All posts by : Car Bima

At the Ather Community Day event this year, Ather has revealed its first-ever helmets – the Halo and the Halo Bit. These helmets come with built-in speakers and mic, and can be charged wirelessly.

1. Halo is full-face, Halo Bit is half-face
2. Halo line-up is ISI as well as DOT certified

The Ather Halo helmet gets a Harman Kardon speaker setup and also gets a mic, which means you can pair the Halo to your smartphone as well as your Ather e-scooter. This will allow you to control music playback and receive phone calls on the go. The Halo Bit is essentially the half-face version of the full Halo helmet and comes with the same kit but in a smaller, open-face avatar.

Also See: Ather Rizta launched at Rs 1.10 lakh

Both the Halo and Halo Bit have been certified to both the ISI as well as DOT standards, and both feature a ratchet strap (also known as a micrometric buckle) closure.

Ather claims that the Halo helmet has a battery life of roughly 10 days on a single charge, and that the rider and the pillion can listen to the same music if both are wearing Halo helmets.

The Halo Bit is priced at Rs 4,999, while the Halo costs Rs 14,999. However, the introductory price is Rs 12,999 for the first 1,000 orders, and for the people at Ather Community Day that number drops further to Rs 6,500.

“The EV line-up strategy involves following up our flagship EV models with the introduction of mass EV models for enhanced consumer accessibility,” he said.

1. Kia to bring two mass market EVs in India
2. Kia Clavis EV and Carens EV will launch in second half of 2025
3. Kia EV9 will launch this year as a CBU

Kia Carens EV, Clavis EV to launch in second half of 2025

Sources say that the company is likely to launch a mass market electric SUV codenamed AY-EV, which will likely be called Kia Clavis upon its launch in the second half of 2025. Around the same time, it is also planning to bring in the Carens-based EV, codenamed the KY-EV.

Interestingly, the Kia AY SUV with a petrol powertrain is likely to hit the roads in the first half of 2025, and Kia estimates that both EV models are likely to bring in combined volumes of 50,000-60,000 units by 2026.

Kia has aggressive sales plans for EVs

“The goal for 2026 is to achieve sales of 5,87,000 units of mass EV models, with the aim of accounting for 66 percent of total EV sales,” Song added. As for the market-specific sales strategies, in key markets, Kia will continue growth by building a full EV line-up by creating new demand using Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs). “In emerging markets, we will differentiate the brand with enhanced high-quality customer experiences and respond to increasing demand by diversifying manufacturing bases,” he explained.

The flexible manufacturing line and ICE-derived EVs are a part of Kia’s plan to de-risk itself if the sales momentum for EVs does not take off. “While short-term concerns about EV demand slowdown may exist, in the long-term, EV demand is expected to continue to grow considering the global CO2 reduction regulations and the downward trend of EV prices,” Song said.

Kia’s future EV launch plans

Overall, a total of 15 EV models have been decided for a launch by 2027. Beginning with the launch of the EV3 this year, additional models such as the EV2, EV4 and EV5 will be introduced in major markets, for a total of 6 mass-market models.

“The EV sales target of 1.6 million units by 2030 requires selling 1.3 million more units than 2024. The proportion of EV sales in major markets is planned to grow from 13 percent in 2024 to 52 percent by 2030, with the Korean and North American markets reaching up to 40 percent, and Europe up to 79 percent,” shared Song, but he did not have specifics on the Indian market’s volumes or share of EVs.

Also See:

Kia Carens diesel MT launched at Rs 12.67 lakh, variants rejigged

Kia Seltos automatic now more affordable; prices start at Rs 15.40 lakh

Lexus India has launched the NX 350h Overtrail edition at Rs 71.17 lakh (ex-showroom, India), which is outdoors-inspired and gets minor updates reflect that.

Lexus NX 350h Overtrail exterior

The Lexus 350h Overtrail edition is available in a single, exclusive paint shade called ‘Moon Desert’, which is similar to the paint scheme seen on the Thar Earth Edition. The Lexus Overtrail also gets specific blacked-out exterior elements such as the grille, wing mirrors, door handles and roof rails. Since the SUV is more focused on the outdoors, the company has given it a new set of alloys and tyres. While the NX 350h F-Sport, Exquisite and Luxury ride on 235/50 tyres and 20-inch alloys, the Overtrail gets 18-inch matte black alloys shod with 235/60-section tyres, which the brand claims will improve driving on broken roads.

Lexus NX350h Overtrail interior

On the inside, the NX 350h gets a synthetic black leather interior with earthy-coloured highlights on trim pieces such as the front armrest, seat edges and door panel. Equipment-wise, the NX 350h gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a heating function, electrically adjustable seats, ventilated front seats, a powered tailgate, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio system, an ADAS suite and more.

Lexus NX 350h Overtrail powertrain and suspension

Like the Lexus NX 350h F-Sport, the Overtrail edition also gets the brand’s variable dampers system, however, other things remain the same. The SUV is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine that’s mated to two electric motors, one in the front and one in the rear, with a total system output of 243hp. Power is transferred to all wheels via a 6-step e-CVT gearbox.

Lexus NX 350h Overtrail rivals

The NX 350h rivals other luxury SUVs like the Audi Q5 (Rs 65.18 lakh), BMW X3 (Rs 68.5 lakh), Mercedes-Benz GLC (Rs 74.45 lakh) and Volvo XC60 (Rs 68.9 lakh).

Also see: 

2022 Lexus NX review: The only Strong Hybrid in its class

Lexus RX 350h review: New age luxury

The Porsche Taycan is a car we know really well. We’ve dragged it, we’ve set lap records in it  and we even drove one from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The takeaway was always the same. The Taycan is the enthusiast’s electric car. Today, I’m in Sevilla, Spain to see how the story has moved forward. Say hello to the updated Porsche Taycan. 

2024 Porsche Taycan: What’s new

In a nutshell, Taycans across the board are faster courtesy power upgrades and there’s a significant increase in range too made possible by a new battery chemistry, larger battery pack (up to 105kWh), enhanced aero, more efficient regen braking and tweaked electronics. Of the three Taycan versions bound for India, the standard Taycan sees power upped to 435hp (from 408hp), 0-100kph is down 6 tenths of a second to 4.8 seconds and range with the optional 105kWh Performance Battery rises 35 percent to 678km (WLTP)!

The Taycan 4S goes up to 598hp and slashes the 0-100kph dash time to 3.7 seconds while the 884hp Turbo brings that time down to 2.7 seconds. Markets abroad will also get the 952hp Turbo S, and the wild 1100hp Turbo GT (0-100kph in 2.2 seconds)! 

2024 Porsche Taycan performance 

It’s the 4S that’s my ride for the day. And the very first point of note? Performance. Responses are instant and the build of speed is ferocious. So much so that you’ll rarely get an opportunity to go full throttle. Given the space you can also use the Formula E-derived push to pass function. Pressing a button on the steering mode selector has the motors give their all for 10 seconds at a time.That’s an added 90hp over the standard 500hp and it’s brilliant fun to use. It’s just crazy the insane power electric motors have unlocked. Mind you, this Taycan 4S is second from the bottom in terms of power. Faster Taycans will require you to recalibrate your sense of speed. 

2024 Porsche Taycan ride, handling and features

More powerful motors aside, the Taycan also gets a redone suspension. Air suspension is standard and an optional Active Ride function works behind the scenes to keep the ride flat. It’ll even have the car lean into corners like a motorcycle to maximize grip and the suspension trickery works eerily well.

The Taycan corners flat no matter what speed you’re doing and belies its 2.2 tonne mass. It’s crisp at the steering too, and grips the road as if its life depended on it.  In fact, you almost feel like you’re always driving slower than the cornering speeds the Taycan is capable of. It really is the handling that separates the Taycan from other high performance EVs. But, and this is a complaint with all EVs, despite all the power, all the handling prowess and even this artificial noise, the driving experience isn’t as emotive as you’d expect in a Porsche. it feels a bit distant and you don’t want your Porsche to feel that way. 

The other cool bit? That Active Ride suspension has an added function of raising the car when the door is unlocked easing the process of getting in and out. Inside, the Taycan looks familiar with its three screen layout but the interface has been upgraded. The optional passenger display (the fourth screen) gets added functions and what’s nice is that a special coating means the contents of this screen aren’t visible to the driver. 

The rear seat is comfy with ample room. Just don’t expect to sprawl out here.  As ever, you can also spec your Taycan to your liking for a big price, though.

2024 Porsche Taycan battery and charging

Those buying the Taycan for its virtues as an EV will have much to like. Ride comfort is good, the cabin is quiet and the new range figures should do away with range anxiety. The new battery chemistry has also unlocked a higher charge speed up to 320Kw, and allows the Taycan to charge at a faster rate for a longer period of time too. 

Also helping the Taycan go the distance are aero tweaks at the bumpers, though the biggest giveaways to this being the latest version of the electric car are its subtly redone headlights now with standard fit Matrix LED tech. Taycan enthusiasts will notice subtle tweaks to the tail lamp internals while the glowing Porsche lettering is a cool detail.

2024 Porsche Taycan price and verdict

The updated Taycan goes on sale in India shortly and we expect prices to start at Rs 1.6 crore (estimated ex-showroom) with the Turbo S likely around 2.8 crore.   The neck snapping acceleration might not be enough to make converts of ardent petrolheads but for well heeled buyers open to going electric, the Taycan is arguably the most exciting choice around. It’s fast, handles like a Porsche should and even feels India-friendly in its ability to tackle bad roads. The latest iterations’ enhanced range and added performance make the package feel even more complete.

To sum it up then, the Taycan remains electric and electrifying. 

Also see: 

2024 Porsche Taycan video review

Maruti Suzuki is offering attractive benefits on almost the entire Nexa line-up this month, including on popular models like the Grand Vitara, Baleno and Fronx. These can be availed in the form of cash discounts, exchange offers as well as corporate benefits. The only model not listed with any benefit this month is the Invicto MPV.

Disclaimer: Discounts vary from city to city and are subject to the availability of stock. Please check with your local dealer for exact discount figures.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Save up to Rs 68,000

Maruti Suzuki is offering benefits of up to Rs 68,000 on the turbo-petrol variants of the Fronx. This includes a cash discount of Rs 15,000, a Velocity Edition accessory kit worth Rs 30,000, an exchange bonus of Rs 10,000 and Rs 13,000 as corporate benefits. The regular petrol and CNG variants have much lower overall benefits of Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively. The Fronx is stylish, spacious and comfortable, but the turbo-petrol variants lack the punch you’d expect.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 

Save up to Rs 79,000

The Grand Vitara hybrid can be had with benefits of up to Rs 79,000 which includes Rs 25,000 cash discount, Rs 50,000 exchange bonus and corporate offers of up to Rs 4,000. Regular petrol variants of the Grand Vitara, meanwhile, can be had with benefits of up to Rs 59,000 on account of slightly lower exchange benefit of Rs 30,000. The Grand Vitara is a well packaged SUV that impresses with fantastic fuel economy, although the regular petrol variants leave you wanting for performance.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny 

Save up to Rs 1.50 lakh

The highest benefit from the Nexa lineup this April is on the Jimny. It continues to be offered with Rs 1.50 lakh cash discount on the top-spec Alpha trim for MY2023 units, while the newer MY2024 models get Rs 50,000 cash discount on the entry-level Zeta trim. While the SUV is capable off-road, the high sticker price has resulted in sluggish sales. The SUV has since received multiple discounts, including a Rs 2.3 lakh discount in December.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis 

Save up to Rs 58,000

Both manual and automatic variants of the Ignis are available with benefits of up to Rs 58,000. This includes a Rs 40,000 cash discount, a Rs 15,000 exchange benefit and a corporate bonus of Rs 3,000. The Ignis is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that puts out 83hp and 113Nm. It’s available with the choice of a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. The Ignis is a frugal yet sporty hatchback, but top-end variants are pricey.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno 

Save up to Rs 53,000

The Baleno has consistently been a strong performer for the Nexa brand and is available with both petrol and CNG powertrains. The petrol variants are available with benefits of up to Rs 53,000 that’s inclusive of cash discount of up to Rs 35,000, an exchange bonus of Rs 15,000 and corporate benefits of Rs 3,000. The CNG variants, meanwhile, have a lower cash discount of Rs 15,000. Offered with a 1.2-litre engine that produces 90hp with petrol and 78hp with CNG, the Baleno is a spacious, well-equipped hatchback that scores high on comfort.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

Save up to Rs 53,000

All variants of the Ciaz are listed with benefits of up to Rs 53,000 that includes cash discount and exchange bonus of Rs 25,000 each, and an exchange bonus of Rs 3,000. The Ciaz is powered by a 105hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine and is available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Its interiors are dated and the petrol engine is unexciting, but its spacious cabin and smart pricing make it a level-headed buy. 

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Save up to Rs 20,000

The Maruti XL6 is only listed with an exchange bonus of Rs 20,000 this month. It’s powered by a 103hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine that’s mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed AT gearbox. The XL6 also gets CNG variants, but they are not listed with any benefits this month. The XL6 is a spacious and practical MPV that’s good value for what it offers.

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Also See:

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor previewed ahead of launch

Formula 1 owner Liberty Media has announced an agreement to acquire MotoGP, through a takeover of current rights holder Dorna.

The official announcement confirms that the current Dorna management structure, led by CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta will continue. Liberty Media will acquire 86 percent of Dorna, in a deal with an enterprise value of €4.2 billion (over Rs 37,000 crore) and an equity value of €3.5 billion (over Rs 31,000 crore).

1. Liberty Media to acquire 86 percent of Dorna
2. Carmelo Ezpeleta will remain CEO

American mass media company Liberty has owned the rights to Formula 1 since 2016. The championship has since witnessed a spike in popularity, especially in America, partly due to the success of the Drive to Survive Netflix series.

The company is now set to acquire approximately 86 percent of Dorna, which has held the commercial and TV rights to MotoGP since 1992. Dorna also holds exclusive rights to Moto2, Moto3, MotoE, and the Superbike World Championships, among others.  The acquisition is expected to be completed by end-2024 and is subject to clearances and approvals by competition and foreign investment law authorities.

The official announcement stresses that Dorna will “remain an independently run company” and business will remain based in Madrid. Carmelo Ezpeleta will continue in his role as CEO and MotoGP will retain its current management team.

“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition of MotoGP,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO.  “MotoGP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and a highly cash flow generative financial profile. Carmelo and his management team have built a great sporting spectacle that we can expand to a wider global audience. The business has significant upside, and we intend to grow the sport for MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners and our shareholders.”

Before the Liberty takeover, British private investment company Bridgepoint Group owned 39 percent of Dorna, while the Canadian public pension fund CPPIB owned 31 percent. Under the current deal, Dorna management will retain approximately 14 percent of their equity business.

“This is the perfect next step in the evolution of MotoGP, and we are excited for what this milestone brings to Dorna, the MotoGP paddock and racing fans,” said Ezpeleta.

“We are proud of the global sport we’ve grown, and this transaction is a testament to the value of the sport today and its growth potential. Liberty has an incredible track record in developing sports assets and we could not wish for a better partner to expand MotoGP’s fanbase around the world.”

Also see:

Portuguese GP: Jorge Martin wins to lead MotoGP world championship