Land Rover today announces a limited-edition high-performance version of the iconic Defender, with up to 150 V8-powered examples re-engineered to celebrate the Land Rover marque’s 70th anniversary in 2018.

The Defender Works V8 pays homage to the early high-powered engines in both the Series III Stage 1 V8 from 1979 and subsequent Defenders including the 50th Anniversary Edition, which are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors today.

Defender Works V8 is the most powerful and fastest version that Land Rover has ever created. The 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 powertrain produces 405PS and 515 Nm of torque (the standard Defender delivered 122PS and 360 Nm). The Defender Works V8 will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, while top speed is increased to 106 mph.

Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, said: “It’s fitting that we’ve been able to release the full potential of the iconic Defender, whose much-loved shape remains synonymous with Land Rover, 70 years since it was seen in public for the first time.

“The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender in Solihull. We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector’s edition Defenders.”

The V8 powertrain will be fitted to 150 specially-selected and re-engineered Defenders for the 70th Edition, complemented by an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with sport mode, uprated brakes and handling kit (springs, dampers and anti-roll bars), plus exclusive 18-inch diamond-turned Sawtooth alloy wheels and 265/65 R18 all-terrain tyres.

Eight standard body colours include two satin finishes – contrasting with a Santorini Black roof, wheel arches and front grille – finished with machined aluminium door handles, fuel filler cap and Defender bonnet lettering. A comprehensive lighting upgrade includes bi-LED headlamps.

Full Windsor Leather interior trim covers the dashboard, door panels, headlining and Recaro sports seats. Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System is also fitted.

Both 90 and 110 wheelbase Defender Works V8 derivatives will be available to purchase direct from Land Rover Classic. A select number of high-performance upgrades inspired by Defender Works V8 will also be available to purchase soon from Land Rover Classic, including power upgrades for the TDCi diesel engine, fast-road suspension and braking kits.

A key milestone was marked today at the Yorkshire manufacturing centre that from 2019 will start producing carbon fibre tubs for McLaren Automotive.

As darkness descended at the £50million McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) nearing completion in the Sheffield region, McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Mike Flewitt was on-hand to illuminate the famous marque’s sign.

A spectacular indoor light show then greeted guests, culminating in the recently unveiled McLaren Senna road car performing a series of expertly choreographed ‘doughnuts’ to leave a trail of fresh Pirelli tyre rubber on the new centre’s floor to ‘christen’ it – McLaren style.

Named after the famous Brazilian Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna, who won all three of his World Championships at the wheel of a McLaren, the McLaren Senna – whose design was led by Harrogate- born Rob Melville – was accompanied by Ayrton’s original Grand Prix winning McLaren MP4/5 race car from 1989.

The event provided the first glimpse inside the new composites technology centre which, when open, will be home to McLaren’s second production facility and the first ever outside of its native Woking. Over 40 McLaren employees are already based in Sheffield, housed at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, where they are advancing the process for creating the lightweight carbon fibre Monocage structures at the heart of McLaren cars.

When fully operational, around 200 people will work at the MCTC, which will supply carbon fibre tubs to the McLaren Production Centre in Surrey where the company’s sportcars and supercars are hand- assembled.

Carbon fibre has long been a part of McLaren’s DNA, the company having introduced the very first carbon fibre chassis into Formula 1 in 1981. Carbon fibre’s innate strength and lightweight properties mean that the company has never made a race car, sportscar or supercar without it since.

McLaren is continuing to develop its expertise in both hybrid –it delivered the world’s first hybrid hypercar the P1TM over five years ago – and lightweight materials. Combined, the two are fundamental in the development of future automotive technologies, capable of driving increased performance while meeting ever stricter environmental legislation. Under the company’s ambitious Track22 business plan, at least half of the brand’s range will feature hybrid technology by 2022.

McLaren Automotive announced earlier this month that it had recorded another record year of growth, selling a total of 3,340 cars in 2017.

It follows the introduction last year of new models in each of the three established McLaren product families; the 570S Spider was added to the Sports Series, the 720S replaced the 650S in the Super Series and the track-concentrated McLaren Senna joined the Ultimate Series.

Mike Flewitt, McLaren Automotive Chief Executive said: “Today is an important and exciting milestone for everyone at McLaren Automotive, as well as a personal honour, to officially turn on the McLaren sign at what will be our McLaren Composites Technology Centre when it opens later this year.

“It marks the continued development of the current 2,100 strong company, and will bring new jobs to the Sheffield region which has a proud association with advanced materials; first with steel and now a future to look forward to with carbon fibre innovation and production for McLaren.”

Land Rover has introduced the Model Year 2018 Range Rover Evoque Landmark Edition in India to commemorate six successful years of the  Range Rover Evoque SUV. The most decorated Range Rover, with over 200 awards to its name, the Landmark Edition is priced at Rs 50.20 Lakh. It is powered by the 2.0 l Ingenium diesel powertrain delivering 180PS of maximum power.

New to the Landmark Edition are a host of features that distinguish it from the standard Model Year 2018 Range Rover Evoque. These include a body style kit, body coloured lower door cladding, Graphite Atlas grille, bonnet, fender vent and tailgate lettering, Gloss Black 18-inch alloy wheels, a Carpathian Grey contrast roof and a choice of three exterior colours, including a luminescent Moraine Blue, inspired by the turquoise lakes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

The interior is fitted with Dark Satin Brushed Aluminium centre console trim finishers surrounded by grained Ebony Leather seats with contrasting Light Lunar stitching and perforated mid-section. Keyless entry and Powered Gesture Tailgate are also standard on the Landmark Edition.

Rohit Suri, President & Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd. (JLRIL), said: “The Range Rover Evoque has brought Range Rover luxury and refinement to new customers around the world and in India. Its critically acclaimed design, desirability and all-terrain capability has been further enhanced with the Model Year 2018 Range Rover Landmark Edition and we are happy to offer it to our discerning customers. With its striking looks and updated feature set, we are confident that the Range Rover Evoque fan base will grow even further.”

TVS Motor Company has introduced a new Matte Series for the TVS Victor Premium Edition including two new colours and additional features. The two new colours – Matte Blue (with white) and Matte Silver (with red) are complemented by chrome detailing on the visor and a dual tone beige seat.

In addition to these new colours, the Premium Edition of the motorcycle is available with a Disc brake and a variant in black colour with yellow graphics and red with gold graphics. The TVS Victor Matte series with these new features and colours has been priced at Rs 55,890 (Ex-Showroom Delhi).

Royal Enfield has launched a new version of its Himalayan – the all new Himalayan Sleet. The motorcycle will sport a new colour scheme and pattern in shades of grey, taking inspiration from the mountains. To further strengthen it’s adventure touring proposition, 500 exclusive Himalayan Sleets will come pre-fitted with the Explorer Kit, an assortment of Royal Enfield Genuine Motorcycle Accessories, making it a competent, adventure-ready motorcycle. The 500 pre-fitted Himalayan Sleets + Explorer Kit will be available at a special introductory price of Rs 2,12,666 (on-road Chennai) exclusively on royalenfield.com/himalayansleet.

In keeping with the Himalayan’s proposition of versatility, long distance travel capability and comfort, the new Himalayan Sleet + Explorer Kit motorcycle will come pre-fitted with aluminium panniers, pannier mounting rails, aluminium handlebar with cross brace and large engine guard. Backed by a 2-year warranty, only 500 of these fully-kitted motorcycles will be exclusively available online for a limited period. Beginning January 12th till January 30th, enthusiasts can go online and register themselves, thereby expressing interest to purchase. The sale will go ‘live’ on January 30th 2018, on a ‘first-come-first-serve’ basis.

Commenting on the launch of Himalayan Sleet and the Explorer Kit, Rudratej (Rudy) Singh, President, Royal Enfield, said, “The new Himalayan Sleet is inspired by the terrain of Royal Enfield’s spiritual home – the Himalayas, its craggy land, the gorges, edgy peaks all brought together in the colours of the sleet . Additionally, the first 500 owners will get pre-fitted Explorer Kits to help kick-start their personal expeditions on the Himalayan Sleet”

Genuine Motorcycle Accessories that will form part of the Himalayan Sleet Explorer Kit are two 26 litres water resistant aluminium panniers, off-road style aluminium handlebar with cross brace for added strength, handlebar end weights for additional protection, and a powder-coated finish engine guard.

The Himalayan Sleet Grey aims to combine versatility and all-day comfort for all rides. Long-travel suspension, natural upright riding position, dual purpose tyres combined with agile handling and a durable engine,  all add up to a comfortable ride, whether it’s on the highway, city streets, or remote mountain roads.

Nissan has announced that the company has sold its 300,000th Nissan Leaf globally since the model first went on sale in 2010.

The 100 per cent electric Leaf is the world’s first mass-produced – and also the world’s best-selling – electric car.

Nissan launched a fully redesigned version of the Leaf in September 2017. Drivers will feel more confident, excited and connected thanks to the car’s ProPILOT (ProPILOT Assist in the U.S.) technology, ProPILOT Park technology, e-Pedal,increased power and range, and improved refinement, comfort and convenience.

“These numbers prove that the Nissan LEAF remains the most advanced car in the world, with the widest reach and the greatest availability,” said Nissan Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci. “The new Nissan LEAF is the icon of Nissan Intelligent Mobility because it delivers an even more exciting drive and enhanced ownership experience and contributes to a better world. It will take Nissan’s EV leadership even further.”

The new Nissan Leaf is slated for deliveries in January in the U.S., Canada and Europe and will be sold in more than 60 markets worldwide.

Datsun India has commenced pre-launch bookings for the Datsun redi-GO 1.0L Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) from January 10, 2018.

Customers can now pre-book their Datsun redi-GO 1.0L AMT with a payment Rs 10,000 at all Nissan and Datsun dealerships. Deliveries of these vehicles will commence from January 23, 2018.

Jerome Saigot, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd, said, “We keep customers at the heart of everything we do. During the last 20 months, we have launched four variants of Datsun redi-GO to address the changing needs of our customers. With the new redi-GO AMT, we aim to provide consumers with the convenience of city drive at an accessible price and best in class ground clearance, mileage, head room space, high seating position and attractive design.”

The Datsun redi-GO1.0L AMT is powered by Intelligent Spark Automated Technology (iSAT) 1.0L three-cylinder fuel efficient engine, paired with a five-speed automated transmission. The redi-GO AMT will join the line-up that includes redi-GO 0.8L, redi-GO Sport, redi-GO 1.0L and redi-GO Gold.

Land Rover will mark its 70th anniversary with a series of events and celebrations in 2018, beginning with the restoration of the vehicle that started it all – one of the three pre-production Land Rovers shown at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show launch. This gave the world its first glimpse of the shape that would become instantly recognisable as a Land Rover.

For years the whereabouts of this launch Land Rover was a mystery. The demonstration vehicle from the Amsterdam show was last on the road in the 1960s, after which it spent 20 years in a Welsh field before being bought as a restoration project; it then lay languishing unfinished in a garden. Following its surprise discovery just a few miles outside of Solihull, UK – where the car was first built – the experts at Jaguar Land Rover Classic spent months researching in company archives to unravel its ownership history and confirm its provenance.

The team behind the successful Land Rover Series I Reborn programme, which allows customers to own a slice of Land Rover history with meticulously restored Series Is, will now embark on their most challenging project yet: a year-long mission to preserve this historically significant prototype and enable it to be driven again.

Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, said: “This Land Rover is an irreplaceable piece of world automotive history and is as historically important as ‘Huey’, the first pre-production Land Rover. Beginning its sympathetic restoration here at Classic Works, where we can ensure it’s put back together precisely as it’s meant to be, is a fitting way to start Land Rover’s 70th anniversary year.

“There is something charming about the fact that exactly 70 years ago this vehicle would have been undergoing its final adjustments before being prepared for the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show launch – where the world first saw the shape that’s now immediately recognised as a Land Rover.”

The Jaguar Land Rover Classic team will follow a dedicated process to restore the launch vehicle, which has a lot of special features that are unique to the 48 pre-production Land Rovers that were produced prior to the mass production vehicles, such as thicker aluminium alloy body panels, a galvanised chassis and a removable rear tub. The patina of its components will be preserved, including the original Light Green paint applied in 1948.

Previous owners of this historic vehicle are being invited to Jaguar Land Rover’s Classic Works facility to share their experiences and to witness its loving restoration.

This landmark project, representing the earliest beginnings of the Land Rover story – which led to more than 67 years of continuous production of iconic Series I to Defender vehicles at Solihull – is the first in a series of stories and events that will celebrate the past, present and future of Land Rover throughout 2018.

The all-new Lamborghini Urus has been launched in India at Rs 3 crore, ex-showroom. Lamborghini will making 1,000 units of the Urus SUV globally and 25 units out of that have been allotted to India. It is worth pointing out that Lamborghini has launched the Urus in India ahead of China, indicating the importance of the country in the company’s global plans.

Doing duty in the Lamborghini Urus is a specially-developed 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that produces 650PS at 6,000 rpm and generates 850 Nm of torque at 2,250 rpm. All of that power is sent to the four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Lamborghini claims that the Urus can reach 100k mph in 3.6 seconds and capable of reaching a top speed of 305 kmph. The Lamborghini Urus also offers drive modes that can be selected through the Tamburo (drum) driving mode selector listed under the ANIMA (Adaptive Network Intelligence Management) system.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has introduced two new variants with 1.4 L New Kappa Dual VTVT petrol engine in the Next Gen Verna.

The 1.4 L Kappa Dual VTVT petrol engine produces an output of 100 PS at 6000 rpm and torque of 132 Nm at 4000 rpm. The fuel efficiency of the new variant has been further improved by 8 per cent to deliver 19.1 kmpl. The Next Gen Verna with 1.4 L petrol engine will be offered in two trims E and EX with 6-speed manual transmission priced (ex-showroom Delhi) at Rs 7,79,990 and Rs 9,09,990 respectively.

Commenting on the new engine introduction Rakesh Srivastava, Director-Sales & Marketing, HMIL said, “The Next Gen VERNA is a super sedan and has established its supremacy in the market since its launch in August 2017. The Next Gen VERNA with 1.4 L Kappa Dual VTVT petrol engine is the perfect combination of performance and fuel efficiency and showcases Hyundai’s commitment to provide products based on customers aspirations. We are sure this addition will strengthen VERNA’s popularity and offer the customers a wider option to own and experience the super sedan.”