VOL-10 • ISSUE-12 • SEPTEMBER 2020 • `300/-
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INDIA
FREEDOM DRIVE
2020 MAHINDRA THAR
FIRST DRIVE HYUNDAI VENUE iMT
B2B SECTION
INDIA LAUNCH DUCATI PANIGALE V2 BS6
INDIA LAUNCH TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE ‘R’
INDIAN AUTO COMPONENT INDUSTRY DE-GROWS 11.7 PER CENT IN FY 2019-20
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 /+91-9811097399 ---------------------------------------------------------------------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 64 pages including both covers. ----------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL ADVISORS Alexander T. & Annie Jacob
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P. THARYAN (ROY) he Indian Auto Industry is slowly waking up to the harsh realities of the bloody trail left behind by a disastrous economic policy by the government in 2019 which was followed by the sudden attack of a virus from China that caught everybody unawares. The Indian auto industry, despite the lockdown imposed
by the government and the slump in demand for products in the aftermath of this closure of offices and factories, is determined to march ahead by launching new products and adopting smart marketing and sales strategies. The September 2020 issue of Motown India carries a ‘Freedom Drive’ report on the brand new Mahindra Thar 4x4. Since the drive was short and symbolic, we only explain to you the fresh features of the new Thar. The new Mahindra Thar looks extremely sporty, has some great features and definitely drives brilliantly. We also drive the new Hyundai Venue that comes with an India-first Intelligent Manual Transmission or iMT. We explain to our readers the working of this new iMT which we feel has the best of both the worlds- Automatic Transmission as well as Manual Transmission. In the Features section we carry an elaborate interview with CV Raman, Sr. Executive Director, Engineering, Maruti Suzuki, who answers 23 critical questions pertaining to cars. We feel that every car owner or driver should know the answers to these questions. Apart from these reports, there is plenty of news on new car and bike launches, technology and commercial vehicles, besides latest developments from the B2B world. I am sure all of you will enjoy reading this edition of Motown India magazine.
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CONTE NTS VOL 10 | ISSUE 12 | SEPTEMBER 2020
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10
CAR NEWS: First MEB-based Skoda
CAR NEWS: New Rolls-Royce Ghost,
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Enyaq iV electric SUV launched
18
Perfection in Simplicity
BIKE NEWS: Ducati launches all
launches refreshed Jazz
25
BIKE NEWS: Triumph launches
new BS6 Panigale V2 in India
CAR NEWS: Honda Cars India
Street Triple ‘R’
BIKE NEWS: TVS Jupiter ZX Disc with ‘i-TOUCHstart’ launched
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36
FEATURES : Car questions for CV Raman of Maruti Suzuki India Limited
42
WHEELZ & ROADZ : 2020 Mahindra Thar
48
WHEELZ & ROADZ : New Hyundai Venue 2020 iMT
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B2B NEWS: Indian Auto Component Industry de-grows
52 CV NEWS: Volta Trucks reveals Volta Zero
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CAR NEWS
First MEB-based SKODA ENYAQ iV electric SUV launched globally
S
koda Auto has globally launched the all-new Enyaq iV electric SUV. The all-electric SUV is the Czech car manufacturer’s first production model to be based on Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB) modular electric car platform. The name of the new Skoda Enyaq is derived from the Irish name ‘enya’, meaning ‘source of life’. The ‘E’ is in reference to electro-mobility, while the ‘Q’ characterises the final letter of Skoda’s successful SUV family that includes the likes of Karoq, Kamiq and Kodiaq. The Enyaq iV is 4,649 mm long, 1,879 mm wide and has a height of 1,616 mm. The wheelbase of 2,765 mm and absence of a transmission tunnel allow for extraordinary spaciousness and a suitably large amount of knee room in the rear. The boot has a capacity of 585 l. The Skoda Enyaq iV offers rear- or all-wheel drive,
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CAR NEWS
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CAR NEWS
along with a range that covers up to 510 km in the WLTP cycle. The SUV features an all-new interior concept offering Design Selections instead of classic trim levels and a brand-new structure of the options available. One particular highlight is the exclusive Enyaq iV Founders Edition. The exclusive and particularly extensively equipped Founders Edition is limited to 1,895 units and pays homage to the company’s successful history and its founding by Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, 125 years ago. Adorning the multifunction leather steering wheel, a Founders Edition badge – produced by the Czech crystal manufacturer Preciosa – will display the model’s number, confirming that it is from the limited range. The exclusive Enyaq iV Founders Edition will be delivered in spring 2021. The Founders Edition is equipped with a Crystal Face, which includes a stunning, illuminated radiator grille, as standard. For the Enyaq 80iV and Enyaq 80x
iV, it is available as an option. The crystalline-look front of the Enyaq iV is illuminated by 130 LEDs – a design highlight already seen in the Skoda Vision iV concept study. The Founders Edition is available in two engine/battery variants and two colours. It also comes with 21-inch alloys, sporty front and rear aprons and the ecoSuite Design Selection featuring sustainably tanned leather. The Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB) consists of what is known as the skateboard platform, in which the battery is incorporated into the floor to save space. Three battery sizes, five power outputs ranging from 109 to 225 kW and rear- or all wheel drive cater to many different requirements and uses. Furthermore, it can tow trailers weighing up to 1,400 kg (8% gradient) or 1,200 kg (12% gradient). New assistance systems include Travel Assist, which now has even more functions, as well as remotecontrolled and trained parking.
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CAR NEWS
New ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST, Perfection in Simplicity
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olls-Royce has announced the birth of the new Ghost. RollsRoyce’s proprietary aluminium spaceframe architecture allowed the design team to increase the width by 30mm. This is framed by sharp bow lines that intersect with an angular light signature, creating an assertive yet beautiful front end. In addition, new Ghost was given its own ethereal front-end character. This was achieved not by way of overt design, but with light. Yes, around 20 LEDS underneath the top of the radiator
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grille subtly illuminate the veins. For the first time, the Spirit of Ecstasy is not surrounded by panel lines but is within her own ‘lake’ of bonnet. Two of the cast suspension mounting assembles were pushed to the very front of new Ghost, placing its 6.75-litre V12 behind the front axle to achieve an optimum 50/50 weight distribution. Client feedback asking for near-instant torque and near-silent running led the
marque to further develop the Rolls-Royce 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine. A bespoke Ghost engine map was created to ensure ample performance for this dynamic motor car, delivering 563bhp and 850Nm of torque to the all-wheel steer, all-wheel drivetrain. Commensurate with clients’ expectations, maximum torque is available from just 1600rpm To accommodate this without intruding on new Ghost’s interior suite, its overall length has grown by 89mm, compared
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CAR NEWS
to the first Goodwood Ghost, to 5546mm, and its overall width has grown by 30mm to 1978mm. The marque’s hallmark Magic Carpet Ride has evolved. For new Ghost, engineering specialists redesigned the motor car’s suspension completely to deliver what is called the Planar Suspension System. Created through physical engineering developments as well as sophisticated scanning and software technology, it incorporates a worldfirst Upper Wishbone Damper unit above the front suspension assembly, creating an even more stable and effortless ride. This works alongside the Flagbearer system, which uses cameras to read the road ahead and prepare the suspension system for any changes in road surface, as well as the marque’s Satellite Aided Transmission. The Planar software also manages
information that requires new Ghost to proactively adapt to intrusions in the road ahead. The first of these technologies is the marque’s Flagbearer system. This technology consists of a stereo camera system integrated in the windscreen to see the road ahead, adjusting suspension proactively rather than reactively up to 100km/h. The second is Rolls-Royce’s Satellite Aided Transmission system, which draws GPS data to pre-select the optimum gear for upcoming corners. The result is unprecedented levels of ride comfort and control for a motor car.
EFFORTLESS DOORS Rolls-Royce clients have enjoyed self-closing doors since the first Goodwood Phantom. Operated by a button on the dashboard and on the C-pillar for motor cars with rear doors, this innovation has been celebrated among customers. For new Ghost, the marque’s
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engineers elected to further develop this hallmark technology and, for the first time, clients can now also open the doors with power assistance. Micro-Environment Purification System New Ghost benefits from a new MicroEnvironment Purification System (MEPS). Existing air filtration technology was further developed to incorporate a full suite of hardware and software improvements. Further equipment includes: LED and laser headlights with more than 600m of illuminated range, vision assist, including day- and night-time wildlife and pedestrian warning; alertness assistant; a four-camera system with panoramic view, all-round visibility and helicopter view; active cruise control; collision warning; cross-traffic warning; lane departure and lane change warning; an industry-leading 7x3 high-
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CAR NEWS
resolution head-up display; Wi-Fi hotspot; self-park; and the very latest navigation and entertainment systems. The Ghost’s aluminium construction has a higher acoustic impedance compared to steel. Larger sections of the architecture have also been created with specific access points for the installation of acoustic damping materials – new Ghost uses more than 100kg in total, applied in the doors, roof, between the double-glazed windows, inside the tyres and within nearly all of the architecture itself. Once a highly insulated sound stage
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is created, components that generate almost imperceptible sound waves are tracked and modified. The inside of the air conditioning ducting, for example, created an unacceptable level of wind noise so it was removed and polished to inform the production of the final component. Even drivetrain hardware was adjusted to create new Ghost’s near-silent soundstage – the diameter of the prop shaft was adjusted and its rigidity increased to improve acoustics. The seat frames in early prototypes, for example, resonated at a different frequency to the body, so damping units were developed to bring the noise together into a
single note. Additionally, the large, 507-litre boot cavity produced a low frequency that could be felt at motorway speeds – ports were built underneath the rear parcel shelf that allowed these disruptive sound waves to escape and therefore better harmonise new Ghost’s overall acoustics. The new Ghost incorporates a resonance chamber into the body’s sill section; the frequency response of the Bespoke Audio speaker component defined the chamber’s size and shape. In essence, this transforms the motor car into a subwoofer. A powerful amplifier controls 18 channels (one for each speaker), providing a 1300W output.
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CAR NEWS
TATA MOTORS launches Harrier XT+ at `16.99 lakh Tata Motors has launched a new XT+ variant of its flagship SUV – Harrier, at an introductory price of Rs 16.99 lakh (Ex. Showroom Delhi). This announcement comes a few months after the launch of the Harrier BS6 in February 2020.
2. Anti- Pinch Feature- Extra safety for you & your loved ones
With a month on month consistent growth, the Harrier has achieved its highest sales numbers in 15 months. This initial pricing will be valid for all customers who book the vehicle in September 2020, and take their deliveries by December 31, 2020. The prices will increase from 1st October 2020 onwards.
4. Rollover screen with Black coating on Glass: Ensures a serene in cabin experience when it’s too sunny outside.
The Harrier’s Panoramic Sunroof comes with the following unique functionalities 1. Global Close- Automatic closure of the sunroof after parking for additional safety
3. Rain Sensing Closure- Added convenience during the unpredictable rainy season in India
The XT+ variant also comes equipped with a host of other features like the Kryotec 2.0 Diesel Engine, 6- Speed Manual Transmission, Projector Headlamps, Dual Function LED DRLS, R17 Alloy Wheels, Floating Island 7” Touchscreen Infotainment system with 8 Speakers (4 Speakers + 4 Tweeters), Android Auto &Apple Car Play connectivity, Push Button
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Start, Fully Automatic Temperature Control, Reverse parking Camera, Auto headlamps and Rain sensing Wipers to name a few. Keeping in mind the safety of passengers, this variant offers Dual Front Airbags, an advanced ESP with 12 add on functionalities, Fog lamps &Reverse parking Camera as standard features. Built on the OMEGARC and derived from Land Rover’s legendary D8 platform, Harrier is the perfect combination of stunning design and performance. Powered by the cutting-edge Kryotec170 PS 2.0L Diesel engine with a 6 Speed Manual/Automatic Transmission and Advanced Terrain Response Modes, the Harrier assures an exhilarating performance and effortless driving experience.
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CAR NEWS
TATA NEXON XM(S) VARIANT LAUNCHED AT `8.36 LAKH ONWARD Tata Motors launched the XM(S) variant of the Tata Nexon which comes with an electric sunroof at a starting price of Rs 8.36 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Along with the electric sunroof, the XM(S) variant comes loaded with features like automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers and steering mounted controls. The variant also retains the existing features of the Nexon XM, such as the Electronic Stability Program, LED DRLs with projector headlamps, driver and co-driver airbags, Hill Hold Control, ConnectNext Infotainment System by Harman and Multi- Drive Modes (Eco, City and Sport). Available in both petrol and diesel, the Nexon will come with two transmission options Manual and AMT. Detailed prices are as below: Petrol
Diesel
XM (S) Manual
`8.36 lakh
`9.70 lakh
XMA (S) AMT
`8.96 lakh
`10.30 lakh
HONDA CARS INDIA TO CONTINUE SELLING 4TH GEN HONDA CITY Honda Cars India will continue selling the 4th Generation Honda City in two variants SV and V grade with BS6 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine in Manual Transmission. The two grades of 4th Generation Honda City will be sold concurrently with the recently launched all new 5th Generation Honda City, offering wider buying choice to its customers. The company also announced the new prices of the two variants as below:
4th Generation Honda City
Prices Ex-showroom Delhi
SV MT Petrol
`9.29 lakh
V MT Petrol
`9.99 lakh
NEW AUDI RS Q8 NOW IN INDIA AT `2.07 CRORE ONWARD German luxury car manufacturer Audi announced the launch of the all-new Audi RS Q8 in India at Rs 2.07 crore onward. The Audi RS Q8 combines the power of an RS model with the elegance of a premium coupe and the ability of an SUV. The turbocharged direct injection V8 produces a sporty V8 growl, and Audi’s Drive Select Dynamic Handling System lets you adjust driving manners to your preference. The mild-hybrid system (MHEV) with a 48-volt main on-board electrical system combines with the V8 and ensures maximum performance with high efficiency. The Audi RS Q8 also features cylinder on demand (COD) technology that turns off cylinders when power needed is lesser to save fuel. The car uses a standard eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox that sends power to the permanent allwheel drive quattro system. The new Audi RS Q8 successfully combines outstanding sportiness and maximum everyday usability.
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CAR NEWS
MAHINDRA MARAZZO BS VI PRICES START AT `11.25 LAKH Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd has introduced the Marazzo multi purpose vehicle (MPV) with BSVI technology at a starting price of Rs. 11.25 lakh. The Marazzo will now be available in three variants, namely M2, M4+ and M6+. The Marazzo is powered by a 1497cc diesel engine, with a power output of 121hp@ 3500rpm and a peak torque of 300Nm@17502500rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The vehicle has a front suspension comprising double wishbone, while the rear consists of -twist beam suspension. With a length of 4585mm, a height of 1865mm, a height of 1774mm and a wheelbase of 2760mm, the Marazzo has disc brakes in front and rear. It has a fuel tank capacity of 45 litres.
side windows. This is in addition to other features like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and Mahindra’s Industry 1st Surround Cool Technology. This variant comes at its exciting price of Rs. 13.51 lakh.
The top variant, the M6+ now comes with 17-inch diamondcut alloy wheels, a rear parking camera with steering-adaptive guidelines, automatic temperature control and automatic driver-
The new mid-variant M4+ will now sport 16-inch alloy wheels along with other attractive features that together offer superior value to customers at a price of Rs. 12.37 lakh.
TOYOTA KIRLOSKAR MOTOR REVEALS INTERIOR IMAGES OF ALL-NEW URBAN CRUISER Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has revealed the interior looks of its soon-to-belaunched compact SUV, the all-new Toyota Urban Cruiser. The Urban Cruiser boasts of a plush & alluring dual-tone dark brown interior along with a wide & spacious cabin. Other top features on the inside include Engine Push Start/Stop Button and Automatic AC, both of which will be standard across all variants for the ease and convenience of passengers. While the Electrochromic Rear View Mirror will add to the seamless and safe driving experience, the Cruise Control will gratify enthusiasts who seek an exhilarating ride; those seeking complete entertainment and connected experience can look forward to Smart Playcast touchscreen audio with Android Auto/Apple Carplay and Smartphone-based Navigation.
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 15
CAR NEWS
DY WORKS TO DESIGN BRAND, EXPERIENCE STRATEGY FOR NEW GEN FORCE GURKHA Pune-based Force Motors has roped in DY Works to design the brand and experience for their iconic off-roader Force Gurkha. The new gen Force Gurkha which has been completely revamped and has a BS VI engine, was showcased at the Auto Expo 2020. The new Force Gurkha is likely to be launched at the end of the year. Now that Mahindra & Mahindra will be launching its new Thar 4x4 on October 2, 2020, it is all the more important for Force Motors to position its 4x4 beast in a better way and a lot more strategically. The only competitor to the Force Gurkha is the Mahindra Thar, though the former claims to be superior in terms of its off road abilities because of its differential locks and other technical capabilities. Available in both petrol and diesel, the Nexon will come with two transmission options Manual and AMT. Detailed prices are as below:
FORD FREESTYLE FLAIR EDITION NOW AT `7.69 LAKH ONWARD Ford India has expanded its Ford Freestyle model lineup with the addition of a new, top-of-the-line variant, Freestyle Flair. The new Freestyle Flair is available at an introductory price of Rs 7,69,000 for petrol variant and Rs 8,79,000 for the diesel engine powered variant. The doors of the new top-of-the-line variant will be adorned with an especially designed, prominent Flair badge, housed in all-around black and red graphics. The aggressive black and red theme will continue across the exterior surfaces, including – a black-painted roof with red roof rails, black & red ORVMs, all-new black alloys and a black skid plates with smart red-painted insets on the front bumper. Interiors of the Freestyle Flair sport an all-new black& grey upholstery that’s inviting and add to a sense of space inside the cabin, without taking away from its actionoriented character. The red and black theme continues in the cabin with contrasting red accents on black door handles. The seats too will feature the smart Flair badge. The Freestyle Flair offers a 7-inch touchscreen-based infotainment system with embedded satellite navigation, automatic headlamps, automatic wipers, reverse parking camera, remote central locking, automatic air-conditioner and more.
BMW 3 SERIES GRAN TURISMO ‘SHADOW EDITION’ LAUNCHED AT `42.50 LAKH BMW Group India has launched the new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo ‘Shadow Edition’ at Rs 42.50 lakh, ex showroom. The luxury tourer is ideally for customers who look for both adventure and extravagance. Locally produced at the BMW Plant Chennai, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo ‘Shadow Edition’ is available in petrol variant at all BMW dealerships across India. The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo ‘Shadow Edition’ will be available in M Sport design scheme. The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Shadow Edition is available in Alpine White, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic and Estoril Blue Metallic paintworks. The upholstery is available in a choice of Sensatec Black/Red highlight | Black and Sensatec Veneto Beige | Veneto Beige.
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CAR NEWS
‘FREEDOM FROM HASSLE’ BUYING OPTION ON VOLVO XC40 It is now easier to buy an XC40 T4 R-Design as Volvo Car India has introduced ‘Hassle-Free Offer’ on the luxury SUV Volvo XC40. The car is now is available at an ex-showroom price of Rs 39.90 lakh, but under ‘Hassle-Free Offer’ customers can buy the car at a special offer price of Rs. 36.90 lakh and receive complimentary accessories worth Rs 1 lakh as well. With this offer, Volvo Car India is augmenting the buying experience of customers as they can simply walk into their nearest showroom and buy the car without the feeling of missing out on a better offer at another showroom of the company. The offer provides freedom to customers from the hassles of a complex buying process and makes it completely transparent for customers as well as dealers.
VOLVO XC40 XC40 T4 R-Design is Volvo Car India’s first petrol offering in the entrylevel SUV segment. XC40 is the only car in its segment to have radarbased Active Safety features like City Safety with Steering Assist that prevent collision with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and large animals upto speeds of 50 kmph.
ELECTRIC VOLKSWAGEN ID.3 COVERS 531 KILOMETERS WITHOUT CHARGING The new Volkswagen ID.3 has set its first range record: The electric car covered the 531 kilometers from Zwickau, a town in Germany to Schaffhausen (Switzerland) on a single charge. Officially, the model has a range of up to 420 kilometers (WLTP). This mark was topped by more than 100 kilometers – an increase of 26 percent. The vehicle was a series production ID.3 1st Pro Performance with a 58 kWh battery built at the Zwickau electric car factory. The route to Switzerland consisted entirely of public roads and highways, passing cities such as Bayreuth and Ulm. The record-breaking vehicle was driven by “hypermiler” Felix Egolf, a native of Switzerland. The term “hypermiling” originated in the USA and refers to driving a series production vehicle with techniques that maximize efficiency and minimize consumption.
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 17
CAR NEWS
HONDA CARS INDIA launches refreshed Jazz at `7.50 lakh onward
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onda Cars India has launched its premium hatchback new Honda Jazz with refreshed looks, premium styling, a new flagship grade Jazz ZX along with segment leading features. The prices of the new Jazz starts at Rs 7.50 lakh and goes up all the way to Rs 9.74 lakh (ex showroom Delhi). In terms of exterior design, the 2020 new Honda Jazz comes with a new Chrome accentuated High Gloss Black Grill, Advanced LED package of New LED Headlamp (Inline
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Shell) with DRL, New LED Fog lamps, Signature Rear LED Wing Light and Newly-designed front and rear bumpers. The most striking feature of the New Jazz is the newly introduced Segment Exclusive ‘One Touch Electric Sunroof’ which will set a new trend among premium hatchbacks. Gaku Nakanishi, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd., said the launch of the new Jazz is the fourth launch of the company in the last two months after resumption of operations in Unlock phase. He said the company is also
ramping up production at its plant. The interiors of the new 2020 Jazz offer a super spacious, premium & comfortable cabin. There is now a new Soft Touchpad Dashboard, Cruise Control, Auto AC with Touchscreen Control Panel, Multi Information Combimeter with LCD display and ECO AssistAmbient Rings, Steering mounted audio, telephony and voice controls, One Push Start/Stop Button with white and red illumination and Honda Smart Key System with Keyless remote. The new Jazz also offers a highly convenient and massive
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CAR NEWS 354L of cargo space, which is again the segment best.
almost 70% of total Jazz sales in the market last year.
The New Jazz will be powered by a BS-6 compliant 1.2L i-VTEC petrol engine in both Manual and 7 speed CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) variants. The engine delivers a maximum power of 90PS@6000 rpm and a torque of 110 Nm@4800 rpm. It has been mated with Honda’s 5-speed Manual transmission delivering a fuel efficiency of 16.6 km/L as per test data. The automatic variant of the New Jazz comes with Honda’s advanced CVT technology from Earth Dreams Technology Series and offers a fuel economy of 17.1 km/L.
Adding to the aesthetics and convenience of the new Jazz is the DIGIPAD 2.0 - an infotainment system that offers seamless and smart connectivity. The 7 inches advanced touchscreen audio, video and navigation system comes with seamless smartphone connectivity through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, newly introduced Weblink and a host of advanced functionality like Voice Command, Messages, Bluetooth Handsfree Telephony & Audio and Wireless Infrared Remote.
The New Jazz is the only car in its segment which is equipped with race inspired steering wheel mounted paddle shifters in CVT variants to control shifts for a more spirited driving experience. The CVT variants of the Jazz are the most popular variants and accounted for
The New Jazz is equipped with a range of Honda’s active and passive safety technologies, which are offered as standard equipment across all variants. It features Honda’s own Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body which enhances self-protection while mitigating damage to
other vehicles in the event of a collision. Safety features include Standard Dual Front SRS Airbags, ABS with EBD, Multi-View Rear Camera with Guidelines, Rear parking Sensor, Driver Side Window One touch up/down operation with pinch guard, Impact Mitigating Front Head Rests, Immobilizer anti – theft system, Pedestrian Injury mitigation technology amongst others. With the addition of ZX grade, the New Jazz will now be available in 3 grades - V, VX and ZX in Petrol in both Manual and CVT variants. The New Jazz will be available with a choice of 5 colour options – Radiant Red Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic and Golden Brown Metallic.The New Honda Jazz comes with 3 years Unlimited Kilometres warranty as standard. Additionally, customers can opt for Extended Warranty for additional two years Unlimited / Limited kilometres.
RENAULT DUSTER now with new, powerful 1.3 litre turbo petrol engine
R
enault India has announced the launch of the1.3L turbo petrol engine that will power the Renault Duster. With this new engine, the Renault Duster becomes the most powerful SUV in its segment
in India.
The all new Duster with the 1.3L turbo petrol engine will be available in three variants with a 6-speed manual option at a starting price of Rs 10.49 lakh, while the X-Tronic CVT will be available in two variants with a starting price of Rs 12.99 lakh. Renault will also offer the option of the existing 1.5L petrol engine and the Renault Duster range starts at Rs 8.59 lakh. The 1.3L turbo petrol engine is an advanced, high-power, turbo charged, BSVI compliant engine that offers 156PS @ 5500 rpm and a peak torque of 254Nm@1600rpm. The modern engine comes with advanced technologies like Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) which provides high performance and efficiency, Dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) for higher torque at lower rpm and reduced emissions. The new Renault Duster offers fuel efficiency of 16.5kmpl in manual transmission and 16.42kmpl in the CVT version.
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 19
BIKE NEWS
DUCATI launches all new BS6 PANIGALE V2 in India at `16.99 lakh
F
inally, Ducati India has brought in its first BS VI complaint motorcycle model for 2020, the all-new Panigale V2. The all-new Panigale V2 in India was launched at Rs 16.99 lakh (Ex-Showroom India). The Panigale V2 is equipped with a 955cc twin cylinder Superquadro engine which is now BS-VI compliant, delivers more power (+5 HP) and torque (+2 Nm) thanks to new injectors (larger in size with a different working angle) and a more efficient snorkel which minimizes pressure loss. The V2 also features a new compact exhaust, routed entirely underneath the engine giving a clean look to the beautiful lines of the youngest member of the Panigale superbike family. Bipul Chandra, Managing Director of Ducati India said the Panigale V2 is the company’s first BS6 motorcycle for 2020 and it has received tremendous customer response with an overwhelming consumer engagement. Unlike the outgoing model, the Panigale V2 features a single-sided aluminium swingarm, the hallmark of every high-end sports Ducati. Gently moulded around the refined monocoque frame, the extensive fairing highlights the more compact twin-cylinder Superquadro engine creating a bike that is visibly leaner and less intimidating than the Panigale V4. The front headlight assembly is extremely compact on the Panigale V2. The DRL and the upper rim of the dual headlight assembly create the iconic V-style profile. At the rear, the full-LED tail light features a two-part design as per Ducati sports tradition. Boasting of cutting-edge electronics package, it features the latest generation electronics suite based on a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit that instantly detects the bike’s roll, yaw and pitch angles. It Includes Cornering ABS EVO, Ducati Traction Control EVO 2, Ducati Quick
20 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2020
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BIKE NEWS
Shift EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control EVO, Engine Braking Control EVO and all these electronics never leave the rider in any doubt that the Panigale V2 is a thoroughbred Ducati which raises the active safety and dynamic control standards on the motorcycle. All controls are incorporated in the three Riding Modes (Race, Sport, Street) and can be adjusted via the all-new 4.3” colour TFT dashboard. Featuring a user-friendly graphic interface, browsing menus, adjusting settings and identifying the selected Riding Mode couldn’t be easier. The Panigale V2 has revised ergonomics aimed at improving comfort and ensuring safety. The new seat allows for greater longitudinal movement of the rider and greater comfort thanks to the new foam that raises it by 5 mm. The position of the foot pegs remains the same. The updated suspension set-up on the Panigale V2 includes a fully
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adjustable 43 mm Showa Big Piston Fork at the front, fully adjustable side-mounted Sachs mono-shock at the rear, & a cross-mounted Sachs steering damper for improved comfort. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II derived from WSBK, grace the Panigale V2 both on the front and at the rear. The tires combine racetrack-level performance with road versatility & ensure superior grip on all surfaces. The V2 is also higher from the ground - 2 mm at the front & 5 mm at the rear. This ergonomic change combined with the new Pirelli tires makes the bike more intuitive, agile and fun to ride. The Panigale V2 It comes with an entire range of apparel and accessories. Bookings for the bike are open across all Ducati dealerships in Delhi – NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad.
SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 21
BIKE NEWS
TRIUMPH launches Street Triple ‘R’ at `8.84 lakh
T
riumph Motorcycles India has launched its street fighter – the 2020 Street Triple R, the mid-spec variant of the Street Triple RS. The 2020 Triumph Street Triple ‘R’ comes with a high performance 765cc BS-VI Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder engine. The motorcycle has been priced at Rs 8.84 lakh (ex showroom). Updated for 2020 with the aggressive new attitude and style of the top specification RS model, the new Street Triple R features allnew bodywork, including fly screen, air intake, side panels, and rear unit. These are more angular and sportier, giving the motorcycle cleaner, more contemporary lines, and a distinctive new look. The fly screen and air intake are now much more pronounced, echoing the shape of the new twin LED headlights, which have a striking new style with prominent position lights, giving a much more distinctive front end and increased visibility. The compact and contemporary new silencer, and the new shape mirrors with increased adjustability, have also been restyled to enhance the aggressive new look of the Street Triple R. And, there are two new paint and graphics schemes available, Sapphire Black or Matt Silver Ice. Both schemes feature Diablo Red and Aluminium Silver decals, hand-painted red wheel pinstripes, and the signature Street Triple R red rear sub-frame.
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SPECIFICATION Engine Type
Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder
Capacity
765cc
Bore Stroke
77.99 x 53.38 mm
Max Power
116.38hp @ 12,000 rpm
Max Torque
79Nm @ 9,350 rpm
Fuel System
Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI. Electronic throttle control
Exhaust
Stainless steel 3 into 1 exhaust system low single sided stainless steel silencer
Final Drive
X ring chain
Clutch
Wet, multi-plate, slip-assisted
Gearbox
6-speed with Triumph Shift Assist
Frame
Front - Aluminium beam twin spar. Rear - 2 piece high pressure die cast
Tyre
Front: 120/70 ZR17 Rear: 180/55 ZR17
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BIKE NEWS
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 23
BIKE NEWS
KAWASAKI LAUNCHES BS-6 COMPLIANT VERSYS 650 AT `679,000 India Kawasaki Motors Pvt. Ltd. (IKM) announces the addition of BS-6 compliant MY21 middleweight Adventure Tourer the all new Versys 650 in its family. The new Versys 650 will be available in Candy Lime Green colour, at an exshowroom price of Rs 679,000/-. The new Versys 650, is an ultimate Adventure tourer machine, and will carry forward the legacy created by Brand Versys. Difficult to explain and impossible to categorise, the new Versys 650 simply exceeds the sum of its parts. The supremely balanced Adventure tourer the new Versys 650 was and will always be a popular choice of the riders who surrounds themselves with
Nature, Journey, Travelling, and are inclined towards exploring the new highs. With long-travel suspension & sporty 17” wheels, plus a slim, upright riding position and its low to mid-range focused Parallel-Twin engine, the new Versys 650 is a sports partner, city friend and mountain road conqueror all in one. Highlights of the new MY21 Versys 650 are: 1. 649cc parallel twin engine (Cleaner Emissions), 2. Large volume fuel tank (21Litres), 3. Inverted front fork, 4. Petal brake discs, 5. Adjustable windscreen, 6. Wide handlebar, 7. Offset laydown singleshock with remote preload adjuster, 8. 17” wheels, 9. Sharp sporty styling, 10. Gear Indicator.
PIAGGIO INDIA LAUNCHES SPORTY, SPECIAL EDITION VESPA RACING SIXTIES Piaggio India has launched the special edition Vespa Racing Sixties in 125 and 150cc. The Vespa compliments the racing vehicles of 1960s. The new Vespa special series have been based on the technologically advanced Vespa SXL 150 BS6 and SXL 125 BS6. The “Racing Sixties” edition was unveiled at Auto Expo 2020 in Greater Noida at the beginning of the year. The classic and rich sporty appeal of the Racing Sixties is complemented with the colour theme of 1960s racing machines - red graphics with a tinge of gold on pristine white body colour and golden 5 spoke Petal alloy wheels. The clean graphic lines enhance the sides and the front tie while the highlighted matte black finish of surrounding elements including the rear-view mirrors, grab handle and footrests, the front and rear light applique and the Muffler cover create a unique contrast appeal. Inspiration for the Vespa Racing Sixties series comes from the gentlemen riders races of the 60s, a world in which art of expressing has been extended as far as the vehicle customisation arena. The special edition Vespa Racing Sixties inherent the technologically advanced Monocoque full steel Body, vibrant high definition 3 coat body colours, and anti-lock braking system or combined braking system with twin pot calliper disc brake. The scooters are powered by the new high performance BS6 compliant engine with clean emission, 3 Valve design and Fuel injection technology. Other features include crystal illumination LED headlight, centre integrated Day Time Running extra bright beam light, USB mobile charging port and boot light.
24 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2020
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BIKE NEWS
TVS JUPITER ZX DISC WITH ‘I-TOUCHSTART’ LAUNCHED AT `69,052 TVS Motor Company has introduced TVS Jupiter ZX Disc variant with an upgraded electric start technology ‘i-TOUCHstart’. The TVS patent for this new –TOUCHstart is pending. The technology provides a silent and instant start minus the cranking noise, making it ideal for repeated starts in stop-go traffic. ‘i-TOUCHstart’also improves battery life and provides a maintenance-free system. TVS Jupiter ZX Disc with ‘i-TOUCHstart’ is priced at Rs.69,052/The TVS Jupiter ZX now also comes with an all-in-one lock to operate the ignition, steering lock, seat lock and fuel tank cap with a single keyhole. This enables the rider to access all functions with ease. Along with technology and convenience, the TVS Jupiter ZX also offers a Disc brake for rider safety. This launch is in line with TVS Motor Company’s continuous endeavour to provide best-in-class features which cater to the evolving need of Indian customers. The TVS Jupiter ZX is equipped with Ecothrust Fuel injection (ETFi) technology and ‘i-TOUCHstart’with an integrated starter generator systemwhich delivers15% better mileage, better startability, refinement along with durability. The scooter has LED headlamp, 2-litre glove box, mobile charger and 21-litre storage. The adjustable shock absorbers further enhance riding convenience. TVS Jupiter’s 110cc engine generates a maximum power of 5.5 kW at 7000 rpm while producing a maximum torque of 8.4Nm at 5500 rpm.
TVS NTORQ 125 RACE EDITION GETS NEW COLOUR AT `74,365 TVS Motor Company has introduced a new colour for TVS NTorq 125 Race Edition – Yellow & Black. The Race Edition is currently available in Red & Black colour. This two-wheeler is priced at Rs.74,365 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The TVS NTorq 125 Race Edition Yellow & Black comes with Race Tuned Fuel injection (RT-Fi) technology boasting of better real throttle feel. TVS NTorq 125 Race Edition currently features in the top 10 scooters in India, a rare feat for a variant. Among the 5 lakh happy customers of the brand, the Race Edition owns a substantial place as a bestseller. The TVS NTorq 125 Race Edition comes with signature LED DRLs and LED
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headlamp. Additionally, it is equipped with the hazard lamp which can be enabled by a red-coloured hazard switch. The vibrant chequered flag graphics along with the ‘Race Edition’ emblem on the scooter accentuates the TVS Racing pedigree. The scooter comes in a splendid three tone combination of matte black, metallic black and metallic yellow colour. TVS NTorq 125, India’s first Bluetooth connected scooter, r is paired to an exclusive application – TVS Connect and the race edition users can access special race inspired User Interface. The two-wheeler comes with 124.8cc engine which churns out maximum power of 9.25hp@ 7000 RPM and maximum torque of 10.5 Nm @5500 RPM.
SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 25
BIKE NEWS
HONDA LAUNCHES NEW HORNET 2.0 MOTORCYCLE AT `1.26 LAKH Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt Ltd has launched the new Hornet 2.0 motorcycle. The new Hornet 2.0 will be available in four colours -Pearl Igneous Black, Matte Sangria Red Metallic, Matte Axis Grey Metallic and Matte Marvel Blue Metallic. The Hornet 2.0 is priced at Rs. 126,345 exshowroom Gurugram (Haryana).
with 6 new patent applications. The Golden Upside Down (USD) front fork is a first in sub 200cc segment. The new engine stop switch provides the convenience of turning-off the engine on brief stops with flick of a switch. Ensuring safety of riders in low visibility conditions is the hazard switch feature.
The new Hornet 2.0 comes with a powerful higher capacity HET BSVI Engine and features like Golden USD front forks, fully digital negative liquid crystal meter, dual, petal disc brakes and aggressive design enhances the overall riding experience.
The all-new Hornet 2.0 is powered by a new Bharat Stage VI compliant higher capacity and advanced 184cc PGM-FI HET (Honda Eco Technology) engine. PGM-Fi system uses 8 onboard sensors to constantly inject optimum fuel and air mixture to provide greater performance and superior efficiency.
The all new Hornet 2.0 is developed
BMW MOTORRAD MOTORCYCLES NOW COME WITH M ENDURANCE CHAIN The story at BMW Motorrad is about to change big time from that of a shaft drive to one of M Endurance Chain. For more than 90 years, the maintenance-free, environmentally friendly and comfortable shaft drive has been one of BMW Motorrad’s immovable technical cornerstones. With the M Endurance chain, BMW Motorrad now offers a maintenance-free chain with comparable characteristics for the first time. The M Endurance chain in 525 pitch is now available initially for the two 4-cylinder models BMW S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR. The M Endurance chain is available as accessory or directly from the factory as an option. Further BMW Motorrad models are being prepared for this feature. Like previous X-ring chains, the M Endurance chain has a resident permanent lubricant filling between the rollers and pins, enclosed by X-rings. What is completely new, however, is that the previously necessary additional lubricant addition for the rollers and thus the familiar “chain lubrication” is no longer necessary, nor is any re-tensioning required from time to time due to the usual wear. This enormous gain in comfort was made possible by using a new coating material for the rollers: tetrahedrally amorphous carbon (ta-C), also known as industrial diamond. This coating is characterised by extreme hardness and resistance and in this respect it is placed between the wellknown DLC coating (Diamond Like Carbon) and pure diamond. In contrast to the metal surfaces used so far, the coating with the ta-C industrial diamond does not wear off. At the same time, this type of coating also offers a drastically reduced friction coefficient. Thanks to excellent dry lubrication properties and the elimination of wear, the tetrahedral amorphous carbon coated rollers of the M Endurance chain offer maintenance comfort equivalent to that of a shaft drive motorcycle. This includes all the cleaning work that is unavoidable with a conventional chain due to splashed lubricant. Accordingly, the M Endurance chain also offers maximum environmental friendliness.
26 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2020
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BIKE NEWS
DETEL LAUNCHES DETEL EASY ELECTRIC TWO-WHEELER FOR ONLY `19,999 Detel, a consumer electronic brand, has announced the launch of an electric twowheeler - Detel Easy. The company has launched its product at Rs, 19,999 + GST which makes it an extremely economical e-two-wheeler. Detel has partnered with Bajaj Finserv for EMI Finance schemes for the customers. The company has brought in fresh designs, ease of use, low maintenance, quick charging, and more features in its EV products at a disruptive price. Detel Easy is powered by a 6 Pipe controller 250W electric motor that offers a top speed of 25kmph, hence one need not to own a driving license or vehicle registration to operate this product. It is a perfect choice for the teenagers and people who wish to travel short distances or run errands. The newly launched EV is has drum brakes. Detel Easy supports 48V 12AH LiFePO4 battery, that can be charged fully in 7-8 hours and go up to 60 km at full charge in ideal conditions.
SHELL LUBRICANTS, HOOPY OFFER TWO-WHEELER SERVICING
When you have doorstep delivery of your favourite pizzas and delicious gourmet, why cannot you have doorstep servicing of your two-wheeler in the country? You need not fret any more. Lubricants giant Shell Lubricants has partnered with Hoopy, a unique technology-driven business to bring contactless, easily accessible, and immensely reliable two-wheeler doorstep servicing to India. Shell and Hoopy, as partners, are keen to help with the safe recovery of the mechanic community as they gradually return to their workspace. In the coming days, the partnership will be focused on training and generating business for up to 5,000 mechanics, with an aim to support them in overcoming adversities that have risen due to the pandemic’s impact on their livelihoods. This would help in creating a community of empowered, selfsustaining mechanics equipped with the latest know-how from experts in the automotive industry. The partnership and programme will also ensure a steady business flow for mechanics with the possibility of making 30-40% higher income than they would in garages.
EV MOTORS INDIA, HERO ELECTRIC LAUNCH RAPID CHARGING E-BIKES EV Motors India (EVM) and Hero Electric have partnered to support adoption of electric vehicles for last mile delivery operation. Under this partnership, EV Motors, a holistic turnkey electric vehicle solutions provider will offer advanced battery solutions and charging infrastructure integrated with Hero Electric vehicles. The plan is to run a pilot of around 10,000 e bikes in few cities in next 12 months before launching it nationwide. These solutions are specially designed to meet the requirements and expectations of last mile delivery operators, including e-commerce, online food, fleet operators & courier delivery businesses. As part of the partnership EVM will be integrating its hi-tech batteries with Hero e-bikes that can be supercharged in less than 30 minutes using the rapid charging station network “PlugNgo” being set up by EV Motors. This quick charge feature makes daily vehicle operation of 130km to 140km stress-free. This will help in bringing down the maintenance & running costs, thereby impacting business unit economics positively. The rapid charging stations will be installed at strategic locations including the Hero dealerships and will be accessible for public charging.
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 27
WHAT HAPPENS? FEATURES
◆ If you fill diesel in a petrol car, or vice-versa? ◆ If you engage hand brake at high speed? ◆ If you drive without coolant in your car? ◆ If your brake oil leaks, and you keep driving?
......
Driving a car is not merely confined to holding on to a steering wheel and maneuvering the vehicle through traffic by using your steering wheels and your various mechanisms like brakes, accelerator and clutch. If you have to be a good driver, you need to know WHAT HAPPENS when things go wrong. There are several dos and don’ts. Motown India’s P. Tharyan asks CV Raman, Sr. Executive Director, Engineering, Maruti Suzuki for the right answers when things go wrong.
C.V RAMAN, Sr Executive Director, Engineering, MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LIMITED
28 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2020
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FEATURES
Q1
You drive a car with the tyre pressure much lower than the prescribed limit. WHAT HAPPENS?
When we are developing a car, we set the tyre pressure keeping in mind ride comfort, handling performance, fuel efficiency, safety and NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness). As to how the tyre will perform during an emergency is also kept in mind. The tyre pressure recommendation as given by the OEM is very important to follow as far as the customer is concerned. It will give you optimised performance. Driving with low pressure tyres will compromise ride comfort, handling and responsiveness of the car. The vehicle will be sluggish to drive. The vehicle will also deliver a lower fuel efficiency.
Q2
You drive a car on a long stretch with the right air pressure. Theoretically, the tyres heat up and the air pressure inside increases. WHAT HAPPENS?
There will be absolutely no issue because the tyres will heat up a bit but it will get stabilised as it will get cooled simultaneously because of the wind. I don’t think there should be a concern here if the ambient temperature is high and the tyre pressure is right.
Q3
You drive your car with the tyre pressure more than the prescribed limit. WHAT HAPPENS?
There will be an impact in terms of ride comfort; it will become bumpier and bouncier. The ride will also be a lot harsher. Of course, the handling will improve because the tyre pressure has increased. Sometimes, two separate tyre pressures are given by the manufacturers, depending whether a full load is sitting. The pressures need to be adjusted. Those are things which are very important for a comfortable journey. It is a way of doing the tuning of the tyres and the suspension for giving this comfort feel to the customers.
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 29
FEATURES
Q4
While driving, one of the car tyres gets punctured and gets deflated. You insist on driving on. WHAT HAPPENS?
The tyre will get cut and you will hear a lot of noises as it is flattened. In case of front tyre deflation, the driver will be able to immediately make out from the responsiveness of the steering wheel. And if one continues driving for some period of time, the tyres get cut.
Q5
Can this situation get dangerous?
Yes, in the sense, the control sometimes can become difficult, especially if you are driving at high speeds. If the tyres blow out when you are driving, you do realise the instability in the vehicle. But at medium speeds, one can continue and not feel the difference because of various reasons, for example if the music inside is loud or especially if on rear tyres.
Q6
During dune bashing in SUVs, the tyre pressure is lowered. WHY DO THEY DO THIS? WHAT HAPPENS when you do not lower the tyre pressure while dune bashing?
Since sand is very soft, with the specified tyre pressure, the tyres will start digging into the sand. In order to reduce that, they lower the tyres pressure. It allows you to get the traction on a softer surface. That makes it easier for the vehicle to move around.
30 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2020
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FEATURES
Q7
In a petrol car you fill in diesel fuel by mistake, and vice versa. WHAT HAPPENS?
We do make sure that we put a sticker on the fuel cap, whether it is diesel or petrol. And today in accessories also, we have a full decal which says petrol or diesel which can be put right on top of the fuel lid so that they are very careful. But sometimes there is a mistake by the customer or the guy filling the fuel. In case diesel is put in petrol car, it will not atomise like petrol resulting in insufficient combustion of fuel,excessive soot generation or misfire, which may lead to engine damage. Conversely, in case petrol is put in diesel engine, the air fuel mixture will not burn as there are no spark plugs and hence will not start. It will operate till the diesel fuel in line is over. Also lubrication of some key parts like High Pressure fuel pump will not happen with Gasoline fuel resulting in permanent damage.
Q8
The coolant / engine oil in your car leaks completely while you are driving. WHAT HAPPENS?
If coolant leaks, it may not show up if there is no coolant in Engine (sensor may be measuring air temperature in the coolant jacket). Customers should be careful, if there is an accident or coolant leakage is observed under the vehicle. However, if coolant temperature increases for any reason, it will show up on the instrument cluster. If that happens, one needs to take it to the service centre. In case you miss reading the temperature warning it will lead to some kind of stress which can lead to the engine seizing. If there is a loss of lubricant (engine oil) or loss of coolant, the engine could seize. If the engine oil is lower than low level, it could lead to the engine seizure.
Q9
Can water be substituted for coolant in an emergency situation?
That does work. But the heat removal will be lesser. It can’t be used for long. It could lead to some kind of a seizure of the engine if one continues with it for long. The boiling point will be lower since this is a presurrised system. Heat removal will become an issue. It does have an impact on the thermal efficiency. Using water is also not recommended as it could lead to scaling inside engine causing heat up and slow damage to the engine. Water bottle vector designed by brgfx / Freepik
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 31
FEATURES
Q10
There is no brake oil and you keep driving. WHAT HAPPENS?
Usually, there is a secondary circuit which is there and even if there is leak on one circuit, we will still be able to stop the vehicle. It should not get impacted. But if both the circuits are completely drained, which is a very unusual situation, and I do not think it will ever happen, at slow speeds you can always stop with the hand brake. If one circuit leaks, then there is a tertiary circuit which will allow the brakes to function. That’s how the system works.
Q11
In a push button start / stop car, you press the button while driving. WHAT HAPPENS?
While changing a flat tyre onefits the jack in a wrong place under the vehicle body. WHAT HAPPENS?
In the case of push button, if there is an emergency he has to continuously press for two seconds or Press the button three times in order to stop the vehicle. Otherwise it will not respond when the vehicle is moving.
It’s not a right thing to do, because jacking points are usually specified by the manufacturers in the owner’s manual. It can lead to an imbalance in your jack. The lift up may not happen to the extent where you want the tyre to come out. People should read the owner’s manual and understand that there are jacking point for the front and the rear. And if this is not done properly, it can imbalance the vehicle and this may not be safe. It could also damage the underbody.
Q12
Q13
The driver yanks out the car key while driving his vehicle. WHAT HAPPENS?
If you do that, the engine will stop. The first impact is on the braking system because the vacuum will get lost.Steering also will get hard. It is not a very sane thing to do. It is dangerous.
32 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2020
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FEATURES
Q14
Driving at a good speed and suddenly someone pulls the hand brake. WHAT HAPPENS?
The rear wheels are braked and front wheels are at the same speed which causes imbalance and the vehicle can spin.
Q15
You are driving around with your hand brake lever pulled up partially and it is not completely disengaged. WHAT HAPPENS?
If the hand brakes are engaged, it reflects on the instrument cluster. The light for parking brake will come up. If this is still ignored and people keepdriving, you will feel a bit of sluggishness and it will of course impact the friction material of the brake lining. The material will get eroded. This will also cause excessive fuel consumption as you are putting more load on engine.
Q16
You are driving normally and you suddenly try to slot the reverse gear. WHAT HAPPENS?
In a 5 speed gear transmission, normally the reverse is just below the fifth gear. Any deliberate attempt to move to reverse gear from 5th gear is prevented by the mechanical inhibitor system in the transmission. Sometimes such an inhibition is provided in Gear shift lever (usually in 6 speed transmissions) where you have to lift the knob up and push into reverse gear. But if you forcefully try to move from a third or fourth gear to reverse, there will be a loud clashing noise and sudden load increase feeling on the gear knob due to high inertia of reverse gear. You will definitely realize there is something wrong.
Q17
In an automatic transmission car, one tries moving from Drive mode “D”to Reverse “R”while driving. WHAT HAPPENS?
Automatic transmissions are electronically controlled. While deliberately trying to shift it to “R”, it will not engage in reverse gear, even if the Gear Lever is in R position, till the car comes down to a threshold speed. This speed of reverse gear engagement is normally less than 10kmph.
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 33
FEATURES
Q18
You are driving a manual car with the clutch pedal half depressed. WHAT HAPPENS?
Clutch riding used to be a common issue in the past. But nowadays most customers understand that they do not have to ride the clutch. . Clutch life is severely compromised if the car is continuously driven with half depressed clutch pedal. The customer will also feel loss of power and acceleration.
Q19
Q20
Your AC is on and your engine is running. You car is in a closed garage. WHAT HAPPENS?
The situation will be worse. I will definitely not recommend it because it is a closed space. The exhaust is on, the pollutants are getting circulated with the fresh air and that’s worse. This is not at all recommended.
It is a warm day and you are in a stationery car with the engine running. You put on the AC and take a nap. WHAT HAPPENS?
It is not recommended. There should be some level of air circulation. The internal air (cabin air) in re-circulating mode can get contaminated and this can lead to suffocation because of lack of oxygen. If at all one does it, they need to lower the windows a little bit so that some fresh air keeps coming in. Or you can put it in fresh mode for fresh air to come in but then the cooling gets impacted. I will not recommend running your ac for a long period in a stationery car with your engine running and your windows rolled up. It has its impact, one definitely from the health perspective, second from the fuel efficiency point.
34 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2020
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FEATURES
Q21
You are driving your car fitted with air bags, without a seat belt. You meet with a frontal accident and your air bags are deployed. WHAT HAPPENS?
Wearing seat belts help you to reduce injuries during accidents by as much as 55 to 60 per cent. Airbags help you by another 5 to 10 per cent. Without wearing a seat belt, the air bag alone will not help you reduce the severity of the crash. The seat belt is the primary safety mechanism which restrains the occupants. The secondary system is the air bag which helps in reducing the injury to the occupant. If you are not wearing a seat belt, the impact is going to be very high if the airbag gets deployed. Similarly, where vehicle manufacturers are concerned, we give seat belts for all five seats in a 5-seater. Generally it is noticed that only people in front wear the seat belts, while at the rear nobody does. I would recommend that everybody should wear a seat belt. If the person in the rear is not wearing a seat belt, he can be thrown in front in the case of an accident. And if the person in front is also not wearing a seat belt, the situation can be really worse. It is generally seen that not wearing a seat belt results in large number of fatalities in road accidents. That can be really prevented if one were to wear seat belts. Of course, the more important thing is driving safely and below recommended speed limits.
Q22
You fit bigger sized tyres in your car, bigger that what is recommended. WHAT HAPPENS?
By fitting bigger sized tyres, you tend to change the offset of the knuckle or where it is fitted. The large / wide tyre will also interfere with the wheel housing. So, when you are turning the vehicle, you will not get the full turn and it will intrude into the wheel housing or clash or rub with the wheel housing.
Q23
Lastly, when you have larger and smarter looking tyres, will it be able to clear the requirements for wheel balancing and wheel alignment?
No, it won’t because the offset is there. When you are putting a larger tyre, what they do is at the knuckle side they will put an additional offset, usually a steel component, to put the tyre out. Most of the times you will get to see these large tyres sticking out of the body. That is because, one, when it is turning you need to create some space in the wheel housing. Two, the kinematics of this is obviously not the desired kinematics, it is different and definitely there will be some issues with that in terms of durability. Fitting larger tyres to your vehicle is more of a fad and it should be avoided.
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 35
WHEELZ & ROADZ Freedom Drive
ALL-NEW MAHINDRA THAR SUV
NEW BODY, NEW SOUL Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig
M
ahindra & Mahindra unveiled the all-new Thar SUV on the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day. The new Thar will be officially launched on October 2, 2020 and its prices too will be announced on that day. Motown India was part of a ‘Freedom Drive’ organised by Mahindra & Mahindra. Since the drive was extremely brief, I shall refrains from commenting on the drive experience. This report will focus on the new features of the all-new Thar
EXTERIORS With a massive ground clearance of 226mm
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in unladen condition, the new Thar has a Body-on-Frame Construction. The new Thar continues with its 2-door shell, but overall there have been several design changes. With a wider, better-balanced stance, the new Thar now comes with a choice of hard top and convertible roof top options. The convertible soft-top can be lowered manually in a matter of minutes. Also available is an optional fixed soft top with removable side facing seats. Coming to the front, you get to see a smart fascia, with LED Daytime Running Lamps and Dual Tone Bumpers. You also get front fog lamps. Surprisingly, the headlamps
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WHEELZ & ROADZ Freedom Drive
and fog lamps have halogen bulbs, there is no LED here. The rear, however, gets LED tail lamps. The wheels are R 18 Deep Silver Alloys. Wheels. The standard tyre size is 245/75 R16, the optional one being 255/65 R18 with 789 mm tyre diameter. The new Thar has the largest tyre size in production amongst Indian SUV’s. R18 variants offer white tyre lettering for just the right amount of visual flair while the R16 variants feature painted steel rims that celebrate Thar’s lineage. Variants with R16 wheels are also compatible with snow chains for harsh winter conditions. The two doors of the Thar are removable. These doors are
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WHEELZ & ROADZ Freedom Drive
engineered for easy removal just by undoing three fasteners. With the Center console mounted Controls for the power windows and instrument panel mounted speakers, you can get rid of the doors with no compromise on entertainment or convenience. A quick release electrical coupler for the door wiring harness that can be stowed away makes the door removal process easy. The new Thar comes with extra large Outside Rear View Mirrors with electric adjustment.
INTERIORS The interiors get an all-black theme with silver accents. There is faux carbon-fibre detailing around the AC vents and centre bezel. The body-hugging first row seats feature aggressive bolstering to hold the occupant in place during off road use. The seats also feature adjustable lumbar support for first row occupants and height adjust for driver. The co-driver seat can tip and slide with a single touch to allow easy access to and from the second row. With adjustable head rests available in all the seats, the front-facing rear seats come with 50:50 split. Optional removable side facing seats are available for enhanced versatility.
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WHEELZ & ROADZ Freedom Drive
The new Thar gets an allnew 7 inches touch screen infotainment that features Apple Car Play with integrated voice command. The system also features on-board navigation in case the vehicle moves out of mobile network coverage. Also available are dual USB ports and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity. The system uses six speakers with four located on the roof and two located on the instrument panel ensuring that the speakers are functioning even with the doors removed. The all-new Thar now showcases vital information on what the vehicle is currently doing. This includes but is
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not limited to Gear Position, Engine speed, 4WD Mode, Roll and Pitch Angles, Power, Torque, Compass Heading and a G-meter. This data can be conveniently pushed to social media handles to showcase one’s latest conquest. The MID displays vehicle parameters such as 4x4 Power Flow Display, Tyre Direction Monitor, Gear Shift Recommendation, Instantaneous Fuel Consumption, Distance To Empty; to name a few. The 3.5 inches TFT multi
information display is flanked by a tachometer and speedometer. The cabin of the all-new Thar is equipped with IP 54 dust and water ingress protected switches, for the audio and cruise control switches on the steering wheel, the infotainment system and the power windows. The steering wheel is tilt adjustable. And something which is very important for SUVs, the all-weather floor mats are easily washable. The floor features drain plugs that can be removed to wash the floor after an adventure.
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The on-board tyre pressure monitoring system monitors the air pressure and tyre temperatures continuously, that can be seen on the infotainment or the Bluesense app on smart devices. The vehicle comes with central locking with remote flip key.
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION The new Thar is powered by two allnew engines. A first for Thar and Mahindra, the all-new Thar is powered by the 2.0 litre mStallion TGDi petrol engine, and by the 2.2L mHawk diesel engine. These engines are offered with a choice of 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission, with 4x4 manual shift transfer case with a low ratio. This India’s first indigenously developed BS-6 compliant 2.0L turbo charged direct injection petrol engine, the– mStallion 150 is the country’s first 350 bar direct injection petrol engine with a compression ratio of 9.5:1 that delivers 150 hp @ 5000 rpm and 320 Nm @ 1500 to 3000 rpm when mated to the automatic transmission. On the other hand the India’s first all-aluminum 2.2L Turbo Diesel FourCylinder new generation mHawk 130 engine which is BS VI is a 1600 bar common rail direct injection diesel engine with a compression ratio of 16:1 delivering 130 hp @3750 rpm and 300 Nm of torque @1600 to 2800 rpm.
OFF-ROAD FEATURES The all new Thar is designed to approach things even more aggressively than its predecessor. The ‘Four-Wheel Drive’ system in the new Thar with the dedicated torque split transfer case provides 50:50 power split. With the mechanical ‘Shift-on-fly’ feature and ergonomically placed 4WD knob
design, a smooth and convenient shifting from 2-High to 4-High is possible. Further, shifting from 4-High to 4-low mode can multiply the torque by 2.48 times to provide excellent low-speed crawling and rock-climbing capabilities. The crawl ratio is 42:1 on both the petrol and diesel manual transmission variants, which in essence means the vehicle can take on any off-roading obstacle. Other capabilities of the vehicle include Electromechanical Driveline Disconnect for the Front Axle, Mechanical Locking Rear Differential and Brake Locking Differential (BLD) On Front and Rear Axle. The Thar has Independent double wishbone front suspension with stabilizer bar and multilink coil spring rear suspension. The new Thar has a Superior 41.8˚ Approach Angle, 36.8˚ Departure Angle And 27˚ Break Over Angles with R18 Wheel And Tyre Combination. It also has 650 mm water wading ability. Crucial components like electronic control units have been placed at a level above the wading plane
SAFETY Coming to safety, with a completely new 3rd Generation chassis and new body design, the all-new Thar complies to all applicable safety
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regulations including frontal offset crash at 56 kmph, Pedestrian safety (Head and upper leg form impact). An internal roll cage is available along with three-point seat belts with load limiters and dual locking tongues on hard top and convertible top variants. Driver and co-driver airbags are available as standard on all variants. The Thar features Electronic Stability Program with Vehicle Dynamics Control too. The vehicle is equipped with hill hold control to prevent roll back when moving off from standstill on steep inclines. Similarly, hill descent control can be activated to maintain steady progress while traversing downhill. The new Thar is available with dual ISOFIX child seat mounting points on the second-row front facing seat. It also has Rear Parking Sensors.
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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience
HYUNDAI VENUE INTELLIGENT MANUAL TRANSMISSION (IMT)
TRULY INTELLIGENT T
Report: Motown India Bureau; Photography: Afsar Baig
he new Hyundai iMT or Intelligent Manual Transmission now comes as an option with the Venue compact SUV from Hyundai Motor India. The iMT is an industry first and it is for the first time a passenger vehicle in India has come out with such a transmission. The Hyundai Venue comes with three engine options: a 1.2 litre Kappa Petrol which has again, only an option of a 5-speed manual transmission. Then we have the 1.0 litre Kappa Turbo GDi Petrol engine which has an option of a 6-speed
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manual transmission, a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission or DCT and the new 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission or iMT. The third engine option available is the 1.5 l U2 CRDi Diesel which only comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. The iMT has been provided only for 1 litre Kappa turbo petrol engine variants that include SX and SX (O). Both these variants again have an additional variant that goes by the name Dual Tone (Sport). Thus in total there are four variants that come with this new iMT.
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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience
How does a Dual Tone (Sport) differ from its counterpart? This Dual Tone (Sport) variant has a few sporty elements that are clearly marked in red. It’s all over the car, both inside as well as outside in tiny bits whether it is the dash of red on the wheel arches, red brake calipers for the front discs, the plus sign in red on the front grille, the red line running across the bottom of the door, a dash of red on one side of the roof rails, etc. As you move inside, you get to see the red bits on the air conditioner knobs, the air vents both in front and rear, the seats, the steering wheel cover, the gear knob cover stitching, door panel stitching, etc. Apart from the words ‘Turbo’ and the variant name displayed at the rear of the vehicle, for the Sport variant you also get a neat ‘Sport’ name plate on the C-pillar.
ENGINE OPTIONS
TRANSMISSION OPTIONS
1.2 litre Kappa Petrol
* 5-speed manual transmission
1.0 litre Kappa Turbo GDi Petrol
* 6-speed manual transmission, * 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission or DCT * New 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission or iMT
1.5 l U2 CRDi Diesel
* 6-speed manual transmission
MANUAL, AUTOMATIC & IMT To understand an iMT, you need to understand that there are two broad categories of transmissions: Manual and Automatic. Manual transmissions are either 4-speed or 5-speed or 6-speed and so forth. Similarly, automatic transmissions also have different speed categories. In a manual transmission one has to change gears manually and to do so one has to operate the clutch pedal on the floor. Each time you need to change the gear, you need to depress the clutch pedal. In an automatic, there is no clutch pedal and in order to shift to higher gears and pick up speed all you need to do is to press the accelerator pedal after shifting the gear lever to the ‘D’ or Drive mode. Automatic vehicles do not have a clutch pedal. Many modern automatic
transmissions also come with manual mode wherein you can shift the lever from D mode and engage the + and – to downshift or up shift the gears manually. Some automatic vehicles also have paddle shifts on either side of the steering wheel where you can with your hands tug at the + and – paddle shifts to change gears manually while driving. But in such cases the manual intervention is limited and the moment you start making mistakes the system overrides the manual function.
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So where does an iMT fit in? Here too there is no clutch. Does that make it an automatic or a manual? Well, it has the best of both the worlds, because it still has manual gear shifts and no clutch pedal. There is no ‘D’ or Drive mode as we get in a fully automatic vehicle. My take is that those who have been driving manual transmission cars can get the hang of the iMT better. Why do I say that? Because when you drive a car with manual gear, we understand
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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience
the art of changing our gears from one level to another, forward and backward at different speeds and different rpm levels. A person trained only to drive an automatic car may not get the hang of driving an iMT so easily though the car’s electronics and indicators do help the driver drive to the best of his ability. That is why it is called an intelligent manual transmission.
DRIVING AN IMT VENUE So what is it like driving a car with manual gears and no clutch? Since I have driven both automatics and manuals, I was confident driving the iMT version. The iMT version does away with the clutch pedal and hence the mistakes one makes while changing gears while depressing the clutch pedal are totally eliminated with the iMT. Issues like getting the clutch burned, or sloppy use of clutch or even damaging the clutch while keeping it half depressed are not at all there in this iMT model.
To get an iMT Venue started you have to slot the gear in neutral or else it will not start. Then onwards it is like driving a manual vehicle. Once you slot it into first gear and do not press the accelerator, the car moves slowly or crawls. This is ideal while driving in very slow moving traffic. Also, while driving the Venue with iMT, you realise that as you shift from one gear to another, there are no jerks, which one can experience while driving a vehicle with the use of clutch. Moreover, the gear shifts are smooth. Moving from one gear to another, forward or backward is all done electronically through signals that are sent to the actuators that in turn direct the clutch to work its role. Hyundai’s iMT technology features a Transmission Gear Shift (TGS) Lever with Intention Sensor, Hydraulic Actuator and Transmission Control Unit (TCU). Now let me tell you also
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about the intelligent nature of this transmission since Hyundai insists on calling it an intelligent Manual transmission. Let me take you through some of the issues regarding gear changes:
1. If you were to try starting the car in a gear position other than Neutral, the MID screen displays the info asking you to move the lever to Neutral. Remember, the car only starts if the gear is in neutral position.
2. Once you put it in the first gear and the car picks up speed as you accelerate, the screen message asks you to move up to the next gear. So that’s really cool. So it works both ways while up shifting and downshifting, messages on the screen indicates to you when to change to higher or lower gear, as the case may be. There is also no compromise for an enthusiastic driver because even if one needs to rev up the engine in the first or second gear and the rpm increases and the gear shift indicator flashes on the TFT screen, the iMT does not automatically move to the higher gear, unlike in some of the pure automatic cars.
3. Another situation worth understanding is when you move into higher gears and you have to stop suddenly for some reason, you simply apply the brakes, the engine does not shut off. But from that stationery position when your gear is on any level above 2, you try to move the car by pressing the accelerator, you realise the car does not move. SO applying
AVAILABLE iMT VARIANTS ENGINE
VARIANT
PRICE (EX-SHOWROOM DELHI)
1.0 litre Kappa Turbo GDi Petrol
SX
`9,99,990
1.0 litre Kappa Turbo GDi Petrol
SX Dual Tone (Sport)
`10,20,360
1.0 litre Kappa Turbo GDi Petrol
SX (O)
`10,85,000
1.0 litre Kappa Turbo GDi Petrol
SX (O) Dual Tone (Sport)
`11,08,500
the same principles of a manual transmission, you have to slot it to a lower gear like one or two and then accelerate, the car begins to move. Again the instructions to move to a lower gear are displayed on the MID screen for you to see and execute. A warning beep sound is also there to tell you that you are making a mistake.
4. What happens if a driver were to engage 4 directly from level 1 while driving? Well in that case the intelligent transmission intervenes and tries to either warn you with a beep sound or it corrects the course if it is possible. Let me explain that clearly. Suppose the car is in first gear and the driver presses the accelerator and the speed is just about 10km per hour and he shifts to 4th gear, then the beep sound warns him that its not possible for even the machine to shift to the 4th gear at the low speed. Got it? Yes, but if the speed is perhaps around 40kmh and one shifts from 2nd gear to say the 5th gear, the engine does intelligently match the rpm levels by bringing it down and ensuring that the car continues to run in the 5th gear. Similarly, from a higher level if one
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were to shift to a lower level, and the speeds allow that, then the iMT raises the rpm accordingly and lets the car move in the lower gear. Impressed? Well, that in short is the intelligent Manual transmission which through its warnings through beeps and instructions on the MID screen helps you to navigate. Hyundai is the first auto company to introduce the iMT. The closest that one got to the word ‘Manual’ without clutch was when companies introduced the AMT or Automated Manual Transmission in its cars. But then again, AMT is a lot different from the iMT, both in technology and in price. Talking of price, the SX (O) iMT is only expensive than the manual variant by a mere Rs 23,500. But if you compare the price difference between a DCT and a manual, the former is expensive by Rs 1,14,000. So who could be the buyers of an iMT version of Venue? Obviously it would be for those who want to get rid of the clutch but still don’t mind shifting gears. It is like enjoying the best of both the worlds.
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B2B NEWS
Indian Auto Component Industry de-grows 11.7 per cent in FY 2019-20 The turnover of the Indian automotive component industry has registered a degrowth of (-) 11.7 per cent compared to the previous year at Rs. 3.49 lakh crore (USD 49.2 billion) for the period April 2019 to March 2020. These were some of the findings of the Industry Performance Review for the fiscal year2019-20 announced by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the apex body representing India’s auto component manufacturing industry. Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA said, “The overall vehicle industry witnessed a severe downturn in 2019-20that saw its sales slump by 18%. The component industry, in tandem, posted a subdued performance with de-growth of 11.7 per cent over the year, registering a turnover ofRs.3.49 lakh crore (USD 49.2 billion).” He said the Auto Component Aftermarket at Rs.69,381 crore (USD 9.8 billion) remained stable while sales to OEMs in the domestic market at Rs.2.87 lakh crore (USD 40.5 billion) declined 17 per cent. Both Imports and exports declined by 11.4 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively; Imports stood at Rs. 1.09 lakh crore (USD 15.4 billion), while exports at Rs. 1.02 lakh crore (USD 14.5 billion). Deepak Jain, President, ACMA said, “The automotive industry faced a prolonged slowdown in FY 2019-20 with vehicle sales in all segments plummeting significantly. Subdued vehicle demand, investments made for transition from BSIV to BSVI, liquidity crunch, lack of a clarity on policy for electrification of vehicles and slow-down in key export markets, among others, had an adverse impact on the performance of the components sector in India as also on its expansion plans”. “The auto component industry has
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displayed remarkable resilience in wake of the lockdown; the industry faced acute challenges on the front of working capital, production and dysfunctional logistics. However, with unlocking of economy, growth seems to be returning to the industry with uptick in vehicle consumption especially in the two-wheelers, passenger vehicles and the tractor segments, although sales of commercial vehicles continue to be challenged,” Jain added. Jain, however, expected the component industry’s performance to return to preCOVID levels by the festive season should the ramp-up be not stymied by lockdowns in manufacturing zones and lack of availability of manpower. “Going forward, to allow for uninterrupted production in the automotive value chain, despite local lockdowns, ACMA has recommended to the Government to accord ‘continuous production industry’ status to the automotive industry”, he noted. The long-term prospects of the Indian auto component industry continue to be bright, especially with focus of the Government on ‘Atma-nirbharta’ and global competitiveness of the industry, he said. “The auto component industry and the vehicle industry are closely working together for ‘deep-localisation’ and import substitution, which will result in higher value-addition by the auto component manufacturers making the sector exports competitive”, added Jain. ACMA, meanwhile, continues to support the vehicle industry in their request to the government for enhancing vehicle demand in the country through reduction in GST on all vehicle categories to 18 per cent and introduction of an incentive based scrappage policy. For the components sector, ACMA continues to recommend a uniform 18 per
cent GST rate across the auto component sector; currently 60 per cent of the auto components attract 18 per cent GST rate, while the rest 40 per cent, majority of which are two-wheelers and tractor components, attract 28 per cent. The latter high rate has led to flourishing grey operations in the aftermarket. A benign rate of 18 per cent will not only ensure better compliance but will also ensure a larger tax base. Key findings of the ACMA Annual Industry Performance Review for 2019-20: • EXPORTS: Exports of auto components witnessed degrowth of 3.2 per cent to Rs.1.02 lakh crore (USD 14.5 billion) in 2019-20 from Rs 1.06 lakh crore (USD 15.2 billion) in 2018-19. Europe accounting for 30 per cent of exports, saw a decline of 11 percent, while North America and Asia, accounting for30 per cent and 27 per cent respectively remained stable. The key export items included drive transmission & steering, engine components, Body/ Chassis, Suspension & Braking etc. • IMPORTS: Slowdown in the domestic market also reflected on imports of component into India. Component imports fell by 11.4per cent to Rs.1.09 lakh crore (USD 15.4billion) in 2019-20 from Rs.1.23 lakh crore(USD 17.7billion) in 2018-19. Asia accounted for 65 per cent of imports followed by Europe and North America at26 per cent and 8 per cent respectively. Imports from Asia declined by 7 per cent, while those from Europe by 22 per cent and from North America by 17 per cent. • AFTERMARKET: The aftermarket in FY2019-20remained stable despite a downturn in the vehicle industry. The turnover of the aftermarket stood at Rs 69.381 crore (USD 9.8 billion)growing marginally by 2.8 percent over the previous year.
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B2B NEWS
File photo. Picture for representation purpose only
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B2B NEWS
Grinntech unveils high-tech batteries for Indian EVs Grinntech, an investor-backed start-up specialising in LithiumIon batteries for EVs and energy storage systems, has unveiled a range of high-tech batteries with unique designs customised to Indian conditions along with its proprietary, IoT-enabled BMS to power 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers and tractors/
light vehicles. This announcement marks the transformation of Grinntech from an IIT-Madras incubated start-up to a funded commercial enterprise, enabling rapid adoption of EV technologies. Compared to many commodity battery kits that are imported, Grinntech’s batteries offer the combination of design sophistication and quality to ensure superior performance and durability. Grinntech has attracted
industry leaders such as Dr. V. Sumantran (former ViceChairman of Ashok Leyland Ltd.) and Lakshmi Narayanan (co-founder and former ViceChairman of Cognizant) as investors and to serve on the company’s Board of Directors. Having evolved energy storage solutions through years of dedicated R&D, Grinntech’s new facility will manufacture
Robin-72 and Shikhra smart and personalized 2- and 3-wheeler battery solutions using stateof-the-art automated processes and assembly lines. The facility will also manufacture Pintail an IOT-enabled 2-wheeler starter battery and the Falcon, a larger battery suited to tractors and light vehicles. The modular production layout will allow for easy scaling up as demand grows.
BorgWarner begins supply of EGR modules for FCA mild hybrids BorgWarner’s exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) module which includes cooler and valve will be the company’s first gasoline EGR module to be used on mild-hybrid engine technology for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) region. BorgWarner is a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. BorgWarner now supplies its EGR technology to the latest Fire Fly gasoline engine, which was developed for the Fiat 500 and Panda hybrid models. Its compact package reduces weight and therefore lowers the emissions of Fiat’s naturally
aspirated 1.0-litre, threecylinder engine. The technology is used to contain combustion temperatures and increase engine efficiency by recirculating exhaust gas back into the intake air, delivering reduced brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and improved fuel economy, supporting industry goals for cleaner-running hybrid applications. Moreover, it also reduces brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) due to de-throttling within the part load area. Featuring hybrid tube technology and materials,
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BorgWarner’s EGR coolers are proven to resist fatigue caused by the high temperatures in gasoline engines. Additionally, the valve directly measures valve lift which increases the accuracy of EGR control.
BorgWarner offers a broad range of versatile and multifunctional EGR solutions for gasoline and diesel applications in the commercial-vehicle markets. These solutions include individual components as well as complete modules equipped with valves and coolers for high- and low-pressure EGR systems.
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B2B NEWS
ICRA feels Delhi EV Policy 2020 beneficial in long-term for electric vehicle industry ICRA Ratings has said that the recent Electric Vehicle (EVs) Policy 2020, finalised by the Government of National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi augers well for the overall development of the EV industry. The policy seeks to drive rapid adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with the goal of reducing air pollution in the Nation’s Capital. It offers subsidies, waivers, and incentives on purchase of EVs on one hand and disincentivises use of conventional viz. Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) based vehicles on the other. The incentives would be offered
across segments like electric two wheelers (e-2W), e-rickshaws (3W), goods carriers, electric cars, and buses and would be incremental to those offered under the FAME-II Scheme. Shamsher Dewan, Vice President, ICRA says, “We believe that the Policy holds multiple attractive propositions for the potential e-2W customers. The concern for deteriorating air pollution conditions in the national capital had already been gaining momentum for past many years. With a progressive EV Policy in place, the 2W consumers will be able
to contribute towards alleviating the situation while benefiting from the lower upfront cost as well as total cost of 2W ownership. The high upfront cost of the e-2W vis-à-vis conventional 2Ws has been one of the main hindrance for faster e-2W penetration, which will get addressed through the attractive demand incentives under the Policy. While scrappage incentive is first of its kind in an EV policy, industry response to the requirement of matching participation by OEMs/ dealers and de-registration of conventional 2W remains to be seen.”
The 2W are the dominant mode of commute in India and with the ongoing pandemic, the preference for personal vehicle is expected to increase further. The subsidies and incentives offered under the scheme for retail consumers and manufacturers could therefore give a longneeded push for faster EV penetration and development of this ecosystem in New Delhi. As per ICRA, coupled with the FAMEII incentives, the upfront e-2W prices would become 25-30% lower than conventional 2Ws (for basic models) thereby proving to be a catalyst for accelerated e-2W penetration.
Studds sets up Asia’s biggest helmet manufacturing facility in Haryana Studds Accessories Ltd., the world’s largest manufacturer of two-wheeler helmets (in terms of volumes sold in a year), has commenced operations at its new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Faridabad in Haryana. Spread across an area of over 5.5 acres, the company has made an initial investment of over Rs.160 crore to set-up the largest helmet manufacturing facility in Asia. Apart from producing some of the most popular motorcycle helmets from Studds, including the Shifter and Thunder series, the facility will also produce bicycle helmets for domestic market. In addition to setting-up the biggest helmet manufacturing
facility in Asia, Studds also recently began operations at its another manufacturing plant, which is India’s only facility with an in-house Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) production line. EPS is a crushable foam used in helmet production and is the most important safety feature in the helmet. Spread across 1.5 acres, Studds has invested Rs. 40 Crore in the second plant, marking a total investment of over Rs. 200 Crore in the manufacturing plants.
are highly automated and bring some of the best manufacturing processes to the Indian market, including paint shop, moulding, visor coating, packaging and warehousing.
The new plants will have production capacity of 7.5 million units of motorcycle helmets and 1.5 million bicycle helmets per annum. These facilities will ensure direct employment for over 1500 individuals. The world-class facilities
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With these new manufacturing units, Studds now has four manufacturing factories in the country, all of them located in Faridabad, Haryana. Studds is currently exporting its helmets to more than 40 countries and the new plant is aimed at ramping up the exports. The company also plans to introduce a new range of exciting helmets within this financial year.
SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 51
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
Volta Trucks reveals Volta Zero First full-electric 16 tonne large CV
Volta Trucks, the start-up electric vehicle manufacturer from Sweden, has revealed the new Volta Zero – its first vehicle and the world’s first purpose-built full-electric 16-tonne commercial vehicle designed specifically for inner-city parcel and freight distribution. From launch, the Volta Zero will be a significant contributor to the future vision of zeroemission cities all over the world. The Volta Zero will start undertaking operator trials with some of Europe’s largest parcel delivery and logistics companies in H1-2021. Orders have already been taken from companies wanting to secure the first customerspecification vehicles, which are due
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to be delivered when production starts in 2022. “Commercial vehicles form the lifeblood of commerce and livelihoods in cities, but today’s large trucks dangerously impose themselves on our streets and dominate their surroundings. With the launch of the Volta Zero, we are changing the face of road transport. Volta Trucks is redefining the perception of the large commercial vehicle, and how it operates in and integrates with, the zero-emission towns and cities of the future. This is made possible by the three pillars that define both Volta Trucks as a business and the Volta Zero - safety, sustainability, and
electrification. Add to that our unique Truck as a Service proposition that reimagines a fleet manager’s business model. At Volta Trucks, we are directly contributing to society’s migration towards an electrified future,” said Rob Fowler, Chief Executive Officer of Volta Trucks. Designed from a blank sheet of paper to be the safest commercial vehicle. “Safety is at the heart of the Volta brand for one simple reason. In London, as an example, 23% of pedestrian fatalities and 58% of cyclist deaths involve an HGV, yet large trucks only account for 4% of road miles.
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This is clearly unacceptable and must change. The Volta Zero completely reimagines the commercial vehicle, ensuring it can operate safely with all road users and become a friend of the zero-emission city,� noted Carl-Magnus Norden, Founder of Volta Trucks. The removal of the traditional internal combustion engine enabled the designers and
engineers of the Volta Zero to completely rethink how a truck has always been designed. The driver of a Volta Zero has a wide 220-degrees of direct vision around the vehicle. This panoramic view of the surroundings through a glasshouse-style cab is designed to deliver a Transport for London five-star Direct Vision Standard rating for optimum visibility and the reduction of
blind spots. The protection of vulnerable road users is also enhanced by the use of rear-view cameras that replace traditional mirrors, a 360-degree birds-eye camera showing the driver their complete surroundings, and blind-sport warning systems that detect objects down the sides of the vehicle. The driver of a Volta Zero sits far lower than in a conventional
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truck, with their eye-line at around 1.8 meters. This mirrors the height of pedestrians and other road users nearby for easy visual communication between the driver and others around. Safety and comfort for the driver have been optimized by minimising cognitive overload. The design of the cabin is contemporary, spacious, and light, with intuitive user
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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
interfaces. The central display conveys critical information while touch screens on each side are used for lights, climate control, navigation and trip planning, communication, and in-cab media. A natural pallet of colours, materials, and finishes give a comfortable yet elegant interior that will appeal to a wide demographic of potential drivers. With the Volta Zero, Volta Trucks is changing the experience and workspace for drivers, offering them an environment more akin to a premium car than today’s perception of a traditional commercial vehicle.
To aid ingress and egress, the removal of the internal combustion means the driver sits in a central driving position with a swivel seat. They have easy access through fast opening sliding doors on either side of the cabin to enter or exit either side of the vehicle into the busy or narrow streets. “By removing the traditional internal combustion engine that has always sat high in the front of a truck, we had a clean sheet of paper to design the commercial vehicle suitable for the 21st century, rethinking the layout and design the truck and its cab. We
had three main priorities for the design of the cab. We wanted it to be best in class for safety, ease and efficiency of ingress and egress, and the best driver environment of any truck on the market. With the Volta Zero, I can comfortably say that we have achieved that goal,” pointed out Carsten Astheimer, Managing Director of Astheimer Design and lead-designer of the Volta Zero.
ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS The Volta Zero will offer the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). ADAS electronic systems help driving, safety, manoeuvring, and parking, and make a significant contribution to the safe operation of larger vehicles. The driver of a Volta Zero will benefit from technologies such as Active Steering, Road Sign Assist, and Reversing Assistant with reversing camera, ensuring they have the latest safety support systems when operating in the confines of the city centre. While on the move, Lane Change Assist and Lane Departure Warning systems ensure that the truck operates as safely as possible. The vehicle’s operator also benefits from a technical status monitoring system, based on
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artificial intelligence, that avoids breakdowns and maximises the uptime of the vehicle. The Volta Zero will be the first road vehicle to use a sustainably sourced natural Flax material and biodegradable resin in the construction of exterior body panels, with the cab’s dark body panels and many interior trims constructed from the natural material. The high-tech Flax weave was developed by Volta’s world-leading supplier, Bcomp of Switzerland, in collaboration with the European Space Agency, and is currently used in 16 of the world’s most competitive motor racing series. The Flax weave is reinforced with Bcomp’s patented powerRibs grid technology. The result is a fully natural, extremely lightweight, high-performance fibre matting that is almost CO2 neutral over its lifecycle. It also matches the stiffness and weight of carbon fibre but uses 75% less CO2 to produce. The Flax matting is combined with a biodegradable resin by world-class composites manufacturer, Bamd in the UK, to produce the body panels for the Volta Zero. The fully bio-based resin, derived from Rape Seed oil, creates a naturally brown coloured matting and a black natural pigment dye is added to complete its darker, technical appearance. At the end of their useful life, the Flax composite parts can be burnt within the standard waste management system and used for thermal energy recovery, unlike alternative composite materials that are usually sent to landfill. This world-first natural composite is not just sustainable
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but is also safer for vehicles operating in inner-city environments. Should an accident occur, the Flax composite bends, reshapes and ultimately snaps, offering a flexible fracture behaviour without sharp edges. This reduces the risk of sharp debris that can injure people or cause further accidents through punctures. hould an incident occur, thanks to the cab’s inner metal spaceframe structure, simulations have shown that this pioneering hybrid use of composite body panels has the same crash and safety performance as conventional steel material. “By 2025, we aim to have saved around 180,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere - the equivalent annual CO2 usage of 24,000 houses - and improved inner-city air quality by emitting no pollutants. But for Volta Trucks, sustainability is much more than just tailpipe emissions. We take an environmental-first approach to all material sourcing and will continue to strain every sinew to ensure we deliver on our mission of becoming the world’s most sustainable commercial vehicle manufacturer,” said Fowler. With its deep knowledge of the logistics industry, Volta Trucks understands that the real-world operating range of an electric commercial vehicle is a make-orbreak decision in its effectiveness on an operator’s fleet. When the Pilot fleet vehicles are driving on the streets of the world’s largest metropolitan cities during 2021, the Volta Zero will offer a pureelectric range of 150 - 200 kms (95 – 125 miles). This is more
than sufficient for the daily use of a ‘last-mile’ delivery vehicle and has been validated using simulations with a full payload. At launch, Volta Trucks will be the first full-electric large commercial vehicle manufacturer in Europe to use an innovative e-Axle to drive the rear wheels, rather than the conventional electric motor and driveshaft set up used by the small number of other electric truck manufacturers. The single electric motor, transmission, and axle of the Volta Zero are contained in a lightweight and compact e-Axle unit that’s lighter and more efficient, delivering an increased range as a result. It also provides packaging benefits by freeing up space between the chassis rails. This is where Volta Trucks fits the battery of the vehicle – the safest possible location.
SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE BATTERY TECHNOLOGY The Volta Zero will use 160 -
200 kWh of battery power, and Volta Trucks has selected to fit the vehicle with Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries instead of a Nickel Cobalt Manganese set up used in most passenger cars. The Lithium Iron Phosphate battery will be highly modular, enabling Volta Trucks to adapt the vehicle to an operator’s specific requirements. The Lithium Iron Phosphate battery technology is well suited to large commercial vehicle use. It delivers a long cycle life, robust cell design, and good thermal stability, enhancing safety. Located between the chassis rails, the battery is as far away from an accident as possible. Should the vehicle be involved in a significant accident that punctures a battery cell, the Lithium Iron Phosphate battery is very stable and does not ignite. By contrast, should a Nickel Cobalt Manganese battery cell be punctured, they can burn at extremely high temperatures. With commercial vehicles
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operating within public and depot environments, the use of Lithium Iron Phosphate negates these significant safety and insurance challenges. The Volta Zero offers a payload of 8,600kgs, with an overall volume of 37.7m3 and is designed to accommodate 16 Euro pallets. A refrigerated cargo box will also be available, without reducing overall volume as a result of the vehicle design. Volta Trucks is integrating the use of the vehicle’s battery for the cooling and refrigeration unit of the cargo box that’s normally diesel-powered, thus further reducing CO2 or particulate emissions from commercial vehicle operations. The Volta Zero is 9,460mm in length, 3,470mm high and 2,550mm wide, with a wheelbase of 4,800mm. Its Gross Vehicle Weight is 16,000kgs and the vehicle is limited to a top speed of 90km/h (56mph).
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VECV acquires Bengaluru -based Volvo Buses India VECV, joint venture between Eicher Motors and Volvo of Sweden, will be acquiring Volvo Buses India for a sum of Rs 100 crore. Definitive Agreements have been signed for the integration of Volvo Buses India business into VECV. They will cover the manufacture, assembly, distribution, and sale of the Volvo buses in India, and other rights forming part of the business. Consequently, the bus manufacturing facility at Hosakote, Bengaluru, and all employees of Volvo Bus India (VBI) will be transferred to VECV. Volvo Bus India is currently a division of Volvo Group India Private Limited (VGIPL). Akash Passey, Senior Vice President, Volvo Bus Corporation will join as President of the newly formed VECV Bus Division. He will repatriate to India for this role and report to Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VECV. Post the completion of the transaction,
VECV and VBI will consolidate their bus businesses into a newly formed bus division within VECV. This division will offer Volvo and Eicher branded buses, and will maximise synergies to capitalise on market opportunities. This strategy will be extended to exports, wherein the new bus division will offer products and services that are complementary with Volvo Buses’ core product portfolio in select international markets. Vinod Aggarwal, Managing Director and CEO, VECV
“On the occasion, Vinod Aggarwal, Managing Director and CEO, VECV said “VECV’s strong presence in the Indian bus market with Eicher branded buses will be complemented by Volvo Buses’ prominent position in the premium bus segment. With this integration, VECV will be able to leverage synergies in the areas of product development, purchasing and manufacturing with access to Volvo Group’s world class technology in buses.”
Akash Passey, Senior Vice President, Volvo Bus Corporation
“The Volvo Bus is a flag bearer of the Volvo Brand in India and we expect going forward this will be re-inforced even further by our JV partner – VE Commercial Vehicles,” added Kamal Bali, President & MD, VGIPL “Going forward, customers and partners can expect the same high level of customer care and world-class products from both Volvo and Eicher brands. The new division will also engage further in the dynamic Indian market driven by megatrends such as urbanization, e-mobility and connectivity,” says Akash Passey, Senior Vice President, Volvo Bus Corporation. The transaction will be completed once the conditions under the agreements are fulfilled and the final business transfer is expected to be closed within the next two months.
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Mahindra, REE Automotive of Israel to develop electric CVs India based Mahindra & Mahindra and Israel-based REE Automotive have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore development and manufacturing of electric commercial vehicles for global markets. REE Automotive is an electric platform leader and has developed the next generation EV platform which is completely flat, scalable and modular providing customers full design freedom to create the broadest range of EV, and autonomous vehicles for current and future applications, including last mile delivery, MaaS, light to medium duty EV logistics and robo taxis, according to the information provided on the company website. REE has developed two core innovations: the REEcorner integrates all traditional vehicle components into the arch of the wheel and thus carrying the REEboard – a completely flat and modular electric platform. The Mahindra-REE strategic collaboration will leverage REE’s revolutionary electric vehicle corner module and platform technology of integrating powertrain, suspension and steering components in the arch of a vehicle wheel. This coupled with Mahindra’s wellestablished vehicle design, engineering, sourcing capability and manufacturing assets, is set to be a win-win strategic partnership for both companies.
scaled further to support additional volume in the global as well as Indian market. “Our collaboration with REE has the potential to bring a disruptive approach to a new age of vehicles capitalizing on our respective strengths,” said Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director (Auto and Farm Sectors), Mahindra & Mahindra. “The competitive advantages of REE’s corner modular architecture with our experience in conventional vehicle system design, engineering, sourcing ecosystem and significant production capacity, provides a perfect match to deliver exciting zero emission vehicles, including autonomous vehicles, that can meet customer needs as never before,” he added.
“We are excited to partner with Mahindra to explore synergies that will allow us to address our customers’ needs based on Mahindra’s footprint and capabilities. Mahindra’s unique cost structure, design and engineering capabilities and volume flexibility will be key to our ability to address the majority of the commercial EV market with both large volume vehicles as well as more targeted missionspecific vehicles,” said Daniel Barel, REE Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer. “ REE’s transformational technology is designed for current and future e-mobility applications, including autonomous vehicles, and offers significant benefits in terms of weight, space and total body design flexibility. The scalability of the platform makes it ideal for any form of electric vehicle such as commercial vehicles, mid-duty delivery trucks, last mile delivery, passenger cars, taxis and shuttles.
The partnership will support REE’s global customer need for 200,000-250,000 electric commercial vehicle units over a few years, including potential Mahindra’s domestic and international volumes. Production would be
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TECHNOLOGY
Toyota, Honda to test mobile power generation / output system Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Honda R&D Co., Ltd. (Honda) will create a mobile power generation/ output system, Moving e, which consists of a fuel cell bus that can carry a large amount of hydrogen, portable external power output devices and
portable batteries, and will begin demonstration testing of the system’s ability to deliver electricity anytime and anywhere. When a power grid is damaged during a disaster such as typhoons and
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rainstorms, people suffer from an interruption in the supply of power to their homes and evacuation centers. To address this issue, Toyota and Honda will bring technologies together to create a mobile power generation/output system and conduct demonstration
testing of delivering electricity to people. Taking advantage of its mobility, the Moving e can be utilised as a “phase-free” system which can be used in times of a disaster to support disaster response by supplying
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TECHNOLOGY
electricity in an affected area, as well as in normal times for routine uses such as supplying power at an event. Through this demonstration testing, the two companies will confirm the actual needs of people and verify usability of the system. The Moving e mobile power generation/output system will consist of:
•
Toyota’s Charging Station fuel cell bus
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 59
TECHNOLOGY
• Honda’s Power Exporter 9000 portable external power output device • Two types of Honda’s portable batteries: LiB-AID E500 and Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) • Honda Mobile Power Pack Charge & Supply Concept charger/ discharger for MPP The Charging Station loaded with all equipment will be driven to the place and the Moving e will supply electricity in actual locations. More specifically, portable external power output devices and portable batteries will be used to take electricity out of the fuel cell bus, which serves as a power source, and feed electricity to electrical appliances. Based on the previous version of Toyota FC bus, the Charging Station fuel cell bus that has been developed is equipped with twice as many high-pressure hydrogen tanks that significantly increased the amount of hydrogen it can carry, enabling the Charging Station to feature a high-output and large-capacity power generation capacity (generates 454kWh with maximum output of 18kW).
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TECHNOLOGY
In case of power outage during a disaster, this large capacity enables the Moving e to supply electricity in indoor areas such as an evacuation center, as well as inside vehicles by storing electricity generated by the Charging Station in large-capacity portable batteries, namely Honda Mobile Power Packs
and LiB-AID E500 via the Power Exporter 9000. Furthermore, featuring a space where people can take a nap, the Charging Station can serve not only as a means of transportation but also as a place for
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people to rest in times of a disaster. The two companies will verify the effectiveness of the Moving e mobile power generation / output system as a phase-free system through various uses by municipalities and businesses which fulfill the necessary conditions and are willing to cooperate with the testing.
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PICTURE OF THE MONTH
Motown India team took the 2020 Jeep Compass Limited Plus BS6 into the hinterland of Saharanpur, UP. The slushy and battered terrain proved to be the ideal playground for this 4X4. Detailed report in Oct 2020 issue of Motown India magazine. 62 | MOTOWN INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2020
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KERALA We are in this together. S tay safe, stay healthy!
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KERALA GOD’S OWN COUNTRY
S tay safe, stay healthy! Artwork created by MPPL team
WE SHALL BE BACK SOON!
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