McLaren Senna, the ultimate road-legal track car from McLaren Automotive, will be making its Latin American debut at the 2018 Sao Paulo International Motor Show. The car will be a key component of an emotive display celebrating the story of the Brazilian racing legend which also features the MP4/6 Formula 1 car.

Brett Soso, Managing Director – Middle East, Africa and Latin America, commented: “We are honoured to be working with Senna Brand to debut the McLaren Senna in Latin America. It is even more fitting to unveil it in São Paulo – a home city of the legendary Formula 1 driver that inspired its name. We are delighted with the reception of the car in the market and I wanted to personally thank our retailer McLaren São Paulo for their continuous efforts in promoting the story of Ayrton Senna and McLaren in Brazil.”

The McLaren Senna sits in the brand’s Ultimate Series and has been developed to deliver the most engaging road car experience from McLaren Automotive. The purest possible connection between the driver and car is achieved through a combination of low vehicle weight, extreme power, aerodynamic excellence and a revolutionary, active suspension system.

The spirit of Ayrton Senna has always been alive at McLaren – with whom he won all three of his Formula 1 World Championships. True to the legendary abilities of the racing driver whose name it bears, the McLaren Senna is the ultimate McLaren road-legal track car. It generates 800PS (789bhp) and 800Nm (590lb ft) from its 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8, which in combination with 1,198kg of dry weight and 800kg of downforce translates to staggering performance. The McLaren Senna can cover 0–100kmph (62mph) in 2.8 seconds; 0-200kmph (124 mph) is achieved in just 6.8 seconds and a standing quarter-mile (402m) in only 9.9 seconds.

McLaren Automotive is currently present in four Latin American markets – Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru. The brand operates through a network of dedicated retail partners including McLaren Mexico City, McLaren São Paulo, McLaren Santiago, as well as an aftersales facility in Peru, McLaren Lima.

As an unseasonably mild London was still covered by darkness, nearly 400 pioneering veteran cars, their intrepid drivers and plucky passengers gathered in Hyde Park on Sunday, November 4, waiting for daybreak to signal the start of the remarkable Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

It’s now more than 120 years since the original Emancipation Run, which was held in 1896 to celebrate the recently passed Locomotives on Highways Act. This raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4 to 14 mph and abolished the need for a man to walk ahead waving a red flag.

Symbolising that new found freedom, the annual Run always commences with the symbolic tearing of the red flag – a ritual pre-dawn feat this year performed by supermodel and car enthusiast Yasmin Le Bon representing The Movember Foundation and F1 team boss Christian Horner who was joined at the finish by his Spice Girl wife Geri and young family.

Then, at 06:59am sunrise, the first of the pre-1905 horseless carriages was flagged away from the start with the earliest of the Victorian vehicles leading the way as they phutted and hissed their way through Wellington Arch, down Constitution Hill, past Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch and Whitehall into Parliament Square. Here, for the first time in its 122-year history the 60-mile route split into two, thus alleviating traffic congestion in South London.

Half of the plucky participants travelled over Westminster Bridge and then followed the traditional A23 route via Kennington, Brixton and Streatham Common; the other half left via Millbank, over Lambeth Bridge then journeyed via Vauxhall, Clapham Common and Tooting. The two routes merged on the A236 just north of Croydon with the entire magical cavalcade reunited as it headed to the spectator-friendly halfway point in Crawley High Street, the South Downs and eventually the Madeira Drive seafront in Brighton.

First away from Hyde Park was a Peugeot Type 3 dating back to the dawn of motoring in 1893. Hailing from the Turin Motor Museum, it is believed to be the first car to have been driven on Italian roads. Other early starters included the crowd-pleasing 1896 Salvesen Steam Cart – basically a steam locomotive running on the road complete with stoker shoveling coal into the boiler’s fiery furnace plus an evocative choo choo steam whistle – and a number of primitive motorised tricycles complete with riders and passengers regaled in period costumes.

Thereafter followed a staggering variety of antique machinery dating back to the era of innovative and experimental vehicles – some petrol powered, others propelled by steam and electricity; some fitted with steering-wheels, others with naval inspired tillers and helms.

As always it was an extraordinary sight without parallel anywhere on Earth: a living, moving testament to a bygone age when motoring technology was in its infancy. Blessed with such eccentric charm and incredible history, the renaissant Run enjoys worldwide participation and attracts huge crowds along the entire route. Among this year’s entries were cars from Argentina, Australia, Hong Kong, and South Africa as well as 21 from the United States.

In total, 117 different marques ranging from Achilles (built in Frome, Somerset) to Yale (from Toledo in Ohio, US) were represented on this year’s Run – some, like Cadillac, Renault and Mercedes, still well-known today, but the vast majority lost to history. Many cars and crews sported moustaches in support of Movember, the event’s official Charity Partner.

One of the ambitious brands to have fallen by the industrial wayside was making its Veteran Car Run debut this year: Vabis the embryonic Scandinavian company that can trace its descendants to today’s commercial vehicle giant Scania. Despite its rookie status, the newcomer completed the Run.

Le Bon and Horner, too, were also savouring the event for the very first time; the former driving a 1901 Wolseley kindly loaned by the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, the latter behind the wheel of Lord (Irvine) Laidlaw’s 1904 Panhard-Levassor. Both made it all the way to Brighton enjoying the hazy autumnal sunshine and huge, cheering crowds lining the roadside.

“It was super,” enthused Horner. “We had a great run in a lovely car which ran seamlessly. I cannot thank Irvine Laidlaw enough for letting me drive his beautiful Panhard. It is an absolutely magical event and wonderful to see so many enthusiasts and car clubs coming out to support all those on the road. It was great fun – I’ll definitely be back for more!”

Le Bon was equally enthusiastic and enthralled. “I absolutely loved it,” she beamed at the finish. “I was grinning from ear to ear, even in the few more gripping moments that we had. The car behaved beautifully. The crowds were just astonishing – I had no idea quite how many people come out, but I’m delighted that they do to see these incredible vehicles all together on the road. It’s an extraordinary sight. What’s more, I was doing the Run for a wonderful cause – men should definitely be talking together more about health issues and taking charge of their wellbeing.”

In total, nearly ninety per cent of the starters made it to Brighton before the 4.30pm deadline to claim a coveted finishers’ medal – just 44 of the starters failing to reach the sea front. The first car home was the 1901 Oldsmobile of Andres Melkus from Austria arriving on Madeira Drive. Next across the line was Tom Loder driving a 1900 Stephens.

While the Run is famously not a race, the increasingly popular Regularity Time Trial does provide a competitive element. More than 320 entrants, more than ever before, elected to take part in the Trial by attempting to keep to a strict average speed for the stretch between Crawley and Burgess Hill. The winner was Paul Kelling in an Oldsmobile who covered the 13 miles at an average speed of 12.05mph compared to his 12mph target.

Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, said: “It has been another exceptional Run in this quite remarkable event. The split route out of London definitely alleviated the traffic problems of the past, and it has been a real pleasure to complete the Run today.

“The weather has been kind this year, which makes a big difference for these types of extraordinary vehicles, and I have seen lots of happy smiley faces amongst our participants.

“I would just like to thank all the people that have come together to make this such a special event. Thanks must go to the marshals all the way down the route that continue to make it a real pleasure to drive this event, those at Goose Live Events who run the event on behalf of the Royal Automobile Club, plus the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain particularly in dating these cars and making sure of their authenticity.

“My final thank you is to the spectators who have lined the route. It is such a fantastic family event and it is great to see people of all ages enjoying themselves in the autumnal sunshine.”

As in recent years, the Bonhams Veteran Car Run provided a fitting finale to the Royal Automobile Club’s busy London Motor Week – during which the Club presented an array of functions and events.

The penultimate event in the week was the free-to-view Illinois Route 66 Regent Street Motor Show, on Saturday 3 November, which turned London’s flagship shopping street into a motoring showcase that put the spotlight on veterans and moderns alike and attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors.

One of the greatest moments in Aston Martin Lagonda’s (AML) illustrious motorsport history is the inspiration for the latest Q by Aston Martin: Commission; the ‘DBS 59’.

Inspired by Aston Martin’s historic 1-2 finish in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans with its iconic DBR1, Aston Martin Cambridge has commissioned a collection of 24 very special DBS Superleggeras – one for every hour of the legendary endurance race. Called the ‘DBS 59’, each is identified by bespoke design features, hand-crafted interiors and graphic elements drawing directly from the DBR1 and the race it so famously conquered.

A marque synonymous with success in the world’s toughest endurance race – the most recent being a dramatic class win for the V8 Vantage GTE in last year’s race – Aston Martin’s outright victory in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans is the stuff of motorsport legend. Facing stern opposition from works Ferrari and Porsche entries, plus a team of Ecurie Ecosse Jaguars, the David Brown Racing Aston Martin DBR1s fought valiantly to score a famous 1-2 finish in a masterful display of pace, reliability and teamwork.

Since described by Sir Stirling Moss – who helped Aston Martin win the 1959 World Sportscar Championship – as ‘the most important Aston Martin ever produced’, the DBR1 has deservedly attained iconic status. Just five were built between 1956 and 1959, making it one of the rarest Aston Martins ever, and when one last went to auction (at Monterey in 2017) it set a new world record as the most valuable British-made car ever with a sale price of £17.5m ($22.5m).

Immediately identifiable by its timelessly beautiful Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork, the DBS 59 features extensive use of gloss finish Carbon Fibre, most strikingly on the roof, roof strake and painted bonnet louvres. A classic combination of Obsidian Black and Chestnut Tan leather is used throughout the interior, together with fabric inspired by the DBR1 seat material used to trim the ‘DBS 59’s’ seat backs and door inserts. Bronze detailing is strategically deployed around the exterior and interior, with the front grille surround, ‘Superleggera’ bonnet script, rear Aston Martin script and Q Fender Badge amongst the items painted.

Additional Q by Aston Martin detailing include bespoke Saddle Leather Helmet Pods in the rear compartment to hold special ‘DBS 59’ crash helmets, race suits and gloves, and a bespoke ‘DBS 59’ logo embroidered in the seat headrests. Each of the ‘DBS 59s’ will be identifiable by a small painted white roundel adjacent to the side strakes, with each car numbered from 1-24.

Further accessories include period blue race overalls complete with Aston Martin and ‘DBS 59’ logos; replica string-backed racing gloves modeled on those worn by 1959 Le Mans-winning driver Caroll Shelby; replica 1959 race helmet; bespoke 2-piece luggage set to match interior trim; bespoke car cover in Aston Martin Racing Green and featuring white roundels with specific edition number.

The DBR1’s proud genetic legacy is very much evident in the 2018 DBS Superleggera. The fastest and most powerful series production model in Aston Martin’s multi-award winning range, this 211mph, 715bhp Super GT is an inspired combination of imperious performance and impeccable style. Having received the attention of Q by Aston Martin: Commission it is a truly covetable car; one aimed at those who appreciate the lasting significance of DBR1’s historic victory and world-beating contemporary performance and handling of the DBS Superleggera.

Speaking of the ‘DBS 59’, Aston Martin Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Simon Sproule said: “When Aston Martin Cambridge expressed a desire to create a limited run of DBS Superleggeras inspired by the DBR1’s famous Le Mans victory we knew it had to be something special. The soft metallic hue of the Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork is classy and timelessly beautiful; the level of thought and detailing is exceptional. My favourite element on the ‘DBS 59’ are the seat backs that feature fabric inspired by the DBR1 seat material, but there are countless touches that will intrigue and delight”.

The ‘DBS 59’ limited edition is the fourth Q by Aston Martin: Commission from Aston Martin Cambridge, following on from the success of last year’s Red Arrows Edition Vanquish S, and the earlier success of V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80 Edition, marking 80 years of the Supermarine Spitfire’s first flight, and the Vantage S Blades Edition, developed in collaboration with the Blades Aerobatic Display Team.

‘DBS 59s’ 1 through 24 are available to order now from Aston Martin Cambridge.

Future Jaguar Land Rover vehicles will be able to tell if you’re feeling unwell and adjust settings to combat motion sickness.

Motion sickness affects over 70 per cent of people. Spencer Salter, wellness technology researcher at Jaguar Land Rover, points out that previously “little has been known about the causes and how to mitigate them”.

Now, through its industry-leading motion sickness research, Jaguar Land Rover has created an algorithm that generates a ‘wellness score’ for each passenger. This can be used to automatically personalise a vehicle’s driving and cabin settings to reduce the effects of feeling car sick by up to 60 per cent.

Jaguar Land Rover has already collected 15,000 miles of motion sickness data and tested the effects caused by performing a task while in transit, such as checking emails. This has enabled the creation of a baseline driving style for self-driving vehicles to work towards, minimising the need for steering corrections and therefore the risk of motion sickness while passengers work or relax.

Salter explains: “As we move towards an autonomous future where occupants will have more time to either work, read or relax on longer journeys, it’s important we develop vehicles that can adapt to reduce the effects of motion sickness in a way that’s tailored to each passenger.”

Motion sickness is often caused when the eyes observe information that is different from what is sensed by the inner ear, skin or body forces – commonly when reading.

The ‘wellness score’ calculates how susceptible individual drivers and passengers are to feeling car sick, using biometric sensors that record physiological signals. Combining this with motion and dynamics data, the vehicle will reliably know when a passenger or driver is becoming motion sick – before they do.

Dr. Steve Iley, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Medical Officer, explains: “This cutting-edge research has created a solution that, with its solid scientific foundation, can make travelling enjoyable, regardless of your susceptibility to motion sickness. As a parent of young children, who are most susceptible to car sickness, I am particularly excited by the benefits this research can have in making long journeys comfortable and stress-free for families.”

Jaguar or Land Rover vehicles today are already designed to help combat feelings of nausea. The Jaguar E-PACE, for example, has 26 different seat configurations for passengers to find a position that raises the infotainment screen relative to eye level as well as turn on the cooling seat function. Both factors have been proven to significantly reduce the likelihood of motion sickness. The E-PACE’s Adaptive Dynamics also remove low frequency motion from the road, which can lead to nausea, by altering the ride settings every 10-milliseconds to ensure passengers always experience high levels of comfort.

The first phase of the research completes this month. The findings are already being implemented into further projects across research ensuring Jaguar Land Rover can create the ultimate personalised cabin experience for its customers in future vehicles.

Set against the backdrop of greenery, the Behala Flying Club airstrip is a sea of calm. But that serenity doesn’t last very long as it is soon obliterated by a loud, ripping, snarling roar that only grows in pitch and amplitude, and what you see is a red blur racing away in the distance.

We were at ‘The Art of Performance Tour’ by Jaguar – a series of dynamic experience events across India that provide an opportunity to witness what it’s like to get behind the wheel of a Jaguar under the guidance of expert drive instructors and that red blur I was referring to earlier was the prodigious Jaguar F-Type SVR.

Joining the F-Type SVR in this event is the rest of Jaguar India’s line-up – the XE, XF, XJ-L, F-Pace, and F-Type S, each of them with design cues typical of the brand including the large chrome grilles, cat-eye headlamps and low-slung silhouettes.

The airstrip has been demarcated to experience three different aspects of capabilities – acceleration, handling and braking.

First up is the acceleration run and here I get to sample the F-Type SVR. Its gorgeous lines are more stunning in flesh, and I see why this is one of the best looking cars in the world. As I strap myself inside, I notice that the exquisite design extends to the interiors as well with its airplane-like cockpit feeling at home on the pilot’s runway. One cool detail on all the Jaguars is the welcome gesture, where turning on the ignition causes the AC vents to revolve open and gear selector dial to rise.

Heading towards the start line with both hands on the steering wheel and right foot nursing the gas pedal, I can feel my heart pumping in anticipation. “Go,” says the accompanying instructor – I press pedal to metal and what I experience next is nothing short of mental. I’m pinned to the back of the seat while sprinting from 0 to 100 kmph in matter of seconds and with 150 kmph fast approaching. All this while, there’s that growling roar of the supercharged 5-litre V8 that is music to the ears.

Next we hit the slalom to showcase the handling prowess of Jaguar cars. Here I get to sample the company’s entire line-up of luxury sedans and the F-Pace SUV. Driving the XE and XF through the course is easy as they take the quick direction changes in their stride. However, what’s noteworthy is the performance of the F-Pace SUV as it seem to shrink in size without feeling unsettled as we drive through the slalom. Of course, in the interests of safety, ESP remains on at all times.

The final course turns out to be a driving simulation that emulates an emergency braking situation, and here too, Jaguar’s mainstream line-up proves to be more than able to handle the manoeuvre and panic braking.

All the cars delivers the performance that one expects from a car wearing the Jaguar badge. Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable drive experience filled with thrill and adrenaline. There has never been a better way to soak in the pre-winter sun on a Saturday afternoon.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd has announced the launch of the much-awaited all new Santro – one of Hyundai’s most popular nameplates and the car which made the Korean carmaker a household name.

Speaking at the world premiere of the all new Santro, Y K Koo, MD & CEO, HMIL said, “Today is a Historic moment as we announce the ‘World Premiere of The All New SANTRO’. The SANTRO is an iconic and legendary brand in India that has won the hearts of Millions of customers for last two decades. The magic of SANTRO continues with The All New SANTRO receiving overwhelming response in less than two weeks. With Modern Stylish Tall Boy Design, Comfortable & Premium Cabin, New Age Technology, Customer Centric Safety, All Round Performance and Complete Peace of Mind, the All New SANTRO will set a new benchmark in modern mobility.”

“The All New SANTRO is a true example of Hyundai’s Made-in-India philosophy and a shining result of our numerous Product Clinics and Rigorous Durability test on various terrains in India. Our R&D Centre in Namyang (S. Korea), Chennai and Hyderabad have put strong efforts for Product Supremacy and utmost Customer Delight.”, he added.

The new design language of the 2018 Hyundai Santro exudes a sporty image with modern appeal. The tall boy design ensures better headroom and shoulder room, better ergonomics, easy ingress and egress, high seating position, good all-round visibility, spacious and airy cabin feel.

The exterior styling of new Hyundai Santro is defined by Hyundai’s signature cascade grille with chrome surround with uniquely positioned fog lamps. The bold bonnet character lines with Hyundai logo and swept back headlamps and micro antenna gives a fresh appeal to the new Hyundai design language. The stylish tail lamps and sporty dual tone rear bumper with reflectors give modern sporty appeal.

On the inside, the Santro’s dual tone beige and black interiors with champagne gold inserts projects a premium cabin experience. The elephant inspired centre fascia design provides a strong connect to Indian heritage and mix of traditional and modern appeal. The ergonomically placed audio, centrally positioned power window switches and AC controls offer easy access with minimal driver distraction. The front design AC vents are inspired from propeller design. The cabin also features multiple storage spaces and practical trunk of 235 litres make the new Hyundai Santro suitable for daily and long trips.

The 2018 Hyundai Santro comes with technology features including 17.64 cm touch screen audio video system. The multi-media system is equipped with smart phone connectivity – Android Auto, Apple Car Play & Mirror Link and Voice Recognition Function along with iblue Smartphone App Support. Also, the screen is supported with rear parking camera display.

Engine & Transmission

The front suspension is mounted with McPhearson Strut and Urethane Bump Stopper that gives stability at rough road drives and reduces body roll giving improved cornering performance. The rear suspension uses Coupled Torsion Beam Axle with vertically placed shock absorber that minimises shock rebound providing a comfortable and stable ride. The aerodynamics combined with strong body structure offers better NVH isolation ensuring a quiet and pleasant driving experience.

The 2018 Hyundai Santro will be available in choice of seven exterior colours including two new colours – Imperial Beige and Diana Green. The new Santro comes with two interior colour options Premium Beige with Champagne Gold inserts and Sporty All Black interiors with Diana Green colour inserts based on exterior colours.

Ex-Showroom Price (INR), Pan India:

Thomas Kuehl, President, Nissan India Operations at the exterior unveil of the new Nissan Kicks

Japanese carmaker Nissan has recently unveiled the design of their most awaited SUV. The Nissan Kicks sports a wider and robust style underlined by a Dynamic Sonic Plus line, Wheel-oriented Stance and a Distinctive 3-dimensional presence. The body is designed and built with GRAPHENE (Gravity-philic Energy Absorption) body structure, which has inherent capability to absorb impact energy making the new Nissan Kicks safer and durable on Indian roads.

Talking about the smart exteriors, Thomas Kuehl, President, Nissan India Operations, said, “We are excited and proud to unveil the engaging and provocative design of the NEW KICKS. Nissan is committed to India and we are building the foundations to succeed. The NEW Nissan KICKS is a testimony of our commitment to India. With a progressive SUV design and advanced technology, it is bound to appeal the new age urban adventure seeker. As a part of the India Strategy, Nissan will bring the best of global Nissan products and technology to our customers in India.”

The Nissan Kicks offers a host of established design signatures and features e.g. floating roof design created by blacked out pillars with stylish roof rail and signature LED DRL, shark fin antenna, front fog lamps and door mounted ORVS with indicators. The bold V-motion grille, a signature motif in Nissan’s design language adds to new Kicks’ distinctive presence. The uniquely designed headlamps and tail lights feature iconic boomerang-shaped LED signature lamps to add character.

The wheel-oriented stance is further enhanced by R17, 5-spoke machined-alloy wheels. The bold styling with dynamic stance and glamorous fender arch bring out the solidity and elegance in the new Nissan Kicks, while substantial face and back style provide a masculine and rugged presence on the Indian roads.

Introduction

Just ahead of the festive season, Ford India has launched the Aspire facelift. Since being introduced in India in 2015, this is the first major update of the Ford Aspire whichnow features redesigned front and rear fascia, bigger spoked alloys, a new three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine, new 5-speed manual transmission, segment-leading connectivity and safety including Ford’s award-winning SYNC 3 paired to a high-resolution 6.5-inch touchscreen and up to six airbags.

The new Ford Aspire is being produced at Ford India’s Sanand Factory in Gujarat, for consumers in India and all around the world. Living up to market expectations, Ford India has aggressively priced the updated Aspire with introductory price starting at Rs 5.55 lakh (ex-showroom). Power Drive got an opportunity to take the new Ford Aspire for a spin around the Sun City of India – Jodhpur. Read on to find out how it fared.

Design and Engineering

When viewed head on, you will notice the redesigned front fascia of the 2018 Ford Aspire which features a new three-dimensional cellular grille that lends a completely fresh look to the compact sedan in comparison to the outgoing model.

Also featuring on the exterior are new fog lamps which are encrusted in a chrome surrounding and redesigned headlamps that feature a black encasing which looks sporty yet premium. Similarly, newly designed tail lamps accentuate the style quotient of the Ford Aspire when glanced from the rear.

The new Ford Aspire also features premium alloys and bigger 15-inch tyres which delivers a more confident and planted drive dynamics. NVH levels are well contained resulting in a quiet passenger compartment.

The 2018 Ford Aspire is available in seven colours, including White Gold, Moondust Silver, Smoke Grey, Absolute Black, Deep Impact Blue, Ruby Red and Oxford White.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin in the new Ford Aspire features beige interiors which not just adds a premium touch but also creates an enhanced sense of space. The seats have better lumber support making your drives more comfortable, including a central armrest with two integrated cup or bottle holders in the rear.

The cabin also comes with a host of convenience features including a reverse parking camera, automatic climate control system, two USB slots, push-button start/stop, electrochromic IRVM, rain-sensing wipers and a myriad of stowage spaces to tuck away your daily essentials while driving to work. An ample boot ensures that there is always space for your bags during a weekend getaway.

The 2018 Ford Aspire comes equipped with Ford’s in-car infotainment system, SYNC 3 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen which allows drivers to control their entertainment and connected smartphone using voice commands.

SYNC 3 system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible and will allow drivers to use navigation through their Apple CarPlay or Android Auto paired phones. The SYNC 3 system will also offer Emergency Assistance, a potentially lifesaving technology that automatically calls emergency services from a paired phone in case of an accident.

Performance and Handling

New Aspire is powered by Ford’s all-new, three-cylinder 1.2-litre TiVCT petrol engine that is small, light and fuel efficient. The naturally aspirated engine generates 96 PS of peak power and 120 Nm of torque while delivering an ARAI-ratified fuel efficiency of 20.4 kmpl. The engine is surprisingly zippy making it fun to drive. There is adequate power delivery on each throttle input and accelerates well when you need to overtake or simply pull away from the traffic, making it an ideal city car.

For the diesel lovers, new Ford Aspire comes with the tried and tested 1.5-litre TDCi engine delivering 100 PS peak power, 215 Nm of torque and fuel economy of 26.1 kmpl. The diesel engine is both powerful and responsive. On the move the engine exhibits very little turbo lag and the power delivery is linear. Even at low speeds and in high gear the engine doesn’t knock or stalls and pulls well from low revs. The drivability of the 2018 Ford Aspire diesel feels light years ahead of the new Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire and the Hyundai Xcent especially in city traffic.

Both engines are paired with an all-new, five-speed manual transmission that’s sportier and more efficient. The transmission is precise making it a pleasure to operate. Ford claims that this new manual transmission is almost 15 per cent lighter and helps improve fuel economy while reducing NVH. It requires 40 per cent lesser gear oil than its predecessor. Drivers will experience slicker, more responsive gear shifts when they behind the wheel.

Offering greater choice to the customers, Ford is also introducing its latest six-speed Automatic Transmission on the New Ford Aspire. Paired to the three-cylinder, 1.5-litre petrol engine, the Automatic New Ford Aspire delivers a peak power of 123 PS.

Safety

Safety has always been of paramount importance at Ford and the carmaker has been championing this cause in India for many years now. The new Ford Aspire continues their leadership on safety, offering standard dual airbags across the variant line-up. For those looking for greater safety, it will offer up to six airbags on top Titanium+ trim.

Going beyond airbags, Ford Aspire will offer several features to enhance occupant safety such as Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), offering drivers better grip, while keeping the drive smooth.

The New Ford Aspire will enable its owners to navigate quick turns and bends with Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS). Also in Automatic Transmission, the Hill-Launch Assist feature will ensure greater control on inclines.

Verdict

The new Ford Aspire is an intelligently engineered and very well designed compact sedan. Kudos to the engineers at Ford India for the brilliant packaging of the Aspire facelift. It also looks very modern and stylish and is sure to turns many heads on the road. Fit and finish is great. The interior is adequately spacious for a compact sedan and tastefully done up in beige. The Aspire diesel is both powerful and responsive resulting in a pleasurable drive. The petrol proves to be surprisingly zippy on highways, offering a smooth drive and holds its own very well on busy city roads too.

Ensuring complete peace-of-mind, the New Ford Aspire is the only compact sedan in India to come with a first-in-class five-year or 100,000 kilometre warranty, which includes 2-year factory warranty and 3-year extended warranty. Ford claims that the new Aspire will continue to offer lowest scheduled service and maintenance costs in its segment – at just 38 paise per kilometre for petrol and 46 paise per kilometre for diesel over 100,000 kilometres.

Overall, the team at Ford India has taken a good product and made it ever better. In my opinion, this compact sedan it’s worth every penny and will give its rivals a run for their money.

All prices ex-showroom, Pan-India:

As part of its commitment to the Indian market, MG Motor India today announced the launch of its second product for the Indian market – a global pure-electric SUV within one year of its first vehicle launch. Showcasing its facilities and range of products in Shanghai, the company has confirmed its plan to bring the latest technology to the Indian customers beginning next year.

“MG will launch a globally-competitive pure-electric SUV in India, to make our contribution to India’s energy and environmental strategies. The pure electric SUV will be a breakthrough chapter in the EV space in India, being one of its kind in the market. This is in addition to the first SUV which we plan to launch in the second quarter of next year,” Michael Yang, Executive Director of International Business, SAIC Motor & President of SAIC Motor International Company.

The ongoing transformation in the automotive industry globally would be the key differentiator for the MG brand. “With cars getting transformed with internet, artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing etc. – MG can take advantage of this transformation and will use it as its key differentiator, enabling it to stand out from the crowd,” Mr. Yang added.

MG Motor India is in the process of finalizing around 45 dealer partners to begin its sales next year, with around 100 touchpoints across India in the first phase. The carmaker will hire close to 1,500 employees by the end of 2019, compared with a strength of 300 employees at present.

“As part of our commitment to this market, we are fast ramping up all our pre-launch activities, beginning with product roadshows for consumers in India next month. This will be followed by various brand-awareness initiatives to get closer to our prospective customers. All our products will be designed and engineered in UK and China with the support of Indian engineers. These vehicles will be heavily localized, built at our plant in Halol by our engineers conforming to global quality standards and validated and customized for India to suit the Indian road and driving conditions,” said Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India. The current capacity at its Halol manufacturing facility stands at 80,000 units per annum; which will be expanded to 200,000 units going forward depending upon the requirement.

Building a strong foundation for its future operations, MG Motor India is focused on key pillars internally within the organization such as diversity, innovation and
speed culture. The carmaker clearly aims to break the glass ceiling as far as women hires are concerned, setting a new benchmark in the automotive industry, with 26 per cent of its workforce comprising women, and the target is to increase it to 30 per cent by the end of this year. As announced earlier, with an aim to foster a spirit of innovation, MG Motor India is also in the process of partnering with various technological partners, institutes and industrial stakeholders in India.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), today announced that it would launch its luxury SUV, codenamed Y400, on November 19, 2018.

Speaking on the announcement, Rajan Wadhera, President – Automotive Sector, M&M Ltd. said, “The Y400 is one of the most eagerly anticipated launches of this year. Positioned in the high-end SUV segment, the Y400 is a high-end, full sized SUV that offers luxury and exclusivity in its tasteful design, lavish interiors, thrilling performance and best in class features. We are sure that it will further enhance our SUV portfolio.”

The Y400 will be under the Mahindra brand and will be exclusively available through a separate high-end showroom within the existing ‘World of SUVs” dealerships which have been created with the objective to redefine customer experience, with regards to both sales and after sales. These outlets will be equipped with advanced digital technology to provide an enhanced and immersive high-end experience for customers.

The Y400 will be built in the company’s automotive plant at Chakan, Maharashtra.