Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2021 i Car India

THE WRAPS ARE OFF THE NEW 992 PORSCHE 911 GT3. Developed in close collaboration with Porsche Motorsport, the new GT3 transfers racing technology to a road-legal production model more than ever before. The new GT3 gets a distinct new front, reworked bonnet, and wider 992 body. Underneath is a new double wishbone front axle layout, updated aerodynamics with a swan-neck rear wing, and striking diffuser. Power comes from a — still naturally aspirated — 4.0-litre boxer-six making 510 hp and 470 Nm that gets up to nearly 10,000 rpm. A six-speed manual or a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic can be had, each driving the rear wheels. With the manual, it weighs 1,418 kilograms and gets from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and up to a top speed of…

THE MCLAREN ARTURA IS THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE EXCLUSIVE PORTFOLIO OF SUPER sport grand tourers and brings in a new V6 plug-in hybrid powertrain. Woking’s first production high-performance hybrid supercar is the first model on the all-new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) built in-house. The lightweight body is made from super-formed aluminium and carbon-fibre for supercar proportions and a pure look wherein form follows function. The new powertrain comprises a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with 585 hp and 585 Nm, an eight-speed automatic transmission and electronic differential, a 70-kW e-motor adding 95 hp and up to 225 Nm, and a 7.4-kWh battery pack. The combined output is 500 kW or 680 hp and 720 Nm. At 1,498 kg ready to drive, it’s good for 0-100 km/h in 3.0…

WITH A FOCUS ON MODERN, PREMIUM QUALITY AND DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE, THE NEW KIA K8 has succeeded the K7, also known as the Cadenza. The K8 is a combination of sportiness and performance and puts the spotlight on the brand’s new design identity, with “K8” representing a new model name for Kia and also the new contemporary logo that expresses “symmetry”, “rhythm”, and “rising” elements embodying Kia’s confidence and renewed commitment to customers. Inspired by sophisticated yachts sailing across calm waters, the K8 features a dynamic character line on the side, across its 5,015-mm length. The 3D tail-light clusters emphasize clean, angular lines at the rear and add further depth and width to the rear. The progressive and elegant profile wraps up in a clean tailored spoiler with the futuristic-looking horizontal…

THE TOYOTA RAV4 WAS SPOTTED TESTING IN INDIA AND MAY BE introduced in our market. The new “Robust Accurate Vehicle with 4 Wheel Drive” (RAV4) blends the power and sophistication of an SUV with generous rear cargo space and outstanding driving performance thanks to a potent petrol-electric hybrid powertrain and a new Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD system. The elevated cabin design emphasizes passenger convenience, incorporating easy-to-use trays and cup-holders. The latest Toyota Safety Sense preventive safety package comes standard in all models and the available Connected Services offer a safe, secure, comfortable, and convenient driving experience. The advanced drive system enables precise and stable steering by adopting a torque vectoring mechanism which independently distributes torque to the left and right rear wheels according to driving conditions in addition to the…

Everyday EV I am thinking of buying an electric vehicle for regular use in the city. I am torn between the Hyundai Kona and the MG ZS EV. Would you please give me a little advice as regards which would be a better option, especially with setting up a charging port at my residence as well as after-sales service? Performance isn't very high on my agenda, but range and comfort do play a bigger role. Thank you all and keep up the good work. Steven R, via social media Dear Steven, The infrastructure for electric cars is in its developing phase, so it may be a while before they are as competent in terms of range and practicality as their fossil fuel-powered counterparts. However, manufacturers have some rather thoughtful solutions…

THE NISSAN MAGNITE SHOOK UP the sub-four-metre SUV segment with its feature-packed persona, stunning looks, and affordable price tag. Recently, Nissan invited a whole bunch of us journos to get an idea of what goes into building the new vehicle at Renault Nissan Auto India Private Limited (RNAIPL) in Chennai. The production of the Magnite is separated into several stages, starting with the initial stamping of the monocoque chassis and body panelling and onwards to paint, engine workings, final assembly, and quality check at the very end. Work is carried out by automated machines as well as hands-on segments, both of which overlap with efficiency and safety being of the highest priority. However, the RNAIPL facility isn’t only about building a few cars, but also boasts of its ability to…

The map throws up road closures in red like burst capillaries and the side winds rock even this 2,330-kg car DID YOU KNOW THAT RIHANNA mentions the word “diamonds” 38 times in her 2012 hit of the same name? Maybe, Bentley’s interior designers have the Barbadian pop star on heavy rotation on the studio’s smart speaker, because, at the last count, there are more than 500 diamond outlines in the Flying Spur’s cabin. Stitched into the decadently comfortable seats and breaking out in three-dimensional relief along the doors before merging into the B- and C-pillar mouldings, they are everywhere. Along with a flawless walnut-over-black dual-veneer dashboard and more than a mile and a half of thread joining 350 pieces of leather. Goodness me, it’s opulent in here. As you would…

ONE OF THE FIRST CARS TO be launched soon after the lockdown last year was the BMW 840i Gran Coupé along with the stunning M8. And since then, we’ve been anxious to know what the German marque’s news flagships will be to drive like. India gets the full-sized Gran Coupé with four doors and plenty of carpet area within, making it a practical investment for the rich and famous. The design seems more elegant from the current lot of BMWs we’ve been getting, mainly because the kidney grille isn’t as exaggerated and looks a lot more proportionate on the Eight. I also like the sleek adaptive LED headlamps which, along with the grille, create a sports car-like low-slung, wide, and aggressive stance. This isn’t the top-end M-Sport model, so this…

In Mumbai for a closed-circuit event, the XUV300 had to get busy dodging cones and sliding around corners. The course began with a low-speed slalom which needed to be completed without touching the brakes. The XUV300 AMT’s creep function along with the “Comfort” steering mode helped complete that course with ease. Once past the cones, the AMT pulled out all the stops to power on to the next obstacle. Responding quickly to steering input, it found a gap between the cones before entering the hairpin, ESP keeping it composed. A quick tap on the brakes and it entered the corner with a hint of understeer. Thankfully, it was quickly back up to the pace. Although the XUV300 AMT darted in and out rather easily with the steering in Comfort mode,…

HAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? LIKE TRULY HAPPY? WHEN W finding out about a car puts a smile on your face, that’s half the job done for the maker. When it finally finds its way to your hands, when you get to grips with it, there is only one of three results: disappointment, meeting expectations or exceeding expectations. So, where does the new 3 fit in? We find out by taking it through the rigours of city life before it reaches its element and then is put through something completely different. Can the new M340i xDrive do it all? The answer lies ahead. The 3 Series is, and has been for a while, the go-to sport-luxury offering for buyers in the segment. Many established names have tried but they came close…

PORSCHE PROPERLY INTRODUCED THE TAYCAN, THEIR FIRST-ever series of electric car models, in descending order, starting with the mental 761-hp Turbo S and 680-hp Turbo, followed by the 4S with either 530 hp or 571 hp in Performance Plus guise. Now, it’s the Taycan that’s the latest to arrive. The Taycan comes in as the entry model to the all-electric range, still packing quite a punch. Design-wise, there’s no less drama and it’s a clean form with its signature elements intact. Like the 4S, it also gets a choice of a Performance 79.2-kWh battery pack or a Performance Plus version with 93.4 kWh. The entry model with up to 300 kW serves up an output of 326 hp and 345 Nm, with a peak “overboost” of 408 hp. The Plus…

AUDI HAVE INTRODUCED THEIR MOST POWERFUL SERIES-PRODUCTION CAR TO DATE. AND IT’S electric. The e-tron GT measures 4.99 metres long, 1.96 metres wide, and just 1.41 metres high, with a wheelbase of 2.90 metres. It boasts slippery aero and a low 0.24 cd. LED lighting, sharp and flowing design cues, and large wheels with performance brakes add to its appeal. Inside, it gets two large displays: 12.3 inches for the virtual cockpit plus and a 10.1-inch central MMI touch display. Not short on practicality, the rear boot offers up to 405 litres of capacity and a front compartment offers another 85 litres. The electric GT packs a large battery pack feeding one front and two rear motors for quattro all-wheel drive. The 175-kW front e-motor makes 238 hp. The 320-kW…

IT WAS ONLY RECENTLY THAT JEEP HAD ANNOUNCED A comprehensive go-local strategy which would see the Compass, Wrangler, and Grand Cherokee, among other new models, being assembled in India. Jeep India, part of FCA group, have now announced that production of the locally assembled 2021 Wrangler has commenced at their Ranjangaon joint venture manufacturing facility near Pune. The Jeep Wrangler is among the most capable and recognized off-road vehicles in the world, built on a legendary history with a heady combination of off-road capability, authentic Jeep design, open-air freedom, advanced fuel-efficient powertrains, superior on- and off-road dynamics, and a host of innovative safety and advanced technology features. The Wrangler Unlimited and Wrangler Rubicon pack a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine with an eight-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. The Rubicon packs more extreme…

BMW 220i Gran Coupé BMW India have introduced the petrol-powered 2 Series Gran Coupé in 220i guise with just one M Sport variant, priced at Rs 40.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The 220i Gran Coupé is the entry BMW petrol model and is based on the brand’s front-transverse architecture. It gets the M Sport treatment for added driver appeal with the M Aerodynamics Package and BMW Individual gloss Shadow Line exterior elements. The cabin gets a choice of black or black with oyster Sensatec leather upholstery, with BMW Live Cockpit Professional taking care of interface for all vehicle functions and modern connectivity needs. The equipment list includes Apple CarPlay, gesture control, a panoramic sunroof, and a rear-view camera. The “20i” spec engine is the 2.0-litre, in-line four, turbo-petrol direct-injection engine making 192…

SCUBA DIVING IN SIMPLE TERMS IS THE ACT OF SPENDING A PERIOD of time underwater without having to hold one’s breath. We have all seen images of folk with those oxygen cylinders strapped on, swimming around with marine life enjoying the beauty of earth we are rarely aware of. A look beneath that mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, which is 71 per cent of our planet, is a mind-boggling experience that does indeed hold a medicinal placard too. It is here, within the medical field, that an organization, called CLAW Global, in Auroville, Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry), has focused its time and research with stunning results, let alone the brilliant experience. But who are CLAW Global? First things first, though: our journey. Our trip started from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in the…

THE SUB-FOUR-METRE COMPACT SUV segment has blown up over the last few years, with manufacturers doing all they can to offer the best experience at the lowest price. All this has to be wrapped in an attractive-looking package to catch the fancy of buyers and, consequently, this space features some of the most innovative and outrageous designs of recent times. The Renault Kiger is no exception, and it is plainly apparent that a great deal of time and effort has been spent ensuring that this new car won’t be lost in the crowd. The striking design was further enhanced by the Caspian Blue of our test car, and the Kiger is sure to turn heads from just about every angle. The front end of the car is dominated by the…

DON’T BE SO HASTY AS TO DECLARE THESE “LAST chance” saloons. It’s hardly the body style of the moment and their engines are far less electrified than the zeitgeist demands and you may well question why anyone actually needs a luxury saloon right now; exactly what business meetings are these executives in such a hurry to attend? Yet here we have an entirely new Mercedes-Benz S-Class with a packed field of opponents: direct rivals from BMW and Audi and a sportier alternative from Porsche. And that leaves no room for the Maserati Quattroporte and Lexus LS. The electric successors are starting to arrive, with plenty more on the way, but there is clearly still life in this exclusive and very traditional part of the market. At launch time, the new…

The Mercedes is the clear winner. It is far from perfect, but does a lot of things exceptionally well. If you want a luxury saloon like an S-Class, get an S-Class. That is roughly what we expected to find when we started the test, but as the three days wore on and the miles mounted up, the ranking was less clear-cut than expected. How come? Because in addition to plenty of hard facts, variables such as attitude, personal preference, the effect of brand image and design, character, ergonomics, and the man-machine interaction also entered the equation. These are complex cars and they all demand a complex, nuanced response. That is why the Panamera rates second. The Porsche is playing a slightly different game; it is not failing to be as…

THE NEW W206 MERCEDES C-Class is larger, curvier, smarter, and more electrified than ever. New styling, many new features, and an enhanced user interface are on offer. At launch, there are three petrol and two diesel powertrains, all four-cylinder, turbocharged units with EQ Boost and they will be followed by plug-in hybrid petrol and diesel models as well as an all-new four-cylinder AMG model. That’s right. The new Mercedes C-Class will have only four-cylinder units and nine-speed autos across the range. But, first, the design. Now reminiscent of the new S-Class, the new C-Class grille sees a large star at the centre, a new set of narrow-eyed Multibeam LED projector headlights with one LED bar accent, and the new outward and forward-sweeping taillights, complementing the flowing appearance with a sweeping…

LAND ROVER HAVE INTRODUCED A MORE POWERFUL, SUPERCHARGED DEFENDER V8 TO expand the range. There’s 525 hp, 625 Nm, a new Dynamic mode, and a new and very well-equipped “Carpathian Edition” too. The powerful new Defender V8 models are built on decades of Land Rover V8 heritage and the latest successor to the powerful Defender Works V8 joins the range of Ingenium petrol, diesel, and advanced plug-in hybrid models at the other end of the scale. The new Defender now gets the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine, with 525 hp and 625 Nm, available in both 90 and 110 body sizes. The 90 gets from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 240 km/h, with a rated fuel consumption of up to 6.9…

VOLKSWAGEN INDIA HAVE ROLLED OUT THE SARVOTTAM 2.0 initiative aimed at providing their patrons a unique Volkswagen customer experience as a part of the programme revolving around accessibility, aligned with their “India 2.0” strategy. Volkswagen India plan to provide a holistic customer experience which imbibes the brand’s philosophy of being “Accessible, Young and Aspirational”. The Volkswagen customer-focused resources under the Sarvottam 2.0 initiative are in the implementation phase and will be completed in a periodic manner. The Sarvottam 2.0 initiative aspires to redefine Volkswagen customer service before the launch of the Volkswagen Taigun mid-size SUV that’s scheduled for April 2021.…

HYUNDAI SET UP THEIR FIRST manufacturing facility at Irungattukkottai, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, on 6 May 1996 and commenced operations in 1998. This was the company’s first integrated car manufacturing plant outside Korea which also marked a huge investment for them, one that would pave the way for crucial milestones in the future. The plant moved from strength to strength and became a centre of manufacturing excellence that also contributed significantly to India’s progress and development. The first car to roll out of the plant was the iconic Santro. The “tallboy” Santro marked only the beginning of a steady yet remarkable journey wherein Hyundai would grow to become a name resonating with reliability and comfort. They were also pivotal in establishing new segments, including the premium hatchback space benchmarked by the…

THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR the Oscars of the Indian automobile industry, the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) award, was held at a glamourous event on 27 February in New Delhi. The ICOTY is the most credible and coveted award in the Indian automotive industry and it has been gaining in prominence with each passing year, especially due to the efforts of JK Tyres who have been supporting this award and sponsoring the grand award ceremonies right since its inception. Keeping a close eye on the voting process was the award validation partner, Grant Thornton Bharat. The ceremony, attended by a limited yet highly celebrated gathering of industry stalwarts, key officials, and auto enthusiasts, witnessed the felicitation of the winners of the award which is given based on criteria such…

THE YEAR 2021 SEEMS TO HAVE STARTED on a positive note with the introduction of a brand-new player in the Indian automotive industry: Citroën. The century-old popular European brand has been manufacturing cars since 1919 and most of them have a distinctive French flavour. Their début model in India, the C5 Aircross, an SUV, has the huge responsibility of acquainting Indian car-buyers with the marque. To my mind, this is a great move. The C5 is a pure, thoroughbred Citroën and not some model plucked out of the Citroën-Peugeot-FIAT-Chrysler (Stellantis) association and re-badged as a Citroën. It has the usual French quirks, which is a good thing, as the C5 does manage to distinguish itself from its rivals like the Korean Tucson and the American Compass. What truly makes the…

MY FIRST EXPOSURE TO THE A-CLASS badge was back in the early 2000s. I was working at a Mercedes-Benz dealership where this cute little hatchback rolled in, sporting the coveted three-pointed star on its grille. It was the first-generation W168, built and sold from 1997 to 2004 in international markets and imported into the country by an enthusiast who just had to own one. I had never seen anything like it before, since the only models sold by the German brand in India were large and luxurious sedans; hatchbacks in those days were generally considered cheap, entry-level cars. The A-Class hatchback was officially launched in India in its third generation, now in the sleek and stylish W176 guise, and was sold here from 2012 to 2019. So, when I heard…

A FIVE-STAR CRASH SAFETY RATING FROM THE GLOBAL NCAP IS a big deal. More so when it’s a home-grown SUV maker with an eye on improvement and bringing more value for money to the table. True, the XUV300 was never particularly cheap, but it did impress us enough to warrant the sort of price tag it commanded. Secondly, it’s one of only two compact crossovers that offers a choice of either petrol or diesel with a further choice of manual or auto ’box for either. Unlike the other one, though, the XUV300 packs a thoughtful layout for the interior with easy-to-reach and usable storage and connectivity choices. But that’s a story for another day. So, what’s new? The new Mahindra XUV300 autoSHIFT 1.2 petrol — G110? mFalcon? There’s no official…

THE GLC IS THE REVITALIZED MID-SIZE SUV from the three-pointed star and makes its second appearance in India after the first-ever model arrived in 2016. That model was the global replacement for the left-hand-drive GLK-Class which was a rage in Europe and other markets thanks to its more compact proportions and all-road ability. The segment has since seen a huge number of takers and use restricted to urban and highway environments. Thus, to bring in more affordable variants to cater to demand from those demanding more soft-road specific iterations, some non-essential bits — four-wheel drive, locking differentials, and such — made way for more, um, perceived essential bits — striking LED lighting and a panoramic sunroof, for example. The GLC 200, then, is one such iteration. The three-pointed star has…