Motown India April 2019

VOL-9 • ISSUE-7 • APRIL 2019 • `300/-

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2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

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P. THARYAN (ROY) ust as we were going to press, Groupe PSA of France unveiled the Citroen C5 Aircross SUV in India. We were present at the event in Chennai, Tamil Nadu where the top management of the group gave details of their plans to grow the Citroen brand in India. The C5 Aircross will be launched in India in Aug-Sept

2020. We have a four-page report on this interesting development.

If the Geneva International Motor show 2019 (GIMS) is any indication, the world can expect some fabulously designed and engineered cars in the near future. It was a record number of electric car launches that took place at GIMS 2019. From hyper cars to super premium luxury cars and even ordinary sedans, the mood was generously electric. We have an exhaustive report on the GIMS 2019.

We have driven the new Ford Figo and have elaborated on the several new features in the car. We have done a brief review of the Jeep Limited Plus variant which comes with a few design tweaks. Apart from a larger touch screen infotainment system, the SUV now features a large panoramic sunroof. Coming to two-wheelers, we rode the Yamaha MT150 on the race track at Buddh International Circuit near Delhi.

Apart from these reports, we have the regular B2C news and interesting B2B news including news on commercial vehicles and technology.

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CONTE NTS VOL 9 | ISSUE 7 | APRIL 2019

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GLOBAL NEWS: 2019 Geneva

CAR NEWS: Citroen of Groupe PSA begins India journey with unveiling of C5 Aircross SUV

international Motor Show

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44

WHEELZ & ROADZ: Jeep Compass Limited Plus

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60

WHEELZ & ROADZ: Yamaha MT-15 Track Test Review

B2B NEWS: Do electric cars make sense in India?

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CV NEWS: ZF Friedrichshafen

CV NEWS: Volvo, Singapore

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2V (ABS) launched with new racing features

48

WHEELZ & ROADZ: 2019 Ford Figo

AG to acquire Wabco for `48,514 crore

BIKE NEWS: TVS Apache RTR 160

university NTU unveil world’s first full size autonomous e- bus

68 TECHNOLOGY: Lanxess fire

retards delay combustion processes in car & bus cabins

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW At the 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW, the mood was definitely electric and exciting. New technology, style, design, power and speed were some the factors that defined the hundreds of products that were shown here. 600hp, 800 hp, 1000 hp, 1200hp, there was no limit to the power that could be generated from the machines on display. Some were concepts and some were road legal and ready to roar on the streets.

SUPER PREMIUM SPORTS & HYPER CARS

PININFARINA BATTISTA : Italian design house of great repute Pininfarina unveiled the Pininfarina Battista, the world’s 1st luxury electric hyper performance GT. Pininfarina incidentally is owned by Mahindra & Mahindra.

The launch was graced by Anand Mahindra, Dr Pawan Goenka, Automobili Pininfarina CEO, Michael Perschke and Pininfarina family members. When it arrives in 2020, the Battista will be the most powerful car ever designed and built in Italy and it will deliver a level of

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

performance that is unachievable today in any road-legal sports car featuring internal combustion engine technology. Faster than a current Formula 1 race car in its 0-100 kmph sub-two second sprint, and with 1,900hp and 2,300Nm torque on tap, the Battista combines extreme engineering and technology in a zero emissions package. The Pininfarina Battista is the first in a range of purely electric, zero-emissions, luxury cars solely branded Pininfarina, delivering on a long-held family dream that has been carried by founder, Battista, his son Sergio, and his grandson, the current Pininfarina SpA Chairman, Paolo.

Technology specialists headed by the likes of Rimac (reemack) and Pirelli are part of the Battista project.

RIMAC AUTOMOBILI: Mate Rimac is a Croatian inventor, entrepreneur and founder of the Croatian car company Rimac Automobili. Rimac showcased the C_Two electric hypercar and the technology under its skin. With the testing programme that started at the beginning of the year, the Rimac team continues with hard work on the development of the C_Two, as they introduce new technologies, and undergo hundreds of tests and procedures, making sure that all initial targets and global homologation requirements are met and exceeded. Launched last year, the Rimac C_Two claims to be the world’s most powerful electric hypercar, demonstrating the company’s expertise in high-performance vehicle systems. Powered by a four-motor powertrain system with 1914hp and instantly available 2300Nm of torque, the C_Two accelerates 0 to around 100km in 1.85 seconds, and reaches 300kmph in 11.8 seconds. The 120kWh battery capacity enables 550km of range in WLTP cycle (650km NEDC).

With prototypes in production, the C_Two will soon take its final shape, and in 2020 bring its new performance to the streets around the world showing just how far (and fast!) the technology of the all-electric future can go.

The C_Two displayed at Geneva Motor Show 2019 was finished in Galactic White with deep blue tinted carbon-fibre elements.

The interior is handcrafted inhouse, with matte carbon fibre complimenting petroleum blue leather and contrast stitching.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

BUGATTI: The French luxury brand showcased the hyper sports car “La Voiture Noire” and the Chiron Sport “110 ans Bugatti”. La Voiture Noire is a homage to the legendary Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic.

This one-off car has already been sold and is the world’s most expensive new car, at Euros 11 million (Rs 87.4 crore).

“La Voiture Noire”, it is a name with a special resonance: Ettore Bugatti’s son Jean developed and drove one of only four Type 57 SC Atlantic coupés produced. He called his Atlantic “La Voiture Noire” – the black car. This vehicle disappeared without trace

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before the Second World War. Nowadays, it is considered one of the great mysteries in the history of the automobile and it would be incredibly valuable.

The “La Voiture Noire” 16-cylinder engine with a displacement of 8 litres produces 1,500PS. Since the company was first established in 1909, the French luxury brand has produced the world’s best and most powerful sports and luxury cars, true to Ettore Bugatti’s: motto: “if it is comparable, it is no longer Bugatti.”

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

ASTON MARTIN Aston Martin chose the Geneva Motor Show to complete a trio of world debuts with the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept, the mid-engined hyper car AM-RB 003 concept and the breathtaking Vanquish Vision Concept. Lagonda production is planned to start in 2022. Built around near-future technologies such as its advanced Battery Electric drivetrain, the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept is an ultra-stylish, supremely luxurious, fully electric emission-free vehicle that can transport its occupants to remote and spectacular locations. It develops the designs and materials seen in last year’s widely acclaimed Lagonda Vision Concept, tailoring them for the new and challenging environments that an all-terrain vehicle is capable of reaching. Lagonda aims to be the world’s first zero emission luxury brand.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

KOENIGSEGG : Owned by Christian von Koenigsegg, this Sweden based Koenigsegg brand too stands for supercars of the fastest kind.

Koenigsegg unveiled an all-new megacar – the Koenigsegg Jesko. Jesko inherits the mantle left by the Agera RS as the leading track-focused, road-legal car for those looking for the ultimate in vehicle performance.

This car comes with a re-designed 5.0 litre twin-turbo V8 engine producing 1280hp on standard gasoline and 1600hp on E85 biofuel. Maximum torque increases to 1500 Nm at 5100rpm with 1000+ Nm available anywhere between 2700 to 6170rpm. The engine is mated to a revolutionary new 9-speed Koenigsegg Light Speed Transmission (LST) and has an advanced aerodynamics offering over 1000kg of downforce with active rear-wheel steering.

The Jesko also comes with re-designed carbon fibre chassis with more legroom, headroom and greater visibility. Jesko is named for Jesko von Koenigsegg, the father of company Founder and CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg. Jesko’s new Light Speed Transmission – designed in-house at Koenigsegg – is a 9-speed multiclutch unit that does away with traditional synch rings and makes changes between ANY gear possible at near light speed.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

FERRARI Ferrari unveiled the F8 Tributo, the new mid-rear engined sports car that represents the highest expression of the company’s classic two-seater Berlinetta. The name is an homage to both the model’s uncompromising layout and to the engine that powers it – with a massive 720 cv and a record specific power output of 185 cv/l, it is the most powerful V8 in Prancing Horse history for a non-special series car and sets the benchmark not just for turbos, but for engines across the board. The new car replaces the 488 GTB, with improvements across the board, providing even better control on the limit along with greater on-board comfort

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

LAMBORGHINI Lamborghini unveiled the Huracán EVO Spyder. The open-top car joins its coupé counterpart launched earlier this year, as the second model in the V10 Huracán EVO line-up. The Spyder adopts the next-generation vehicle dynamic control and aerodynamics developed for the coupé, with the 5.2 litre naturally-aspirated Lamborghini V10 engine uprated for a higher power output and incorporating Titanium intake valves.

The Huracán EVO Spyder outputs 640hp at 8,000 rpm with 600Nm of torque delivered at 6,500rpm. With a dry weight of 1,542kg the car reaches a weight-to-power ratio of 2.41 kg/hp, accelerates from 0-100 kmph in 3.1 seconds and from 0-200 kmph in 9.3 seconds. Braking from 100 km/h to 0 is achieved in just 32.2m, with a top speed of 325km/h.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

GINETTA CARS Ginetta Cars is a British specialist builder of racing and sports cars based in West Yorkshire in the UK and they unveiled a supercar that goes by the name Akula, the Russian word for ‘shark’. The Ginetta supercar also shares its name with nuclear-powered attack submarines. Priced at GBP 340,000 in the UK (approx Rs.3.14 crore), this car will be limited to 20 units in first production year of 2020, with 60pc already sold prior to unveiling. The supercar can do a top speed of 322kmph, is powered by a 6 litre engine that produces 600bhp and the car weighs around 1150kgs.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

ARCFOX Arcfox is a sub-brand of China’s BAIC. ARCFOX Unveiled three new models at the Show— the ARCFOX-GT Track edition, ARCFOX-GT Street edition and the ARCFOX ECF Concept car. GT reflects the extreme pursuit of speed, technology and design. With four electric motors generating 1,020 hp, the supercar designed with an integrated carbon monocoque does 0-100kmph in 2.59 seconds. ARCFOX is positioned as a premium brand of BAIC. Incidentally, BAIC Group is one of the top five automobile groups in China and ranked 124th in Fortune 500 in 2018 with a revenue of US$69.591 billion. The group is determined to be the world’s most innovative and technological company by 2025.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

ENGLER AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED Founded by Victor Engler, Engler Automotive Limited presented the Engler FF, the world’s first superquad.

This car launches to 100kmph from a standstill in 2.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of over 350kmph. Driven by its powerful 5.2 litre V10, it develops an amazing 850hp with a curb weight of only 850 Kg. This gives the company an exclusive membership of the 1/1 power to weight ratio “club” currently occupied by only Koenigsegg and Formula 1. This first prototype has been completely developed and built

by Engler and the aluminum chassis as well as the vehicle’s carbon body are being completely manufactured in-house. The company has designed and is manufacturing the titanium F1 style steering system. Engler Automotive Limited is an active company incorporated 2017 with the registered office located in London, Greater London.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

GFG STYLE GFG Style, a Turin (Italy) based company showcased the Kangaroo Hyper-SUV at show. The new concept car by GFG Style, a two-seater, electric hyper-SUV with 4-wheel drive and 4-wheel steering, is called Kangaroo and its styling is a match for any terrain, thanks to its functionality and technology.

The Kangaroo model is a hyper SUV that can accelerate from 0 to 100kmph in 3.8 seconds. It has a top speed of 250 kmph limited and an all Electric Range Over 450km. The battery capacity is 90kWh. The chassis comprises aluminum space frame, the body is of carbon fibre and has a length of 4600mm and a width of 2000mm and a height of 1290 – 1410mm and a wheelbase of 2760mm with 285/45 R22 tyres.

This high-performance concept has already been tested on the ice-bound tracks of St. Moritz, where it amazed everybody for its dynamism and aesthetic impact.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

GUMPERT AIWAYS This is a German-Chinese joint venture company based in Germany. The German partner is Roland Gumpert. At the Geneva show, Roland Gumpert presented the racing version of the Gumpert Nathalie car supported by his daughter Nathalie - who also gave her name to the super sports car series. The car features a reinforced drive train, improved aerodynamics and modifications to the suspension, brake system and cooling. Gumpert’s goal is to compete with Nathalie Race in the FIA-approved EPCS series.

The company was founded in 2017 as a joint venture, is based on one common vision: to develop the world’s first electricallydriven super sports car with racing performance and intelligent energy technology. The Gumpert Nathalie is a hydrogen-electric super sports car that cannot run out of gas. Its fuel cell permanently generates electricity from a methanol-water mixture and is therefore far superior to concepts that are bound to charging stations. The Methanol Power Cell or MPC uses methanol as an energy source (4 hydrogen atoms, 1carbon atom, and 1 oxygen atom). By doing so, the dangers of liquid or gaseous free hydrogen are avoided because it is highly explosive, volatile, and easily inflammable.

The vehicle has an all-wheel-drive with 4 engines and 2 forward gears: A motor individually drives each wheel. A complex management system provides each wheel with the necessary torque (torque vectoring). This enables extremely high cornering speeds in curves. Traction losses of the wheels during acceleration on both dry and wet road surfaces are electronically prevented.

This improves stability and driving safety significantly compared to conventionally powered all-wheel-drive vehicles. Electric motors are installed in the center of the vehicle instead of wheel hubs to keep the unsprung masses low. Gumpert AIWAYS will launch the Nathalie super sports car in an exclusive small series from 2020 onward, which is approved for road use.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

ZENVO AUTOMOTIVE Zenvo Automotive , the Danish high-performance automotive company, unveiled the Zenvo TSR-S which is basically positioned between the company’s TS1 GT car and its racetrack-bred sibling, the TSR, combining phenomenal on-road capabilities with ultimate exclusivity.

The TSR-S is a street legal version of the TSR – hence the ’S’ in the model name. Featuring an innovative and striking new active multi-axis Centripetal Wing and an in-house developed twin supercharged V8 engine, production of the TSR-S is now underway within Zenvo’s limited production of just five cars a year.

Setting the car apart from its rivals, the TSR-S incorporates manually-adjustable performance settings including a variable power output. In addition, the unique dual gearbox set-up can switch between a standard road gearbox configuration and a brutal mechanical direct power-shift race set-up that delivers a genuine race car experience on the track. The TSR-S has been completely redesigned and reengineered for optimum aerodynamic performance. This, combined with a further improved active rear differential and an advanced traction control system, helps the TSR-S to deliver an unrivalled performance on the road, for a genuinely unique hypercar experience.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

SUPER PREMIUM LUXURY CARS

AURUS SUPER LUXURY VEHICLES FROM RUSSIA The Aurus super luxury vehicle that looks like a Rolls-Royce car, made its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The car is made by Aurus LLC of Russia. Early this year, the company got a Euros 110 million infusion of funds from the Tawazun Defence and Security Development Fund based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. These financial resources will be invested to arrange the Aurus vehicles full-scale production, their localisation, and also for furtherance of distribution in the worldwide markets.

At the European Premiere in Geneva, the Aurus Senat and Aurus Senat Limousine were presented. Ideal for state leaders and top notch industrialists, the Aurus can be customised by the company and can come in both armoured as well as unarmoured versions.

The car has a combination of all-wheel drive and hybrid systems.

Boasting of luxurious interiors, genuine leather and valuable wood trim, it has a multimedia system developed exclusively for Aurus. The car is powered by a high performance V8 engine that produces 598hp and 880Nm of torque. It has four driving modes- Auto, Sport, Comfort and all road and has the highest level of safety for all passengers with an Integrated Advanced Drive Assistant System (ADAS). The car also has a massive radiator grille.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

CARMEN ELECTRIC ‘HYPERLUX’ MODEL MAKES WORLD DEBUT Among all the gorgeous looking cars that were been shown at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, there was one that really stood out when it came to looks and technology. It was the ‘Carmen’ – a fully-electric hyperlux grand tourer from iconic Spanish luxury car brand Hispano Suiza. The car saw its world debut at the show.

Named after Carmen Mateu, granddaughter of Hispano Suiza’s founder, the new model is the ultimate expression of classicallyinspired design, next-generation technology, exhilarating power and expertlyengineered dynamics.

Designed, developed and manufactured in Barcelona in Spain, the handcrafted Carmen is based on a super-stiff, hand-laid carbon fibre monocoque. This provides the foundation for the car’s exceptional luxury, comfort, innovation and attention to detail, which are uniquely combined with technologicallysuperior, fully-electric performance.

While the new model takes inspiration from the Dubonnet Xenia, one of the elegant and luxurious vehicles built by Hispano Suiza in 1938, development and build of the Carmen and its custom-designed electric powertrain will be led by the company’s production partner, QEV Technologies.

Also based in Barcelona, QEV Technologies boasts a team of highly-skilled engineers with experience across design, engineering, R&D and production for Formula-E teams, supercar brands and mainstream car manufacturers. QEV Technologies has its foundations in motorsport with Campos Racing and is also the technology arm of Mahindra Formula-E Racing, plus the European R&D facility for Chinese firm BAIC.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS Rolls-Royce Motor Cars returned to the Geneva Motor Show and debuted its full current product portfolio for the first time on an international stage. Representing the near-infinite bespoke possibilities at the heart of its record-breaking success in 2018, the marque presented one of an extraordinary collection of 25 Phantoms alongside the first publicly-revealed Bespoke Cullinan commission. In addition, two powerful visions of Black Badge and a highly bespoke Dawn were revealed, each informed by the taste patterns of a younger, more assertive breed of entrepreneur drawn to the brand.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

FLYING CAR PAL-V INTERNATIONAL The PAL-V Liberty Pioneer Edition from PAL-V International based in the Netherlands was one car which stood above the rest at the show. PAL-V unveiled the distinctive features of the PAL-V Liberty Pioneer, the world’s first production model flying car. The 90 pieces limited edition is based on the PAL-V Liberty which was unveiled last year at the Geneva International Motor Show. It will open the next chapter of mobility.

The PAL-V Liberty Pioneer Edition is equipped with a dual control cockpit and the Electronic Flight Instrument System. The full carbon package clearly distinguishes the Pioneer from the standard Liberty as well as a tailor-made interior and exclusive characteristic two tone colour scheme.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

AUDI Q4 E-TRON CONCEPT Audi unveiled the Audi Q4 e-tron concept at the 2019 Geneva Motor show. The compact electric SUV with all-wheel drive has a range of more than 450 kilometers thanks to versatile efficiency technologies. The production version of the vehicle will be launched at the end of 2020 as the Audi brand’s fifth electric model.

system power in the Q4 e-tron concept. As is typical for Audi, the driving power of the concept vehicle is brought to the road with quattro all-wheel drive. Thanks to excellent traction, it accelerates from zero to 100kmph in just 6.3 seconds. It reaches its maximum speed at an electronically limited 180kmph.

The Audi Q4 e-tron concept is a compact four-door SUV with an exterior length of 4.59 meters whose relation to the Audi e-tron is apparent at first glance. Two electric motors mobilise 225kW of

A large battery with a capacity of 82 kilowatt hours takes up almost the entire space in the underbody area between the axles.

The range of over 450 kilometers – in line with the WLTP standard – sets the benchmark in its class. The technology of the Q4 e-tron concept controls the modular electrification platform (MEB) that will be integrated in numerous electric vehicles produced by the Volkswagen Group in the future, from the compact class to the superior medium-size class.

ELECTRIC BMW CARS ON DISPLAY BMW continued its model offensive in the electrified vehicle segment. While the new BMW 7 Series made its public show debut, the electric vehicle world premiere included that of the new BMW X3 xDrive30e, the new BMW 330e, the new BMW X5 xDrive45e and plug-in hybrid members of the new BMW 7 Series range, among others.

Just a few weeks after being unveiled to the world, the new BMW 7 Series luxury sedan made its show debut.

In addition, the premium carmaker presented its 4th generation of Plug-In-Hybrid powertrains, setting a clear mark for the importance of this technology aside from

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fully-electric cars: BMW X3 xDrive30e-Systempower: 252 hp; 0-100km/h: 6,5 s; electric range: 50 km BMW 745e, BMW 745Le, BMW 745Le xDrive -System-power: 394 hp; 0-100km/h: 5,3-5,1 s; electric range: 50-58 km BMW 330e Sedan -Systempower: 252 hp; 0-100km/h: 6,0 s; electric range: 60 km BMW X5 xDrive45e - 394 hp; 0-100 km/h: 5,6 s; electric range: 80 km BMW 530e Sedan - Systempower: 252 hp; 0-100 km/h: 6,2s; electric range: 64 km BMW 225xe Active Tourer - System-power: 224 hp; 0-100km/h: 6,7 s; electric range: 57 km

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

FIAT CELEBRATES 120 YEARS OF HISTORY Fiat presented its new 500 “120th” family. Available on 500, 500X and 500L, the new range celebrated Fiat’s 120th birthday, a milestone that very few car manufacturers around the world have reached. The Swiss event also witnessed the début of the new Panda Connected by Wind and 5-Door Tipo Sport, the result of the cooperation between Fiat and Wind, one of Italy’s leading telecommunications provider.

HONDA E PROTOTYPE Honda’s new urban electric vehicle was previewed at the Show in the form of the Honda e Prototype. This new model leads on from the brand’s highly acclaimed 2017 Urban EV Concept, and is a key part of Honda’s “Electric Vision” strategy for the European region. Designed to meet the needs of the modern lifestyle, the Honda e Prototype combines unique design, advanced functionality and engaging driving dynamics. The vehicle delivers a package perfect for the urban environment. The Honda e Prototype has been developed with a focus on functionality & purpose featuring a simplicity of design with unique character.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

JEEP GOES ELECTRIC The Jeep brand made another major evolutionary step toward respecting the environment and reducing the total cost of ownership by presenting its new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models. These hybrid models included the Jeep Renegade and the Jeep Compass.

These new plug-in hybrid models are equipped with batteries that are rechargeable from an external power outlet and, as a consequence, can store more electric energy. This choice allows for the use of more powerful electric motors, which translate into a pure electric range of approximately 50 kilometers and about 130kmph full electric top speed for both Renegade and Compass. The electric units work in synergy with the new 1.3litre turbo petrol engine to increase efficiency and power overall.

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Thanks to the new electric all-wheel-drive technology (eAWD), traction to the rear axle is not provided by a prop shaft but through a dedicated electric motor. This allows the two axles to be separated and to control the torque independently in a more effective way than a mechanical system.

The Renegade and Compass PHEVs feature a dedicated instrument cluster and infotainment screen, updated in order to help the customer with information related to daily hybrid driving. Now we have got to see how soon we shall be able to drive these hybrid vehicles in India.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

KIA DEMONSTRATES ELECTRIFICATION LEADERSHIP At Geneva, Kia Motors debuted the Soul EV, an upgraded Niro, and Imagine By Kia Concept, thereby staking its its claim for leadership in advanced powertrain technology with a display made up entirely of electrified vehicles. It was the world debut for Kia’s new fully-electric ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept, alongside the fully-electric Soul EV, which made its European debut at the show. Kia has also announced a range of upgrades to the Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, with the new variants revealed. Demonstrating the depth of its advanced powertrain line-up, every Kia vehicle on show employed the brand’s mild-hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric vehicle technology.

MERCEDES-BENZ CARS SHOWCASES TOP-FLIGHT AUTO TECHNOLOGY At the show, Mercedes-Benz showcased the full bandwidth of top-flight automotive technology. The main eye-catcher was the new CLA Shooting Brake.

Beside it, the Concept EQV provided an insight into how Mercedes-Benz Vans sees the future of battery-powered people movers in the premium segment. Other world premieres were the facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLC, the AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+, the AMG GT R Roadster plus and the new V-Class. With the world premiere of the CLA Shooting Brake, Mercedes-Benz presented a vehicle, which, like the CLA Coupé, is a true design artefact and, with its gently muscular rear end, comes with the added benefit of functionality and storage space.

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APRIL 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 29

GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

NISSAN LAUNCHES IMQ CONCEPT

Nissan unveiled the all-new IMQ concept vehicle, an advanced technology and design showcase that signals the direction of the next generation of crossovers. The IMQ seamlessly blends Japanese heritage with state-of-theart, human-centric technology. It incorporates the latest innovations that bring to life Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the brand’s vision for the future of automotive transportation. Its styling reflects Nissan’s role as a pioneer and leader in crossovers, with a striking look that pushes the boundaries of what a European crossover can be.

At the heart of the IMQ is the next generation of e-POWER, a 100% electric motor drive system that delivers instant, linear acceleration. It has been further developed from the e-POWER technology currently available in the best-selling Nissan Note and Serena models in Japan. In the IMQ, it delivers a total output of 250 kilowatts and 700 Nm of torque.

SKODA KAMIQ – THE NEW CITY SUV As with the successful Skoda Kodiaq and Karoq, the name Kamiq also originates from the language of the Inuit people who live in northern Canada and Greenland: it means something that fits perfectly. Sitting in the growing city SUV segment, the Skoda Kamiq perfectly combines the advantages of a sport utility vehicle – such as higher ground clearance and a comfortable seating position – with the agility of a compact car. With an emotive design, state-ofthe-art assistance and infotainment systems, a generous amount of space and numerous Simply Clever features, the new Kamiq equally fulfils the needs of both family- and lifestyle-oriented customers. The new Skoda SUV is the brand’s first model to feature split LED headlights with daytime running lights that, in the full-LED version, appear like four gemstones above the main headlights.

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GLOBAL NEWS - 2019 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

TATA MOTORS UNVEILS H2X CONCEPT, ALTROZ EV, BUZZARD SPORT SUV

The entire Tata Motors top management led by the company’s erstwhile bossman Ratan Tata was present at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show to unveil several global premiers. Vehicles like the H2X Concept, a sub-compact SUV, to the Buzzard Sport SUV and premium urban cars like the Altroz were showcased by the company. Based on the new ALFA Architecture, the H2X concept shows the future design direction of Tata Motors under the IMPACT 2.0 design. It takes successful design cues from the H5X Concept and condenses them into a stunning package with intelligently designed space.

Tata Motors also displayed the Buzzard Sport SUV - Geneva Edition (launched in January 2019 as the Harrier in India), to honour its commitment made last year when it unveiled the H5X Concept. This vehicle is derived from Land Rover’s legendary D8 Platform and optimised for Indian conditions. The Buzzard is the product name coined for Geneva Motor Show 2019 only. The christening of the production version of the vehicle in India will be announced closer to the commercial launch.

Coming to the Altroz and the Altroz EV - the twin premium urban cars with different hearts, these have been designed and developed on the all-new Agile Light Flexible Advanced (ALFA) Architecture. With lightweight, modular and flexible characteristics, it allows the manufacturing of multiple body styles with a choice of powertrains including gasoline, diesel or full electric.

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APRIL 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 31

CAR NEWS

STOP PRESS

CITROEN of Groupe PSA begins India journey with unveiling of C5 Aircross SUV SUV SALE TO BEGIN IN AUG-SEPT 2020 Report: P. Tharyan Groupe PSA announced its first product for India with the unveiling of the C5 Aircross SUV. The Citroen C5 Aircross which is the latest in Citroen’s stable currently, was unveiled in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The SUV will be produced in India in collaboration with the CK Birla Group. While Groupe PSA has tied up with the CK Birla Group for manufacture of Citroen cars and powertrains, it has also entered into a tie up with the TCS group for its engineering requirements.

The Citroen C5 Aircross was launched in the presence of the top management of Groupe PSA that included Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board, Groupe PSA, Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Citroën Brand, and Emmanuel Delay, Executive Vice President & Head of India-Pacific, Groupe PSA. Roland Bouchara, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, Citroën India, was also present at the event.

Taveras clearly pointed out that

32 | MOTOWN INDIA | APRIL 2019

Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board, Groupe PSA (2nd from right), Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Citroën Brand, Emmanuel Delay, Executive Vice President & Head of India-Pacific, Groupe PSA (extreme right) and Roland Bouchara, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, Citroën India

his company was not chasing market share in India. “This (market share) is a natural consequence of profitable business venture, which comes from happy customers, who in turn come from good products and good servicing”, he stated. However, the company is looking to at least a 2 per cent share of the Indian passenger car market. The products to be introduced by the company will also have more

than 90pc localisation.

The Citroen C5 Aircross SUV will be launched sometime in AugustSeptember 2020. Citroen plans to bring in a range of products after the Citroën C5 Aircross SUV that will be made and launched in India before being introduced in other parts of the world.

The company also plans to launch a new vehicle every year from 2021.

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CAR NEWS Groupe PSA’s India project was announced as part of the Push to Pass plan and launched at the beginning of 2017 with the signing of two joint venture agreements with the CK Birla Group. It may be recalled that the ceremony of signature between PSA and CK Birla groups was held in Paris on January 25, 2017.

Senior company officials at the unveiling of the Citroen C5 Aircross SUV in Chennai

The partnership entails two jointventure agreements between the PSA Group and the CK Birla Group companies. As part of the first agreement, the PSA Group holds a majority stake (80:20) in the jointventure company set-up with HMFCL (part of the CK Birla Group) for the assembly and distribution of PSA passenger cars in India. As per the second agreement, a 50:50 joint-

‘Ambassador’ name will be used very respectfully, says Linda Jackson Even though reports suggest that Groupe PSA would be using the iconic ‘Ambassador’ name for its electric vehicles in India in the future, there was no official confirmation on it during the unveiling of the Citroen C5 Aircross in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

“At the moment, how we use the name Ambassador, it should be credible and respectful,” said Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Citroën Brand, Groupe PSA. Ms Jackson was replying to a question from the media as to how the company intended to use the name Ambassador which it had acquired in 2017. The top management of Groupe PSA insisted that the company wanted to be “inspired by Indians” and since the Ambassador car at one time denoted status and reliability, among other things for Indians, they needed to be cautious with the use of the

word ‘Ambassador’. “We have to be very respectful,” Ms Jackson stated, referring to the use of the name.

It may be recalled that it was in February 2017, a few weeks after announcing a tie up with Groupe PSA of France , that the CK Birla Group had announced that Hindustan Motors Ltd, the manufacturer of the iconic Ambassador car, had executed an agreement with Peugeot S.A. on February 10, 2017 for the sale of the Ambassador brand.

The Ambassador brand (including the trademarks having application numbers 2803570, 2803571 and 2821821) and certain related rights (“Ambassador Brand”) by the Company (Hindustan Motors Limited) were sold to Peugeot S.A for a consideration of Rs 80,00,00,000 (Indian Rupees Eighty crore).

Hindustan Motors was established in 1942 by late BM Birla (grandfather of CK Birla) and for the several decades the company’s flagship product Ambassador car, derived from Morris Oxford Series III, ruled the roost in the Indian passenger car market. By the end of the 1970s, its market share was as much as 75pc, but its progress was halted with the coming in of Maruti Udyog Ltd (now Maruti Suzuki Ltd) and the Maruti 800 car. The latter was launched in 1983.

By 2014, after incurring huge losses and also after dealing with massive labour unrests, the company suspended operations in Uttarpara facility.

It was in 1948 that HM moved its operations to Uttarpara in West Bengal for manufacturing Ambassador cars.

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CAR NEWS

venture was set-up between the PSA Group and Avtec Ltd (flagship company of CK Birla Group) for manufacture and supply of powertrains.

While the cars will be manufactured at Tiruvallur, the engines and transmissions are being manufactured at Hosur. According to sources, the production of engines and transmissions have already begin and the company has started exporting the same.

footprint and revenues. With the introduction of Citroën, our aim is to ‘be Indian in India’ and our association with the CK Birla Group, will be important to become a major player in the Indian automotive market.

Globally, we have been successful in Europe and in other parts of the world because of our unique automotive experiences and delivering mobility solutions to meet our customer expectations.

We really believe that

India is a strong opportunity for growth and our commitment, professionalism and agility of our teams, combined with the pursuit of operational excellence, will sustainably drive our performance and increase the satisfaction of our future customers in the country.”

“We will have a suite of

vehicles starting with the C5 Aircross and there would be fresh products every year. We shall be positioning ourselves at the heart of the market,” said Linda Jackson. Measuring 4.5 metres in length, robust and muscular, the new Citroen C5 Aircross model stands out in the SUV segment with its flowing shapes, large wheels, high ground clearance and distinctive roof bars. The cabin instantly gives an impression

At Tiruvallur, the initial manufacturing capacity will be set at about 100,000 vehicles per year and will be followed by incremental investment to support a progressive ramp-up of the long term project. The manufacturing capacity for powertrains will cater to the domestic market needs and global OEMs. Carlos Tavares, in his speech mentioned that, “India is an important next step for Groupe PSA, as part of the Push to Pass plan to increase our international

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CAR NEWS

of spaciousness, with an emphatically horizontal dashboard and enveloping seats, with a seating position that gives the feeling of dominating the road, as well as a wide central console and warm materials.

Sharing his thoughts on the brand and region, Emmanuel Delay said, “We are on track to meet our objective of introducing our innovative range, starting from the new Citroën C5 Aircross

SUV, which will be the first of many differentiating products from the brand from our vehicle manufacturing JV between the PSA Groupe and the CK Birla Group located at Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu. Production of powertrains from our PSA - AVTEC Powertrain JV at Hosur, Tamil Nadu is also on track and will support our local and global requirements.”

unique digitally disruptive, omnichannel customer journey to deliver ATAWADAC (Any Time Any Where Any Device Any Content) experience to customers. Our network focus will be to develop lean & phygital (physical + digital) formats with a ‘brick to click’ orientation. This seamless experience will be brought alive by

personalised digital sales and service processes for our customers.” He also announced, “We are pleased to go live with our India website www.citroen.in which marks the beginning of our partnership with potential dealers in India leading to the Citroën Dealer Partner Live Tour in India from 1st of July, 2019.”

Roland Bouchara said, “We are planning to introduce a

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CAR NEWS

Redesigned 2019 Ford Figo launched at `5.15 lakh onward Ford India has launched the all-new 2019 Ford Figo at a starting price of Rs 5.15 lakh. Comprehensively redesigned with more than 1,200 new parts, the 2019 Ford Figo features even more stylish exterior and interior, an array of safety technologies and a new engine promising more power and fun-of-driving.

The New Figo will be available in a simplified line-up of three variants across two fuel options and seven colours. This includes a top-of-the-line Figo Blu with sporty cellular grille, new 15” alloys, dual tone roof, stylish blue themed interiors and a segment-first six airbags.

(Full drive report on page 44)

Mercedes-Benz launches new AMG C 43 4Matic Coupe at `75 lakh onward Mercedes-Benz India is strengthening its line-up in the performance car segment this year with the new Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic Coupe. This is the first ever two door coupe in the AMG 43 line, introduced by Mercedes-Benz in India. The new Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic is priced starting from Rs.75 lakh (ex-showroom Pan-India).

With the launch of this latest AMG, Mercedes-Benz India now has 15+ AMG and dream cars in its vast and diverse portfolio of performance cars. The car was launched in the presence of Martin Schwenk, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India.

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The Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic coupe is a sporty, suave and unique offering from the AMG line of the C-Class range. It is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine which generates 390hp and 520Nm torque; helping it accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.7 seconds!

This performance oriented car comes with an AMG Speed Shift 9-speed transmission with shortened shift times, 2-stage AMG speedsensitive steering with AMG specific tuning, AMG Dynamic Select drive programmes, AMG ride control suspension, AMG exhaust system, AMG specific interiors and more.

2019 Maserati Quattroporte launched at `1.74 crore onward

Maserati, the Italian luxury carmaker, has announced the launch of its MY19 Quattroporte diesel in India.

New colours, wheel designs and interior veneers, redesigned gearshift lever and Pieno Fiore natural leather interiors– it provides an ultimate refinement to the Maserati flagship sedan. The 2019 model is offered in GranLusso and GranSport trims, representing the perfect blend of luxury and performance. In India, the 2019 Quattroporte’s GranLusso version is available at a starting price of Rs 1.74 Cr and the Gransport version at Rs 1.79 Cr (Ex-showroom Delhi). The Quattroporte is fitted with high performance 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine which comes with AdBlue technology and sets the benchmark in performance, efficiency and driving satisfaction. The Active Sound technology of the Quattroporte Diesel exhaust system produces a characteristic Maserati sound that underlines the car’s performanceready nature, and which can be varied at the touch of a button.

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CAR NEWS

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz gets new 1.5-litre DDiS 225 diesel engine with 6-speed transmission Encouraged by the success of its 1.5 litre K15 petrol engine in new Ciaz and all new Ertiga, Maruti Suzuki further beefed up its engine portfolio with the introduction of a new 1.5-litre DDiS 225 diesel engine.

This marks company’s full-fledge entry into the market with bigger engines of 1.5 litre capacity. Developed in-house, the new 1.5-litre DDiS 225 diesel engine offers improvement on

several fronts:

• Improved engine performance: The new powertrain is developed to deliver enhanced performance, with a peak torque of 225Nm@15002500rpm and maximum power of 94hp@4000rpm.

• Improved low end torque: The 1.5 litre DDiS 225 diesel engine comes with a high efficiency turbo charger which generates higher low-end torque through optimisation, which makes city driving completely effortless.

• Refined NVH characteristics: The use of

a Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) along with optimised compression ratio reduces engine fluctuations & contributes to superior NVH performance, thereby giving a comfortable driving experience.

• Best-in-class Fuel efficiency: Use of lightweight aluminium casted cylinder head and block along with optimised engine calibration contributes to improved fuel efficiency.

New ‘WagonR S-CNG launched at `4.84 lakh onward

‘Venue’ is name of Hyundai’s subcompact all-new connected SUV

Maruti Suzuki India Limited launched a new WagonR S (Smart)-CNG. The CNG powered WagonR will be available in Lxi variant of the 1.0 Litre engine offering a mileage of 33.54km/kg.

The factory fitted WagonR S-CNG will be available at Rs. 4.84 lakh for Lxi and Rs. 4.89 Lakh for Lxi (O) variants respectively. Both prices are exshowroom Delhi.

The WagonR S-CNG comes with factory fitted CNG, ensuring enhanced safety, maximum performance, unmatched convenience and a robust design. The factory fitted WagonR S-CNG vehicle comes with standard warranty benefits and convenience of Maruti Suzuki’s service network spread across India.

Hyundai Motor India has officially revealed the name of its all-new connected subcompact SUV as “Venue”.

Hyundai has already begun the test drive of Venue, its new subcompact SUV in the country. Around March 22, 2019 the vehicle had left the company’s factory located in Tamil Nadu and had begun its journey across the nation.

The company has given this journey a project name: #WhenYouLoveToExplore.

The company is using a series of videos on social media sites wherein it will underline the SUV’s drivability in enduring high latitudes and extreme weather conditions showcasing the character, strengths and capabilities.

Pictures grabbed from one of the videos clearly demonstrates that the Venue SUV comes with a sunroof, has a smart grille, LED DRLs, alloy wheels, fog lamps and an overall smart exterior.

The Venue SUV will come with a petrol as well as diesel engine option. At Motown India we reckon that it will be a 1.2-litre petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. It is expected to have a manual as well as automatic transmission option.

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APRIL 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 37

BIKE NEWS

TVS Apache RTR 160 2V (ABS) launched with new racing features Two-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has launched the TVS Apache RTR 160 2V (ABS) with new features, while also updating the entire TVS Apache RTR series with Anti Lock Braking system (ABS). The Super Moto ABS is now provided for the Apache RTR 160 2V, Apache RTR 160 4V and Apache RTR 180.

The new TVS Apache RTR 160 2V (ABS) is equipped with an all-new, back-lit speedometer with dial-art, new seats and new handle-bar

end dampeners for better stability and precision. The refresh will sport new TVS Racing inspired graphics making it more appealing.

The new generation ABS unit on the TVS Apache RTR series motorcycles has been developed with a special algorithm, extensively derived out of the racing track. This enables the rider to find the quickest line around the corner without losing any speed.

PRICES (EX-SHOWROOM DELHI) • TVS Apache RTR 160 front disc (drum) with ABS - Rs. 85,510 • TVS Apache RTR 180 with ABS - Rs. 90,978 • TVS Apache RTR 160 4V (drum) with ABS - Rs. 89,785 • TVS Apache RTR 200 (carb) with ABS - Rs. 1,11,280 The Apache RTR 200 4V Race Edition 2.0 continues to be available with Dual-Channel ABS and RLP (Rear wheel Lift-off Protection) control offering quick detection and recovery of the wheel lock achieving superior braking performance and optimal cornering control. With the implementation of ABS across the range, the TVS Apache RTR series becomes better equipped to manage late braking and offers razor-sharp control around the corners. The system provides ultimate braking control while allowing sharp feedback.

TVS Victor now comes with Synchronized Braking Technology (SBT) TVS Motor Company has introduced Synchronized Braking Technology (SBT) in its executive commuter motorcycle - TVS Victor. The key advantage of SBT is that it reduces the braking distance and improves stability, while braking. SBT ensures that the front brake is automatically engaged whenever the rear brake is applied.

TVS Synchronized Braking Technology further enhances the braking performance of the vehicle, by reducing braking distance up to 10%, with respect to comparable braking systems. There are no technical changes to the motorcycle other than the inclusion of SBT.

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TVS Victor SBT, comes in both Disc and Drum variants, and is priced at: Drum: Rs. 54682/- (Ex showroom Delhi) Disc: Rs. 56682/- (Ex showroom Delhi) Disc Premium Edition: Rs. 57662/- (Ex showroom Delhi) TVS Victor’s 110cc engine is powered by a 3-valve oil cooled engine, which is tuned to deliver the optimum combination of power and fuel economy. An electric start fires up the 4-speed powertrain to churn out 9.4hp of power at 7500rpm with a torque of 9.4Nm@6000rpm.

The motorcycle promises a comfortable ride with its long seat being complemented by

dual spring series suspension.

The vibrant graphics and LED DRL up the stylish quotient while ensuring safety.

TVS Victor also comes in a premium edition with a host of features like chrome side cover, chrome crash guard, golden case engine cover, stylish graphics, dual tone seat, available in 4 colours – Black Gold, Red Gold, Matte Blue & Matte Silver.

The motorcycle is available in the colour scheme of Blissful Blue, Generous Grey, Beatific Black Silver, Restful Red & Balanced Black Red.

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BIKE NEWS

Yamaha MT-15 (155cc) motorcycle launched at `1,36,000 India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt Ltd launched the all new MT 15 (155cc) motorcycle in India at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), Greater Noida. The motorcycle is priced at INR 1.36 lakh (ex showroom Delhi).

The MT-15 is powered by a liquid-cooled, 4 stroke, SOHC, 4-valve, 155cc fuel- injected engine, mated to a six-speed transmission.

The motorcycle was unveiled in the presence of Motofumi Shitara, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India group of companies.

The motorcycle will be avialble in metallic black and dark matt blue colours.

The engine comes with variable valve actuation (VVA) feature on a Delta box frame. Yamaha, as part of its ongoing ‘The Call of the Blue’ campaign, has introduced the essence of its MT Series with the launch of the MT-15 with an engine that offers 58.0 x 58.7 mm bore x stroke and a 11:6:1 compression ratio producing a max output of 19hp@10,000rpm and max torque of 14.7Nm@8500rpm.

Yamaha Fascino Darknight edition available at `56,793 India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt Ltd. has announced a new Darknight edition for the stylish scooter Fascino, enabled with Unified Braking System (UBS) along with additional feature like maintenance free battery. The price of the new Fascino Darknight edition is Rs. 56,793 (Ex showroom Delhi).

In 2019, the company in line with its commitment of offering exciting, stylish and sporty mobility products in India, has introduced the ABS enabled YZF-R15 Version 3.0 (155 cc), the new FZ FI (149 cc), FZS FI (149 cc), FZ 25 (249 cc), Fazer 25 (249 cc) and scooters with UBS and maintenance free battery in exciting colours.

Yamaha Fascino has considerably earned its name about being unique in styling since its launch in 2015. In 2019, Yamaha has further jazzed up the unisex appeal of Yamaha Fascino (113 cc) by introducing a modish colour “Season green” with UBS, maintenance free battery followed by the latest launch of the Darknight edition.

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The new MT-15 from India Yamaha will turn to the advantage of adventure lovers with its VVA engine for agile acceleration along with model specific ECU, optimised secondary reduction gear ratio for snappy riding in town, A&S clutch for stress-free gear shifts, rider centred craftsmanship, among others. The motorcycle has a 140mm width rear tyre and 245mm front disc brake with single channel ABS. The samurai inspired headlight enhances the front face styling. The short tail comes with a vertical taillight.

The MT-15 has a minimum ground clearance of 155mm, weight (with oil and full fuel tank) of 138kg, VVA system providing sharp top-end power, a bypass type thermostat for the cooling system to reduce engine warm up time and a muffler with a 3-stage expansion chamber for a clear sound at high rpm.

(First Ride report on page 50)

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BIKE NEWS

Honda 2Wheelers India announces four variants in 2019 line-up Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) Pvt. Ltd. launched a few exciting variants of its motorcycle like the Unicorn with ABS (Antilock Braking System) and Combi Brake System (CBS) with equalizer feature in its popular models CB Shine (drum variant) , CD Dream DX and NAVi. HMSI was the first among the industry to introduce Combi-Brake System with equaliser in its two-wheelers way back in 2009.

2019 CB UNICORN ABS Besides the ABS feature, the 2019 CB Unicorn ABS comes with tubeless tyres, stylish meter console with blue illumination and seal chain for increased convenience and durability. The CB Unicorn ABS has been priced at Rs 78,815 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

2019 CB SHINE CBS The smart and stylish 2019 CB Shine now comes with a new addition of Combined Braking System with equaliser. The 2019 CB

Shine CBS is available at Rs 58,338 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

2019 CD110 DREAM DX CBS Honda’s most reliable and affordable offering in the 100-110cc segment, the CD110 Dream comes with Combi-Brake System with equaliser. In addition to the advanced braking system, the motorcycle now enjoys silver 5 spoke alloy wheels, chrome handle bar & carrier, painted- front fender, cowl & tail cowl, clear winkers and graphics.

The 2019 CD110 CBS is available at a starting price of Rs 50,028 (exshowroom, Delhi).

2019 NAVI CBS The FUNtastic NAVi - first 100% indigenously developed model by Honda R&D India is now equipped with Combined Braking System with equaliser. CBS provides effortless braking that ensure shorter braking distance and a rock solid balance. The 2019 NAVi CBS is priced at Rs 47,110 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The only Kawasaki Ninja H2R for 2019 delivered One of the largest premium motorcycle manufacturers in India, Kawasaki delivered the most powerful production bike in the world, Ninja H2R in India on March 3, 2019. The price of the supercharged hypersport motorcycle is around Rs.72 lakh (exshowroom). As only one unit will be sold in India in 2019, this will be the only delivery of Ninja H2R in India.

This mean machine has a supercharged 998cc In-Line Four (in-housedesigned supercharger)

that delivers a maximum power with Ram Air of around 321.54hp and a maximum torque of 165Nm. The person buying this motorcycle will be signing an acknowledgement letter for the company. The letter states, among other things, that the 2019 Ninja H2R is a closed course riding use only model and is not manufactured for use on public roads, streets or highways. All usage of this vehicle should be limited to riding on a closed course.

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BIKE NEWS

Harley-Davidson launches Forty-Eight Special model at `10.98 lakh Harley-Davidson India has added to the long legacy of its Sportster motorcycle line with the introduction of the FortyEight Special model in India.

The new high-bar Sportster combines throw-back styling trends from the custom-bike scene with the solid foundation of the Sportster platform, along with the punchy performance of the Evolution 1200 V-Twin engine. The Forty-Eight Special is priced at Rs.10,98,000 (exshowroom Delhi).

The Sportster motorcycle was first introduced in 1957.

At the launch event, Sajeev Rajasekharan, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India said, “Harley-Davidson was one of the earliest entrants in the premium motorcycle category in India. Completing 10 years in India is just the beginning

as we remain the cruiser of choice for many riders. With the all new Forty-Eight Special, Harley-Davidson India takes its motorcycle line up to 17 Models” The burly front end of the Forty-Eight Special – a 130mm front tyre framed by 49mm forks secured in massive forged aluminium triple clamps – looks especially menacing when topped with a gloss-

black, 7.25-inch high tallboy handlebar.

“Since its inception, the Sportster has offered the perfect combination of size, power and character that makes it appealing to so many different riders,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson V.P. of Styling & Design. “A Sportster is a relatively easy bike to strip down and reinvent. What we’ve done to

create the new Forty-Eight Special is what Sportster owners have been doing with their own bikes for generation,” he noted.

Specification Sheet: FORTYEIGHT SPECIAL - 1200cc Evolution V-Twin engine, comes with Quick handling and features an emulsion rear shock with a screw pre-load adjuster which helps in easy adjustment according to your riding style.

Air-Cooled, Evolution Engine • 1202cc • 96Nm@4250rpm

Styling + Features • Throwback 70’s custom tank art, Dark Custom Style • Tallboy Handlebars • Emulsion rear shock screw adjuster • Split 9-Spoke Cast Aluminium Wheels

Triumph Motorcycles launches Tiger 800 XCA at `15.16 lakh Triumph Motorcycles India launched the latest Tiger 800 XCA, which is globally one of its best-loved and most critically acclaimed motorcycles ever. The Tiger 800 XCA is priced at Rs 15,16,700 (ex-showroom). The Tiger 800 XCA is the newest addition to an already strong adventure line-up of Triumph in India. The Tiger 800 XCA is the most advanced Tiger model ever with new technological innovations, engine enhancement, premium specification, and style updates designed specifically to deliver a perfect ride.

The significantly updated Tiger 800 XCA has been pushed to the boundaries with over 200 chassis and engine upgrades. These are complemented by a suite of major off-road improvements that work hand-in-hand with carefully crafted on-road enhancements.

The Tiger 800 XCA has full-colour TFT instruments, up to six riding modes, highspecification Brembo front brakes, optimised suspension configurations, handlebar-mounted switchcubes incorporating elegant backlit buttons, distinctive signature all-LED lighting, updated cruise control, enhanced chassis, and premium bodywork. A mass-optimised 800cc Triple engine now gives more immediate power delivery and a peak power output of almost 94hp. It has even more character and a lighter exhaust system with a sportier soundtrack that together transforms the new generation engine.

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BIKE NEWS

Avan Motors India launches new Trend E scooter at `56,900 Avan Motors India, a relatively new player in the electric two wheeler space, has launched its new smart electric scooter Trend E at the EV India Marathon Summit, BV Tech Expo India 2019 in New Delhi.

The latest addition to its Xero series of electric scooters, the Trend E has an ex-showroom price of Rs.56,900 for the single-battery scooter and Rs.81,269 for the double-battery scooter. Bookings for the scooter are open at a fee of Rs.1,100.

The Trend E is available in a combination of colours including Red-Black, Black-Red, and White-Blue. The electric scooter is powered by a lithium-ion battery and boasts a top speed of 45kmph. The electric scooter covers a distance of 60kms with single battery and 110km with double battery. The charging time for the lithium-ion battery is around 2 to 4 hours.

Coming to its features, the Trend E comes equipped with a hydraulic telescopic front suspension and a coil spring rear suspension. It has alloy wheels, with disc and drum brakes on the front and rear wheels, respectively. With a high ground clearance, this scooter can take a maximum load of 150kgs.

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Customers booking their scooters before March 31, 2019 will get the delivery of the scooter in this current fiscal only.

The company has built a sales network with 33 dealership across India which spans across 11 states such as Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Manipur, Assam, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Odisha.

Avan Motors India, an EV startup, was founded in 2015 So far, the company has launched its Xero range of smart e-scooters and has plans in place for the launch of six more scooters in 2019. It has a manufacturing plant at Hinjewadi in Pune, spread over 22,000 sq ft. The company has 25 touch points across India, and plans to reach 200 touch points by end of 2019.

Pankaj Tiwari, Business Development Head, Avan Motors, commented, “The Avan Motors team has worked extensively on creating the Trend E scooter as a vehicle that is suitable for Indian roads and meets the requirements of consumers with its combination of technology, power and futuristic design. We are delighted with the response the scooter has received in its pre-launch phase and are confident that customers too will appreciate the Trend E and all its features.”

Bajaj Auto launches the all new Platina 100 KS at `40,500 Two wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto has now launched the Platina 100 Kick Start (KS). The bike comes with ‘ComforTec’ technology and DTS-i technology that takes care of comfort and fuel mileage respectively. The new Kick Start variant comes with CBS (Combi Brake System) making it even safer and reliable for everyday commute.

The Platina 100 KS gives 20% less jerks, due to its ‘ComforTec’ technology which consists of longer front and back suspension, rubber footpads, directional tyres, and a spring soft seat for a hassle-free journey for both the rider and the pillion. It also has a stylish LED DRL headlamp and attractive graphics. Available in ebony black with silver decals, and cocktail wine red, the new Platina 100 KS is priced at Rs 40,500 (ex-showroom Delhi) and will be available across all Bajaj Auto dealerships in India.

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FEATURES

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch is brand ambassador for MG India MG (Morris Garages) India, a company with pure British genes and now part of the mammoth automotive giant of China, SAIC has announced its association with British actor Benedict Cumberbatch as its brand

ambassador. The acclaimed actor – known for his stellar roles in various popular TV shows and movies will be the face of MG India.

MG India has already announced that the company will soon be launching MG Hector, an SUV, in the Indian market. This

will be followed by an electric passenger car within a year.

Benedict Cumberbatch commented on the association with MG brand, “I have grown up seeing and reading about MGB’s and MG Midgets, recognising MG as a classic and iconic brand. I am delighted to be part of the launch of the new MG in India with the MG Hector, which may well be a classic

of the future.”

Rajeev Chaba, Managing Director and CEO, MG India, said, “As one of the most recognised and beloved cultural icons from the UK, Benedict has a lot in common with Morris Garages. He has, throughout his career, experimented with various types of roles across stage productions, TV shows and movies to push the bar ever higher, something which resonates with MG’s commitment to technological innovation. His social and philanthropic work, as well as his support for inclusivity beyond gender is also in sync with our core brand ideology of nurturing diversity. We are glad to have Benedict Cumberbatch as our brand ambassador to represent MG.”

GoZero Mobility sets foot in India with two e-bikes GoZero Mobility a company that has apparently a UK based label, has made its way into the Indian market with the launch of two e-cycles – One and Mile for a price of Rs 32,999 and 29,999 respectively.

After one year of design & technology development in Birmingham, United Kingdom, GoZero Mobility has decided to embark upon its product journey through India which is one of the largest 2 wheeler and bicycle market in the world.

The company has plans to launch three more products by the end of 2019 which include Delivr - a B2B oriented utility

vehicle, One W – a unisex cycle aimed at females and Smart – the company’s most ambitious top tier cycle boasting of connected mobility features.

The GoZero One is powered by a 400Wh lithium battery pack which will deliver a claimed range of 60km on a single charge and GoZero Mile is powered with 300Wh battery providing a 45km range. Both cycles have a steel frame and get disc brakes on both wheels.

The cycles can reach a top speed of 25kmph in the electric cruise mode. The GoZero One gets 5 levels of assist and an LCD display on the handlebar.

The display houses metrics like current speed, distance covered, battery level and assist level. The GoZero Mile, on the other hand, has 3 riding modes.

Both cycles get removable batteries with charging times of about 2.5 hours.

to take place from Kolkata, West Bengal with an initial capacity of 20,000 units per annum. The partnership is for the global market & aimed to make India as an export hub for global sales of GoZero E-Bikes.

GoZero Mobility has partnered up with Kirti Solar a company based in Kolkata, for the development and manufacturing of current and future products, utilising the global supply chain to “Make in India”. As a part of the association, Kirti Solar has invested USD 250,000 in GoZero Mobility. Manufacturing is going

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

2019 FORD FIGO FACELIFT

RISING TO NEW HEIGHTS

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

Report: Aakash S. Paul; Photography: Afsar Baig

M

y recent outing was nothing short of a blue safari. I was in Jodhpur which is known as the ‘blue city’ and I was there to drive the new Ford Figo which comes in a new trim called ‘Titanium Blu’.

Ford’s successful hatch has returned with a few updates, additions and a new price tag.

But do these changes sum up to a worthy car?

EXTERIOR DESIGN AND STYLING On the outside, Ford has made minimal changes to the Figo. In fact, if you look at it from a distance the changes become harder to spot. But that is not a bad thing as the car always looked handsome and modern. The Titanium Blu model that we got to drive came in a serene looking white colour which was contrasted by the black alloy wheels, ORVMs and roof. The wheels on this trim are 15-inch ones while the lower trims come with 14-inch ones. At the front one can find the automatic

headlamps, a black cellular grille and a fancy ‘c’ shaped blue bezel around the fog lamps.

The Titanium Blu variant also gets sporty looking decals on the side and the rear.

S P EC IFIC ATIO N S ENGINE PETROL: 1194cc, Ti-VCT DIESEL: 1498cc, TDCi, Diesel

INTERIORS

TRANSMISSION 5-Speed Manual

Things remain much the same on the inside too. The Titanium Blu variant gets blue coloured stitching on the seats and the word Blu embroidered on. Even the door panels have a blue colour accent line on them. The steering wheel is only adjustable for tilt but gets leather wrapping on the top end model. Apart from this, the biggest functional addition on the inside is the floating touchscreen infotainment system.

This has become an almost essential part of the cabin nowadays and Ford’s unit works great and I really like the smooth

POWER PETROL: 94.6hp@6500rpm DIESEL: 98.6hp@3750rpm TORQUE PETROL: 120Nm@4250rpm DIESEL: 215Nm@1750-3500rpm

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TYRES 195/55 R15 PRICE PETROL: `6.94 lakh DIESEL: `7.74 lakh

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

touch response. While it does come with navigation built-in, it sadly misses out on Android Auto or Apple CarPlay support. Ford also could have fitted the top end variant with a slightly better sound system. The cabin still remains spacious and it is a great car to drive your family around in. Ford has retained the 20 cup holders and cubby holes to store all sorts of belongings but missed

the opportunity to add an armrest in front. Safety has also been given a thought.

In the new Figo you get dual front airbags as standard and 6 airbags in the top end model. Additionally the top end trim gets rain sensing wipers.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE The new Figo is being offered with three engine options

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including a 1.2L petrol, a 1.5L petrol and a 1.5L diesel engine. I got to drive the 1.2L petrol and the 1.5L diesel. The petrol engine now produces more power and torque than before. Peak power now tops at 94.6hp and peak torque at 120Nm. Not only is this a considerable jump from the previous model, it is also a lot more than most of what the competition has to offer.

The only downside to this is

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

that the petrol motors are high revving engines and require you to really step on the accelerator to extract the most out of them.

Though, it is my understanding that the petrol engine is meant for to be taken for its refinement.

Even at very low revs, the car does not stall and there are virtually no vibrations. In case you want a peppier performer as your buddy on the road then the diesel motor would be your weapon. The power and torque figures remain the same at 99hp and 215Nm respectively and the engine comes alive in the 20002500rpm range. Both engines come mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox that shifts smoothly and precisely. Despite the increased power and torque figures, Ford has managed to

bump up the fuel efficiency as well. The 1.2L petrol has a rated efficiency of 20.4kmpl while the diesel has a 25.5kmpl average.

The tilt adjustable steering wheel has a nice and light feel to it. I was continuously parking the vehicle in different spots for our photo shoot and not once did the steering wheel bother me.

And when you are going fast or want to change the line of your car, the steering is apt and ready to respond to your inputs. The suspension and brakes perform well and are perfectly usable in the city. The suspension provides a plush ride quality and most of the shock do not filter into the cabin. The braking setup consists of ventilated disc brakes at the front and drum brakes in the

rear. They are obviously aided

by ABS and EBD. The brakes have a good amount of bite and progression. Along with this Ford is also offering ESP.

VERDICT With the new Figo, Ford seems to have followed the ‘don’t fix it if it isn’t broken’ philosophy.

They knew that they had a great product at their hand and the sales numbers they witnessed were proof of that. So instead of reinventing the wheel, the company chose to tastefully tweak the existing car, the result of which is the new Figo.

It was already great in terms of practicality and roominess and now gets an updated engine too. The engine is not only more

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powerful but it is more frugal.

The Titanium Blu edition has some extra touches of style and features which are welcome.

The new models, for the most part, come at a lower cost when compared to the outgoing models and that is great news for buyers. The new Figo is truly a complete package!

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JEEP COMPASS LIMITED PLUS - THE NEW FEATURES

T

he Jeep Compass is by far is the most successful vehicle from the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles stable. The Jeep Compass

was launched in the country in 2017. Sometime late 2018 the company launched a new variant, the Jeep Compass Limited Plus that was basically to offer even better features for

its customers.

The Limited Plus comes with a 4x2 petrol engine mated to a DDct automatic transmission and a 4x2 and a 4x4 diesel avatar mated to a six speed

manual transmission. There is no automatic transmission for the diesel Limited Plus. We got a diesel 4x4 to drive. It’s the same 2 litre diesel engine producing 173hp.

EXTERIOR CHANGES " New 18 inches Dual tone polished aluminium alloy wheels. " Automatic HID headlamps " Automatic Rain sensing wipers " Limited Plus badge at the rear " From the outside you also get to see the large dual pane panoramic sunroof which is incidentally the largest in the segment. To experience the sunroof, you have to get inside to admire its size and utility.

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

INTERIOR CHANGES " Auto dimming inside rear view mirror " 8.4 inches U connect touch screen infotainment system which again is the largest in its class. " The driver’s seat is now 8 way power adjustable with memory function along with 4 way power lumbar support. " Six airbags that includes two curtain airbags and airbags for front and rear passengers.

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

YAMAHA MT-15

BATTLING THE DARK Report: Aakash S. Paul; Photography: Afsar Baig

T

he MT series by Yamaha consists of naked motorcycles that mean serious business. They are a tier above the FZ series we see on the Indian streets. This is why I was excited for the arrival of the latest and smallest entrant from the MT series, the MT-15. The new MT-15 is a premium 150cc motorcycle.

DESIGN AND STYLING The MT-15 has got the most striking face and there is no debate regarding that. Yamaha wanted to make the headlamp section resemble the face of the masked samurai warriors of feudal Japan. The mask was meant to strike fear in the hearts of their foes and the front of the bike indeed gives it a very mean look and the projector headlamp should mean that at night the bike should have no problem illuminating the road ahead. As you move to the side, you will find yourself still awestruck. The profile has muscular sections that are great to look at. However, the fuel tank and the air inlet in front of it will give you serious flashbacks of the new FZ v3.0.

There isn’t much at the back but I really liked the extended rear fender which acts as a cool looking tail. While Yamaha scores great points in the design department, they lose a few in terms of plastic quality. The panels feel cheap and out of place on a premium motorcycle like this.

The LCD instrument panel seen on this bike is the same as the one seen on the Yamaha YZF R15 v3.0. It shows you the same metrics including speed, rpm, gear position, trip meter, gear shift indicator, time and more. Since this bike is meant for more

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

S P EC IFIC ATION S ENGINE 155cc Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve TRANSMISSION 6 Speed POWER 19.3hp@10,000rpm TORQUE 14.7Nm@8,500rpm TYRES Front: 100/80 R17 Tubeless Rear: 140/70 R17 Tubeless

PRICE `1.36 lakh (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

comfortable riding, it ditches the clip-on handlebars seen on the R15, in favour of a more conventional one. The switches are of decent quality and all of them were well within reach. But there is bad news for taller riders like me. The single piece seat, while being soft, does not give you a lot of room to move back. You are almost up against the fuel tank, which mean that your legs are not in the most convenient position. For shorter riders, this might not be a very big problem.

MT-15 we get comes with telescopic forks at the front instead of upside down forks.

Also the aluminium swing arm has been replaced with a delta box frame. I personally do not mind these changes as much as the single channel ABS that Yamaha is offering in India. The R15 gets dual channel ABS but the MT-15 has to make do with single channel ABS. The response of the brakes is a bit more gradual than the R15, which makes sense as this bike is meant for everyday commute.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE

VERDICT

Since the MT-15 is essentially a street fighter version of the R15 v3.0, the bikes share the same engine and gearbox.

The 155cc, liquid cooled, single cylinder produces the same 19hp@10,000rpm and 14.7Nm@8,500rpm. According to Yamaha, they have tuned the ECU for a better response but a race track is hardly a place to test that; that will have to wait till we get the bike on the road. Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) and the slip and assist clutch have also been carried over from the R15 and they made the track experience better.

Yamaha India has cut a few corners to make the Indian spec of the bike affordable (more on the price later), as a result the

One thing is for sure; the MT-15 is a great looker and is a breath of fresh air in the sea of 150cc naked bikes. The engine performance is also flawless. The rather high price tag of Rs 1.36 lakh (exshowroom Delhi) for the motorcycle is a bit of a disappointment. This price tag seems more unreasonable when you consider several corners that have been cut. The bike is also only Rs 3,000 cheaper than the brilliant R15, which has dual channel ABS and can go slightly faster than the MT-15.

If you are looking for a comfortable daily bike then there still are many other options that will entice you, that too at a lower price tag.

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AUTO STUFF INDIAN AUTO COMPANY’S CONNECTED IN-DASH CAMERA AT `14,990/-

BLUSNAP 2 HELMET COOLER REVIEW The sweltering heat of summers will be upon us soon. While car owners will be safe inside their air conditioned cabins, two-wheeler riders will have no such luck.

But that could change with BluArmor’s BluSnap 2 helmet cooler. This new and improved version of BluSnap is lighter and more innovative than its predecessor. We got our hands on one unit and decided to test it out.

The BluSnap 2 comes in a blue box that contains the device itself, an extender, a charging cable, some stickers and a comic book. The BluSnap 2 is more compact in size than the previous one; it also weighs a mere 280gm.

Part of the weight reduction also comes from the fact that you no longer have to fill a reservoir within the BluSnap 2. Earlier, the BluSnap came with a belt that went around the helmet to keep it steady. Now you have a small strip that sticks to the chin of your helmet, which essentially means that this contraption can be attached to one helmet only.

Assembling the BluSnap 2 is a fairly straightforward procedure and the user manual provided in the box does a good job of explaining it. The BluSnap 2 works on the same principle as a home cooler.

There is a filter that can be pulled out which you have to dip in water for about 10 seconds. Snap it back in and the fan at the front of the BluSnap 2 will suck in air which will pass through the filter and get cooled. This cool air is then supplied to you via a duct that blows air inside the helmet.

BluSnap 2 can provide you with cool air for about 1-1.5 hours, after which you will have to dunk the filter in water

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again. That is not a bad duration in my opinion. Also the device can be charged within 4-5 hours using a normal microUSB Type-B cable, which is also provided in the box. Even if you lose the cable, a normal smartphone cable can do the job. Once charged, the device can run for close to 10 hours, which means that you can easily use it for about 4-5 days.

Despite all these improvements and innovations, there are still areas where the BluSnap 2 is less than perfect. The button to switch the device on and off, for instance, is hard to press if you have gloves on. In case you attach the BluSnap 2 to your helmet and then try to wear it, it is almost impossible to do so, especially for people with a chunky face.

So, the only option you have is to wear the helmet first and then attach the device, for which you would require the help of someone else to fix it.Doing it yourself is like shooting arrows in the dark. We also did not fancy the fact that the air was being pushed directly into our nostrils. While not a big drawback, it can be a nuisance for some. One must also remember that the device will be less effective in areas with high humidity levels.

All in all, the BluSnap 2 is definitely a step up over the outgoing model and also makes your rides more pleasant.

The BluSnap 2 costs Rs 2,299 and that could be a little too steep for some people. For hardcore riders, however, this device could be a cool buy!

Indian Auto Company (IAC), a New Delhi based DIPP registered start-up offering automotive solutions in tracking and telematics, smart infotainment, rear seat infotainment and driver fatigue systems using IoT enabled hardware and platform has added IAC 404 Connected DVR (Digital Video Recorder)/In-Dash camera with GPS Tracking for both commercial and personal vehicles. The product is available from any of the dealer network across India or directly from the company website at an introductory price of Rs 14,990 which includes a 32GB memory card. The key feature of this product is the ability to receive live feed on the mobile device and web platform. The device has an in-built external camera with a viewing angle of 140 degrees and internal camera with 90 degrees to capture everything that is taking place in and around the vehicle. Other features include, night vision to capture highway driving in the dark, GPS location tracking, wi-fi hotspot and two way calling facility.

SANDHAR AMKIN MAVOX HELMETS Sandhar Amkin Industries Pvt. Ltd unveiled its range of motorcycle and scooter helmets under the brand name of ‘Mavox,’ with the brand tagline ‘Nayi Soch Nayi Raftaar.’ The company is also planning to introduce a range of functional, safety and lifestyle riding accessories. The helmets are priced in the range of Rs 1500 to Rs 3000. The full faced ones cost Rs 2400 to Rs 3000.

The three exclusive products in the range are OX10, OX11, and FX Max which come with features like UV resistant paint that maintains the premium finish; water tight interface visor for wet and rainy conditions, and a compact design structure for better stability of helmets, to name a few. The brand name is derived from the word maverick meaning unique, youthful and a trendsetter and it is combined with the strength of ‘Ox’ representing power, stability, and energy.

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B2B NEWS

Toyota, Suzuki announce major global initiatives on new technologies Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Suzuki Motor Corporation (Suzuki) have finally elaborated on their plans to work together not only in India but also globally by leveraging each other’s core strengths on electrification technologies (Toyota) and technologies for compact vehicles (Suzuki).

The two auto majors had concluded a memorandum of understanding toward business partnership on February 6, 2017. In addition to bringing together Toyota’s strength in electrification technologies and Suzuki’s strength in technologies for compact vehicles, the two companies now intend to grow in new fields, such as joint collaboration in production and in the widespread popularisation of electrified vehicles. Details of intended areas of collaboration are outlined in the table below.

I. TOYOTA’S STRENGTHS: PROVISION OF ELECTRIFIED TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRIFIED VEHICLES 1. Supply THS (Toyota Hybrid System) to Suzuki.

Global

2. Widely spread hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technologies in India through local procurement of HEV systems, engines, and batteries.

India

3. OEM supply of two new electrified vehicles built on Toyota platforms (RAV4, Corolla Wagon) to Suzuki in Europe.

Europe

II. SUZUKI’S STRENGTHS: PROVISION OF COMPACT VEHICLES AND POWERTRAINS 4. OEM supply of two compact vehicles built on Suzuki platforms (Ciaz and Ertiga) to Toyota in India.

India

5. Toyota to adopt newly developed Suzuki engines for compact vehicles. Such Europe engines are to be supported by Denso and Toyota, and will be manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland.

6. OEM supply of Suzuki’s India-produced vehicles (Baleno, Vitara Brezza, Ciaz, Africa Ertiga) to Toyota, targeting the African market.

III. COLLABORATION IN THE FIELDS OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION, LEVERAGING THE STRENGTHS OF BOTH COMPANIES 7. Drawing upon Suzuki’s expertise in developing vehicles in India, joint development of a Toyota C-segment MPV and OEM supply to Suzuki.

India

8. Production of the Suzuki-developed compact SUV Vitara Brezza at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) from 2022.

India

SIAM organises International Conference on IMDS and ELV With a focus on sustainable material management and environmentally safe disposals, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in association with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), Government of India and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), organised a day-long conference titled, “International Material Data System (IMDS) and End of Life Vehicle (ELV) Regulations”. The conference is a first-of-its-kind initiative focussing on sustainable management of materials, tracking of hazardous chemicals,

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heavy metals, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) etc. and to minimise their negative effects on the environment and human health. The data provided on the above will facilitate the automotive sector, regulatory agencies, R&D institutions and ministries to engage in further discussions, negotiations and actions under the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, for which MoEF & CC is a nodal agency.

SIAM, CCI, ACMA organise workshop on competition issues in auto industry Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in association with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), organised a workshop on competition issues in automotive industry. The workshop was aimed at proactively engaging with different stakeholders in the automotive sector to come up with feasible and practical solutions.

Highlighting the importance of fair competition in the automotive sector, Kenichi Ayukawa, Vice-President, SIAM and MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Doing business fairly is always good for the safety of the industry as well as the customers. India is the most competitive market and has immense potential and there is a dire need to have customerfriendly policies & products and the industry should be open to new changes in order to grow further.”

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B2B NEWS

Hyundai, Kia invest Rs 2062 crore in India’s mobility service provider Ola Hyundai Motor Group and Ola, one of the world’s largest ridehailing platforms, announced a strategic partnership under which Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) and Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) will make their biggest combined investment to date, as part the Group’s continued efforts to become a smart mobility solutions provider.

The agreement will see the three companies extensively collaborate on developing unique fleet and mobility solutions; building Indiaspecific electric vehicles and infrastructure; as well as nurturing best in class opportunities and offerings for aspiring driver partners with customised vehicles, on the Ola platform. Hyundai and Kia will invest a total of USD 300 million Rs 2062.82 crore approx.) in Ola. “India is the centerpiece of Hyundai Motor Group’s strategy to gain leadership in the global mobility market and our partnership with Ola will certainly accelerate our efforts to transform into a Smart Mobility Solutions Provider,” said Euisun Chung, Executive

Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. “Hyundai will proactively respond to market changes and persistently innovate to deliver greater value to our customers, “ he added.

As part of the strategic collaboration, the companies have agreed to co-create solutions to operate and manage fleet vehicles, marking the Group’s first foray into the industry, as they expand operations from automobile manufacturing and sales to total fleet solutions.

The partnership will offer Ola drivers various financial services, including lease and installment payments, while vehicle maintenance and repair services are expected to enhance customer satisfaction.

Hyundai, Kia and Ola have also agreed to coordinate efforts to develop cars and specifications that reflect the needs of the ride hailing market (both users and drivers). Data accumulated during service operation will allow the companies to make constant vehicle improvements to better meet local needs and specifications.

Hyundai Motor Group expects

to accelerate its transition from a ‘car manufacturer’ into a ‘Smart Mobility Solutions Provider’, as the partnership’s initiatives will allow it to engage in all aspects across the entire mobility value chain including vehicle production, fleet operation and mobility services.

Ola aims to create over two million livelihood opportunities in the mobility ecosystem by 2022. This partnership will help accelerate microentrepreneurship in India’s growing pool of aspiring driver-partners. Ola already hosts over 1.3 million partners on its platform and will further empower hundreds of thousands more, with access to tailored offerings across vehicles, financing, insurance

and more, substantially bringing down the total cost of ownership for partners.

Bhavish Aggarwal, Cofounder and CEO of Ola said, “We’re very excited about our partnership with Hyundai, as Ola progresses to build innovative and cutting-edge mobility solutions for a billion people. Together, we will bring to market a new generation of mobility solutions, as we constantly expand our range of offerings for our consumers.”

He added, “This partnership will also significantly benefit driver-partners on our platform, as we collaborate with Hyundai to build vehicles and solutions that enable sustainable earnings for millions of them, in the time to come.”

Mahle India opens Engineering, IT & Sales centre at Pune Mahle India, a leading international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry as well as a pioneer and technology driver for the mobility of the future, announced the establishment of the Mahle Engineering, Mahle IT and Sales shared services

Centre at Pune, Maharashtra.

Built over 55000 square feet this Mahle Engineering, IT and Sales shared services Centre at Pune currently employs more than 450 engineers and technicians. Recognising the design and frugal engineering capabilities of Indian engineers

the company expects to double its strength over the next three to five years. With this, the Mahle Engineering centre becomes an integral part of the global Mahle R&D Network and thus opens up its services to all divisions of Mahle, be it for conventional or electrified power train. This

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Mahle global engineering centre supports systems such as SAPPLM etc. and CAD applications such as Catia, UG, to name a few. This centre at Pune also becomes only the third global IT & shared centre of Mahle, the other centres being Mexico and Poland.

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B2B NEWS

Bosch Two-Wheeler & Powersports Business Unit to benefit from India growth story Puts brakes on motorcycle accidents with radar based assistance systems After the successful introduction of ABS and motorcycle stability control (MSC) technologies, Bosch has introduced its first advanced rider assistance systems for motorcycles, comprising adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot detection. This system will go to market with Ducati and KTM as soon as 2020.

These electronic assistants are always vigilant and, in emergencies, they respond faster than people can. According to Bosch accident research estimates, these radar-based assistance systems could prevent one in seven motorcycle accidents. The technology underpinning these systems is a combination of radar sensor, brake system, engine management, and human machine interface.

Bosch’s vision is to make the mobility of the future accidentfree, stress-free, and nearly emissions-free – and this goes for the continuously growing motorcycle market as well. “The two wheeler landscape today is undergoing many changes as industry players look to innovate their service offerings. As a key player in the two wheeler space, Bosch has always endeavored to provide services that integrate cutting-edge technology with the company’s inherent focus on functionality and efficiency,” says Geoff Liersch, Head of TwoWheeler & Powersports Business Unit.

According to a report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in India, up to 34% of road fatalities in the country involve riders of two wheelers.

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Bosch is tackling this challenge with a comprehensive threestep safety concept towards accident-free mobility. Firstly, by keeping the bike stable in braking situations and acceleration with systems like ABS or MSC; secondly, by realising predictive safety and comfort functions with innovative surroundsensing such as advanced rider assistance systems; and thirdly, by connecting the bike with its environment through motorcycle-to-vehicle communication.

The global demand for two wheelers is expected to grow annually by more than 4% from 2017 to 2022, reaching 122 million bikes by 2022. The major growth of the two-wheeler and powersports business is expected to be India where Bosch supplies market-specific motorcycle safety and powertrain solutions

to comply with regulations as well as local market trends.

The growth in India will contribute in a major way to Bosch’s Two-Wheeler & Powersports Business Unit which is continuing the ride towards the global target of one billion euros of sales in 2020 (Rs 7865 crore approx.), generated by assistance, powertrain, electrification, and connectivity systems.

BOSCH’S POWERTRAIN SOLUTIONS COMPLYING WITH BHARAT STAGE 6 Reducing emissions is a key objective of the Indian government in order to provide a sustainable mobility environment for the future. On April 1, 2020 India will introduce Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) which is similar to

Euro-6 in Europe. Bosch is offering scalable powertrain solutions with electronic engine management systems for internal combustion bikes as well as integrated electrification systems to support vehicle manufacturers in India to comply with BS-6emission standards and meet India’s unique driving pattern.

Electronic engine management systems are the core of efficient and economical technology for internal combustion vehicles.

In combination with highly developed sensor technology, engine management systems have shown considerable increases in efficiency compared to conventional carburetor systems and can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 16% (depending on the situation).

“We at Bosch are working towards ensuring a smooth transition to the new emission norms with a tailored product portfolio for the Indian market supporting vehicle manufacturers with local engineering competence - aiming towards realising the vision of nearly emissions-free mobility”, said Prabhu Panduranga, Regional President Two-Wheeler & Powersports Business Unit, Bosch India.

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Delhi gets its first Fully Automated Driving Test Centre Strengthening Delhi Government’s commitment to the cause of road safety in the city, Minister of Transport, Delhi Government, Kailash Gahlot inaugurated Delhi’s first Fully Automated Driving Test Centre(ADTC) at the Regional Transport Office in Mayur Vihar Phase I. Simultaneously, three more ADTCs started operating in the city at Vishwas Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan and Shakur Basti. These ADTCs are set up and maintained as a CSR initiative by Maruti Suzuki India Limited as part of its agreement with the Department of Transport, NCT of Delhi.

With these new high technology ADTCs, the Delhi government aims to make issuance of driving license, comprehensive, convenient, and more efficient with minimal human intervention. The fully automated driving test facilities use access control along with biometric, RFID recognition system. Access Control will permit entry of applicants only at the pre-assigned time slots, thus making it efficient and convenient. The new ADTCs are equipped with scientifically designed test tracks. The use of advanced technology including multiple high definition cameras help to evaluate applicants against 20 essential driving skills, in-line with Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR).

The Department of Transport, Delhi Government will continue to conduct the tests and issue driving licenses to qualifying applicants at all Centres. Maruti Suzuki has invested over Rs. 20Cr to set up these facilities. While the Department of Transport, Delhi will operate the facility immediately, Maruti Suzuki will

maintain it for next 3 years.

The scientifically designed tracks at ADTCs include tracks for testing reverse parallel parking, up-gradient, Forward-8, Reverse-S, Traffic Junction, H-Track for four-wheelers. A track to test overtaking skills has also been introduced for the first time.

This infrastructure, developed jointly with the Department of Transport, Delhi Government, ensures that applicants are tested for skills that are actually required as per CMVR. A special exit passage on each track is made so that applicants who fail mid-way can easily exit without disturbing other applicants and thus save time.

For a two-wheeler license the applicants have to drive around a serpentine track, to showcase their maneuvering skills. They will also be tested for emergency braking skills and skills to ride on a straight ramp, both introduced for the first time.

Maruti Suzuki will set up similar ADTCs at 8 other locations across the city. These locations are: Lado Sarai, Raja Garden, Hari Nagar, Burari, Loni, Rohini, Jharoda Kalanand Dwarka

Valeo sets up state-of-the-art R&D Test Lab Facility in Chennai Valeo, the French automotive technology supplier has set-up a state-of-the-art R&D Test Lab facility with an investment of INR 250 Million. The 15,000 square feet facility at Navalur, Chennai will further strengthen the technical competence of Valeo’s R&D function and house the test labs of Valeo’s Hardware, Mechanical and India Business R&D divisions.

The R&D facility in Chennai has emerged as a global software development hub for the Valeo Group that offers complete products conception capabilities to providing efficient support in the areas of Mechanical Design, Simulation, Embedded Software Development, Computer Vision, Machine Learning and Hardware & Functional Safety Design to Valeo’s global customers.

This newly set-up Test Lab facility will provide testing and prototype services to Valeo sites across the globe, supporting Valeo’s Business and Product Groups. The R&D lab in Chennai will also enable the Group to locally design and develop solutions for Valeo’s Indian customers.

Commenting on the Test Lab Set-up, Ashok Belani, Group President and Managing Director, Valeo - India, said, “The growth potential of the Indian auto sector and the availability of engineering talent pool, makes India a key market for Valeo’s future growth. Started in 2010, the Chennai facility has now become a key contributor and our investment towards the Test Lab is a strategic step for strengthening our capabilities to enhance the value that we provide to our customers.”

Globally, Valeo is in the epicenter of three automotive revolutions (electrification, digital mobility and autonomous cars) and developing a wide range of innovative products that are positioning the company as a technological leader in the global marketplace.

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Do electric cars make sense in India?

India needs to walk before it runs. So instead of going electric overnight, which will be a nightmare for Indian consumers, we need to go hybrid says, P Tharyan

I

t’s almost like an idea that has gone viral. Everybody is talking about electric vehicles- the government, the auto industry, common people and even the world around us. We are getting to see electric vehicles in the commercial 3-wheeler space, e-rickshaws and to some extent in the electric scooters and electric buses space.

On the part of the government, it has finally approved the FAME India Phase II for e-mobility. FAME stands for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II. It has got a total outlay of Rs 10,000 crore over three years beginning April 2019. FAME I just had an outlay of Rs 895 crore.

Environment pollution is the main focus and in order to improve that we have got to have electric vehicles.

The focus of FAMI II will primarily be on encouraging 2 wheelers in private sector, and 3 and 4 wheelers in the commercial vehicles segment.

Then of

course FAME II talks about setting up charging stations across the country in a gird of at least 3x3 kms, maybe around 2700 such stations all over the country in cities, towns, highways, hilly areas etc.

This adoption is not going to be easy at all. As of today, it looks like an uphill task in India at least. Let’s talk about the ground realities. What is this fuss all about? It’s all about environment.

The air we breathe is getting more and more noxious and contributing to that mess are automobiles that run on petrol and diesel with their internal combustion (IC) engines. A lot of countries all over the world have pledged to put an end to IC engines in the next few years beginning 2020 onwards. India too has an ambitious plan, but then only time will tell whether this plan will work or not.

Picture for representation purpose only.

My question is we need to check the ground realities before we start talking big on electric vehicles. Let’s see the passenger car segment, the non commercial side. Well, Mahindra Electric and Tata Motors are the only ones that make a few electric vehicles. The others are experimenting.

According to the latest SIAM data, Mahindra Electric which makes the e2O plus and the eVerito, produced around 15 electric cars in February 2019 and sold around 3. Literally there are no takers for electric cars in India for the time being in the passenger vehicle segment.

LITHIUM ION BATTERIES But before that, when it comes to IC engine powered cars, India makes almost 100 per cent of the cars today at its factories and exports a good number too. Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki, Ford India, Fiat Chrysler

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Automobile India, are among the several car companies that export their cars. The Indian auto industry is a huge revenue contributor to the government exchequer, besides being a foreign exchange earner. So right now it is a Make in India story as well as a Make in India for the world story going on. If we were to switch to an electric what would it entail? It means your entire drivetrain is thrown out, which essentially means your engine, transmission, clutch, exhaust, catalytic convertors etc. Everything is out. In its place come lithium ion batteries.

Lithium ion batteries constituted around 49 per cent of the cost of a large electric car in the year 2016. It came down to 43pc in 2018 and is expected to fall gradually to around 19pc by 2030. India does not produce lithium-ion batteries at all. We simply assemble them. More than a dozen companies have started importing lithium-ion cells from countries such as China, Taiwan, Korea, etc. They then assemble the batteries here in India.

So why can we not make cells directly?

Why import them? Indian does not have the raw material to manufacture the lithium ion batteries. We shall always be dependent on countries like China and others for the cells and raw materials to assemble our lithium ion batteries. There can never be a backward integration to this story.

from mines found in various countries.

The traditional suppliers for lithium and cobalt are South American and Australia and to some extent Africa.

BIG MANUFACTURERS OF ELECTRIC CARS The biggest name in electric car manufacturing is of course Tesla.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the Tesla plant in Fremont, USA a few years ago. Elon Musk had then subsequently tweeted that he would be getting into India, but then there has been no positive news since then. The Tesla Model 3 was the bestselling electric car in the world in 2018, according to data firm JATO Dynamics.

JATO says the Silicon Valley automaker sold about 138,000 Model 3s, beating out contenders like the flagship EV of state-owned Chinese automaker BAIC (92,000) and the Nissan Leaf (85,000).

In total, Tesla sold more EVs than any other automaker in 2018, JATO reports.

Picture for representation purpose only.

India needs to walk before it runs.

So instead of going electric overnight, which will be a nightmare for Indian consumers, we need to go hybrid. Yes, let the existing IC engine prevail and

let there be a small pack of lithium ion battery and let that get charged by both the lead acid battery and regenerative braking and let both the IC engine and lithium ion battery co exist. For example, let’s take the case of the new Toyota Camry or the Honda Accord, here both the technologies work in tandem. So for every 1000km you drive, almost half or more comes through lithium ion batteries. These are smart hybrids. Then you can see the Plug in Hybrid Electric vehicles, we call them PHEV. Jeep launched a plug in hybrid electric vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019. This requires charging at home or office. Here it runs on exclusive electric mode and once that gets over, the IC engine is your safe bet. So before we move lock stock and barrel into an electric drive mode, we need to walk. That is the only way we can keep the Make in India story alive. And equally important is the fact that electric vehicles need charging.

Electricy in India is primarily produced in thermal plants. Thermal plants are run with extensive use of products like coal among others. This is equally polluting! In short, we are left with a Hobson’s choice!

According to a report, Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) of China is the largest producer of lithium-ion batteries for electric mobility, followed

by Panasonic of Japan and BYD of China. Then there are others like OptimumNano Energy Co. Ltd of China, South Korea’s LG Chem and Samsung SDI. Now to make these batteries we need raw materials. Nonferrous metals and minerals featuring highly in Li-ion batteries are lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, copper and aluminium. The first four of these are used primarily as active cathode material, although lithium is also used in electrolyte. Lithium and cobalt come

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Cabinet approves Scheme for FAME India Phase II for e-mobility The Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal for implementation of scheme titled ‘Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II)’ for promotion of Electric Mobility in the country.

The scheme with total outlay of Rs 10,000 crore over the period of three years will be implemented with effect from April1 2019. This scheme is the expanded version of the present scheme titled ‘FAME India1 which was launched on April 1, 2015, with total outlay of Rs. 895 crore.

Total fund requirement for this scheme is Rs. 10,000 crores over three years from 2019-20 to 2021-22. The main objective of the scheme is to encourage Faster adoption of Electric and hybrid vehicle by way of offering upfront Incentive on purchase of Electric vehicles and also by way of establishing a necessary charging Infrastructure for electric vehicles. The scheme will help in addressing the issue of environmental pollution and fuel security.

DETAILS:

for public transport or registered for commercial purposes.

• In the e-2Ws segment, the focus will be on the private vehicles.

• Through the scheme, it is planned to support 10 lakh e-2W, 5 lakh e-3W, 55000 4Ws and 7000 Buses.

To encourage advance technologies, the benefits of incentives, will be extended to only those vehicles which are fitted with advance battery like a Lithium Ion battery and other new technology batteries. The scheme proposes for establishment of charging infrastructure, whereby about 2700 charging stations will be established in metros, other million plus cities, smart cities and cities of Hilly states across the country so that there will be availability of at least one charging station in a grid of 3km x 3km.

• Establishment of Charging stations are also proposed on major highways connecting major city clusters.

• On such highways, charging stations will be established on both sides of the road at an interval of about 25 km each.

Emphasis is on electrification of the public transportation that includes shared transport.

• Demand Incentives on operational expenditure mode! for electric buses will be delivered through State/city transport corporation (STUs).

• In 3W and 4W segment incentives will be applicable mainly to vehicles used

Mahindra genuine spares to be sold online on M2ALL.com Mahindra Spares Business, a part of the Mahindra Group, announced that Mahindra genuine spare parts will now be available online on M2ALL.com, the official Mahindra Group e-Store. Mahindra passenger vehicle owners can now conveniently purchase genuine spare parts for their vehicle from 20 key cities in India, with the facility of doorstep delivery.

With this offering, customers can now search for parts based on key words or part numbers and use filters to simplify their search on the website. The portal consists of a picture catalogue of parts where product pages have all the necessary information including a brief description, part number, latest price and vehicle/variant compatibility.

In addition to authentic products, the portal also offers customers the standard Mahindra Spares warranty policy. To attend to customer queries, a dedicated back end support team is available 24x7 over chat, emails and phone calls. Spares Business channel partners have been on board as sellers to provide prompt supply of parts to customers in the country.

About 1000+ commonly purchased parts in the aftermarket have already been listed on the e-store and the same will be regularly updated basis customer requirements.

The spare parts business unit caters to the requirements of Mahindra vehicles and tractors used by customers. It provides them with the best and genuine spare parts through capabilities in sourcing, assembling, warehousing and distribution.

As part of its expansion strategy, the business unit plans to create hubs across India to cater to the fast-growing demand for genuine spare parts.

Royal Enfield sets up wholly-owned subsidiary in Thailand Royal Enfield announced the formation of its first wholly-owned subsidiary in the Asia Pacific region, in Thailand. Thailand will also host Royal Enfield’s first assembly plant outside of India, which is planned to commence operations by June 2019. Thailand was one of the first markets in Southeast Asia for Royal Enfield’s new Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 Twins, based on

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an all-new parallel twin engine platform. Since their unveiling in December 2018, the 650 Twins have already received over 700 bookings in Thailand, with over 100 motorcycles delivered till date. The Interceptor 650 recently won the prestigious ‘Best Modern Classic Middle-Weight’ award at the Thailand Bike of the Year 2019 awards.

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ZF Friedrichshafen AG to acquire Wabco for `48,514 crore ZF, Wabco to have combined sales of Euros 40 billion (`3,11,194 crore) ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a leading global technology group and supplier of mobility systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Wabco for $136.50 per share for a total equity value of approximately $7 billion (Rs 48,514 crore approx.)

The closing is expected for early 2020.

The planned acquisition has been approved by ZF’s Management Board and Supervisory Board and Wabco’s Board of Directors. Together, ZF and WABCO will form a leading global integrated mobility systems provider for commercial vehicles, creating added value for ZF’s commercial vehicle customers. The combined company will have sales of approximately Euros 40 billion (Rs 3,11,194 crore).

Wabco is a leading global supplier of braking control systems, technologies and services that improve safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles including trucks, buses and trailers.

Its diverse products and services include integrated braking systems and stability control, air suspension systems, transmission automation controls, as well as aerodynamics, telematics, and fleet management solutions.

Wabco, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), generated Euros 3.3 billion

in revenues in 2018 and has some 16,000 employees in 40 countries.

Wolf-Henning Scheider, CEO of ZF, said: “We believe that, together with Wabco, ZF can form the world’s leading integrated systems provider for commercial vehicle technology, creating long-term value and security for its customers, employees and owners. For ZF the acquisition of a specialist and leader for commercial vehicle braking systems means adding a stable and growing business segment and enables our existing commercial vehicle division to expand its expertise in vehicle dynamics control. This will create the foundation for ZF to offer comprehensive systems for safe and automated mobility solutions

for passengers and goods to our customers. This is also in the best interest of our owners, the Zeppelin Foundation and the Dr. Jürgen and Irmgard Ulderup Foundation, as the transaction will result in a sustainable strengthening of ZF.” Jacques Esculier, Chairman and CEO of Wabco, said: “Joining forces with highly respected ZF will create a leading global technology company well positioned to capitalise on future demand for autonomous, efficient and connected commercial vehicles. We have a long history of successful collaboration to develop innovative technologies with ZF with both companies sharing an uncompromising drive for excellence, passion

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for innovation, and exceptional customer focus.”

COMBINATION OF SUCCESSFUL AND COMPLEMENTARY BUSINESS LINES The planned acquisition is part of ZF’s Next Generation Mobility strategy and will expand the company’s expertise to include commercial vehicle braking solutions for the first time. This plays a central role for the control of automated driving functions – including emergency braking manoeuvres of trucks and trailers. Following the acquisition, customers of both companies will have a partner in ZF who can offer them a fully integrated system approach, new drive systems for E-Mobility and autonomous driving functions. ZF expects

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that automated driving functions will primarily be implemented for commercial vehicles and in areas with low complexity and traffic (e.g. factory sites, airports, agriculture). The combination of both businesses is expected to further accelerate the development of new technologies to enable autonomous commercial vehicle functions, making ZF less dependent on the economic cycle of the passenger car industry.

The planned strategic

acquisition of Wabco is consistent with ZF’s goal to develop and deliver technology solutions that make cars and commercial vehicles see, think and act in order to reduce emissions and increase road safety. While ZF already has sensor systems and computing technology for its “see“ and “think” competence, together with Wabco, ZF will in future be completing the portfolio for commercial vehicle technologies to offer solutions to allow vehicles to “act”. ZF is

already a leading supplier in the area of steering and driveline technology.

Dr. Konstantin Sauer, CFO of ZF, said: “The intended strategic acquisition of Wabco comes at a good time for ZF. Following the successful integration of TRW, ZF has significantly reduced its debt levels. In fact, we overachieved in delivering our debt reduction targets. Wabco is a healthy and growing company with a strong cash flow profile that makes it a seamless fit with ZF and supports

the implementation of our strategy.”

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, other customary closing conditions and shareholder approval with more than 50 percent of Wabco’s outstanding shares. ZF expects to close the transaction in the beginning of 2020. Due to the cash flow profile of both parties, ZF expects to reduce financial leverage significantly again following the completion of the transaction.

Volvo, Singapore university NTU unveil world’s first full size autonomous e- bus Volvo Buses and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have demonstrated the world’s first 12-metre autonomous electric bus. The Volvo bus will soon begin trials on the NTU campus.

The 85 passenger Volvo 7900 electric bus is equipped with sensors and navigation controls that are managed by a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) system. Ensuring maximum safety and reliability, the AI system is also protected with cyber security measures to prevent unwanted intrusions.

with zero emissions. It requires 80 per cent less energy than an equivalent sized diesel bus.

This is Volvo’s first autonomous fully electric bus in public transportation.

The bus comes with a Volvo autonomous research software that is connected to key controls and multiple sensors. NTU researchers have enhanced it with an AI system that communicates with sensors, enabling the bus to operate autonomously.

This includes light detection and ranging sensors (LIDARS), 360-degree cameras and an advanced global navigation satellite system that uses realtime kinematics. This is like any global positioning system (GPS), but uses multiple data sources to give pin-point location accuracy up to one centimetre.

The system is hooked-up to an “inertial management unit”, measuring the bus’s lateral and angular rate. This will improve the bus’s navigation when going

over uneven terrain, ensuring a smooth ride.

Håkan Agnevall, President Volvo Buses, said, “Our electric bus featuring autonomous technology represents an important step towards our vision for a cleaner, safer and smarter city. The journey towards full autonomy is undoubtedly complex, and our partnership with the NTU and LTA is critical in realizing this vision, as is our commitment to applying a safety first approach.”

The Volvo bus has undergone preliminary rounds of rigorous testing at the Centre of Excellence for Testing and Research of Autonomous vehicles (CETRAN). Plans are in place to test the bus on NTU campus and to extend the route beyond the university.

The fully autonomous electric bus provides a quiet operation

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JCB to invest `650 crore in its sixth plant in India at Gujarat

JCB India, a leading manufacturer of earthmoving & construction equipment, will be investing Rs. 650 crore to set up a new plant in India as the company prepares to celebrate 40 years of manufacturing in the country.

The new factory will be located in Vadodara in Gujarat and will manufacture parts for global production lines as the company prepares to meet increased demand. This will be the company’s sixth factory in India. . It already has five world-class factories at Delhi-NCR, Jaipur and in Pune, where it also has a Design Centre.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford laid the foundation stone for the new plant. India has been JCB’s biggest single market since 2007. The announcement follows the start of work on a new £50 million factory to build cabs for JCB machines in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, UK which will be completed later this year.

Bamford said, “With major investment in manufacturing

capacity in the UK and India, we are very well placed to grow our business in the future. This year we celebrate 40 years of JCB India and our success over those four decades is down to our continual investment. It’s fitting that we mark the 40th anniversary with an investment in a factory which will give us enormous manufacturing capacity.”

Production at the new facility at Halol-II, Vadodara on a 44 acre site will begin next year. It will house the most modern laser cutting, welding and machining technology and will be a fork-lift free operation. It will be capable of processing 85,000 tonnes of steel annually.

JCB India MD and CEO, Vipin Sondhi said, “This new factory will be manufacturing engineered components and sub-assemblies for JCB’s many factories around the globe. It will add to the capacity at our existing plants in India. Vadodara presents us with the advantage of being located close to the Surat port and also to our key suppliers.”

Eicher Trucks and Buses aims to strengthen presence in African region

Eicher Trucks and Buses plans to expand its market share and double its volumes over the next few years in the African market. With a presence in 22 countries in Africa, Eicher already has a strong position in the continent. It has significantly expanded the distribution network with a focus to ensure sustainable growth and a progressive market share.

The company has made major contributions with its buses for public transport and educational field and special applications for trucks in multiple regions. It now aims to establish a strong presence in the Northern part of Africa as well.

Eicher currently operates in Africa with a robust portfolio including light-duty trucks, heavy-duty haulage trucks and tippers and an exhaustive bus range. It is the only CV manufacturer to offer products providing vehicles in the basic segment as well as the value segment. The company offers business solutions for cargo movement, public transport needs, sanitation requirements and infrastructure sectors to provide holistic solutions for

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each market.

In recent years, the new generation of buses and trucks have been developed with the Volvo Group Technology and introduced to address the diverse and demanding applications.

Eicher’s Pro 3000 & Pro 6000 range of trucks compete with the best in these markets and have created a benchmark for profitable growth. Eicher has also introduced several innovative customer initiatives and Lifetime Support Solutions in the region to ensure easy parts availability and fast service response time.

Speaking at the 14th edition CII- EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership in New Delhi, S S Gill, Sr Vice President & Head, International Business, VECV (Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles), noted, “With the commercial vehicle demand in Africa growing rapidly over the last few years, the African market is a big opportunity for Eicher. We are excited to display our diverse portfolio suited for needs of various African markets according to their business and government needs”

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Scania launches Central Parts’ Warehouse in Nagpur Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt. Ltd., has launched a Central Parts’ Warehouse in Nagpur.

Located at the zero-milecentre of India, Scania’s state-of-theart Central Parts’ Warehouse is spread across 30,000 sq.ft., with over 8,500 stock keeping units and caters to Scania’s off-road, on-road and engine products.

Ashok Leyland bags order for 1,290 buses from GSRTC Ashok Leyland has bagged an order from GSRTC (Gujarat State Roadways Corporation) for 1,290 buses. This order comes closely on the back of 2,580 bus orders received from various state transport undertakings recently.

Vinod K.Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, said, “We are very happy to receive the confirmation of this order from GSRTC. Our ability to bring value, combined with our superior technology and innovation will help us maintain our leadership position in buses in India.”

Petr Novotny, Managing Director, Scania India said, “This strategic move closer to our largest distribution partner, L&T, vastly builds on synergies and improves the operational efficiency, reduces the order processing time for our customers across India, thereby resulting in better turn-around-time and better availability of spare parts. This would help the customers achieve better Total Operational Efficiency (TOE), furthering the Scania philosophyof ensuring customer delight.”

“India is an important market for us. The centralised warehouse at Nagpur is a part of the company’s expansion strategy and reiterates our commitment to the country. We are confident that such strategic initiatives will further support Scania India’s growth story,” he added. The Scania India Central Parts’ Warehouse is located in the Logistics Park at Kalmeshwar.

Sanjay Saraswat, Senior Vice President, Global Buses, Ashok Leyland, said. “With this order, our order book for State Transport Undertakings is upwards of 3000 buses. This is a testament to the reliability, durability and robustness of our buses. The cost of ownership and the product experience which we can deliver is the best in the industry.”

Ashok Leyland is currently the 4th largest manufacturer of buses in the world and India’s largest bus manufacturer.

This order would further consolidate its leadership position

Mahindra Logistics successfully trains 10,000 drivers across India Mahindra Logistics, the largest 3PL solutions providers in the Indian logistics industry, successfully trained 10000 drivers across India as a part of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMVKY). The training, conducted at over 229 locations, focused on sensitising, training and empowering drivers about safety and security. The company took it upon itself to train 10,000 drivers in one year.

The defensive driver programme aimed at enabling and mobilising a large number of drivers to drive responsibly,

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understand vehicle condition and statutory compliances, safe driving in diverse conditions, behavioral training, stress management and communication.

also included training drivers on behaviourial and softer aspects such as developing interpersonal skills, managing stress, coordinating with different teams.

us that they are well trained and remain safe and secure.

Through this programme, we have trained drivers who not only work for us, but also from the industry at large”.

Some of the key training aspects included road safety, emergency and crisis management, conflict management, especially road rage, Female passenger safety in people logistics, Vehicle maintenance & sustainability, Statutory compliances, First aid during incidents / accidents amongst others. The program

Pirojshaw Sarkari, CEO, Mahindra Logistics, said, “We are delighted to have successfully completed the training for 10000 drivers.

I congratulate the team at Mahindra Logistics for this feat. Drivers are a key spoke of our entire ecosystem and they literally ‘Move’ the country’s economy. It is imperial for

Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra, in his letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, “For me, this is a significant achievement as a responsible business group and I have no doubt that Mahindra Logistics will continue to support Make In India with their focus on Move in India while upskilling drivers’’.

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BKT showcases its largest sized tyre at SIMA agribusiness show in Paris At the recently concluded SIMA agribusiness show in Paris, France, India-based Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) exhibited as world première the largest size of tyre the company has ever built for a radial agriculture tyre. It was the Agrimax Force, in the version IF 750/75 R 46, with a diameter of not less 2.30 meters.

Agrimax Force is BKT’s most popular and most appreciated tyre range. Agrimax Force is the ideal combination of efficiency, productivity, flexibility, and resistance. This latestgeneration tyre has all qualities to equip high-power tractors over 250hp. Thanks to the IF technology, Agrimax Force operates with a lower inflation pressure compared to a standard tyre carrying the same load. Besides, it offers tilling equipment a larger footprint on the soil leading to high flotation capacity plus a uniform load distribution of loads at low pressure.

Other tyres showcased by the company included the FL 630 Super sized 650/55 R 26.5 in the new version with HD (Heavy Duty) compound.

Especially designed for the combined use on the road and in the fields, FL 630 Super is

part of the Flotation range that distinguishes by extraordinary flotation features. Thanks to its robust structure, the tyre ensures excellent traction and superb road holding even if cornering or performing other maneuvers. The particular tread design ensures great grip on any type of terrain conferring the tyre also top self-cleaning properties. Thanks to the HD compound, FL 630 Super is now able to carry 50% more load compared to the standard version.

terrains covered by snow and ice. Yet, Ridemax IT 697 M+S is an all season product designed for road transport, and green maintenance and cleaning operations. Also in this case, it is a new size, namely 710/70 R 42 that is fitted on the tractor’s rear axle, whereas the front axle is fitted with version 600/70 R 30.

Also shown was the Earthmax SR 31 on display in size 20.5 R 25 designed for multipurpose usage for wheel loaders both on construction sites and on farm yards. Distinguishing marks are excellent traction and handling plus best riding comfort. The special tread compound is particularly resistant against cuts and high temperatures ensuring a long tire life-cycle. In addition, multilayer steel belts plus the rigid block design stand for extraordinary traction and stability even on muddy terrain.

BKT’s distinguishing mark at trade shows is a crystal-clear huge tractor made of not less than 1,500 kg of plexiglass.

This time it was equipped with Ridemax IT 697 in its new M+S marked size (Mud+Snow). Ideal for winter applications, the particular tread grooves and the special compound ensure extraordinary stability on

JK Tyre enters Limca Book of Records with India’s largest off-the-road tyre Leading tyre manufacturer and pioneers of radial technology in India, JK Tyre and Industries Limited, achieved a remarkable feat by entering the prestigious Limca Book of Records with the country’s largest off-the-road tyre - VEM 045.

Launched in 2014, the 40.0057 VEM 045 stands 12 ft. tall and weighs around 3.4 tons.

The size JK Tyre specifically

introduced the distinct tyre for India’s biggest rigid dump-truck that has a payload capacity of up to 240 tons.

Vikram Malhotra, Marketing Director, JK Tyre and Industries Ltd said, “JK Tyre has been at the forefront of driving innovation in the Indian tyre industry and recognition from the Limca Book of Records is clearly reflective of our unwavering efforts in

that direction. The VEM 045 has been widely appreciated for its sturdiness and functionality over these years. We are thrilled and further encouraged to introduce more such category-defining products and solutions in the future.”

JK Tyre offers a comprehensive product range in the OTR (off-the-road) segment that is highly efficient and

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Performance-oriented. The tyres come in different sizes to cater to all the industrial and mining segments.

APRIL 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 67

TECHNOLOGY

LANXESS fire retards delay combustion processes in car & bus cabins When cars catch fire, Lanxess fire retardants such as Disflamoll or Levagard give people the time they need to get out safely. The engine splutters, and thick, black smoke billows up from the hood: Every 13 minutes, someone in Germany has to pull over to the side of the road in this situation.

For many, it is a moment of worry.

A minor technical error, such as a short circuit in the wiring harness or leaking oil that catches fire when it comes into contact with hot car parts, is enough to start a fire. However, depending on the intensity, it can still take several minutes for the entire car to go up in flames if the fire continues to spread.

This usually gives drivers and passengers enough time to get themselves to safety – all thanks to chemical flame retardants in the materials. These flame retardants inhibit or delay combustion processes. They are found in plastics such as polyurethanes, which carmakers use to upholster seats, roof linings, rear shelves or side trim panels. With its products Disflamoll and Levagard, Lanxess is a reliable partner for these needs.

BIDING FOR TIME Evidence of this expertise can be found in Leverkusen, Germany, in the middle of Chempark, one of Europe’s largest chemical parks.

Here is where Currenta tests the effectiveness of Lanxess fire retardants under controlled supervision at its fire technology laboratory. “Materials in cars and buses must meet certain fire technology standards,” says Julian Bulk, Laboratory

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Supervisor at Currenta Fire Technology. As an example, he refers to the horizontal burning rate – a standard (FMVSS 302) that is used worldwide for the interiors of cars and buses.

“The point of this is to ensure that a car seat, for example, does not explode into flames,” he says. In concrete terms, this means that if the plastic in a seat catches fire, the blaze must not spread horizontally at a rate faster than 102 millimeters per minute. A fire here can be sparked by the flame of a lighter or match, or even the burning ash of a cigarette. Says Bulk, “This gives drivers and passengers enough time to get out of the vehicle.”

AT THE FIRE TECHNOLOGY LAB Julian Bulk knows from experience of the difference fire retardants in plastic can make. Using a wide range of standardised test methods, he

and his 18 colleagues review the fire behavior of plastics every day. “The plastics being tested are normally protected with flame retardants to fulfill the requirements,” he explains.

If they are not, they usually do not pass the test. A comparison test supports his findings.

First, tester Mahi Hakiki places a sheet of plastic made of flexible polyurethane foam the size of a piece of paper, folded lengthwise, horizontally into a small test chamber simulating the interior of a vehicle. The plastic has not been treated with a flame retardant. Before the test starts, Hakiki marks both ends of the sheet with a white stripe to help him determine the burning rate later on. Then Hakiki lights a flame and places it underneath the plastic sheet to simulate a source of ignition. The plastic sample catches fire. After 15 seconds, Mahi Hakiki turns off the burner. He watches the fire with a concentrated expression on his face. Once the flame

reaches the first mark on the plastic strip, he starts recording the time. The flame continues moving, while burned plastic drips onto a bed of gravel. Just as the fire reaches the second mark, Hakiki stops the time. The computer generates the result: 106 millimeters per minute. The sample has failed.

LANXESS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE Then it is time to test the plastic sheet made of flexible polyurethane foam with the Lanxess fire retardant Levagard.

The test is identical. Tester Mahi Hakiki once again lights a flame. The new plastic sheet also catches fire. After 15 seconds, Hakiki turns off the burner. The results are clear: The fire goes out as soon as the flame is switched off – long before reaching the first mark.

“Self-extinguishing” is the term Heiko Tebbe, Senior Manager of Application Technology at the LANXESS business unit

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TECHNOLOGY

Rhein Chemie Additives, uses to describe the effect of the fire retardant. He explains, “During the burning process, Levagard forms a sort of protective layer of carbon on the material. We call this process ‘carbonisation.’ It prevents oxygen and heat from

entering the lower layers of the material and keeps the fire from spreading further.” This effect has the potential save lives.

SAFETY FIRST It is essential to extinguish a fire as quickly as possible, regardless

of whether it was caused by a technical defect, an accident or just a brief lapse in judgment by the driver or one of the passengers. But because this is not always possible, automakers today are increasingly turning to the “self-extinguishing effect”

of Disflamoll and Levagard fire retardants – not least because the effect goes well beyond the minimum horizontal burning rate requirements. For Heiko Tebbe, the reason is clear, “There’s no cutting corners when it comes to people’s safety.”

BORGWARNER’S EGR technology enables NOX reductions for Hyundai engines The automotive industry is currently experiencing a major breakthrough: new guidelines regarding emissions require ever-cleaner and efficient engines. BorgWarner provides the Hyundai Motor Group with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves that reduce nitrogen oxide (NOX) and carbon monoxide (CO). In addition, the company’s technology contributes to improved fuel efficiency of up to 2.5pc and features costeffective design. BorgWarner is producing this clean and efficient technology solution locally in Korea for the first time. The technology is currently suitable for three of the automaker’s engines, including the Gamma II (1.6 litre), Nu Imp. (1.8 and 2.0 litre) and Theta III (2.5 litre).

Moreover, BorgWarner supports the Hyundai Motor Group by locally producing EGR valves in China as well.

“We are delighted to expand our successful, more than 30 year long-lasting relationship with Hyundai Motor Group. As leader in gasoline EGR technology, we can provide our customers with highly developed solutions such as an adaptable valve housing to be suitable for each engine layout,” said Joe Fadool, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Emissions & Thermal Systems.

“At BorgWarner, we are aligned with the aims of the Hyundai Motor Group, employing EGR for gasoline engines to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.

As we support our customers

with localised manufacturing, we have grown as a top supplier for EGR solutions,” he added.

EGR systems are a proven, cost-effective solution for improved fuel economy. To meet more and more stringent emissions regulations, the demand for this advanced technology is increasing among vehicle manufacturers.

BorgWarner provides its customers with a range of technologies, from EGR valves to complete EGR module solutions. By recirculating a controllable portion of exhaust gas back into the intake air, EGR systems enable the reduction of combustion temperatures and increase engine efficiency, even at minimal coolant flow.

The company’s valves precisely regulate EGR at various engine speeds and loads. BorgWarner’s solution enables reductions in fuel consumption by minimizing the use of enriched fuel/air mixtures while facilitating a leaner burn through improved combustion timing.

TOP LEVEL CHANGES IN MOTOWN SCANIA INDIA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES PVT. LTD., has announced PETR NOVOTNY as the new Managing Director for its India operations. Petr Novotny born in Czechoslovakia, has been with the Scania group for over 11 years, working in various international locations. He has held key positions in the sales organisations, financial services, including further responsibilities in information systems, human resources, network development and purchasing verticals across various markets. At Scania India, Petr will be responsible to drive the growth strategy for Scania India, to bring strategic direction to grow the company.

AJP GROUP has announced the appointment of MANAS DEWAN as its Chief Operating Officer for India. Headquartered in Pune, the AJP Group has an enviable and rapidly growing portfolio of brand collaborations including the likes of iconic Shelby India, British handcrafted scooter brand Scomadi as well as other brands like Tunit, CT Exhausts, Imperial Weaves, etc. Manas Dewan has two decades of full-time experience across global brands like Mercedes Benz, Dow Chemicals, Bajaj Allianz, Cadillac, Hyundai, LG,etc.,in India, Middle East and Europe.

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APRIL 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 69

Where two unique Indians meet- The Indian flag & the Indian Roadmaster Classic motorcycle from Indian Motorcycle of the US. Photography: P.Tharyan

PICTURE OF THE MONTH

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Explore the backwaters of Kerala

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Experience motorised fun without wheels

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