Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2019 i Car India

With the success the MG Hector has seen thus far in India, the hot new brand will be bringing in their new ZS EV compact crossover, revealed in July, potentially as soon as the end of the year. They also say it will be among the most competitively priced offerings of its kind and, thus, hope to attract a wider spectrum of buyers. MG say the ZS EV is their most high-tech car ever. It is equipped with the MG Pilot driver assistance suite that sets new standards and also delivers exceptional value for money. The ZS EV combines the spacious qualities of the original ZS compact crossover with an efficient new electric powertrain. This powertrain comprises an intelligently packaged and water-cooled 44.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a front-mounted 105-kW…

ICONIC BRITISH LUXURY CAR MAKERS, BENTLEY, RECENTLY celebrated their centenary, and in some style ― showing the new EXP 100 GT that looks to the future of luxury mobility. The new EXP 100 GT is a physical embodiment of the future Bentley brand that aims to set the benchmark for sustainable luxury mobility that is both autonomous and electric. The EXP 100 GT is an intelligent car which use and emotionally intelligent AI aimed at capturing experience and creating new memories and allowing them to be relived. With sustainable innovation, the zero-emission powertrain offers up to 700 km of predicted range, all while having exquisite materials and protection. The fully autonomous car can be driven when one wishes to enjoy the thrill of driving. Among the details are the use…

AUDI RECENTLY SHOWCASED THEIR fIRST-EVER, ALL-ELECTRIC SUV: THE E-TRON 55 quattro. The e-tron reflects the fundamentals of Audi design being translated into the electric age. Typically, the e-tron bears the octagonal-design single-frame grille with vertical struts. The Matrix LED headlights have four horizontal struts to create the unique daytime light signature. At the rear, slats in the wide diffuser point to the omission of exhaust pipes. The size of the e-tron is in between the Q5 and the Q7 and it has proper tyres unlike other EVs that are fitted with skinny tyres for efficiency. The e-tron uses asynchronous motors, one 125-kW (170-hp) in the front and a 140-kW (190-hp) motor at the rear, and offers electric four-wheel drive. These motors can also increase their output for a short period…

IF YOU ARE LIVING IN AN UPPER-CRUST metropolitan, then owning a premium, luxury car from a globally renowned brand like Audi is an essentially painless prospect. From the glittering, glass-fronted showroom with its classy, understated interior to the top-of-the-line service team who put professionalism and efficiency at the forefront of all their efforts. The brand with Four Rings has worked hard to establish this robust network since it first entered India back in 2007 and these efforts have received global recognition too. The Audi India team has nabbed a podium finish as first runners-up in the International Audi Twin Cup, a competition that sees teams from Audi’s imprints all over the world going head-to-head in technology and service categories to see who comes out on top. This victory isn’t a…

Our long-term experiment with the CEAT Milaze X3 tyres has come to a close. A little more than a year ago, we undertook the challenge of testing the mileage of the CEAT Milaze X3 tyres. We joined hands with Mumbai-based Ahura Car Services and shod a few of their cars with these tyres. Over the past year, the cars have gone about their usual business and we have monitored the tyres at periodic intervals to check for wear and tear. Life as a set of tyres for a cab in Mumbai is definitely not easy. Over the past year, the Milaze X3s have seen it all from inclement weather to long trips over all kinds of roads. The routine checks in the past did not yield any cause for worry.…

DRIVING THROUGH THE SMALL COUNTY OF KERRY IN IRELAND — along its famous Ring of Kerry, a picturesque circular driving route known the world over for its incredible vistas — was a bit of a daunting undertaking. The lanes were narrow, the views on offer were so beautiful that they constantly drew the eye away from the tarmac, there was the constant threat of encroaching animals from the farms along the route, and I was driving a left-hand-drive car (the fleet of press test SUVs were brought in from Germany) on a right-hand-drive road. And it isn’t like the Q7 is a compact little hatch either. All of this was rolling through my head as I got behind the wheel for my go. But then that was because I wasn’t…

LEARNING IS CONTINUOUS. It never stops. Every day is learning experience and everything can be, if one chooses to see every moment as a teacher. Let not past mistakes be repeated. If they are, let new lessons be learned. Let pure nerve and outstanding courage be joined not just by focus and perseverance but also by unwavering commitment and, most importantly, direction. When these come together, it feels not like magic, not complicated, but utterly simple; like something that was waiting to happen. And then realization hits. It was meant to be. With demands of consumers growing due to market evolution, yet consumer demand falling due to future uncertainties, there hasn’t been a tougher time for anything to prove itself. The BMW X7, then, is an all-new offering in a…

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A GRAND tourer but want to stand out from the usual European choices, then this is what you should be looking at. The 2020 LC 500h, flagship luxury coupé from Lexus, aims to bring together all the goodness of brands like Bentley Continental GT and the new BMW 8 Series, served with a pinch of authentic Japanese flavour. Just look at the seductively curvy body with the flared-up wheel-arches and pulled-in doors which create a narrow waist. Some suggest that the profile is inspired by the form of a crouching tiger. And I agree. This beast is about to pounce on the Indian market towards the end of the year. Since we’ll be getting the hybrid version and not the fire-breathing 5.0-litre V8 monster, the question…

SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES (SUV) ARE AMONG the most sought-after styles of vehicles today and in a way understandably so. Versatility is the key here, with a slight adventurous tone mixed with life in the big city. The SUV segment has never been as vast as it is today. Choices range from the small hatchbacks on stilts such as the Honda WR-V to brands such as the raging bull Lamborghini with the Rs 3-crore Urus or the aristocrats’ favourite, Rolls Royce Cullinan, priced very reasonably in the Rs 7-crore region. Either way, there is something for everyone and here we are going to look at one of the SUV segments — the cut-throat mid-sized crossover segment in India. Currently, that particular segment is being ruled by the Hyundai Creta, a favourite…

BALBIR SINGH DHILLON Head, Audi India There has been a change at the helm of Audi India. Dhillon will take over from Rahil Ansari with effect from 1 September 2019 as the latter is moving to a global role at Audi AG. Earlier, Dhillon was the head of dealer development. He brings to the table 23 years of experience in the automotive field. His first stint with the German giant was from 2007 to 2012. During that time, he worked as the head of sales field force and gained experience in areas such as sales, network profitability, business strategy, and field sales. He has also served at Audi Middle East, Porsche India, and Honda India. Audi’s additions to the line-up in the past year include the new Q5 and Lifestyle…

IT WAS THE END OF MERCEDES’ domination after eight races as a charging Max Verstappen stunned audiences with his race craft and took the chequered flag to take his and Red Bull Racing’s first win this season as also the first for Honda since their return to Formula 1 in 2015. After qualifying saw Charles Leclerc put his Ferrari on pole position with conviction, it was clear he would be the favourite to win. However, as the race began, his strategy proved otherwise. The Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas was right on his tail at first, but the young Ferrari driver kept him at bay. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, didn’t have the best of luck with his electronics costing him heavily at the first corner, dropping down to seventh. His teammate, Gasly,…

THE MRF MMSC FMSCI INDIAN National Car Racing Championship (INCRC) returned to Madras for the third round of the championship. Along with the usual fixtures, the FIA Formula 4 South-East Asia series also graced the track for a round of their international series, giving some of our Indian drivers a taste of competition at the international level. Now on to the highlights. MRF F1600 Eighteen-year-old Sohil Shah (Bengaluru) impressed everyone by putting in a hot lap (1:39.218) that earned him pole position for the following day’s race. Giving him company at the front was Nayan Chatterjee. Race One Shah was unable to make the most of his pole position because he earned a drive-through penalty for a jump-start. This setback allowed Chatterjee to place himself at the front and he…

Logbook Variant: 1.1 Sportz Smart Auto Driven: 5,892 km Like: Ride quality, robust build Dislike: Limited wiper settings The Santro is entering its last couple of months with us and it has been an absolute gem. After dealing with dismal road conditions – far more deteriorated than they were since the last report – the Santro impeccable quality and quiet cabin are testimony to its robust build quality. It’s taken pot-holes, crevices and craters in its stride that full-time 4x4 SUVs slow down for to pick up their skirts. The only annoyance remains the wipers. The rear washer/wiper aside, the front windscreen wipers lack an intermittent setting so it’s either manual swish or speed one, nothing in the middle. Nevertheless, it’s something I can live with given its seemingly flawless…

BMW HAVE REVEALED THE NEW X6 SPORTS ACTIVITY COUPÉ WHICH gets several styling and technology updates apart from new engines ― in line with the new X5 and X7. The new X6 is 4,935 millimetres long, 2,004 mm wide, and 1,696 mm high with a wheelbase measuring 2,975 mm. That makes it 26 mm longer, 15 mm wider, and six mm lower with a wheelbase 42 mm longer than the outgoing model. It also gets a 44-mm wider front track and a lower centre of gravity than its predecessor. The new X6 features, among other things, the large twin kidney grilles that now also feature illumination. Available as an option, the illuminated BMW kidney grille forms part of the daytime light system and is activated by opening or closing the…

THE XL6 IS A NEW CROSSOVER BASED ON the Ertiga that Maruti Suzuki are all set to launch later this month through their Nexa Experience showrooms. It spiritually follows the lineage of the XL7 SUV. The new XL6 looks sleeker, burlier, and more robust than the Ertiga. It will offer a six-seat configuration, compared to the Ertiga which is a seven-seater, with the middle row featuring two captain seats instead of the usual bench. The beige cabin in the Ertiga will be replaced by an all-black finish. The interior is expected to be almost similar but will have more premium upholstery than the Ertiga. The new XL6 is expected to be offered with the 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine making 105 hp and 138 Nm and mated to a five-speed gearbox.…

BMW X7 THE NEW X7 IS THE FIRST-EVER SUPER-LUXURY SUV FROM BMW and is available in petrol and diesel, both priced at Rs 98.9 lakh (ex-showroom). There is a considerable gap between where the X5 seven-seater ends and the X7 begins. Built on the Cluster Architecture (CLAR), the new X7 takes the luxury SUV to a higher plane; literally. It gets a massive front grille with undeniable road presence, measuring over five metres long and two metres wide. Adaptive air suspension all-round makes for among the best dynamic ride characteristics in the segment. Inside, the cabin features plush and elegant elements, with BMW Live Cockpit Professional taking centre stage. The large screens provide access to every bit of requisite information. The Parking Assistant Plus features a rear-view camera as well…

KENWOOD KENWOOD’s flagship model DDX9019S • 6.8-inch high-definition display • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via USB ready • Wireless mirroring for compatible Android phones • Rich and immersive Hi-Res audio with FLAC/MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC support • Compatible video formats: MPEG4/H.264/MKV/WMV • 13-band equalizer/Digital Time Alignment/three-way X’over/high voltage 5.0V three preouts • Three-camera input with guideline, direct OEM steering remote interface KENWOOD’s mecha-less multimedia model DMX8019S • 7-inch WVGA display • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ready (both via USB) • Rich and immersive Hi-Res audio with FLAC/MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC support • Compatible video formats: MPEG4/H.264/MKV/WMV • 13-band equalizer/Digital Time Alignment/High voltage 4.0V three Preouts • Three-camera input with guideline, direct OEM steering wheel remote interface KENWOOD’s mecha-less multimedia model DMX1025BT • 6.8-inch WVGA capacitive display • New panel design with key layout…

THE PLANNING FOR A ROAD TRIP DOESN’T BEGIN AND END with picking out the destination, carefully packing an appropriate wardrobe, and booking your hotel. It takes a little extra effort apart from all that, as we demonstrate using the excellent Škoda Kodiaq L&K edition which we drove from Pune to Mahabaleshwar in the thick of the monsoon. The Kodiaq’s Laurin & Klement comes with an excellent four-wheel-drive system which allowed us to stray off the highway in the search of scenic beauty. Its capable 2.0-litre TDI engine with 150 PS and 340 Nm on tap allowed us to cover distances rapidly and the seven-speed DSG automatic meant we could do so without breaking into a sweat. The Kodiaq handles like a dream, offers great ground clearance and a plush ride.…

WE’VE SEEN THE KIA BRAND TAKE BABY STEPS IN INDIA AND the Seltos transforming from the storyboard to the SP2 concept. And, finally, we drove the mid-sized SUV in Goa. Being a sister-brand of Hyundai, the Seltos is based on the next-gen Creta platform and both the cars borrow some parts from the common basket. In fact, the new petrol and diesel engine options that the Kia Seltos has brought with it will be used in the BS-VI version of the Creta which will be launched next year. Its design is the Seltos’ strongest aspect. There’s an aura of confidence with bold creases and sharp lines, the highlight being the sweeping headlamps which get the “crown jewel”-inspired lighting and the unmistakable tiger nose grille. The front looks rather busy with…

TO THE ORDINARY EYE, THE 2020 PORSCHE 911 MAY LOOK LIKE ANY other 911, but to the purist, there’s a whole world of difference. There’s the usual scepticism that follows every time Porsche announce a new version of the iconic 911, as fans do not want any changes in this timeless classic. The gen-992 still has the basic ingredients of a 911 like the simple silhouette, which is only marginally larger, by 20 millimetres in length, and still comes with a boxer flat-six mounted on the rear of the car. But Porsche are trying hard to make the sports car attract a wider audience by making it easier to use and comfortable even for longer drives. And since it’s a 911, the performance on the racetrack has also been turned…

IS IT GETTING BETTER? OR DO YOU FEEL the same? Will it make it easier on you now? You got a new one again. To borrow from U2’s “One” seems appropriate. Luxury must move you, and in more ways than one. And with the new 7 Series, BMW seem to have not righted a few wrongs, but actually bettered and evolved whatever could be. Sparkling in the amber lighting in its basement parking slot, its eyes lit up as the Display Key came into play. The all-new 7 Series plug-in hybrid petrol-electric luxury offering was right there in front of me. Several reasons made it a more than exciting proposition for me in the first place. I strongly believe that the plug-in hybrid is the immediate solution to avoid a…

HITTING THE COUNTRYSIDE WHEN THE RAINS TAKE A BREAK is a refreshing experience, to say the very least. The grass is greener on either side, the hills are blanketed in clouds while the crisp air heavy with moisture feels heaven-sent after the appalling levels of pollution in the city. The whole experience is positively therapeutic. Making my way out of the confines, heads turn left, right and centre on the red two-door I’m in, while excited children point and pull out their phones to snap up the new BMW Z4 before it’s out of sight. The new Z4 roadster comes about half a decade after its predecessor made waves here in India. The old sDrive 35i was also a beautiful straight-six sports convertible with a low-slung design and compact proportions.…

VISITING GUWAHATI HAS always been on my bucket list. The North East, in general, has if I’m being honest. Even though this absolute dream of a job has allowed me to travel far and wide within India’s borders, I’ve never had the opportunity to visit this particular corner of our country before. So, when I heard that Honda’s annual Drive to Discover was slated to explore this specific region, I immediately put my name down to be a part of it. I didn’t get much opportunity to explore Assam’s capital, though, as we left early doors in a convoy of Civics and CR-Vs and I found myself firmly perched behind the wheel of the former. We had a ways to go that day, our destination: the river-island district of Majuli.…

MERCEDES-AMG Petronas once again crossed the finish-line in first and second positions as Lewis Hamilton went on to claim his record-breaking sixth win at the legendary Silverstone circuit in front of his home fans. While there was an element of luck involved, he did so in an astounding fashion, finishing 25 seconds clear of his teammate, Valtteri Bottas. Bottas looked strong as the lights went out, battling with Hamilton who took the lead briefly, only to be passed by the Finn again. A battle ensued behind them with Max Verstappen in the Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel in his Ferrari, and Charles Leclerc in the other Ferrari. That ended poorly when Verstappen made his move on Vettel going around the outside. He made a clean move around but, ahead of the…

WITH THE FIRST ROUND DONE and dusted, the Ameo Cup camp moved to the faster and longer MMRT for the second round of the championship. Pratik Sonawane (Pune) surged ahead of the rest of the drivers and earned pole position with a lap-time of 1:53.729. Giving him company on the first row was Saurav Bandyopadhyay (Thane). Race One Pratik got a good launch off the line and that put him in a position to command the pace. By the end of the first lap, he had achieved a strong lead and maintained it till the end of the race, driving to a rather comfortable victory. Behind him, there was a spot of drama as Jeet Jhabakh (Hyderabad) and Saurav locked horns. The latter kept a cool head and defended his…

NEW THIS MONTH BMW X7 The lap of luxury just got more capable with the first-ever X7. Both petrol and diesel on offer from Rs 98.90 lakh (ex) HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC India's first international series-production EV is here in the form of the Kona. Can be yours from Rs 23.72 lakh (ex) LEGENDS PRICES Ex-showroom, Pune (subject to change) BO: Available only by order NA: Price not available FEATURES F: Front only D: Driver airbag only O: Optional equipment Aston Martin BMW BMW Ferrari Fiat Honda Honda Jaguar Jaguar Land Rover Lexus Maruti Suzuki Maruti Suzuki Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Renault Renault Tata Motors Tata Motors Volkswagen Volkswagen Volvo…

THE FUTURE OF COMPACT, PERSONAL electric mobility takes a big step forward with the reveal of the Honda e Prototype. The new Honda e is a compact electric car that addresses the growing concerns of space, affordability, and environment-friendliness. Its compact size, efficient powertrain, and zero-emission motoring capability promise everyday usability and practicality as well as fun and responsive driving dynamics. At its heart is an electric motor that puts out 110 kW (150 hp) and more than 300 Nm of torque. The 35.5-kWh battery pack, located under the floor, is among the most compact and lightweight, making for a 50:50 weight distribution and a lower centre of gravity, apart from a fast-charging capability of 80 per cent in just 30 minutes and a range of over 200 kilometres. One…

THE PAGANI HUAYRA ROADSTER BC IS THE LATEST CONVERTIBLE HYPERCAR fROM THE exotic carmakers. It is powered by an AMG 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 engine which makes upwards of 800 hp and has 1,050 Nm on tap at 2,000 rpm. The power is delivered to the rear axle via an Xtrac seven-speed transversal AMT with an electro-mechanical differential. Pagani have used a single-clutch set-up which has, in turn, made it 35 per cent lighter than a dual-clutch set-up. All the engineering and technology have led to the car weighing in at just 1,250 kg. The Roadster BC features exclusive composite technologies Carbo-Triax HP62 and Carbo-Titanium HP62 G2 specific monocoque formulae based on carbon-fibre and carbon-titanium that offer an increase of 12 per cent in torsional rigidity and 20 per cent in…

MAHINDRA HAVE INTRODUCED THEIR next-generation dealerships to offer customers a next-level experience. The exclusive dealerships, called World of SUVs, already have a 300-strong network, having been set up across the country in a record time of six months. Apart from the new look and feel, World of SUVs puts digital technologies to maximum use and offers a customer experience like never before. Since the hexagon represents the shape of DNA, the hexagonal design forms have been carried forward across the dealership touch-points as an expression of the DNA of Mahindra SUVs. The dealerships offer Wi-Fi connectivity, luxurious customer lounges, Re-Fuel counters, a display area for high-end SUVs such as the Alturas G4, and a virtual reality experience for the customer along with TV screens for mirroring. The mirroring of the…

Suggest the Right SUV I am looking to buy an SUV within the range of Rs 8 to Rs 10 lakh. The cars I am confused between are the new Renault Duster and the Hyundai Venue. I need some clarity as to which of these cars offers the best value for money when it comes to comfort, features, and maintenance cost. I would also like to mention that a petrol engine mated to a manual transmission would be my preferred choice. Please advise me. Aditya Rajesh, Bengaluru Dear Aditya, Since features are among your priorities, it would make more sense to opt for the top-end Hyundai Venue rather than the entry-level Renault Duster, which, incidentally, is the only variant of the Duster that will fit within your budget. Waiting for…

The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol makes 115 PS and 144 Nm of torque and is offered with the option of a six-speed manual or a CVT. The entry-level offering is pretty smooth and likeable immediately for its refinement and low-end performance. The gear-shifts in the manual version are slick and the clutch is light to operate, making it a good everyday city car. With a claimed time for 0-100 km/h of 11.8 seconds, it delivers respectable performance for the buck, as am expecting the base variant to be priced aggressively. For more convenience, you can opt for the CVT version which delivers power in a relaxed and predictable fashion. As long as you’re easy on the gas, it offers efficient driving, which is ideal for your usual city runabouts. Drive…

WHAT’S BETTER THAN STRIKING LUCKY seven? Getting two of them in a row, that’s what. Elevated luxury is always appreciated and that’s one major aspect they have in common. The 7 Series metaphorically does that with aplomb. The X7 takes things a little more literally. Heightened luxury isn’t necessarily giving more space or a bunch of touchscreens large enough to put some televisions to shame. It’s evolved in meaning and even more in approach. It’s now more about anticipating needs and doing it in style as comfortably as possible. And that is where BMW have raised the luxury game of late — using the right materials in the right places and providing enough means of adaptation to provide for a complete change of character when demanded. Whether it’s drive modes…

THERE’S THIS CURIOUS CASE OF DIMINISHING TECH TERMS from the dictionary of a motoring journalist. Common terms such as fuel stops, transmission tunnel, turbo-lag, and manual gearbox are gradually disappearing. Hang on a sec… am not hitting the panic button just yet because deep down I am honestly glad to let go of a few of these. Fellow motoring scribes have been asked to up their tech vocabulary with catchy words to make the fast-evolving world of mobility comprehensible for the layman. This means making sense of terms such as wall box charger, range anxiety, single-speed reduction gear, and a thing called “quick charger” which makes you wait for an hour before you can resume driving again. Matter of perspective, my friends. Having flipped through a bunch of EV brochures…

I WAS RECENTLY CONTACTED BY AN acquaintance from a former workplace about buying a car. The requirements were seemingly simple, and I quote: ‘a petrol automatic SUV around Rs 15 lakh with ample rear space, fuel economy above 18 km/litre, and if seven seats come in that budget, nothing like it!’ Sure. That’s doable. Except that there’s nothing that combines all those parameters that’s available here. Or pretty much anywhere else. The thing is, though, fuel efficiency is always a parameter that has earned serious consideration. Yet, the entire world is gravitating to the SUV body style which takes the basic needs of efficiency and throws them out a considerably large window. They’re taller and less aerodynamic than hatchbacks or sedans, not to mention heavier — often much, much heavier.…

LISTENING TO MUSIC IS A PRIORITY for most of us while driving. With smartphones entering the fray, there was a  need to modernize in-car entertainment to an infotainment system and this is where services like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come into the picture. Car manufacturers have been marketing these for quite some time; however, are you really aware of the advantages of using either of these as compared to the car manufacturer’s built-in infotainment system? Safety is paramount when it comes to driving and that’s one of the reasons why you see car manufacturers implementing features such as steering-mounted multimedia controls so that the driver is not distracted while trying to fiddle with the infotainment controls or the screen on the dashboard. Smart infotainment systems take safety a step…

ARRIVING AT NASHIK FOR THE MAHINDRA Adventure Off-Roading Trophy 2019, I was expecting to walk into a crowded room filled with tense and nervous participants. Fully-occupied tables were testimony to my first expectation and a healthy number of women participants as well but, oh, boy, I was far off the mark about the “tense and nervous” bit… The participants sat at their tables, eager in conversation. Only pausing to listen to the odd jovial character and then respond to his wit with hysterical laughter. The energy was infectious and soon I was also eavesdropping (shamelessly) and smiling away. Enjoying myself so much that I was a tad crestfallen when Bijoy Kumar (chief, Mahindra Adventure) took the stage; time to get serious. He promptly requested all of us to stand up,…

IT WAS THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF MERCEDES-BENZ IN motor sport and, in their home Grand Prix, it turned out to be a day to forget. Lewis Hamilton may have had a strong pole position, but he wasn’t in the best of health and the weather had other things in mind, too. With rain pouring down, the Safety Car began the proceedings and led the first few laps before pulling in for a 64-lap German GP. Hamilton had a good start and behind him was his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, after Max Verstappen failed to secure his second place and was relegated. Sebastian Vettel, who started 20th in his Ferrari, was moving up the order. So was his teammate, Charles Leclerc, who managed to get up to sixth. The Alfa Romeos of…

Logbook Variant: Zeta AT A BIG WELCOME TO THE BIG MARUTI Suzuki as it joins the Car India garage. It’s one of the longest cars in its segment, but the big reason to be happy is because we’ve got the automatic version. With heavy rain, pothole-ridden roads, traffic snarls, and road rage in general on the rise, I don’t desire any of it. So, now I sit in the comfort of my new long-term car without the hassle of constant gear-shifts and half-clutch driving. Just tap on the accelerator and the four-speed auto does all the scuffling and jostling. The light steering and the very useful engine start-stop system make the Ciaz a very convenient and frugal car to drive. Backed by a strong mid-range, the K15 petrol engine is…