VOL-11 • ISSUE-6 • MARCH 2021 • `300/-
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B2B SECTION ALL-WOMEN CREW MANUFACTURES 50,000TH MG HECTOR
FIRST DRIVE
NEW CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS SUV
FRENCH FLOATILLA
LAUNCH
FIRST DRIVES
BMW M340i XDRIVE
RENAULT KIGER
REVIEWS : TATA HARRIER BS6 / LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT BS6 / TVS JUPITER BS6 / ATHER 450X ELECTRIC SCOOTER
MARUTI SUZUKI SWIFT 2021
ART MEETS CULTURE!
Artwork created by MPPL team
KERALA GOD’S OWN COUNTRY
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EDITOR
PUNNOOSE THARYAN (ROY)
ptharyan@motownindia.com -----------------------------------------News Coordinator - Jisha P Sr. Correspondent - Farhan Khan, Aki Paul Video Editor - Ramesh Kumar Content Manger - Vrinda Desai Digital In-charge Naveen Kumar Web Correspondents - Avdesh Kumar, Seema Paul Photo Journalist - Afsar Baig -----------------------------------------FOR EDITORIAL CONTACT editorial@motownindia.com, editorial.motown@gmail.com -----------------------------------------FOR MARKETING & SALES CONTACT Head-Operations - Jisha P jisha@motownindia.com, +91-9958125645 advertising@motownindia.com, advertising.motown@gmail.com -----------------------------------------FOR ACCOUNTS CONTACT Ankit Sharma, ankit@motownindia.com -----------------------------------------FOR CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION CONTACT subscription@motownindia.com / +91-9958125645 -----------------------------------------Office Executive - Ravinder -----------------------------------------EDITORIAL DELHI OFFICE 145 B/9, First Floor, Kishangarh, Next to United Free Church, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070 -----------------------------------------EDITORIAL CONTENT The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the contents in the magazine are correct. However, he can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Any unauthorised reproduction of Motown India content is strictly forbidden. -----------------------------------------Motown India is owned by Motown Publications Private Limited and published from 4058 / D-4, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070. Motown India magazine is printed at Pearl Printers, C-105, Okhla Phase - 1, New Delhi - 110020 -----------------------------------------This issue of Motown India magazine contains 68 pages including both covers. -----------------------------------------EDITORIAL ADVISORS Alexander T. & Annie Jacob
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P. THARYAN (ROY)
he Indian automobile is witnessing increased sales post the pandemic of 2019-20. In fact, the rush to introduce new products is continuing unabated. The March 2021 edition carries extensive news on several launches like that of the new MINI Countryman, the new Maruti Suzuki Swift, the new Lexus LC 500h Limited Edition, the new Triumph Bonneville range, etc. This edition also carries drive and ride reviews of several new vehicles like the Citroen C5 Aircross SUV, BMW M340i xDrive, the Renault Kiger SUV, Land Rover Discovery Sport BS6, Tata Harrier BS6, TVS Jupiter BS6 scooter and the Ather 450x electric two wheeler. Each of the products we reviewed had its own distinct advantage of sorts. The C5 from Citroen comes with top notch suspension, so soft that it took us by surprise. In fact, we had never experienced such a fine “flying carpet” kind of ride ever in a car. Similarly, the BMW M340i XDrive we drove is a 3 series beast. This car comes with a brute engine with some very brute power delivery. And when it came to the Renault Kiger, it offers some great features inside, besides a turbocharged performance by its 1 litre petrol engine. The other vehicles we drove and rode also offered superior ride quality and some great comfort and convenience features. Though this issue primarily consists of new vehicle reviews, we also have a few pages dedicated to gadgets and B2B news. I am sure all of you will enjoy reading this latest issue of Motown India magazine. In the meantime, also visit our website www.motownindia.com for the latest news on Automobiles and the automotive industry. Also, watch our latest Motown India posts on the various social media platforms like Instagram, twitter, YouTube and facebook.
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CONTE NTS VOL 11 | ISSUE 6 | MARCH 2021
10 CAR NEWS: New Mini Countryman launched at `39.50 lakh
11
14
CAR NEWS: Jeep Wrangler SUV is now assembled in India
20
WHEELZ & ROADZ: BMW M340i XDRIVE
36 RENAULT KIGER SUV
54 WHEELZ & ROADZ : TVS JUPITER BS VI
6 | MOTOWN INDIA | MARCH 2021
of Ola scooter
28
WHEELZ & ROADZ: CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS SUV
WHEELZ & ROADZ:
BIKE NEWS: Ola releases pictures
42 WHEELZ & ROADZ: TATA HARRIER BS VI
58
48 WHEELZ & ROADZ:
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT
64
WHEELZ & ROADZ: ATHER 450X
B2B NEWS: All-women crew manufactures 50,000th MG Hector www.motownindia.com
PARADISE BECKONS!
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KERALA GOD’S OWN COUNTRY
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IMMERSE IN
Nirvana
KERALA
Artwork created by MPPL team
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CAR NEWS
New MINI COUNTRYMAN launched at `39.50 lakh The BMW Group has launched the new Mini Countryman. Locally produced at the BMW Group Plant Chennai, the new Mini Countryman will be available in two petrol variants Mini Countryman Cooper S and Mini Countryman Cooper S JCW Inspired. While the new Mini Countryman Cooper S is priced at Rs 39,50,000, the new Mini Countryman Cooper S JCW Inspired is priced at Rs 43,40,000, ex showroom.
LED rear lights now with Union Jack Design. The new 5.5-inch multifunction fully digital display, new leather chester upholstery in malt brown and satellite grey with matching colour line, Mini Yours Interior Style Shaded Silver Illuminated interior surface trim, John Cooper Works Aerodynamic kit and 7- Speed Double Clutch Steptronic Sport Transmission are exclusive to the new Mini Countryman Cooper S JCW Inspired.
The new Mini Countryman introduces two new colour options – white silver and sage green, newly designed front and rear bumper, radiator grille, LED headlights and
The new MINI Countryman will be available in six colours including Sage Green (new), White Silver (new), Midnight Black, Chilli Red, Island Blue and British Racing Green.
MARUTI SUZUKI SWIFT 2021 launched at `5.73 lakh onward Maruti Suzuki has launched the all-new Swift 2021 at a starting price of Rs 5.73 lakh, ex showroom, Delhi. The top variant ZXI+ Dual tone will cost Rs 7.91 lakh for the manual version and Rs 8.41 lakh for the AGS version. The new Swift is equipped with ‘Next Gen K-Series Dual Jet Dual VVT engine with Idle Start Stop (ISS) technology. The Dual Jet technology (2 injectors per cylinder), coupled with Dual VVT (variable valve timing for both Intake and Exhaust valves) and cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system result in higher fuel efficiency with lower emissions. This leads to a fuel efficiency of 23.20 km/l in MT and 23.76 km/l in AGS variants. Available in both Manual and Automatic Gear Shift (AGS) variants, the new K-series engine also offers an increased power output of 88.50hp@6000rpm. The refreshed premium silver interior ornamentation and introduction of dual tone exteriors further enhance Swift’s stylish character. The new sporty cross mesh grille with bold chrome accent lends a distinctive fascia to the new Swift, enhancing the dynamic personality of the modern customers.
10 | MOTOWN INDIA | MARCH 2021
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CAR NEWS
JEEP WRANGLER SUV is now assembled in India Just one month after the comprehensive go-local strategy was announced by Jeep brand, Jeep India has commenced local assembling of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler in its Ranjangaon joint venture manufacturing facility. Jeep Wrangler has an unmatched combination of offroad capability, authentic Jeep design, open-air freedom, advanced fuel-efficient powertrains, superior on- and offroad dynamics, and a host of innovative safety and advanced technology features. The 2021 Jeep Wrangler is now available for pre-booking before going on sale exclusively in India on March 15, 2021, in 26 dealerships across the country. Pricing and specifications for the 2021 Made-inIndia Jeep Wrangler will be announced at market launch. The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Renegade and Wrangler. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left- and right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Jeep is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis.
NEW LEXUS aviation-inspired LC 500h Limited Edition at `2.15 crore onward Lexus India has launched a limited-edition model of its sports coupe- the LC500h. Inspired by the graceful flight of birds and airplanes, this special edition focuses on a refined aerodynamic performance that aims to elevate sense of driving. The LC500h Limited Edition will be available at a starting price of Rs 2,15,60,000. The new LC Limited Edition is inspired by a partnership between air race pilot Yoshihide Muroya and Lexus engineers. The Lexus team worked on different ways to create efficiencies for Muroya’s aircraft, from refining the grip design of the control column to maximizing aerodynamics efficiencies using testing data learned on Lexus automobiles. The partnership ultimately assisted Muroya on his path to winning the 2017 Red Bull Air Race World Championships.
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CAR NEWS
VOLKSWAGEN INDIA launches turbo edition of POLO & VENTO
Volkswagen Passenger Cars India has launched the Turbo edition of its flagship models – Polo & Vento. The special edition Polo & Vento are now available in a Comfortline variant, powered by Volkswagen’s 1.0l Turbocharged Stratified Injection (TSI) technology mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The Turbo edition Polo & Vento Comfortline TSI MT will be available at Rs 6.99 lakh and
Rs 8.69 lakh respectively. With the launch of the Turbo edition, Volkswagen focuses at accessibility by offering customers its award-winning TSI technology in a Comfortline variant on the Polo & Vento. Adding a sport appeal to the exteriors & interiors, the turbo edition will adorn a glossy black spoiler, ORVM caps, fender badge and sporty seat covers. Further, enhancing the cabin comfort, both the carlines offers
the climatronic air-conditioning feature. Prospective customers can book the Turbo edition Polo & Vento online through the Volkswagen India website or through the nearest dealership. The two carlines come in a 6-speed manual transmission mated to 1.0l TSI engine offering a peak power and torque of 110.13hp@5000-5500 rpm and 175Nm@1750-4000 rpm respectively. The Turbo edition is available on all colors as offered on the Polo and Vento.
2021 MASERATI GHIBLI range launched in India at `1.15 crore onward Maserati has launched the Ghibli MY21 range. The Maserati Ghibli price starts at Rs 1.15 crore onward. The Ex-showroom prices for the 2021 Maserati Ghibli range in India: MODEL
ENGINE Hybrid 2.0 L4 - 330 HP
GHIBLI V6 - 2979 cc - 430 PS
VARIANT
EX S/R PRICE
Base
`11,540,175
GranLusso
`14,242,054
GranSport
`13,857,411
GranLusso
`15,571,598
GranSport
`15,186,144
V8 - 3799 cc - 580 PS TROFEO
`19,317,324
The 2021 Maserati Ghibli has a restyled signature grille bearing the iconic Maserati Trident. Inspired by the Giugiaro-penned Maserati 3200 GT “boomerang” rear lights that pioneered the use of LED in the industry, the MY21 gets new tail lights. The sedan has dynamically sculpted curves and gracefully flowing lines. A striking coupé look makes it impossible to go unnoticed. In addition to 3.0-litre V6 & V8 petrol engines, an all-new 4-cylinder 2.0-litre engine with a 48V hybrid
12 | MOTOWN INDIA | MARCH 2021
system is now available. The car comes with full-LED Adaptive Matrix headlamps. With 15 LEDs operating at full beam, these headlamps offer a 200% greater field of vision than traditional headlamps. The Mserati Ghibli has a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The MY21 Ghibli is equipped with a comprehensive range of Level 2 ADAS, the highest level of autonomous driving currently permitted. It means even greater peace of mind in a variety of traffic conditions.
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CAR NEWS
ALL NEW RENAULT KIGER PRICED AT `5.45 LAKH ONWARD Renault India’s all-new Kiger has been priced at Rs 5.45 lakh (ex-showroom, all India) onward. These are introductory prices, the company announced. The Renault Kiger is designed with collaboration of France and India teams. It is developed and produced in India, for Indian customers first, before it is taken globally. The Renault Kiger will be available in four variants- Energy MT, Energy Easy R AMT, Turbo AMT and Turbo Xtronic CVT. These will further come in various trim levels. The top end model, the Turbo Xtronic CVT RXZ will cost Rs 9.55 lakh. (Renault Kiger review report on page 36)
INTERIOR SKETCH OFFERS FIRST PREVIEW OF SKODA KUSHAQ SUV Skoda has provided a first glimpse of the new Kushaq’s interior in an official design sketch. As with other models from the Czech car manufacturer, the spacious interior typical of the brand features a large, free-standing infotainment display. The Skoda Kushaq will be officially launched later this month and is the first of four models from the Skoda and Volkswagen brands as part of the INDIA 2.0 product campaign. The vehicles are manufactured locally in India and are based on the MQB-A0-IN version of the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Transverse Toolkit specially adapted for India by Skoda Auto.
HMIL UPCOMING 7 SEATER PREMIUM SUV IS NAMED HYUNDAI ALCAZAR Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) has unveiled the name of its upcoming 7 seater premium SUV – Hyundai Alcazar. Hyundai Alcazar has been developed to personify reliability and indulgence while drawing its inspiration from the royal lineage of castles and palaces, denoting grandeur, spaciousness and solidity. The upcoming 7 seater premium SUV – Hyundai Alcazar will match the ambitions of sophisticated, innovative and tech savvy customers. Making its global debut in India, Hyundai Alcazar will redefine driving experiences with a combination of versatility and futuristic characteristics. Hyundai Alcazar will offer customers upscale mobility, be it for business travel or families travelling together to satiate their wander lust.
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TATA MOTORS LAUNCHES TIAGO XTA; 4TH AMT OPTION IN TIAGO FAMILY Tata Motors has announced the launch of the new XTA variant of its successful hatchback – the Tata Tiago, at a starting price of Rs 5.99 lakh (Ex. Showroom Delhi). With this launch, the Company is strengthening its automatic line up with 4 AMT options, adding an AMT variant to the XT trim of the existing Tata Tiago. Customers now have an array of options to choose from within the Tiago range. Since its launch in 2016, the Tiago has been very successful in its segment. Following the same, the product’s BS6 version was introduced in 2020 which also received a 4-star safety rating by GNCAP at launch, making it the safest in its segment. It comes with a variety of exciting features such as the 7-inch Infotainment Touchscreen by Harman, 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control and a digital instrument cluster amongst others, making it a suitable choice of 3.25 lakh happy customers.
MARCH 2021 | MOTOWN INDIA | 13
BIKE NEWS
OLA releases pictures of Ola scooter to be produced in Tamil Nadu plant As mobility service provider Ola is going full steam ahead with its Ola Future factory in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the company has released pictures of the soon to be launched scooters. The Ola factory built on 500 acres of land will be located in Krishnagiri district in TN. The factory will be the world’s largest two-wheeler factory with an annual capacity of 10 million vehicles. The facility will be ready by 2022. Phase 1 of plant will be ready with initial annual capacity of 2 million vehicles around June 2021. The company stated that one scooter will roll out of the factory every 2 seconds at full capacity and that there would be as total of 10 production lines at full capacity. The plant’s mega-block will house all production facilities in around 43 acres. The integrated manufacturing facility will have sections for battery, paint shop, weld, motor, general assembly and finished goods. It would have two supplier parks where the critical suppliers will be co-located at Ola factory. The plant will have its own test track inside the factory and the factory itself be the most advanced 2-wheeler factory with 3000 robots and will be AI-powered and built on Industry 4.0 principles. The factory will have a mega-block with solar roof-top, will be solar and renewable energy powered carbon negative and there would be a 2-acre central forest inside the mega-block and 100 acres forest on the site. Direct employment for around 10000 people will be created by Ola (additional jobs created by vendors and suppliers).
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V with Single-Channel ABS gets 3 ride modes TVS Motor Company has introduced its TVS Apache RTR 200 4V (single-channel ABS) motorcycle with segmentfirst features, including ride modes. This single-channel ABS variant of the motorcycle will offer three ride modes, adjustable suspension and adjustable levers. The motorcycle is also available in Dual-Channel ABS variant with the same set of features and ride modes. The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V motorcycle with singlechannel ABS will be available in three colours: Gloss Black, Pearl White, and the recently launched Matte Blue, inspired by the TVS OMC race bike, priced at Rs 1,28,020 (ex-showroom Delhi). The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V motorcycle, engineered with three ride modes, namely sport, urban and rain, plays a critical role in enhancing the overall ride experience: • The Urban mode accounts for the engine power
14 | MOTOWN INDIA | MARCH 2021
delivery tuned to deliver optimum power and control to tame the urban jungle, with the ABS optimised for a quick response. • The Rain mode primes the ABS to deliver the maximum response with a strong lever pulsation feel. It triggers the ABS to come in early for perfect response in wet road condition, keeping the rider in control of the vehicle. • The Sport mode allows for maximum power and sharp acceleration to take on the track or the highway. The ABS is mapped for the least intervention and highest permissible slip percentage for faster lap times.
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BIKE NEWS
TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES launches 2021 Bonneville range British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles has carried out several changes in the entire range of Bonneville motorcycles that includes the timeless classic Bonneville T120, T120 Black and T100, to the stylish and contemporary custom Street Twin and new Street Twin Gold Line limited edition, the laid-back Bonneville Speedmaster cruiser and the pure custom Bonneville Bobber.
NEW 2021 BONNEVILLE T120 AND T120 BLACK These models now have a significantly enhanced handling set-up, courtesy of a major 7kg weight saving, new lightweight aluminium wheel rims and new higher specification Brembo brakes, plus new rider technology, including cruise control and enhanced riding modes and an even more responsive throttle, the Bonneville legend continues.
NEW 2021 BONNEVILLE T100 This 900cc motorcycle gets lighter overall weight, higher specification brakes and suspension, the latest rider technology and sophisticated new detailing, and you get an even more beautiful and refined T100 ride. The new Triumph Bonneville T100 features a high torque, 900cc twin-cylinder Bonneville engine, which has undergone significant updates for 2021, resulting in a lighter and more responsive powertrain.
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NEW 2021 STREET TWIN Enhanced for 2021, the latest generation update of the Street Twin’s 900cc high torque engine retains all the power, character and responsiveness of the renowned Bonneville twin powerplant, now exceeding new emission norms requirements with lower emissions, and great fuel efficiency. The new Street Twin has incredible torque from low down, right through the rev range for thrilling acceleration anytime it’s needed, with 65PS peak power arriving at 7,500 rpm and with 80Nm peak torque at 3,800 rpm. Such power and torque are comfortably managed thanks to the ride-bywire throttle control.
Bonneville T120 Black
hand-painted, gold lining skills of Triumph’s expert paint shop. There are only 1000 of these beautiful motorcycles worldwide, each one coming with a certificate of authenticity personalised with the unique VIN number of the bike, making these even more exclusive.
NEW 2021 STREET TWIN GOLD LINE LIMITED EDITION
NEW 2021 BONNEVILLE SPEEDMASTER
This exquisite hand-detailed custom edition of the 2021 Street Twin delivers all of the new generation updates and celebrates the timeless classic Triumph logo and
The new Speedmaster’s heart is its characterful 1200cc, high-torque British twin engine, which has been developed for 2021 for an even more immediate and responsive feel.
The Speedmaster shares the same 270 degree firing order as the rest of the Bonneville range, with a tune specifically developed to deliver high torque and high power low down and through the rev range.
NEW 2021 BONNEVILLE BOBBER The new Bobber is powered by Triumph’s latest generation Bonneville 1200cc, hightorque British twin engine. Thanks to a reduction in inertia, this updated 2021 engine is more responsive, and its torque curve is fuller and smoother. MY21 Bonneville Bobber
MARCH 2021 | MOTOWN INDIA | 15
BIKE NEWS
NEW BMW R nineT AND R nineT SCRAMBLER LAUNCHED AT `16.75 LAKH ONWARD BMW Motorrad India has launched the new BMW R nineT and BMW R nineT Scrambler in India. Available as completely builtup units (CBU), the motorcycles can be booked at all BMW Motorrad India dealerships. The ex-showroom prices of the new BMW R nineT is Rs 18,50,000, while that of the new BMW R nineT Scrambler is Rs 16,75,000. The new BMW R nineT is a classic roadster that has a boxer engine that unleashes power over the asphalt with its improved torque curve. The BMW R nineT and BMW R nineT Scrambler have a powerful 1,170 cc air/oil-cooled 2-cylinder four-stroke engine with DOHC cylinder head, four valves and two camshafts and shaft drive. With an output of 109 Hp at 7,520 rpm and a maximum torque of 119 Nm at 6,000 rpm, the engine is an ideal partner for dynamic riding pleasure. The motorcycles accelerate from 0 – 100 km/hr in just 3.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 200 km/hr.
All-new BMW R 18 Classic debuts in India at `24 lakh BMW Motorrad India has launched the all-new BMW R 18 Classic in the country. The all-new BMW R 18 Classic can be ordered as a completely built-up unit (CBU) from BMW Motorrad dealer network. The all-new BMW R 18 Classic ‘First Edition’ is priced at Rs 24,00,000. Following the premiere of the BMW R 18 last year, BMW Motorrad India has now introduced the second member of its new cruiser segment: The R 18 Classic. The all-new BMW R 18 Classic is a nostalgic touring bike that echoes the beginnings of great touring cruiser models. While the R 18 is purist in style, the R 18 Classic features a large windscreen, passenger seat, saddle bags, LED additional headlights and 16-inch front wheel. It features the largest displacement boxer engine ever built by BMW.
16 | MOTOWN INDIA | MARCH 2021
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BIKE NEWS
BENELLI LAUNCHES BS-VI LEONCINO 500 AT `4,59,900 ONWARD Italian superbike manufacturer Benelli and Adishwar Auto Ride India – Mahavir Group, are all set to introduce a range of BS6 Benelli superbikes in the Indian market. Benelli’s all-new BS6 Leoncino 500 has been launched at a starting price of Rs. 4,59,900 (Ex-showroom, India) for the Steel Grey colour and Rs. 4,69,900 (Ex-showroom, India) for the Leoncino Red colour. With its classic Street scrambler looks, the Leoncino recalls the easy-to-ride and lovable “LION CUB” models of the ’60s with a modern approach. From the front fender, which displays the Lion of Pesaro, on to the new front headlamp featuring cutting edge LED technology, then to the fuel tank and seat, all emphasise the character of this all-new Leoncino. The Benelli Leoncino gets a DOHC, twin-cylinder four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 500cc engine, which produces a maximum power output of 47.5ps@8500rpm and maximum torque of 46Nm@6000rpm. The 8-valve motor is mated to a slick-shifting 6-speed gearbox. The steel trellis frame ensures maximum versatility and manoeuvrability.
ROYAL ENFIELD LAUNCHES NEW HIMALAYAN WITH SEVERAL FUNCTIONAL UPGRADES Royal Enfield has launched the new Himalayan with several upgrades at a price of Rs 2,01,314 (ex showroom, Chennai). The Himalayan is now available in India for bookings and test rides starting immediately. The new Himalayan has been launched across India, Europe and the UK, in three new distinctive, terraininspired colours, along with a range of upgrades. This adventure-touring motorcycle will now be available in new granite black (mix of matte and gloss), mirage silver, pine green, in addition to the existing colours rock red, lake blue and gravel grey. With this launch, the Himalayan now gets the Make It Yours - MiY - initiative allowing customers to personalise and accessorize their motorcycle across all channels - the RE App, the website and at dealerships. The new Himalayan will also feature the Royal Enfield Tripper, simple and intuitive turn-by-turn navigation pod. The new model also gets several upgrades to the seat, the rear carrier, front rack and a new windscreen, making the adventure tourer even more capable and comfortable.
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MARCH 2021 | MOTOWN INDIA | 17
BIKE NEWS
TVS STAR CITY+ 2021 EDITION WITH ROTO PETAL DISC BRAKES AT `68,465 TVS Motor Company has introduced the TVS StaR city+ 2021 Edition with ‘Roto Petal Disc Brakes’. The disc variant is currently available in Black-Red Dual Tone colour theme and priced at Rs. 68,465 [Ex-showroom Delhi]. TVS StaR city+ 2021 Edition comes with ET-Fi Technology which delivers 15% higher mileage and is equipped with LED Headlamp and USB Mobile charger, making it one of the most premium offerings in the segment. The edition builds on TVS StaR city+ ‘s 15-year-legacy of ‘Always Moving Ahead’ and creating delight for its 3 Million+ happy customers.
KABIRA MOBILITY LAUNCHES KM3000, KM4000 FAST E-BIKES AT `1.27 LAKH ONWARD
Kabira Mobility, a Goa-based start-up has announced the launch of two new hi-speed electric bikes – KM3000 and KM4000 through a virtual launch. The KM3000, having a peak power of 6000W is priced at Rs. 1,26,990 (ex-showroomGoa), whereas KM4000 has a peak power of 8000W and is priced at Rs. 1,36,990 (ex-showroom-Goa). Deliveries of these bikes will start from May-2021. Both the bikes are designed in keeping Generation Z in mind. KM3000 has a ‘sports bike’ look with a kerb weight of 138 kgs, while the KM4000 weighs 147 kg and has been designed as a ‘naked bike’ which is a completely new concept for the electric bikes. The KM3000 and KM4000 can be charged on 2 modes. Eco mode takes 6hrs 30mins to fully charge the batteries while the Boost mode can charge 80% of the battery in just 50 minutes.
KAWASAKI LAUNCHES NEW BS-6 MY22 NINJA 300 AT `318,000 ONWARD India Kawasaki Motors Pvt. Ltd. (IKM) launched a new BS-6 compliant MY22 Ninja 300. The Ninja 300 will be available in 3 colours (“Lime green”, “Candy Lime green type 3” and “Ebony”) and is priced at Rs 318,000/- (Ex-Showroom) onward. The Ninja 300 is powered by a 296 cc engine. Kawasaki has achieved meeting BS6 regulation without sacrificing power. Highlights of MY22 Ninja 300 are a 296cc fuel injected parallel twin engine (Cleaner Emissions), 39ps, Dual Throttle valves, Assist and Slipper clutch, 37mm telescopic front fork, Larger 290mm petal disc, Wider 140mm rear tyres, Wide set of raised separate handle bar, Supersports style aluminium footpegs, Analogdigital instrument cluster, among others.
18 | MOTOWN INDIA | MARCH 2021
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BIKE NEWS
BAJAJ AUTO INTRODUCES PLATINA 110-ABS AT `65,926 Bajaj Auto has launched the all-new Platina 110 with a segment first ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) at Rs 65,926. The ABS is coupled to a 240 mm front disc brake. Along with ABS, the Platina comes equipped with a ComforTec package that includes quilted seats, a Nitrox spring-on-spring suspension as well as tubeless tyres to offer unparalleled comfort on the road. Powering the Platina is a 115 cc, four stoke, single cylinder, air cooled engine with electronic Injection, that makes 8.6ps@7000rpm & 9.81 Nm torque @5000 rpm. The refreshed look sees new mirrors for improved visibility as well as handguards to offer extra protection while riding on varied surfaces. The bike will be available in exciting colours – charcoal black, volcanic red & beach blue and is available across all Bajaj Auto dealerships in India.
BAJAJ AUTO LAUNCHES ALL-NEW PLATINA 100 ELECTRIC START AT `53,920 ONWARD Bajaj Auto has launched the updated Platina 100 Electric Start (ES) at Rs 53,920 (Ex-showroom Delhi) with the proven ‘Comfortec technology’. The bike comes with spring-in-spring suspension that provides comfort on long journeys. It also comes equipped with tubeless tyres. The new Platina 100 ES comes with a 102 cc, four stoke, single cylinder, SOHC, air cooled engine. It also comes with a refreshed look with all-new rear view mirrors which offer better visibility as well as project new-age styling to the bike. The bike will be available in two colours - cocktail wine red and ebony black with silver decals and is available across all Bajaj Auto dealerships in India.
BAJAJ AUTO LAUNCHES NEW PULSAR 180 AT `1.07 LAKH Bajaj Auto has launched the new Pulsar 180 – augmenting the lineup of the most popular entry-sport motorcycle brand in India. The 2021 Pulsar 180 will be available at Rs 1,07,904/- (ex-showroom Delhi). With bold decals and twin pilot lamps with Auto Headlamp On (AHO), the Pulsar 180 is a stylish nod to the design that started the bike revolution in the 150 cc+ segments in the country. The new avatar gets sporty split seats, black alloy wheels and an ‘infinity’ LED tail lamp. The motorcycle is equipped with a 4 - stroke SOHC 2-Valve Air Cooled BSVI Compliant DTS-i Fi engine. It delivers peak torque of 14.52Nm@6500 rpm and 16.79hp@ 8500 rpm. It also features a 5-speed transmission gear box with telescopic anti friction bush in the front suspension and a 5-way Adjustable Nitrox Shock Absorber in the rear suspension.
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MARCH 2021 | MOTOWN INDIA | 19
WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience
S P EC I F I C AT IO NS ENGINE 1997cc, DW10FC 4 cylinder
diesel
TRANSMISSION 8-Speed Automatic MAX POWER 175hp@3750rpm PEAK TORQUE 400Nm@2000rpm FUEL EFFICIENCY 18.6kmpl TYRES 235/55 R18
The all new CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS SUV has set a benchmark among vehicles in India, irrespective of their size and price, for its absolutely brilliant suspension. To say that in Hinglish, “it’s like makhan(butter)”. 20 | MOTOWN INDIA | MARCH 2021
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WHEELZ & ROADZ
A driving experience
FIRST DRIVE
CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS
French Floatilla Text: Roy Punnoose Tharyan / Photo: Afsar Baig
I
was curious like a child about knowing more about the all new Citroen C5 Aircross SUV suspension. The company claimed this car was all about comfort engineering and at heart of this were four main themes that included Flying Carpet effect, cocooned in comfort, panoramic life and intuitive technologies. Flying carpet? Were these exaggerated words from the company? I had to check this flying carpet claim the moment I got my keys to this SUV.
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And what better way to do that than by driving on Delhi’s potholed roads. Boy, I was stumped. This car did not drive, it kind of floated. How could any car drive so smoothly? These have suspensions with progressive hydraulic cushions exclusively designed by Citroen for this model. It smoothens large bumps and minor road surface imperfections, which in turn lets you experience a flying carpet feel. And while doing so, it also ensures stability and dynamics.
Ordinary suspensions have a shock absorber, a spring and a mechanical bump stop. The New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV comes with progressive hydraulic cushions that provide specially designed suspension on either side for rebound and compression for the occupants’ comfort. When big bumps are encountered, the hydraulic cushions keep suspension movement controlled and progressive. The child in me was screaming out in glee. Now it was time to check out what else could I enjoy inside its spacious cabin.
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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience INTERIORS Once you step inside the cabin you get see sophisticated interiors with grey grained leather and graphite cloth, gloss black details and chrome inserts. The centre console and dashboard top are in grey. The Citroen C5 Aircross comes in two variants. One is the Shine, the other is the Feel. The former is the top model with a panoramic sun roof with dual electric motors, LED headlamps and hands-free electric tailgate which you can simply open by moving your foot under the rear bumper and close with the touch of a button. The rest is kind of similar in both the models. We got the Feel variant to drive. Now coming to the seats, well in order to experience top notch suspension comfort, you need to have seats to match it and Citroen has done exactly that with its seats, drawing inspiration from contemporary furniture. They are not just broad and cushiony with more than adequate under thigh and back support, but provide room for occupants to sit with extreme comfort. High density foam is at the heart of each seat and a thick, textured foam at the surface. The driver seat gets electrical adjustments for all movement including height, but what sticks out as a sore thumb is the manual adjustment in the form of a rotary knob on the side of the seat to adjust lumbar support or lower back support. That’s strange; when all adjustments are electrical why bring in a manual adjustment that can actually sprain your back while attempting to move the knob. Similarly, the co-passenger seat in front, gets manual adjustments, which is kind of okay, but again it gets a large rotary knob on the side for adjusting the seat back recline position. Now coming to the rear, you get three independent adjustable rear seats of the same width. These are relatively comfortable seats but the one in the middle can be a tad uncomfortable for an adult because of the AC vent unit protruding out and hampering your leg space.
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But since these seats have multiple reclining positions and the ability to slide up to 150 mm, they are comfortably accommodating. The modular and flexible rear seat design offers foldaway rear seats that provide a perfectly flat floor for generous luggage-carrying capacity. You can reconfigure the roomy, flexible interior of the new Citroën C5 Aircross SUV to suit your needs. On board air quality system (AQS) enhances sense of well being as it automatically filters and purifies the air entering and circulating through the cabin. The New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV has a roomy 580L boot, but when you move the rear seats to
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their furthest forward position and you’ve got up to 720L, giving you the most generous boot in its class. With the modular rear seats folded away, there’s an amazing 1630L of boot space. And not to miss are the several permutations and combinations you can have with the seats for your storage. Talking of storage, there is plenty in this car. The large compartment under the central armrest has a section that can carry a 1.5L bottle, whilst the glove box and door pockets provide ample storage. You also get large storage area at the front of the centre console.
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BUTTONS & SWITCHES Once you are seated on the driver’s seat you actually begin to wonder where the start stop engine switch is. In many cars this start button is usually on the left or right side of the steering wheel on the dashboard. Sometimes it is on the centre console, it’s usually closer to the driver seat. But here this button is further away closer to the co passenger seat. I mean you really have to get used to new set up. Even the gear shifter is positioned closer to the co passenger seat. I feel the manufacturers have used the same centre console module made for the left hand drive vehicles and fixed it without any changes. It’s all about getting used to now in this car. Before I get straight to the other switches and buttons, this car also has the hood opening lever on the left. This will mean that every time you drive in the car and enter a hotel or any other place that requires you to open your hood for security reasons, you have to either go across to the other side to tug at the lever or perhaps ask the person sitting next to you to do that or if there is no one, you may have to ask the guy frisking your car to do that. It’s a norm today all across the country that whenever you enter big malls, hotels and offices, you need to open your hood, your boot and sometimes even show what is inside the glove box, all for security purposes. The steering wheel is adjustable for rake and reach. Just behind the steering wheel you have
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lever switches for windshield wipers on right, for the exterior lights on the left, with cruise controls at the bottom. The steering wheel comes with controls on the left and right along with paddle shifters. Coming to the centre console, you have a neat looking gear shifter which can be operated by pressing on the unlock button on its right side and shifting modes to R, N and D as you wish. The shifter also has a button for P which is the Parking mode. At the bottom of the gear shifter you have a M or Manual button which can be engaged once you shift to the D mode. Once the green light on the M button glows, you can manually change the gears using the paddle shifters. Just behind the gear shifter on the centre console you have the electronic parking brake. Next to the Start Stop engine button you have switches for Eco Drive and Sport Mode and there is also one for activating and deactivating Hill Descent Assist. The Hill Descent Assist holds your vehicle at a low, controllable speed on steep slopes. It works in forward and reverse gears as well as neutral. The large rotary knob on the centre console allows you to engage the various modes while you are either on Eco or Sports mode. These modes include Snow Mode, Mud Mode, Sand mode and ESP system deactivation mode. This is a traction control system created to optimise front wheel grip for all kinds of road surfaces.
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On the dashboard just above the gear shifter you get a USB slot and 12 V socket. Immediately above that you have switches for hazard light, switch for deactivating the start/stop feature at traffic lights, door opening and closing switch, switch for shutting down AC blower completely, switches for front and rear defoggers, switch for internal air circulation and the one on the extreme left is the volume control knob. A level above these buttons are the touch buttons for various commands that reflect on the touch screen too. These include the likes of Bluetooth telephony, Mirror link, Android Auto settings etc. Then you also have touch buttons for changing driving functions and vehicle settings. Driving functions include Park Assist feature for parallel and perpendicular parking with automatic steering control. Other driving functions that can be altered include parking sensors, under inflation initialization and setting memorised speed for both speed limiter as well as cruise control. Vehicle settings include that for parking, headlights, comfort and safety. Along with the buttons and switches you get eight inches touch screen infotainment system and a 12.3 inches TFT digital instrument panel for clear display of vital vehicle information. The latest 8” touchscreen brings you instant responses and clear usability of your smartphone. It enables you to access and enjoy the features of your smartphone and stay connected with it on the road. This intelligent app uses the touchscreen to mirror your smartphone, displaying all driving compatible apps. Depending on your phone’s operating system, apps can be controlled by voice so you can keep your eyes on the road. The system is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. With 3 Personalisation modes and 3 Ambience options of Brown, Blue and Red, the two digital displays are customisable for your taste and mood. The car also comes with a unique coffee break alert. When it’s time to take a break, this system sends you a warning. It
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activates once you’ve been driving for two hours continuously at more than 65 km/h. We could not experience this feature as our drive involved a lot of stoppages. As part of the safety feature, the vehicle gets a blind spot monitoring system wherein it warns you if there’s a vehicle in your blind spots, using an orange LED in the corner of the driver side ORVM.
EXTERIOR The C5 Aircross SUV looks bold and beautiful. Upfront it gets a muscular stance with double chevron design. Apart from the chrome lines, it has a matte black upper grille. The car has silver anodized bumper and stylish barrettes.
3D LED rear lamps greet you at the rear. The rear too gets fog lamps and an LED high mount stop lamp. An integrated spoiler and chrome dual exhaust pipes give the rear a very sporty appearance.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE The all new Citroen is powered by a DW10FC 4 cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of 1997cc. It churns out around 175hp @ 3750 rpm and a peak torque of 400Nm@2000rpm. The engine is mated to an eight speed automatic transmission. The company claims that this vehicle gives a fuel efficiency of 18.6km to a litre of diesel . The fuel tank can hold around 52.5 litres of diesel. You have access to keyless entry and start as you can lock and unlock the car without taking out the key. The New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV also recognises you as you approach the vehicle. The latest EAT8 automatic gearbox provided relatively smooth shifts between gears and when we were in the manual mode with the use of steering wheel mounted paddles, we felt the effectiveness of this gearbox.
While it is LED headlamps for the Shine variant, the Feel variant gets halogen with LED DRLs. The front fog lamps come with cornering function. Move to the side and you get to see the dynamic chromed ‘C’ motif, which is basically the big chrome surround around the windows. Then there are the body side moulding including the fender. It gets LED turn Indicators on ORVM. The vehicle also gets silver anodized airbump and roof bar Insert. The vehicle sits on ‘’SWIRL’’ two tone diamond cut alloy wheels. The tyres come in 235 / 55 R18 size.
Acceleration came easy for this machine, especially in the sport mode wherein it simply got into action when we floored the accelerator. The ride and handling too was perfect and when he hit some twisties, the car was planted to the road and gave some very perfect ride. The suspension as mentioned earlier, has been incredibly fine tuned for Indian roads and provided us with some great comfort, far superior to very many expensive cars out there on the road. Features like hill start assist and reverse camera add to the convenience factors. The hill start assist is designed to prevent unwanted movement when you release the brake pedal on slopes. Hill Start Assist works on gradients over 3%. It holds the vehicle for about 2 seconds, giving you time to move from brake to accelerator pedal. As for the reverse camera, once you engage the reverse gear, the camera displays a 180° rear view on the 8”
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touchscreen with additional coloured lines that act as your guidelines. With double laminated front windows and acoustic windshield glass, it’s a perfect cabin out there with wind and road noise being kept to an absolute minimum. Safety features include front driver and passenger airbags (includes passenger airbag deactivation function), front seat side airbags and curtain airbags. Apart from some of the safety features explained
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earlier, this SUV also gets isofix anchorages, auto door unlock on crash and electric child lock for the rear door, among others.
VERDICT The all new Citroen C5 Aircross SUV has set a benchmark among vehicles in India, irrespective of their size and price, for its absolutely brilliant suspension. To say that in Hinglish, “it’s like makhan(butter)”. As for its performance, it’s got a very torquey engine and can cover long distances with
great ease. The C5 Aircross has definitely raised the bar in the Indian SUV segment in terms of its ride quality and performance. After all, it’s a French “Floatilla”!
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S P EC I F I C AT IO NS ENGINE 2998cc, BMW TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder Petrol TRANSMISSION 8-speed Steptronic MAX POWER 387hp@5800rpm PEAK TORQUE 500Nm@18505000rpm TYRES Front 225/45 R18, Rear 255/40 R 18
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FIRST DRIVE
BMW M340I XDRIVE
DIAL
FOR PERFORMANCE Text: Roy Punnoose Tharyan / Photo: Afsar Baig
‘M’
is a powerful word, especially in BMW parlance. Their M denotes performance of the highest levels. So when we got our hands on a made in India car from BMW and also its first-ever BMW M340i xDrive powered by a 6-cylinder BMW M performance petrol engine with 387 hp, we were simply floored. I mean we wanted to floor it but for that we needed to find the roads and also ensure that we do it legally on a stretch that does not restrict us with a boring 50kmph speed limit. The BMW M340i XDrive sedan is an intelligent four-wheel drive for maximum traction. With this, the 3 series buyers get another choice to buy a
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well engineered car. It has under its hood, a newly developed straight six-cylinder petrol engine. The car gets an M Sport suspension, variable sports steering, an M Sport differential, the M Sport brake system and 18-inch M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres. These are all standard equipment features for the car.
EXTERIOR The BMW M340i xDrive sedan is 4,713 mm long, 1,827 mm wide and 1,440 mm tall. It has a 2,851 mm wheelbase with a muscular stature. The large BMW kidney grill mesh inserts are framed by a single surround and split up by wide bars that link to the headlight units. The hood is shaped by four contour lines flowing towards the BMW kidney grill.
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The twin headlights are adaptive LED with BMW Laserlight which offers variable illumination of the road ahead. Overall, with its long wheelbase, short over hangs, the vehicle looks very sporty and dynamic. These looks are complimented by the exterior mirror caps, air intake struts, the kidney grille surrounds, side skirts, sculpted rear wheel arches, trapezoidal tailpipe trims, L-shaped LED taillights, body coloured M rear spoiler on the boot lid and the model lettering all finished in Cerium Grey metallic. Not to miss is the iconic Hofmeister kink – the familiar counter- swing at the trailing edge of the side window graphic. The Hofmeister kink derives its title from the name of its creator, Wilhelm Hofmeister, who led the BMW design department between 1955 and 1970.
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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience INTERIOR The cabin of the M340i xDrive is as expected from any BMW car, very focussed, very purposeful and very practical. The interiors are made of high quality materials. Everything looks sporty inside, from the design of the door trim, to the newly designed instrument panel and center console. The digital instrument cluster bears the lettering “M340i”. In the centre of the instrument panel, the displays and buttons for the air conditioning and the central air vents form a sharply designed unit, while the light functions are operated from a panel of buttons next to the steering wheel. The start/stop button for the engine is positioned in the center console, where the gearshift lever is joined by the iDrive Controller and the buttons for the Driving Experience Control and electromechanical parking brake. The Sport seats provide excellent lateral support and have an even greater range of adjustment. The Anthracite BMW M leather steering wheel with shift paddles, M seat belt and interior trim strips in Aluminum Tetragon have a refreshing appearance about it. Then there is this standard sunroof, which the rear seat passengers can enjoy. The cabin offers spacious and comfortable area with good shoulder room in the front and legroom for the passengers in the rear. Rear passengers can get in and out with great ease, thanks to a modified roof edge and side skirt contouring that increases the height of the door aperture. The rear compartment can accommodate a row of three child seats, two of which can be locked into place using ISOFIX anchor points. The front door sills also have the model lettering. Travelling at night allows you to enjoy the ambient lighting with six dimmable designs. The car also gets Welcome Light Carpet, which generates a striking light graphic where the driver and passengers get in and out of the car. Standard features include a rain sensor, automatic headlights, a hands-free phone system and three-zone automatic climate control with independent control of the temperature and ventilation settings for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers. The car has a 12.3 inch digital instrument display behind the steering wheel and a 10.25 inch Control Display. Features like 3D Navigation, iDrive with touch functionality, intelligent voice control, BMW Virtual Assistant which is a voice based feature, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility ensure that you are never short of action and entertainment. And if you have not had your fill, you get the unique Gesture Control feature that recognizes six pre-defined hand movements for control of a number of functions. The BMW M340i xDrive features a Harman Kardon Surround Sound system with 16 speakers and
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total output of 464 watts. Bluetooth with audio streaming, handsfree and USB connectivity ensure complete infotainment experience. Acoustic glass for the windscreen is part of standard specification for the first-ever BMW M340i xDrive sedan. The M340i xDrive sedans’ boot has a capacity of 480 litres and its partitioning into primary luggage compartment and separate storage compartments has created additional space. The storage package adds features such as extra storage areas, partition nets on both sides of the trunk, bag hooks and a 12V socket. The rear seat is 40:20:40 split and thus can be folded to create space as required.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE The 3-litre engine features an aluminium crankcase and an aluminium cylinder head. This turbo machine produces a massive 387 hp and 500Nm torque which makes its sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. But when you are in the thick of traffic, you can simply listen to some music and enjoy the cabin features. The engine is mated to an 8-speed Sport Steptronic transmission that features Launch Control function. The sound from the straight six-cylinder engine is brilliant, thanks to the M Sport exhaust unit. With the different drive modes like Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Sport Individual you can feel the exhaust note change, the engine roars differently and you can see it reflect in the driving dynamics. The M Sport suspension now also applies to the all-wheel-drive M340i xDrive with the same 10 mm lowering in ride height. The M Sport brakes have great braking performance. The brake calipers are painted blue and display the M logo. BMW safety technologies include six airbags, attentiveness assistance, Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC),
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electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensors, etc. The M Sport differential in the M340i xDrive sedan is an electronically controlled, fully variable locking rear differential. This ensures near perfect traction and cornering. The BMW M340i xDrive comes with so many features that enhance safe driving and convenience that it may take a life time to experience each of them to your heart’s content. The drive assistant systems give the choice of different types of automated driving. Camera images and the data gathered by radar and ultrasonic sensors are used to monitor the vehicle’s surrounding area and either alert the driver to hazards or minimise the risk of an accident by means of corrective braking and steering. The standard Cruise Control with braking function helps to make life easier on long-distance journeys by automatically accelerating or slowing down the car to maintain the desired speed set by the driver. The Park Distance Control (PDC) with sensors at both the front and rear provides
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visual and acoustic signals to prevent collisions with obstacles located to the side or rear of the vehicle. It even helps you select spaces either parallel or perpendicular to the road, and manoeuvring into them. The innovative Reversing Assistant helps the driver to exit parking spots or manoeuvre when space is limited. The BMW Head-Up Display projects drivingrelated information onto the windscreen and directly into the driver’s field of view. We really did not get an extensive experience driving on the choc a bloc traffic infested roads of Delhi. But whenever we did get a fleeting moment, it was nirvana of a different kind when we stepped on the accelerator. There is no dearth of power in this
machine. The mighty response of the engine, the ride and handling, the comfort within the cabin, all of these contributed to some great moments while driving.
VERDICT The first ever BMW M340i xDrive is a 3 series that is athletic from head to toe. Whether it is its muscular and sporty exteriors, or its refreshing interiors, or its sophisticated performance, the fact is that it’s ‘M’ that is loaded with performance. All you need to do now is simply Dial M for Performance!
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S P EC IFIC AT IO N S ENGINE 999cc, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol TRANSMISSION 5-Speed Manual MAX POWER 98.6bhp@5000rpm PEAK TORQUE 160Nm@2800-
3600rpm
TYRES 195/60 R16 PRICE RXZ - `8.55 lakh (ex-showroom)
FIRST DRIVE
RENAULT KIGER
EYE OF THE
KIGER Text: Afzal Rawuther / Photo: Afsar Baig
T
he sub-four metre compact SUV space is among the most challenging segments in the country. So, when Renault decided to throw its hat into the ring, they had to come out all guns blazing. And that’s exactly what they did. The Kiger comes packed to the gills with features, gets the option of a turbopetrol motor and is priced aggressively. And add to that, it looks stunning. Early reports are coming in from dealers that there is already a six to eight weeks waiting period to get your hands on one. However, all the interest in the car
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notwithstanding, we had to know how it is to drive. So, without further ado let us dive in to our first drive review of the Renault Kiger.
EXTERIOR The first thing that strikes you about the Kiger is just how good it looks. Sure, the front end does remind you of the Kwid, but that is not a bad thing at all. The Kwid after all is a great looking car. The Kiger continues in the same vein and dials up the macho quotient even further. The split LED lamps with the triple rectangular elements in the main headlamp do make it look rather distinct from
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the Kwid. There are a number of cuts and creases on the front fascia with generous use of black plastic lower down on the bumper. The large Renault logo along with the creases on the bonnet gives it a butch, muscular stance. Towards the side, the Kiger inherits the squared-off wheel arches and the black plastic cladding from the Kwid. It does get alloy wheels in a unique Y-shape design. In this two-tone finish that we were testing it easily stands out from cars around it. There is a chunky C-pillar and the two-tone finish helps cut the visual bulk. The roof rails add to the SUV appeal. The sharply raked rear windshield neatly ties together the design with the C-shaped taillamps. The design and the lighting signature of the taillamps is a design highlight for sure. All in all, design is a high point with the Renault Kiger. It is now probably the bestlooking car in the segment.
INTERIOR The great design continues as you make your way inside. Yes, as has been reported previously, it doesn’t get the most premium of materials on the inside. But even then, the Kiger comes across as a great representation of good design on the inside. There are a number of textures and finishes in the cabin that break up the monotony of the cabin. There are not many glossy bits of plastic in the cabin and that is a welcome departure from the norm. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is very responsive and is easy to use and read off while driving. The aircon controls are thankfully in the form of rotary dials and there is even a wireless charger. The steering is chunky and gets steering mounted controls as well. This brings me to the piece de resistance – the 7-inch instrument cluster. Take a bow Renault, you have absolutely nailed
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this. The design and functionality of this unit from Renault is what manufacturers should aspire for. It is easy to read on the fly, looks gorgeous and gives you all the information you need and then some. There are bars that tell you the ‘g’ forces you are experiencing and the power and torque that the engine is producing in Sport mode. The instrument cluster does transform as you switch driving modes. Very, very impressive indeed!
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE As you take your position behind the wheel, you will notice that the Kiger’s front seats are actually very well cushioned and are pretty supportive. Grab hold of the chunky steering wheel to set out and immediately you will notice the well weighted steering which in
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today’s era of super light units is great to have. The car that we were driving was equipped with the 1-litre turbo petrol unit producing 98.6bhp at 5000rpm and 160Nm between 2800-3600rpm mated to a 5-speed manual. Right off the bat, I could feel that it is probably among the quickest in its segment. The motor is punchy and really pulls strongly all the way to the redline. There is discernible turbo lag but work the
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gears smartly and you have got yourselves a quick car. In gear acceleration is good as well and although the engine does get a little loud, it is accompanied by a proportional increase in speed. The driving modes significantly alter the throttle response. Eco, Normal and Sport are mapped exactly how they sound like with Eco mode helping you eke out more kilometres from every litre of petrol and Sport allowing you to push the engine to the redline with sharper throttle response. The gearbox however does dampen the mood a bit and is a bit notchy with longer throws. The clutch, although on the heavier side is fairly progressive and it is easy to find the bite point. Back to the well weighted steering, and I am happy to report that although it doesn’t have a lot of feedback it is fairly accurate and makes it easy to place the Kiger on the road. The added weight helps as speeds increase but the
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ride does get a little too busy at seriously high speeds. Manufacturers often have to make some sort of a compromise between ride and handling and Renault here seems to have done a good job at it. The ride at low speeds is pliant and very few bumps really make their presence felt in the cabin. As speeds increase, the ride stays good but it seems like the suspension is working really hard to keep the car flat. The result is that at seriously high speeds the Kiger doesn’t seem very planted. But that’s just me nit-picking. At everyday city and highway speeds Kiger handles well. Sure, there is some amount of body roll, but it isn’t worrisome and the Kiger sticks to its line easily through the corners. Kiger leans on its front disc and rear drum setup to deliver good braking performance with good progression. The Kiger is a very practical car too. The backseat is fairly comfortable with good
amounts of knee, shoulder and head room. The under-thigh support isn’t the best but is largely comparable to the rest of the cars in the segment. There are tons of cubby holes and a large sized glove box as well. With the rear seats up, the Kiger offers 405 litres of storage space. The seats do fold almost flat and you can liberate even more space.
VERDICT The Kiger, simply put, comes across as a breath of fresh air. It offers almost all that you could ask from a car in its segment while still managing to do so at a price point that only the Nissan Magnite matches. The Kiger drives well, is great to look at and has tons of features. In essence, it has everything going for it. Briefly put, this SUV is enthusiastic to drive, functional and looks like a million bucks. For now, there is nothing to match this Eye of the Kiger!
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u r p S l l A DRIVEN
S TATA HARRIER B
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VI
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dkar Text: Hari Kudcha
W
hen I first drove the pre-facelift Harrier, I was in awe of the way it handled. But more than that I absolutely loved the way it looked, so muscular and aggressive. The motor did not seem noticeably underpowered; the ride was exceptionally plush, the seats comfy, road presence in oodles and the Land Rover D8 Platform gave it the edge. But keeping my enthusiasm under check, I felt that there were a few things that could have been better and a few things that were certainly needed. For instance, it lacked a sunroof to take on the MG Hector; it could do with more power, an automatic gearbox, all-wheel-drive and an accessible USB port.
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The BS6 upgrade was a necessity, but Tata went a step ahead and some more. The 2.0-litre turbo diesel now does marginally less harm to the environment and also makes 30bhp more. To be able to mess with the MG Hector, Tata gave it a panoramic sunroof and an automatic gearbox!
BIT MORE EDGE When you catch a glimpse of the Harrier, what you’d notice right off the bat is the muscular design with the flared wheel arches and mature shoulder lines thanks to Tata’s IMPACT design language. The aggressive front end, big grill, and the big bonnet give it incredible road presence and that ‘in your face’ look. The silhouette stays the same and it’s safe to say that it really didn’t need much tweaking.
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However, the skid plate you see on the bumper is now finished in black and flows better with the design. It’s got chrome accents around the headlamps and the side cladding all the way to the faux exhaust tips. The blind spot that was created by the ORVMs in the old car was fixed here, to an extent. The addition of a panoramic sunroof with the dual tone scheme looks very classy, and plays the SUV card really well. To add a more premium touch, Tata have finally given it a panoramic sunroof. Now, with all these little details taken care of, the Harrier seems sorted. Even parked alongside the Land Rover Discovery the Harrier looks very desirable, of course barring the fact that the Discovery is a proper SUV and belongs to a different segment all together.
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MORE HORSES PLEASE
INTERIORS
In its previous state of tune, the Harrier’s 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Kryotec made 138bhp @ 3750rpm and 350Nm of peak torque @ 1750rpm-2500rpm. The facelift, gets 30 more horses pushing the output to 168bhp in the same power band. However, the brochure won’t tell you that the overall character, with the added grunt, has evolved, especially with the addition of the automatic. The power delivery is linear, with barely any turbo lag, which was the first question that came up after the power upgrade. The turbo spools up as quick as they did in the previous model, giving you power whenever you need it. The 6-speed automatic (torque converter) sourced from Hyundai does a great job in putting the power down seamlessly. Both, the upshifts and downshifts were quick and smooth.
Honestly, by the looks of it, the interiors do not do justice to how good the Harrier looks on the outside. However, the interior is pretty functional and has some good looking elements, like the wood finish on the dash, the silver accents that flow around the whole dash. The 8-inch infotainment system fits in perfectly into this setup giving it a very premium feel.
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The USB port that used to be tucked far inside the centre console, almost invisible to the naked eye, has now been pulled further towards the passengers. Well, it’s easy to plug into, but just don’t try tucking your phone into this cubby hole. Tata have also done a great job with the seating and cabin space. The driver side now gets an electronically
adjustable seat, for added convenience. I’m 5.8 foot tall and prefer a more relaxed seating when I’m driving around the city. Yet, there is ample room for the passengers in the rear. What I personally love are the small cubby holes here and there, the storage and changing ports under the armrest and the sunroof that made me feel like I’m driving something big and expensive. The ride on the Harrier is plush and the suspension manages to absorb the bumps well. Of course there is body roll, but not the type that would
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A driving experience
unsettle the car into a corner or the one that would throw your parents around on a family trip. To put it simply, the Harrier isn’t meant to be a hype with enthusiasts or stay planted cornering at crazy speeds. But, I’m an enthusiast and I like the way it handles bad roads and windy bits, even more so now with the extra power on tap. The engine and transmission combo in simple terms is tractable, both around the city and the highways where you need the power the most. By default the Harrier starts up in city mode which gives you usable grunt for every situation there is. Eco Mode lowers the power output and the response to let you extract max fuel economy. Sport mode however is all 170 horses and 350Nm to the front wheels with a dash of torque steer as you put your foot down. The automatic gearbox is not DCT or DSG quick, and neither is it as active as the DCT or DSG, but the increase in power output somehow masks that. Speaking of quick, the Harrier with the automatic option, in Sport mode can get to a 100kmph in
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under 11 seconds (10.9seconds to be precise). The braking though was not to my liking. It lacks bite, but yes it did stop the car. However, a point to note would be that this happened only in the automatic harrier and not the manual one. It could have a lot to do with the gearbox and the lack of engine braking while slowing down. In Sport Mode though, the braking is slightly better mainly because the AT lets you hold the revs and also helps slow down the Harrier once you let off the throttle.
VERDICT If you are in the market for something that screams SUV and has a great road presence, but you do not want to consider a MG Hector or a 4WD Jeep Compass, then I feel the Harrier BS6 would impress you, mainly in its top level trim. Prices start at Rs 13.99 lakh for the base variant while the XZA Plus would set you back 20 lakh rupees. I too see no reason not to spend money on the Harrier over the Compass, especially if I don’t find the need for an AWD in my life.
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Chic & Brawny FIRST DRIVE
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT
Text: Afzal Rawuther / Photo: Afsar Baig
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F
rom the outside, it is easy to look at the 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport and say that practically nothing has changed. But you’d be so very wrong if you do think that. This new Land Rover Discovery Sport is in fact all-new in more ways than one. Sure, the exterior design is decidedly similar with only visible changes being a reworked face and new lighting elements. But dig a little deeper and you’d learn that this Discovery Sport is in fact based on the new PTA architecture that all new Land Rovers will be based on.
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The Discovery Sport has, since its launch, been the most affordable SUV in the Land Rover line-up but has never been something that has skimped on the core fundamentals that make it a Land Rover. It still looks brawny and muscular with great road presence and Land Rover’s off-road DNA. The strong shoulder lines, character lines and bulging haunches look like they have been accentuated by the redesigned headlights and tail lamps. The haunches house 18-inch wheels on this S variant that we reviewed.
It is on the inside, however, that you will see the biggest changes and they are evident the moment you step foot into the Discovery Sport. Materials on the whole are nicer to the touch. There are no plastic bits that you can easily reach in the cabin and almost everything you touch and feel is made of metal or leather. The biggest change is the infotainment system which now gets a thorough overhaul with the Touch Pro making an appearance on the Discovery Sport.
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Noticeably, it doesn’t get the two touchscreens as in the Velar. But, it is hardly a downgrade and below the solitary touchscreen, the modular dials change from controlling the temperature for the climate control to a dial for the driving modes. The steering mounted controls too transform when the need arises as you navigate through the menu. Although things like the ATPC and TR are relegated to buttons below the dials, with the off-road mode selector itself hidden by the climate control options when not in use. Although it does make for a great UI, we would have liked for Land Rover’s USP to be a bit more prominently positioned instead of being hidden behind buttons.
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The instrument console in this Discovery Sport is part digital – you get a fully digital high-res display in the R-Dynamic variant – with parts of the analog dials made up by graphics on the screen and it does look a little out of place on an SUV in this class. As you climb into the supremely comfortable 12-way electronically adjustable seats, you do get a commanding view of the road that’s typical of Land Rovers and the chunky steering wheel is certainly great to hold. Visibility is great allaround and the ergonomics are spot on too. The engine is a lot more refined now but when compared to the competition, it is still noisy and isn’t too fuel efficient either.
Over the course of a 1000km roadtrip, the Discovery Sport returned around 8.5kmpl. The 2-litre diesel engine with 177bhp and 430Nm does have a wide torque band but it isn’t exactly an enthusiast friendly engine. The 9-speed gearbox that it is paired with almost felt confused with the number of ratios that it had to play with and took a moment longer to engage the right gear.
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This was especially apparent when on a spirited drive with the gearbox being slightly hesitant to downshift. At times, the gearbox would be too eager to upshift too. I understand, that this could be in the interest of fuel efficiency, but any gains as a result of this were not very evident to me. As you get going, you realise that very little has changed in the way that the Discovery Sport drives which is very surprising to be honest. The chunky steering wheel doesn’t have much in the way of feel or feedback but is fairly accurate. Unlike how other luxury SUVs that seem intent on trying to offer a car like driving experience, the Discovery Sport has no such pretensions. You do feel the sheer weight and bulk of the SUV as you go around a corner. That doesn’t mean that you can’t drive in a spirited manner. You can, but the Discovery sport with loads of body roll will make it clear that it doesn’t like being hustled. It does feel a tiny bit more eager to turn in than its predecessor but that is a difference that will not be evident to most people driving it. Off the road, the Land Rover Discovery Sport has always been very capable and this current generation
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is no different. We took it for some mild off-roading – and by mild I mean for Land Rover standards. No other SUV from a competitor can even hope to go as far off-road as effortlessly as the Discovery Sport. Terrain Response 2 brings a number of small improvements to software that is still heads and shoulders above the rest of the competition. With All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) you can easily do a fair-deal of off-roading without even breaking a sweat. We drove through some fine sand, rocky patches and even some muddy patches and the Discovery Sport never felt out of its depths. Now I know most buyers will never subject their luxury SUV to any sort of off-roading, but the advantages of the Discovery sport’s off-road ability trickle down to everyday driving as well. The Discovery Sport is a fabulous SUV for doing long distances on our highways. Broken patches and stretches of road that would force
most other cars to slow down aren’t a problem for the Discovery sport. It just smothers everything in its way – stuck in a road works induced jam, we could drive over a mound that people in other vehicles wouldn’t even have attempted. The ride too, although a little firm at slow speeds, improves significantly as speeds increase. On Indian roads, there is very little that gives you this sense of imperiousness that comes free with a Land Rover. And that is part of the problem. With the Range Rover Evoque priced tantalisingly close to its sibling, most buyers could end up choosing between the two. Even then, the Discovery Sport with added space, practicality and road presence should be a great choice for anyone looking at a luxury SUV.
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S P EC I F I C AT IO NS ENGINE 109.7cc, Single cylinder, 4 stroke, CVTi, fuel injection TRANSMISSION CVT automatic MAX POWER 17.37hp@ 7000rpm PEAK TORQUE 8.4Nm@5500rpm TYRES 90/90-12 54 J (tubeless) PRICE `72,472 (ex-showroom Delhi)
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A riding experience
RIDDEN
TVS JUPITER BS6
NO FUSS, NO STRESS Text: Roy Punnoose Tharyan / Photo: Afsar Baig
T
he TVS Jupiter BS6 scooter comes in four trim levels. You have the base model which is just the Jupiter, you have the Jupiter ZX, followed by the Jupiter ZX disc and finally the Jupiter Classic which distinguishes itself from the rest with its smart windscreen and a few other features. We got the Classic for our review.
EXTERIOR DESIGN AND FEATURES The first thing you notice about the Jupiter scooter is its overall dimensions, especially its wheelbase, which translates into a lot of space between the handlebar and the
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rider. In fact the large front leg space of 375mm is the largest in its segment and the 1275mm wheel base is also the largest in its segment. The scooter comes with LED headlamp and LED tail lamp, the latter making this scooter the only one in the segment with such a feature. The tyres too are large as the Jupiter comes with 12-inch alloy wheels, which again is the largest in segment. The exterior of this scooter is tough as it has a sturdy metal body, unlike a lot of plastic used by several competitors. You also get a front mobile charging socket with a convenient space in front to
either put your mobile while charging or can be used as a bottle holder. It has got a large utility box under the seat that can store a lot of things including a helmet. It has a 21 litre capacity. But we feel that space should have been contoured in such a manner that it could even hold large sized helmets. Though it accommodates helmets of medium sizes, large helmets could not be accommodated in the space. The scooter also has retractable bag hooks. Once you slot the ignition key into the
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key holder on the side of the scooter, you can twist it towards the right to open up the fuel lid which is just behind the seat and not under the seat as is the case in many scooters. When you twist the key to the left, you can open your seat to access the storage space. The scooter also comes with a patented E-Z center stand with accessible kick starter (only scooter in segment to have this feature). The stand, I must say is very easy for anyone to put the scooter on the main stand. It’s really convenient and very easy for anyone to handle. But there is no indication sign on the instrument cluster when the side stand is engaged. Ideally the engine should also switch off if the side is engaged when the scooter is started. Sadly, this safety feature is missing. Now coming to the aesthetic side of things, the Jupiter comes with beige inner panels with chrome finish round mirrors. Not to miss are the tinted visor, pillion handle with backrest, classic dial art speedometer and dual tone classic style seat ( Jupiter is the only scooter in segment to have these features). The back rest is stiff and rightly positioned for the lumbar support of the pillion rider. There are just a handful of switches in the Jupiter, the main ones being the malfunction indicator lamp, Eco & Power mode lights and low fuel indicator. On the side you get to see the CVTi BS-VI logo on steel finish muffler guard.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE The BS-VI TVS Jupiter comes equipped with Ecothrust Fuel injection (ET-Fi) technology which boasts of 15% better mileage, as per the company. It has a single cylinder, 4 stroke, CVTi, engine with a displacement of 109.7 cc. This engine produces a maximum power of 7.37hp@ 7000 rpm and a max. torque of 8.4 Nm @ 5500 rpm. The scooter is provided with CVT automatic transmission and comes with kick start as well as electric starter. It has telescopic suspension in front and 3-step adjustable gas charged rear shock absorber. It has a 6-litre fuel tank. With 12 inches alloy wheels, the scooter boasts of a ground clearance of 150mm. The scooter is an ideal commuter two-wheeler and is a treat to ride it on roads with or without traffic. It comes with drum brakes in front and rear, which I feel is a slight drawback. Disc brakes and ABS need to be mandatory today for all two wheelers, because they are a necessity today in a dangerous world of ours.
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The machine behaves best at speeds of upto 50 and 60 kmph. But that does not mean it cannot touch 80kmph levels. We did push it real hard and achieved those figures, but again, it’s not meant for racing, rather the Jupiter is better off at lower and more sensible speeds. With its cushiony seats and smart back rest and grab rails, this scooter is ideal for young as well as those in their prime. It is very spacious and there is plenty of floor board space for your feet to be comfortable on the go. And with all the utility spaces and a responsive engine, a journey on the Jupiter can best be termed relaxing and solid.
VERDICT The Jupiter Classic BS 6 is an ideal two-wheeler for both men and women. It’s like a pair of unisex jeans. No matter who rides it, it makes you feel young and confident. Whether it is going to college with your loads of books, or to buy your groceries, this scooter can handle your entire load with great ease. As for the ride, if you want a more relaxed and comfortable journey, then the Jupiter is the ideal machine for you. Very practical, very safe, that’s the TVS Jupiter for you. It’s a no fuss, no stress two-wheeler.
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Mega WARP RIDDEN
ATHER 450X
Text: Hari Kudchadkar
N
ever, ever, did I include an electric vehicle, let alone an electric scooter in a conversation with the boys. This wasn’t because I doubt their capabilities, but because I am a stuckup petrol head who is all about big engines, turbos, speed and tyre smoke. The thing is, I always talked trash about EVs. When Ather launched the 450 a few years back, I had my doubts about its capabilities. My first comments were ‘Huh, what if it runs out in traffic?’, ‘it’ll be expensive’, ‘it will be boring without the IC sound’. Then it hit me, who in their right mind likes the sound of a Honda Activa. I think we can give that point a big pass.
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Range anxiety was on top of the list. Because the Activa in any case would return an average mileage of 35-40kmpl, and if the tank is running out, we as humans go into limp mode – Feather Throttle, Don’t stop too often and 40kmph max. It’s exactly how the Eco mode works on the Ather you dimwits! We failed to realise that Ather emulated every possible scenario that you would come across with your trusty 100cc scooter. They miscalculated the fun factor though. Because, even compared to the Aprilia SR160 or the SXR, the 450X packed a crazy launch, with the soft motor whine breaking necks as you overtake.
450X gets to 40kmph in 3.29 seconds and to 60kmph in 6.5 seconds, while the 450 could sprint to 60kmph in 8.26 seconds.
In simple terms, Ather 450 and 450X in Eco mode is an Activa on low fuel, but still 10 times more fun and 5 times more agile. When I first rode the Ather 450, I was bought. The idea seemed simple. An electric Super Scooter that can sweep you off your feet and get you back home, even with low juice in its batteries.
I almost forgot to mention, that the frame is so well balanced. It can really surprise you in the corners. Even if you think of taking it to the karting track once in a while, you will most certainly have a wide grin inside the helmet thanks to the 202Nm of torque to play with. There is only one small problem with the Ather 450X, that the rear brake tends to lock up under hard braking, and isn’t much confidence inspiring.
The usable battery capacity on the 450 was 2.4kWh from 18650 lithium-ion battery cells, delivering max ARAI-certified range of 116km. With the 450X, Ather spiked up the X, increasing the battery cells to 21,700 cells and the usable capacity to 2.61kWh. The 450X takes 5 hours 45 minutes to get to full charge, almost 15 minutes more than its predecessor. The motor on the X too was tweaked and manages to deliver better power and torque compared to the 450. The
The big ups with the 450X though are the increase in claimed range, which has now gone up to 116km instead of 107km on the 450. In the real world the X can manage 85km or more if you’re careful. In Ride mode it can manage a max range of 70 km and in the highly addictiveWarp mode it can give you 49km of thrills. Just make sure you are close to your house before you try it, mainly because the range drains really, really fast.
The design of the X is the same, except that you now get it in a matte black paint scheme with yellow accents. The Series 1 450X has a swanky scheme going on. Gloss black, red accents and see through rear panels. The X would set you back Rs 1.41 lakh (ex showroom). With the Ather 450X, the company aims to revolutionise the EV Industry 1kWh at a time. It’s certainly worth the buy if you manage to calculate your savings per month compared to the IC Scooter. Trust me, you will not regret it!
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iPhone 12 mini The smallest iPhone 12 offers all that its larger sibling offers in a form that is far more pocketable Price: `84,900/- as tested Available on: www.apple.com/in/ QUICK SPECS DISPLAY
5.4”, Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 1200 nits (peak), 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution
PLATFORM
OS - iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 14.4, Chipset - Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm), GPU-Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
MEMORY
Internal - 256GB 4GB RAM
CAMERA
MAIN: 12MP, SELFIE: 12MP
BATTERY
Li-Ion 2227 mAh, non-removable, Fast charging 20W
A
vast majority of new phone buyers today choose phones with massive screens. So, when the iPhone SE first arrived, it was a bit of a surprise. But then it went on to sell like hot cakes. It turned out there was an increasing niche that wanted a small phone that could be easily used with one hand. But even then, it wasn’t equipped with the latest hardware that Apple had to offer. Enter the current iPhone SE and Apple tucked the brains of the iPhone 11 into the body of an iPhone 8. But still, using a threegeneration old design meant that there were a few trade-offs. Apple has now changed that with the iPhone 12 mini. This version of Apple’s latest generation smartphone can be used comfortably with one hand and gets almost all the latest and greatest tech that Apple has to offer. It is essentially the iPhone 12 in a smaller form factor. It has the same flat squared-off edges, support for 5G and an OLED screen (covered in Apple’s ceramic
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shield) with support for HDR. It comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and supports MagSafe wireless charging and accessories. It has an A14 Bionic processor like the iPhone 12, and even has the same camera module. The only major difference is the 5.4-inch display instead of the 6.1-inch one on the iPhone 12. Like the rest of the lineup, the iPhone 12 mini is well built and feels solid in the hand. The metal sides and the glossy glass back lend it a premium feel that frankly no other phone can match. The screen does have the bathtub notch and on the mini it feels larger than on other iPhones. It wasn’t an issue for me but could be one for you. The small factor does not mean any compromises when it comes to performance at all. The A14 Bionic is incredibly snappy and simply put nothing catches it out of breath. Everyday tasks are polished off with ease. The phone remains snappy even while playing some resource
intensive games or switching between streaming services while binge watching TV shows. The smaller form factor however means that Apple could only fit in a smaller battery than the iPhone 12 and that is a compromise that you are going to have to live with. That being said, it is actually good for a phone this size. We have seen smartphones this size previously struggle with battery life. I easily got through a day of regular use without draining the battery. The same wide, ultrawide and selfie cameras from the iPhone 12 are present on the mini. The mini can even record 4K video at 60fps. The main camera (wide) is splendid and does a wonderful job of preserving detail even in challenging lighting conditions. Apple’s image processing means that the ultrawide can produce photos without much distortion at the edges. The selfie camera works brilliantly and keeps colours true to life. The iPhone 12 mini is just what the doctor ordered for a growing niche of
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DIGI LIFE smartphone users. It is tiny but packs just as big a punch as the bigger iPhones. Only time will tell if the iPhone 12 mini will continue what the iPhone SE did. But one thing is for sure. If you are someone who hates
large screened phones and love the ease that comes with single handed use, the iPhone 12 mini offers everything you need and a whole lot more.
(Words by Afzal Rawuther)
Apple Watch SE Apple’s newest SE product brings you all that you need at an attractive price point Price: `36,900/- as tested Available on: www.apple.com/in/
I
n recent years Apple has found a goldmine with the iPhone SE. The strategy is simple. Stuff modern innards into a previous generation model. The public too has lapped up these SE devices. And understandably so, even last generation iPhone models significantly outperform current gen Android phones. Add to that, the considerably lower price points mean that for a lot of buyers, the SE models are difficult to pass up on. Apple is now using the same strategy in the new Watch SE as well. Essentially, the Watch SE is the Watch Series 4 with two major differences. The Watch SE doesn’t measure ECG and it has an always-on altimeter. That aside, everything else remains more or less the same. In other words, more than enough for most people. The Watch SE doesn’t get the always-on display that’s present on the Series 5 and 6 models. But that is not something that I would be concerned about. While it is definitely good to have, it is something a lot of people turn off after the first few days to stretch battery life. The Series 6’ blood oxygen monitor is also absent, but not really missed. I was reviewing the 44mm variant with cellular – essentially the highest spec
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Watch SE you can buy. The Watch SE has an aluminium body and uses Apple’s Ion-X glass on the face. The sapphire glass is reserved only for the Series 6’ stainless steel and titanium models. While the Ion-X glass is resistant to scratches, it is important to note that if you are someone who drops their Watch often, you should spring for the Watch Series 6’ Stainless Steel and Titanium variants. The Watch SE I was testing came with the Sport Loop and I have to admit it is a lot more comfortable than the standard bands. The adjustability it offers allows you to find the perfect fit – something that was difficult to do so earlier. Performance is breezy as you’d expect. I never had to wait for something to happen on the Watch SE, which frankly should be the standard other smartwatches should aspire to. Navigating the interface, launching apps and using Siri voice commands is effortless with the Watch SE. Battery life is also pretty good and I am consistently getting more than a day and a half between charges. It does however take around 2 hours for a full charge. If you are someone who uses their Apple Watch for sleep tracking, then you might have to juice it up in short spells through the day.
QUICK SPECS DISPLAY
1.78”,Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak), 448 x 368pixels, Ion-X strengthened glass, 3D Touch display
OS- watchOS 7.0, upgradable to PLATFORM 7.3, Chipset - Apple S5, CPU Dual-core, GPU- PowerVR MEMORY
Internal 32GB 1GB RAM
BATTERY
Li-Ion, non-removable
BODY
Dimensions - 44x38x10.4mm, Weight - 36.4g, SIM - eSIM
When it comes to all the core functionalities, the Watch SE does an incredible job as you’d expect. Fitness tracking continues to be stellar and the WatchOS 7 is simple and intuitive to use. This particular cellular equipped model makes it easy for you to ditch your phone at home for that morning run. The Apple Watch SE is easily the perfect Apple Watch for most people today. It comes in at a price point that’s a lot more accessible and gives up on very little over the flagship Series 6. Hard to not recommend if you are looking to get a new Apple Watch.
(Words by Afzal Rawuther)
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B2B NEWS
All-women crew manufactures 50,000th MG Hector in Gujarat MG Motor India has manufactured its 50,000th Hector with an all-women crew in Gujarat’s Vadodara. The initiative has created a new benchmark while celebrating ‘Diversity’ – one of the core pillars of the automaker – as women led the end-to-end production. In this first-of-its-kind development, women-only teams were involved in panel-pressing of sheet metal and welding to painting jobs as well as carrying out post-production test runs. MG Motor India has its state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility in Gujarat’s Halol (Panchmahal district). The British legacy automaker features an industry-leading 33% share of women in its workforce, wherein female professionals work shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts across all business functions. Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India, said, “MG has always been a progressive brand with diversity, community, innovation, and experiences as our cornerstones. We believe that it is something that has broadened our perspective as a brand
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and unlocked efficiencies in every aspect of our business operations. The rollout of our 50,000th Hector by an all-women crew comes as an honour to their contributions and hard work. It also demonstrates that glass ceilings no longer exist even in an erstwhile male-dominated industry such as automobile manufacturing. We believe that it will inspire more
MG aims to achieve 50% gender diversity in its organization in the future and pave the way for a balanced workforce.
women to join the automotive industry in India and abroad.” MG aims to achieve 50% gender diversity in its organization in the future and pave the way for a balanced workforce. Since its inception, as its core focus area, the brand has worked closely with the local panchayats near its Halol manufacturing plant. Doing so has encouraged more young women to work in a safe and secure environment at the MG plant. Since 2018, MG has hired many female associates in its manufacturing facility via various initiatives. Today, these women are driving core areas of manufacturing at the facility. MG’s state-of-the-art Halol manufacturing facility is further equipped with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for various workshops. RPA is used by the automaker in Body Shop for Robotic Brazing, Paint Shop for Robotic Primer and Top Coating, and GA Shop for Robotic Glass Glazing.
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B2B NEWS
TVS Eurogrip launches 11 new tyre products for replacement market TVS Srichakra Ltd., a leading manufacturer of 2 & 3 wheeler and off-highway tyres, announced the launch of eleven new products for the replacement market: eight new high-performance tyre sizes for motorcycles, two for scooters and one new tyre size for e-rickshaw. The tyre sizes have been introduced under the Sportorq, Jumbo GT, Conta, Durapro and e-Durapro product series.
The tyre technology in these products seamlessly blends superior mileage, uncompromised performance and durability. It also addresses the need for superior braking performance and greater safety under varying road conditions. The Durapro series is now available in tubeless variants for motorcycles and scooters. Conta is a popular choice in scooter tyre segment and now has new products in 2 additional sizes.
GOODYEAR to acquire Cooper Tire & Rubber Co in US $ 2.5 billion deal Tyre majors Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Cooper Tire & Rubber Company announced that they have entered a definitive transaction agreement under which Goodyear will acquire Cooper in a transaction with a total enterprise value of approximately $2.5 billion. This acquisition deal comes almost eight years after the failed merger plans announced by India based Apollo Tyres and Cooper Tire in 2013. The transaction will expand Goodyear’s product offering by combining two portfolios of complementary brands. It will also create a stronger U.S.-based
manufacturer with increased presence in distribution and retail channels while combining both companies’ strengths in the highly profitable light truck and SUV product segments. The combined company will have approximately $17.5 billion in pro forma 2019 sales. Under the terms of the transaction, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, Cooper shareholders will receive $41.75 per share in cash and a fixed exchange ratio of 0.907 shares of Goodyear common stock per Cooper share for a total equity value of approximately $2.8 billion.
E-Durapro series taps the commercial EV segment, as the focus shifts to cleaner and smarter mobility solutions, a product exclusively created for e-rickshaws.
AMPERE ELECTRIC plans `700 cr investment for EV manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu Two years after its first acquisition in e-mobility, Ampere Electric, the wholly owned electric mobility subsidiary of Greaves Cotton Ltd, announced phased investment potential of Rs 700 crore over 10 years to set up a world class e-mobility manufacturing plant in Ranipet, Tamil Nadu. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by the company, with the Government of Tamil Nadu. At over 1.4 million square feet, the proposed Ranipet manufacturing plant when ready will be one of the largest stateof-the-art e-mobility manufacturing plants in the country. Ampere Electric’s Ranipet plant will have the potential to start manufacturing 100,000 units in its first year of operation, and has the potential to scale to 1 million units per annum.
ASDC signs MoU with Magic Billion The Automotive Skill Development Council (ASDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Magic Billion to explore possible future opportunities to impart genuine and specialised overseas opportunities to respective candidates in automotive sector. The MoU was signed in the presence of Arindam Lahiri, CEO, ASDC and Basab Banerjee, Co-Founder and President of Magic Billion. ASDC is a skill council promoted by the Indian automobile industry, through SIAM, ACMA and FADA along with the Government of India represented
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by Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Founded in 2018, by the father-daughter team - Basab and Aditi Banerjee – Magic Billion seeks to solve and manage the demandsupply gap of skilled workers from India to global employers in different markets.
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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
Tata Motors launches Signa 3118.T, India’s first 3-axle 6x2 truck with 31-tonne GVW Tata Motors has launched its latest offering in M&HCV segment – the Tata Signa 3118.T – India’s first 3-axle 6x2 (10 wheeler) rigid truck with 31 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). The Tata Signa 3118.T offers a unique blend of value proposition in terms of both, revenue and operating cost, for its customers. With a 3,500kg higher certified payload than the corresponding 28-tonne GVW rigid truck and equivalent
cost of operations with similar fuel, tyre and maintenance cost as a 28-tonne truck, this product is conceived to significantly enhance the net operating profit for its customers by 45% over a 28-tonne truck. The incremental investment on the Signa 3118.T, over the corresponding 28-tonne truck, can be recovered in less than one year of operations and followed by years of incremental earnings.
PIAGGIO launches Ape’ Electrik FX range of electric cargo & passenger vehicles The three-wheeler electric vehicle space in the cargo and passenger segment has now got new products with Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd (PVPL) launching their FX range (fixed battery) of electric vehicles. Ape’ Electrik FX range is eligible for the FAME II subsidy and various other benefits related to the registration process. Ape’ E-Xtra FX comes with an introductory ex-showroom price of Rs. 3,12,137 and Ape’ E-City FX comes with an introductory exshowroom price of Rs. 2,83,878 post fame II subsidy benefit. The new Ape’ E-Xtra FX is the most powerful electric cargo in the segment with 9.5 Kw power output. It comes with a proven full metal body architecture
fitted with a useful 6 ft cargo deck length. It is also customisable for applications like the delivery van, garbage collector etc.
ISUZU D-MAX Regular Cab and S-Cab Commercial Pick-up range prices hiked Isuzu Motors India announced an upcoming increase in the prices of its commercial pick-up range - D-Max Regular Cab and D-Max S-Cab with effect from April 01, 2021. The increase will be Rs 1,00,000/- from the current ex-showroom price. The increase in price is due to the increasing costs of production, transportation and logistics. Headquartered in Chennai, Isuzu Motors India sells the popular Isuzu D-Max V-Cross – India’s first lifestyle and adventure pick-up and the Isuzu muX, premium 7-seater SUV in the personal vehicle segment and variants of Isuzu D-Max pickups – S-Cab and Regular Cab, for the commercial segment.
BorgWarner launches 800-volt electric motor for commercial vehicle segment BorgWarner’s latest High Voltage Hairpin (HVH) electric motor, the HVH 320, is ready to power a variety of hybrid and electric applications for commercial vehicle manufacturers, including a large European OEM. Production of the HVH 320, which is equipped with 800-volt capabilities and available in four variants, is expected to kick off in 2024. Its multi-faceted platform will support the manufacturers’ goal of a common electric drivetrain and deliver approximately 97% peak efficiency and over 400kW of power.BorgWarner leveraged its decade plus of motor production to design four variants of its modular and flexible HVH 320 motor platform to meet the customer’s requirements. The motor offers clean and quiet operation, while reaching a torque output of up to 1270 Nm. Also, the technology supports the vehicle’s shifting sequence and charges the battery by generating power while braking or driving downhill.
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