.

This logistics facility covers an area of 80,000 sq. ft. and is strategically located on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway 1A. Rubal Jain, Director-Corporate Strategy, Safexpress, said, “Jammu is a very important city of the northern part of the country, owing to its predominantly agrarian economy Jammu has a number of small industries and food-grain mills. In order to contribute to the region Safexpress has developed a world-class Logistics Park at Jammu.”

This new facility will serve as a trans-shipment hub and a

metal components where Shiroki has exited and (b) window regulator and seat business which is now under a JV “Shiroki Technico India Private Limited”. While Shiroki has a 51pc stake in this new JV, the remaining 49 pc remains with Technico. An investment outlay of 150 crore has been earmarked over the next two years. Arun Gupta, Managing Director, Technico Industries Limited commented on this development and said, “We are Tier I to major OEMs, the new technology being introduced by Shiroki will help us achieve tremendous growth through new products for our customers. It will also help satisfy and cater quickly to the growing demand from other OEMs.”

warehousing facility in order to bridge the gap in infrastructure and cater to the logistic services required in the region. The company has made a significant investment for the construction of this new facility in a bid to aid the economic development of the region.

The new Safexpress facility in Jammu has a column-less span of over 100 ft. and enables loading and unloading of over 26 vehicles simultaneously. The Logistics Park has a floor load capacity of 6 metric tons per sq. meter and a truck docking area width of over 40 ft. The new facility will be operational 24x7, 365 days a year to provide timedefinite deliveries.

April 2015 I 71

INDIA NEWS

Volvo Auto India to launch XC90 in 2015 Q3, V40 in Q2 Volvo Auto India is planning to get aggressive in the Indian luxury car market. The company is planning a slew of launches for the year 2015.

In the second quarter of this year, the company intends to launch two variants of the V40. One would be a new model, the V40 diesel (sub 30 Lakh) and a new variant, the V40 cross country petrol (sub 30 lakh). It would also be launching the S60 T6 in the second quarter. In the third quarter of the year, the company will launch the all-new XC90 priced competitively in the segment VAI plan to sell 2,000 cars in 2015 as against 1,200 sold last year. They currently markets products through its dealerships in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Ahmedabad, Surat, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi, Vishakhapatnam and Pune. Soon the cars will be seen in West Delhi and Kolkata with a new dealership opening.

The dealership network will be

Volvo V40

72 I April 2015

increased from 14 to 20 by end of this year.

Volvo Cars had unveiled its all-new Volvo XC90 in 2014.

It is a premium quality seven-seat SUV with world leading safety features, new powertrain technologies, an unrivalled combination of power and fuel efficiency and a superlative interior finish.

In fact the car took three years in the making and Volvo XC90 was part of a US $11bn investment programme. The new XC90 was the first of its cars to carry the company’s new more prominent iron mark, which has the iconic arrow elegantly aligned with the diagonal slash across the grille.

Together with the T-shaped “Thor’s

Hammer” DRL lights, the iron mark introduces an entirely new, distinctive and confident face for Volvo’s forthcoming generation of cars.

The XC90’s larger bonnet with its new topography, the beltline and the sharpened shoulders

connecting with the tattoo-like, new rear lights are other important design signatures that will be mirrored across the range.

To add more visual muscle from the sides, the XC90 comes with a range of wheel sizes up to 22 inches.

INDIA NEWS

Mahindra First Choice Wheels raises $15 million from US investor Mahindra First Choice Wheels Ltd. (MFCWL), a leading multi-brand used vehicle company, has signed a definitive agreement to raise $15 million ( 94 crore approx.) from San Francisco based investment advisor firm, Valiant Capital for a minority stake in the company.

This is the second round of external private equity raised by MFCWL, with the first one in 2008 from Delhi based Phi Capital, who continues to be an investor in the company. According to a press release, the capital will be used to fund its growth plans over the next few years. The company will utilise the funds to accelerate its growth both of the physical network as well as adoption of its technology enabled products and services used by all stakeholders in the industry – NBFCs, Banks, OEMs, Dealers and Consumers.

Founded by Anand Mahindra, MFCWL’s mission is to “organise” every facet of the used car industry and most important of all provide the used car consumer with a choice of certified preowned vehicles and a purchase experience that mimics the new car buying experience.

“MFCWL is yet another example of innovation and

entrepreneurship within the Group, where new business models are being explored and implemented with persistence. It is exciting to see marquee investors attracted to MFCWL and participating in its growth story where much is yet to come!” said Mahindra who L-R: Rajeev Dubey, President (Group HR, Corporate Services & After-Market) & is Chairman & Managing Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Dr. Nagendra Director, Mahindra & Palle, CEO & MD, Mahindra First Choice Wheels Ltd. & Anand Mahindra, Chairman Mahindra and also the & MD, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. & Chairman, Mahindra First Choice Wheels Ltd. Chairman of Mahindra First Choice Wheels.

We will continue to invest in the said Dr. Nagendra Palle, CEO & MFCWL used car business overall growth of the hybrid model Managing Director of MFCWL. bridges the consumer experience in the years to come”.To enable He added, “We have had a very online and on the ground. With the the hybrid used car ecosystem, successful partnership with Phi physical presence critical to the MFCWL has launched several Capital over the years and we used car business, the company technology enabled products welcome Valiant Capital as a has invested aggressively and services to address the key new partner to support us in our to provide consumers with drivers of trust deficit in a used endeavour to become a world a consistent omni channel car transaction namely – vehicle class used car company.” experience. Commenting on this condition, paperwork, pricing MFCWL is planning to end strategy, Rajeev Dubey, President and experience. “Consumers this fiscal year (2015) with 500 (Group HR, Corporate Services are looking for more tools and franchise outlets and grow to and After-Market) & Member insight related to used vehicles.

1,800+ outlets in the next 5 years. of the Group Executive Board, We are leveraging our deep In addition, it plans to use the Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, wholesale and retail experience funds to broaden its reach for “We believe the “brick + click” on the ground to launch a slew its products and services across ecosystem is very powerful of technology enabled products other used vehicle categories. In in the used car business and that will materially increase the Fiscal Year Ending 2015, MFCWL over the years we have seen confidence with which they used vehicle volumes sold will our consumers and dealers can transact on used vehicles be 140,000 between its retail and appreciate this value proposition.

– whether buying or selling”, wholesale.

Federal-Mogul Powertrain, Anand Group India form 2 JVs

Anand India and Federal-Mogul Powertrain, a division of FederalMogul Holdings Corporation have announced that they have entered into an agreement to convert the Sealing and Piston Ring businesses of Anand into joint venture operations. According to a press release, the new joint ventures will be known as Federal-Mogul Anand Sealings India Limited and Anand I-Power Limited. In 1978, the companies began the joint operation of an engine bearings manufacturing facility in Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh, India known as Federal-

Mogul Bearings India Limited.

“We have had a long-standing strategic partnership with Anand India for several decades. The symbiotic relationship has helped to establish us as a leading supplier of bearings in India. This expansion into sealing products will further strengthen our position as a leading supplier of engine components in India, which is a key and growing market for us,” said Andreas Kolf, Vice President and Managing Director for FederalMogul Powertrain, India. Identical to the already existing bearing joint venture, Federal-Mogul Powertrain

will hold a 51 percent stake of the new sealing joint venture; Anand, along with smaller shareholders, will own 49pc of the operation.

This sealing joint venture will be known as Federal-Mogul Anand Sealings India Limited (gasket business). Meanwhile, Anand will hold more than a majority stake in the piston ring joint venture, Anand I-Power Limited. “This agreement will create a platform for the businesses to compete both locally and globally, and increase market share going forward,” said Mahendra K Goyal, Anand’s Group President – Aftermarket and

Business Group III. Anjali Singh, Chairperson of Anand Supervisory Board, said, “With Federal-Mogul Powertrain being a global leader in the engine parts business, this partnership will help the three joint ventures offer state-of-the art technology and best practices to all automotive and industrial engine OEMs in India. The main aim of this strengthened JV partnership between FederalMogul and Anand is to help attain leadership positions for these three businesses in their respective product lines and improve its value offering to all of its stakeholders.”

April 2015 I 73

CV NEWS Isuzu D-Max vehicles for Gati Kausar

BharatBenz trucks cross 20,000 units sales mark in India

Pick up vehicle manufacturer Isuzu Motors India Private Limited has delivered four new Isuzu D-Max vehicles to India’s logistics giant, Gati Kausar (a cold chain arm of Gati Limited). Takashi Miyachi, VP, Sales & Marketing handed over three D-Max Single Cab and one Space Cab vehicles to Sanjeev Jain, Director - Finance, Gati Limited, at the vehicle delivery ceremony held in Hyderabad.

The D-Max has been gaining solid traction in the refeer segment, thanks to the in-built features that extensively supports the need of the application.

Commenting at the key handover occasion, Miyachi said, “We are extremely happy to be associated with Gati Kausar with our D-Max range of vehicles. The product, as such is versatile and adding the Isuzu D-Max to their existing fleet of refeer trucks will add strength to their fleet and also support Gati Kausar’s customer commitment. We are happy that

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (DICV), a 100pc wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG, Stuttgart, Germany, has announced that sales for BharatBenz trucks have surpassed 20,000 units since its market launch in September 2012. Sales of BharatBenz trucks registered a growth of 72pc in the first two months of 2015 as compared to same period last year. These trucks are in the 9 tonnes to 49 tonnes range.

Erich Nesselhauf, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), said, “This Sales Milestone of 20,000 BharatBenz trucks shows that even under difficult market conditions of the Indian Truck industry, we are fully on track.

Our trucks are well perceived

the Indian cold-chain logistics segment is realising the Isuzu D-Max’s superior potential in fulfilling their commitment to their customers.” Jain said, “We are significantly increasing our network footprint in India. As we consolidate our fleet, we are also looking at introducing modern and premium Pick-Up trucks into the fleet for enhanced productivity.

Isuzu D-Max fulfils the need for higher productivity with enhanced reliability and features that make it ready for adaption to the needs of the Cold Chain industry.”

The Isuzu D-Max is powered by a 2499cc, 4-cylinder intercooled turbocharged diesel engine, mated to an efficient 5-speed manual transmission. It has a heavyduty chassis, a large cargo bed to accommodate a refrigerated container and its body structure is made from high-tensile steel.

by the Indian customers and subsequent orders are evidence of the confidence our customers”.

Sreeram V, Vice President Domestic Sales, Product Management & Network, DICV, said “BharatBenz is gaining momentum in the Indian market.

20,000 trucks is an important milestone for us and we are already among the top three in the Heavy Duty segment This reflects that our robust product portfolio offers the lowest Totalcost- of -ownership for the Indian customer, better fuel advantage, efficiency and performance.”

DICV now has 81dealership that cover 85pc of the Indian market. The BharatBenz dealerships have a 24x7 enabled workshop.

Scania India bags mega order for 200 tippers Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt Ltd set a another industry record by receiving an order for 200 P 140 (8x4) tippers from India’s leading mining company, BGR Mining and Infra Private Limited, Hyderabad. The tippers will be delivered in the month of April, 2015.

In a press release, Anders Grundströmer, Managing Director, Scania India and Senior Vice President, Scania Group said, “Winning this order is a testimony that our products are industry best.

I am very glad that our association with BGR is strengthening and this is a positive step. BGR are truly convinced that our tippers are outstanding in performance in toughest terrain conditions and this very performance has

74 I April 2015

materialised into a new order for 200 P 410 tippers. Scania offers unmatched aftermarket services, customer solutions and support, which is very crucial in the mining industry. The P 410 tipper is built to deliver supreme performance in most tested conditions and the product is superior in fuel efficiency and vehicle uptime contributing to outstanding Total Operating Economy.”

B.Umapathi Reddy, Managing Director, BGR Mining and Infra Private Limited added, “Scania P410 Tippers offer excellent performance, we are extremely satisfied with the Tippers. Ever since we have employed these tippers in our mining fields, we have observed visible increase in operation performance and

efficiency. Our special mention goes to the dedicated aftermarket service of Scania.”

Sivakumar, Director, Sales, Scania India, added, “Our association with BGR mining is very important to us and we are so glad that the relationship is further strengthened through this order. The Scania Mining fleet

size of BGR Mining and Infra has reached 246 units in less than a year. Our dedicated service, excellent aftermarket support and outstanding product performance has catalysed this repeat order from BGR. We are confident that our market share in the premium mining segment will gain momentum rapidly this year.”

CV NEWS

Tata Motors launches Tata Prima in UAE, Oman

Commercial vehicle manufacturer Tata Motors has launched a range of next-generation Tata Prima heavy commercial vehicles in UAE and Oman. In the UAE, Tata Motors launched two variants in Dubai with dealer-partners United Diesel and in Abu Dhabi with Dalma Motors. In Oman, Tata Motors launched three variants with partners Al Hasher & Company.

According to a press release, Tata Motors launched the Prima 4438.S (4X2) tractor head and Prima 4038.K (6X4) Construction tipper in the UAE. In Oman the Prima, will be available as a Prime mover, Rigid Tipper and Tanker in the 4x2 and 6x4 configuration, with the Prima 4438.S and the Prima 4038.K, catering to fleet owners, goods transportation, construction and waste management companies.

The Tata Prima with its power, sustainable speed, safety and reliability, bestin-class, aggregates, cabin features and comfort, was uncompromisingly designed for long-distance/ hours of transportation.

Being developed with Tata Motors’

subsidiary – Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicles (TDCV), Tata Motors conceived the Tata Prima range, setting new benchmarks in performance and design of a nextgeneration commercial vehicle, based on superior technology, optimum power, fuel efficiency and safety. Built with technical inputs from across the world,

the Tata Prima is based on an Italian cab design, engine technology from the US and Europe, gearbox expertise from Germany, chassis frame knowhow from Mexico, sheet metal dies from Japan and Korea, combining Swedish precision on a robotic weld line, hence is also referred to as the ‘World

truck’ by Tata Motors.

Commenting on the occasion, Ravindra Pisharody, Executive Director, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors, said, “The launch of the Tata Prima brand in Oman and the UAE, is an important milestone in Tata Motors’ continued expansion in the GCC region. A new nextgeneration range of commercial vehicles by Tata Motors, the Tata Prima brand is shaped by technology, know-how and expertise from across the globe.

The range that has been launched in both the markets is worldclass in every sense, giving our customers competitive business advantages, with the trusted credentials of the Tata Motors brand.”

New SuperAce Mint launched by Tata Motors On March 3, 2015 Tata Motors launched their new small pick-up, the SuperAce Mint. The SuperAce Mint was launched at a starting price of 5.09 Lakh (ex-showroom Thane) will be available in four colours - Blazing Red, Castle Grey, Arctic White and Meteor

Silver.

The Ace family of mini trucks

by Tata is used for last mile delivery of cargo. These trucks are known to be safer, robust and economical. These vehicles are available at an affordable price and offers low cost of ownership.

Tata Motors plans to grow its share in this segment. Ravi Pisharody, Executive Director, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd., said,

“Tata Motors has created new vehicle categories through the Ace family and by an understanding of what Indian consumers want. The SuperAce Mint will deliver bestin-class combination of power, mileage and load capacities as well as delivering superior margins in shorter turnaround time.”

Powering the SuperAce Mint is a 1.4 Litre DiCOR (common rail) BS4 engine. Tata claims the vehicle engine delivers a flat torque over a wide range of engine rpm (1800 - 3000 rpm) which will enhance the vehicle’s pickup in all gears. The cabin has been manufactured keeping driver ergonomics at the centre of

the design. The Super Ace Mint has power steering as standard and blower. It also has body colored bumpers and wheel caps.

The driver’s and co-driver’s seats are adjustable and the vehicle also has an HVAC option.

The SuperAce Mint has 3-point retractable seat belts and side impact beams for protection from collisions. The vehicle has a top speed of 125kmph and a mileage of 17.9kmpl. The company has over 1600 service points and on an average a workshop is present at every 62 km interval. The new SuperAce Mint is available with a warranty of 1 year or 50,000 Km (whichever is earlier).

April 2015 I 75

GLOBAL NEWS Audi plant uses robots to move cars Audi cars are safe, smart and technologically advanced. Now their plants too are getting savvy.

After the news of a human-robot cooperation at an Audi plant and very recently testing of chairless chairs at an Audi plant, comes the news of robots transporting Audi vehicles at a plant.

In a pilot phase at the Audi plant in Ingolstadt in Germany that started in February 2015, two robots independently transported cars from production to an interim storage area. From there, these driverless transport systems with the name “Ray” later placed the sorted Audi models into position according to their shipping destinations, so that logistics employees can load them onto railway wagons. Now that is a smart way of bringing about efficiency in the entire logistics

chain at the plant level!

Audi is testing systems for the intelligent factory of the future. Audi is now preparing the first industrial application.

The company is also examining additional areas of application for such robots.

“The autonomous transport of our automobiles could allow us to eliminate long walking distances for our employees and to improve the ergonomics of their work,” stated Prof. Dr. Hubert Waltl, Board of Management Member for Production at Audi AG, adding that “Systems like this also have the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of our processes.”

The idea for the robots with the name “Ray” came from the Bavarian company Serva Transport Systems and gained it a nomination for the German

Founder Award already in 2013.

Ray is freely movable and highly flexible. It consists of a frame six meters long and three meters wide which uses sensors to determine the position and dimensions of a car, and it then adjusts to it.

The robot then carefully grips the wheels and lifts the car up to ten centimeters.

Control software allocates a

space where Ray then parks the car. In this way, automobiles up to 5.3 meters long can be quickly moved and temporarily stored in a space-saving manner. As soon as a sufficient number of cars are available on the sorting level for a certain destination, the robot moves them into place for shipment, said a press statement from Audi.

Bosch CEO says connectivity makes cars more efficient Connecting vehicles to the internet makes them safer, more fun to drive, and reduces fuel consumption. Stating this Dr. Volkmar Denner, chairman of the Bosch board of management, noted that “Connectivity makes cars more efficient.” Dr. Denner was speaking at the 17th Technical Congress of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) in Filderstadt, Germany.

Pointing to the connected electronic horizon, Denver said that in the future, this Bosch technology will provide realtime information about mobile construction zones, traffic jams, and accidents. On this basis, further improvements to existing functions such as start-stop coasting will be possible. At the same time, it will enable a predictive operating strategy for

76 I April 2015

plug-in hybrids. Technologies such as this reduce CO2 emissions by up to ten percent or more. “These efficiency-enhancing measures should be recognised as ‘ecoinnovations’ by the EU,” Denner said.

“A connected car drives more proactively than any person” The reductions to consumption brought by start-stop coasting and an optimum operating strategy are most noticeable in real traffic conditions. In the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), however, they have no effect. “A connected car drives more proactively than any person,” Denner said.

Using up-to-date maps, cars can precisely calculate their remaining range in addition to the most efficient route. At the same time, intelligent connectivity increases the suitability of electrified vehicles for everyday use. “In only ten

years, more than 15 percent of new vehicles worldwide will be electrified,” Denner said. Of these, more than 13 million new vehicles will be able to run on electricity alone, at least in urban traffic. To further increase the electric range Dr. Volkmar Denner of hybrids and electric cars, Bosch is working on improving electronic battery per kilometer. This corresponds management. This can increase to just over four litres of fuel the electric range of a car by up to consumed per hundred kilometers. an additional 10 percent and give In 2013, new vehicles emitted an electromobility a further boost. average of 132.9 grams of CO2 Technically-sophisticated per kilometer. The EU recognises components make vehicles especially environmentally-friendly more economical and efficient, technologies as “eco-innovations.” allowing them to meet the strict Automakers can use these as CO2 targets set by the European CO2 credits to reduce their fleet Commission. European regulations consumption levels. The maximum stipulate that in 2021, new possible credit is 7 grams per vehicles will be allowed to emit an kilometre. This was stated in a average of only 95 grams of CO2 press release from Bosch.

interview

James R. Verrier

President and CEO, BorgWarner Inc.

Report: P.Tharyan, Photography: Mohd Nasir

What are your plans for India and how do you perceive the growth in this part of the world?

BorgWarner’s stated goal laid out in 2013 is for the company to become a US$ 15 billion enterprise by 2020. It implies doubling the company in seven years which is roughly a 10 pc growth rate. The way we plan to do that is to stay focused as a powertrain leader and a technology leading company which is focused on drivetrain and engine products and all products which we have or will have that all enable the auto makers to achieve fuel economy, emission standards and the driving performance they require. Where does India fit into that picture? Well in the last few years the company is spread out half in Europe and the other half split equally between the Americas and Asia. Over the next five years that will change. We will become 40 pc in Europe, 30 pc in Asia and 30 pc in the Americas.

What that tells you is that the growth is still there in Europe but is slowing down. That is because the vehicle growth is slow in Europe and we have a very high

saturation in all of our technology today. The two big growth sectors are Asia and the Americas. In Asia we are basically focused on China and India. We expect India to be a major contributor to that growth.

BorgWarner will be growing at the rate of 10 pc. I will expect the same for India as well. We will surely look for more investment in India. When I look at the growth we have in India, we will have to invest more in capital equipment and support the programmes we have been awarded. I think you will see continued investment around technical infrastructure capability. You will certainly see it on production equipment to support the growth and in terms of new buildings we will see how that plays over time but we will keep investing in India.

When you talked of saturation in the European market, saturation in what sense? Is it in terms of market growth or technology?

What I said earlier is that BorgWarner has always grown much faster than the market growth because of the adoption

BorgWarner Inc BorgWarner is a global product leader in powertrain solutions. The company focusses on developing leading powertrain technologies that improve fuel economy, emissions and performance. Its facilities are located across the globe to provide local support to its our diverse customer base.

The company operates in two groups: The Engine Group develops air management strategies and products to optimise engines for fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and enhanced performance. BorgWarner’s expertise includes engine timing systems, boosting systems, ignition systems, air and noise management, cooling and controls. The Drivetrain Group harnesses a legacy of more than 100 years as an industry innovator in transmission and all-wheel drive technology.

The group leverages this understanding of powertrain clutching technology to develop interactive control systems and strategies for all types of torque management. of our products. Europe has been part of that growth when we have had very strong growth.

What you see is that a lot of the adoption of our product is much more main stream in Europe. For example, all diesel passenger vehicles in Europe have turbo chargers on them.

Even the petrol vehicles have turbo chargers on them. If you contrast that on petrol turbo chargers for other parts of the world that penetration is very low. The reason is that the emissions and fuel economy standards in Europe are tighter.

A lot of our products have been adopted and applied to the products in Europe but it will be at a lower rate from what we have historically done, largely driven by a large amount of our products which have penetrated into that space to help them meet fuel economy and emission standards. The good news is that the technologies applied in Europe over the last few years for emissions and regulations is going to be the same technology being brought to India and China, so that is going to be a great

benefit to these countries.

What are the different kinds of new product development that BorgWarner is currently working on?

We constantly look to be inventing new products and technologies. The way we generally think about it is that BorgWarner has always had innovation and technology for the current products and we have to get them to the next level. Today we produce a lot of technology for transmissions, 6-speed, and 7-speed and now you probably know 9 and 10-speed transmissions. We have to develop and make sure we have that. Long ago there were engines with one turbo, then two and now three may be four who knows. There is always invention of new products to get to the next level. BorgWarner has always been looking for brand new products, so as an example in the last year or two we launched in the US market a product to work with transmissions used in stop/ start technology for automatic transmissions. We launched the

April 2015 I 77

interview stop / start accumulator. What it does is it helps the transmission function better for the driver when it goes into stop and start mode. That is an example of what we have not done before.

The other aspect of next gen products are products that we bring into the portfolio through acquisition as well. A very good example is the acquisition of Gustav Wahler GmbH. That brought products like thermostats which was a brand new product for BorgWarner. We will be making that here in India. There are multiple sources but the way to think of it is that it is all going to be around powertrain, things like thermal management products, valve train products, air management products, etc. So it is exciting and that is why we spend a lot of money on R&D and it is good for us.

How do you see India as an export hub of sorts feeding the European and North American markets?

From a BorgWarner perspective our strategy is to invest in the region, produce in the region and engineer products in the region where it is consumed. That’s our primary strategy, so we do very little of what I call export of finished goods. The real strategy for India as an example is, we want to be able to do engineering and manufacture of products to serve the local Indian markets.

We don’t do a lot of export of turbochargers or transmission products from India. I would never say we never do because there is always a small example. Where I see the opportunity in India is, we find component supply and support very strong in India.

In BorgWarner we buy a lot of

78 I April 2015

components from India that we use in Europe or North America and that will continue from a component supply point of view.

For example, we may source housings for turbochargers or similar type of components.

That is a strong element we will continue to use. One of the things which help us a lot is the strong team we have on ground in India and as those guys develop their local suppliers for India we also have the opportunity then to use that same tier II supplier to supply other parts of BorgWarner around the world.

You are also focusing a lot on R&D in the Indian context.

Do you see India becoming a

strategic hub for BorgWarner globally for any particular range of products or technologies?

As I mentioned earlier, a lot of what we are going to be launching in India over the next three years are derivatives of products existing in Europe. The base design is already established and in production in Europe.

What we are doing is building local application engineering

and designing, as well as testing and validation work here. They can take accountability and responsibility to do that locally with the customer. They can take a turbocharger in production in Europe and adopt and modify it, adjust it and fit it for a local Indian customer. Because they do that locally, they can also do it quickly and are very responsive and can do the tests. That is what I think the next few years look like. Would I see a possibility that we would do core research and development work in India at the time? I would say that is possible. I think that is the next step. The Indian team is busy with a lot of new products to launch, so we want to walk before we

run. But in the long haul, I think the engineering talent in India is outstanding and can be utilised.

Are you developing some new products for the diesel engine market from your turbocharger division in terms of below 1000cc engines which are coming in now?

We work with everything from 15 L and 18 L engines for big

trucks all the way down to the 660cc engines. What we see is a very strong trend of downsized engines is very much a theme and also boosting those engines.

We provide products to very small engines as well as large engines.

It is not just turbochargers, we make small engines for coolers and we provide timing drive products for 660cc engines in Japan. The customer and the OEM will decide what engine optimisation they want, whether they want to be at 660cc, 900cc or 1200cc. The customer specifies the capacity and we tell them how we can optimise the engine or transmission by showcasing products which can be applied.

You said India is important in the global context for BorgWarner.

What is going to be the strategy for your growth in India? Is it going to be organic or inorganic?

I think the majority of our growth will be organic. When I look at the products we have today in our portfolio we have a lot of really great stuff and that is going to drive the growth we need. As I said earlier we completed the acquisition of Gustav Wahler GmbH last year and that is an immediate benefit for India with some of those products applying here in India. I think it will be a mix of organic and some acquisition along the way. We have a lot of good products right now. A company has to bring in technology for us to acquire it. We are looking for technology. What is interesting is when I look at Wahler and other such acquisitions, they were privately owned by families in Europe and the reason why they sold to BorgWarner was that they were under pressure from their customers to go global.

TECHNOLOGY

Not a drop of water wasted with Bosch Jet Wiper How many times in the past can you think of your car wiper dong a shoddy work of its wiping? How many times have you seen the water being squirted everywhere else but your windscreen? All those were a result of bad wipers.

But the Bosch Jet Wiper is different, technically too as the spray nozzles are integrated in the wiper arm. As part of a Bosch system featuring a wiper drive and Aerotwin wiper blades, the innovative wiper arm will now be standard equipment in the new Volvo XC90. The Jet Wiper is far superior to conventional windshield wipers. The reason for this is its smart control, combined with spray nozzles integrated in the wiper arm. These nozzles distribute the washer fluid evenly, thus ensuring that the windshield is cleaned over the entire length of the wiper blade. “The Jet Wiper deploys the right amount of washer fluid, precisely where it is needed,” says Bernhard Straub, president of the Bosch Electrical Drives division. The benefits of this system are that drivers’ vision is not impaired by spray mist, and consumption of washer fluid is reduced by as much as 50 pc.

Not a drop of washer fluid is wasted when using the Bosch Jet Wiper. This is also due to the reversing wiper drive, also made

by Bosch. This drive alternates the rotation of the motor between the wiper arms’ two final positions – parked position and A-pillar.

Its integrated electronics means that it can detect the Jet Wiper’s position on the windshield at all times. To achieve the best cleaning effect, spraying is done only when the wiper arm is moving upward. In this way, the washer liquid is immediately picked up by the two Aerotwin wiper blades and distributed over the entire windshield. “The Bosch system thus provides optimum cleaning along the entire wiper blade,” Straub says. This also ensures a clear field of vision for a video sensor used for driver assistance systems, which is normally

positioned at the same height as the rear-view mirror.

BOSCH AEROTWIN: BEST WIPER BLADES IN THE MARKET Most importantly, the end result of cleaning with the Jet Wiper is independent of driving speed.

Conventional wiper systems spray the washer fluid from nozzle elements on the engine hood, and these elements are designed for a certain speed. As speed increases, the airflow diverts the spray, which means less washer fluid is sprayed on the area to be cleaned, resulting in a poor cleaning of the windshield. With the Jet Wiper, there is practically no effect from the airflow since the nozzle

elements are mounted directly along the wiper arm. And that’s not all: the spray nozzles are fitted with tiny valves that open when drivers activate the wind-shield-washing function and close as soon as spraying has finished. This means there are no subsequent drips, and the wiper blades only have to wipe once. In winter, the nozzles are heated, making them ready for use even in the worst of weather.

In opting for the Bosch Aerotwin, Volvo is also choosing what are currently the best wiper blades in the market. This was recently confirmed by a test carried out by ADAC, the German automobile club. Out of eight wiper blades tested, the joint-free Bosch Aerotwin was the only one to receive top marks. “The secret of our wiper blades is their twin technology,” Straub says.

At the cleaning lip, the rubber is harder, and thus hard-wearing. By contrast, the back of the Aerotwin is more flexible, facilitating the reverse movement of the blade when the wiper arm switches from downward to upward motion.

This means that the Aerotwin is practically silent in operation.

And if a wiper blade should show signs of wear and tear, it can be quickly, easily, and inexpensively replaced, thanks to the Jet Wiper’s sophisticated clip system.

Freescale steers auto industry closer to the first crash-less car Freescale Semiconductor has introduced the groundbreaking S32V vision microprocessor – the first automotive vision systemon-chip (SoC) with the requisite reliability, safety and security measures to automate and ‘copilot’ a self-aware car.

Leveraging a host of automotive-grade technologies, the S32V takes the industry beyond the current, conveniencecentric “assist” paradigm and

toward an era where cars can capture data, process it and actually share control with drivers in critical situations.

This capability establishes the essential bridge from the current “assist” era toward the fully autonomous vehicles of tomorrow.

According to a press release, part of Freescale’s SafeAssure functional safety program, the S32V microprocessor is structurally designed to comply

with stringent ISO 26262 functional safety standards, and engineered for automotive-grade quality metrics measured in parts per billion. This reliability, together with the exceptional performance/ power ratios of integrated second-generation CogniVue APEX Image Cognition Processing technology, additionally supports the fusion of vision data captured by the S32V device with multiple other data streams, including

radar, LiDAR and ultrasonic information to enable optimal resolution and image recognition accuracy.

“The next step in the evolution of self-driving cars will rely on automated systems that accurately process information, make decisions and take the requisite actions,” said Luca De Ambroggi, Principal Analyst, Automotive Semiconductors for analyst firm IHS.

April 2015 I 79

TECHNOLOGY Goodyear concept tyres unveiled at Geneva Motor Show Tyres have always had a good grip on the road for all kinds of vehicles. Now they can do much more than gripping the road and making your ride safe. Two concept tyres shown by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show could radically change the role of car tyres in the future. These come with some very innovative technology.

The first concept – named “BHO3” – offers the possibility of charging the batteries of electric cars by transforming the heat generated by the rolling tyre into electrical energy. The second concept – named “Triple Tube” – contains three tubes that adjust tyre inflation pressure in response to changing road conditions, delivering new levels of performance and versatility.

“These concept tyres re-imagine the role that tyres may play in the future,” said Joe Zekoski, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief technical officer, adding that “We envision a future in which our products become more integrated with the vehicle and the consumer, more environmentally friendly and more versatile.”

The BHO3 tyre generates electricity through the action of materials in the tyre that capture and transform the energy created by heat when it flexes as it rolls during normal driving conditions.

The materials used would optimise the tyre’s electricity generation capabilities as well as its rolling resistance.

As demand for electric cars grows, this technology has the potential to significantly contribute to the solution of future mobility challenges.

This visionary tyre technology could eliminate the vehiclerange anxiety motorists may have with electric cars.

As for the Triple Tube tyre, it features three internal tubes within the tyre. Tubes are located beneath the tread and near the inboard and outboard shoulders of the tyre as well as the centre.

The tyre relies on an internal pump that moves air from the main air chamber to the three individual air chambers, or tubes. The tyre automatically adjusts – on its own – to three different positions based on road conditions.

• The Eco/Safety position – with

maximum inflation in all three tubes – offers reduced rolling resistance.

• The Sporty position – with reduced inflation within the inboard shoulder tube – gives drivers dry handling through an optimised contact patch.

•The Wet Traction position – with maximised inflation in the centre tube – provides high aquaplaning resistance through a raised tread in the centre of the tyre.

Although these tyres are

future concepts, Zekoski said they represent an essential aspect of Goodyear’s innovation strategy, instilling a forwardlooking, market-back mindset in the company’s research and development teams.

“It is more important than ever for us to stay firmly rooted in our market-back innovation process, which calls on us to focus on, and anticipate, the rapidly evolving needs of our customers,” said Zekoski.

Lamborghini highlights its material technology Automobili Lamborghini has loaned its carbon fibre monocoque rolling chassis, of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, to the European Patent Office of Munich, Germany for a special event also attended by Luciano De Oto, Head of Advanced Composite Research Center. This was stated in a press release issued by Lamborghini.

The rolling chassis exhibition highlights the leading edge position that Automobili Lamborghini holds in carbon fibre composite materials

80 I April 2015

technology, and is testimony to the many years of liaison between Lamborghini and the European Patent Office (EPO).

The EPO is an intergovernmental organisation through which Automobili Lamborghini has applied for numerous patents, including those related to the production processes of carbon-based materials such as Forged Composite,CarbonSkin, and CarbonFlex and other innovative technologies on the Aventador LP 700-4.

The monocoque of the Lamborghini super sports car is “single shell”. Different to other solutions, it combines the cockpit, floor, and roof of the car in a single structure, ensuring high torsional stiffness and thus maximum performance in terms of dynamic behaviour and passive safety. The monocoque module weighs only 147.5 kilograms.

Believe it or not, Automobili Lamborghini is the only automotive manufacturer that

manages the entire process of carbon fibre machining internally: from the 3D design to the computerised simulation, production, testing and quality control and repair service by Flying Doctors, all taking place within an ultra-modern industrial process of the highest quality.

TECHNOLOGY

New Brembo braking system for Ferrari 488 GTB The new Ferrari 488 GTB that made its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show has a serious bit of Brembo in it. Global braking champions, Brembo has perfected a high performance braking system offering mechatronics and an appealing aesthetic design in the car. This is the latest addition to the Cavallino family.

Brembo supplies the entire braking system for the new 8-cylinder engine developed by the House of Ferrari. According to a Brembo press release, it is designed to ensure racing track performances, but can also be used on the road by the less expert driver. The first characteristic of the braking system in a 670 CV vehicle is its performance, or to be more precise, its braking power and light weight, the basic elements that determine the exceptional, dynamic conduct of the vehicle on the road and a notable level of

driving comfort.

Given the high charges generated by the pressure of the pistons on the brake pads, to guarantee maximum stiffness and minimum deformation, the calipers are monoblock, meaning that they are machined from a single block of melted aluminium.

Their innovative design mainly generates a considerable reduction in the weights of the unsuspended masses and heightens the feeling on the pedal, with optimised absorption.

Both front and rear calipers have pistons with various diameters to guarantee that the brake pad wears evenly, as otherwise it would wear out faster on the brake disc entrance corner. Brembo CCM brake discs, which are made of a composite ceramic material, ensure a weight reduction of 50pc compared to cast iron brake discs. For this component this also generates a weight reduction in the vehicle’s

unsuspended masses. The brake pads have also been produced by Brembo and their friction material is a mixture of organic elements specifically dosed to guarantee maximum braking performance when used with Brembo CCM brake discs.

The distinctive features of the braking system of the 488 GTB are fruit of a minimal, simple design that can easily be seen in the decidedly open, hollow design of the brake caliper and blends in perfectly with the stylish, streamline aesthetics of the car.

Paying close attention to detail and to the design also means achieving a perfect level of symmetry between the front and rear calipers. Even if the front caliper has 6 pistons and the rear piston has 4 plus a built-in electric parking brake, the two components are visually identical, giving the entire vehicle an improved sense of balance and

symmetry.

Finally, Brembo CCM brake discs, which have already won the Compasso d’Oro award, also give the 488 GTB an additional touch of aesthetic refinement, also thanks to their particular texture.

The rear caliper is characterised by the presence of a built-in electric parking brake: a solution developed by Brembo that combines traditional mechanical skills with latest electronic functions, to produce a caliper with a high mechatronics content. Brembo has combined the electronic control system and the software used to monitor the parking brake to form a single component.

TOP LEVEL CHANGES IN MOTOWN Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) has announced that KATSUSHI INOUE has been appointed as the new President & CEO of HCIL w.e.f. April 1, 2015. As part of the other management changes, HIROYUKI SHIMIZU will be the new Sr. Vice President & Director, Marketing & Sales in HCIL. Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, Managing Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. who was the Representative of Development, Purchasing and Production in Asia & Oceania since April 2013 and was stationed in India, moves to Japan after completing his tenure. He will take over as the Chief Operating Officer of the Automobile Operation at Honda Motor Co., Ltd. He is planned to be elevated to the position of Director on the Board of Directors in Honda Motor Co., Ltd. with the title of Sr. Managing Officer and Director.

Hero MotoCorp has inducted ASHOK BHASIN as the Head of Sales, Marketing & Customer Care. Bhasin will report directly to Pawan Munjal, Vice Chairman, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, and will be part of the leadership Team, the apex decision making body at Hero MotoCorp. Bhasin has worked and lived across Asia, Africa, and the U.S. where he accomplished significant transformation and turnarounds in consumer goods and retail sectors. All the vertical Heads in the National Sales, Marketing & Customer Care function, such as Head - National Marketing, Head - National Sales, Head Learning & Dealer Development and Head – National Service & CRM - will report into Bhasin. He comes to Hero MotoCorp from Reckitt Benckiser.

PEDRO MATOS has been appointed as the Chief Quality Officer at Apollo Tyres Ltd. He will be based out of the company’s Global Quality and Business Excellence Office in Enschede, The Netherlands and will handle the entire portfolio of quality and business excellence in the organisation. Pedro’s last assignment was with Continental AG, Germany as Vice President, Manufacturing CST (Commercial Specialty Tires). Before this, at Continental itself, he was the Senior Vice President for Quality Management and was responsible for strategic planning of Quality and for developing tools and processes to achieve total customer satisfaction.

RAJESH JEJURIKAR is the new Tractor Manufacturers Association (TMA) President and Rakesh Malhotra is the new Vice President of the association. At the 25th AGM of Tractor Manufacturers Association (TMA), held in New Delhi, Rajesh Jejurikar, Chief Executive – Farm Equipment & Two Wheeler Division and Member of the Group Executive Board of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. has been elected as the President for the year 2015 – 16. Jejurikar heads the tractor business of the Mahindra and Swaraj Divisions of the Farm Equipment Sector and the Mahindra Two Wheeler business. He also serves as a Director on the Boards of Mahindra USA, Peugeot Motocycles (PMTC), and Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd.

April 2015 I 81

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW PASSENGER VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA

(Total Domestic Sales + Exports for the month of February 2015 = 2,11,541 Units)

UTILITY VEHICLES MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA

(Total Domestic Sales + Exports for the month of February 2015 = 66,635 Units) Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (29.20)%

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (47.35)%

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (27.58)%

Hyundai Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (22.44)%

Ford India Pvt Ltd. (13.59)%

Honda Cars India Ltd. (7.58)%

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (10.04)%

Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (6.31)%

Tata Motors Ltd. (5.79)%

Tata Motors Ltd. (5.64)%

Renault India Pvt. Ltd (4.50)%

Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd. (3.49)%

Honda Cars India Ltd. (2.96)%

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (3.11)%

Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (2.67)%

Ford India Pvt. Ltd. (1.66)%

General Motors India Pvt. Ltd (2.43)%

General Motors India Pvt.Ltd. (1.28)%

OTHERS (1.24)% Force Motors Ltd (0.34%); Hindustan Motors Finance Corp (0.32%); Fiat India Automobiles (0.26%); Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (0.21%); Isuzu Motors (0.06%); Ashok Leyland (0.04%); Skoda Auto India Pvt. Ltd (0.01%)

OTHERS (1.14)% Skoda Auto India Pvt. Ltd. (0.60%); Fiat India Automobiles Pvt. Ltd. (0.20%); Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (0.14%); Renault India Pvt. Ltd. (0.20%);

TWO WHEELER MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA

(Total Domestic Sales + Exports for the month of February 2015 = 13,83,274 Units)

THREE WHEELERS MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA

(Total Domestic Sales + Exports for the month of February 2015 = 56,594 Units)

Bajaj Auto Ltd. (48.14)% Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (20.87)% TVS Motor Company Ltd. (16)% Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (7.66)% Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (35.04)% Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (Pvt.) Ltd. (26.11)% Bajaj Auto Ltd. (15.62)% TVS Motor Company Ltd. (14.13)% India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. (3.87)% Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (2.20)%

Royal Enfield (2.19)%

Atul Auto Ltd. (6.01)% Scooters India Ltd. (1.32)%

OTHERS (1.14)% Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd. (0.62%) Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (0.17%) H-D Motor Company India Pvt. Ltd. (0.03%) Triumph Motorcycles (India) Pvt. Ltd. (0.01%) Kawasaki India (0.01%)

LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA

(Total Domestic Sales + Exports for the month of February 2015 = 35,086 Units)

MEDIUM & HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA (Total Domestic Sales + Exports for the month of February 2015 = 35,086 Units)

Tata Motors Ltd. (43.02)% Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (38.63)% Ashok Leyland Ltd. (7.15)% Force Motors Ltd. (5.46)% VECVs - Eicher (2.53)% Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (1.54)% SML Isuzu Ltd. (1.34)% Isuzu Motors (0.33)%

82 I April 2015

Tata Motors Ltd. (53.35)% Ashok Leyland Ltd. (32.94)% VECVs - Eicher (8.85)% SML Isuzu Ltd. (2.04)% Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (1.54)% AMW Motors Ltd. (0.88)% VECVs - Volvo (0.40)%

INDIA’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE AUTO MAGAZINE Bridging the gap between OEMs & Component manufacturers VOL-5 • ISSUE-2 • NOVEMBER 2014

FIRST RIDE

INDIA INDIAN SCOUT

2014 INTERMOT, GERMANY

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SIAM/ACMA CONVENTIONS | AUTOMECHANIKA FRANKFURT | 65 IAA CV SHOW

GLOBAL NCAP ASKS NISSAN TO WITHDRAW DATSUN GO FROM INDIA

FIRST DRIVE

FIRST DRIVE

BMW ACTIVEHYBRID 7 TESTED & REVIEWED

TESTED & REVIEWED

INDIAN SCOUT INDIA

FIAT AVVENTURA UNICORN HONDA FIRST RIDE

ROCKS HAMILTON

FIRST DRIVE

EXCLUSIVE HERO AVIOR AMX

FIRST RIDE

DATSUN GO+

Fun on the Go

FIRST DRIVE

57-82 Pages SECTION B2B

BMW M3, M4 COUPE FOR

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

`1.19 CR., `1.21CR.

NCHES

2015 LAU

INDIA

FOR `35.20 LAKH MINI LAUNCHES NEWWWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM 5-DOOR VARIANT

VOL-5 • ISSUE-4 • JANUARY 2015

50

INDIA

VARROC GROUP DRIVEN

7 & TRAVEL 50 ACTIVEHYBRID MOTORSPORTBMW FEATURES VOL-5 • ISSUE-2 • NOVEMBER 2014

FIRST DRIVE

EXCLUSIVE

CORPORATE NEWS

VOL-5 • ISSUE-3 • DECEMBER 2014

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

BUYER’S GUIDE

MOC.AIDNINWOTOM.WWW

TECHNOLOGY

TATA BOLT

FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP LEWIS HAMILTON WINS 2014

Smart smart Initiatives, Giant Steps Giant Steps Initiatives, smart Smart 4102 REBMECED 3 eussI / 5 loV AIDNI NWOTOM

FIRST RIDE

ISUZU MU-7

57-82 Pages SECTION B2B

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SPECIAL | MAHINDRA GETS READY WITH 3 NEW PLATFORMS

5102 YRAUNAJ 4 eussI / 5 loV AIDNI NWOTOM

Scout Master 50

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

CAR & BIKE REVIEWS

K10

BAUMA CONEXPO 2014 | INTERVIEW WITH ROHIT SABOO, PRESIDENT & CEO, NEI

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SPECIAL | MAHINDRA GETS READY WITH 3 NEW PLATFORMS

VARROC GROUP

HONDA UNICORN

FIAT AVVENTURA

26543/0102/GNE LED oN INR

61-82 Pages

4th ANNIVERSARYSECTION SPECIAL B2B

NEW LAUNCHES

MARUTI SUZUKI NEW ALTO

INDIA

VOL-5 • ISSUE-1 • OCTOBER 2014

4102 REBMEVON 2 eussI / 5 loV AIDNI NWOTOM

4102 REBOTCO 1 eussI / 5 loV AIDNI NWOTOM

FIRST DRIVE

DRIVEN

FIRST RIDE

B2B SECTION Pages 57-82

BAUMA CONEXPO 2014 | INTERVIEW WITH ROHIT SABOO, PRESIDENT & CEO, NEI

LEWIS HAMILTON WINS 2014 FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP

MOC.AIDNINWOTOM.WWW

INDIAN CHIEF VINTAGE 900 EFI POLARIS RZR XP4 GLA 200 SPORT MERCEDES-BENZ

RNI No DEL ENG/2010/34562

MOC.AIDNINWOTOM.WWW

TVS SCOOTY ZEST • HERO ELECTRIC PHOTON • YAMAHA FZ-S • MAHINDRA GUSTO • SUZUKI GIXXER • CHEVROLET CRUZE • SKODA RAPID • NEW AUDI A8L •

TATA BOLT

FIRST RIDE

RIVER RAFTING ON THE GANGES

HAMILTON GANGES ON THE ROCKS RIVER RAFTING

relmiaD :ysetruoc erutciP

2014 INTERMOT, GERMANY

CHEVROLET SAIL SEDAN & HATCHBACK

SCORPIO NEW MAHINDRA

B2B SECTION Pages 55-82

ISUZU MU-7

HERO AVIOR AMX

MOC.AIDNINWOTOM.WWW

MOC.AIDNINWOTOM.WWW

2014 PARIS MOTOR SHOW

FIRST DRIVE VARIANT

INDIA

26543/0102/GNE LED oN INR

26543/0102/GNE LED oN INR

GLOBAL NCAP ASKS NISSAN TO WITHDRAW DATSUN GO FROM INDIA

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

RNI No DEL ENG/2010/34562

EXCLUSIVE

Desi Tadka

2015 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

NCHES

`1.19 CR., `1.21CR.

BMW M3, M4 COUPE FOR

26543/0102/GNE LED oN INR

93-126 Pages SECTION B2B

50

RNI No DEL ENG/2010/34562

26543/0102/GNE LED oN INR

SIAM/ACMA CONVENTIONS | AUTOMECHANIKA FRANKFURT | 65TH IAA CV SHOW

MOTOR HOME DELHI IN A DELHI-JAIPUR-

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

TARANG JAIN, MD, VARROC GROUP

TH

TRAVEL

B2B

RNI No DEL ENG/2010/34562

CHEVROLET SAIL SEDAN & HATCHBACK

PARADISE RIVERSIDE

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

RNI No DEL ENG/2010/34562

Muscles are in vogue

B2B SECTION Pages 93-126

TRAVEL

RIVERSIDE PARADISE

K10

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

2015 LAU

INDIA

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

57-82

MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 200 SPORT POLARIS RZR XP4 900 EFI INDIAN CHIEF VINTAGE

FIRST DRIVE

DATSUN GO+

VOL-5 • ISSUE-5 • FEBRUARY 2015SECTION Pages

TESTED & REVIEWED

50

INDIA

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

Fun 50on the Go

VOL-5 • ISSUE-3 • DECEMBER 2014

MINI LAUNCHES NEW 5-DOOR FOR `35.20 LAKH

MARUTI SUZUKI NEW ALTO

EXCLUSIVE

DELHI-JAIPURDELHI IN A MOTOR HOME

VOL-5 • ISSUE-4 • JANUARY 2015

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

Scout Master

B2B SECTION Pages 61-82

2014 PARIS MOTOR SHOW

50

Picture courtesy: Daimler

NEW AUDI A8L • SKODA RAPID • CHEVROLET CRUZE • SUZUKI GIXXER • MAHINDRA GUSTO • YAMAHA FZ-S • HERO ELECTRIC PHOTON • WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM TVS SCOOTY ZEST •

MOTOWN INDIA Vol 5 / Issue 5 FEBRUARY 2015

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

Desi Tadka

TESTED & REVIEWED

MOTOWN INDIA Vol 5 / Issue 3 DECEMBER 2014

NEW MAHINDRA SCORPIO

50

INDIA

VOL-5 • ISSUE-1 • OCTOBER 2014

FIRST DRIVE

MOTOWN INDIA Vol 5 / Issue 4 JANUARY 2015

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

MOTOWN INDIA Vol 5 / Issue 2 NOVEMBER 2014

MOTOWN INDIA Vol 5 / Issue 1 OCTOBER 2014

4th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

50

AUTO COMPONENT INDUSTRY INTERVIEWS

55-82 Pages SECTION B2B

• The only Indian automotive magazine to perfectly straddle the B2C & B2B segments for the last 5 years.

• www.motownindia.com ranks 3rd in India among 17 Indian auto magazine websites as per Alexa ranking 2015 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

GROUP MD, VARROC TARANG JAIN,

vogue Muscles are in

5102 YRAURBEF 5 eussI / 5 loV AIDNI NWOTOM

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM

INDIA

To stay updated with the latest news, reviews and happenings of the Automotive industry 50 visit us at www.motownindia.com VOL-5 • ISSUE-5 • FEBRUARY 2015

RNI No DEL ENG/2010/34562