Audi Formual E drivers Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi

Audi electrified Berlin with a fairytale finish at the Formula E home race. Thanks to pole position, a dominant one-two finish and the fastest race lap, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler is the first team to score maximum points on a race day of the electric racing series.

The beaming and enthusiastically celebrated winner by the Berlin public was called Daniel Abt. The 25-year old German produced a perfect performance at his home race. Despite having to qualify in the unfavored first group, Abt qualified effortlessly for the single timed lap for the fastest five, where he threw down the gauntlet and easily clinched the first three points for the second pole position of his Formula E career. This was followed by a dominant start-finish victory and as crowning glory the point for the fastest race lap.

“That was probably the most important win of my career so far and an incredible day from beginning to end,” said Daniel Abt, after having been presented with the winner’s trophy from Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer. “Maximum points with pole position, victory and the fastest lap and then on top of this a one-two for Audi – my thanks go to everybody who supported us. Today there will be a party like never before!”

The Audi one-two finish in the home race in Berlin was made perfect by Lucas di Grassi. The defending Champion set the fastest lap in qualifying with his Audi e-tron FE04, but then had a short slide that dropped him down to fifth on the grid. After the start, the Brazilian needed only twelve laps to move his way up to second place. Thanks to a faster pit stop, the Brazilian caught up with his team mate and subsequently drove effortlessly home in second place. The third placed Jean-Eric Vergne in Techeetah was already more than twelve seconds behind at the checkered flag.

“First of all congratulations to Daniel who really deserved to win today,” said di Grassi after his fourth consecutive podium result. “Our Audi was super fast today and superior to the competition, so we only actually had to fight between ourselves for the victory. After the pit stop I was right behind Daniel, but I had a problem with my second car that we have to analyze. A dream came true with this one-two for Audi. After the year started so badly for us we are now second in the teams’ championship.”

In the drivers’ championship, both Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi improved before the last three races in Zuurich (June 10) and New York (July 14/15) to take fourth and sixth places respectively. Abt is only one point shy of third place in the standings.

“It was a fantastic race for us,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “The first one-two for Audi since the Formula E factory program started and the first ever for the team – and all this in the home race! Daniel achieved the maximum possible and Lucas made the day perfect for us. My congratulations go to everybody who has worked so hard for this. It’s very rare that you see such a big advantage in a Formula E race.”

“A one-two for Audi in Berlin is just unbelievable,” said Team Principal Allan McNish. “A clean sweep on home soil, a day just can’t be better than this Saturday in Tempelhof. I’m incredibly proud of the entire team!”

Detailing Devils, an auto detailing company, recently hosted the first ever Moto Craft Fest in India. It was an initiative aimed at promoting Custom Artwork for the automotive industry in the country. The art extravaganza showcased the work of over 100 artists from the country.

The main attraction of the Moto Craft Fest was the “Paint and Create” competition for young enthusiasts and artists, giving them an opportunity to showcase their innovative designs and creativity. Pete Dedus COO, LumiLor USA judged the competition and awarded Nisha Verma, from Delhi, a freelancer artist who has worked in prop tiger, indus valley, etc as the winner of the competition. She was facilitated with a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh along with an opportunity to get training from the Lumilor Academy.

Commenting about the first ever Motocraft fest, Saurabh Ahuja, Director, Detailing Devils said, “We felt really proud hosting the fest in association with LumiLor India. The event provided the artists across India a common platform to demonstrate their talent to the entire world and proved to be a huge success with the presence of young artists, creators, designers and enthusiasts.”

Other attractions included, the Knight Ride from Detailing Devils Noida Studio that grabbed eyeballs of the audience. To add more, guests were also excited about Devils Air- India’s first air piston based suspension system. The launch of Custom Made Beggar- The Bad Boi and Curtain Raiser for the LumiLor Academy were also the talk of the town.

TVS Motor Company has announced the launch of TVS Sport Silver Alloy edition in India at a price of Rs 42,070 (ex-showroom, MP). The silver alloy wheels will be available across two colour schemes, namely, Black Silver and Volcano Red. The commuter motorcycle has recently crossed a sales milestone of 20 lakh units since launch.

The TVS Sport Silver Alloy edition is powered by a 100cc engine. It is equipped with TVS patented Econometer, with an Eco Mode and Power Mode, which will continue to deliver a great riding performance and an ARAI-ratified mileage of 95 kilometers to a litre.

The TVS Sport Silver Alloy edition shares the same specifications, engine displacement and suspension as other variants of TVS Sport.

Kia Motors has revealed the New Kia Sportage, introducing a range of enhancements to the brand’s global best-seller. The new model pairs an updated exterior and interior design with new safety and infotainment technologies. Powertrains are also fully-compliant with future emissions standards.

The Sportage’s new EcoDynamic+ 48V diesel mild-hybrid powertrain is the first to be launched as part of the brand’s global powertrain electrification strategy. Kia is the first manufacturer to offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric and 48-volt mild-hybrid technology across its full model line-up. Kia will launch 16 advanced powertrain vehicles by 2025, including five new hybrids, five plug-in hybrids, five battery-electric vehicles and, in 2020, a new fuel-cell electric vehicle.

Kia sold more than 131,000 examples of the Sportage in 2017, representing a quarter of the brand’s total European sales.

The Sportage now offers a wider range of engines, including Kia’s new ‘EcoDynamics+’ 2.0-litre ‘R’ diesel mild-hybrid powertrain. EcoDynamics+ supplements acceleration with power from a 48-volt battery, and extends engine ‘off time’ with a new Mild-Hybrid Starter-Generator unit. It can reduce CO2 emissions by up to four per cent on the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP).

The Sportage’s existing 1.7-litre CRDi (Common-Rail Direct injection) diesel engine has been replaced with Kia’s efficient new 1.6-litre ‘U3’ CRDi engine, the cleanest diesel engine Kia has ever made. The new 1.6-litre diesel engine produces 115 or 136 PS, with higher-powered models available with all-wheel drive and seven-speed double-clutch transmission.

Improvements to the Sportage’s sporty exterior design include new front and rear bumpers, as well as redesigned front and rear lamps and new 16-, 17- and 19-inch alloy wheel designs. Options include chrome sill trim and metallic skid plates, and five new paint colours.

‘GT-Line’ models are equipped with a gloss black hot-stamped radiator grille, a gloss black and silver skid plate, and dark chrome inserts on the side sills and rear tailgate. The GT-Line’s unique 19-inch alloy wheels have been redesigned, and all models are fitted with a dual exhaust rear valance and revised ‘ice cube’ LED fog lamp designs.

The newly-refined cabin features a new steering wheel and revised instrument cluster, as well as new black-and-grey two-tone upholstery. ‘GT-Line’ models are available with new black-and-grey two-tone leather seats, or optional black leather with red accents.

The new Sportage adopts Kia’s latest advanced driving assistance systems, including Smart Cruise Control with Stop&Go, an Around View Monitor for easier parking manoeuvres, and Driver Attention Warning, to combat fatigue and inattentiveness at the wheel. European customers have a choice of Kia’s new infotainment systems: a 7.0-inch touchscreen, or a new ‘frameless’ 8.0-inch infotainment system.

David Kuri has submerged into another world. In this world, he is currently building a new car. Not a real one – a virtual one. In fact, he is not actually building it but designing it: the body nicely aerodynamic, the headlights circular, slim handles on the doors – Kuri draws all this with vigorous hand and arm movements in the air. The new car that David Kuri is swiftly and creatively painting in the air will never be built, despite the retro charm it exudes. Kuri is not a designer. But his job at Volkswagen entails supporting designers and engineers in their work – with software.

With its help, designers can shape the appearance of new Volkswagen models to the last detail: virtually, without having to build anything at all. “Until now, design prototypes for new models were developed and built in reality,” says Kuri. “That costs time and money. Also, physical prototypes always only depict one specific stage in the decision-making processes, which is then outdated very quickly.”

David Kuri is a VR developer. Together with around thirty of his colleagues, he works at the Wolfsburg plant in the Virtual Engineering Lab of Volkswagen Group IT. Its primary task is to support Technical Development and Design in digitalising processes, and transforming virtual reality into a practical tool.

Kuri and the team in the Virtual Engineering Lab are doing pioneering work. “Our main principle is that we write our own software!” says Kuri, 26. The challenge is to build tools that designers and developers can subsequently operate easily and apply efficiently.

David Kuri sees plenty of application areas for virtual reality at Volkswagen, for example in simulating aerodynamics. “There is a great need for virtual vehicle tests,” he says. This is where cars are brought into different virtual driving and environmental situations. “In virtual reality, the car can be taking a lot of curves through a hilly landscape in southern Italy or zooming along a motorway in northern Germany,” says the VR developer. For the programmer, it makes no difference.

Rajesh Goel, SVP & Director, Honda Cars India Ltd. at the launch of the second generation Honda Amaze in Kolkata

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) today launched its all-new second generation Honda Amaze in the Indian market at an introductory price of Rs 5,59,900 onwards (ex-showroom pan India). Built on an all new platform, the second generation Honda Amaze features the first in industry Diesel CVT technology in the Indian market. This is Honda’s first diesel engine combined with advanced CVT, and India will be the first market to launch this technology.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajesh Goel, SVP & Director, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, “The All New Amaze has been developed keeping the needs and aspirations of Indian customers in mind. It is a big promise from Honda and we are confident that the All New Amaze will become one of the strongest pillar of HCIL business. This model will create new excitement in the segment and will provide us opportunity to expand our business across markets.”

“In line with our commitment to offer latest technologies to the Indian consumers, Amaze comes with advanced Diesel CVT which is Honda’s first such technology in the world and also an industry first in the Indian market,” he added.

The 2nd Generation Amaze boasts an all new bold design, a sophisticated and spacious interior, a more efficient powertrain, better driving dynamics with strong focus on stability and ride performance and is equipped with latest in safety technologies and convenience features.

The all new Honda Amaze is longer and wider to provide more passenger space. It measures 3995 mm (5 mm longer than its predecessor) and 1695 mm in width (15 mm wider). With its wheelbase of 2470 mm (65 mm more than its predecessor), efficient use of space has been made for both driver and occupants to create a spacious cabin interior. The Amaze has segment best trunk capacity of 420 litres which is 20 litres more than the outgoing model.

The all-new Amaze’s front grill design expresses Honda’s identity. The Honda Amaze features an aerodynamic sleek sedan form with large bonnet and well defined trunk which along with dynamic lower body delivers a striking look to the model.

The all-new Amaze has been developed at Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. located in Bangkok, Thailand following extensive market surveys in India on people’s driving needs and lifestyles. India, being a key strategic market for Honda globally, has been specifically chosen to lead the launch of all new Amaze.

Prices ex-showroom pan India:                                               

The all-new second generation Honda Amaze is available in four trims offered in petrol and diesel variants – E, S, V and VX with manual transmission. Additionally, the model is also available in CVT in S and V variants in both fuel options.

The Amaze is available in a choice of five exterior colours – Radiant Red Metallic (new introduction), Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Golden Brown Metallic and White Orchid Pearl.

L-R: Akito Tachibana, Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Raju B. Ketkale, Senior Vice President & Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor at the launch of the Toyota Yaris in Kolkata

Japanese carmaker Toyota today launched the Yaris mid-size sedan in India at an introductory price of Rs 8.75 lakh for the base J trim and going up to Rs 14.07 lakh for the top-of-the-line VX trim with the CVT automatic (prices ex-showroom, India).

Speaking on the occasion, Akito Tachibana, Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said “Toyota is here to deliver ever better cars that set a benchmark in safety, quality, durability and reliability. Indian car market is highly competitive and customer preferences are changing with time and exposure to globalized products. Yaris is the most celebrated sedan globally and comes loaded with range of first in segment features. We have prioritized customer safety in the car offering class leading safety features. We are happy that the strengths of the product has been recognized, we are confident that Yaris will be a standard on the Indian roads when it comes to matching up with the evolving taste of Indian customers. We would like to thank customers for the confidence and trust they have shown to Toyota products over the years”

Commenting on the overwhelming response, Raju B. Ketkale, Senior Vice President & Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “We have received overwhelming response from customers across India. We are happy that in less than a month of announcing the price and opening the bookings, we have collected nearly two months equivalent of customer orders. In line with our customer first approach, we had started our production last month itself to cater to be able to match our supply to the customer demand and reduce the waiting period as much as possible. We look forward to shipping around 4000 plus Yaris across the country for customers by the end of May. We hope to service all these customer orders by the end of this month which will take us amongst the top 3 in sales in the petrol segment.

The Toyota Yaris has been launched in four variants, with each trim getting the option of a CVT automatic. The Yaris comes with a single petrol engine option – 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder engine – that produces 107hp of maximum power and 140Nm of peak torque. The powertrain is mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or the optional 7-step CVT automatic gearbox.

The Yaris gets some segment-first features like gesture control for the touchscreen infotainment system, a tyre pressure-monitoring system, 60:40 rear seat split, adjustable three-neck restraints for the rear seat, roof-mounted rear air-conditioner with ambient lighting, a powered driver’s seat and front parking sensors. Paddle shifters are on offer on the higher CVT variants. On the safety front, it gets gets all-wheel disc brakes, front and rear parking sensors, seven airbags (including a driver knee airbag), Hill-Start Assist, ABS, EBD and ESP.

The variant-wise ex-showroom prices of the Toyota Yaris is as follows:

The Toyota Yaris will compete with petrol variants of the Honda City (Rs 8.71- 13.70 lakh), Maruti Suzuki Ciaz (Rs 7.83-10.63 lakh), Hyundai Verna (Rs 7.99-12.56 lakh), Volkswagen Vento (Rs 8.19-12.49 lakh) and Skoda Rapid (Rs 8.36-12.21 lakh) (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

At this price point, the Yaris is more expensive than its rivals in the Indian market.

Left: Gaku Nakanishi, President & CEO, HCIL at the launch of the all-new Honda Amaze

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) today launched its all-new second generation Honda Amaze in the Indian market at an introductory price of Rs 5,59,900 onwards (ex-showroom pan India). Built on an all new platform, the second generation Honda Amaze features the first in industry Diesel CVT technology in the Indian market. This is Honda’s first diesel engine combined with advanced CVT, and India will be the first market to launch this technology.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaku Nakanishi, President & CEO, Honda Cars India said, “The All New Amaze has been developed keeping the needs and aspirations of Indian customers in mind. It is a big promise from Honda and we are confident that the All New Amaze will become one of the strongest pillar of HCIL business. This model will create new excitement in the segment and will provide us opportunity to expand our business across markets.”

“In line with our commitment to offer latest technologies to the Indian consumers, Amaze comes with advanced Diesel CVT which is Honda’s first such technology in the world and also an industry first in the Indian market,” he added.

The 2nd Generation Amaze boasts an all new bold design, a sophisticated and spacious interior, a more efficient powertrain, better driving dynamics with strong focus on stability and ride performance and is equipped with latest in safety technologies and convenience features.

The all-new Amaze’s front grill design expresses Honda’s identity. A compact size of 3995 mm exceptionally realizes an aerodynamic sleek sedan form with large bonnet and well defined trunk which along with dynamic lower body delivers a striking look to the model.

The all-new Amaze has been developed at Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. located in Bangkok, Thailand following extensive market surveys in India on people’s driving needs and lifestyles. India, being a key strategic market for Honda globally, has been specifically chosen to lead the launch of all new Amaze.

Prices ex-showroom pan India:                                               

180 historic Grand Prix cars gathered in the Principality of Monaco over the weekend, to bring the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique to life. Amongst them were 19 Maserati cars ranging from the 1957 Formula 1 winner 250F to the iconic 300S and the very rare 6CM and V8RI took part in the 2018 edition of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique.

For the 11th edition of this prestigious event pre-war cars were brought back by popular demand to compete in the A-series, which became the unmissable world meeting for this category of Grand Prix cars, which were called “Formula 1” as soon as World War II ended. Two Maserati cars were entered in this category, and the 6CM driven by Anthony Sinopoli managed a well-deserved third place. Only 13 Maserati 6CM remain in existence out of the 27 produced: they feature an advanced front suspension system which allows springs to be adapted to different circuits.

The B-Series race saw the participation of Julia De Baldanza, one of only two female drivers in the competition, racing her beloved 1952 Maserati A6GCM together with four Maserati 250F.

Out of the 34 cars entered in the C-Series race, 12 were Maserati cars: five were 300S, six A6GCS and one 200SI. A 1956 Lister with a Maserati engine driven by Ben Short managed to get on the podium with a well-earned second place.

But the presence of Maserati wasn’t just confined to the racetrack. The Trident Marque has in fact recently renewed its partnership agreement as the official car of the Yacht Club De Monaco and was present in the beautiful terrace of the amazing building, designed by Forster +Partners to be the symbolic centrepiece of Monaco’s remodelled harbour front. Guests and clients of the Maserati brand were thus able to enjoy the thrill and excitement of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique and the stunning display, showcasing a 3500 GT Vignale Spyder and the iconic Maserati 250F.

TVS Racing, the factory racing arm of TVS Motor Company, today announced the final 12 participants for TVS Apache RR One Make Series. The racers will compete in the first edition of the TVS Apache RR One Make Series, which will be conducted as part of the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC). To begin in June 2018, the racers will compete astride the Race Spec TVS Apache RR 310.

Post a rigorous selection round held at the Madras Motor Race Track (MMRT) in Chennai, 12 riders from across India were chosen based on their fastest lap times. The selection was only open to riders with a podium finish in INMRC or any One Make Championship. The event saw an overwhelming response of 287 entries of which 40 qualified for the selection round.

Commenting on the selection, B Selvaraj, Team Manager, TVS Racing said, “When we spoke about the TVS Apache RR One Make Series at the launch of the TVS Apache RR 310, the response across the country was phenomenal. This further translated into the number of entries and we were delighted to see new names spring into the final 12. We are glad to have such spirited and talented individuals on our platform and look forward to see them compete fiercely in the cup astride Race tuned TVS Apache RR 310. I wish them all the best for the cup.”

The Race Spec TVS Apache RR 310 is equipped with a free-flow exhaust, improved induction system; race tuned Electronic Control Unit and modified foot- peg to provide race ergonomics.

The final 12 racers are:

• Deepak Ravikumar
• Amarnath Menon
• P Sriharsha
• Arun Muthukrishnan
• Abhishek V
• Akash C
• PM Soorya
• Aditya Rao
• S Sivanesan
• K Kannan
• Vivek Pillai
• Vysakh Sobhan