British supercar company McLaren Automotive has announced a multi-year partnership with engine supplier Ricardo to manufacture its next-generation V8 power unit as part of a long-term investment deal.

Designed in-house by McLaren’s powertrain team, the new high-performance V8 engine will power the next generation of lightweight, high-performance hybrid supercars as part of the company’s Future of Performance strategy.

The agreement sees a continuation of the long-term relationship between the two UK-based companies with Ricardo building both the V6 and V8 engines that will power McLaren’s existing and future high-performance hybrid supercars.

Since the introduction of the McLaren’s first series production supercar, the 12C in 2011, Ricardo has produced around 34,000 McLaren powertrains at its purpose-built assembly facility at Shoreham-by-Sea before delivering them around 50 miles away to the McLaren Production Centre, in Woking, Surrey, where McLaren designs and hand-builds its supercars.

The agreement ensures Ricardo will supply both hybrid and non-hybrid variants and, together with McLaren, make further significant investment in the high-performance engine production facility at Shoreham, with over 100 expert manufacturing engineers and technicians dedicated to supplying McLaren’s high-performance powertrains.

Michael Leiters, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive, said: “Our new high-performance, hybrid V8 powertrain will form an integral part of McLaren’s next generation product line-up delivering best-in-class performance and thrilling driver engagement.

“This new agreement with Ricardo is, therefore, an important part of our ‘Future of Performance’ strategy and builds on the enduring relationship between the two British companies, providing a boost for jobs and ensuring increased investment in what is a vitally important domestic engineering supply chain for future technologies.”

Graham Ritchie, Chief Executive Officer, Ricardo, commented: “We are extremely pleased to have concluded this new engine supply agreement with McLaren Automotive for their next generation high-performance V8 powertrain, which extends the long-term relationship between both companies into the next decade.

“Like McLaren, Ricardo has a proven track record of engineering excellence, delivering high performance technology and the highest standards of product quality supported by the upstream supply chain. With this agreement, we look forward to continuing our established and highly successful relationship with McLaren into its third decade.”

To celebrate the remarkable W12 engine that has powered its performance flagships and indeed the brand since 2003, Bentley has created the limited-edition Speed Edition 12. Powered by the most successful 12-cylinder engine of the modern era, the Speed Edition 12 models are a fitting farewell to an extraordinary engineering achievement.

Based on the Speed specification Bentayga, Flying Spur, Continental GT and Continental GT Convertible, the Edition 12 package features many unique design enhancements. These include Edition 12 badging, numbered engine plaque, Edition 12 embroidery, colour graduated seat contrast stitching, and a fascia in Grand Black veneer with the engine firing sequence etched alongside an inlaid Edition 12 badge.

Only 120 of each of four models will be produced, ensuring that the Speed Edition 12 will become a rare and sought-after tribute to an engine that has powered the company’s cars – and its fortunes – for two decades.

The Bentley W12
In 2003, Bentley’s W12 engine heralded a new era for the company as the powertrain for the first all-new model under Volkswagen Group ownership, the Continental GT. The unique W-formation of the 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 enabled it to be 24 per cent shorter than an equivalent V12 with no compromise in power, efficiency, or refinement. Ever since, continuous evolution has seen a 37 per cent increase in power and a 54 per cent increase in torque, along with a 25 per cent reduction in emissions. In the Speed Edition 12 models, the W12 now develops up to 659PS (650 bhp) @ 5000-6000 rpm, while the famed Bentley ‘tidal wave’ of torque sees a peak of 900Nm reached at just 1500 rpm and continuing unabated through to 5000 rpm.

Exterior
The external features of the Speed Edition 12 models are subtle yet carefully curated, making it instantly recognisable to those in the know. Among the distinctive details are silver brake callipers, which are not available for any other Bentley model. Continental GT and Convertible models feature Speed Edition 12 badging on the front fender while Bentayga and Flying Spur models carry Edition 12 badges on the rear quarter together with the existing Speed badge. Opening the bonnet reveals a numbered Edition 12 plaque in pride of place on the engine’s cover.

Other exterior features include Blackline specification exterior brightware, 22-inch black painted Speed alloy wheels, and self-levelling wheel badges. A new paint colour, Opalite, is available as an option: a light grey-green, it has a subtle copper effect that glows in bright sunshine.

Interior
Edition 12 welcome lamps and illuminated treadplates greet driver and passengers to an interior of hand-crafted individuality. All Edition 12 models are available with Bentley’s Speed colour splits; the main colour, Beluga black can either be chosen as the sole upholstery colour or complemented by Brunel blue, Cricketball red, Linen or Orange. Veneer in each case is high gloss Grand Black.

Unique features of this limited edition include seats with Mulliner Silver piping and embroidered Edition 12 namestyle. The upper seat areas are quilted, and contrast stitched in a graduated three-colour ‘fade’ from Anthracite through Porpoise to Stratos. Quilted door panels are contrast stitched.

The organ stop air vents are also unique, featuring the numeral ‘12’ machined from solid on the face of the control. As another delightful detail, the Grand Black veneer facia facing the front seat passenger features the firing sequence of the W12 engine etched alongside an inlaid Speed Edition 12 badge.

Commemorative 15% scale model W12 block
As a final touch, customers will receive a precise 15 per cent scale model of the Bentley W12 block as a commemorative artefact for display on desk, cabinet or shelf. The scale model W12 engines are cast using aluminium taken from a full-size W12 engine block and will serve as a permanent memento of one of Bentley’s most significant and powerful engines.

MG Motor India, a British automobile brand with a 99-year-old legacy, has announced the launch of its smart electric vehicle, the MG Comet EV, ushering a new chapter in urban mobility solutions for India. The versatile GSEV-platform-based Pure EV has a minimalist yet spacious design and possesses an inherent agility that allows smooth, stress-free commuting within the city. The Comet EV is the second EV in MG Motor India’s portfolio and comes with futuristic and user-friendly smart technologies. The MG Comet EV will be available at a special introductory ex-showroom price of INR 7,98,000.

Commenting on the occasion, Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India, said, “We are delighted to launch the MG Comet EV in India, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of urban mobility. The Comet EV is more than just a car; it represents our determination to change the way we commute in our cities.”

“The Comet EV is built on the pure electric GSEV platform, the fastest to hit the 1 million EV sales mark globally. The car seamlessly blends style, technology, and sustainability, offering a versatile and spacious ride with unparalleled safety features. At MG, we understand that the future of mobility is electric and connected. With the Comet EV, we aim to empower our customers to make a smart choice without compromising on style or convenience,” he added.

Design

The design of the MG Comet EV manifests the future-tech world. Designed on the concept of BICO—’Big Inside, Compact Outside’, Comet EV offers comfortably spacious and enhanced legroom as well as headroom.  The curved tech body line accentuates the aerodynamic and stylish aspects of the Comet EV from the outside. The sides of the Comet EV carry a futuristic rear-view mirror design with a floating motif. The aero-craft cabin window in the second row allows for added visibility in the Comet EV.

The MG Comet EV has a comfortable and roomy cabin with a 4-seater configuration with 50:50 settings on the second row of seats. The modern-style cabin space is combined with smart technology configurations with many functions to support this modern urban EV’s comfort and interactive aspects. The Comet EV’s multi-function and uniquely designed steering comes combined with intelligent tech and futuristic pod-like controls that lend the EV a modern gadget-like feel. The rotary gear selector is a transmission operation with a futuristic rotary knob decorated with chrome rings and unique patterns. In addition, the centre console is equipped with useful features such as electric window operation buttons and a 12-volt charging port.

Electric package

The Comet EV has a claimed range of around 230 kilometres certified battery range, on a single charge. With its practical aspects like easy to drive, easy to manoeuvre, easy to park, easy to charge, and easy on the pocket and environment, the Comet EV is not only a definitive segment creator but also an important and timely offering for urban commuters and EV enthusiasts in India.

Technology

In the tech dashboard section, MG Comet EV presents a touch of sophistication.  The in-built iSmart system comes with 55+ connected car features and 100+ voice commands. It has a floating twin display widescreen with a 10.25-inch head unit and a 10.25-inch digital cluster. Moreover, the entertainment system is equipped with widgets with three fully customisable pages to give customers access to a range of entertainment, and connectivity options. Another unique feature of the MG Comet EV is the smart key. The appealing and stylish design of the key adds to the tech-vibe of the Comet EV.

Big on savings

For the urban-young commuter, savings really matter. The Comet EV has been evaluated by MG to provide an encouraging and empowering charging cost of INR 519 per 1,000 km. Actual cost may vary depending upon per unit cost of electricity in that particular state of the country.

Safety

The Comet EV is a safe and robust vehicle in all aspects, be it its exterior or the interior. It comes powered with a 17.3 kWh Li-ion battery with prismatic cells that have undergone 39 battery plus car safety tests for a longer cycle life. It is IP67-rated, making it highly resistant to water and dust. All these ensure maximum safety for every possible condition. The high strength vehicle body with 17 hot stamping panels makes the overall structure of the MG Comet EV strong and safe. The Comet EV comes loaded with segment-leading active and passive safety features such as dual front airbags, ABS +EBD, front & rear 3 point seat belts, rear parking camera & sensor, TPMS (Indirect) and ISOFIX child seat.

Special Editions

In addition, MG has also introduced two special editions of the Comet EV- the Gamer edition and the LIT edition – tailored to vibe with the personalities of the next generation of urban commuters—gaming and tech communities, and fashionistas. MG Comet EV will come with several personalisation options including 250+ decaloptions, graphics etc. to add to the fun and tech vibe of the smart EV for its different genres of Gen Z customers.

The London Concours, presented by Montres Breguet, has announced the latest class for June’s unmissable event: Grand Tourisme. The carefully curated category will bring together the finest examples of France’s ingenious, idiosyncratic automobiles through the decades; cars that do things their own way, often with a dash of madness and always with consummate style. The gallic machines will join a display of close to 100 fabulous privately owned cars in the immaculate grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company, from June 6-8, at what is set to be London’s best automotive garden party yet.

The class will include one of the most elegant French GT cars of all: the Facel Vega Facel II. Introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1961, the grand, Chrysler V8 powered machine was billed as the fastest four-seater coupé in the word; the top speed was billed as 150mph for the 390bhp, four-speed manual equipped cars. In its time, the Facel II was not only one of the fastest cars in terms of top speed, but also one of the fastest accelerating; it was quicker from 0-60mph than the Aston Martin DB4 and Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. Such performance came with an imposing price tag: this car cost fifty percent more than its direct rivals, and three times more than a Jaguar E-Type. Owners in period included Pablo Picasso, Christian Dior and Sir Stirling Moss. It remains one of the greatest – and one of the last – substantial French coupés. Facel Vega declared bankruptcy shortly after the 180-car production run ended, making this the last of an era.

June’s show will feature another elegant French coupé, to many, one of the most stylish vehicles of all: the Citroen SM – in particularly desirable 5-speed manual, 2.7 injection form. This variant featured a soulful V6 under the stunning bodywork – sourced from Maserati, who the French marque had bought in 1968. The SM, with an impossibly sleek body and supremely smooth ride was designed to cruise across Europe at high-speeds, in total comfort, thanks to its innovative hydro-pneumatic suspension. The compellingly stylish package proved irresistible to many famous faces; a Citroen SM owners’ club might have counted football star Johan Cruyff, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, musician Carlos Santana, and the Shah of Iran as members. Ugandan dictator Idi Amin was perhaps the most committed SM enthusiast of all though, at one point reportedly owning seven of the sleek French machines.

Some of France’s more sporting, lightweight coupé offerings will also star this June, including the delightful Alpine A110, in high-performance 1600S trim. The long serving A110 was in production from 1963 until 1977, using diminutive dimensions and featherlight weight to deliver superb performance, whether on road or on a rally special stage. The sub-700kg 1600S variant launched in 1969, and featured a feisty twin-Weber carb equipped 4-cylinder motor, sending 138bhp to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual ‘box – enough for 0-60mph in under 7 seconds and over 130mph flat out. Another special example of French engineering ingenuity.

The Honourable Artillery Company will also welcome the modern incarnation of the A110, the very latest variant, in ultimate ‘Légende GT’ form. The A110 has won over enthusiasts alike since its introduction in 2017, with a driving experience defined by refreshing lightness and fluid handling. Many consider the GT Légende to be the sweet-spot of the range, combining the softer suspension of the standard A110 with the punchier, ‘S’ spec, 296bhp version of the 1.8-litre turbocharged four. Mounted amidships, it drives through a snappy dual-clutch ‘box. With only 1,134kg to motivate performance is serious: 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. June’s show will offer a great opportunity to examine this modern Alpine alongside its ancestor.

The display of French icons will also include a contender for the coolest ‘80s car of all: the Renault 5 Turbo. Introduced in 1980 the wild, mid-engined rear wheel drive machines bore little resemblance to the cooking Renault 5s. A true homologation special, the Turbo was extensively reworked with one goal in mind: success on the fearsome special stages of Group B rallying. Aluminium was used for the Turbo’s roof and doors, while the shell was strengthened and widened to give a cartoonish stance. The 1.4-litre boosted motor put out 160bhp on road trim, and with just 900kg to shift, gave the pugnacious looking hatch a real turn of pace: it could hit 0-60mph in just 6.6 seconds, at a time when a conventionally quick car, the Golf GTI, took 9 seconds.

The 5 Turbo will be joined by its mad spiritual successor, the Clio V6, which arrived on the scene in 2001. The V6 again shared little with the standard Clio supermini on which it was technically based, transformed with a widened shell, rear wheel drive and a sweet, mid-mounted 227bhp 3.0-litre V6. The first ‘Phase 1’ cars were built in Britain by Tom Walkinshaw Racing, while the later Phase 2 machines were assembled by Renault Sport in Dieppe. Today the V6 stands out as another shining beacon of French automotive independent thinking, as well as one of the wonderful flashes of madness that, for many, rendered the early 2000s a high-water mark for the car industry.

This is just a taste of what to expect from this June’s event which will feature a spectacular range of machinery from a range of exotic marques. Further class announcements will follow in the coming weeks and months, as we build towards the 7th edition of this unmissable event.

Andrew Evans, London Concours Director, said: “We’re delighted to announce that our event this June will celebrate the most fabulous French cars ever produced. The Grand Toursime line-up, carefully curated by our team, will highlight the consistently idiosyncratic genius of the French automotive industry, machines that delight with both their engineering ingenuity and stunning looks. They’re going to add real colour and gallic charm to our show which is now under two months away. It’s going to be our most spectacular yet! Stay tuned in the coming weeks for further exciting class announcements.”

In addition to a fantastic selection of cars – the best yet assembled – guests to the Honorary Artillery Company will be treated to a decadent range of food and drink options – including a brand-new Club Concours hospitality experience, engaging live stage discussions, as well as a carefully selected line-up of luxury brands and boutiques. London Concours 2023 is set to be another occasion of total automotive indulgence.

As Volvo Cars globally celebrates its 96th anniversary, Volvo Car India and its business partners are also taking part in the celebrations. The employees of Volvo Car India drove a fleet of Volvo cars on the roads of Delhi NCR celebrating their brand and its heritage. Led by Managing Director Mr. Jyoti Malhotra, driving their all electric model XC40 Recharge. Business partners are using the occasion to celebrate by strengthening their connect with customers.

“We today mark 96 years of technical excellence and globally benchmarked safety standards and what better way to celebrate it than showcasing your product. This is the inspiration behind our drive today. 96 years has been a long journey and today as we stand on the cusp of becoming an all-electric company by 2030 we in India commit ourselves to even higher levels of customer satisfaction” said Mr Jyoti Malhotra, Managing Director Volvo Car India.

One of Volvo Car’s greatest contribution to the global automobile industry has been the invention of the three point seat belt that has saved millions of lives. The three-point seatbelt as we know it today was created by Volvo in 1959 and in the greater interest all, the company made the patent available for other manufacturers, to benefit from. Volvo was also the first manufacturer to fit three-point safety belts as standard equipment in its cars, from 1963. Volvo envisions next-generation software developed in-house as its “three-point digital seatbelt” in driving cutting edge state of the art safety features in the company’s future products.

When Volvo Car entered India it brought with it over 80 years of global expertise and technological excellence. Ever since then has continued to resonate with Indian consumers with cutting innovation.

Last year, Volvo launched their first all-electric vehicle, the XC40 Recharge in India and planned to unveil their second electric vehicle, the C40 Recharge, this year. Volvo Car India is committed to introduce a new all-electric model every year commenced from XC40 Recharge. Globally the company has announced that by 2030 Volvo will produce only electric cars.

Volvo is committed to the safety of both people and the environment. The goal is to establish the highest safety standard for all future models. Volvo Cars is looking forward to using advanced features such as LiDar sensors, radar, cameras, and other sensors to improve until there are no more accidents or collisions. Volvo upcoming models will be linked to human conduct and will focus on unexpected collisions, driver’s behaviour and speeding.

Also, the brand emphasises reduced carbon emissions from all their cars. This is made feasible by the use of a catalytic converter in future cars, which converts the carbon monoxide produced by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. To be more environmentally friendly, Volvo is using recycled ocean waste plastic in their cars.

BMW India has announced the opening of bookings for the first-ever BMW X3 M40i xDrive. The car will be available in limited units and can be exclusively booked at the BMW Online Shop for INR 5,00,000. The car is scheduled to be launched in India in May 2023.

Engineered by M, the car elevates the sporty, modern BMW X3 to the realm of M. Numerous distinct M elements in the exterior and interior give birth to a commanding personality suited for high-performance circles. Under the hood, the M40i 3-litre engine, a powerhouse charged with M genes, is raring for unadulterated sheer driving pleasure. An outstanding driving experience is guaranteed together with Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport differential, M Sport brakes and the BMW xDrive all-wheel drive. To further enhance the sporty appearance, customers can personalise their car with special M alloys.

Introduction of the first-ever BMW X3 M40i xDrive builds on the enormous success of M powered BMW M340i sedan and the growing popularity of exclusive M Editions in India. This new M interpretation of the BMW X3 takes the excitement a notch higher into the Sports Activity Vehicle range.

Customers can visit https://www.bmw.in/X3M40i and explore a 360° view of the car’s exterior and interior. They will be directed to a bookings page where booking can be done through a secure online payment mechanism. Deliveries will be done on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Volvo Car India recorded an impressive 38 per cent growth in the first quarter of 2023. The company sold 544 cars during the January to March period as compared to 393 units sold in the corresponding period of last year. The growth was led by the XC60 which registered a 27 per cent growth. The locally assembled all-electric XC40 Recharge saw 138 units being delivered during this period thereby contributing 25 per cent of the total volume.

“It has been a good first quarter with the XC40 Recharge accounting for 25 per cent of the total volumes. A 38 per cent growth confirms positive customer sentiments in our luxury mobility offerings and their firm belief in our Volvo brand. The first quarter performance is a good indicator and we are confident that the coming quarters will show better results. We remain committed to introducing a new electric model every year and we are on a good trajectory of achieving our aim of going all electric by 2030 ” said Mr Jyoti Malhotra, Managing Director, Volvo Car India.

The Company has recently delivered its 200th XC40 Recharge all electric car. Post the commencement of bookings in 2022, the company had booked 500 XC40 Recharge cars. In line with its commitment to introduce a new EV model every year, the Company has already announced that the C40 all electric model will be introduced in India this year.

To mark 20 years since Bentley’s sixth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and 100 years since the first running of the legendary race, Bentley is creating a limited edition of Continental GT Coupés and Continental GTC’s. Each will be powered by the Bentley W12 engine, the most successful 12-cylinder engine of the modern era. The Le Mans Collection includes unique exterior and interior details that echo the design of the Le Mans winning Speed 8 #7.

All Le Mans Collection models are specified with the three-way Bentley Rotating Display, offering a choice of touchscreen, dual veneer or analogue dials – but with a twist; In place of the standard central dial is a Vitrine displaying an engine valve from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 of the 2003 Le Mans winning Bentley Speed 8. The engine was removed after the contest and preserved, and now 24 of the 32 valves from the engine have been bisected to create 48 artefacts for this exclusive collection of ultimate Grand Tourers.

In another thoughtful touch, the standard 12-hour analogue clock is replaced by a digital clock with a bespoke dial design – a 24 hour one, naturally.

Mulliner, Bentley’s personal commissioning division, has taken inspiration from the dark green Speed 8 racing cars that swept all before them at Le Mans in 2003. From the Verdant green exterior to the sliver of Speed 8 engine displayed in the fascia, the Le Mans Collection is a heartfelt tribute to a long and glorious shared history between Bentley and the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Tribute to Speed 8 #7
Mulliner’s designers closely studied the winning Speed 8 of 2003, surely one of the most beautiful racing cars ever to triumph at Le Mans. The limited number of Continental GT’s and Continental GTC’s in the Le Mans Collection are finished in Verdant green, with a Moonbeam racing stripe across the bonnet (and Coupé roof). The Blackline specification nods to the black and green livery of the Speed 8, while the carbon-fibre Styling specification body components are finished in black with a subtle pinstripe in Moonbeam. Beluga black is also chosen for the lower front bumper, wing mirror caps and rear ‘horseshoe’ area beneath the bootlid spoiler, while black 22-inch ten-spoke wheels shroud powerful carbon ceramic brakes and red brake calipers.

Meanwhile, the distinctive Bentley matrix grille (originally developed to protect the radiator on the unpaved Le Mans racetrack of the 1920s) features a painted #7 in Arctica white, combining the race-winning number of 2003 with the painted radiators of the Bentleys that won Le Mans five times between 1924 and 1930.

Bespoke details
The interiors of the Le Mans Collection Continental GT and Continental GTC are far more luxurious than those of the Bentley Speed 8s – but there’s the same sense of sporting purpose. A bespoke 2003 wreath welcome lamp ushers you into a cockpit trimmed in Beluga hide. Performance-bred napped Dynamica fabric covers the seat faces, while the interior’s monochrome colour scheme is relieved by contrast seat stitching and seatbelts in Hotspur. The steering wheel, trimmed in hide and Dynamica, also features Hotspur contrast stitching and six o’clock accent tab.

The dual-finish veneer on fascia and door waist rails is executed in Piano Black and high gloss carbon fibre, with a fine chrome pinstripe separating the two. Matching doors to fascia so the pinstripe flows seamlessly from one side to the other is a mark of the exceptional craftsmanship in every Bentley.

The Le Mans Collection Bentleys feature many bespoke details, beginning with the Speed 8 sill plates and six-wreath treadplates that greet occupants on entering the interior. The fascia displays the six-wreath emblem inlaid into high-gloss carbon fibre, marking each of the six outright victories recorded by Bentley at Le Mans between 1924 and 2003.

Race inspired performance
The Le Mans Collection Continental GT and GTC are equipped with Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine, delivering 659 PS (650 bhp) and an extraordinary 900 Nm (664 lb.ft) of torque.

With exceptional handling, this results in a top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h) and 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds (0-100 kmph in 3.6 seconds). A combination of four chassis technologies give the new limited edition a level of agility, performance and ride quality as expected of a car with this heritage.

Bentley Dynamic Ride and three-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping play a key role in the balance of the car and provide a formidable foundation to build upon. The optional and newly-developed Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Variable Electronic Stability Control, All Wheel Steering, and an Electronic Limited Slip Differential bolster the agility and performance even further.

Bentley and Le Mans
Bentley’s long association with Le Mans didn’t get off to the smoothest of starts. “I think the whole thing’s crazy. Nobody’ll finish. Cars aren’t designed to take that sort of strain for 24 hours.” Such was W.O. Bentley’s reaction in 1923, on hearing that private entrant John Duff planned to contest the first-ever Le Mans 24 Hour race in a Bentley 3 Litre. But the competitive fire in W.O’s soul saw him make a last-minute dash to the La Sarthe circuit nonetheless. Inspired by Duff’s 4th place (despite a lengthy stop to repair a holed petrol tank) and fastest lap, W.O and Bentley Motors returned in 1924 with a works entry – and won. It was the start of a glorious decade that saw five wins in seven years.

Bentley was back in 2001 with the EXP Speed 8, the start of a three-year programme targeting a sixth outright victory. And on Sunday, June 15th, 2003, Bentley’s two works Speed 8s finished first and second in this most gruelling of endurance races. Car #7 of Guy Smith, Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello covered 377 laps at an average speed of 214.33km/h, followed by the #8 Speed 8 of Johnny Herbert, Mark Blundell and David Brabham.

Volvo Car India today announced delivery of its two hundredth all electric XC40 Recharge. The Volvo XC40 Recharge is India’s first locally assembled luxury electric SUV, assembled in Volvo’s Bangalore, Karnataka Facility. The first XC40 Recharge was delivered in November 2022 and has garnered multiple honours in a variety of categories for its great design, innovative technology, and environmental efficiency.

“Delivery of the two hundredth XC40 Recharge is indeed a milestone. Even after Global supply chain disruptions had impacted deliveries our customers patiently waited for their cars which reflects their confidence in Volvo brand. This milestone further strengthens our resolute towards becoming an all-electric company by 2030” said Mr. Jyoti Malhotra, Managing Director Volvo Car India.

By 2030, the company wants to offer only pure electric vehicles and phase out all internal combustion engine vehicles, including hybrids. This is consistent with the Company’s worldwide climate plan, which aims to minimise the life cycle carbon footprint per car by continuous practical action.

The new Jeep Meridian gets enhanced style and a host of functional equipment based on customer demand. The premium SUV brand is introducing two limited special editions; the Meridian X and Meridian Upland highlighting the duality of sophistication and adventure.

The special editions deliver Jeep brands’ legendary 4×4 capability with new styling and equipment to further accentuate the true SUV design cues of the Jeep Meridian. The Special Editions will sport two additional colours Silvery Moon and Galaxy Blue that offers a unique visual appeal to the range. The special edition offers unique and distinctive looks to offer customers option to select a variant based on their style and personality.

The sophisticated Jeep Meridian X is designed to suit urban lifestyle where customers are looking for elegance and a premium drive experience. The Meridian X offers stylish body colour lowers, grey roof, and alloy wheels with grey pocket. Furthermore, it provides exterior additions such as side moulding, puddle lamps, and interior modifications such as ambient lighting giving the premium interiors a lounge like makeover.

The Jeep Meridian Upland has enhanced adventure elements suited for customers who would like to ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’. This special edition is targeted at those who want to drive through different terrains and have a thrilling experience while following their passion. It includes functional equipment such as a roof carrier and side steps in addition to splash guards, boot organizer, sunshades, special cabin, cargo mats, tyre inflator and a specially designed unique hood decal.

In addition, buyers of both the variants will be offered the rear entertainment package with a Wi-Fi enabled 11.6-inch screen to play their favourite apps and content; at 50 per cent of the selling price.

Commemorating the launch of the Jeep Meridian’s special edition in India, Mr. Nipun J Mahajan, Head of Jeep Brand India, said, “We are very excited to launch the special edition of the Jeep® Meridian highlighting the duality of the SUV in distinct styling. We’re taking the Jeep® Meridian to another level with the new Special Editions, which adds a distinctive look that will stand out on both the off-road trails and on the streets. The additional equipment makes these special editions unique, appealing to a wider customer base.”

The Jeep Meridian leverages its globally proven engineering prowess coupled with Indian insights to deliver an authentic SUV experience with high level of sophistication. This SUV redefined the premium SUV segment with its many best-in-class features, including the fastest acceleration and highest power-to-weight ratio. The highly capable and agile SUV can go from 0-100 kmph in just 10.8 seconds and can attain a top speed of 198 kmph.

The new special edition offers a significantly attractive proposition coupled with the Jeep Wave Exclusive Program that is available to the entire Jeep line-up. The premium customer care program entails 3 years of Jeep Comprehensive Warranty, Jeep Express Service packages starting in 90 mins, Jeep Courtesy Edge and Segment First Customer Contact Programs – Jeep Genius and Jeep Adventure Concierge to help customers gain unparalleled ownership experience.

Bookings for the Jeep Meridian’s Special Edition are now open at Jeep Dealerships and on the Jeep India website (jeep-india.com) with immediate deliveries. The Jeep Meridian range starts at INR 32.95 lakhs, ex-showroom.