Land Rover is an iconic British marque with products renowned for their design and all-terrain capability. With 70 years of rich legacy, Land Rover vehicles are known for their ability to take on some of the toughest terrains with relative ease. Whether on or off-road, the urge to explore and go above and beyond is what distinguishes every vehicle bearing the Land Rover badge. So, on a winter afternoon, when Power Drive got the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Land Rover Discovery Sport, we were more than glad to take it for a spin. Read on to find out more about our date with the gentle beast. Photographs by Sourish Meryson.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport does not get any cosmetic updates for 2017. After all, why fix something that ain’t broken. The Discovery Sport looks macho with just the right proportions that makes maneuvering it quite effortless in the urbane city conditions. The front looks striking with its big DRLs, sleek grille and the large Discovery script that the sits above it. Whether navigating through city traffic or while cruising on the highway, the Land Rover Discovery Sport never fails to turn heads on the go.

The interior layout is quite functional, with everything within easy reach. The cabin is swathed in beige leather as well as soft touch materials that feel premium and exudes class. The large, panoramic sunroof makes the cabin feels airy and spacious.

Navigation makes planning journeys and following routes easy thanks to turn-by-turn voice guidance, junction view and 3D maps. Set your destination with a few taps, or simply speak a command.

The seats, both upfront and at the rear, are comfortable and provide good lumbar support. Soft to the touch and pleasing to the eye, these seats come in a choice of colour that truly complement the cabin architecture.

Making sure all passengers enjoy the impressive audio in the cabin, the Meridian 380W Sound System features a subwoofer and 10 speakers are carefully and strategically arranged throughout the cabin. NVH levels are well contained with very little engine noise filtering in only at high rev range.

The new 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel motor is both responsive and refined. At idle, there is barely any vibrations that can be felt inside the passenger cabin. At full throttle, however, you will hear some engine murmuring, but it’s well within acceptable limits and doesn’t disrupt the peace.

This engine is available in two states of tune, depending on the variant you choose. The one we tested test is the HSE trim (7-seater) and the powertrain that does duty in this variant produces 150PS (180PS in the HSE Luxury trim) and 382Nm of torque that peaks at 1,750 rpm. And although 150 PS may not sound earth shattering, however, the fashion in which the power is delivered makes the Land Rover Discovery Sport a joy to drive. The 9-speed automatic gearbox has well-spaced ratios and you’ll find the engine revving at a relaxed 1,500 rpm even while cruising at 100 kmph.

The Discovery Sport’s suspension set-up offers a great blend of ride and handling. Driving over some of Kolkata’s uneven stretches, I barely felt the need to lift my foot off the throttle, as the suspension went about ironing out the potholes and bumps. However, on the downside, there is quite a bit of body roll when cornering which isn’t very confidence inspiring.

The Xenon headlights provide greater visibility and safety. They include signature Daytime Running Lights, rear LED lights and headlight powerwash.

Some of the highlights of the Land Rover Discovery Sport HSE trim that we tested are as follows:

18-inch 5 split-spoke alloy wheels
Atlas grille with Narvik Black surround
Xenon headlights with LED signature
Cruise Control and Speed Limiter
Rear Parking Aid
Front Parking Aid
Rear View Camera
Park Assist
Power fold, heated door mirrors with approach lights
10-way electric front seats
Partial leather seats
60:40 second row seats with slide and recline
Meridian Sound System 380 W with 10 speakers plus subwoofer (Touch)
8-inch Touchscreen with touch navigation
Configurable Interior Ambient Lighting
Illuminated aluminium front tread plates with Discovery script

Land Rover Discovery Sport (18MY) Ex-Showroom Price:

2.0 l Diesel Pure 5 Seats – Rs 42.48 Lakhs

2.0 l Diesel SE 5+2 Seats – Rs 48.67 Lakhs

2.0 l Diesel HSE 5+2 Seats – Rs 52.31 Lakhs

2.0 l Diesel HSE Luxury 5+2 Seats – Rs 57.46 Lakhs

Hyundai Motor has announced that Nexo will be the name of its all-new, dedicated Fuel Cell EV during a press conference at CES 2018, and disclosed Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that expand its autonomous driving potential. Nexo is the technological flagship of Hyundai’s growing eco-vehicle portfolio and marks Hyundai’s continued momentum toward having the industry’s most diverse CUV powertrain lineup.

The Nexo model will spearhead Hyundai Motor’s plans to accelerate development of low emission vehicles, in line with Hyundai Motor Group’s renewed goal of introducing 18 eco-friendly models to global markets by 2025. This new development roadmap also represents the next step for Hyundai Motor towards realising the ultimate ambition of creating a cleaner environment through eco-friendly vehicles.

“Hydrogen energy is the key to building a more sustainable society. Hyundai Motor Company has already taken a lead in hydrogen technology with the introduction of the ix35 Fuel Cell,” said Dr. Woong-chul Yang, Vice Chairman, Hyundai Motor Company. “I am so proud to introduce to you our second-generation Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle which is a culmination of our cutting-edge technologies.”

Nexo is Hyundai’s second-generation of commercialised fuel cell electric vehicle that will be available in select markets around the world starting in early 2018. Improving upon the acclaimed ix35 FCEV, the Nexo has an estimated driving range of 500 miles (NEDC) – 134 miles more than its predecessor. Acceleration and power have increased to improve the overall performance.

Designed to handle extreme temperature and environments, the Nexo testing has proven that the vehicle is capable of starting after being subject to overnight temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Nexo boasts cold start capability within 30 seconds which is an industry-leading achievement and the fuel cell system warms up faster for maximum performance. The Nexo also has excellent cooling performance on steep grades with temperatures exceeding 120 degree Fahrenheit.

Improvements in the air supply system, performance at high altitudes and refueling times, along with overall efficiency and fuel economy put the Nexo in a class all its own. In addition the Nexo has improved power density and durability comparable with petrol-powered vehicles.

Kia Motors will unveil a new all-electric concept car and present the brand’s vision for future mobility at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Combining Kia’s design strengths with a highly efficient battery-electric powertrain, the new concept represents the next step in the brand’s on-going journey to electrification. The concept also features a never-seen-before human-machine interface (HMI) and an advanced new ‘motion graphic’ lighting system, previewing the potential for these technologies for market introduction in coming years.

Alongside Kia’s new concept, a range of new in-car features and innovations will be revealed at CES 2018. Kia’s interactive ‘Beyond Autonomous Driving’ exhibits combine existing and future technologies to outline the company’s plans for vehicle autonomy and mobility, supported by the introduction of upcoming autonomous drive technologies.

Kia will present three interactive, cockpit-style exhibits designed to show how the company will incorporate new technologies to enhance communication and interaction between occupants and vehicles. These include new advanced driver assistance technologies and pioneering HMI functions, as well as the world’s first in-car 5G connection.

“Virtual reality, self-driving cars, and full vehicle connectivity were all once considered technologies of the distant future. As they rapidly become a reality, Kia is exploring how to adapt these new technologies for its customers. At CES we will share our strategy and vision for future mobility, and exhibit a range of advanced technologies that our customers can look forward to” said Dr. Woong-cheol Yang, Vice Chairman and Head of Hyundai-Kia R&D Centre.

Hyundai Motor will showcase a trio of new technologies at CES 2018 from January 9-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, all focused on connecting future technology with evolving mobility challenges. Hyundai’s next-generation hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicle equipped with new Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technologies will be featured and its new name revealed.

The new fuel cell EV is the newest edition to the Hyundai’s eco-vehicle portfolio and it will help to fulfill Hyundai’s vision to offer clean mobility to the world.

In addition, Hyundai will connect its progress on hydrogen-powered mobility to hydrogen-powered applications in the home via a section of the booth dedicated to the Hydrogen Life Vision. Rounding out Hyundai’s future technology demonstrations will be a reimagined view from the driver’s perspective inside the Intelligent Personal Cockpit, featuring artificial-intelligence-enhanced voice recognition and vital sign-based wellness care, all from the comfort of the driver’s seat.

The BMW i3 aims to set standards for driving pleasure in a purely electrically-driven vehicle. Key factors here are not only the increased output of the motor in the new BMW i3s, but also the innovative traction control system adapted specifically to the instantaneous power deliver of the BMW eDrive system. Presented for the first time in the new BMW i3s, the system improves traction and driving stability in adverse weather and road conditions when pulling away, in active Brake Energy Regeneration phases and when accelerating out of tight corners. At the heart of this innovation is the control system’s 50-times- faster routine, made possible because – unlike conventional driving stability systems – the control process is now calculated directly in the powertrain instead of in a remote unit requiring long signal paths. This development provides further evidence of BMW i as a pioneer of innovative technology within the BMW Group.

“With their high levels of torque and instantaneous responses to every movement of the accelerator, electric motors already make significantly higher demands on driving stability systems than conventional power units,” explains Peter Langen, Head of Chassis Development at BMW.

That’s why the BMW engineers developed a new type of system geared squarely to the demands of electric mobility.

The positive impact of these shorter control cycles is not reserved for purely electrically driven cars; indeed, this innovative traction control system also optimises traction, driving stability and driving dynamics in vehicles with combustion engines. It will therefore be fitted in BMW and MINI models with front-, rear- and all-wheel drive to deliver noticeably greater assurance and driving pleasure when road conditions make pulling away difficult.

Nissan unveiled research that will enable vehicles to interpret signals from the driver’s brain, redefining how people interact with their cars.

The company’s Brain-to-Vehicle, or B2V, technology promises to speed up reaction times for drivers and will lead to cars that keep adapting to make driving more enjoyable.

Nissan will demonstrate capabilities of this exclusive technology at the CES 2018 trade show in Las Vegas. B2V is the latest development in Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s vision for transforming how cars are driven, powered and integrated into society.

“When most people think about autonomous driving, they have a very impersonal vision of the future, where humans relinquish control to the machines. Yet B2V technology does the opposite, by using signals from their own brain to make the drive even more exciting and enjoyable,” said Nissan Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci. “Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, we are moving people to a better world by delivering more autonomy, more electrification and more connectivity.”

This breakthrough from Nissan is the result of research into using brain decoding technology to predict a driver’s actions and detect discomfort:

Predict: By catching signs that the driver’s brain is about to initiate a movement – such as turning the steering wheel or pushing the accelerator pedal – driver assist technologies can begin the action more quickly. This can improve reaction times and enhance manual driving.

Detect: By detecting and evaluating driver discomfort, artificial intelligence can change the driving configuration or driving style when in autonomous mode.

Other possible uses include adjusting the vehicle’s internal environment, said Dr. Lucian Gheorghe, Senior Innovation Researcher at the Nissan Research Center in Japan, who’s leading the B2V research. For example, the technology can use augmented reality to adjust what the driver sees and create a more relaxing environment.

“The potential applications of the technology are incredible,” Gheorghe said. “This research will be a catalyst for more Nissan innovation inside our vehicles in the years to come.”

Nissan’s B2V technology is the world’s first system of its kind. The driver wears a device that measures brain wave activity, which is then analysed by autonomous systems. By anticipating intended movement, the systems can take actions – such as turning the steering wheel or slowing the car – 0.2 to 0.5 seconds faster than the driver, while remaining largely imperceptible.

The exterior of Q Inspiration features clear and concise lines and avoids classical saloon forms with its elongated silhouette. It is the first manifestation of Infiniti’s new form language for an era of advanced powertrains and presents a design vision for vehicles in this segment.

Karim Habib, Infiniti Executive Design Director said “We aim to take traditional saloon architecture to its next stage of evolution. Experimenting with new proportions in an established segment with the arrival of smarter, compact powertrains, the Q Inspiration features a shorter hood and elongated body, with all the benefits to interior wellbeing, comfort and space that this layout entails.”

The Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept will be revealed in Detroit on January 15, 2018.

By the end of 2017, Volkswagen had produced more than six million vehicles, setting a new record. The largest model offensive to date in the history of the Volkswagen Group’s core brand, combined with growing demand from customers across the globe, have led to the new record. The Volkswagen Jetta, Golf, Santana, Passat and Polo lead the brand’s global production rankings.

Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand responsible for Production and Logistics, sees a clear signal: “More than six million vehicles produced in 12 months – there is one thing that this shows above all: our plants and employees are continually improving their production competence. We have top teams in production which successfully master growing demand from customers.”

This development is driven by the long-standing best-sellers Jetta, Golf, Santana, Passat and Polo, growing demand for the Tiguan and recently launched products such as the new Polo, Arteon and T-Roc. Overseas models have also contributed to the production record. The Chinese Santana sedan is an especially popular model.

The Volkswagen brand produces vehicles at more than 50 plants in 14 countries. Since series production started with the original Beetle 72 years ago, more than 150 million Volkswagens have rolled off the production lines. The brand’s global product portfolio now includes over 60 models.

Within the framework of the Transform 2025+ strategy for the future, the Volkswagen Group’s core brand is stepping up its model offensive. In 2017 alone, Volkswagen launched more than 10 new models throughout the world. Over the next few years, the entire product range is to be renewed and expanded in core segments such as SUVs and e-mobility. In this first phase, especially the brand’s presence in the SUV segment is to be boosted. By 2020, the brand will offer 19 SUV models throughout the world and will increase the share of SUVs in the overall model range to 40 percent. In the second phase, from 2020 onwards, the brand is to build up a comprehensive family of full-electric vehicles on the basis of an entirely new electric architecture. The I.D. will be the automobile future of Volkswagen. The family will include the I.D., I.D. Crozz and I.D. Buzz. These three models are part of the initial formation which Volkswagen will be introducing at rapid intervals from 2020 onwards to launch its worldwide electric offensive. In 2025, one million electric Volkswagens are to reach the roads.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), registered the record sales by surpassing its Calendar Year 2017 Business Plan with highest-ever domestic sales of 5,27,320 units and cumulative sales of 6,78,221 units.

Commenting on CY 2017 performance, YK Koo, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “The Calendar Year 2017 has been an Year of Performance for Hyundai Motor India Surpassing its Business Plan of 2017 registering highest-ever domestic volume of 5,27,320 units, a growth of 5.4% on strong performance of the newly launched Super Sedan Next Gen VERNA along with GRAND i10, ELITE i20 and CRETA. The positive momentum in Urban and Rural retail sales supported with strong After-Sales Service and Low-cost of ownership has gained customer confidence to become most loved and trusted brand in India.”

“Hyundai became the most awarded Auto manufacturer by winning prestigious awards for Next Gen VERNA, Best After-Sales Customer Satisfaction, Segment-level APEAL awards and highest ranking in Initial Quality Study in 2017.  Hyundai is a lifetime partner in automobile and beyond of its customers and will continue this momentum with strong efforts towards customer delight through unique experiences and a socially responsible corporate” he added.

Calendar Year 2017:

December 2017:

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), registered monthly domestic sales of 12,642 units in December 2017 against 10,071 units in the corresponding month last year, registering a growth of 26 per cent.

The company registered a cumulative growth of 20 per cent selling 129,964 units during April – December in 2017, against 108,522 units in the corresponding period of April – December in 2016.

The company registered a cumulative growth of 15 per cent selling 178,755 units during the calendar year 2017 (Jan – December) against 156,107 units calendar year 2016.

The company’s best seller Honda City recorded cumulative sales of 62,573 units in full year 2017 becoming the highest selling mid-size sedan during calendar year 2017.

Yoichiro Ueno, President and CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, “2017 has been a milestone year for Honda Cars in India, as our best seller Honda City completes 2 decades of unparalleled success in India. Honda City has emerged as the highest selling mid-size sedan during 2017. I would like to thank our customers for their strong support to the model.”

“HCIL experienced robust growth during 2017 backed by good demand for all our products across segments, especially the Honda City & WR-V. As we welcome the New Year 2018 we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for the continued support to the Honda brand, and look forward to another fruitful year ahead,” he added.