Peter Clissold, VP Marketing, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. flagging off the Datsun Experience Zone

Taking forward the brand’s promise of providing progressive mobility and celebrating its fifth global anniversary in India, Datsun flagged off the third leg of ‘Datsun Experience Zone’ from Vertex Nissan in Gurgaon.

After two succcessful seasons in 2017, Datsun Experience Zone is back in 2018 with a more comprehensive coverage and experience. Twelve specially designed canters adorned with eye-catching livery that features 5th anniversary celebrations campaign will travel to 750 different locations including 160 districts and 300+ tehsils within a 50-100 km radius of Nissan/Datsun showrooms across India.

Commenting on the launch, Peter Clissold, VP Marketing, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. said, “It has been our endeavour to provide progressive mobility to consumers in India. After two successful seasons in 2017, we are excited to kick off the third season where we aim to take the Datsun Experience Zone to 750 locations in the country. It is a testimony to our commitment to reach out to consumers in hinterlands and give them an experience of our brand promise through our products. We are looking forward to welcoming new customers to our family through this three months long promotion”.

Datsun Experince Zone III is going to offer prospective customers the opportunity to take test drives of its flagship car Datsun redi-GO, along with GO and GO+, in addition to having fun with the onboard entertainment and games that come with the canter vans. The canters will be a medium for interactions with customers, with an emcee showcase the redi-GO AMT’s features, introduce Datsun’s latest product portfolio and distribute Datsun brand merchandise. The canters will serve as a platform to engage with customers through gesture-based games that demonstrate the USPs of the showcased Datsun cars, and other fun activities.

Hyundai Motor India Limited has announced the launch of 1.2-litre petrol engine with CVT option in the 2018 Hyundai Elite i20 at the price of Rs 7.04 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The premium high compact segment in the industry is growing year on year from 4.5 per cent sales in 2014 to 13 per cent in 2017. The sales of AT and CVT options in the premium compact segment has grown from 4 per cent in 2015 to 14 per cent in 2018. The premium compact customer survey by Hyundai revealed higher acceptability towards Automatic Transmission, 41 per cent of respondents preferring automatic due to ease and hassle free driving in city and highways.

Y K Koo, Managing Director and CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “ India’s most loved and awarded, Indian Car of the Year 2015 winner ELITE i20 has been a global success ever since its launch. The CVT option with a 1.2 L Petrol engine coupled with Hi-tech & Convenience features offering uncompromised safety will make driving a brilliant experience. The head turner New 2018 ELITE i20 is the most feature loaded and affordable Premium Compact Segment car with a CVT option. Based on our advanced design philosophy, The New 2018 ELITE i20 follows an evolved Premium look, Sporty styling and a strong road presence”

The new CVT engine comes with linear driving force and no shift jerk for smooth and comfortable drive. The 1.2 L Petrol engine with CVT option offers convenient clutch-less drive and no physical gear shifting makes it ideal for city, highways and hilly terrains.

Jaguar Land Rover India today announced the launch of the Ingenium petrol powertrain equipped Model Year 2018 Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque. The Ingenium powertrain delivers a combination of performance, efficiency and refinement while meeting the most stringent global emissions regulations. The 2.0-litre motor on the Model Year 2018 Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque produces 250 PS (184 kW) of peak power and is mated to an 8-speed Automatic Transmission.

The Ingenium petrol powertrain equipped Model Year 2018 Discovery Sport is offered in SE and HSE trim and is priced from Rs 49.20 lakh. On the Range Rover Evoque, the Ingenium petrol powertrain is offered on the SE and HSE Dynamic trim and is priced from Rs 51.06 Lakh.

Rohit Suri, President & Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd. (JLRIL), said: “The Ingenium petrol powertrain has been well accepted in the Range Rover Velar and we are now happy to offer our Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque customers the same refined and efficient experience with exceptional performance.”

The 2018 Hyundai Creta has been launched in India at a starting price of Rs 9.44 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the base 1.6-litre petrol E variant while the top of the line 1.6-litre diesel SX(O) variant comes in at Rs 15.03 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The new Creta is available in six petrol variants (E, E+, SX, SX dual tone, SX AT, SX (O)), two trims with the 1.4-litre diesel (E+, S) and five variants with the 1.6-litre diesel (S AT, SX, SX dual tone, SX AT, SX(O)).

The prices of the new Hyundai Creta variants have witnessed a 5 to 10 per cent hike over the outgoing model. The 2018 Hyundai Creta is a facelift to its three-year-old predecessor and will retain the same technical specifications.

So, what’s new in the 2018 Hyundai Creta? Refreshed styling on the exterior and interior, as well as added features including a sunroof option and wireless charging for compatible smartphones. The new Creta gets a larger chrome trimmed hexagonal front grille. The front bumper now has new fog lamp housings and a pronounced chin which merges into the front grille. The rear bumpers have also been redesigned while the tail lamps have also received a subtle tweak.

New 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels replace the existing design. The interior is carried over from the previous car with the only change being the addition of the smoother, grey-themed infotainment system from the new Elite i20. The facelifted Creta’s powertrain options remain unchanged with the 1.4 diesel (90PS, 220 Nm), 1.6 diesel (128PS, 260Nm) and 1.6 petrol (123PS, 151Nm) being carried over. These will be mated to the 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

The Hyundai Creta has been a strong seller for Hyundai since its launch three years ago and with this update, Hyundai hopes to sustain its momentum in this segment. Its present competition includes the likes of the Jeep Compass, Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and Maruti Suzuki S-Cross with numerous new entrants expected in the next couple of years.

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.