Motown India March 2019

VOL-9 • ISSUE-6 • MARCH 2019 • `300/-

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P. THARYAN (ROY) he 2019 Geneva Motor Show would just have started by the time this magazine hits the stands. Nevertheless, we bring you a preview, giving details of some of the cars that are going to be unveiled. One thing in for sure, the mood is definitely electric and the show promises some big ticket launches. One of the

highlight of the show will be the limited edition Battista hypercar from Mahindra owned Pininfarina.

Just as we were going to press, Groupe PSA announced that it would be bringing in the Citroen brand in India. The French auto major has already established a JV with Indiabased CK Birla Group. This will be the French Group’s third attempt in India. The first two times they tried their luck with the Peugeot brand, but found no success. Hopefully, this time they are successful with their Citroen brand.

We have reviewed some interesting products like the Mahindra XUV300, the 2019 Honda Civic and the humble TVS Radeon. Besides all this, there are plenty of interesting automotive industry news, CV news and the latest development on the automotive technology front. There is an interesting technology news on a bed (yes bed, the one we sleep on!) developed by Ford using the car technology. It’s really cool, I feel. Don’t miss reading about it!

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GLOBAL NEWS: Peek into 2019 Geneva Motor Show

CAR NEWS: Groupe PSA to launch Citroen brand in India

BIKE NEWS: Honda Neo Sports

Café CB300R launched at `2.41 lakh

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WHEELZ & ROADZ: Mahindra XUV300

WHEELZ & ROADZ: 2019 Honda Civic

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WHEELZ & ROADZ: TVS Radeon

WHEELZ & ROADZ: Triumph Tiger XRx

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B2B NEWS: Honda Cars India commences production of Honda Civic

CV NEWS: DICV reaches break-

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even in the truck business with BharatBenz

66 TECHNOLOGY: Ford tests lightbased visual language to help autonomous vehicles

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GLOBAL NEWS - PREVIEW 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

PEEK INTO 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

E

arly March 2019 will see global launches of cars, many of them electric, at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Motown India puts together some of the interesting products that will be showcased at the show.

AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA TO UNVEIL BATTISTA HYPERCAR Mahindra & Mahindra owned Italian design house Pininfarina will be launching the Battista all-electric hypercar. The sales of these limited-edition Pininfarina Battista will be managed by world’s most experienced specialist car retailers.

The company has announced details of the first phase of retail specialists appointed in its new global network. These partnerships will be defined and managed

by Automobili Pininfarina’s new Munich-based sales team to ensure the pinnacle of customer experience is achieved when the world’s first pure Pininfarina road car comes to

combined with ultra-luxury. Thanks to its carbon fibre construction and electric motors, a combined output of 1,900 horsepower and 2,300 Nm of torque is targeted, and it is expected to accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in less than two seconds and on to 300 km/h in less than 12 seconds, all with a potential zero emissions range of more than 450 kilometres.

market in 2020.

Since the company was announced in April 2018, Automobili Pininfarina’s CEO, Michael Perschke has prioritised the selection of the world’s leading specialist car retailers to support the company’s ambitions for the new luxury brand.

The company is working to establish global relationships with 25 to 40 Automobili Pininfarina retail specialists, all proven in highperformance and luxury car client relationships.

The Battista is planned to come to market in 2020 but with no more than 150 set to be produced – 50 for North America, 50 for Europe and 50 for the Middle East and Asia markets – potential customers are invited to apply to own Battista now using an online service within the company’s website.

Automobili Pininfarina has secured relationships with luxury retailers in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and will complete these regions’ networks during the course of 2019.

The Battista, which takes its name from Pininfarina SpA’s founder Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, will be a ground-breaking hypercar offering unrivalled performance

ELECTRIC ‘HYPERLUX’ MODEL

Limited-edition Pininfarina Battista, all electric hypercar

The show will see the world debut of the ‘Carmen’ – a fully-electric hyperlux grand tourer from iconic Spanish luxury car brand Hispano Suiza. Named after Carmen Mateu, granddaughter of Hispano Suiza’s founder, the new model is the ultimate expression of classically-inspired design, nextgeneration technology, exhilarating power and expertly-engineered dynamics.

Designed, developed and manufactured in Barcelona, 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

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GLOBAL NEWS - PREVIEW 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

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 highlyskilled 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. Hispano Suiza is a historic car brand owned by the fourth generation of the Suqué Mateu family. Between 1904 and 1946, Hispano Suiza built more than 12,000 luxury performance cars and 50,000 aeroplane engines.

Hispano Suiza Carmen - carbon fibre monocoque.

Taking the unique Ginetta character and bloodline that goes back to road cars such as the giant-killer G10 of the 1960s and infusing technology from Ginetta’s 2019 LMP1 car, the new supercar represents a truly individual supercar offering.

GINETTA ALL-NEW SUPERCAR Ahead of an official unveiling at the show, Ginetta, a UK based company has revealed details and imagery of its new creation. Founded in 1958 by the four Walklett brothers, Ginetta has a long and successful history of producing hand built road and race cars. Beginning with the G2,

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enthusiast favourites such as the G4, G10, G12, G40 and G55 followed in a varied line up. Acquired by Le Mans winner and entrepreneur Lawrence Tomlinson in 2005, the company is now known globally for its motorsport activities.

New Ginetta supercar

The engine is an ultra compact and lightweight unit mounted much

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GLOBAL NEWS - PREVIEW 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

further back than conventional supercars in a central mid-mid position. This layout allowed the engineers to achieve optimal aerodynamics, a weight distribution of 49% front and 51% rear, utilise a race-derived suspension set-up tweaked for excellent on-road feel and even create a large boot.

A dry-sumped 6-litre 90-degree V8, constructed from a single aluminium billet block with forged inners, the unit is manufactured in-house by Ginetta’s engineers and even features Ginetta’s own design of throttle bodies. Power is over 600bhp, with torque figures of 700Nm, resulting in a Power to Weight ratio of 545bhp per tonne. Being naturally aspirated, engine response is immediate and balancing the car on the throttle

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requires no electronic aids.

LAGONDA ALL-TERRAIN CONCEPT Aston Martin is poised to take the 89th Geneva International Motor Show by storm with the global debut of the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept.

Following the successful relaunch of Lagonda as the world’s first luxury zero emission brand and the surprise debut of the Lagonda Vision Concept at last year’s Geneva Show, 2019 sees the reveal of Lagonda’s All-Terrain Concept.

New Ginetta supercar

The first model Lagonda will put into production, the All-Terrain Concept bears the bold hallmarks of the Vision Concept. By taking full advantage of its zero emission platform Lagonda’s design team has created a car boasting extraordinary style and space efficiency combined with a rakish design language that demonstrates the unique freedom afforded by Lagonda’s commitment to zero emission powertrain technologies.

Joining the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept will be examples of Aston Martin’s three core series production sportscars: Vantage, DB11 AMR and DBS Superleggera.

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GLOBAL NEWS - PREVIEW 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

LAMBORGHINI HURACÁN EVO SPYDER Automobili Lamborghini will present the new Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder at the show. 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.

Lamborghini EVO Spyder

New VW Toureg

WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW TOUAREG V8 TDI Volkswagen will celebrate the world premiere of the new Touareg V8 TDI at the show. Its output of 421 PS makes it the most powerful SUV with a diesel engine from a German manufacturer.

The maximum torque of the high tech turbo diesel engine reaches the level of a super sports car: 900 newton metres.

Whether cruising at low speeds, moving fast or going off- road – this power

provides superior drive characteristics.

The new flagship vehicle will come on the market at the end of May 2019.

SSANGYONG TO SHOWCASE ALL-NEW KORANDO The new SsangYong Korando SUV from South Korea based Ssangyong, a Mahindra & Mahindra owned company, is the fourth-generation model to carry the name and follows on from the SIV-2 design concept first seen at the

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

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GLOBAL NEWS - PREVIEW 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Geneva Motor Show in 2016.

The car sports a new-look throughout which has been designed to maximise the car’s robust character with a distinctive new grille and headlight treatment.

This contemporary exterior design is complemented by a refined and premium quality interior, with enhanced driver assistance and safety systems along with state-ofthe-art connectivity.

all-new vehicle that embodies the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility and gives a sneak peek as to what might be on your future driveway.

Ssangyong Korando

HONDA E PROTOTYPE Honda’s new urban electric vehicle will be 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

Nissan IMQ -Teaser Concept car sketch

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. The smooth body contours lead from the bonnet

This all-new SUV will be powered by new 1.5 litre turbo petrol and updated 1.6 litre diesel Euro 6d engines, with an EV to follow.

Longer, wider and lower than the car it replaces, the new Korando measures 4,452mm long, 1,870mm wide and 1,620mm high, and with a wheelbase of 2,675mm, one of the longest in its class for increased comfort.

NISSAN WILL REVEAL IMQ CONCEPT CROSSOVER Nissan Motor Company of Japan will reveal the IMQ concept crossover, an

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GLOBAL NEWS - PREVIEW 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

to the panoramic windscreen to create a continuous surface up and over the front passengers.

Further enhancing aerodynamic performance, the stepless A-pillars sit virtually flush with the glass, to help deliver a quiet, refined journey.

Stand-out style elements, which accentuate the clean, uncluttered profile, include flush ‘pop out’ door handles and compact cameras replacing traditional side view mirrors. Both the door handles and Camera Mirror System are unique features for a vehicle in this class. The car’s advanced charging port is integrated centrally in the bonnet for ease of use from either side of the car, with LED lighting visible through the glass cover to welcome the driver and inform of the battery charging status.

Black panels with unique concave profiles at the front and rear are defining design motifs. The unique and exacting attention to detail of the round light clusters enhance the overall simple, clean design and defines the Honda e Prototype’s ‘human face’.

Honda e-Prototype

ambience for occupants.

KIA NEW FOUR-DOOR CONCEPT CAR Kia Motors has unveiled new images of its bold new all-electric concept car, due to be revealed at the show. A

visual embodiment of its desire to move forward into the exciting world of electrification, this concept is the company’s first pure electric four-door passenger car.

Intentionally designed to not sit within the industry’s predefined

Beneath the skin is an all-new, EV-specific platform that allows for compact proportions, while a relatively long wheelbase, wide track and short overhangs facilitate exceptional urban manoeuvrability and dynamic driving characteristics.

The appearance of a low, muscular stance – emphasised by the flared wheel arches that accommodate the wide tyres – lends a dynamic accent to the simple, clean exterior design.

Inside, a spacious cabin with a modern minimalist aesthetic creates a relaxed

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GLOBAL NEWS - PREVIEW 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

vehicle categories, it coherently draws together elements of a muscular sports utility vehicle, a sleek and athletic family saloon and a versatile and spacious crossover.

Intelligently reinterpreting Kia’s iconic ‘tiger nose’ grille, the concept features a bold new illuminated ‘tiger mask’ that encircles the headlamp units to create a distinctive and recognizable lighting motif, one which instantly marks this out as a Kia for the 21st Century. A single sheet of glass is used for both the windscreen and roof, flowing from the base of the A-pillar and over the cabin to create a vast sky-window, before tapering into a double-bubble over the rear passenger compartment. The rakishness of the car’s high shoulders and narrow glasshouse is further enhanced by an illustrated dynamic streak that draws the eye from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.

ALL-ELECTRIC KIA SOUL EV TO MAKE EUROPEAN DEBUT All-New Soul EV joins Kia’s growing range of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars with a choice of two long-range, zero-emission powertrains. The car will offer a fully-electric driving range of up to 280 miles from a single charge.

There is 25pc greater cell-energy density with new-generation battery chemistry, besides more power and faster acceleration from new electric motors – and up to 30pc

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more energy efficient than Europe’s current best-selling electric car

Kia electric concept

The all-new Kia Soul EV brings long-range, zero-tailpipe emissions power to the urban crossover class.

The third globally-sold electric vehicle from Kia Motors will make its European debut at the show.

In profile, the Soul EV’s boxy silhouette remains clear, yet subtle adjustments to its proportions and details give the car a more confident appearance. At 4,195mm in length, the Soul EV is 55mm longer than the car it

Kia Soul EV

replaces – with a 2,600mm wheelbase (+30mm) and a 15mm longer front overhang. This effect is enhanced visually by the newly-designed rear pillar and shape of its glasshouse. The windows taper towards the rear of the car, with a fin-shaped rear pillar replacing what was previously a sharp angle at the base of the rear windows.

The shape of the glasshouse draws the eyes along the side of the car as the bodywork kicks up towards the roof, ending in a matte black panel bearing the Soul name. This effectively balances the visual ‘weight’ of the rear with the longer front end. The Soul EV is finished with a unique five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheel design.

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GLOBAL NEWS - PREVIEW 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

SKODA KAMIQ – THE NEW CITY SUV Skoda is adding a third model to its European SUV portfolio: the Skoda Kamiq. 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-of-the-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. Three-dimensional and crystalline effects as well as LED units that look like glistening jewels add to the sophisticated appearance.

The full-LED version also features fog lights with static cornering lights as well as – for the first time in a Skoda – dynamic front and rear indicators.

The front indicators are divided into individual LEDs. When the driver turns the indicators on, they flash outwards in a sweeping motion.

The entry-level engine is a 1.0 TSI delivering 95PS. From its cylinder capacity of 1.0L, this three-cylinder model produces maximum torque of 175Nm and features a manual 5-speed gearbox. The 1.0 TSI with a power output of 115PS comes with a 6-speed gearbox as standard, but can be fitted with a 7-speed DSG as an option, and generates torque of 200Nm. The top-end engine is the four-cylinder 1.5 TSI with a power output of 150PS and maximum torque of 250Nm. The fourcylinder 1.6 TDI diesel engine

Skoda Kamiq

delivering 115PS also offers torque of 250Nm.

FIAT CELEBRATES 120 YEARS OF HISTORY

The 2019 Geneva Motor Show will see Fiat present its new 500 “120th” family

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The 2019 Geneva Motor Show will see Fiat present its new 500 “120th” family.

Available on 500, 500X and 500L, the new range celebrates Fiat’s 120th birthday, a milestone that very few car manufacturers around the world have reached. The Swiss event will also witness the début of the new Panda Connected by Wind and 5-Door Tipo Sport, the result of the cooperation between Fiat and

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GLOBAL NEWS - PREVIEW 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Wind, one of Italy’s leading telecommunications provider.

ABARTH CELEBRATES 70 YEARS OF HISTORY

motorsport.

Geneva will also see the debut of the new Panda Connected

by Wind special edition, the result of a partnership between Fiat and Wind, part of Wind Tre, a major player in the Italian telecommunications market.

At the show, the Scorpion brand celebrates its 70th anniversary.

Featured on this year’s stand will be the new Abarth 595 esseesse and the Abarth 124 Rally Tribute limited edition, both authentic expressions of the brand’s racing soul and its glorious past in

The 595 esseesse is a homage to the legendary Sixties tuning kit, successfully reprised back in 2009 on the Abarth 500 while the 124 Rally Tribute, is an acknowledgement to the Abarth 124 rally, after an enormously successful season culminating

Abarth 124 Rally Tribute

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GLOBAL NEWS - PREVIEW 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

in victory in the FIA R-GT Cup and the European Rally Championship in 2018.

SIX WORLD PREMIERES FROM MERCEDES-BENZ

premium segment with purely batteryelectric drive. The near-series concept vehicle combines locally emission-free mobility with impressive performance,

Mercedes-Benz will present the new CLA Shooting Brake and, for the first time, the Concept EQV and the facelifted MercedesBenz GLC. Also on display to the public for the first time will be the Formula E showcar and the smart forease+. While the new V-Class will celebrate its show premiere.

With the world premiere of the CLA Shooting Brake, Mercedes-Benz is presenting a design counterpart to the CLA Coupé whose elegantly contoured, muscular rear end ensures substantial benefits in terms of practicality and stowage space. The Concept EQV is also on display to the world public for the first time – it is the world’s first multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in the

maximum functionality and aesthetic design.

Following its world premiere

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Abarth 595 esseesse

in January, the new V-Class is celebrating its show debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Also celebrating its world premiere is the facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLC. Two further world premieres in Geneva provide an outlook on the future: The Formula E showcar represents the entry of the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E team into the ABB FIA Formula E Championship from the 2019/20 season onwards.

This series is the ideal platform to demonstrate the high performance of battery-electric vehicles under the technology brand EQ. Also on display for the first time are three special models from Mercedes-Benz and MercedesAMG: the SL 500 Grand Edition, the SLC 300 Final Edition and the S 65 Final Edition

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FERRARI F8 TRIBUTO Ferrari has revealed the first official photographs of 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 3902 cc V8 won “Best Engine” in the International Engine of the Year awards three years running in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and, in addition, in 2018, was awarded the title of the best engine of the last two decades.

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. The F8 Tributo punches out 50 cv more than the car it replaces, is lighter and benefits from a 10% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency along with the latest version of the Side Slip Angle Control, now in 6.1 guise. So while the F8 Tributo offers the highest levels of performance of any car in the current range, that performance is also very usable.

VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC R The Wolfsburg-based automotive producer is set to present the Volkswagen T-Roc R at the show, the latest top model in the successfully launched crossover product line. Developed by Volkswagen R, this powerful vehicle boasts some impressive performance data: the four-cylinder TSI engine with its 2.0 litre capacity and proven Volkswagen TSI technology has an output of 300 PS as well as torque of 400 Nm. It is equipped with a 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a 7-gear DSG dual-clutch gearbox as standard. This combination ensures excellent acceleration without any loss of traction. The Volkswagen T-Roc R can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

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AUDI Q4 E-TRON CONCEPT Audi is showcasing its compact SUV study with electric drive at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. The Audi Q4 e-tron concept provides a glimpse of the next stage of Audi electric mobility and is due to be presented as a volume-production vehicle in late 2020/early 2021.

Audi is also presenting the hybrid variants of

the models A8, A7 Sportback, A6 and Q5 with an electric range of more than 40 kilometers in the WLTP cycle at the Geneva Motor Show. Thanks to different output levels, the customer has the choice between a comfort variant and a performance variant with a sporty design, depending on the model series. The new plug-in hybrid models will be available for order during the course of the year 2019.

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GLOBAL NEWS

Next generation of the Porsche Macan will be electric

T

he Supervisory Board of Porsche AG has decided to manufacture the next generation of the Macan as a fully electric series. This will be the first all-electric SUV from Porsche, and is due to roll off the assembly line at the start of the next decade. The development represents an expansion of the Porsche range in the field of electromobility: the Taycan – the first purely electrically driven sports car from Porsche – will be launched to market at the end of 2019, followed shortly thereafter by its derivative, the Taycan Cross Turismo.

Leipzig was taken in July last year. Making this investment in electromobility at this facility creates the opportunity to produce fully electric vehicles on the existing production line in future. Like the Taycan, the next generation of the Macan features 800-volt technology and is based on the Porsche PPE architecture (Premium

The decision to manufacture the next generation of the Macan at the company’s site in

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Platform Electric), developed in collaboration with Audi AG – highlighting the future viability of the site and enhancing its flexibility and efficiency even further.

“Electromobility and Porsche go together perfectly; not just because they share a high-efficiency approach, but

especially because of their sporty character,” commented Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG. “By 2022 we will be investing more than six billion euros in electric mobility, and by 2025, 50pc of all new Porsche vehicles could have an electric drive system. Nevertheless, over the next ten years we will focus on a drive mix consisting of even further optimised petrol engines, plug-in hybrid models, and purely electrically operated sports cars. Our aim is to take a pioneering role in technology, and for this reason we will continue to consistently align the company with the mobility of the future,” he added.

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CAR NEWS

Maruti Suzuki Ignis gets roof rails, additional safety features Maruti Suzuki has launched the 2019 Ignis, with new safety features and a distinct new look. The 2019 Ignis gets Reverse Parking Assist System, Co-Driver Seat Belt Reminder and High Speed Alert System as standard features across all the variants. To enhance the design, roof rails have been added in the Zeta and Alpha variants.

The Ignis already comes equipped with dual front airbags, ABS and EBD, seat belt pre-tensioners with force limiters and ISOFIX – child seat restraint system as standard fitments. Ignis is compliant for frontal offset, side impact and yet to be introduced pedestrian safety crash regulations.

Launched in 2017, brand Ignis is built on a new-gen rigid platform embodying Suzuki Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) for occupants protection. For a generation that aspires to be `different’, IGNIS offers a blend of stylish exterior design, state-of-the-art technology and a spacious cabin.

PETROL MANUAL

EX-SHOWROOM PRICE (DELHI)

PETROL AGS

EX-SHOWROOM PRICE (DELHI)

Sigma

`4.79 lakh

-

-

Delta

`5.40 lakh

Delta

`5.87 lakh

Zeta

`5.82 lakh

Zeta

`6.29 lakh

Alpha

`6.67 lakh

Alpha

`7.14 lakh

Mahindra Launches new XUV300 at `7.90 lakh onward Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), launched its new SUV, the XUV300 (pronounced as XUV 3 double ‘Oh’) at an exshowroom starting price of Rs. 7.90 lakh for the petrol W4 variant and Rs. 8.49 lakh for the Diesel W4 variant (one price applicable across India).

The XUV300 boasts of a cheetah-inspired design, ‘fun-todrive’ performance, best-in-segment safety features, firstin-segment hi-tech features and class-defining interiors. It will be available in both petrol and diesel engine options.

The XUV300 comes in 3 variants W4, W6 and W8, and one optional pack on the W8 variant. It is available in 6 monotone colours and two dual tone colours: Red Rage, Aqua Marine, Sunburst Orange, Pearl White, Napoli Black, D-Sat Silver, Dual Tone White roof on Red Rage and Aqua Marine (only on W8 optional pack).

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MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 19

CAR NEWS

Picture for representation purpose only

Groupe PSA to launch CITROEN brand in India France based Groupe PSA has announced that it has chosen the Citroen brand to enter the Indian market. PSA has several leading car brands under its umbrella like Peugeot, Citroen, DS Automobiles, Opel, Vauxhall, among others. In 2018, the Citroen brand sold 1.05 million vehicles in over 90 markets.

The company said that the “The Group’s aim is to increase its sales outside Europe by 50% by 2021 and to position its brands in new markets: Peugeot in North

the Indian market.

Emmanuel Delay America, Citroën in India and Opel in Russia, while enhancing DS’s international footprint…”

During the presentation of FY2018 financial results and the second phase of its strategic plan Push to Pass for the period 2019-2021, Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing board, Groupe PSA confirmed the Group ambition to conquer new markets and announced that the Citroën brand has been chosen to enter

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The 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 CK Birla Group.

The Group’s aim is to “be Indian in India”, to manufacture vehicles and powertrains in the State of Tamil Nadu and to bring state of the art technology for an eco-friendly new product range.

Linda Jackson

Further detailed information will be provided at a later stage.

“This project means to be fully integrated in India with a comprehensive eco-system including local production of vehicles and powertrains, distribution of vehicles and services as well as procurements for the whole Group. Today’s milestone represents a significant step to meet customers’ expectation in India soon”, said Emmanuel Delay, Executive Vice President, Head of India-Pacific Region.

“We are very proud to launch Citroën in India, one of the fastest growing markets in the world.

Building on the Brand’s success in Europe with 5 consecutive years of growth, I am convinced that Citroën’s selling proposition of unique styling, eco-friendly &

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CAR NEWS comfortable cars at the heart of the market have all the potential to satisfy Indian customers”, said Linda Jackson, Citroën Chief Executive Officer.

“Announcement of Citroën brand for our Vehicle JV in India,

soon after the inauguration of the Powertrain JV greenfield facility at Hosur in late 2018, is a major milestone for the long term partnership of PSA Groupe & CK Birla Group. It is truly an exciting brand for the Indian consumers seeking international

eco-friendly products designed for & made in India with unique styling & comfort”, said C.K. Birla, Chairman CK Birla Group of Companies.

At the heart of the automotive market, Citroën has asserted

itself since 1919 as a popular brand in the true sense of the word, making people and their lifestyles its first source of inspiration. A spirit underlined by its ‘Inspired by You’ signature and embodied by unique design and a benchmark for comfortable cars..

Citroen to showcase 100 years of innovation at 2019 Geneva Motor Show At the forthcoming 2019 Geneva Motor Show to be held early March, Citroën will showcase 100 years of boldness and innovation dedicated to the freedom of movement, and a popular and cheerful automotive experience.

The stand will demonstrate:

THE CITROËN BRAND’S DYNAMISM:

flagship New C5 Aircross SUV. All of the brand’s current models feature bold styling and outstanding comfort, drawing on 100 years of expertise, embodied today by the Citroën Advanced Comfort.

A World Premiere for SpaceTourer The Citroënist Concept – a modern and connected concept van with extended mobility thanks to the “Rider The Citroënist by Martone” bicycle.

SpaceTourer The Citroënist Concept offers a combined living and working space, perfect for experiencing and sharing thrilling adventures.

A modern, strong and harmonious range illustrated, for the first time, by the new ‘Origins’ Collector’s Editions and by the

THE CITROËN BRAND’S VISION OF THE FUTURE: A World Premiere for Ami One

THE CITROËN BRAND’S HERITAGE: Three iconic models bearing the centenary colours: Type A, Traction and 2CV.

Concept – a disruptive ‘object’ with a distinctive personality – this all-electric twoseater places digital technology at the heart of a new mobility experience in the city. Ami One Concept offers more freedom and peace of mind, in response to new challenges in urban mobility.

The Citroën stand has been designed as a unique living space combining design and comfort, celebrating the brand’s centenary and focusing on the future – from ‘La Maison Citroën’ to the Ami One Concept. The stand features a daily performance of ‘The Place to C’, where Ami One Concept will be moving around freely in front of the crowd.

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MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 21

CAR NEWS

New Lamborghini Huracan EVO launched in India at `3.73 crore The new Lamborghini Huracan EVO was launched in India at a price of Rs 3.73 crore (ex showroom). The super premium sports car gets a retuned 5.2 litre V10 engine that produces 640hp and a peak torque of 600Nm. It can do 0 to 100kmph in just 2.9 seconds.

The new Lamborghini Huracan EVO was unveiled in the Capital

by Sharad Agarwal, Head, Lamborghini India. The V10 super sports car is based on the prowess and performance of the Huracan

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Performante and incorporates nextgeneration vehicle dynamic control and aerodynamics.

The Huracรกn EVO features the 5.2L naturally-aspirated Lamborghini V10 engine, uprated to produce higher power output and an emotional and powerful sound, with Titanium intake valves and refined lightweight exhaust system. The Huracan EVO outputs 640hp at 8,000rpm with 600Nm of

torque delivered at 6,500rpm. With a dry weight of 1,422kg the Huracรกn EVO reaches a weight-to-power ratio of 2.22kg/hp, accelerates from 0-100km/ h in 2.9 seconds and from 0-200km/h in 9.0 seconds. Braking from 100km/h to 0 is achieved in just 31.9m, with a top speed of more than 325km/h.

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CAR NEWS

Senior Lamborghini officials at the launch in New Delhi The new Huracán EVO features new Lamborghini rear-wheel steering and a torque vectoring system working on the four wheels. At the heart of the car is the new feature of Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI), a Central Processing Unit that controls every aspect of the car’s dynamic behaviour, fully integrating all of the car’s dynamic systems and set-up to anticipate the next move and needs of the driver, interpreting this into perfect driving dynamics.

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MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 23

CAR NEWS

Isuzu D-Max pick-ups available on Government e-Marketplace portal India-made Isuzu D-Max pick-ups will now be available directly to government departments and public sector units through Government e-Marketplace (GeM). The central and state government establishments can now directly procure from the range of Isuzu D-Max pick-ups, through the centralised GeM Portal, which includes the full-fledged commercial pick-up - D-Max Regular Cab Flat Deck (High-Ride variant), 5-seater multi-utility Pick-up – D-Max S-Cab (Standard & High-Ride variants) and the versatile adventure utility Pick-up – D-MaxV-Cross (Standard and High-Grade variants).

Uniformly priced across all states, the e-Marketplace platform will enable Isuzu Motors India to seamlessly cater to the varying transportation requirements of the centre-and state-level government departments. Key sectors under the ministry of agriculture, aviation, chemicals & fertilizers, defence, food & public distribution, road transport & highways, mining, petroleum, shipping, railways, rural development and tourism, besides many other central and state departments, would significantly add value to its functions with the range of durable, reliable and performance-oriented Isuzu D-Max pick-ups.

Tata Motors names its upcoming premium urban car as “Altroz” Following its unveil at the Auto Expo 2018 as the 45X Concept, Tata Motors is now gearing up to launch its next generation premium urban car. Leading up to the global premier of the production version of this vehicle at the Geneva Motors Show 2019, Tata Motors has christened this highly anticipated urban car as the ‘Altroz’.

The Geneva Motor Show is slated from March 5 to 17, 2019.

Inspired from the magnificent bird ‘Albatross’, the Altroz is expected to shine above all its contemporaries with its agility, speed, and efficiency along with best-in-class performance and in-cabin space.

The Altroz will be the first product to be engineered on the new ALFA (Agile Light Flexible Advanced) Architecture.

With lightweight, modular and flexible characteristics, the ALFA architecture has the ability to evolve into a range of modern and youthful vehicles within a short development cycle. Conceptualised under the IMPACT 2.0 design language, the Altroz car aims at reinventing the urban car design with greater emphasis on class leading connectivity and everyday mobility.

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Bookings open for all new 10th generation Honda Civic

Honda Cars India Ltd has commenced the pre-launch bookings for the all new 10th generation Honda Civic. The pre-launch booking can be made at all authorised Honda dealerships across the country, with a booking amount of Rs 31,000. The All New Civic is scheduled to be launched on March 7, 2019. Civic is Honda’s

longest-running automotive nameplate with cumulative sales of 25 million units worldwide. Over the course of ten generations, the Civic has continuously evolved to meet changing customer needs around the world and is sold in 170 countries worldwide, consistently raising the bar for design innovation, driving performance & fuel-efficiency.

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CAR NEWS

New Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition launched Land Rover has introduced the limited run Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition. The vehicle is powered by a 541hp, 5 litre, V8 supercharged engine. Velar is the second model in the Range Rover family to wear the coveted badge, after the introduction of the Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic in 2017.

to ensure the fastest Velar in the range cuts through the air more efficiently. Even the Range Rover lettering on the bonnet and tailgate has been enhanced, with a knurled finish on the metal element of the two-piece letters adding a fresh degree of sophistication to the exterior.

The Velar accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.5 sand is capable of 274km/h. Updated brakes and suspension components, plus bespoke settings for everything from the powertrain to the safety systems, ensure the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition mixes the personality of a performance car with the go-anywhere capability of a luxury midsize SUV. On the outside, the award-winning mid-size SUV features include a new front bumper with larger air intakes to feed the V8 Supercharged engine and cool the updated braking system. A new grille and lower side mouldings combine with a revised rear bumper featuring integrated quad exhaust finishers.

The exterior changes combine with a transmission tunnel undertray

Skoda Rapid Monte Carlo to be launched in India for `11.16 lakh Skoda Auto India is set to reintroduce the Monte Carlo marque in the market soon with the launch of the Rapid Monte Carlo. The Monte Carlo badge pays homage to the place with the same name, where Skoda has had an illustrious rally history. The Rapid Monte Carlo will be introduced for Rs 11.16 lakh (ex-showroom pan India). The car will be available across all authorized Skoda dealership in the country in exclusive Flash Red colour scheme.

engine from the Skoda Rapid model range. The 1.5L TDI produces 108.5hp of power and 250Nm torque while delivering a fuel efficiency of 21.72kmpl (DSG) and 21.13kmpl (MT). The 1.6L MPI,

16 valves Dual Over-Head Camshaft (DOHC) engine on the other hand will be good for 104.5hp and 153Nm. delivering fuel efficiency figures of 15.41kmpl (MT) and 14.84kmpl (AT).

The Rapid Monte Carlo will come with the 1.5L TDI diesel engine and the 1.6L MPI petrol

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MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 25

CAR NEWS

Ford India introduces new Endeavour at `28.19 lakh Ford India has introduced the 2019 edition of the premium SUV Endeavour at a starting price of Rs 28.19 lakh. The new Endeavour comes with a new design front bumper and chrome plated bold trapezoidal grille. Both rear and front bumpers have integrated skid plates to protect the car’s underbody even in extreme off-road conditions. It has new design 18-inch alloy wheels.

The ORVMs feature puddle lamps.

The Ford Endeavour’s wheelbase and length are significantly longer than competing models.

As part of the new content, the new Endeavour introduces 8-way Power adjustable driver & front passenger seat.

The new Endeavour features first-in-class active noise cancellation, a technology used in noise-cancelling headphones to help reduce low-frequency engine sounds from entering the cabin. The new Ford Endeavour also hold on to its promise of being the only premium SUV to feature a panoramic sun-roof, covering up to 50% of the roof space.

flexible seating and cargo arrangements – including fold-flat second- and first-inclass power-fold third-row that instantly flattens at the touch of a button and can hold up to 2,010 litres of cargo with rear seats folded.

The interior environment continues to be plush, modern and premium with extensive use of leather. The New Ford

Endeavour comes packed with a wide array of convenience technologies. It will be the only SUV in its segment to offer Hands-Free Power Lift Gate, enabling owners to open the premium SUVs boot by triggering a sensor in the rear at a simple motion of their foot. The feature is really useful when your hands are full of bags from an adventure or a family holiday.

The practical interior design in the new Ford Endeavour continues to offer

CNG powered new Ford Aspire launched at `6.27 lakh onward Ford has launched the CNG variant of new Ford Aspire.

Prices for the model start at Rs. 6,27,414. The new Ford Aspire CNG will be available in two variants – Ambiente and Trend Plus. The CNG kit for New Aspire will come with Ford quality promise and fitted to the 1.2L petrol variants at the company dealerships across India.

The compact sedan features a first in segment suspension type cylinder fitment which frees up boot space for better cargo management. While the Ambiente variant will cost Rs 6,27,414, the Trend Plus will cost Rs 712,314

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BIKE NEWS

Bookings open for Honda CBR650R motorcycle; To cost under `8 lakh Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. announced bookings open for its new model CBR650R in the sports middleweight segment. The bookings are open at Honda ‘Wing World’ dealerships across 22 cities and the booking amount is fixed at Rs 15,000. The CBR650R will be priced under Rs. 8 lakh.

high tuned performance. From rapid downshifting to smoothly controlled corner entry, the Assist/Slipper Clutch allows you to confidently experience the thrills of the CBR650R while Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) maintains rear wheel traction and can be switched off should the rider choose to.

Revealed at the 2018 EICMA Show in Milan, the CBR650R replaces CBR650F under Honda’s sports middleweight line up.

Drawn directly from Fireblade Super Sports style – and adding something extra all its own – the 2019 CBR650R indicates a potent shot of sporty ability designed to be explored, used and enjoyed on the street.

The CBR650R’s chassis is 6kg lighter than its predecessor for faster side-to-side steering agility. The new, adjustable 41 mm Showa Separate Fork Function (SFF) USD forks offer superior suspension response.

The CBR650R also allows easy pauses with enhanced braking.

The dual radial-mount calipers match a single-piston rear caliper for improved balance.

The dual channel ABS maintains smooth control in wet or dry conditions

The new CBR650R comes equipped with a powerful 649cc liquid cooled four-cylinder, DOHC 16-valve engine, for an enriched

The 4 exhaust downpipes sweep together around the front of the engine, and the specially designed muffler delivers an electrifying roar, giving the rider a unique symphony flagging off every ride! Taking cues directly from the Fireblade, CBR650R features new styling with its sharp, aggressive lines and extended side fairings plus super-short rear section.

Modern full LED lighting with a narrow dual headlamp akin

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to the Fireblade and a digital LCD display enhance its bold looks. The view forward is pure sports; the handlebars clipon below the top yoke and the instruments feature a Gear Position and Shift Up indicator.

The CBR650R will be available in 2 vibrant colours - Grand Prix Red & Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic. Bookings are now open from Honda exclusive Wing World outlets across India at just Rs. 15,000

MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 27

BIKE NEWS

Honda Neo Sports Café CB300R launched at ` 2.41 lakh Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has launched the Honda CB300R motorcycle at a price of Rs 2.41 lakh(ex showroom pan India). The new Honda CB300R sport naked bike has the Neo Sports Café DNA and is powered by a 286cc, DOHC 4-valve liquid cooled PGM-FI engine. The bike has a best in class torque to weight ratio.

With this launch, HMSI or Honda 2 Wheelers, has made its entry into the growing middle weight motorcycle segment in India. The Neo Sports Café family is Honda’s ultra modern minimalist take on the timeless roadster design. The CB300R is inspired from its powerful sibling CB1000R Neo Sports Café which was originally showcased at the Tokyo

Motor Show 2017.

The motorcycle was unveiled in the presence of Minoru Kato, president & CEO, and Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President- Sales & Marketing, HMSI. The new Honda CB300R will be available in two coloursmatte axis gray metallic and candy chromospheres red. The CB300R is already booked for over three months based on the company’s production plan. The introduction CB300R will debut the new premium silver wingmark in India.

The Honda CB300R, in terms of its styling, mixes café racer inspirations with super compact trapezoid form. The engine and casings and

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blacked out, while it has brushed aluminium radiator shroud, premium finish parts of steel tabular frame and a chrome underslung dual chamber exhaust.

All lights including the indicators on the CB300R are LED. The round metal rim headlight with its builtin horseshoe come armed with signature two-bar light feature while the taillight is the thinnest ever to be mounted on a Honda motorcycle. The thin lightweight and fully digitalized LCD meter display provides speed, engine rpm, fuel level and gear position simply with

warning lights displayed across the top.

The front 37.6cm3 hubless floating disc and 30.0cm3 rear floating disc are modulated by 2 channel ABS which works on an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The IMU action gives the uniform front to rear distribution of ABS operation and maintain stability of vehicle even during sudden brake application.

At 147kg, the CB300R is the lightest motorcycle in its segment. The brand new frame mixes pressed and tabular steel and is anchored by pressed steel swingarm pivot plates and swingarm delivers agile handling with stability.

Complimenting this are the 41mm USD front forks. The bike comes with fat bar-style handlebars with 40deg radius, 2.3m turning radius, single rear shock with 5-speed spring loaded adjustment and compact 1344mm wheelbase.

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BIKE NEWS

Triumph Motorcycles launches all-new Street Twin & Scrambler

TVS StaR City+ Kargil Edition launched at ` 54,399

Triumph Motorcycles India has launched the all new Street Twin & the new Street Scrambler in India at Rs 7,45,000 and Rs 8,55,000 respectively. The new 2019 Street Twin and the new Street Scrambler now come with a whole new set of equipment, enhanced rider comfort and features that make them stand apart from their predecessors. The motorcycles were unveiled by Shoeb Farooq, General Manager, Triumph Motorcycles India Pvt Ltd.

TVS Motor Company has launched the Kargil edition of their TVS StaR City+.

The rollout of this edition is a tribute to the spirit and attitude of a soldier, which resides in every Indian. Priced at Rs. 54,399 (ex-showroom Delhi), the Kargil edition is now available across select dealerships.

Both, the new Street Twin and the new Street Scrambler get a significant power increase, up by 10PS to 65PS with 18% more power. The higher revving engine now redlines 500 rpm higher with an 80Nm torque and both the motorcycles sport new Brembo 4-piston brake callipers for enhanced braking performance. Ride-by-wire brings enhanced rideability, safety and control from a single throttle body and is sensitively incorporated with minimal visual impact. The liquid cooled engine delivers low emissions and fuel efficient riding and the high service intervals of 16,000km also help maintain the new Street twin and the new Street Scrambler’s low cost of ownership.

The Kargil edition gets its design inspiration from snow peaks, rough terrains and disciplined lives of the soldiers who protect the nation day and night. The white and green dual tone colour scheme with camouflage graphics is unique and first-of-itskind. The Kargil emblem on the back of the bike connotes the indomitable spirit of every Indian, who will own this vehicle. The motorcycle features new decals, which are a combination of the 3 colours, Naval white, Soldier green and Flying blue.

Shoeb Farooq, GM, Triumph Motorcycles India, launches the Street Twin & Street Scrambler

Benelli launches Adventure Tourer TRK 502 & TRK 502X at `5 lakh onward Benelli has launched the Adventure Tourer TRK 502 and TRK 502X at Rs 5 lakh and Rs 5.40 lakh respectively.

The premium motorcycles were launched by Benelli and Adishwar Auto Ride India – Mahavir Group.

The adventure-oriented range of motorcycles from Benelli boasts of comfortable ergonomics, amazing wind and weather protection, superior suspension and efficient and powerful twin-cylinder engine.

While the TRK 502 is the perfect travelling companion for long leisure rides, the TRK 502X is designed to meet the needs of the most demanding riders who wish to travel without boundaries.

enjoy long hauls without much stopping for fuel fill-ups.

Wrapped in a traditional

The TRK range gets a 20-litre fuel tank that allows riders to

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Benelli steel trellis frame, the TRK 502 range is powered by an all new twin-cylinder, liquidcooled, four-stroke, 500cc, DOHC engine with 4-valves per cylinder. The fuelinjected motor produces 46.8hp@8500rpm, with peak torque of 46Nm available at 6000rpm. The slick shifting six-speed gearbox is offered along with a gear shift indicator, which enables you to get into the right gear for right situation.

MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 29

FEATURES

BOOK REVIEW

DEAR JOURNEY FREEWHEELING / DEAR JOURNEY WITHIN Author: Manas Dewan Publisher: The Write Place/ Crossword Bookstores Ltd Price: `299/I could have finished reading this book, “Dear Journey Freewheeling” in maybe half a day. But then there is no fun reading a book in one sitting, unless of course it’s a crime thriller and you want to know who the killer is so that you can end up cussing the fellow for all the brutalities he or she may have committed. But when a book encapsulates an admirable, adventurous and fulfilling motorcycle journey undertaken through 18 countries, then it needs to be savoured and relished and you need to dream along as the author narrates his incredible experience.

I have always known the author Manas Dewan as one who used to head the corporate communications team at Mercedes-Benz India. Being an automobile journalist, it is but obvious that I need to interact with such people in order to fulfil my professional duties.

Many of the corporate communications people I have interacted with, especially those heading multinational auto companies have come across to me as insipid, egoistic and haughty. That meant I stayed away from many of them as much as possible. As for Manas, I could never really form an opinion, since I barely interacted with him personally as he was based in Pune and I was in Delhi.

One fine day Manas Dewan quit Mercedes-Benz India and then he reappeared in my life when he told me that he and his wife Anuradha Dewan (Anu) were embarking on a journey across several countries on his motorcycle. I wished them well and wrote about their trip plans on my website www.motownindia.com.

Manas and Anu followed their dreams. They went on an 18-country journey on their Ducati Scrambler motorcycle starting from Valencia in Spain and culminating in Turkey. The journey last around four months.

So what got this married couple to quit their plum jobs and dig into their hard earned savings to buy an expensive motorcycle and embark upon an even more expensive trip? Very simple…the author kept reminding himself of some very motivating words, “If you have not chased your dream, then have you really lived!” Bingo!

These words got them to hop on

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to the ride of their lives.

This book is really a twoin-one story. On one side is the story Dear Journey Freewheeling (non- fiction) and on the other side is Dear Journey Within (fiction). While the former is all about the motorcycle journey, the latter is a set of “fables for grown –ups”. As a writer, Manas has proved his versatility with this book. As for the motorcycle ride, both he and his wife have proved they are dreamers, risk takers, adventurous and romantic at heart. But when it comes to the fables, Manas has metamorphosed into a writer with the heart of a poet. It is sheer brilliance that exudes itself page after page, fable after fable.

In Dear Journey Freewheeling, the author has described vividly the story of a gypsy heart. As he and his wife move from one country into another, meeting different kinds of people, winning them over with their vagabond spirit and in turn falling in love with the diverse cultures, there is a lot one learns of the planet we live in and the people who live in them. From friendly people, to helpful border guards, the book has it all. The “Encounter at the Bosnia Border” was one of my favourites where the intimidating and bulky passport officer along with his equally bulky men surrounded Manas and Anu for a selfie “encounter”! There are many more anecdotes like these that make this book an interesting read.

As for Dear Journey Within, this set of fables is truly brilliant. The poet in Manas Dewan is at its best here. Interesting experiences have been stitched together in each of the fable and narrated with animals, birds and flowers being the protagonists. Many of the sentences here rhyme and each fable has been written in a short and sweet manner. In particular I liked “The Common House Sparrow” fable wherein the sparrow says, “Not every dream can be made—call it luck, call it fate. Chicks to feed, buttons to mend— upon my work, folks depend. And though I harbour secret dreams, reality weighs upon my wings. It is my lot to soldier on — though I dream to travel long. But sometimes through the rain and thunder, in my home, a gypsy enters— and through their eyes I travel new lands…hearing their words I put on wings”. A must read for all those who love to put on wings!

P. THARYAN

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FEATURES

Trek Bicycle launches new road-bikes for beginners at ` 57,999 onward Trek Bicycle has launched four new road-bikes –2019 Domane AL 2, AL 3, AL 4 & AL5 targeting beginners and avid cyclists who are into endurance cycling. The all new Domane AL series features a lightweight Alpha Aluminium frame with endurance geometry to maximize control, handling and responsiveness. The unique Iso Speed Carbon fork, which swoops forward toward the dropouts, absorbs vibrations from the road so the rider’s arms don’t fatigue as quickly.

Consumers can choose from 3 different group sets with a wide range of gearing for long climbs, tubeless ready rims and puncture-resistant “Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite” tyres are standard on all 4 variants. The top of the line Domane AL5 is equipped with 11-speed Shimano 105 Drivetrain which includes 105 shifters, 105 front and rear Derailleurs, 105 Crank, 105 Cassette and 105 Chain. The 2019 Domane AL series in India starts at a price point of Rs 57,999 and uses Trek’s patented 100 Series Alpha Aluminum to build frames that are strong, light and provide a ride quality that rivals many of their carbon counterparts.

These frames are “Warrantied for Life” Navneet Banka, Country Manager, Trek Bicycle India said, “Domane

is one of the most popular models from our road bike portfolio and is a perfect combination of speed and comfort; while getting cyclists into the world of road cycling without a huge price tag! Domane AL series offers balanced, race-stable endurance geometry that delivers responsive and predictable handling even on the roughest roads.

We have introduced the series in India keeping in mind Randonneurs and as well as beginners who want to get into endurance and leisure riding. We continue our commitment of providing Trek’s global products fitted with latest technology to the growing base of cyclists in India.”

Trek Bicycle launches new performance road-bikes at `1.06 lakh onward Trek Bicycle has launched two new performance road-bikes - Émonda ALR 4 & ALR 5 targeting pro-cyclists and enthusiasts in India. The all new Émonda ALR with its exceptional ride characteristics at a great value with carbon frame-like looks is undoubtedly the ideal road bike for races, club rides and more. A lot of this is down to Trek’s “Invisible Weld Technology” which increases the surface area of the frame, adding to strength and reducing weight.

The new Émonda ALR models in India starts at a price point of Rs 1.06 lakh. The ALR model’s frame weight comes in at a competitive 1.12 kg and it uses the Trek’s patented 300 Series Alpha Aluminum. Trek Émonda bikes come with ‘H2’ fit – the optimal fit to put most riders in the right

position for power and performance. Émonda ALR 4 is a lightweight aluminium road bike. Shaped tubes, Invisible Weld Technology and a lightweight frame that’s perfect for new riders and racers alike gives Émonda ALR the looks and handling of carbon at the price of aluminium.

MRP – Rs 106,199 Émonda ALR 5 is fast, light, responsive and balanced – everything a quality aluminium road bike should be. But it also has the sleek looks of a far more expensive carbon bike.

Upgrades on parts that make a big difference in performance, like the dependable Shimano 105 drivetrain, make it a smart choice for racing, club rides and more.

MRP – Rs 124,299

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MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 31

FEATURES

Lamborghini Day celebrated for the first time in India Automobili Lamborghini brought its international platform – Lamborghini Day to India for the first time from February 23 to 24, 2019 in Jaipur, Rajasthan in North India. Lamborghini Day celebrates Lamborghini’s leadership in the super luxury cars segment. The same was attended by Lamborghini customers from across the country along with the global leadership team.

As part of the celebrations, Lamborghini hosted a dinner on February 23 followed by a drive on the streets of Jaipur, the next day. Over the last decade, Lamborghini India has had several firsts

to its credit – the first Women’s Drive was held in Delhi in 2016, the Lamborghini Urus was launched in India among the first few markets and GIRO brought together like-minded Lamborghini owners for a driving experience of their Lamborghini in some of the most beautiful parts of the India.

Adding on to the service experience, Lamborghini also has a unique programme called Service Clinic, wherein a technician from Italy visits once a year to check and certify each and every Lamborghini on Indian road.

Indian Motorcycle organises IMRG Zonal ride in Munnar Indian Motorcycle organised the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (IMRG) Zonal ride in the mountain range of the Western Ghats in Munnar, Kerala. The IMRG Zonal ride was held at the Mountain Club Resort Chinnakanal, Munnar from February 22 to 24, 2019.

Passionate and enthusiastic Indian Motorcycle owners got together to explore the beauty of the Western Ghats in Munnar on their mean machines. Indian Motorcycle India also continued the ‘Wheels of Change’ initiative for Girl Child Education at GHSS Chinnakanal School of Kochi and distributed educational kits to the underprivileged girl child. Indian Motorcycle India has been doing the nation-wide rides to promote “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” initiation of government.

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FEATURES

HELMET REVIEW

STEELBIRD SBA-1 HF While India and its citizens might lag behind a bit when it comes to safety, Steelbird Hi-Tech, an Indian helmet manufacturer has broken the norm and become the first helmet manufacturer to be ready with IS 4151: 2015 helmets. For those that are not aware of the entire story, the Indian government has enforced a law for all helmets to be complaint with this new standard. IS: 4151: 2015 replaces the older IS 4151: 1993. We got one such helmet from Steelbird, that is not only compliant with the new law but also has a hands free function.

The SBA-1 HF gets built in speakers and a microphone for taking calls and listening to music. All this comes for a not too exorbitant price of Rs 2,589.

The SBA -1 HF is the hands free version of the SBA-1 and it comes in only three plain colour options – Black, White and Red. The helmet does not boast of a flamboyant design, rather it has a simple look. Now

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while in no way does the helmet look ugly, but I do feel that since Steelbird does offer the normal SBA-1 in many exciting colour schemes and with interesting graphics, the same could have been available on the HF version, even if as an option along the existing colours. That said, one could take the HF version’s plain exterior as an open canvas that can be painted to their liking.

The helmet comes in 580mm and 600mm sizes.

Ventillation is taken care of by a vent in the front and one on the top, both of which can be closed. There are also smart looking twin vents at the back to circulate the air.

The polycarbonate anti-scratch visor is large enough to not block your view in any way and you can look at a fair bit of things without having to tilt and turn your head.

Now coming to the meat of the subject, the helmet has a hands-free advantage.

The SBA-1 HF has a 3.5mm aux port on the left side of the helmet which can be used to connect to your phone.

You do not need any app to use the functionality of this helmet, in fact you do not even necessarily need a smartphone to use it since there are no apps involved. The helmet acts like a normal earphone with mic.

Steelbird provide an aux wire with the helmet, which can be found tucked away neatly in a pouch on the helmet strap.

This is a simple yet innovative thing to do as it makes carrying the wire easy and you always remember where you have kept the wire. Once you plug one end of the wire in the helmet and the other in your phone, you are ready to roll.

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The mic has noise cancellation built in for picking up just the rider’s voice and not the traffic sound and this works to a great extent. Once you are on a call, the speakers are loud enough to be audible when you are riding and the mic is also powerful enough to catch your voice without you having to scream at the top of your lungs. Wind noise is almost not heard at all on the other end of the call and only very loud sounds like sharp horn and noisy vehicles seep through but that would happen even if you were on a call normally.

The speakers do not have noise cancellation, meaning that you can listen to both the audio from the speakers and from your surroundings. This is very helpful as being aware of your surroundings, is key to safe driving.The components do not require any kind of battery to operate and are IP5 certified, meaning that they are dust and water resistant. So while the components might not survive being submerged in water, the usual rain or accidental spill of water should not be a problem.

The helmet is easy to wear and the one we tested was a full 60cm version. It is snug fitting and the chain strap is easy to lock and unlock.

The Steelbird SBA-1 allows you to take calls and listen to some music all the while that you ride, without requiring any expensive equipment is a great thing.

There are more and more budding bike enthusiasts today than ever before who go on long journey or even people who deliver items on two wheelers, this helmet will be a relatively inexpensive way of making their rides more fun and easy. The helmet also complies with the latest ISI 4151 standard meaning that it is a safe option and will protect you in case of an unfortunate accident. The looks could have done with a bit more work but you can see it as an empty canvas and fill it as you please.

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

MAHINDRA XUV300

PERFECT RECIPE

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A driving experience

Report: Aakash S. Paul; Photography: Neeraj Panwar

M

ahindra & Mahindra has decided to dip its hands in the compact SUV segment, which is already too crowded at this point. In fact there are so many of them and they all offer something unique that one is left wondering which to go for. And now, Mahindra& Mahindra seems determined to break into the section with style. Their latest offering, the XUV300 is here to offer something more than what is already there. Hard to believe? But the company has managed to do it.

EXTERIOR DESIGN AND STYLING Though the XUV300 is the younger sibling of the XUV500, the exterior of the car tends to resemble other compact SUVs like the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Despite that, the XUV300 has a lot of character of its own. It looks premium and sharp when you see it in the flesh, thanks to the muscular lines on the bonnet and on the sides. The front gets a chrome studded grille and projector headlamps along with fog lamps. The LED DRLs that border the top and side of the headlamps, extend a good measure down and I am still not fancying this design choice. At the very least, it gives the XUV300 a distinctive front that can be recognised from a mile away. The side of the compact SUV seems to end rather abruptly. The razor sharp 17-inch alloy wheels look really nice.

The heated and power foldable ORVMs are a segment first feature. The back of the XUV300 is curvier than the rest of the car but looks good. There are big LED tail-lamps and a spoiler.

One annoying thing about this vehicle is that the doors take a conscious effort to close and that can become irritating over a period of time.

INTERIOR AND FEATURES

SPECIFICAT IONS ENGINE 1.5L, 4-cylinder, commonrail,

diesel

TRANSMISSION 6 Speed Manual POWER 115hp@3,750rpm TORQUE 300Nm@1,500-2,500rpm TYRES 215/55 R17 PRICE `11.99 lakh - W8 (O) variant (Ex-Showroom)

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On the inside, Mahindra is offering a black and beige interior that, for once, looks just about right. It is neither too flashy nor too drab. The front seats provide loads of comfort and padding on the side so that you do not slide around too much when taking a sharp turn. The amount of space is also enough even for slightly taller people. Storage spaces are plenty, with the doors being able to house 1 litre bottles and newspapers, cup holders on the centre floor console, glove box, a cavity on the passenger side dashboard and space under the arm rest.

It is the first car in the segment to get power windows for all four doors as standard. Space in the second row is also plenty.

The 60:40 split seats are soft but could have done with a bit more under-thigh support. Passengers seated in the middle get their own seatbelt and an adjustable headrest, although there is not a lot of room to adjust it. While the fit and finish all around is pleasing, the quality of the buttons on the air-con is a letdown.

The XUV300 is loaded with features. The 7-inches touchscreen infotainment system comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. The infotainment system

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

also supports Mahindra’s Blue Sense app which allows you to use your smartwatch as a key.

You get automatic start/stop functionality. There is dual zone climate control and a segment first memory function for it. You can store up to three settings for the climate control. The XUV300 does not only come equipped with rear but front parking sensors too; another great feature that can be helpful in daily commute. Coming to

the MID, you have two analogue dials to indicate your speed and engine rpm. At their centre is a 3.5-inches digital display, which sadly is not full colour. But the display does service you well by showing the usual set of metrics and a helpful tyre direction monitoring system.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE The XUV 300 comes with a 1.5L, 4-cylinder, diesel engine that

produces 300Nm of torque (coincidence?). The engine is essentially the one that was also seen in the Marazzo, but here it has been tuned differently.

It produces 115hp@3750rpm while the peak torque of 300Nm comes between 1500-2500rpm.

Though we have no official figure regarding the weight of the car, it is bound to be lighter than the Marazzo MPV and that combined with the almost flat torque curve turns this car into a little rocket.

The moment the turbo spells its magic, the car leaps forward. In fact, the XUV300 feels like a hot hatch dressed as a C-SUV. This is all thanks to the response from the engine, the maneuverability of the car around corners and the grip provided by the 215/55 R17tyres. The car still does feel a little out of breath at lower rpms. The 6-speed manual transmission works flawlessly and there are no options for an automatic as of now. While it is common to see driving modes in other cars, Mahindra has added steering modes in XUV300.

There are three modes – Normal, Casual and Sport, which change the behavior of the steering wheel. Comfort mode makes the steering wheel very light and is great for parking in a tricky spot, where you might have to maneuver your car multiple times before it docks. The Sport mode adds a lot of weight to the steering wheel and the car also responds better to even small inputs. It works great for the most part but there is still a little bit of disconnect and play in this mode. Perhaps a bit more fine tuning will make it perfect.

On the highways, this car

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

will not have a lot of problem maintaining its pace and you can take the aid of cruise control should the road allow it. ABS, EBD and corner braking control are standard on the XUV300. Disc brakes on all four wheels mean that braking is no issue for this car. The suspension provides a plush ride even when you are tackling battered and broken city roads.

With the longest wheelbase in its segment and the widest

track, the car offers great stability around corners.

VERDICT With the XUV300, Mahindra has proved that it is never too late to start something. They might have arrived in this space late, but they have got a great recipe in their hands. Yes, the XUV300 looks a little inspired from the outside but it does pack in a lot of features that

are currently not being offered by anyone else in this space and to its credit, the car does look premium. With a starting price of Rs 7.90 lakh for the petrol variant and Rs 8.49 lakh for the diesel variant, Mahindra has got the pricing just right and this car will definitely turn up the heat in the compact SUV segment. All that is left to see is how the vehicle holds up in long term use.

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2019 ALL NEW HONDA CIVIC

HEARTY HOMECOMING Report: P.Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

S PECIFICAT IO NS ENGINE PETROL: 1799cc 4 Cylinder, SOHC i-VTEC, 16 valves DIESEL: 1597cc 4 Cylinder, DOHC i-DTEC, 16 valves TRANSMISSION PETROL: CVT Automatic DIESEL: 6 speed MT POWER PETROL: 139hp@6500rpm DIESEL: 118hp@4000rpm TORQUE PETROL: 174Nm@4300rpm DIESEL: 300Nm@2000rpm TYRES Tubeless Radial Ply, 215/50 R17 91V PRICE TBA

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A driving experience

I

t was in 1972 that Honda had globally launched the Civic and since then it has sold more than 25 million units in more than 170 countries. It has been sold as a sedan, a coupe and a hatch worldwide. India saw the 8th generation Honda Civic but then the 9th generation went missing in the country. Now the 10th generation Honda Civic has been launched in India and it comes with a 1.8 litre petrol engine as well as a 1.6 litre diesel engine option.

EXTERIORS OF THE 2019 HONDA CIVIC The new Honda Civic is definitely a good looker, very sporty , very athletic and very graceful. The coupe like styling of the vehicle with its LED lighting makes it very youthful in character. The Civic comes with a sleek, swept-back bodyline, an aggressive face, a smart rear and bulging wheel arches. The new LED headlights, aesthetically placed position lights and the fog lamps add to the good looks at the front of the vehicle. As the roof slopes gracefully to the rear, you get to see distinctive C-shaped “light-pipe” LED taillights. The vehicle sits on smart 17 inches alloy wheels.

INTERIORS OF THE 2019 HONDA CIVIC There is a lot to talk when it comes to the interiors of the new Honda Civic. It scores big time on space, design, quality, comfort and features. What immediately meets your eye are a 7” colour TFT meter with digital display, a 7-inch touchscreen for your entertainment, premium ivory leather seats, 8-way power driver seat and dual zone auto AC. The 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen uses the Android operating system that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 160-watt audio system has eight speakers. The remote keyless entry is standard equipment. The wave key design has an integrated transmitter in the handle with lock, unlock buttons. With the remote tucked away in the pocket, the driver can simply press the release button of the trunk to open it.

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

Also for those wondering whether the vehicle will lock itself when the key is inside, need not worry, the smart entry system will not allow the transmitter fob to be locked in the interior.

Now coming to the start stop button, it activates the engine when pressed.

In the diesel that comes with a manual transmission, you need to press the clutch pedal while doing so, but in the petrol automatic version, you need to press the brake pedal when you press the start stop button.

The car also comes with a walk away door lock feature that automatically locks when the driver leaves the vehicle provided the key holder’s distance from the vehicle exceeds 2m for 2 seconds and when no other key is detected inside the vehicle. An audible tone sounds and the hazard lights flash to confirm that the vehicle has locked.

The Walk Away Door Lock feature is programmable, and may be turned on or off as the driver prefers.

The Remote Engine Start feature is only for the petrol automatic model.

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The remote engine start feature is built into the key fob supplied with the vehicle. This is basically to remote start your car so that the aircon begins to cool your cabin before you step in.

To start the engine remotely, the owner presses the LOCK button and then holds the ENGINE button for a second.

The Civic’s hazard lights will flash, indicating that the signal has been received. When the engine is started remotely, the wipers, lighting and audio systems remain off, and the security system remains set. The engine will run for up to 10 minutes after remote starting, and can be extended by another 10 minutes using the same

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

procedure; it will then shut off automatically if the owner doesn’t reach the vehicle within that time. When the owner does get to the car within 10 minutes – or extended period as the case may be – the engine will keep running while the owner unlocks the vehicle, gets in, applies the brake and presses the Civic’s START button, which turns on all of the vehicle’s systems.

There is another feature

that is ideal for a hot country like ours. This is in both the models. You hard press the unlock door from outside and all the four windows will roll down and the sun roof slides open.

This ensures that the terribly warm air that builds up inside a stationary car is dissipated by the time you enter the car to drive it.

pressed, will automatically operate your aircon in a manner which is very efficient.

The system calculates the temperature outside and the accordingly regulates the fan speed and the temperature. The ECON button basically helps you to optimise your aircon function and in the process helps achieve a better fuel efficiency.

There is an ECON button on the floor console which when

High quality, soft-touch materials are used within the

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cabin, be it the dashboard, the door trims, the seats, etc. The car has an electronic parking brake that essentially replaces a conventional manual parking brake lever. This in turn has freed up more console space for a larger armrest and greater storage space. The main storage compartment has a sliding, padded armrest that features added 25mm of adjustability, compared to the previous Civic. A pair of

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

cup holders is centrally located, and can accommodate large cups when the padded armrest is placed in the rearmost position. By sliding the adjustable cup holder rearward, there’s space to accommodate a lot more things. The car also comes with an electric brake hold function which prevents the vehicle from rolling at a traffic stop signal.

Storage spaces are plenty all across, in the door panels as well as in the rear arm rest.

The all-new Civic has a wider and deeper trunk with 430L. All the space within the Honda Civic is a result of the vehicle’s longer wheelbase and wider body. Do remember, the car has been built on the same platform on which stands the Honda Accord and the Honda CR-V. Both in the front, as well as at the

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rear, there is ample space for adults to sit quite comfortably. The driver seat even gets electric adjustments. Not to be missed is a sunroof.

coolant-temperature gauge on the left and fuel-level gauge on the right. A digital speedometer is positioned in the center of the tachometer.

Highlights include a soft-touch instrument panel upper surface, door pad deck seams and soft door upper panels. So as to ensure that your gadgets can be charged, the company has designed a 2-tier smartphone tray with a wire management pass-through for organized connectivity. Frankly speaking, I found this a little irksome especially when it came to plugging in my mobile charging wire. There’s also an additional phone storage pocket on the driver’s side.

Steering mounted control offer a plethora of functions, The i button helps to browse through functions like fuel details, phone details, music, etc. the ones on the right help you with your cruise control.

The all-new Civic has analog instrumentation with large tachometer,

SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE Now coming to the drive part, we got our hands on the automatic petrol variant of the Honda Civic. Honda is not offering a manual transmission for the petrol. It’s a 4 cylinder SOHC i-VTEC 1799cc engine with 16 valves. The engine produces around 139hp@6500rpm while achieving a peak

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

torque of 174Nm@4300rpm.

Since it is mated to a continuously variable transmission, and no matter how much technology has been put in by Honda to reduce the rubber band effect of a CVT, it does creep in. The groaning or the whining of the engine is quite apparent. But that does not mean that acceleration is compromised.

It’s linear and powerful. The Sport mode of driving and the use of paddle shifters enhance the dynamic nature of the car.

As for the diesel engine, it comes with only a manual transmission.

The 1597cc 4 cylinder DOHC i-DTEC 16 valves engine produces 118hp@4000rpm and 300Nm of peak torque@2000rpm. For car enthusiasts, this 6-speed manual transmission is thrilling because of its sporty nature. The torquey nature of the engine brings in a lot of fun. As for other factors like NVH, suspension, ride and handling, it’s brilliant in both the variants. Now that this car will be competing with the likes of the Toyota Corolla Altis, it’s but natural that a lot would depend on the price it comes at.

diagonally behind the vehicle on the navigation screen using a camera built into the passenger-side mirror.

This basically enhances the driver’s view of passenger-side traffic. A tiny camera on the passengerside mirror can be manually or automatically activated when a driver signals left. Live video displays on the screen, and it provides the driver with a view nearly four times greater than using the passengerside mirror.

VERDICT Safety has not been compromised at all in this new Honda Civic as it boasts of an Advanced Compatibility Engineering or ACE Body, ABS, EBS, Electric Parking Brake, Automatic Brake Hold, Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, Lane-watch Camera, Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering and 6 airbags that come standard. The vehicle also has Agile Handling Assist which selectively uses the vehicle’s brakes to improve initial turning response and overall cornering ability. As for the Honda Lane-Watch feature, it is a system that assists with the driver’s safety checks by displaying the view

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Honda Civic with a diesel engine comes at a time when demand for diesel cars is waning in the country.

Moreover, since the Honda Civic has always been looked upon as a very sporty vehicle, the popular petrol engine does not get a manual transmission. That is disappointing.

But when it comes to the fit and finish and the overall performance of the vehicle, the Honda Civic stands tall among the cars in its category. It’s definitely going to be a very hearty homecoming for this car in India!

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

TVS RADEON

RADIANT RESOLVE

N

Report: Aakash S. Paul; Photography: Afsar Baig

ot too far from the world of fast bikes is one that is full of humble and sensible commuters. It is in this world that TVS has deployed their latest contender, the Radeon. This new bike finds itself in an arena that has some prominent and much loved products. Will the Radeon be able to find its footing in this cutthroat segment of the market? Will it be able to become another success story for the company? We try to find that out in

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our review.

DESIGN AND STYLING Addressing the elephant in the room, yes, the Radeon does look inspired by the Hero Splendor. Still the designers at TVS have etched a couple of things to make the Radeon look smart and appealing to the masses. The use of chrome around the headlamp, rear suspension and on the exhaust is one such example. There is a strip of LED DRLs underneath the halogen lamp and the cowl is nice and curvy.

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

The fuel tank gets ribbed pads that lend the commuter a rugged appeal. TVS is also giving a USB port to charge your phone or other accessories. The charging port is placed on the lower right side of the instrument panel and can be easily missed if one is not specifically told about it. However, having said that, it is still fairly easy to reach.

Another neat little addition is the grab handle on the right side of the bike which also has a hook for hanging things.

The instrument cluster is also unlike any other twowheeler in the market. The wide, dual dial panel looks like something that you would see on a rugged SUV. The left dial has an analogue speedometer, a power and eco indicator and odometer. The right one houses the fuel indicator, side stand indicator and low fuel indicator.

Additionally you can fit the bike with a buzzer that will beep when you switch on the bike with the side stand open. This way you will ensure that you never leave your side stand open. In between the chrome lined dials

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are four prominent indicators for left turn, right turn, high bean and neutral. The only eyesore would be the large nut housed at the top of the cluster. TVS could have easy done something to cover it up. The rear view mirrors are positioned lower than I would have liked but after a little adjustment I could set them according to my height. Despite this, I feel larger mirrors could have certainly serviced the bike better. The switches on the handlebar are of great quality and have a premium finish. In fact, the same can be said for the bike as a whole. It feels solidly put together and there are barely any hints of cheap plastic or cost cutting. The turn indicators, headlamp and tail-lamp are unapologetically simple and large. The whole designing of the Radeon looks intentionally simple, to please a different set of crowd that does not get excited by flashy colours or high cylinder counts. The black alloys compliment the white colour that we had and even when paired with other colours they do not fail to impress.

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

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MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 47

WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

S P EC I F ICAT IO NS ENGINE 109.7cc, 4-stroke Duralife TRANSMISSION 4-Speed POWER 8.3hp@7,000rpm TORQUE 8.7Nm@5,000rpm TYRES Front: 2.75 x 18 Tubeless Rear: 3.0 x 18 Tubeless

PRICE `49,590 (ex-showroom Delhi)

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE The 110cc Duralife engine on the Radeon performs aptly in the city. It can pelt enough power to carry two people around at city speeds and a little beyond. The 4-speed gearbox also performs well. The first two gears don’t stick around for long and you will mostly find yourself cruising in the third and fourth gears. The acceleration is slightly weak, especially in the first gear but you can still manage to get a spirited run out of this commuter. With a rider of average build, the bike will have no issues reaching 60kmph. Post that the acceleration takes a hit but one can easily cruise between 60-70kmph. The 18-inch tubeless tyres provide great grip on the road and the bike feels confident even through corners. The long wheelbase makes the bike feel stable and planted when cruising at higher speeds. The engineers at TVS seem to have mastered the art of producing exciting exhaust sounds. It is uncommon for a bike in this segment to throat such a deep and defining rumble. I don’t think that I could ever grow tired of the exhaust note of the Radeon.

The suspension on the Radeon is not the softest in the business. It does provide for a comfortable ride most of the time but once in a while when you are on a really bad patch of road or when you encounter a rather large speed breaker, you do wish that the bike was kinder to you. The rear shocks are 5-step preload adjustable so that should take care of this problem to some extent. The ample ground clearance of 180mm saves you the worry of bottoming out when tackling all sorts of terrain. You get drum brakes both at the front and rear along with Sync Braking Technology (SBT). SBT engages the front brakes when you use the rear brakes for a better control and shorter stopping distance. The braking is nice and progressive but the front brakes could have done with a little more bite. The bike provides an upright and confident seating position that is great for cruising and daily long usage. The long cushion is soft and can easily accommodate two people and even a bag in between them. The carrier at the back can act as a great place to carry some extra luggage or other things. The bike also gets a hook on the right side which also acts as a grab handle. I was able to extract about 63kmpl out of the bike during my city runs, which is quite a decent figure.

With a 10L fuel tank you can expect to get a range of about 600km.

VERDICT The Radeon certainly does not fail in being a capable daily driver. It becomes a more obvious pick for people who want something simple yet good looking. Slight improvements to the brakes and suspension would further make the bike potent. The deep exhaust note is definitely the biggest buyer attraction but it will be the solidly built product that will keep customers happy. I believe that the masses would be pleased by this commuter that packs in more features than its looks give away.

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

TRIUMPH TIGER XRX

ENDEARING SPECIES Report: Neeraj Panwar ; Photography: Afsar Baig

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

B

ritish motorcycle manufacturer Triumph’s Tiger range of motorcycles has gained an iconic status in a rather short while. They are recognised the world around for being rugged, reliable and being able to tackle all kinds of paths without feeling crude, when on highways.

DESIGN AND STYLING Despite boasting of over 200 changes, this new Tiger 800 still sports a largely similar silhouette, in a good way. There are some tasteful changes that now make the bike more appealing. The front now comes with LED DRLs and sleek LED turn indicators. Both of these add a smart and somewhat mean looking character to the bike. The 5-inch full colour TFT display on the new Tiger is similar to the one on the

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Street Triple RS. The display looks vibrant and packs in a whole range of information and menus. There is a high and low contrast mode and thanks to a light sensor, the bike can automatically switch between the two modes. The 5-way joystick present on the left side of the handlebar makes navigating through the vast amount of options easy and intuitive. There is also a 12V power socket that you can use to charge accessories. If I were to nitpick, I would say that a USB socket would have been more accessible, but in the bike’s defense the 12V socket is placed right in the front and not under the seat or some other hard to reach place. Since I was riding on cold winter mornings, I really appreciated the hand guards and the heated grips. You can heat the grips to 3 levels and the highest level makes things quite toasty!

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

Adventure bikes are generally more accessible to taller people. The base Tiger 800 XR gets a seat height of 810-830mm but the XRx comes with an option of lower seating, bringing the seat height in the 760-780mm range. This makes the bike very accessible for shorter riders. Triumph does this by lowering the front suspension by 40mm and rear suspension by 20mm, which also means that you sacrifice on ground clearance. Even the 200kg dry weight does not feel like much, especially when the bike gets moving.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE The new generation 800cc, liquid cooled, triple motor makes a healthy 93.7hp and 79Nm of peak torque. The peak power comes at 9,500rpm while peak torque comes at 8,050rpm. Despite these figures, a lot of torque is available in the lower revs.

But the best thing about the motor would be the refinement and fueling. The bike was stable and planted on the highway at triple digit speeds and the manually adjustable wind screen along with the tank fairing provided a lot of protection from wind blast even at break neck speeds. While the windscreen is quite tall, it could have been a few inches taller to completely shield tall rider when they sit upright. On the highway we did manage to get about 22kmpl out of the bike. With a 19L fuel tank, you can expect a range of more than 400km even if you commute within the city.

Braking duties have been taken care of by dual 305mm discs with Nissin 2 –piston sliding calipers and a single 255mm disc at the rear with a single piston sliding caliper. You of course have switchable ABS and traction control at your disposal. Whether you want to gradually slow down your bike before a traffic light or you have to come to a sudden halt, the brakes will suffice. When you do want to tackle a bit of dirt, you can switch off the ABS and traction control and have a ball. The 43mm Showa upside down forks at the front and the preload adjustable monoshsock at the rear

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provide a plush ride experience and soak in all undulations. Going over bad roads will not be a bother on this one. The ground clearance is plenty and there is a bash plate to protect the underside of the engine in case of any accidental contact with rocks or any other object that could damage the engine.

The XRx model that we had is oriented towards touring and it excelled in that aspect. But we did tread the rough terrains a bit with this bike and the performance was still impressive. The radial tyres are not best suited for the jungle and the low end could have done with just a little more grunt, but then you have the Tiger 800 XCx or the bigger Tiger 1200 to cater to those needs. Standing tall on the Tiger 800 XRx while riding through a jungle was a lot of fun and the rough path did not make the ride too uncomfortable thanks to the capable suspension system. While the XCx gets an additional off-road mode catered for the obvious, one can tweak the XRx to a great extent thanks to the amount of electronics that can be controlled.

VERDICT The Tiger 800 is a capable motorcycle and it is a known fact. The new model only refines the formula further. The biggest feature that I admired was the instrument panel which is not new for Triumph but now comes in the Tiger too. If you want a highway tourer that can also tackle the battered roads then the Tiger 800 XRx is a great pick for Rs 13.39 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

S P EC IFIC ATION S ENGINE 800cc liquid-cooled, in-line 3-cylinder, DOHC TRANSMISSION 6 Speed POWER 93.7hp@9,500rpm TORQUE 79Nm@8,050rpm TYRES Front: 100/90 R19 Rear: 150/70 R17

PRICE `13.39 lakh (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

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B2B NEWS

Honda Cars India commences production of all-new 10th generation Honda Civic Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) has commenced the production of the all-new 10th generation Honda Civic. The car is being manufactured at HCIL’s Greater Noida plant.

Civic is currently the largest selling model from Honda globally. With the launch of the new Civic, scheduled on March 7, 2019, HCIL will complete its premium sedan lineup in India. The creation of the 10th generation Civic represents one of the most comprehensive and ambitious new-model development ever undertaken by Honda, requiring an unprecedented commitment of R&D resources and Honda engineering prowess.

New Civic which will be launched on March 7. Since this has been a highly anticipated launch in India, we are receiving an

In its 10th generation avatar, the all-new Honda Civic boasts a youthful, premium and sporty new style with a revolutionary silhouette and sleek profile that characterizes the Honda Civic.

The Civic will be launched in both petrol and diesel powertrains.

The 1.8L i-VTEC Petrol engine mated to a CVT offers a power packed performance with great fuel economy. The Civic Diesel is being introduced for the first time in India with the exciting 1.6L i-DTEC turbo unit from Honda Earth Dreams Technology series mated to a 6 speed Manual Transmission offering best in segment fuel efficiency of 26.8 km/l and good driving performance.

Commenting on the start of production, Rajesh Goel, Sr. Vice President & Director, Honda Cars India Ltd said, “We are delighted to begin the production of All

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outstanding response during pre-launch phase. In just 7 days, we have exceeded our expected 3-week pre-booking numbers

which is a testament to the excitement the iconic Honda Civic has generated amongst customers.”

Honda Cars India implements new corporate Identity for dealer network Honda Cars India Ltd announced that all its existing showroom and service centers will adopt a new corporate identity as part of its network modernisation initiative. The new identity accentuates the aesthetics and overall appeal in form of distinctive exteriors, warm and welcoming interiors and a new customer interface, offering an enriched and unmatched buying experience.

The entire sales and distribution network with 350 facilities in 239 cities spread across the country will adopt the new identity progressively within the next three years. HCIL is also implementing ‘iWorkshop’ – a fully integrated digital workshop management system that combines the key workshop processes into a simple and intuitive solution using the latest technologies.

The key highlights of the new network identity include a brand new exterior design with bold and impactful logos offering a distinctive look so as to stand out in the urban environment.

The large red coloured entry portal is a very eye catching element which brings out the unique aesthetic appeal of the Honda dealership which cannot be missed even in a fast moving traffic.

The reduced glazing from the previous design helps in reduction of heat and enhancing energy efficiency.

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B2B NEWS

Continental increases manufacturing of airbag control units in India Keeping its commitment to Vision Zero, a world with zero road crashes, zero fatalities, and zero injuries, technology company Continental has added a new assembly line to manufacture airbag control units (ACUs) at its Central Electronics Plant in Bangalore.

Road safety is undergoing a transformation in India. Driving this change are factors like the implementation of safety regulations and stringent crash test norms as well as increasing safety awareness among end users. The country is witnessing an increase in the take rate of safety features in vehicles.

Dr. Bernhard Klumpp, Head of Continental’s Passive Safety & Sensorics business unit, remarked:“The adoption of safety technologies in India is on the rise. Two of the factors driving this are government-regulated safety norms and growing awareness among consumers. Vision Zero is ambitious, but we are guiding the world of mobility towards it with our cutting-edge safety technologies. Our localization strategy ensures that our technologies are affordable on local markets, consequently achieving a fundamental level of safety.”

Prashanth Doreswamy, Market Head of Continental India and Managing Director of Continental Automotive India, added: “We are continuing to invest in India to support its growing market. With the increase in safety awareness and legislative norms in India, demand for safety technologies is at an all-time high.

Continental is prepared to address this need.

We are fully committed to making mobility safer in India, and to supporting OEMs in adopting technologies efficiently.”

Sukhdeep Sandhu, Head of the Passive Safety & Sensorics business unit in India, commented about the new development: “We are committed to the Indian market. Our state-of-the-art production line for airbag control units began operation in 2016 at our Central Electronics Plant in Bangalore, long before legislation came into effect. Today we are working at full capacity, supplying our local market and exporting to Japan and Thailand. Adding the second production line will enhance our capacity

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Continental airbag control unit significantly, which will help us to meet the increasing requirements of more OEMs in India.”

AFFORDABLE SAFETY Each version of Continental’s Airbag Control Unit is based on a modular safety platform called SPEED (Safety Platform for Efficient &Economical Design), which is scalable, flexible, and cost optimized via modular building blocks.

With its basic functions and integration option of additional safety functions, it is designed to meet all market requirements. The basic version supports basic passive safety functions and therefore is suited to rising demand for costeffective safety features, such front and side airbags and belt pretensioners, in emerging markets. Additional safety functions such as Vehicle Dynamics Sensing, Rollover Detection, and Event Data Recording can be integrated within the modular concept.

NORMS IN INDIA Implementing vehicle safety measures is getting much-needed attention in India, the fourth largest car market in the world. The Indian government has devised stringent crash test norms to reduce road fatalities. The Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP) is a proposed New Car Assessment Program for India implemented by law and intended to increase the safety of vehicle occupants. All new cars sold in India will be assigned star ratings based on their safety performance. Crucial safety features that support vehicle safety such as airbags, ABS, and seat belt reminders will be assessed, and crash tests will become mandatory. These safety features must be standard in new cars sold in India.

Continental acquires antenna maker Kathrein Automotive Technology company Continental has successfully completed the acquisition of Kathrein Automotive GmbH after antitrust authorities officially approved the transaction.

Incorporating the automotive division of Rosenheim-based antenna and satellite technology manufacturer Kathrein is a move that will give Continental an important key segment to add to its wealth of expertise.

Intelligent vehicle antennas are the starting point for futureproof connectivity concepts in the vehicle interior and beyond.

Potential applications range from remote access keys and navigation applications through to telematics solutions. A connected vehicle can contain over 22 installed antennas.

Backed by Kathrein Automotive’s expertise, Continental can offer a broad portfolio ranging from rod antennas to the Intelligent Antenna Module. The core functions of the Intelligent Antenna Module include the integration of various V2X technologies, such as the global 5G Hybrid V2X solution, which enables communication via the cellular network as well as rapid, reliable direct data transfer.

Continental recently won its first customer project for this flexible 5G hybrid platform. Continental is incorporating all Kathrein Automotive employees and all eight locations in Brazil, China, Germany, Mexico, Portugal and the U.S. Continental and Kathrein have already brought two connectivity solutions to market together: the Intelligent Antenna Module and the multifunctional Smart Device Terminal.

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B2B NEWS

Continental India clocks 1 million instrument clusters in 2018 Technology company Continental has clocked production and sales of one million instrument clusters in India in 2018, the highest annual milestone for the product achieved by their Central Electronics Plant in Bangalore.

broad and in-depth as ours can deliver a suitable display solution for virtually any requirement, including classic analog or fully digital instrument clusters, headup displays, and automotivecompatible display solutions.”

customers, we have been able to harmonize our products to customer requirements at optimal cost. We crossed the production and sales of one million clusters in one year. This translates into approximately

Continental has over 100 years of experience in developing and producing driver information systems and solutions. As a full-range provider, Continental’s portfolio includes all instrumentation variations, from entry-level to premium models, from simple analog to complex full digital solutions. In India, Continental supplies instrument clusters to all key vehicle manufacturers for the domestic market as well as exports. Since start of production of clusters from the Bangalore plant in 2008, the company has crossed production of 8 million instrument clusters.

According to Dr. FrankRabe, Executive Vice President and head of BU Instrumentation & Driver HMI, Continental AG, “This milestone for Continental India underscores our strength in the market, considering the total production volume of passenger cars in India in 2018 was approximately 4 million. In addition to serving the Indian market, our instrument clusters are also fitted in cars sold in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa.”

He further added, “Drivers should see what they need, and where they need. As a technology company, our focus is to offer flexible platform solutions and state-of-the-art technology that enable this. A portfolio as

we expect the Indian vehicle market to move from analog instrument clusters to fully digital clusters. This technological shift will not only make driving safer and more comfortable, it also presents a new opportunity for our development and production teams here in India,” he added.

HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE (HMI) FOR COMFORT AS WELL AS SAFETY

Prasad C Basappa, Head of Instrumentation & Driver HMI business for India said, “Our instrument clusters continue to be in high demand. With the growth of the Indian market, we are expanding the range of models we serve. We have continuously developed the technology, and thanks to our close collaboration with

three clusters produced every minute at our plant - therefore, in a minute there are 3 cars sold somewhere in the world, with an instrument cluster produced by Continental in Bangalore.”

“Following the global technology trends and the demands from young and digitally savvy vehicle buyers,

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The purpose of a display is to present information to the driver, precise and relevant at any given point in time and in the current driving situation. The driver should be able to connect and collaborate with the vehicle’s automated systems safely and comfortably. Digital displays are easily comprehensible even for a fatigued driver. Continental’s instrument clusters, with their sophisticated HMI concept, offer attractive and well-structured possibilities to keep the driver informed. They are also intuitive, thus ensuring minimized driver distraction. Their flexible design makes it possible to realize almost all styling requests the vehicle manufacturer might have.

As an extension of instrument clusters, head-up displays are a key technology in holistic human-machine interaction –Drivers no longer have to take their eyes off the road to read information from the instrument cluster, instead they get the information directly in their field of view in the windshield. This kind of intuitive dialog between vehicle and driver not only makes driving more enjoyable but also creates increased trust in driver assistance systems, the first step towards automated driving.

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B2B NEWS

Axalta opens its largest refinish training centre in India Axalta, the world’s leader in automotive refinish coatings and a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, opened its largest and most advanced Refinish Training Centre, spread over 20,000 square feet in India. The state-of-the-art training facility was inaugurated

by Sobers Sethi, President, Emerging Markets, Axalta. Axalta now has four dedicated training facilities in India.

“The opening of this new training facility demonstrates the confidence we have in the opportunities for growth in India,” said Sethi, adding that “The coatings industry, especially waterborne coatings, in India has been growing at a rapid pace. The new training facility will provide our customers with the most advanced painting techniques to help them be more efficient, productive, and profitable. And, we are helping our customers

drive these improvements while being mindful of the environment with sustainable techniques and products. Our customers’ success is our success and we proud to be the Refinish leader in India and around the world.”

Axalta expects to train around 1000 technicians at the new training centre this year.

Customers will use the company’s latest coating technologies, as well as industry-leading training techniques and advanced digital tools. Axalta will also demonstrate the latest spraying application systems that use less energy and reduce waste, have fast-drying finishes, and use superior colour matching technologies. Through this centre, customers in India can stay on the cutting-edge of coating technologies and techniques that are designed to deliver benefits to their businesses immediately and for

the long-term.

The training centre is also equipped with an advanced Virtual Reality (VR) Training Room, digital color matching tool, and an online training facility for customers that cannot be physically present at the centre.

The VR Training duplicates the paint spraying activity and experience and enables customers to gain the benefits of the training without actually using the paint material.

the automotive value chain with its transportation coatings, refinish coatings, auto plastic coatings and general industrial coatings. The customers include key international and local OEMs, as well as major car dealers in the region. General industries are also important sectors that will benefit from Axalta’s expansion in India. In addition to this new training facility, Axalta has 3 other training centres in India, 1 manufacturing plant, a stateof-the-art colour lab, and two offices throughout India.

For more than 20 years Axalta has been serving customers in India spanning from different business units across

JBM Group acquires major shareholding in German auto major Linde-Wiemann The US $ 1.5 billion India based JBM Group with business interest in auto systems and assemblies has acquired major shareholding in Germany based Linde-Wiemann GmbH KG, a leading manufacturer of complex structural components and assemblies to automotive OEM’s worldwide. The acquisition brings with it a plethora of synergies for JBM Group in the form of new products, global customers, new German technologies that will not only help in expanding the global footprint of the homegrown conglomerate but will also aid in adding strategic value to its Indian operations, thereby

increasing the Group’s long-term competitiveness.

With this acquisition, the JBM Group turnover will leapfrog to $2.2 billion. The acquisition has been done through one of group’s flagship companies – Neel Metal Products Ltd. The revenues of Linde-Wiemann currently stands at $700mn. Nishant Arya, ED, JBM Group will take over additional charge as Chairman, Linde-Wiemann.

Linde-Wiemann, headquartered in Dillenburg, Germany, specialises in proprietary technologies in

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areas such as hot forming, tubular assemblies and usage of alternate materials such as aluminium resulting in lighweighting in auto systems.

The company has a strong base of 17 manufacturing plants across 8 countries i.e. Germany, US, China, Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic, Hungary and South Africa with an employee strength over 2300 plus. L+W brings in an experience of over 70 years serving global auto OEMs such as BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Porsche, Daimler, Ford, PSA, etc.

JBM will also have access to L+W’s strengths in domains such as Electric Vehicle components

& systems and battery structure & systems. L+W’s stamping capabilities are aptly reflected by machines with pressing capacities upto 3000 tonnes. The company also brings in complex progressive dies and transfer presses along with hydraulic press lines being used for forming. The core competence of its in-house tool shop includes extensive knowledge in the field of ultra-high-strength steels and the integration of complex feeding units. L+W’s current product portfolio includes critical auto systems such as cross car beams, bumpers, rocker panels, tubular assemblies, etc.

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B2B NEWS

MG Motor India invests Rs 150 crore in new corporate office in Gurugram Carmaker MG (Morris Garages) Motor India inaugurated its new corporate headquarters in Gurugram. The commercial space for the new India headquarters, acquired by the company at a cost of Rs 150 crore, will also house the company’s flagship vehicle showroom and brand store on the ground floor of the same building to show-case its products.

Spread over 46,000 square

feet, the new office will be ready in the next two months, to shift the company’s Gurgaon employees to the new premises ahead of the Hector’s launch.

The flagship showroom on the ground floor will be one of the firsts in the country to showcase its vehicles in the NCR region.

The facility, to be operational in Q2 2019, will also exhibit the brand’s rich heritage and also house the latest MG memorabilia & accessories.

The new MG India headquarters is located at Milestone Experian Centre, Sector-15, Gurugram.

Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director – MG Motor India, said, “India is going to be a key market for the MG brand and the new HQ reflects our long-term commitment to be an integral part of the thriving Indian auto market, in addition to our Halol manufacturing facility, which was inaugurated in September 2017. With a strong foundation and

best talent from the industry in our team, we are ready to go full throttle for the Hector SUV, our first launch in Q2 2019.”

Designed under the “Queen’s Necklace” British design theme, the look and feel of the office will be reminiscent of a classic British Street. A specially designed “getaway” area will enable employees to de-stress via games like PlayStation, Foosball etc. Even the cafeteria has been designed like a coffee shop, to encourage an open working culture. The office nurtures an atmosphere of innovation and teamwork between various teams through more open spaces and less boundaries between various functions and glass cabins for the top brass.

The strategically chosen location in Gurugram will allow the carmaker access to the policy-makers, as well as tap into the enormous potential of the Delhi-NCR auto market, which accounts for 25% of the entire country’s car sales. The new HQ

will act as the command centre for the carmaker’s operations in India and will house functions such as After Sales, Sales, Marketing, Product Planning, Dealer Development, Finance and Corporate Affairs. MG Motor India also has plans to open companyowned showrooms in key metros to underline the brand’s commitment to the Indian market, starting with Mumbai which has since been finalised.

MG’s new office and flagship showroom aims to demonstrate the company’s core values and culture that revolves around three key pillars – innovation, diversity and technology. Setting new benchmarks in the industry, MG’s workforce comprises 31% females, the highest in the auto industry. In the corporate office, the ratio of female employees is as high as 40%. “In terms of diversity, we are setting new industry benchmarks by moving beyond the current norm of the automobile space being traditionally male-dominated,” added Chaba.

Rane TRW Steering Systems opens new facility at Trichy Rane TRW Steering Systems Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture of Rane Group with the German ZF Group, has opened a new facility for occupant safety products at Tiruchirapalli (Trichy), Tamil Nadu. The facility is strategically located in TrichyChennai national highway, 40 kms from Trichy and 300 kms from Chennai. The new facility will address the expected market demand and add capacity to localize laser cutting of fabrics and airbag cushion manufacturing for captive and exports. The company has invested around Rs. 400 million

(40 crore) in the new facility. Initial capacity will be around 0.50 million modules per annum of Airbags and 1 million units per annum of Seat Belt assemblies. Further, this would be ramped up to 1 million modules per annum of Airbags and 2 million units of Seatbelt assemblies in next two years, with an additional investment of around Rs 250 to 300 million. These investments are aligned with the goal to bring best-in-class technology to help customers to offer products with enhanced safety.

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B2B NEWS

Fortum India launches battery swapping for light electric vehicles Fortum India, a subsidiary of leading Finnish clean energy company Fortum Oyj and Clean Motion, manufacturer of 3- wheeler e-Auto Zbee, showcased a battery swapping project tailored for light electric vehicles in India after successful trial of proof of concept for last two months. The project comprises of 90 NMC batteries of 1.5 kWh, one swapping station with 20 batteries and 30 Zbees which has been modified for swapping. The main goal of this project is to evaluate a complete battery swapping system, including vehicles without battery, batteries and charging stations; both technically, economically and in terms of user friendliness.

A live demo was conducted onsite on how it will work by taking out the battery from Zbees, putting it back in swapping station, taking out one from station and putting it in Zbee and vehicle driving. The entire process of swapping and driving which Fortum terms as ‘Change & Drive” takes not more than 2-5 minutes which offers excellent turn-around time to e-Autos which will increase their revenue earning potential by allowing them to be on road for a longer time. The unique element includes size and weight of the battery which is approximately 13kg making it convenient to be handled by one person.

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The project was showcased in presence of officials from NTPC, Indian Oil, Embassy of Finland, and leading vehicle manufacturers, battery manufacturers and suppliers, and startups. The guest of honour, Nina Vaskunlahti , Ambassador of Finland to India said, “India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and we are really proud of the thriving relations between Finland and India. The focus between the two countries in addition to good political relationship is on business and economic cooperation. In the NORDIC cooperation, our approach is based on three principles - Openness, Innovation and Collaboration. This is a testimony to what we witnessed here today. We are happy to see Nordic companies bringing in their best technology and solutions and custom build it for the Indian market.”

The primary target market for the initiative are the major taxi companies in India, and other organisations with large fleets of vehicles that are in need of high uptime in their operations. This project aims to address the woes of end customers’, high cost of owning an EV by reducing the initial costs for batteries.

12th Honda Young Engineer and Scientist’s Award presented Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) presented the 12th Edition of the Young Engineer and Scientist’s (Y-E-S) Award for 2018-19 to 14 students from India’s premium science and technology institute, the IITs, across India. The Y-E-S Award was instituted by the Honda Foundation in India in 2007 and is facilitated by Honda Cars India, to nurture young students who have excelled in the area of science and technology and aspire for higher academic achievement. With this programme, Honda Foundation hopes to promote dissemination of eco-technology among the young generations and, at the same time, to strengthen interaction and exchange between Japanese and Indian youth expected to lead science, technology and industry.

Y-E-S Award is bestowed every year, to bright students of the IITs after a rigorous evaluation by a panel of senior Honda executives and prominent Indian scientists.

Chief Guest H.E. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Japan, presented the Award to the students in recognition of their outstanding all-round performance in academics.

Also present on the occasion, were Hiroto Ishida, President, Honda Foundation and Dr. (Ms.) Kazuko Matsumoto, Director, Honda Foundation, who was also the Guest of Honor.

A scholarship of cash equivalent of US $3000 each, was presented to 14 students selected from six IITs - Bombay, Madras, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Roorkee and Guwahati on the basis of their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), Essays and 2 rounds of personal interviews with the selection committee of Senior Honda Executives and Shirish Garud,Director- TERI, the chief assessor of the selection committee.

The awardees for Y-E-S Award 2018-19 in India are: Aakila Rajan, IIT Madras / Akash Bhardwaj, IIT Kanpur / Alok Gupta, IIT Roorkee / Khyati Kiyawat, IIT Roorkee / Kinjal Saxena, IIT Bombay / Lakshmi Vasanta Majety, IIT Kharagpur / Mayur Joshi, IIT Madras / Nirmalya Panigrahi, IIT Kharagpur / Prateek Manocha, IIT Guwahati / Pushkar Saraf, IIT Bombay / Sabyasachi Sen, IIT Kharagpur / Sai Uttej Kodur, IIT Madras / Shubhanshi Singh, IIT Kanpur / Soham Dibyachintan, IIT Bombay.

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B2B NEWS

Mahindra launches Glyd, a premium tech-based e-mobility service

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd announced the launch of Glyd, a premium techbased e-mobility service in Mumbai on select routes. On the occasion of the launch, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, M&M Ltd, flagged off the first batch of 10 e-Veritos, the company’s electric sedan, in the city. Glyd will offer a premium in-commute experience to office going executives, powered by several connected car features such as web-conferencing, curated entertainment and music content from selective partners. In addition, industry first features such as privacy screen, air purifier for a rejuvenating journey and strain free lighting will provide a one-of-its-kind experience to the commuters. To offer stress free commute, vehicles will be equipped with comfort friendly features such as bolstered seats, wrap-around headrest and custom designed armrests.

Dr Goenka, Managing Director, M&M Ltd., said, “As the pioneers of electric vehicles in the country, Mahindra has from time to time provided innovative and first of its kind e-mobility solutions. Glyd is one such flagship premium e-mobility solution to redefine the in-commute experience of daily commuters. This is our unique step to drive positive change towards a smart, sustainable and experiential daily commute. Going forward we plan to launch multiple e-mobility solutions, across cities”.

Glyd has partnered with VodafoneIdea Limited, Cisco Systems Limited and other service & content providers to launch these services in Mumbai.

Harley-Davidson celebrates 10 year anniversary in India Harley-Davidson is celebrating 10 years in India. It was 10 years ago that the brand established a subsidiary in India, enabling thousands of Indian riders to fulfil their dreams of personal freedom. Speaking on the 10-years anniversary, Sajeev Rajasekharan, Managing Director, HarleyDavidson India Pvt. Ltd noted, “HarleyDavidson 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. We are thankful to our dealers, customers, riders and fans for all our accomplishments in the last 10 years. With their overwhelming response, we enter 2019 tenth with a very positive outlook.” Currently, Harley-Davidson has 31 dealerships in the country. To commemorate 10 years of H-D in India, starting February 18, the dealerships will celebrate the milestone with a 10-daylong open house offering the H-D lifestyle experience for riders and non-riders.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company has initiated several path-breaking programmes in these 10 years to match the evolving aspirations of today’s riders. The launch of Harley-Davidson University in 2018 to deliver best-in-class technical and business skills for dealers in India, reinforces their commitment to the market.

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The company has been at the forefront of motorcycling experiences with the introduction of several initiatives, like Flat Track racing, Harley Rock Riders Festival and Harley-Davidson Owner’s Group riding programmes. Recently, the brand celebrated its 7th national India HOG Rally in Goa, where over 2,000 owners turned up.

In July 2018, the company announced the More Roads to Harley-Davidson accelerated plan to build the next generation of HarleyDavidson riders, grow motorcycling and return its business to growth through 2022. Part of that plan is introducing products in new markets and in new segments, including new middleweight motorcycles focused on three distinct product spaces – Adventure Touring, Custom and Streetfighter. Starting 2020, Harley-Davidson India plans to bring a 1250 Adventure Touring model and the 975cc Streetfighter model. Additional models to broaden coverage in these product spaces will follow through 2022.

“Within the next two years, we plan to offer our most comprehensive lineup of motorcycles ever, competing in many of the largest and fastest growing segments - across a broad spectrum of price points, power sources, displacements, riding styles and global markets,” said Rajasekharan.

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

DICV reaches break-even in the truck business with BharatBenz Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) - the whollyowned subsidiary of Daimler AG, the world’s leading CV manufacturer with a global reach – recorded its best-ever business results in the year 2018. As planned, the company reached the break-even in its truck business just over six years after the market launch of BharatBenz.

Satyakam Arya, Managing Director & CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), said: “2018 was the best year in the young history of our company and for BharatBenz – our focus on profitable growth continues to pay off.”

In its domestic business, DICV recorded strong growth of 35% with sales of 22,532 trucks (2017: 16,717 units) in the year 2018, surpassing the growth

rate of 28% achieved in 2017.

This positive development was both due to the strength of the BharatBenz product portfolio which continues to resonate with the rising number of valueconscious customers, and to the expansion of the brand’s pan-Indian sales and service network, which grew from more than 130 to over 180 touch points in the course of the year.

“With more than 22,500 truck sales last year, we further established India as the 5th largest individual market for Daimler Trucks worldwide, underlining the importance of DICV and BharatBenz for Daimler Trucks,” Arya explained.

DICV’s exports also developed favorably in 2018, increasing

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by 8% to 7,054 trucks (2017: 6,553 units). The company now supplies vehicles to 50 countries in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia; Chile, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Rwanda, Ghana and Egypt were added as export destinations in 2018. Overall, more than 20,000 vehicles have been delivered since the start of DICV’s exports business in 2013.

Further milestones were reached in the year 2018: The mark of 1,00,000 units was crossed in production at DICV’s manufacturing plant near Chennai, which is an integral part of the global production network of Daimler Trucks & Buses. Underlining the hallmark reliability of

BharatBenz products, the first BharatBenz customer entered the ‘kilometre millionaire’ club, having operated his BharatBenz truck on more than 10 lakh kilometres with the original, factory-installed powertrain.

OUTLOOK: SET FOR CONTINUOUS GROWTH WITH BS-VI ON THE HORIZON For the year 2019, DICV expects a continuous positive development both in its domestic and exports business.

With BharatBenz, focus areas include the full digitalization of the customer ecosystem, further expansion of the sales and service network, and products that provide even better value for the customer.

“Our full attention is on India’s transition to BS-VI in just over

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a year, and we are confident to add the next chapter to our success story. We are fully utilising Daimler’s extensive global Euro 6 experience, and we combine this with our customer and market insight to create the best for Indian CV customers,” said Arya, adding that, “In parallel, the third phase of our network expansion will double the number of our sales and service touch points in the next 2-3 years and take us even closer to our

customers.”

With regard to the new axle load regulations, DICV is upgrading the entire domestic truck portfolio and will launch models and variants in a staggered approach. The first customer vehicle of that new product generation, a 55-tonne tractor with best in class GVW (gross vehicle weight), will be handed over to a BharatBenz customer in Rajasthan in the coming week.

Ashok Leyland strengthens ICV, MDV range with new Guru 1010, Boss 1616, Boss 1916 Commercial vehicles manufacturer Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group, launched the latest variants of the Intermediate Commercial Vehicle (ICV) - the Guru 1010 and Medium Duty Vehicles (MDV) variant of the popular Boss – the Boss 1616 and Boss 1916 in Mumbai.

Guru, the new generation intermediate vehicle was launched when Ashok Leyland recognised an untapped need in the segment of rated load. Very quickly it has become a popular product in the industry with over 3000 customers spread across India. The Guru 1010 has been thoughtfully designed and built on four important pillars, mileage, payload, reliability and comfort, which are critical to the success of a business.

It is equipped with the latest 3-cylinder UPCRS EXP engine.

It has strong and stylish features including hydraulically

tiltable day cabin; High sided deck; larger windshield for all-round visibility and 6 speed synchromesh GB with over drive, among others.

Innovative design day cab with sleeping provision and other best-in-class features make the new Guru a new benchmark in the segment.

It comes with 4 different loading spans to cater various applications.

The Boss - a 16 and 18.5 ton truck designed for enhanced axle-load as per the new regulations, seamlessly combines the strength and ruggedness of a truck, with the comfort of a car. The new 160 HP engine delivers the bestin-class mileage and pickup, helping maintain precious uptime and turnaround time.

With contemporary styling, aesthetically designed trim lines and powerful and strong

aggregates, the Boss delivers superior performance, reliability and durability at the lowest operating costs. It comes with 4 different loading spans to cater various applications.

It promises to make every ride comfortable, safe and more productive with its innovative and thoughtfully designed sleeper cabin. The spacious cabin offers a sense of relief and allows you the luxury of being able to stretch your arms.

Anuj Kathuria, President, Global Trucks, Ashok Leyland Ltd., said, “Our trucking portfolio has been growing

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at a fast pace, leading to our customers wanting more options and customisations in their vehicle. The new Guru 1010, Boss 1616 and Boss 1916 are a result of customer feedback and market requirements….”

MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 63

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Tata Motors to supply 80 electric buses to West Bengal Transport Corporation Tata Motors will be supplying 80 electric buses to the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC). The company has already supplied 20 Ultra Electric 9/9m AC E-buses, with remaining 20 9/9m AC E-buses scheduled to be delivered by March 31, 2019. The company will also be supplying 40 9/12m AC E-buses to WBTC in a phased manner.

Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee flagged off the buses with dignitaries from WBTC and Tata Motors. The new buses will begin their inaugural journey from Nabanna, Howrah.

Manufactured at Tata Motors Dharwad plant, the Ultra Electric buses will have a traveling range of up to 150 kilometers on a single charge.

The company has installed charging stations at Nonapukur, Kasba, Newtown and Belghoria.

Furthermore, intermediate charging terminals powered with fast charging are mounted at Howrah and Santragachi.

a peak power of 333HP can deliver 197HP continuously ensuring effortless driving in congested roads and frequent start stops needing no shifting of gears.

The Li-ion batteries have been placed on the rooftop to prevent breakdown due to waterlogging.

The batteries are liquid cooled to maintain the temperature within an optimum range and ensure longer life along with better performance in tropical conditions.

The new age Ultra Electric buses, powered by an Integrated Electric Motor Generator are built on existing proven platforms of Starbus and Ultra. With a max power of 245KW and continuous power of 145KW, the buses have a

seating capacity of 31 + 1D seats. The buses will help in zero tailpipe emissions, 50% lower fuel costs, 20% better energy consumption and lower maintenance downtime as compared to diesel buses.

The Ultra Electric buses are air-conditioned, have modern interiors and comfortable seats for 31 passengers.

As an industry first, there will be air suspension for both front and rear axles to make travel more comfortable for the commuters. Integrated electric motor generator with

The critical electrical traction components have been sourced from internationally known best-in-class suppliers in USA, Germany and China offering proven products. The buses have been tested and validated by Tata Motors across states including Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Assam and Maharashtra to establish performance in diverse terrains.

The company has tenders to supply 255 electric buses to six public transport undertakings including WBTC (West Bengal), LCTSL (Lucknow), AICTSL (Indore), ASTC (Guwahati), J&KSRTC (Jammu) and JCTSL (Jaipur). In addition to this, the company is also working on developing its electric mini-bus segment in the near future.

Tata Motors to supply 40 electric buses to Lucknow City Transport Services Ltd. Tata Motors will be supplying 40 units of the Ultra 9m AC Electric buses to the Lucknow City Transport Services Ltd (LCTSL) in a phased manner, within the next four months. The first Ultra 9/9m AC Electric bus was flagged off in Lucknow by Minister of Urban Development

Suresh Kumar Khanna along with dignitaries from LCTSL and Tata Motors. The new bus will begin its journey from Alambagh depot.

Manufactured at Tata Motors and Tata Marcopolo Dharwad plants, the Ultra Electric buses

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will have a traveling range of up to 150 kilometers on a single charge. The company has installed a charging station at the Alambagh depot for fast charging of buses. The indigenously developed vehicle offers superior design with state-of-the-art features.

Li-ion batteries have been placed on the rooftop to prevent breakdown due to waterlogging.

The batteries are liquid cooled to maintain the temperature within an optimum range and ensure longer life along with better performance in tropical conditions.

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Tata Motors, Tata Motors Finance Group in strategic tie-up with Kool-ex Cold Chain In a first of its kind transaction, Tata Motors along with Tata Motors Finance Group entered into strategic tie-up with Kool-ex Cold Chain Limited – a leading Pharma Cold Chain Logistics Service Provider to supply 200 fully built reefer trucks manufactured by Tata Motors.

Developing a unique one stop solution for Kool-ex Cold Chain Ltd, this tie up includes manufacturing of the specially built pharma compliant reefer trucks which will be covered under the Tata Sampoorna Seva umbrella of value added services and a complete funding plan by TMF Group with a mixture of equity and debt, making the entire transaction a single window structure. The reefer units

used for this deal will be built on the popular Tata LPT 1613 MCV trucks and the Tata LPT 2518 Multi axle truck.

Shyam Mani - MD, Tata Motors Finance Group – “We are elated to be a part of this one of a kind tie up to provide complete financing solutions to Kool-ex Cold Chain Limited.

As a part of this tie up, we will not only be providing vehicle financing through Tata Motors Finance Limited (TMFL) but will also provide mezzanine equity financing to the company through Tata Motors Finance Solutions Limited (TMFSL), making this a structured financing deal. We are confident that this complete package will deliver the best for all companies who are a part

the deal and will lay a strong foundation for a continued association ahead.”

Kool-Ex which has over 21 years of experience in this segment is all set to become one of the largest Pharma Cold Chain Logistics Service Provider in the country,

with this partnership. Kool-ex will also shortly enter the Cold Chain warehousing segment, with its first commercial project likely to come up near Pune along with foray into last mile deliveries, thereby making it a completely integrated 3PL Cold Chain Logistics Service Provider.

Tata Motors showcases environment-friendly solutions Tata Motors showcased its smart environmentfriendly solutions for Waste Management at the Clean Tech Environment 2019 held from February 3-5, 2019 at Pragati Maidan. The products on display were designed to control air pollution and handle various types of solid and liquid waste in a humane manner, addressing the pressing needs of providing environment conducive products, in both metropolitan cities and smaller towns.

Tata Motors displayed – Tata

3 KL Spray Tank Truck on LPT 709 CNG and Tata 3.5 CuM Litter Picker on LPT 407 CNG vehicles during the Clean Tech Environment 2019 event.

Equipped with state-of-theart technology municipal application solutions, these products are built on the most versatile platforms of Tata Light Commercial Vehicles running on CNG, popular for their reliability and performance, providing the most cost efficient solutions.

These variants with their superior designs and various customisations for multiple applications ensure ease

and convenience of use and provide customers with smarter mobility solutions.

R. T. Wasan, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd. said, “Urban Waste in India is a huge problem leading to health and environmental issues. To address this issue, both Private and Government sector are

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working together for a clean and green India. Tata Motors has always been a frontrunner in collaborating with the Government to provide a number of smart sustainable mobility solutions for today’s Smart Cities.”

MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 65

TECHNOLOGY

FORD tests light-based visual language to help autonomous vehicles communicate with pedestrians Hand gestures, head nods and thumbs-up signals all help to ensure drivers, pedestrians and cyclists know what each other is doing. But how will self-driving vehicles, with no human driver, communicate with those around them?

Ford has been testing one approach that uses lights to indicate what the vehicle is doing and what it will do next as part of research into a communication interface that will help autonomous vehicles seamlessly integrate with other road users.

To ensure testing was as realistic and natural as possible, the company created the ‘Human Car Seat’ installed inside a Transit Connect van. Designed to look like an autonomous vehicle, with the driver hidden in the seat, observers could more effectively gauge responses to a roofmounted light bar that flashed white, purple and turquoise to indicate when the van was driving, about to pull forwards and giving way.

“Fundamentally, people need to trust autonomous vehicles and developing one universal visual means of communication is a key to that. Turning someone into a ‘Human Car Seat’ was one of those ideas when there was a bit of a pause and then the realisation that this was absolutely the best and most effective way of finding out what we needed to know,” said Thorsten Warwel, Ford of Europe core lighting manager.

The latest testing, which complements research already carried out in the

Trained ‘Human Car Seat’ drivers kept their eyes on the road through a false head rest and operated a special lever to indicate. An assistant, hidden in the back, also monitored the road as back-up. Trained ‘Human Car Seat’ drivers kept their eyes on the road through a false head rest and operated a special lever to indicate. An assistant, hidden in the back, also monitored the road as back-up.

U.S., was conducted together with Chemnitz University of Technology, in Germany.

Researchers expanded the tests to check the effectiveness of two other colours, in addition to white; a rooftop location, when the U.S tests had the lights placed on the top part of the windshield; and situations with further distance, showing the lights up to 500 metres away.

The tests concluded that 60 per cent of 173 people surveyed after encountering the Transit Connect thought it was an autonomous vehicle. Together with the observed reactions of a further 1,600 people, turquoise – more noticeable than white and less easily confused with red than purple – was the preferred colour. There was also a high level of acceptance and trust in the signals, providing a basis from which researchers can further develop the visual language.

“Making eye contact is

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important – but our study showed that first and foremost road users look to see what a vehicle is doing. The next step is to look at how we can ensure the light signals are made clearer and more intuitive,” said Dr Matthias Beggiato, Department of Psychology, at the university.

Trained ‘Human Car Seat’ drivers kept their eyes on the road through a false head rest and operated a special lever to indicate. An assistant, hidden in the back, also monitored the road as back-up.

In separate tests conducted

by Ford together with the automotive lighting and electronics specialist HELLA, researchers tested further locations for the lights, such as on the grille and headlamps, though no clear preference emerged.

With the goal of developing a purpose-built self-driving vehicle for deployment first in

North America in 2021, Ford is working towards ensuring that people trust autonomous vehicles. Essential to this is the creation of an industry standard for communicating driving intent. The company is collaborating with several industry organisations, including the International Organisation for Standardisation and the Society of Automotive Engineers, and is calling on other automotive and technology companies to help create the required standard.

Ford, in partnership with Argo AI, recently became the first company to test autonomous vehicles in Washington D.C., building on testing already underway in Detroit, Pittsburgh and Miami. In China, the company is part of the Apollo program offered by Baidu, China’s top search engine operator, and is working with them to begin testing selfdriving cars on designated roads in Beijing and other Chinese cities later this year.

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Smart Bed Rolls Selfish Sleepers Back Into Place CAR TECHNOLOGY AND A CONVEYOR BELT USED At the end of a hectic day, cosying up to the one you love should be a welcome relief. But for those who share their bed with a “space invader”, precious hours can be lost simply trying to reclaim a fair share of the mattress.

Studies show that 1 in 4 of those in relationships sleep better alone. And over time, sleep loss increases the risk of injury and accidents at home, work and on the road. But if separate beds don’t appeal – a phenomenon now so popular that there is a recognised trend for so-called “sleep divorces” – what next?

One solution could be Ford’s “Lane-Keeping Bed”, that applies

car tech know-how to ensuring that even the most selfish bed mate stays firmly “in their lane” through the night.

Available in most Ford vehicles, Lane-Keeping Aid monitors the road markings ahead and actively supports the driver to safely guide the vehicle back into the correct lane by “nudging” the steering wheel in the correct direction; this complements other camera-based systems that help drivers avoid inadvertently straying out of their lane.

This technology inspired the “Lane-Keeping Bed” that uses pressure sensors to identify when

someone has strayed from their side of the bed and gently returns them to where they should be with the help of an integrated conveyor belt.

“When sleeping together, many couples each have less space than a small child has in a single bed,” said Dr Neil Stanley, an independent sleep expert and author of How to Sleep Well, adding that, “Humans are most vulnerable when sleeping, so we’re programmed to wake when something or someone touches us unexpectedly. If someone moves onto your side of the bed this defence mechanism will kick in and you’ll have a broken night, often while they continue

to sleep soundly. I’ve seen it ruin relationships.”

Just a prototype, the “LaneKeeping Bed” is part of a series of Ford Interventions; applying automotive expertise to tackle everyday – or in this case, every night – problems.

“Lane-Keeping Aid in our cars can make driving easier and more comfortable. We thought that showing how similar thinking could be applied to a bed, would be a great way to highlight to drivers a technology that they might not previously have been aware of,” said Anthony Ireson, director, Marketing Communications, Ford of Europe.

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MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 67

TECHNOLOGY

GKN trials world-first battery e-vehicle with 2-speed transmission, torque vectoring

GKN Automotive has unveiled the world’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) with a two-speed transmission and torque vectoring on the front axle. Based on a standard Jeep Renegade, the ‘GTD19’ demonstrator vehicle is undergoing extensive testing at GKN’s annual winter testing programme in Arjeplog, Sweden, and showcases how automakers can use drivetrain innovations to achieve industry-leading standards of efficiency, safety and driving dynamics in BEV models.

torque, acceleration and a higher top speed. Efficiency is further enhanced by the GTD19’s eAxle’s coaxial format, while exceptional stability and dynamic performance is possible thanks to the torque vectoring capability of GKN’s eTwinster system.

The GTD19 is equipped with an optimised two-speed ‘Seamless shift’ eTransmission and smart shifting strategy, which has the potential to extend vehicle range as well as provide greater

“Within the last year, we have seen a 40% increase in the value of our eDrive order book, rising from £2 billion at the end of 2017 to confirmed business now worth £3 billion. Our

Hannes Prenn, COO of GKN ePowertrain commented: “This new technology demonstrator showcases how we are evolving and improving integrated eDrive technologies to help OEMs further improve efficiency, safety and driving dynamics.

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dedicated focus on production and development of electrified drivelines will enable us to support the rapid acceleration in demand for BEVs equipped with all-wheel drive systems in the coming years.”

GTD19 TECHNICAL DEMONSTRATION VEHICLE The GTD19 vehicle undergoing testing in Arjeplog integrates GKN’s two-speed ‘Seamless shift’ gearbox with two speeds and torque vectoring. The technology is related to the twospeed technology in last year’s ‘GTD18’ Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 test vehicle, which demonstrated the benefits of an eTwinster rear axle e-motor, two-speed eTransmission and torque vectoring by twin clutches;

paired with a mechanical Twinster on the front axle.

The set-up in GTD19 provides pure electric power with twospeeds. The electric two-speed gearbox is configured to ensure the shifts are seamless, with minimal losses in power and torque and the potential for faster acceleration, improved efficiency and a higher top speed.

GKN’s award-winning Twinster torque vectoring technology delivers specific advantages for vehicle stability, agility and safety. Aiding modulation of the high initial torque of the electric motor, Twinster governs acceleration making it swift and smooth, while also providing greater lateral control and optimised front-wheel driving

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dynamics for both safety and driver satisfaction.

The advanced eDrive system in the GTD19 replaces the Jeep Renegade’s internal combustion engine with a 120kW GKN e-motor, delivering maximum torque of 3,500Nm and vectoring of up to 2,000Nm to either of the front wheels when required.

Front-wheel drive applications of torque vectoring provide more noticeable benefits than rear- or all-wheel drive configurations, due to the relative ease of breaking traction in a frontwheel drive car. Not only can the Twinster system keep the

front wheels in check during acceleration, it can correct an understeer yaw moment experienced by a driver entering a corner at speed. The system prioritises torque delivery to the outer wheel helping to correct the natural understeer characteristic typically associated with a front drive vehicle.

GKN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION Significantly smaller than systems with equivalent power outputs, the eTwinster two-speed coaxial system can be easily integrated into existing vehicle platforms. It is readily adaptable

for use in front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive applications extending from entry-level electric city cars to plug-in hybrid luxury SUVs and fully electric all-wheel drive hypercars.

For the GTD19, all the drivetrain technology was integrated with ease into the existing vehicle platform without major modification, including both a GKN-derived electric motor and GKN-developed inverter controls, supplementing the company’s advanced eAxle.

All software is programmed by GKN to enable seamless shifting

of the two-speed transmission and torque control on the front axle, with minimal power and torque loss during changes.

GKN has pioneered advanced eDrive technology since 2002, acquiring unrivalled systems integration and production experience to transfer the technology from niche vehicles to high-volume mass-market applications. It has already supplied complete eDrive systems to some of the most influential and successful plug-in hybrid programmes for OEMs including BMW, Mitsubishi, Porsche and Volvo.

TOP LEVEL CHANGES IN MOTOWN VENKATRAM MAMILLAPALLE will take over as Managing Director for RENAULT INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED and Head of Renault Operations in India from Sumit Sawhney, effective March 1, 2019. Sawhney will be moving to a new position within the group.

Venkatram Mamillapalle who till recently was the Head of Renault-Nissan-Avtovaz Purchasing Organisation in Russia, comes with extensive automotive experience and has worked with various Indian and International OEM’s. He will report to Fabrice Cambolive - Chairman, AMI Region for Groupe Renault.

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MARCH 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 69

B-Boy Roxrite poses for a portrait prior to the Red Bull BC One Roxrite Workshop in Kolkata, India on February 23, 2019. Former Red Bull BC One champion RoxRite has set a B-Boy record after he danced his way to an historic 100th competition win at the Circle Industry 2018 Finals in Salzburg, Austria. The celebrated Mexican-American is also known as Omar Delgado Macias. He was named ‘RoxRite’ because he always ‘rocked right’ in his breaking. The San Diego native has collected three career B-Boy of the Year Awards. Red Bull BC One is a global celebration of hip hop, combining dance, music, style and art followed by millions on TV and online. Picture courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool.

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