Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic BMW M GmbH, BMW India has launched an exclusive ‘50 Jahre M Edition’ of the BMW M4 Competition Coupé in India.
BMW India had announced that it will launch 10 exclusive ‘50 Jahre M Editions’ to celebrate the M sub-brand that stands for high-performance adrenaline gushing cars. Available as a completely built-up unit, only a limited number of this special BMW M4 Competition Coupe ‘50 Jahre M Edition’ are being offered by BMW M GmBH.
For the last 50 years, BMW M has stood for those who enjoy high performance and supremacy of excellence. The BMW M4 Competition Coupe delivers an uncompromised track and street experience at a whole new level with distinctive combinations. Superior engineering promises unparalleled driving dynamics, adrenaline-fueled body styling, head-turning road presence, while still holding the famous legacy of its motorsport lineage. The limited edition is available at an attractive ex-showroom price of INR 1,52,90,000.
The exterior of the BMW M4 is headlined by immense presence and exquisite sporting style with large, clean and tautly drawn surfaces. Sitting proudly above the BMW Kidney Grille is the iconic M Emblem. Visually distinct from the conventional BMW emblem, it signals passion for racing and for the roots of the BMW M brand. The M emblem adorns the front and rear logo as well as the wheel hub caps. Visually striking exterior includes the M-specific version of the large, vertical BMW kidney grille with hallmark double bars in a horizontal design, the powerfully sculpted wheel arches with eye-catching M gills and the prominently extended side sills with attachment parts for front and rear aprons. Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Laserlight are specified as standard. The M-specific exterior mirrors have aerodynamically optimized contouring and are painted in High-gloss Black. The car also sports aerodynamically optimised fins, a rear spoiler and two pairs of exhaust tailpipes finished in Black Chrome.
The interior has clearly structured surfaces and an ergonomically impeccable cockpit design that ensures the driver’s focus remains one hundred per cent on the intense driving experience. Reminiscing an era gone by are the design lettering elements in places such as the door sill panels bearing, a metal plaque on the centre console and seat headrest. Reminiscing an era gone by are the design lettering elements in places such as the door sill panels bearing, a metal plaque on the centre console and seat headrest. Functions such as M Seat belts, Multifunctional M steering wheel, seat heating with lumbar support, electrical seat adjustment with memory function, and automatic anti-dazzle function in all mirrors add a further sporty touch to the interior. Extremely lightweight high-tech Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) roof lowers the centre of gravity, reduces weight and enhances agility. Ambient Lighting creates an atmosphere for every mood while the automatic 3 zone A/C further enhances the in-cabin experience.
The car is equipped with Adaptive M-Specific Suspension, M Sport Differential, M xDrive, M high performance compound brakes and 19″/20″ M forged wheels Double-spoke style 826 M double-spoke wheels in polished Orbit Grey and Gold Bronze. The car is available in striking paint finishes including Macao blue and Imola Red. Customers can further enhance the sporty character of the car with its exclusive accessories such as M Performance steering wheel in carbon fibre/alcantara options, tailpipe trim in carbon fibre etc.
The unrivalled 3.0-litre straight-six unit combines the hallmark high-revving character of BMW M GmbH engines with the latest version of M TwinPower Turbo technology. The petrol engine of the BMW M4 produces an output of 510 hp and a maximum torque of 650 Nm at 2,750-5,500 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 kmph in just 3.5 seconds.
The eight speed M Steptronic transmission enables extraordinary short shift times and fast, precise responses to every nudge of the accelerator. The driver can access three clearly distinct setups in both automatic and manual mode – comfort oriented, sports focused, or track optimized. The Setup button on the centre console provides direct access to the settings options for the engine, chassis, steering and braking system, plus traction control. EFFICIENT, SPORT and SPORT PLUS settings can be engaged to modify the engine’s characteristics, while selecting the COMFORT, SPORT or SPORT PLUS chassis mode provides access to the three settings for the electronically controlled dampers.
A host of BMW ConnectedDrive technologies continue to break the innovation barrier in automotive industry – Telephony with wireless charging, Head Up Display, Smartphone Integration, Active Protection including attentiveness assistant with Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear and Parking Assistant. Options include the Driving Assistant, Parking Assistant Plus, Comfort Access System, Gesture control, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, as well as the BMW Drive Recorder. The modern cockpit concept BMW Live Cockpit Professional running on latest BMW Operating System 7.0 includes 3D Navigation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display behind the steering wheel and a 10.25-inch Control Display. Harman Kardon surround sound system with 16 speakers provides an intense musical feast for the ears.
For utmost safety, the BMW M4 Competition comes with head and side airbags for driver and front passenger as well as head airbags for rear seats as standard. Additional standard equipment includes Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Automatic Stability Control (ASC), M Dynamic Mode (MDM), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Dry Braking function and Active M Differential. DSC with M xDrive further enhances the safety aspect.
The BMW M4 Competition delivers maximum driving pleasure coupled with an outstanding performance and fuel consumption ratio thanks to BMW EfficientDynamics measures such as intelligent lightweight design, Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop function, electric power steering, differential and transfer case with optimised warm-up behaviour and aerodynamics.
Bentley Motors has unveiled the Bentley Mulliner Batur – a new two-door grand touring coupé limited to 18 series pieces that embodies the start of a design revolution at Bentley.
Created by Director of Design Andreas Mindt and his team, the Batur is a showcase of a new design DNA that will ultimately guide the design of Bentley’s future range of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).
The collection of just 18 series examples of the Batur is the latest project by Bentley’s in-house bespoke and coachbuilding division, Mulliner, and succeeds the Bacalar – a run of 12 individually specified, designed and handcrafted Barchettas that relaunched coachbuilding at Bentley. Like its predecessor – the Bacalar – the Batur is named after a beautiful natural body of water. Lake Batur is an 88m deep, 16 km2 crater lake in Kintamani on the island of Bali, Indonesia, and provides nutrient-rich water to both local hot springs and agriculture.
The Batur will also be the most powerful Bentley yet, with a 740+ PS version of the iconic, hand-assembled 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine that has metaphorically and literally powered Bentley’s success for the last two decades. As the engine enters its twilight years as part of Bentley’s Beyond100 transformation journey to being fully electrified, the Batur forms the first part of a celebration of the W12’s extraordinary power, torque and refinement. Engine performance will be matched to the most advanced Bentley chassis ever, with speed-tuned air suspension, electric active anti-roll control, eLSD, four-wheel steering and torque vectoring.
All 18 examples of the Batur have already been reserved. Each one will be designed collaboratively with each customer, guided by Mulliner’s in-house design team. Customers will be able to specify the colour and finish of practically every surface of the Batur, to create a car as individual as they are. Each one will then be handcrafted over the course of several months in Mulliner’s workshop at Bentley’s carbon neutral factory in Crewe, England, with first deliveries expected in mid-2023.
The Batur was unveiled at Bentley’s Signature Party at Monterey Car Week, in front of almost 500 VIP guests, by Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark, who comments:
“The Batur is a significant car for Bentley. Far more than the heir to the highly successful Bacalar, the Batur showcases the design direction that we’re taking in the future as we develop our range of BEVs. Andi Mindt and his team have reimagined the classic Bentley design cues into a stronger, bolder design that remains both elegant and graceful.
“Beneath the beautiful exterior lies the most powerful engine we’ve ever developed. Our W12 engine is easily the most successful twelve-cylinder automotive engine in history, and as it approaches its retirement to make way for future hybrids and BEVs, we want to mark its accomplishments.
“The 18 lucky customers who have already reserved their Batur will enjoy an unrivalled co-creation experience with our Mulliner Design team in specifying their cars. The Batur is the next step in Mulliner’s expansion, demonstrating the demand for truly bespoke vehicles that combine luxury and performance in ways that only Bentley can deliver.”
A Design Revolution The design of the Batur is the work of Bentley’s Director of Design, Andreas Mindt, and his team including Head of Exterior Design, Tobias Suehlmann and Head of Interior Design, Andrew Hart-Barron. The Bentley design DNA that has driven the creation of the Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga families has been revolutionised for the Batur, introducing new themes, approaches and details. The new form language defines a new chapter for Bentley design, as part of Bentley’s Beyond100 transformational journey to become the world’s leading sustainable luxury mobility company.
The Batur previews the design principles that are driving the development of the company’s first BEV – due in 2025 – and the families of cars that follow.
Andreas Mindt explains the design: “For any design team, the chance to redefine our own rules is the most exciting challenge. We have reimagined the Bentley design language, keeping some continuity to the past and present while also drastically changing key elements.
“The design of a modern Bentley should always be potent, inspirational and harmonious. The form has to be strong and muscular whilst remaining graceful – there must be both elegant flow and muscularity. The term we use is the “resting beast stance” – picture a lion or tiger, laying low in attack position in long grass. That powerful shape – of ultimate power at rest, that looks fast even when stationary – is one that drives our new interpretation of the classic Bentley power line and haunch.
“A mark of power and prestige has always been a long bonnet. Our new design cues include a line that stretches from the bonnet along the whole length of the car, connecting the bonnet into the body, making the car long and lean and giving an elongated proportion to the front end. We call this feature the “endless bonnet”, and it’s the only accent highlight to the cleaner shape. Meanwhile the visual mass of the car is moved rearwards, giving the impression that the car is sat on the rear axle, which adds further depth to the haunches.
“At the very front of the car, we’ve modernised the famous Bentley grille and made it lower and more upright, to give a stronger face and a more dominant stance. This upright elegance bring self-confidence with a luxury stance. The grille is flanked by a new headlight shape and design, an evolution of the design used on Bacalar and maintaining the single large headlight either side. These are matched with all-new tail-lamps at the rear, that sit either side of a deployable spoiler.
“Overall, the form is cleaner and simplified, and we rely more on curvaceous surfaces bisected in the right places to reflect light and dark and bring more muscle to the design.”
The Next Exceptional Mulliner Project The Batur is the heir and successor to the Bacalar, the 12-off Barchetta design that brought coachbuilding back to Mulliner. Mulliner has become adept at delivering complex projects, including the Bacalar and the Blower Continuation Series – the world’s first continuation of a pre-war car. The coachbuilding skills that have been reborn through both projects will combine with generational handcraftsmanship to deliver the 18 Baturs that are to be built, each one entirely and meticulously by hand.
Paul Williams, Director of Mulliner, comments: “With Bacalar, we proved the appetite of our clients for truly bespoke and individual Bentleys. We’re building on that story with the Batur, and the fact that all 18 cars are already reserved is testament to the fact that our design team is creating cars that our clients want to buy. Batur is not only a beautiful handcrafted Bentley – it is the next member of a distinguished line of cars coachbuilt by Mulliner, which include the W.O. Bentley’s favourite car in the 8 Litre and the now truly-iconic R-Type Continental.”
Mulliner’s in-house design team will co-create every Batur with its customer, working together for several hours through a specially-created Mulliner visualiser that allows any part of the car to be customised in colour and surface finish. Endless samples of unique materials bring texture to the process, and the resulting designs will be truly individual and created by the customer – limited only by their imagination. From the main exterior paint to the surface finish of the air vents, and literally everything in between, each customer will specify even the tiniest of details.
Through handcrafted materials and exceptional colours, each Batur will then be brought to life by Mulliner’s team of automotive artisans in a process taking several months for each car.
Exterior Details Beyond the exterior form of the car lies an almost endless array of choices for each car’s future owner to make. Paint choice is infinite – starting with the full Mulliner colour palette and travelling beyond into fully bespoke paint and even hand-painted graphics.
The aerodynamic additions of front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser can be crafted in both carbon fibre or new, sustainable Natural Fibre composite.
The exterior brightware can be any mix of light and dark, satin or gloss or even titanium. As per the first car, another option is graduated contrast colour to the front grille, for a vibrant ombre effect.
The Batur sits on unique 22” wheels, with the ‘standard’ option being painted in Black Crystal and then surface bright machined and polished. A darker option combines dark gloss faces with satin spokes, while customers can also choose to paint-match the wheels to the body with or without contrast finish, or to choose a totally different contrast colour.
The car revealed in Monterey has been specified to showcase the Batur’s form language. The exterior paintwork is a bespoke colour – Bonneville Pearlescent Silver – that provides flowing contrast across the curvaceous surfaces. The bodywork is underscored by carbon fibre front splitters, side skirts and rear diffuser painted in Black Crystal. The front of the car features a grille of exceptional art – with the main matrix finished in Gloss Dark Titanium, accented with contrast chevrons in a horizontal ombre pattern that flows from Hyperactive Orange in the centre and gradually darken to the sides to Black Crystal. The “endless bonnet” line is finished in Satin Titanium paint, as are the 22-inch wheels – with the spokes in Satin Dark Titanium to match the grille.
A Cabin Of Sustainable Bespoke Beauty The two-seat interior space of the Batur is designed for ultimate personalisation and long-distance grand touring. Inspired by the success of the interior design of the Bacalar, the Batur builds on the core elements of the Bacalar’s cabin design and adds new sustainable luxury features:
Low-carbon leather sourced from Scotland, which travels significantly smaller distance than leather sourced from outside the UK. Sustainable tannage leather from Italy, in five different colours. Dinamica, an alternative suede-like sustainable material to leather. The range of veneers available for the fascias include a new material for Bentley – Natural Fibre composite, which is a sustainable alternative to carbon fibre. Available as a 2×2 twill weave and finished in satin lacquer, the Natural Fibre composite brings a new sustainable texture to the cabin. Regardless of the veneer chosen, the passenger fascia panel is finished with a unique etching of the audio signature of the W12 engine – and bespoke etching is also available.
The final sustainable elements are the carpets, which are matched to the leather and made from recycled yarn, in a first for Bentley.
Clients will choose between bright or dark treatments to the interior brightware and titanium options are also available. Certain controls – like the organ stops for ventilation – are even available in 3D-printed 18K gold.
The interior of the launch Batur has been trimmed by hand in a stunning combination of black, red and orange – specifically, Beluga, Hotspur and Hyperactive. Beluga main hide is contrasted with new, even more sustainable low CO2 Mulliner Hyperactive Orange leather. A complementary texture is provided through the use of Dinamica – a suede-like alternative to leather – in both Beluga and Hotspur. Unique “Batur Chevrons” to the outer wings of the seats are finely embroidered by hand in Snap Orange thread, whilst the remainder of the upholstery carries a white thread in contrast throughout. The soft elements are completed with a new feathered artisan piping in Beluga, with Hyperactive Orange piping to the seat centres and a Hyperactive Orange finish to the lower spoke of the steering wheel.
The veneers to the Instrument Panel, fascias and doors are Gloss Black painted, with a ‘guitar fade’ to Fine Brodgar that flows from the fascias to the doors, before fading back to black. The fascia is completed with a unique piece of art – a laser-etched sound wave, which represents the unique sound generated by the W12 engine. The metallic elements of the interior are a blend of Black Anodised Aluminium and Satin Titanium, completed with a hallmarked 18 karat gold Bentley Dynamic Drive Selector and ‘12 o’clock’ steering wheel centre band.
The Mighty W12 The Batur features the most power engine yet fitted to a Bentley. The 6.0-litre W12 that started the rebirth of Bentley with the Continental GT in 2002 has been through several design iterations since, and is now the most advanced twelve-cylinder engine in the world. It has always been hand-crafted in Bentley’s carbon neutral factory in Crewe, England.
For the Batur, a new intake system, upgraded turbochargers, new intercoolers and extensive recalibration more than 740 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, to deliver exceptional performance for this new pinnacle grand tourer. This development of the engine is in celebration of its achievements over 20 years, over which time it has been developed to produce nearly 40 per cent more power while fuel economy has improved by 25 per cent. For the Batur, the W12 is paired with Bentley’s eight-speed double-clutch transmission, and a sports exhaust to provide a soundtrack in keeping with the level of performance. The entire exhaust system is in titanium, while the finishers are 3D-printed in titanium in a first for Bentley.
As Bentley moves towards the era of electrification, the W12 is entering its twilight years. Before its retirement, this engineering masterpiece is worthy of commendation, and the Batur is the perfect home for the ultimate development of W12 performance.
A Chassis System to Match As well as being the most power and most exclusive Bentley coupe to date, the Batur will also be the most dynamic.
Adaptive three-chamber air springs each have three switchable chambers, changing the volume of the air spring and so its effective stiffness. The driver can select the balance between ride comfort and body control using the four-mode Drive Dynamics Control in the centre console, choosing between Sport, Bentley, Comfort and Custom.
The Drive Dynamics Control also changes the behaviour of the 48V electric active anti-roll control system, which can provide up to 1,300 Nm of anti-roll torque in 0.3 seconds or completely decouple the wheels at either end of each axle. The anti-roll control system can also be used to adjust the roll stiffness front-to-rear, giving the Batur sharper turn-in and greater ability to balance the car on the throttle when in Sport mode.
Overall traction and cornering grip is maximised through the use of an electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) that actively vectors drive torque across the chassis. This is complemented by torque vectoring by brake, whereby the car can lightly brake the inside rear wheel on turn-in for greater front-axle response, and also lightly brake both inside wheels on corner exit to move power across to the outside, loaded wheels for better traction.
Braking is via Bentley’s CSiC (Carbon-Silicon-Carbide) braking system, with 440 mm front and 410 mm rear discs, matched with 10-piston front and four-piston rear calipers. The Batur rides on bespoke 22” wheels with Pirelli tyres.
Mr. Srinivasu Allaphan, Director-Sales & Marketing, JK Tyre, Mr. Anuj Kathuria, President (India), JK Tyre & Mr. VK Misra, Technical Director, JK Tyre at the launch of the new TBR offerings in Kolkata
Indian tyre major and the market leader in Truck Bus Radial segment, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. has launched two new product offerings – Jetsteel JDH XM and Jetway JUC XM thereby further expanding their radial tyre portfolio.
To capitalise on growth opportunities and overcome the rising input costs incurred by transporters, JK Tyre has developed these products in order to ensure long-term benefits to its customers.
Catering to the increasing demand for All-Wheel Fitment tyres in the market along with customer’s expectations of a longer tyre life – the company has introduced its Next-Gen Semi-Lug tyre Jetway JUC XM. Equipped with even-wear characteristics, the Jetway JUC XM is specifically designed to provide a premium tyre life ensuring better fuel efficiency thus reducing the cost of ownership for truck owners.
In addition to the JUC XM tyre, the company also introduced Jetsteel JDH-XM to cater to Long-Haul application in the country. JDH-XM, with its unique tread compound and high tread depth is designed to deliver high tyre life. Fitted with the segment first “Jet-OCT” technology, the tyre is capable of delivering high casing strength resulting in higher retreadability.
Speaking on the new launch, Mr. Anuj Kathuria, President (India), JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, said, “The tyre industry landscape in India is constantly evolving with the advent of new technologies and norms being introduced. Being at the forefront of advanced technological developments, we at JK Tyre are committed to introduce and offer our customers with the best in class products by always staying ahead of the curve. The eastern market is an evolving opportunity for us and we are diligently working towards developing products that ensure higher longevity with reduction in costs. We are confident that our new product offerings will further strengthen our position in the region.”
Having an in-depth understanding of the current load and road conditions, the company has developed these tyres in order to handle the rub-offs caused due to the increase in movements of goods like FMCG, e-commerce goods, perishable goods and industrial goods.
India is known to be one of the world’s largest two-wheeler markets. Estimates from India Emissions Model of the International Council for Clean Transportation indicate that two-wheelers accounted for 70 per cent of petrol, and 25 per cent of oil consumption from road transport in 2021. India’s dependence on fossil fuels will more than double by the year 2050 if we continue to promote petrol-powered two-wheelers.
In the past few years, the healthy uptake of electric two-wheelers in India has been instrumental in accelerating the country’s transition to e-mobility. According to a recent report by the NITI Aayog and the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), there is a possibility of 100 per cent penetration of electric two-wheelers in the Indian market by FY26-27.
Experts from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the International Council for Clean Transportation (ICCT) have weighed in with their views on vehicle electrification and how it can reduce India’s dependence on oil imports, thereby paving the way for an energy-independent and self-reliant future.
Mr. I. V. Rao, Senior Visiting Fellow, TERI, said, “Two-wheelers in India have always been considered as the key vehicle segment, where EV transition could take place faster than in any other segment. This is due to several reasons – low dependance on public charging stations; comparatively low vehicle price due to FAME2 and state incentives; rising purchasing power of consumers; and very low operating costs. The growth in this segment is also largely driven by newcomers in the auto industry, with a focus on technology-based, user-centric solutions. A faster transition to e-mobility in the two-wheeler segment would lead to a significant impact on petrol demand, eventually lowering import dependency and emissions. Higher penetration of EVs in this segment will have a significant positive impact on the environment and air quality, besides yielding cost savings for users.”
Ms. Shikha Rokadiya, Researcher (Consultant), ICCT, said, “Achieving 100% electrification of new two-wheeler sales by 2035 can lower India’s cumulative petrol demand by more than 500 Mtoe (Million Tonnes of Oil Equivalent) and associated costs by over US$740 Billion between 2020 and 2050. From a pollution standpoint, India has made some bold policy moves in the past decade, including transitioning to BS-VI emission standards. This has arrested the rise in air pollution to a considerable degree. However, with increasing volumes of vehicles on the roads, PM and NOx emissions from two-wheelers will continue to rise despite such standards being in effect. In view of this, large-scale electrification of two-wheelers is the most cost-effective pathway for bringing exhaust emissions to near-zero.”
As India celebrates 75 years of independence, large-scale vehicle electrification will be crucial for India in the years ahead to achieve its transport decarbonization and net-zero goals. The transition to e-mobility will also support several other national goals including reducing oil imports, improving air quality, and supporting actions to mitigate climate change. Furthermore, it will foster India’s industrial competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global market.
After successfully positioning itself as a global brand with a strong racing heritage, under ‘The Call of the Blue’ campaign, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. has launched the 3rd version of the national brand campaign, to elevate its image by intensifying the aspirational value through engaging customer centric activities and launches.
Since 2018, with the announcement of each phase of ‘The Call of the Blue’ brand campaign, the company has been executing its product planning, marketing, and customer engagement strategies in line with the brand’s global image of ‘Excitement, Style and Sportiness’. As a result, 8 new global products were introduced with a focus on the premium segment. This led to an impressive rise of Yamaha’s market share in the premium motorcycle segment, moving up from 10 percent in 2018 to 15 percent in 2021.
On this occasion, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group of companies, Mr. Eishin Chihana said, “In India, ‘The Call of the Blue’ brand campaign has played a significant role in positioning Yamaha as a premium brand with strong racing heritage. To further build on this image, and to create a sense of aspiration and pride of ownership within the Indian youth, we are glad to announce the launch of the ‘The Call of the Blue’ Version 3.0.We will reach out to a wider set of customers who aim to make motorcycling a part of their lifestyle. Additionally, we will intensify our promotion activities and expand our network of premium Blue Square stores to provide customers a delightful experience.”
A new brand campaign film on ‘The Call of the Blue’ Version 3.0 was also released. The film portrays the aspiration levels of owning a Yamaha and how every Yamaha product enriches the lifestyle of the youth from different walks of life. It also showcases how the aspirations of the youth turn into reality, as they ride together to create new memories and evolve with “The Call of the Blue”.
Under this refreshing brand campaign, Yamaha is further revving up the excitement quotient, offering a premium ownership experience to all its customers by organising engagement activities like – ‘The Call of the Blue Track Day’, ‘Blue Streaks’ Ride and ‘The Call of the Blue Weekend’.
Also, to amplify its presence in the premium segment, the company is aggressively expanding its current network of over 80 Blue Square showrooms, offering its customers a platform to interact with the brand and enjoy unique buying and ownership experience. Currently, India Yamaha operates with 1,800 plus touch points across India.
Aston Martin is proud to introduce the new V12 Vantage Roadster – a uniquely exciting and ultra-exclusive limited production model which combines the thrilling performance of the most powerful Aston Martin Vantage ever made with the freedom and sensory stimulation of roof-down driving.
With production strictly limited to just 249 customer examples globally, with all examples sold ahead of release, the V12 Vantage Roadster boasts a compelling combination of dramatic widebody design, ground-hugging wide-track suspension and – for the first time in a Vantage Roadster – the mighty 5.2-litre Twin-Turbo V12 engine. With searing straight-line speed and the unfiltered howl of Aston Martin’s sonorous 700 PS 12-cylinder engine, the V12 Vantage Roadster elevates the open-top driving experience to a scintillating new level.
Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer, said: “We have worked extremely hard to ensure the V12 Vantage Roadster possesses the same potency and dynamism that characterises the V12 Vantage, while surpassing it in terms of raw sensory excitement that you only achieve with roof down driving. With more power and torque than any Vantage Roadster before it, a wide-track chassis with precisely tuned suspension calibration, and up to ten times the downforce of the series production Vantage Roadster, this is a breathtaking machine created for our most enthusiastic customers”.
Key to this exhilarating driving experience is the powerhouse of the engine. Developing 700 PS at 6500 rpm and 753 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, the quad-cam 60-deg 5.2-litre V12 is a true force of nature. With a power-to-weight ratio of 372 PS-per-ton and an endlessly impressive delivery which combines effortless in-gear response with epic acceleration, every squeeze of the V12 Vantage Roadster’s throttle leads to an unforgettable adrenaline rush.
Accelerating from rest to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and with a top speed of 200 mph the V12 Vantage Roadster occupies the very highest echelon of open-top sportscar performance. With a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and mechanical Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) mounted at the rear, the car possesses the purity and balance of a front-mid-engined rear-wheel drive layout. An optimised transmission calibration minimises shift speeds and maximises driver interaction, while adaptive software in the transmission’s control system monitors operating conditions and driver demands to enhance the driver’s feeling of response and control.
Sharing the same suspension hardware as the V12 Vantage, but featuring a bespoke tune for its adaptive dampers, the V12 Vantage Roadster’s dynamics have been honed to the keenest possible edge. The steering calibration mirrors that found in the V12 Vantage, to offer maximum steering feel and quick response, improvements which bring the car alive through corners and can be felt with every steering input.
Like the V12 Vantage, the V12 Vantage Roadster features powerful Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCB) as standard. Measuring 410mm x 38mm the front discs are gripped by 6-piston calipers, while the 360mm x 32mm rear discs are paired with 4-piston calipers. With much increased stopping power and tremendous resistance to brake fade at high temperatures, the CCB technology also makes a considerable 23kg of unsprung weight saving compared to steel brakes, benefitting steering response and ride quality.
In order to further reduce overall mass the V12 Vantage Roadster’s front bumper, clamshell bonnet, front fenders and side sills are made from carbon fibre, with the rear bumper and deck lid made from weight-saving composite material. Additional savings have been made with the adoption of a lightweight battery and a special centre-mounted twin-exit exhaust system fabricated from lightweight 1mm stainless steel. Tuned to ensure the V12 Vantage Roadster has a rousing voice to match its looks, this new system weighs 7.2kg less than the Vantage Roadster’s exhaust.
It’s an indication of the V12 Vantage Roadster’s monstrous performance that its dramatic form is driven by function. For example, the formidable physique of the widebody design is necessary to accommodate the widetrack suspension, which is 40mm wider than Vantage. The new front bumper design, complete with full width front splitter generates additional downforce and aerodynamic balance, while increased cooling is achieved by the reshaped front grille, which is 25 per cent larger, and the ‘horse shoe’ engine vent in the bonnet.
Aerodynamic performance also informs the new sculpted single-piece sills and rear bumper, which comes complete with integrated diffuser – the effectiveness of which has been improved by the routing of the centre mounted, twin tailpipe, exhaust system. In contrast to the V12 Vantage, the V12 Vantage Roadster comes without the dramatic rear wing as standard, though it can be specified as an option. Those who choose the more understated look can do so in the knowledge that aerodynamic balance is maintained thanks to detailed management of underbody airflow.
Final visual touches come in the form of impressive 21in alloy wheels, which are offered in two finishes, satin black or satin black diamond turned. An optional lightweight forged wheel option is also available in both satin black and satin black diamond turned, which saves a further 8kg of unsprung mass. Michelin Pilot 4S high performance tyres – 275/35 R21 front and 315/30 R21 at the rear – are standard fitment on all rims.
As flagship of the Vantage range, the V12 Roadster is fitted with Sports Plus Seats trimmed in full semi-aniline leather and featuring ‘Wings’ quilt and perforation pattern as standard. A carbon fibre performance seat with exposed twill carbon fibre shell and manual 6-way adjustment can be had as an option for those looking for the ultimate in dynamic design and maximum support for high performance driving, also saving 7.3kg without skimping on occupant comfort.
V12 Vantage Roadster customers can further boost the exclusivity of their car by engaging the services of the marque’s bespoke personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin, for everything from striking exterior graphics and liveries to woven leather. With extensive use of exposed carbon fibre in its design, the V12 Vantage Roadster also lends itself perfectly to Q by Aston Martin: Commission’s range of tinted lacquers, which change appearance under different lighting conditions to make a spectacular feature of the hand-laid carbon fibre panels.
Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, adds: “From a design perspective, V12 Vantage Roadster is a combination of living sculpture and physiology, such as the functions of an elite runner or thoroughbred racehorse. On one hand, much like the way their systems are developed to handle the stresses of peak performance and trained to work together to increase efficiency and power using oxygen, V12 Vantage Roadster was designed to maximize the benefits of airflow into, throughout and around the car. And on the other, for our Drivers, we created this explicit open-top sports car for those craving excitement and drama. The platform presented us with a design opportunity to make a contemporary visual statement of intent. The result is a living, breathing, driving sculpture with a level of control that sits at the fingertips”.
Production of the V12 Vantage Roadster is due to commence in Q3 of 2022, with first deliveries scheduled to begin during Q4 2022.
Revealed at the prestigious Monterey Car Week in California in 2021, the elegantly appointed Flying Spur Mulliner sits at the pinnacle of the Flying Spur family, combining the very finest in modern craftsmanship and breath-taking luxury. The introduction of Blackline Specification to the Flying Spur Mulliner builds on the increasing customer popularity of the GT Mulliner Blackline, with an uptake of nearly 20 per cent. Contemporary external treatments replacing bright chrome are now offered across all Mulliner models.
The Flying Spur Mulliner Blackline Specification replaces all of the exterior brightware (excluding the Bentley ‘Winged B’ badge) for gloss black versions. In place of the satin silver upper mirror caps typical of a Flying Spur Mulliner, for the Blackline Specification the mirrors are finished in gloss Beluga black. The signature Mulliner matrix wing vents are also blackened, and finished with bright Mulliner branding. The radiator grille remains black with bright edges to the 3D design and the lower bumper grilles are also finished in black.
The Blackline Specification also offers an optional black 22-inch Mulliner wheel with contrast polished ‘pockets’, or alternatively 22-inch Mulliner gloss black wheel with self-levelling badges featuring chrome rings are also available. The new specification allows Mulliner customers further visual contrast with lighter exterior palettes or elegantly blend in with darker colour choices.
The luxurious interior of the Flying Spur remains unchanged from the existing Mulliner edition, allowing customers to enjoy any colour combination they choose as part of Mulliner’s limitless offering, or one of eight recommended three-colour combinations, using Bentley’s wide palette of hides and threads.
The Flying Spur Mulliner Blackline Specification is available with Bentley’s V8 and W12 powertrains, as well as the new V6 Hybrid. When equipped with Bentley’s 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12, the Flying Spur Mulliner accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 kmph in 3.8 seconds) and is capable of a top speed of 207 mph (333 kmph). The new generation 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 delivers a top speed of 198 mph (318 kmph) and 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds (0-100 kmph in 4.1 seconds). The new V6 Hybrid accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds (0-100 kmph in 4.3 seconds) with a top speed of 177 mph (285 kmph).
The interior of the Flying Spur Mulliner offers a unique choice of exquisite detail and tactile finishes, and demonstrates the skilled craftsmanship of all Mulliner products. There are eight individually curated interiors to choose from consisting of three colours – a main, secondary and an accent.
One of the bolder curated interiors – Flare – is a combination of Beluga leather to the instrument panel, door trims and headlining while a rich red leather called Hotspur emphasises the style of the seats. Linen micro-piping, embroidery and accent line combines a third colour into the unique Mulliner interior.
The Mulliner Driving Specification is fitted as standard, bringing the “Diamond-in-Diamond” quilting to the seats, and three-dimensional leather to the doors. Contrast seat piping matches the accent that surrounds the occupants from the centre console, around the instrument panel and finishes beneath the door waistrail, highlighting the Bentley B chrome inlays.
Modern craftsmanship and breath-taking luxury combine in the diamond milled technical finish that is applied to the centre and rear consoles. The centrepiece feature on the dashboard alongside chrome bullseye vents is a stunning, brushed silver Mulliner clock.
The classic Bentley theme continues in the LED driver’s instrument panel, with stylish new and exclusive Mulliner graphics. The now famous Bentley Rotating Display, sports pedals, heated duo-tone 3-spoke steering wheel and panoramic sunroof further add to the luxurious ambience.
Unique Mulliner electrically-operated picnic tables are mounted to the rear of the front seats and can be deployed with a single press of a button. The veneered tables, which feature unique overlay, lower and self-level to reveal a leather-trimmed surface with a recess for a pen or stylus. Holding the button down returns the table gracefully to its home position.
As a part of its strategic brand campaign ‘The Call of the Blue’, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. has introduced an exciting line-up of 2022 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition models. These models include the Supersport YZF-R15M, the Dark Warrior MT-15 V2.0, the Maxi-Sports Scooter AEROX 155 and the RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid scooter. The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition model range will be available at all the premium Blue Square outlets in India.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition, motorcycle model range – YZF-R15M and MT-15 V2.0 showcases the Yamaha MotoGP branding on the tank shrouds, the fuel tank and side panels, outlining its racing background. Whereas the AEROX 155 and the RayZR Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition gets Yamaha MotoGP branding on the overall body.
The strong background of Yamaha’s excitement in India that started with the R Series, FZ Series and MT Series testifies Yamaha’s commitment of offering two wheelers that live up to the global spirit of Yamaha Racing. Further to stimulate its growth, Yamaha aims to strengthen the global image of excitement, style, and sportiness by offering MotoGP inspired Editions in the future as well.
On this occasion, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group of companies, Mr. Eishin Chihana said, “Yamaha is known for its strong racing DNA in international motorsports. The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition livery is the perfect representation of our commitment towards offering a model range that showcases this proud lineage. This year our performance in MotoGP has been exceptional with Fabio Quartararo maintaining his lead in rider standings. This also portrays Yamaha’s unmatched engineering and technological prowess. At Yamaha, our objective is to help our customers experience the same level of excitement being witnessed in global racing. Today, we are glad to introduce 4 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition models for our customers who are passionate MotoGP fans ignited by the spirit of racing. Going forward, the company will continue to introduce more such exciting products as a part of its brand commitment to India.”
India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. has announced the launch of three new premium Blue Square showrooms, in Kolkata, West Bengal. The announcement comes in line with Yamaha’s commitment to strengthen its premium retail footprint in the Indian market, to ensure that every customer gets to experience a supreme buying and ownership experience.
The state-of-the-art Blue Square showrooms embed Yamaha’s racing DNA of excitement, style & sportiness, and are launched under the banner of ‘Paul Automobiles’ in Maheshtala (1460 sq.ft), ‘Aquad Ventures’ in Kamarhati (1589 sq.ft) and ‘Mahansaria & Sons’ in Baruipur (1659 sq.ft). All three showrooms are designed to offer end-to-end sales, service, and spares support.
A Blue Square showroom is a customer’s gateway into the world of Yamaha Racing, and every section in the premium outlet is designed to evoke a sense of pride, of being associated with a global brand with strong roots in international motorsports. This has allowed the brand to form an instant connect with its customers, as ‘Blue’ is a representation of the Yamaha’s proud racing legacy and ‘Square’ symbolises a platform created for customers to connect with the brand’s philosophy of offering ‘exciting, sporty and stylish’ range of products.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Eishin Chihana, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies said, “As a part of ‘The Call of the Blue’ brand campaign, we are excited to announce the launch of 3 new Blue Square showrooms in Kolkata.Being a capital city, the Kolkata market is of great importance to strengthen our presence in the East Zone. With the newly launched premium outlets, the city has 4 active dealerships now, and every Blue Square outlet is a platform created for customers to attain a sense of belonging to Yamaha’s rich heritage in international motorsports. The premium outlet salso enable our customers to interact with the brand, acquire product information, and check out the range of Yamaha accessories and apparels, providing them a unique buying and ownership experience.”
Apart from the AEROX 155 that is exclusively sold through Blue Square, the premium outlets also showcase an attractive display of other Yamaha motorcycles and scooters followed by genuine accessories, apparels, and spare parts. The showrooms also serve as a platform for customers to be a part of the Blue Streaks rider community, through which they can interact with like-minded riders and experience their Yamaha machines together.
With the newly launched outlets, Yamaha currently has seven Blue Square showrooms operational in West Bengal. In total, the premium Blue Square showroom footprint across Indiastands at 80 outlets, with showrooms in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Orissa, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Delhi, and other North-Eastern States.
Bentley Mulliner is completing the final stages of handcraftsmanship of 12 of the rarest Bentleys of the modern era – the exquisite Bacalar. The Bacalar is the ultimate expression of two-seat, open-air luxury and was the first in a new series of pinnacle bespoke projects that have spearheaded a return to coachbuilding by Bentley Mulliner – the oldest coachbuilder in the world. The imminent completion of the Bacalars will allow the Mulliner team to focus attention towards their next project, which will be revealed soon.
Eight Bacalars – each in a unique colour designed by its customer – have now been handed to their owners around the world, with the final four cars in the last phases of preparation in Mulliner’s Crewe workshop for transport and delivery. With each car taking around six months to complete, the last tasks and quality checks mark the end of a long and incredibly detailed process to craft each Bacalar according to its owner’s wishes.
Bacalar has been brought to life by Bentley Mulliner to revive its specialism in providing rare coachbuilt cars to only a few discerning customers. A roofless Barchetta design with all-new and highly muscular coachwork, embracing a myriad of options and materials, each Bacalar is truly unique, the result of direct interaction between the Bentley Mulliner design team and each individual customer. As with every car in the series, strictly limited to 12 examples, all cars have had every detail specified by their owners, and as such are totally bespoke to them.
Each carbon fibre body is finished in a bespoke colour for each individual customer with no two cars being the same. The cars sit on unique 22” Tri-Finish wheels, with polished faces, dark grey satin spokes and accent highlights to complement the exterior.
Maria Mulder, Head of Colour, Materials and Finishes, comments; ‘Designing a Bacalar is an exercise in imagination, with the material, colour and finish of practically every interior and exterior surface being bespoke. Regardless of your personal style, whether it be to specifying your Bacalar with a bold Yellow Flame exterior paint synthesised with rice husk ash, or a more subtle Moss Green that reflects Bentley’s heritage, developing your own artisan piping, or co-create a unique fabric blend, the Bacalar has provided all of these opportunities.’
Uniquely designed details and features in the cabin emphasise the coachbuilt character of the car, with an almost infinite number of ways for the 12 customers to express their personal taste and commission a unique interior.
Sustainable, ethically-sourced materials previewed in the EXP 100 GT concept car have now become reality in a number of the Bacalars. These include paint containing ash from rice husks, which provides a sustainable way of delivering a rich metallic finish, natural British wool and 5,000-year-old Riverwood sourced from the ancient Fenlands of East Anglia.
From the use of precious inlays and unique finishes to the driver controls, to the 148,199 individual stitches needed to embroider the unique Bacalar quilt on each seat, owners will find details and components not seen before on a Bentley. Due to the nature of these personal commissions, Bentley is not able to reveal the identity of the customers nor where the cars will be heading. However, each customer shares a love of driving, along with an avid appreciation for craftsmanship, authenticity & attention to detail, all deeply associated with Mulliner.
A Perfect Example One of the finished Bacalars took pride of place on Bentley’s show stand at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, during which time it was handed over to its new owner by Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark. The specification of the car is a perfect example of how every detail of a Bacalar was chosen by its customer.
This Bacalar was finished in bespoke Sunset Orange, with customised tri-colour 22” wheels in dark grey satin with polished faces and gloss black highlights providing a bold contrast to the vibrant exterior. The centres of the headlamps were colour matched to the Sunset Orange bodywork, either side of a set of gloss black grilles and surrounds. The bonnet vents provided a textural difference being finished in satin carbon fibre, as were the wing mirrors. Satin carbon fibre also gave additional definition to the ‘power humps’ behind the front seats – accented with Sunset Orange brightware – along with the side skirts and rear diffuser, complemented by exhaust finishers with gloss black outers and matte black inners.
Side vents and the rest of the exterior brightware are in gloss black, as are the insides of the exterior door handles.
A white and black cabin with Mandarin Orange accents creates a striking contemporary interior theme. A satin carbon fibre technical finish encapsulates the occupants, sweeping from one side of the cabin to the other, matching the exterior technical details harmoniously. Every panel and detail of the interior was specified to the customer’s choice, through careful combinations of leather and Alcantara in white, black and orange, gloss and satin metals in black, dark tint and bright chrome finishes, and the twin usage of both gloss and satin carbon fibre.
Mandarin Orange leather accentuates the form of the top roll, the centre line in the steering wheel and both the door release and gear lever. This continues with further stitching details to the rear of the seats within the oval perforated Beluga piping and hand cross stitching along the door following the styling line around to the centre console.
The Bacalar is the extreme example of how the tiniest of details included in every Bentley can accumulate to form a cabin unlike any other. This customer’s car is no exception, and details include:
The analogue clock faces of the Bentley Rotating Display provide a splash of contrast in Bacalar Blue. The carpets feature a ‘diamond carved’ pattern, with binding and stitching in Mandarin Orange. The split line between satin carbon fibre and gloss black in the luggage area – usually unseen and hidden by luggage – was specified to be in satin dark tint.
The bespoke luggage that fits behind the seats feature Alcantara uppers to match the car, along with embroidery in Mandarin Orange and oval-perforated beluga piping with a Mandarin Orange core – exactly replicating the finish to the back of the fronts seats
Infinite Choice The specification of every Bentley is a voyage of discovery, with even a ‘standard’ model being configurable in literally billions of ways. The process of designing a Mulliner goes even further – with infinite combinations of materials, colours and finishes. The exquisite grand tourers that result are only bounded by the law of the land and the imagination of the customer. The next coachbuilt model from Mulliner – to be revealed soon – will be no exception.
Power Drive 