Datsun announced superstar Aamir Khan as its brand ambassador in India. An accomplished film star known for his versatility and risk-taking attitude, Aamir Khan will be seen in Datsun India’s new brand campaign #ExperienceChange.

Thomas Kuehl, President, Nissan India Operations, said, “We are delighted to have Aamir Khan join our Datsun family in India. Aamir advocates the bold and fearless attitude of the new generation who strive for excellence and embodies the spirit of Datsun. We are proud to have him onboard and be the face of our new campaign – #ExperienceChange.”

#ExperienceChangeaims to target young, optimistic, energetic and ambitious new generation of consumers. The first campaign featuring Aamir Khanwill focus on driving change with Datsun cars built using Japanese engineering and modern design aesthetics.

Commenting on the association, Aamir Khan said, “I am thrilled to be associated with an iconic brand that stands for quality and innovation… I look forward to being a part of the Datsun family and its fascinating growth journey in India.”

#ExperienceChange is a 360-degree multi-media campaign that will go live on all the key platforms – digital, print, radio, TV, OOH, dealerships and city activations this festive season. The campaign will showcase the new GO and GO+ along with Datsun’s highest selling model redi-GO.

Audi Sport customer racing presents its fourth new model in just four years: Following on from the radically new second-generation Audi R8 LMS (2015), the Audi RS 3 LMS TCR touring car (2016) and the Audi R8 LMS GT4 sports car (2017), the evolution of the Audi R8 LMS GT3 was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show on October 2, 2018.

Michael-Julius Renz, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH, and Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing, revealed the model with the international exhibition visitors looking on. The new version of the model, successful worldwide in sprint and endurance racing, is tailored closely to the customer requirements regarding technology and operating costs.

Bathurst, Daytona, Dubai, Laguna Seca, Nurburgring, Sepang and Spa: Ever since the Audi R8 LMS made its debut in 2015, it has engraved its name in the winners’ lists of the major endurance races. Worldwide championship titles, plus international success in the FIA GT World Cup and Intercontinental GT Challenge complete the track record for the young winning car. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement for Audi Sport: “In developing the evolution of the car, we’ve put even greater focus on our customers and their needs,” says Chris Reinke. “The pre-design stage for the second evolution of our current model generation centered on many discussions with our teams.” In addition to the pros who are successful with the race cars, amateur drivers have also clinched class victories or overall titles in America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

During the development project of the latest evolution, Audi Sport concentrated on providing these customers with an even better technical base than before. Optimization of the aerodynamics and cooling give greater consistency under various dynamic driving conditions. Durability of the power transmission elements is another focal area. For the teams, the evolution package of the Audi R8 LMS pays off both in terms of racing and economy: Moderate modifications of the overall concept and longer service intervals for the clutch and transmission represent sensible investments promising success in racing and optimally support amateurs. Whether the teams already own a second-generation Audi R8 LMS or buy a new model: the changes benefit everyone and are also suitable for retrofitting to existing race cars.

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati has announced the launch of the 959 Panigale Corse in India at a price of Rs 15,20,000 (Ex-Showroom, India). The version coming to India is a special edition sporting a dedicated livery inspired by the Ducati Corse MotoGP colours.

Sergi Canovas, Managing Director of Ducati India Pvt. Ltd. said, “The Panigale has always been the definite Ducati superbike that allows biking enthusiasts to have an unparalleled experience on a race track. The 959 Panigale embodies absolute excellence through the advanced electronics package that inspires confidence and allows riders to explore the limit. In this special Corse livery, the 959 looks much more special and unique as the paint scheme is inspired by the colours of our MotoGP bike, the Desmosedici GP 18.”

The 959 Panigale Corse gets a 955 cc Superquadro engine that is Euro 4 type-approved. 152 PS (150 hp) of power at 10,500 rpm and a torque of 102 Nm (75 lb-ft) at 9,000 rpm are numbers worthy of a Superbike, which on the 959 Panigale Corse are managed not only by an advanced chassis but also by a top-of-the-line technical package.

To inspire confidence when riding at any speed in varying conditions, the 959 Panigale Corse is equipped with a state of the art electronics package which includes the latest generation two channel Bosch ABS 9MP, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS), Engine Brake Control (EBC) and Ride-by-Wire (RbW). Thanks to the Ducati Riding Modes, the electronic settings can be altered differently to give the bike three different personalities. The 3 Riding Modes available in the 959 Panigale Corse are Race, Sport and Wet. However, the version available in India is not equipped with the Ohlins suspensions, lithium battery, Ohlins steering damper and Ducati Performance titanium silencers by Akrapovic.

The Skoda Auto plant in Kvasiny has produced the 250,000th Kodiaq. Skoda’s first large SUV, which was revealed in autumn 2016, has only taken two years to reach a quarter of a million units. Today, the Kodiaq is one of the Czech brand’s bestselling models and is positively pressing ahead with writing its success story: in the first eight months of this year alone, over 100,000 vehicles were delivered to customers.

Michael Oeljeklaus, Skoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics, said, “Given that we only presented the Skoda Kodiaq two years ago, reaching a figure of 250,000 vehicles produced is an enormous achievement. The Kodiaq has changed the Skoda brand’s image and, in doing so, has also spurred on the sales of other models.”

With a production volume of 250,000 vehicles within roughly 23 months, the Skoda Kodiaq is one of the Czech car manufacturer’s central drivers for growth worldwide. Two years ago in September 2016, the brand’s first large SUV rolled into the spotlight at Berlin’s ‘Kraftwerk’ event venue. The Kodiaq celebrated its exhibition premiere at the Paris Motor Show that same month and production of the bold SUV started in 2016 at the Czech plant in Kvasiny. The Skoda Connect range of connectivity services, which is now part of the standard equipment for practically all of the brand’s model ranges, also made its debut in the Kodiaq. The 250,000th Kodiaq is a SportLine in Meteor Grey. The milestone vehicle will be delivered to a customer in France.

The Skoda Kodiaq is currently manufactured at six car factories. In addition to the Czech plant in Kvasiny, the large SUV is also produced at sites in Changsha in China, Nizhny Novgorod in Russia, Aurangabad in India, Solomonovo in Ukraine and Ust-Kamenogorsk in Kazakhstan.

The brand’s first large SUV impresses with a high level of functionality for day-to-day life, excellent value for money, an exceptional amount of space, Skoda Connect’s innovative connectivity offerings as well as state-of-the-art assistance systems for safety and comfort.

With the emotive Kodiaq bodywork, Skoda transferred its expressive design language into the SUV segment for the first time. The appearance of the Kodiaq is characterised by the Skoda -typical clear-cut, precise lines, the distinctive radiator grille and the bold wheel arches. The Skoda Kodiaq is the first of the brand’s models to be available with an optional third row of seats, allowing up to seven people to enjoy excellent travelling comfort in the large SUV.

In addition to the Kodiaq, Skoda’s SUV portfolio currently includes the compact SUV Karoq as well as the Kamiq, which is produced in China for the local market. Soon, the Skoda Kodiaq will be taking on yet another pioneering role – as the first of the brand’s SUVs to bear the RS initials, which adorn Skoda’s sportiest models. The emotive design of the Kodiaq RS comes alive thanks to the interplay of elegant lines, sporty contours and the typical robust nature of an SUV. The 240- PS Skoda Kodiaq vRS will make its debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October.

German luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has announced the introduction of the new C-Class, one of its most popular executive saloons, now in its fifth generation. The new C-Class range comprises – the C 220 d Progressive, the C 220 d Prime, the more powerful C 300 d AMG Line.

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes equipped with a new BS VI engine: the four-cylinder OM 654 diesel powertrain in the C 220 d and the C 300 d AMG Line. The new C-Class was launched by Michael Jopp, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India. The C 220 d variant will be available across all the Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the country with immediate effect while the C 300 d will be available in Q4, 2018.

Michael Jopp, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz India said, “Introduction of fascinating products and their continuous honing has been key to our success and with the launch of the new C-Class, Mercedes-Benz yet again set a very high benchmark in the luxury sedan segment. This model update is the biggest in the history of the C-Class. In total, we have changed some 6,500 components, more than half the number of components in an average C-Class sedan. The C-Class we launched today is the sportiest and most dynamic of all time and it perfectly underlines its positioning of ‘Never Stop Improving’. The new C-Class is loaded with a variety of technologies and features that enhance driving pleasure, and offer unmatched luxury. We are confident that these enhancements will add a dash of athleticism and uniqueness to one of the most popular models in Mercedes-Benz’s rich product portfolio.”

He further added, “Selling over 30,500 units since its inception in India, the C-Class has been one of the best-selling luxury sedans for the Indian market and remains a key contributor to our continued success in the market. With a young and attractive product portfolio, a qualitative network that is expanding and remains a benchmark of luxury experience, a delightful customer service and carefully curated innovative brand outreach programmes; we are glad to be the most preferred choice for a luxury car buyer today. We are glad that our customer centric strategy for India is on the right track and paying results.”

Technical specifications of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The interiors of the C-Class have been significantly enhanced with a new 10.25 inch media display screen and new generation telematics, NGT 5.5 smartphone integration adding better appearance and connectivity in line. The AMG Line interior in the C 300d exudes a more visible and tangible sense of sportiness in this variant, while the expressive body styling of AMG lends the exterior of the C-Class a sporty, exclusive touch. The AMG Line interior in this variant will be available in Saddle Brown and Black upholstery options.

The new C-Class range is priced as follows –

Skoda Auto India unveiled the Rapid Onyx at an ex-showroom price of Rs 9.75 lakh nationwide taking forward the ‘One Nation. One Price.’ philosophy. The Rapid Onyx will be available in two colour options, Lapiz Blue and Candy White, across all Skoda dealerships in the country.

The Rapid Onyx sports a modern crystalline appearance synonymous with the brand’s signature design language. The black facade of the Skoda Signature Grille is perfectly complemented by its chrome surround. It dons glossy black 16-inch clubber alloy wheels with identical bolt covers, glossy black exterior mirrors, glossy black decor on the B pillars, as well as black body side molding and trunk lip garnish.

The Rapid Onyx’s interiors features contrasting dual-tone Ebony-Sand interiors, featuring premium perforated beige with wood design leatherette upholstery. The Super Sport Flat Bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel comes with black stitching. There is abundant chrome decor which adds a premium touch.

The Skoda Rapid Onyx features ‘Drive’ – the state-of-the-art 6.5-inch Colour Touchscreen Central Infotainment System comes equipped with SmartLink technology which will help you control selected apps like navigation straight on the infotainment screen and ensure seamless connectivity with your smartphone to keep you connected on the go, while also supporting USB/Aux-in/Bluetooth options. All the installed applications are certified as safe for vehicles and are compatible with MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The Climatronic technology along with adjustable dual rear AC vents, 12 V power socket in front and rear center console, black waste bin for the front door pocket, scuff plates with Rapid inscription and rear windscreen sunblind make the Rapid Onyx even more compelling.

In addition, considerate touches include features like the height and length adjustable multifunction steering wheel, adjustable headrests, foldable armrests,central locking system with remote control, multi-functional display, height adjustable driver and front passenger seats and storage pockets on the back of the front seats.

Standard safety and security equipment in the Rapid Onyx includes a wide range of features, such as the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), five three-point seat belts and two airbags. In addition, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) is available in AT diesel variant and Hill Hold Control (HHC) is available in both AT Petrol and AT Diesel variants. A host of supporting functions include an all new state of the art anti-theft alarm, Parktronic rear parking sensors, anti-glare rear view mirror, and one-touch bounce back technology for windows.

The Rapid Onyx will come with the 1.5L TDI diesel engine and the 1.6L MPI petrol engine from the Skoda Rapid model range. The 1.5 litre TDI produces 110 PS of power and a torque output of 250 Nm while delivering an ARAI-ratified fuel efficiency of 21.72 kmpl (DSG) and 21.13 kmpl (MT). The 1.6 litre MPI or Multi Point Injection engine is at the core of the Rapid Onyx’s petrol variant. It delivers 105 PS of power and a peak torque output of 153 Nm while delivering fuel efficiency figures of 15.41 kmpl (MT) and 14.84 kmpl (AT).

The Rapid Onyx boasts of a 460L boot space and other intelligent storage solutions with bottle holders in the doors, storage compartment under the front centre armrest and cup holders in the front as well as the rear.

Skoda announced its 4 year service care program which consists of a 4 year warranty program and a 4 year (24 x 7) Road Side Assistance which is standard on all Skodas. Additionally, customers have an option to purchase a 4 year service package at a nominal price which ensures a hassle-free ownership experience.

SKODA RAPID ONYX PRICE SUMMARY:

Post the successful ‘The Call of the Blue’ Chennai event, India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt Ltd. hosted its second on-ground brand engagement activity at Eco Park, Kolkata yesterday. The event featured multiple activities like organising test-rides of Yamaha recently launched motorcycles, showcase and sale of Yamaha accessories, display of Yamaha vintage motorcycles from the customers along with an evening that concluded with the live performance by the music band – M-Sonic. The aim of such events is to establish a sense of pride and belonging amongst the Yamaha owners and loyalists.

During the national announcement of the brand campaign, Motofumi Shitara, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India group of companies had said, “Yamaha’s global corporate mission of realizing kando should be expressively achieved through all of its products or related experiences. Being a #CustomerFirst brand, it is our duty to create delightful experiences for customers that can enrich their lives in the long run. The launch of “The Call of the Blue” should convey Yamaha customers or any customer of two wheelers about the brand’s commitment to provide highly advanced technology as well as treasuring style through its two wheelers. The launch of new products under the campaign launch will offer exciting experiences put together by the Yamaha uniqueness.”

He further added on this occasion,“Yamaha is extremely convinced to put together a brand engagement event following a vibrant riding culture of Kolkata which is also a growing market for Yamaha. The excitement and style that is offered to Yamaha customers through such initiatives is only what counts for us as a ‘kando’ creating company.”

Nissan India today launched the Special Edition of its Sunny, refreshed with design elements and technology. The aesthetic of the Sunny Special Edition is defined by its refreshed stylish black roof wrap, new body decals and black wheel covers with new rear spoilers. Nissan’s flagship sedan, the Sunny is available in dealerships across the country at a starting price of Rs 6.99 lakh. The Sunny Special Edition will be available at Rs 8.48 lakh.

Underlining Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility vision, the Sunny Special Edition is equipped with the NissanConnect, an integrated connected car technology, with more than 50 features for security and convenience. The Limited Edition also has a built-in 6.2-inch touchscreen AVN with phone mirroring for enhanced infotainment.

Commenting on the launch of the stylish new edition of the Nissan Sunny, Hardeep Singh Brar, Director Sales, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd., “The Nissan Sunny is our flagship sedan and has enjoyed immense customer loyalty over the years. As a company that is always on the lookout for customer feedback, we are proud to present the Sunny Special Edition, an embodiment of this customer-centric product philosophy, smart technological upgrades and best-in-class spacious interiors that make it a perfect car for customers looking for a sophisticated driving experience.”

Features like geo-fencing, speed alert, curfew alert, nearby pit-stops, Locate My Car and Share My Car Location address the safety and car security concerns, along with the well-being of drivers. Keyless entry and push-stop-start via intelligent Key, and ‘Lead Me to Car’ which guides passengers to their cars, add a layer of convenience to the overall drive experience.

The Sunny Special Edition is available in two powertrains – 1.5-litre diesel and petrol engines. The petrol engine is paired with the performance-enhancing, globally popular X-Tronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), while the 1.5-litre diesel is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Dual airbags, speed-sensing door lock and driver seat belt reminder come as standard across all variants.

Jaguar’s supercar-rivalling XE SV Project 8 has confirmed its status as the world’s fastest four-door car by setting a new track record.

The 600PS, 200mph four-door road-legal sedan lapped the 2.238-mile WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 1min 37.54sec – almost a second faster than the previous production sedan record – with racing driver Randy Pobst at the wheel.

The most extreme Jaguar yet produced, XE SV Project 8 is a sedan with genuine supercar performance. Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations engineers fine-tuned the car on some of the world’s most thrilling test tracks, including Germany’s famed Nurburgring Nordschleife. Late last year XE SV Project 8 lapped the 12.9-mile circuit in a record 7min 21.23sec.

Michael van der Sande, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director, said: “This Laguna Seca lap record is another powerful demonstration of the Jaguar XE SV Project 8’s performance credentials. Designed, engineered and hand-assembled by Special Vehicle Operations, this record-breaking sedan is made for the world’s most demanding driving enthusiasts.”

Project 8 is the ultimate expression of Jaguar’s XE sports sedan. While based on XE’s lightweight aluminium-intensive monocoque, each of the 300 hand-built Project 8 cars are modified at the SV Technical Centre in Coventry to accommodate the specially tuned, supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine and a bespoke rear differential.

Unlike most high-performance production sedans, the all-wheel-drive XE SV Project 8 is studded with genuine motor racing technology such as F1-style ceramic wheel bearings, adjustable ride height and adjustable camber.

The front and rear fenders are bespoke to accommodate larger, wider, wheels which are necessitated by the larger brakes. The V8’s power is routed through all four Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres through an eight-speed Quickshift automatic ZF transmission, helping to propel the car from 0-60 mph in 3.3sec and an electronically limited top speed of 200mph.

In order to achieve this performance, the car receives significant aerodynamic and suspension upgrades, including a ‘Track’ mode for maximum downforce and further improvements to the damping, throttle and steering response.

Project 8 is available in two specifications. The standard four-seat model features Jaguar’s latest front Performance seats with magnesium frames, plus a more heavily contoured rear squab to maximise support. The optional two-seat Track Pack includes lightweight front carbon fibre racing seats with four-point harnesses fixed to a harness retention hoop in place of the rear seat.

With development of Aston Martin’s first all-electric production car – the Rapide E – progressing apace, the luxury British marque has confirmed a raft of technical details for the strictly limited 155-unit special edition.

Working closely with Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) as its development partner, Aston Martin has utilised the hugely successful leader in Electric Vehicle (EV) technology to kickstart a new era for Aston Martin’s powertrain technology and overcome the technical challenges associated with packaging the battery system and motors within the space available.

Throughout the development process, the engineering team have focused on achieving effective cooling of the batteries and motor to ensure consistent performance, while strict weight targets have been stringently observed using lightweight alloys and carbon composite materials.

Rapide E will be powered by an 800V battery electrical architecture with 65kWh installed capacity using over 5600 lithium ion 18650 format cylindrical cells. These are mounted in a bespoke battery pack where the original 6.0-litre V12, its gearbox and fuel tank were located. This battery system powers two rear mounted electric motors producing a combined target output of just over 610PS and a colossal 950Nm of torque.

Rapide E’s range target is over 200 miles under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), while the model is capable of charging at a rate of 1851,2 miles of range per hour using a typical 400V 50kW charger. However, the car’s 800V high-voltage battery system enables faster charging of 3101,2 miles of range per hour, using an 800V outlet delivering 100kW or higher.

Being an Aston Martin, the Rapide E is being developed with a high-performance objective. Projected top speed for the Rapide E is 155mph, with a sub-4.0sec 0-60mph time and a 50-70mph time of just 1.5sec. It’s important to stress that these figures are not restricted to a narrow window only when the batteries are fully-charged. Instead the target is for maximum performance on-demand throughout majority of the battery state of charge window, as would be expected from a conventional internal combustion-engined car. This includes the ability to drive a full lap of the Nurburgring with absolutely no derating of the battery and the ability to cope with the daily demands of repeated hard acceleration and braking.

The car’s exterior and underbody has also been aerodynamically optimised and complemented with newly-designed aerodynamic wheels. Shod with Pirelli P Zero, Rapide E’s bespoke tyres aim to deliver a lower rolling-resistance and reduced cavity noise, while still delivering superior dynamic capability. Rapide E aims to achieve higher levels of aerodynamic, frictional loss and cooling performance over the standard Rapide S.

It has also been an objective of the project to retain and enhance the feel, character and delivery of the V12-engined Rapide S. To this end, careful attention will be paid to the development and tuning of both the electric powertrain and the chassis, with particular focus applied to software integration. The rear-wheel drive Rapide E’s twin electric motors will drive through a Limited-Slip Differential, which combined with revised spring and damper rates ensures the pure handling characteristics for which the petrol-powered Rapide S is already renowned.

Though the Rapide E will be built in low volumes, it is being subjected to Aston Martin’s stringent and exhaustive testing protocols, with the dedicated WAE team working closely alongside Aston Martin personnel to ensure every aspect of the prototype test programme follows the marque’s established procedures. Uniquely, customers will be an extended part of the ongoing Rapide E programme, with their comments and driving experiences providing an invaluable stream of feedback that will help shape and improve future Aston Martin EVs.

In addition to WAE, the Rapide E programme enjoys the support of other technical partners including Hyperbat Limited – a new joint venture company between Williams Advanced Engineering and Unipart Manufacturing Group – as the battery manufacturer, Integral Powertrain for the electric motors, Xtrac for the transmission and the H1PERBAT project consortium with grant funding from the Advanced Propulsion Centre.

Speaking of the Rapide E programme, Andy Palmer, CEO Aston Martin, commented: “Environmental responsibility and sustainability is a global challenge faced by us all. As a career automotive engineer, I’m proud that the car industry is leading the way in finding long-term solutions and reducing harmful emissions. As Aston Martin’s CEO, I take particular satisfaction working with Williams Advanced Engineering and our other associated technology partners to bring Rapide E to reality. As our first all-electric production model, Rapide E will fast-track our knowledge and help us ensure the character and high-performance capabilities of our future EV models and enhance the unique qualities found in all Aston Martins as we know them today. Rapide E will also serve as a critical step on our path to re-launching Lagonda as the world’s first zero-emission luxury marque”.

Rapide E will be built at the upcoming St. Athan production facility, announced as the future ‘Home of Electrification’ for both the Aston Martin and Lagonda brands. Aston Martin is accepting expressions of interest via its global dealership network, with pricing available on application.

Customer deliveries are set for Q4 2019.