By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 05 Nov 2023, 15:46 PM
The Delhi Transport Department’s enforcement teams on Saturday slapped a fine of ₹20,000 on the owners of 162 cars/ SUVs for violating GRAP III restrictions imposed in the city in the view of hazardous levels of air pollution prevailing. GRAP III stands for Graded Response Action Plan stage III restrictions, which include a ban on operation of BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel four-wheelers.
Commuters make their way along a road amid heavy smoggy conditions in New Delhi on November 5, 2023. (AFP)
Enforcement teams have been deployed across the national capital in shifts, with focus on 13 pollution hotspots – Rohini, Dwarka, Okhla, Punjabi Bagh, Vivek Vihar, Wazirpur, Jahangirpuri, RK Puram, Bawana, Narela, Mundka, Mayapuri and Anand Vihar. As many as 84 such teams are spread across these areas for enforcement of restrictions related to four wheelers while 30 such teams are targeting two-wheelers round the clock.
These enforcement teams are further being supervised by nine teams led by inspectors. Eighteen enforcement teams are deployed on border areas around hotspots to monitor overloaded trucks, heavy vehicles, and BS 3 and BS 4 light motor vehicles. Additionally, sixteen other teams are working in shift of 4 PM to 12 AM, to tackle the congestion due to inter-state buses and other vehicles at major choke points.
Further, 41 teams have been deployed on identified 22 stretches of the Inner Ring Road and Outer Ring Road in two shifts to monitor and catch offending vehicles while 39 motorcycle patrolling teams have been deployed from 9 AM to 6 PM for enforcing PUCC violations.
Amid the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, only BS 4 emission standards-compliant light motor vehicles, electric vehicles, CNG vehicles, including buses are allowed to ply on the national capital’s roads. So far, 301 overloaded trucks have been impounded while 3,683 vehicle owners have been challaned for not having pollution under check, as per the officials.
Additionally, 340 buses were impounded for different violations and 4,031 challans were issued to owners for parking violations.
It’s an evolutionary update over the outgoing model; launch slated for 2024.
Just days after Suzuki debuted the new-gen Swift concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, multiple camouflaged test mules of the hatchback have already been spied testing on Indian roads. While the brand called it a concept, the model showcased at the motor show was nearly production-ready. The sighting of these camouflaged test mules on our roads confirms the imminent launch of the new Swift in our market next year.
New Swift gets evolutionary styling over its predecessor
Gets new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder Z-Series engine under the hood
India launch slated for next year
New-gen Maruti Suzuki Swift: what do the spy shots reveal?
The test mule is heavily camouflaged, but just a look at the headlamps and tail-lamps is enough to suggest that this indeed is the new-gen Swift. The design is unmistakably Swift, which means it’s mostly evolutionary over its predecessor. The headlamps and tail-lamps have retained their shape, but are sharper, it gets a redesigned grille and bumper design and there’s a strong shoulder line running the length of the car.
While Suzuki calls it the fourth-generation Swift, it is essentially a heavily updated version of the third-gen platform. This means the overall footprint of the hatchback is largely the same – it’s only 15mm longer, 40mm narrower and 30mm taller. The wheelbase remains unchanged at 2,450mm.
The interior is not visible on these test mules, but the interior of the model showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show had a lot of resemblance with that of the Baleno and Fronx. The floating touchscreen unit, steering wheel, instrument cluster, HVAC controls and several switchgears are already familiar from the newer crop of Maruti Suzuki models here in India.
The India-spec Swift, however, is not likely to get the ADAS features or rear disc brakes that the concept had at the Tokyo Motor Show. The test mule can also be seen sporting blacked-out wheels which are possibly 16-inch units.
New-gen Maruti Suzuki Swift: powertrain options
Under the hood, the new-gen Swift concept debuted an all-new 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine at the Tokyo Motor Show. Codenamed Z12, this new engine will replace the current K-series 1.2 litre, 4-cylinder powerplant.
Detailed specifications are yet to be released, but sources tell us that the company has set high fuel efficiency targets, and, while power output is likely to remain similar to the K12 unit, torque would be higher. The Swift shown at the Tokyo Motor Show also had hybrid tech, however, sources say that the production-spec Swift in India will have the regular engine.
The new Maruti Suzuki Swift is expected to launch sometime in the second half of 2024 in India.
Spanish rider Joan Barreda Bort will be joining Hero MotoSports Team Rally for the 2024 Dakar Rally, the Indian team has announced. With Joan joining the Hero squad, the team completes its Dakar line-up for 2024. One of the top riders in rally-raid, Barreda holds a strong reputation and has been labelled as a ‘Dakar legend.’ The rider has won 12 international races and finished the Dakar Rally seven times in his illustrious career.
By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor | Updated on: 04 Nov 2023, 18:37 PM
Joan Barreda Bort joins Hero MotoSports Team Rally for the 2024 Dakar Rally
Barreda is also a five-time winner of the Spanish Baja, while also having taken victories in Merzouga, Andalucia, China Grand, Qatar Cross-Country rallies, and Rallye Des Pharaons over the years. The 40-year-old has had 13 consecutive Dakar Rally appearances with 30 Stage wins, earning the title of winning the maximum number of stages at the Dakar amongst active competitors in the Bikes category.
Joan Barreda Bort’s best Dakar finish was fifth, which he achieved in 2017 and 2022
Barreda’s best Dakar finish was an impressive fifth, which he achieved twice, in 2017 and 2022 respectively. He also won five stages out of the 13 in the 2014 Dakar Rally. For Barreda, coming to Hero will also reunite him with team manager Wolfgang Fischer for the second time. The rider worked with Fischer as well as the late Paulo Goncalves, with all three part of the same team in 2012.
Barreda’s arrival at Hero also comes at a time when the team has inked a partnership with Monster Energy for the upcoming season. Barreda will join existing riders Joaquim Rodrigues, Ross Branch and Sebastian Buhler at Hero. Rider Franco Caimi, who was part of the squad in the last Dakar, parted ways with Hero MotoSports earlier this year.
Hero MotoSports has had a positive run at Dakar in recent years. The seven-year-old team finished the 2023 season with an overall fourth place while bagging two stage wins in the process. The team is now ambitious to exceed its own limits in the 2024 season.
Joan Barreda Bort will compete directly under Hero MotoSports at the 2024 Dakar Rally in January, which will also be the inaugural race of the 2024 season of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). Barreda will make his first public appearance with Hero at the upcoming EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan on November 7.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote a letter to Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, requesting him to ban the entry of vehicles non-compliant with BS6 norms into Delhi from neighbouring states in Delhi-NCR. He also requested to convene an emergency meeting of neighbouring states’ Environment Ministers.
By: ANI | Updated on: 04 Nov 2023, 17:01 PM
Commuters plying in Delhi on a road shrouded in smog amid hazy weather conditions. Delhi-NCR’s air quality neared the emergency threshold this week, prompting ban on certain vehicles from plying to control pollution level. (PTI)
Gopal Rai said, “Looking at the rise in the level of pollution in the last two days, construction has been banned in Delhi from yesterday. Today there has been an improvement in the level of pollution as compared to yesterday. The situation is still serious. I am writing a letter to the Central Government saying that the Union Environment Minister should call an emergency meeting of the Environment Ministers of all five states immediately. Because the orders of CAQM are not being implemented in the states. Rules are being made, and CAQM is giving directions, but in the whole NCR, rules are being violated. This is the problem of the whole of North India. “
The overall air quality in Delhi continued to remain in the ‘severe’ category for the third straight day on Saturday morning, as per the SAFAR-India.
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India, the overall air quality in the national capital Delhi (Overall) is in the ‘severe’ category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 504.
Meanwhile, a Senior Lung specialist, at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram Dr Arvind Kumar said, “All age groups are adversely affected by air pollution. You might wonder how an unborn child is affected because that child is not breathing. When the child’s mother is breathing, the toxins go to her lungs; through the lungs, they go into the blood; and through the placenta, they reach the child, and the fetus, and cause damage. When the child is born, they start breathing the same air. Our air quality is around 450-500, which is equal to about 25-30 cigarettes in terms of damage to the body… They have all sorts of breathing problems.”
“From head to toe, there’s no organ in the body that escapes the ill effects of air pollution. There is no evidence to say that it causes obesity, it causes asthma. When there is obesity and exposure to air pollution both present, the chances of asthma become many times higher, as was shown by us, the Lung Care Foundation. In a study of 1,100 children in Delhi, we found that one out of three children is suffering from asthma, and when obesity was also present, this number went higher,” he added.
Speaking on increasing AQI in Delhi, Dr Neeraj Kumar Gupta, Pulmonologist, HoD, Safdarjung Hospital said, “The AQI crossing 400 and going to the severe category is mainly due to factors like combustion. Due to transportation, burning of agricultural waste, and also due to construction-related activities and industrial activities. We are responsible for it. It’s our responsibility to reduce it. Exposure needs to be avoided as pollution is directly responsible for many diseases.
“It is also responsible for affecting the health of children. The vulnerable population is very old people, small children, pregnant ladies, or people already having some respiratory conditions. They need to avoid exposure to this pollution as much as possible… They should confine themselves to their home… If they have any symptoms, then they should visit the doctor to take treatment immediately,” Neeraj Kumar Gupta added.
The Emira sportscar and Eletre EV SUV are likely to be the first to arrive.
Lotus, the renowned English sportscar brand, will enter the Indian market on November 9, 2023. Lotus, now owned by Chinese brand Geely, will be selling its models through Exclusive Motors of New Delhi, which will also act as distributor for the rest of the country.
Lotus ties up with Exclusive Motors of New Delhi to enter Indian market
The first outlet expected in New Delhi in early 2024
Wuhan-built Eletre EV SUV and Hethel-built Emira to be the first offerings
More details about Lotus’ India plans will be announced in the coming days, from which cars and which versions will be introduced, to when bookings will commence and deliveries are expected to begin. Sources tell us that the first two models are likely to be the petrol-powered Emira sportscar and the all-electric Eletre SUV. Both will be brought in as CBUs, and will carry hefty price tags as a result. More models are expected to follow the launch of these two, though no timeline or model names have been confirmed.
Lotus Emira
The Emira is typically Lotus – a lightweight sportscar that is meant to focus on agility and driving pleasure, rather than outright power or comfort, which makes it a spiritual successor to famous Lotus models like the Elise, Exige, Esprit, and Elan. Where the Emria differentiates itself from its predecessors is in the level of fit and finish and comfort features. The door pockets and cup holders, the digital instruments, and the central touchscreen add a degree of luxuriousness not before seen in the company’s cars.
Buyers in India will be able to choose from two powertrains – a 365hp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder AMG-sourced engine and a 406hp 3.5-litre V6 Toyota-sourced unit. The former will come paired with an 8-speed automatic, while the latter is expected to have a 6-speed gearbox; there is a 6-speed manual on offer with the V6 in international markets, though it is unlikely to be offered here.
Expect prices for the Emira to range between Rs 2.5-3 crore, ex-showroom, when it arrives at a showroom near you.
Lotus Eletre
While the Emira harks back to Lotus’ past, the Eletre looks to the brand’s future and panders to the SUV craze that has taken over the world. This striking-looking SUV will definitely draw eyeballs with its modern design, and the cabin is said to be spacious and bold as well.
Despite using 47 percent high-strength steel and 43 percent aluminium, the Eletre weighs in at a very un-Lotus-like 2,520kg. Still, this 5.1m long and 1.6m tall SUV is quite slippery, with a drag coefficient of 0.26, which helps achieve a maximum range of 600km on a single charge.
Lotus will offer the all-electric SUV in three forms – Eletre (611hp), Eletre S (611hp), and Eletre R (918hp). All three are powered by the same 109kWh battery – mounted under the floor – that runs on an 800V system, and that can be charged by a 350kW unit. Expect prices for the Eletre to range between Rs 2.5-3.1 crore, ex-showroom.
Honda Car India will not discontinue its sedan range in India amidst launching new SUVs, contrary to a recent report. The Japanese automaker confirmed to HT Auto that the Honda City and Amaze sedans will continue to be sold in the country, even as it surges forward with an SUV-focused strategy. Honda recently introduced the Elevate compact SUV, its first all-new offering in three years and an all-new nameplate in 10. The automaker plans to bring five new SUVs to India by 2030.
By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor | Updated on: 03 Nov 2023, 18:37 PM
The Honda City and Amaze models have remained the brand’s popular sellers for years, only joined by the Elevate compact SUV this year
While SUVs will clearly be Honda’s priority over the next few years, the company will continue retailing its bread-and-butter models as well. The Honda Amaze is the brand’s most accessible offering and continues to average about 3,000 units every month, taking on the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura and Tata Tigor.
The Honda Amaze is the brand’s entry-level offering in India (HT Auto/Sabyasachi Dasgupta)
The Honda City, its most celebrated model in India, brings in about 1,500 units month on month. The numbers are on par with models like the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus, which average a little over 1,500 units every month, while the new-generation Hyundai Verna is the segment bestseller bringing in over 2,500 units every month.
Sedans may have lost their popularity across segments over the years but there’s no denying that the cars continue to bring in considerable sales and revenue for automakers. Both the Honda Amaze and City enjoy admiration for their respective reliable engines, good build quality and easy ownership. Moreover, the Honda India plant not only caters to the domestic market but also exports both sedans overseas. The Right Hand Drive (RHD) Amaze and City are shipped to South Africa and the neighbouring countries around India. On the other hand, the Left Hand Drive (LHD) is exported to Mexico, Turkey and the Middle East market. Both models are built at the Tapukara plant in Rajasthan.
The Honda Elevate kicks off the brand’s SUV strategy with an electric version planned in 2026, apart from other models
That said, the Honda Amaze is expected to get a new lease on life with the third generation reportedly in the works. The new-gen Amaze could arrive in 2024 and will be based on an evolution of the current version’s platform that has been around since 2018. It is also expected to get a design and feature revamp. The Honda City, meanwhile, holds a lot of importance in the APAC region, apart from India, with no announcements to discontinue the model in these markets. This still leaves room for the next generation to arrive in India when the model is ready globally.
Watch: Honda Elevate SUV: First drive review
Honda Car India’s SUV strategy kicked off with the Elevate this year. The automaker has confirmed the arrival of the electrified version in the next three years. A subcompact SUV, possibly based on the Amaze platform, is also said to be on the cards. Previously, the automaker confirmed that it plans to launch one new model every year in India, which includes hybrids and EVs. The company is also expected to bring premium models via the CBU and CKD routes in India.
With EV demand slowing at home, and companies facing substantial import tariffs in the US as well as a European Union probe into Chinese subsidies, automakers view the region as a major growth opportunity that, so far, is largely untapped. Across the six Gulf states, including oil majors Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, electric cars account for just 0.4% of the passenger-vehicle market.
That’s got some of China’s best-known automakers flocking to the region. Chery Automobile Co. is planning to launch at least two new hybrids or EVs, while Xpeng Inc. and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co.’s premium Zeekr brand have started selling in Israel and making plans to expand into more countries in the region, including Qatar and Bahrain.
But Chinese firms’ efforts to build their presence face a raft of challenges, from simple economics — fuel is generally cheap in major oil producing countries — to a lack of brand awareness among potential buyers, scarce charging infrastructure and concerns about how well car batteries can handle the brutal heat of a Middle East summer.
“I think in the Middle East, it’s a mix. EVs are not ready in many places. As an idea, it’s great but growth is still very slow here. We do have EV cars in our company but the number of sales and inquiries are less,” said Ahmad Firoozi, a marketing manager from the Qatari distributor Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, which works with brands like MG Motor, and Geely-Volvo joint venture Lynk & Co.
There’s also the threat of the Israel-Hamas war escalating. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist group by the US and European Union, after the Oct. 7 onslaught by the militant group that left more than 1,400 Israelis dead.
Some of the top oil producers in the Middle East are making ambitious promises to transition away from the fossil fuels that have underpinned their economic growth, and shift to green technologies that are key to the world’s efforts to reduce emissions.
The UAE is investing as much as 200 billion dirhams ($55 billion) by 2030 to transform its energy strategy, and has pledged that EVs and hybrid cars will make up more than 50% of the national fleet by 2050, from 4% currently.
Saudi Arabia this year greenlit a manufacturing plant for Ceer, its first homegrown EV brand that’s set to start selling cars in 2025, and recently opened another with California-based maker Lucid Group Inc. The kingdom has already signed a $5.6 billion deal with premium Chinese automaker Human Horizons Technology that reflects the region’s interest in higher-end vehicles. Separately, the Abu Dhabi government this year took a 7% stake in China’s Nio Inc.
Chinese brands made up 16% of the 616,500 new vehicles sold in Saudi Arabia last year. The Gulf country was also the second-largest importer of Chinese cars in 2022, behind Mexico, before dropping to fifth place this year as exports to Russia and Europe picked up. Marques like MG are seeing fast growth in the UAE, posting an 86% surge in the first three months of this year, according to local media reports.
BYD Co. topped the EV sales chart for Israel and ranked fourth overall in vehicle sales in the first nine months of 2023. Of the roughly 16,000 foreign-made EVs imported to a free-trade zone in Jordan’s central governorate of Zarqa in the first half of the year, about 80% were made in China.
Auto firms are likely to benefit from China’s deepening economic ties with the Middle East, just as escalating trade tensions with Europe and the US ripple through the EV sector and risk throttling the industry’s ambitions abroad. That’s made the region a welcoming investment prospect and could help Chinese companies more easily access potential new funds and even skirt tightening import regulations in Western markets.
Within the Middle East, consumer tastes are evolving. Customers now see Chinese vehicles as durable, reliable, and with capabilities on par with German, American or Japanese cars that make them worth the money, said Hesham Amer, a UAE-based auto distributor who has worked with brands such as Guangzhou Automobile Group Co.
File photo: Branding on an Xpeng P7 electric vehicle (EV). (Bloomberg)
Fuel economics are starting to change in favor of EVs, too. While it’s still relatively cheap to run a gas-guzzler in many places — petrol costs between $2.18 to $2.35 per gallon in Saudi Arabia and Qatar — it’s financially savvy to have an EV in some countries. In the UAE, where the government sets petrol pricing higher at $3.43 per gallon, it costs about $50 to fill up a small sport-utility vehicle, compared with around $10 to fully charge a similar sized EV, according to Amer.
“The Middle East is probably the most promising for Chinese automakers,” said Yale Zhang, managing director at Shanghai-based consultancy Autoforesight Co. Wealthy customers may be particularly interested in an EV that has innovative in-car technologies and can rapidly accelerate like a Porsche, he said.
Chinese firms are also looking at how they can allay concerns about whether cars made abroad can withstand the extreme heat, sand and dust of the Middle East.
Peter Matkin, the head of research and development for Chery’s high-end marque Exeed, said one way the brand tests its cars’ durability is to leave a vehicle outside for an entire day during summer to see how the environment impacts materials. Some vehicles not specifically engineered for the Middle East start to creak after being parked outside for extended periods of time, he said.
Battery performance is also a top concern for automakers and consumers alike. During summers in Doha, where temperatures can soar to 50C (122F), the time needed to charge an EV from a 50-kilowatt commercial charger increases to as long as two-and-a-half hours from the typical 40 to 45 minutes, according to Sertac Bayhan, a senior scientist at the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
High temperatures, along with the need to run air conditioning constantly, means batteries drain quicker. One EV that underwent testing at the institute showed a range drop from 350 kilometers (217 miles) in winter to just 200 kilometers in summer. Batteries also degrade much faster in hotter climes, with capacity shortened by about 70% to 75% during the standard 10-year warranty period.
Even surmounting the technological hurdles won’t guarantee market share for Chinese firms. Charging infrastructure is sparse in many Middle East countries — the UAE has less than 900 charging stations currently, though has vowed to install 30,000 by the end of 2050. And while opinions about the quality of ‘Made in China’ vehicles improves, most brands remain relatively unknown in the region.
At October’s Geneva International Motor Show, which this year took place in Doha, booths for Chinese brands like Chery and Lynk & Co. attracted groups of interested onlookers, but the biggest crowds flocked to legacy names like Porsche and Lamborghini.
Established Western brands are also looking to muscle in on the Middle East market in competition with Chinese EVs.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG’s local dealer launched at least three electric models at the Doha show and Selvin Govender, who heads the firm’s marketing and sales for the Middle East and Africa, said he’s already seeing customer interest. Mercedes has recorded double-digit growth in EV sales in the UAE, and single-digit growth in Saudi Arabia, he said. For some attendees, their curiosity about Chinese EVs will take time to translate into actual sales.
Wafa and Mohamed, a Doha-based couple in their 30s who asked not to be identified by their last names due to privacy concerns, are considering replacing one of their three cars — a Corolla, a Lexus and a Porsche — with a Chery vehicle. But worries about the battery-powered vehicles’ performance in the Qatari summers mean they’re not likely to purchase one any time soon. “Maybe when everyone else starts driving an EV, then we’ll think about it,” Wafa said.
Harley Davidson X440 has 25,000 bookings so far while the order booklet for Karizma stands at around 14,000 units.
On the back of strong bookings of its premium bikes, Hero MotoCorp – is ramping up production for its premium models to 10,000 units a month. The maker of Splendor and Passion, which is aggressively looking at making a mark in the fast-growing premium two-wheeler market, plans to deliver about 30,000 to 40,000 units in the next four months.
Harley X440 deliveries commenced on October 15,2023
Over 2,000 Harley X440 units have been delivered so far
Hero to get its own version of Harley X440 next year
Speaking to analyst post Q2 earnings call Niranjan Gupta, CEO of Hero MotoCorp said, ” We will start with 10,000 units a month for both Karizma and Harley Davidson X440 and this will be augmented further going ahead. Our focus is on ensuring we win in this premium journey and get to a meaningful market share.”
The company is currently sitting on 25,000 units bookings of Harley Davidson X440 and 14,000 units of the Karizma XMR since it opened bookings.
A confident Gupta said, “Our win in premium journey has started off very well. Our strategy is to address it on all fronts – product portfolio, place, price and promotion. We have started deliveries of Harley 440 across 100 stores from 15th of October, we have so far delivered more than 2000 vehicles. We have got fresh 2000 bookings in the second window, our cumulative booking for Harley still stands at 250,00 plus, we expect to deliver, over the next four month, as the supplies get augmented, we will be able to deliver it a lot faster.”
The premium push is likely to continue in the forthcoming quarters. Hero MotoCorp is scheduled to launch its own version of Harley Davidson X440 in March of 2024.
“The product excitement will continue for the next 4-6 quarters,” assured Gupta.
Honda is working on a range of electric two-wheelers globally that will arrive in the next few years and the company previewed one such model at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show with the SC e: concept. The Honda SC e: electric scooter concept is positioned above the EM:1 electric scooter, also showcased in the production guise at the auto show, and hints at a more family-oriented offering.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 02 Nov 2023, 18:04 PM
The Honda SC e: concept looks like a 125 cc equivalent electric scooter that could influence the future e-scooters from the manufacturer
The Honda SC e: looks like a more fleshed-out idea of an electric scooter and could be comparable to a 125 cc offering. The design language is modern yet appealing to a wider customer base with smoother lines, a contoured single-piece seat and a full-size pillion grab handle. The front apron houses the LED headlamp with the LED DRL that brings a signature element to the concept, while the 12-inch alloy wheels look nice and chunky with a perforated disc design. The turn indicators are finished in teal.
The SC e: concept draws power from a PMS mid-drive motor, while power will come from two Honda Mobile Power Pack e: battery packs. Each battery pack weighs 10 kg and will be placed under the seat. This leaves little room for practical under-seat storage space but will allow the flexibility to swap batteries and maximise productivity with the e-scooter. Honda does not confirm a range on the concept but it could offer a real-world range of about 100 km on a single charge. The top speed is likely to be around 70 kmph.
There’s no word on when the Honda SC e: concept will enter production. However, it will be interesting to see how much it will influence the electric scooters being designed for India. Honda 2Wheelers India has already announced its plans to introduce two electric scooters in the country by March 2024, one of which will use swappable batteries. The company is expected to bring an e-scooter for last-mile deliveries and one for private customers. The company is already setting up battery-swapping stations in India.
After releasing multiple teasers and revealing the interior, Skoda is all set to reveal the new generation Superb sedan today. Entering its fourth generation, the premium sedan will incorporate the Czech automobile brand’s contemporary design philosophy. As the teaser images have suggested, the new generation Skoda Superb will come sharper than the outgoing model.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 02 Nov 2023, 14:41 PM
Upon launch, the new Skoda Superb will revise its competition with rivals like the Toyota Camry, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.
The new generation Skoda Superb sedan gets the automaker’s signature grille design with multiple vertical slats and chrome surround. The front and rear bumpers come updated, while the LED matrix headlamps, new alloy wheels and reworked boot lid with Skoda lettering along with new wraparound and sharp-looking LED taillights will enhance the car’s visual appeal.
As Skoda has already revealed, the new generation Superb sedan will come featuring a 10-inch fully digital instrument cluster inside the cabin, while the key attraction will be the 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The touchscreen infotainment system will come with wireless mobile connectivity, while the car will also get dual-tone brown and black upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats among other features. As the auto manufacturer has hinted, the new generation Skoda Superb will come offering a more premium vibe than the current model.
On the powertrain front, the new generation iteration of the premium sedan would get four different powertrain options. These will include a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 2.0-litre diesel engine, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol mild-hybrid engine, and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol plug-in hybrid engine. Transmission options for the sedan would include manual and automatic gearboxes. Expect the India-bound version of the new Skoda Superb to come with the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit. Upon launch, the new Skoda Superb will revise its competition with rivals like the Toyota Camry, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.
Avinya will not just be a car, but an architecture spawning an entire family of EVs.
As part of accelerating its transition to electric vehicle, Tata Motors has announced a strategic collaboration with its marquee brand Jaguar Land Rover to share the latter’s born-electric Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA). This EMA architecture will be used for its upcoming premium EV Avinya, said, P B Balaji, Group CFO of Tata Motors.
Tata Avinya due in 2025 to use JLR’s EMA born electric platform
To be shared with next-gen Evoque, Discovery Sport from JLR’s stable
Will be localised to keep costs competitive
Tata Motors and JLR sign MoU for EMA platform
Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (Tata’s electric vehicle subsidiary) and Jaguar Land Rover have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the licensing of JLR’s Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform for a royalty fee (including electrical architecture, electric drive unit, battery pack and manufacturing know-hows) for the development of Tata’s upcoming born-electric vehicles.
Balaji explained that this is part of Tata Motors strategy to transition eventually to skateboard EVs – or Gen 3 products. “If you recollect, we had shared our plans of having Gen 1 – converted architecture, Gen 2 – flexible ICE and BEV architecture and Gen 3 – pure EV architecture. When we looked around for a platform for pure EVs, we realised that for Avinya, which was always planned to be premium, JLR architecture fits well,” added Balaji.
He also elaborated that Avinya will not just be a car, but an architecture which is likely to spawn a family or range of electric vehicles in the future. The Avinya concept was first showcased in 2022, and right from the onset, Tata Motors had plans of going global with it. It will therefore be significantly more premium than any of Tata’s existing vehicles, perhaps with similar positioning as its counterpart from JLR.
“It will reduce our development time, advance Tata Motors into advanced electrical and electronic architecture and prepare the brand for the future autonomous vehicles. It is a significant win-win strategy for both Tata Motors and JLR,” added Balaji.
Jaguar Land Rover’s EMA platform will be designed from the outset to accommodate advanced driver assistance systems and extensive cloud connectivity. JLR claims it will be capable of communicating with other cars and infrastructure, such as traffic control networks. The EMA platform is “engineered around the battery” with its flat floor allowing for maximum interior space. It will also be able to accommodate batteries of different chemistries.
In addition, the platform is claimed to allow for Software Over The Air (SOTA), Level 2+ autonomy and Feature Over The Air (FOTA) capabilities. The EMA platform will feature a highly integrated propulsion system with cell to pack battery technology, battery management and charging system. Further, the platform will also be eligible for 5-star safety rating and ultrafast charging technologies for high performance vehicles.
JLR’s EMA architecture to be localised
When the first batch of vehicles based on the EMA platform go into production from late 2024 onwards, it will initially be produced at JLR’s Halewood plant in the UK. Originally opened by Ford, the plant is already undergoing a conversion for production of battery electric vehicles. However, with the Avinya series of models that’s due from 2025, Tata Motors will be localising the EMA architecture here in India to keep costs competitive while still bearing a premium positioning.
This then is the second major joint project announced by Tata Motors and JLR. The Harrier and Safari SUVs are based on the Jaguar Land Rover Freelander D8 platform. However, the partnership on the EMA for a full vehicle development program is a major step up in level of collaboration between Tata Motors and JLR.
If you’re wondering whether you should buy the Mahindra XUV300 petrol or diesel then this article will help you come to a conclusion. Here, we’ll take the latest ex-showroom prices of the XUV300 and look at the price difference. Based on the current petrol and diesel prices, we’ll calculate the kilometres you need to drive the car to recover the higher upfront cost. This should help you decide which engine option of the XUV300 will work best for you and save you money in the long run. Let’s start with the difference in their ex-showroom prices.
Mahindra XUV300 Petrol Vs Diesel – Price Comparison
Let’s look at the latest ex-showroom prices of the Mahindra XUV300 petrol and diesel to see what extra cost you’re paying for the XUV300 diesel over the XUV300 petrol.
MAHINDRA XUV300 PETROL VS DIESEL PRICES
EX-SHOWROOM DELHI (NOVEMBER 2023)
Variants
Petrol Prices
Difference
Diesel Prices
W6 Manual
Rs. 9,99,996
Rs. 1,00,504
Rs. 11,00,500
W8 Manual
Rs. 11,50,501
Rs. 1,49,999
Rs. 13,00,500
W8 Dual Tone Manual
Rs. 11,65,501
Rs. 1,50,000
Rs. 13,15,501
W8 (O) Manual
Rs. 12,60,502
Rs. 1,31,998
Rs. 13,92,500
W8 (O) Dual Tone Manual
Rs. 12,75,502
Rs. 1,31,999
Rs. 14,07,501
W6 Automatic
Rs. 10,70,501
Rs. 1,59,999
Rs. 12,30,500
W8 (O) Automatic
Rs. 13,30,501
Rs. 1,30,000
Rs. 14,60,501
W8 (O) Dual Tone Automatic
Rs. 13,45,501
Rs. 1,28,999
Rs. 14,74,500
For the Mahindra XUV300 diesel manual, you’re paying between Rs. 1.01 lakh and Rs. 1.5 lakh more than the petrol.
With the automatic transmission, the ex-showroom price for the XUV300 diesel is Rs. 1.29 lakh to Rs. 1.6 lakh higher than the petrol.
Mahindra XUV300 Petrol Vs Diesel – Running Cost Calculation – November 2023
Now, let’s compare the per kilometre fuel cost you’ll incur with both the engine options. For this, we’ll use the latest petrol and diesel prices in Delhi and the official mileage figures as a baseline.
MAHINDRA XUV300
COST PER KM (NOVEMBER 2023)
Petrol
Difference
Diesel
Fuel Price Delhi
Rs. 96.76
Rs. 7.10
Rs. 89.66
Manual Mileage
16.82kmpl
3.18km
20.00kmpl
Manual Cost Per KM
Rs. 5.75
Rs. 1.27
Rs. 4.48
Automatic Mileage
17.00kmpl
2.70km
19.70kmpl
Automatic Cost Per KM
Rs. 5.69
Rs. 1.14
Rs. 4.55
At the current fuel prices, the Mahindra XUV300 petrol manual will cost you Rs. 1.27 more than the Mahindra XUV300 diesel manual for every kilometre you drive.
With the automatic, the Mahindra XUV300 diesel will save you Rs. 1.14 compared to the petrol automatic.
Kilometres To Breakeven With Mahindra XUV300 Diesel
MAHINDRA XUV300 PETROL VS DIESEL
KM TO RECOVER (NOVEMBER 2023)
Variants
KM to Recover
W6 Manual
79,157km
W8 Manual
1,18,140km
W8 Dual Tone Manual
1,18,140km
W8 (O) Manual
1,03,962km
W8 (O) Dual Tone Manual
1,03,963km
W6 Automatic
1,40,289km
W8 (O) Automatic
1,13,986km
W8 (O) Dual Tone Automatic
1,13,108km
Depending on the variant, you’ll have to cover 79,157 to 1.18 lakh km with the Mahindra XUV300 diesel manual to recover the extra price you pay upfront over the XUV300 petrol.
With the automatic, depending on the variant, you’ll have to cover 1.13 lakh to 1.4 lakh km with the XUV300 diesel to recover the extra price you pay upfront over the XUV300 petrol.
Should You Buy a Mahindra XUV300 Petrol Or Diesel?
Considering the significantly higher torque output of the XUV300 diesel, we’d say that you can buy the XUV300 diesel even if you intend to cover 40,000 – 50,000km during the ownership. If you find the petrol performance adequate for your use and don’t need the higher performance all that much, then you should consider upgrading to the diesel engine only if you plan to drive the car for more than 70,000km.
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) on Wednesday announced that it has sold a total of 4,92,884 units last month, registering a growth of 10% over corresponding month a year ago. The company recorded 9% growth in the domestic market with 4,62,747 units while its exports grew by 29% with sales of 30,137 units last month.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 01 Nov 2023, 17:50 PM
File photo of the 2023 Honda Shine 125.
October also saw various other milestones for the company such as achieving the feat of crossing 30 lakh customer milestone in Kerala. The company’s Shine brand in the125cc motorcycle segment crossed over 30 lakh customers in western India.
In terms of new launches, the company introduced the OBD2A compliant 2023 CB300R at a starting price of ₹2.40 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Neo Sports Café Roadster can be booked at the nearest BigWing dealerships.
It also introduced the new avatars of H’ness CB350 & CB350RS in Legacy Edition and New Hue Edition, respectively. The new special editions only get cosmetic changes over the standard models. They are priced at ₹2,16,356 and ₹2,19,357 respectively (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Customers can now book these motorcycles at BigWing dealerships and deliveries will commence soon across the country. The H’ness CB350 Legacy Edition comes in a new Pearl Siren Blue colour scheme. The latter features a new Sports Red and Athletic Blue Metalic paint scheme with attractive tank graphics and stripes on both wheels and fenders.
Recently, the company also launched the all-new adventure tourer XL750 Transalp and opened its bookings for the first 100 customers in select cities. The cities include Gurugram, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Indore, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata. Deliveries will begin from November. The motorcycle has been introduced in the country at an introductory price of ₹10,99,990 (ex-showroom, Gurugram). The premium adventure tourer is being brought into the country via the completely built-up (CBU) route from Japan and will be exclusively sold via the BigWing dealerships.
Kia India on Wednesday announced that the auto company sold 24,351 units in October 2023, with the Seltos SUV contributing more than 50 per cent to the overall retail numbers. The South Korean auto manufacturer has claimed that in October 2023, the company clocked its fourth-best monthly sales, recording a 4.41 per cent growth over the same month a year ago, when it registered 23,323 units.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 01 Nov 2023, 16:33 PM
Kia Seltos SUV contributed more than 50 per cent to Kia India’s overall sales in October 2023.
Kia Seltos has been the bestselling car for the auto company in India to date. Also, the SUV has been the first-ever Kia car to launch in India. In October 2023 as well, Seltos continued the momentum of being Kia’s bestselling car. It claims to have sold 12,362 units last month, contributing more than 50 per cent to the auto manufacturer’s overall sales. The other cars sold by Kia in the Indian market too witnessed robust sales performance. The Kia Sonet compact SUV claims to have sold 6,493 units last month, while the Carens sold 5,355 units. The Kia EV6 sold 141 units in India in October 2023.
Watch: Kia Seltos 2023: First drive review
Speaking about the car manufacturing company’s sales performance last month, Hardeep Singh Brar, national head of sales and marketing at Kia India, said that the festive season propelled the growth of the automaker’s sales further last month. He also hopes the sales momentum will continue in the coming months. “During the festive season, our customers’ positive outlook has helped us achieve our fourth-highest monthly sales ever in India. The fact that our products like the Seltos, Sonet and Carens continue to dominate in their respective segment, despite multiple new launches by competition, is a major accomplishment. We are working towards maintaining the same momentum in the coming months,” he said.
In 2023, between January and October, Kia India claims to have sold 219,702 units. The Seltos SUV claims to have contributed the most to the automaker’s CY2023 sales with 83,250 units, followed by Sonet and Carens, with 73,333 units and 60,817 units sold, respectively.
If you’re wondering whether you should buy the Hyundai Alcazar petrol or diesel then this article will help you come to a conclusion. Here, we’ll take the latest ex-showroom prices of the Alcazar and look at the price difference. Based on the current petrol and diesel prices, we’ll calculate the kilometres you need to drive the car to recover the higher upfront cost. This should help you decide which engine option of the Alcazar will work best for you and save you money in the long run. Let’s start with the difference in their ex-showroom prices.
Hyundai Alcazar Petrol Vs Diesel – Price Comparison
Let’s look at the latest ex-showroom prices of the Hyundai Alcazar petrol and diesel to see what extra cost you’re paying for the Alcazar diesel over the Alcazar petrol.
HYUNDAI ALCAZAR PETROL VS DIESEL PRICES
EX-SHOWROOM DELHI (NOVEMBER 2023)
Variants
Petrol Prices
Difference
Diesel Prices
Prestige 7S Manual
Rs. 16,77,500
Rs. 95,800
Rs. 17,73,300
Platinum 7S Manual
Rs. 18,67,700
Rs. 96,200
Rs. 19,63,900
Platinum 7S Adventure Manual
Rs. 19,03,600
Rs. 96,200
Rs. 19,99,800
Signature (O) 7S Automatic
Rs. 20,27,700
Rs. 59,900
Rs. 20,87,600
Signature (O) 6S Automatic
Rs. 20,27,700
Rs. 59,900
Rs. 20,87,600
Signature (O) 6S Adventure Dual Tone Automatic
Rs. 20,32,600
Rs. 90,900
Rs. 21,23,500
For the Hyundai Alcazar diesel manual, you’re paying between Rs. 95,800 and Rs. 96,200 more than the petrol.
With the automatic transmission, the ex-showroom price for the Alcazar diesel is Rs. 59,900 to Rs. 90,900 higher than the petrol.
Hyundai Alcazar Petrol Vs Diesel – Running Cost Calculation – November 2023
Now, let’s compare the per kilometre fuel cost you’ll incur with both the engine options. For this, we’ll use the latest petrol and diesel prices in Delhi and the official mileage figures as a baseline.
HYUNDAI ALCAZAR
COST PER KM (NOVEMBER 2023)
Petrol
Difference
Diesel
Fuel Price Delhi
Rs. 96.76
Rs. 7.10
Rs. 89.66
Manual Mileage
17.50kmpl
2.90km
20.40kmpl
Manual Cost Per KM
Rs. 5.53
Rs. 1.13
Rs. 4.40
Automatic Mileage
18.00kmpl
0.10km
18.10kmpl
Automatic Cost Per KM
Rs. 5.38
Rs. 0.42
Rs. 4.95
At the current fuel prices, the Hyundai Alcazar petrol manual will cost you Rs. 1.13 more than the Hyundai Alcazar diesel manual for every kilometre you drive.
With the automatic, the Hyundai Alcazar diesel will save you Rs. 0.42 compared to the petrol automatic.
Kilometres To Breakeven With Hyundai Alcazar Diesel
HYUNDAI ALCAZAR PETROL VS DIESEL
KM TO RECOVER (NOVEMBER 2023)
Variants
KM to Recover
Prestige 7S Manual
84,476km
Platinum 7S Manual
84,829km
Platinum 7S Adventure Manual
84,829km
Signature (O) 7S Automatic
1,41,955km
Signature (O) 6S Automatic
1,41,955km
Signature (O) 6S Adventure Dual Tone Automatic
2,15,421km
Depending on the variant, you’ll have to cover 84,476km to 84,829 km with the Hyundai Alcazar diesel manual to recover the extra price you pay upfront over the Alcazar petrol.
With the automatic, depending on the variant, you’ll have to cover 1.42 lakh to 2.15 lakh km with the Alcazar diesel to recover the extra price you pay upfront over the Alcazar petrol.
Should You Buy Hyundai Alcazar Petrol Or Diesel?
With the Hyundai Alcazar, choosing between the turbo petrol and turbo diesel variants may look simple at first. However, there are many factors to consider if you are in the market for the Hyundai Alcazar. With a kilometre-to-breakeven figure of under 85,000km, we would recommend the Alcazar turbo diesel only if you are considering long-term ownership and plan to drive the 3-row SUV for at least 1 lakh kilometres. If your requirements do not meet either of these conditions, then buy the Alcazar turbo petrol manual. However, it is important to note that the real world mileage of the turbo petrol manual powertrain will largely depend on your driving style as turbo petrol engines are sensitive to your right foot and traffic conditions.
If you are considering the Hyundai Alcazar with an automatic transmission, then we’d recommend the Alcazar turbo diesel automatic despite its greater kilometre-to-break even figure of 1.41 lakh to 2.15 lakh kilometres. DCT type of automatics, like the one found in the Alcazar turbo petrol automatic, are yet to establish themselves as long-term reliable workhorses in Indian climatic and driving conditions. Hence, we’d steer clear of the Alcazar turbo petrol since both the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine as well as the DCT transmission are new in the market and are yet to prove themselves as reliable workhorses. On the other hand, the Alcazar turbo diesel combined with the TC automatic transmission has been around for years and this combination has proven itself to be reliable in Indian traffic conditions. That said, if you do not plan on owning the Hyundai Alcazar for a long term and want to experience the new turbo petrol-DCT combination, then by all means, go for the Hyundai Alcazar turbo petrol automatic.
Data reveals that 33.8 percent of all road accidents resulted in fatalities last year.
Road accidents claimed around 19 lives every hour in the country last year. Total accidents last year were 4,61,312, with fatal accidents amounting to 33.8 percent of that (1,55,781) and 4,43,366 injuries, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Tamil Nadu recorded highest number of accidents
Uttar Pradesh tops list of fatal accidents
Compared to the previous year, the number of road accidents in 2022 increased by 11.9 percent. Similarly, the number of deaths and injuries also saw a rise of 9.4 percent and 15.3 percent, respectively. These figures highlight the growing concern and urgency to address road safety issues in the country.
Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, emphasised the wider implications of road accidents, stating, “Let us remember that the cost of road accidents is borne not only by the victims and their families but also by the economy as a whole, in terms of untimely deaths, injuries, disabilities and loss of potential income.”
State-wise accidents
Among the states, Tamil Nadu, with 64,105 accidents, recorded the highest number of road accidents in 2022 and accounts for 13.9 percent of the total. Madhya Pradesh followed closely behind with 54,432 accidents, representing 11.8 percent. In terms of fatalities, Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 22,595 deaths (13.4 percent of the total), followed by Tamil Nadu with 17,884 deaths, or around 10 percent of the total fatalities.
The category-wise distribution of accidents and fatalities reveals that the highways, with around 5 percent of total road network in the country, accounted for over 55 percent of total accidents and more than 60 percent of fatalities. Highways accounted for 36.2 percent of total persons killed in National Highways.
The worrying fact is that even with proactive steps taken by the government in the form of implementation of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019, which came into effect from September 1, 2019, has not helped in bringing down the accident rates. The MVA Act 2019 included provisions like a stiff hike in penalties for traffic violations, electronic monitoring of the same and enhanced penalties for juvenile driving, among others.
If you’re wondering whether you should buy the Hyundai Venue petrol or diesel then this article will help you come to a conclusion. Here, we’ll take the latest ex-showroom prices of the Venue and look at the price difference. Based on the current petrol and diesel prices, we’ll calculate the kilometres you need to drive the car to recover the higher upfront cost. This should help you decide which engine option of the Venue will work best for you and save you money in the long run. Let’s start with the difference in their ex-showroom prices.
Hyundai Venue Petrol Vs Diesel – Price Comparison
Let’s look at the latest ex-showroom prices of the Hyundai Venue petrol and diesel to see what extra cost you’re paying for the Venue diesel over the Venue petrol.
HYUNDAI VENUE PETROL VS DIESEL PRICES
EX-SHOWROOM DELHI (NOVEMBER 2023)
Variants
Petrol Prices
Difference
Diesel Prices
SX Manual
Rs. 11,00,400
Rs. 1,26,700
Rs. 12,27,100
SX Dual Tone Manual
Rs. 11,15,400
Rs. 1,26,700
Rs. 12,42,100
SX (O) Manual
Rs. 12,44,200
Rs. 74,500
Rs. 13,18,700
SX (O) Dual Tone Manual
Rs. 12,59,200
Rs. 74,500
Rs. 13,33,700
For the Hyundai Venue diesel manual, you’re paying between Rs. 74,500 and Rs. 1.27 lakh more than the Venue petrol.
Hyundai Venue Petrol Vs Diesel – Running Cost Calculation – November 2023
Now, let’s compare the per kilometre fuel cost you’ll incur with both the engine options. For this, we’ll use the latest petrol and diesel prices in Delhi and the official mileage figures as a baseline.
HYUNDAI VENUE
COST PER KM (NOVEMBER 2023)
Petrol
Difference
Diesel
Fuel Price Delhi
Rs. 96.76
Rs. 7.10
Rs. 89.66
Manual Mileage
17.00kmpl
3.15km
20.15kmpl
Manual Cost Per KM
Rs. 5.69
Rs. 1.24
Rs. 4.45
At the current fuel prices, the Hyundai Venue petrol manual will cost you Rs. 1.24 more than the Hyundai Venue diesel manual for every kilometre you drive.
Kilometres To Breakeven With Hyundai Venue Diesel
HYUNDAI VENUE PETROL VS DIESEL
KM TO RECOVER (NOVEMBER 2023)
Variants
KM to Recover
SX Manual
1,02,002km
SX Dual Tone Manual
1,02,002km
SX (O) Manual
59,977km
SX (O) Dual Tone Manual
59,977km
Depending on the variant, you’ll have to cover 59,977 to 1.02 lakh km with the Hyundai Venue diesel manual to recover the extra price you pay upfront over the Venue petrol.
Should You Buy Hyundai Venue Petrol Or Diesel?
If you have a budget of about Rs. 13 lakh (ex-showroom), then we’d recommend the Venue SX (O) diesel variants. The price difference of Rs. 74,500 and a km-to-breakeven figure of under 60,000km is negligible since most owners would cover that distance in about 2-3 years of Venue ownership. The diesel variant of the Venue is not only more fuel efficient but could also serve as a solid companion on long drives. The stronger torque output will not only help you maintain good pace on the highways but can also make overtaking slower traffic a breeze.
However, it is important to note that if you buy the Venue diesel variants, you will have to contend with the higher noise, harshness and vibration levels that are an inherent characteristic of diesel engines.
Kia made a big splash in the Indian market when they launched the Carens. Generally, people do not want to be seen in an MPV but one thing that you will have to agree on is that MPVs are practical and suit our Indian conditions. This is where the Carens became successful, it retained the practicality of an MPV but had a design inspired by an SUV and an interior design that looks a segment above.
By: Paarth Khatri | Updated on: 31 Oct 2023, 18:18 PM
The Carens uses SUV-derived styling which makes it quite a handsome-looking MPV.
Kia used to offer the Carens with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.5-litre diesel engine and a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine. The manufacturer has now discontinued the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and replaced it with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol unit. However, it is still mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The new engine produces 158 bhp of max power and a peak torque output of 253 Nm. When compared, the 1.4-litre unit used to produce 138 bhp and 242 Nm. So, yes the new engine is more powerful. Now, the Indian market is very sensitive to fuel economy so a person might be wondering if a larger engine which is more powerful might be more thirsty.
We recently drove the Carens with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine extensively. During our testing, the Carens’ fuel efficiency hovered around 9 kmpl in the city. However, on the highway, we were able to stretch the fuel efficiency up to 17 kmpl while following the speed limits. Because the gearbox on the Carens turbo is a 7-speed unit, the MPV can cruise at 100 kmph doing just 1,800 rpm. This ensures that the cabin stays silent and is a comfortable place to be in.
Then there is the 1.4-litre turbo petrol which also delivers 9 kmpl in the city but on the highway, it returns around 16 kmpl. So, as it turns out, the 1.5-litre engine is slightly more efficient. This is probably because it has a larger displacement and it does not need to work as hard as the 1.4-litre unit out on the highways. Moreover, what also helps the 1.5-litre engine is the idle start/stop system which turns off the engine whenever the MPV comes to a stop and the restarts as soon as the driver takes his or her foot off the brake.
Italian luxury vehicle manufacturer Maserati has displayed the Quattroporte at the 45th Turin Motor Show, one of the biggest motoring events in the world. The luxury saloon completes its 60 years of existence this year, across six generations and more than 75,000 models produced. The car that debuted in the early 1960s, garnered acclaim and inspired successive generations.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 31 Oct 2023, 16:38 PM
Over the years, the Maserati Quattroporte has been known as a living room on the move with extremely welcoming spaces.
Over the years, the car has been known as a living room on the move with extremely welcoming spaces, regal allure and an official car. The initial version was able to reach 230 kmph thanks to its eight-cylinder racing-derived engine. In its latest and highest-spec version, the model can reach 0-100 kmph in just 4.5 seconds at a top speed of 366 kmph.
The Quattroporte has made its way to the garages of some thrill-seekers, of kings and princes, and found a limelight in the background of many memorable films. It has been featured in more than 60 productions, to be precise. The saloon has also been photographed on red carpets or while accompanying the highest-ranking officials at solemn events and the significant VIPs in industry.
A mainstay of the automotive landscape in the 20th century, the Quattroporte still remains relevant in the new millennium sixty years later. “Quattroporte is Maserati’s history. A car that tells our story and has prestigiously represented us in the world of saloon cars, for over half a century,” said CEO of Maserati, Davide Grasso.
The latest Quattroporte has taken the stage once again after many years, in its most modern version. It incorporates all the restyling, progress in engineering, changes in corporate structure and yet retains the exclusivity. “A source of pride for us and an acknowledgement of that distinctively Italian character that Maserati has always aimed to export around the world with its creations,” Grasso added.
As the iconic kaali peeli Padmini bids Mumbai farewell, we look back at what it was like to drive one.
Published On Oct 31, 2023 04:48:00 PM
Think Bombay and the first image that pops up is that of Victorian buildings, red double-decker buses, and a compact Italian sedan from the ‘50s painted in yellow and black. The taxi, of course, is the Fiat 1100 D. A well-rounded family car in its time, later sold here as the Premier Padmini, it was enjoyable to drive in the right conditions, compact in dimension and reasonably practical.
This is probably why it made for such a successful taxi – first with a petrol engine, then a diesel, and finally running on CNG. Produced all the way from 1964 to 2001 (due to the licence raj), it was a car preferred by those who drove themselves and was only outlived by its compatriot, the even longer-running Hindustan Ambassador.
CNG feeder pipe to the carburettor and loose electric wires live in perfect harmony, radiator cap removed to reduce pressure.
Truth be told, it shouldn’t have been very successful as a taxi. It wasn’t as spacious or as comfortable as an HM Ambassador; it couldn’t carry as much luggage; and it didn’t ride quite as well either. Taxi drivers, however, loved it. It was ‘zippy’, compact, and agile and would make most gaps in traffic easily. What really set it apart, especially later in its extended life, was that it cost almost nothing to fix.
While the Fiat 1100 was pretty accomplished in its time and reasonably comfortable to ride in, the taxi fleet got tattier and rattier as the years went by. Soon, most were upwards of 20 years old, and that’s when we at Autocar India decided to drive one.
Steering wheel cover was a standard feature on the taxis.
But why test a 20-or-so-year-old taxi? The need to test the car came about from an argument with one of Mumbai’s finest practitioners of the art of ‘restrained aggression’ – a cab driver. He had tried his best to rear-end me as I stopped for a traffic signal and, to put it mildly, we exchanged a few words. “When have you last driven one of these?” he’d queried, pointing to his bedraggled Padmini. So, in the name of science, humanity and rank stupidity, we got ourselves behind the wheel of an old cab, testing equipment in hand.
Testing Mumbai’s iconic Premier Padmini kaali peeli
Having owned and driven three Fiat 1100s in the past, I thought I would be familiar with the car. Hah, what arrogance! Nothing, not even several taxi rides, with blown tyres, free-floating rear seats or severe alignment problems could have adequately prepared me. It’s no small exaggeration to state that none of the mechanical bits functioned as they should have. None. Okay, maybe the horn worked perfectly, but that was about it.
Start-up is a wheezy crrrrr, crrrr, crrr; hopeless, almost no sign of life. Finally, it starts. Then comes the difficult job of selecting first gear. The gear slots in, but only after grating severely, even with the clutch fully depressed. There was no turbo but, boy-oh-boy, is there lag. The delay can be counted in seconds.
Once the engine begins to rev, it’s maximum noise and no performance. We timed the car from 0-60kph; any more would have been too ambitious. It is slower than we even expect. So we tested it again. And it was slower still; overheating, stuttering and threatening to shut down. Tata Sumos and Mahindra Armadas back in the day were among the slowest cars we’d tested. They took between 11 and 12 seconds to do 0-60kph. This taxi took more than twice that time – 25.23sec.
All tyres have to be bald retreads.
What of stability, grip and braking you ask? Almost all cabs even back in the day ran an assortment of clapped-out tyres, many on their third or fourth retread. A large percentage are slicks, you regularly see others with the ply peeking through and punctures were common. Many cabs were also rotten to the core, their chassis bent and their floor pans drooping.
Once on the move, we discover there’s around 30deg of play on either side when you steer and you need to constantly correct to keep the taxi going straight. We conducted a full brake test – yes, we really were nuts. And here too the distance travelled is twice the worst braking figure we’ve ever recorded.
This taxi is so slow it takes 25sec to go from 0-60kph, twice as slow as the slowest car we’d tested then!
Though Fiat 1100s were accomplished cars in their prime, in the ’60s and ’70s, and performed all manner of roles well when maintained well in private hands, most Padmini taxis even over a decade ago were only fit for the junk heap. Devoid of any directional stability, and in possession of ineffective brakes, they were simply unfit for the road. No ifs, no buts. Just how badly would these cars have fared in a Global NCAP crash test? And how roadworthy or safe are some of our older taxis today? Does anyone care?
_1629880776354.jpeg "The Honda Amaze is the brand's entry-level offering in India")
CNG feeder pipe to the carburettor and loose electric wires live in perfect harmony, radiator cap removed to reduce pressure. 
