BMW India has launched the powerful BMW M340i xDrive in the country. Locally produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai, it is the first high-performance BMW with an M engine to be made in India.

Engineered by BMW M, the first-ever BMW M340i xDrive delivers a concentrated distillation of the 3’s sporting essence and unleashes its full dynamic potential. It flawlessly embodies BMW M’s pure passion for motorsport and delivers maximum performance to provide the ultimate adrenaline rush for the drivers.

Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “We are excited to launch the first-ever BMW M340i xDrive, the quickest car to be locally produced in India – a completely novel high-performance product that the Indian auto enthusiasts have been waiting for eagerly. It is a unique car because it has the thrilling soul of the BMW 3 Series, the amplified power of M and the driving dynamics of BMW xDrive. With the addition of the BMW M340i xDrive, the BMW 3 Series offers the most powerful and diverse range giving our customers the valuable ‘Power of Choice’. This car also marks an important milestone of local production of high-performance BMW cars from the house of ‘M’.”

The first-ever BMW M340i xDrive sets new standards of performance attributes that will satisfy and impress auto enthusiasts. The car is powered by a straight six-cylinder petrol engine with 387 hp. Together, the high engine performance, M Performance chassis tuning, M-specific suspension technology, BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive and the M Sport rear differential provide for an outstanding driving experience. The exceptional sporty character is underscored by the model-specific design and multiple equipment features.

The car is available at an ex-showroom price of INR 62,90,000.

The first-ever BMW M340i xDrive is available in following metallic paintworks – Dravit Grey, Sunset Orange and Tanzanite Blue. It features the exclusive Alcantara/Sensatec combination upholstery in Black with contrast stitching Blue.

BMW M Performance Accessories offer customers the ability to bring their personality to the vehicles. To enhance the sporty appearance and character of the car, customers have the option to choose from a wide range of individual accessories including wheel size upgrades or curated accessory packages – Enthusiast Pack, Racer’s Pack and Motorsport Pack.

The exterior design of the first-ever BMW M340i xDrive inspires with its sporting theme. The front end cuts a wide, low-slung and aggressive figure. The large BMW kidney grille mesh inserts are framed by a single surround and split up by wide bars that link to the headlight units. The car features the Adaptive LED headlights with BMW Laserlight which offers variable illumination of the road ahead. They stand apart with their hexagonal daytime driving light rings and blue, L-shaped elements in the inner and outer light sources. The car’s hood, long wheelbase, short overhangs and elegantly flowing roofline accentuate its sporting profile when viewed from the side. Horizontal lines and the slim, stylishly darkened light units housing L-shaped LED taillights give the rear a wide and athletic stance. Complementing the M aerodynamics package with aerodynamically optimized body elements, the car features a body coloured M rear spoiler on the boot lid. The vehicle’s exclusive look is also enhanced by exterior mirror caps, air intake struts, trapezoidal tailpipe trims and the model lettering all finished in Cerium Grey metallic. Adding to the sporty look are the standard 18-inch M light alloy wheels style 790 M Bicolor with mixed tyres. The option to upgrade to 19-inch M light alloy wheels in 792 M or 796 M styling is also available.

The interior is designed to accentuate cabin spaciousness and the driver-focused cockpit. The sport seats with M-specific upholstery in a Sensatec/Alcantara trim provide excellent lateral support and have a great range of adjustment. The Anthracite BMW Individual roof liner, BMW Individual High-Gloss Shadow Line elements, M leather steering wheel with shift paddles, M seat belt and interior trim strips in Aluminum Tetragon provide a performance-oriented ambience. As exclusive design features, the digital instrument cluster and front door sills bear the model lettering ‘M340i’. Adding to the sense of space is the large panorama glass sunroof. Ambient Lighting with six dimmable light designs creates an atmosphere for every mood while Automatic 3 zone A/C further enhances the in-cabin experience. Welcome Light Carpet, which is projected from the side sill, welcomes passengers in glamorous style. The boot has a capacity of 480 litres and can be expanded further by folding down the 40/20/40 split rear seat backrest.

The first-ever BMW M340i xDrive is powered by 2,998 cc straight-six petrol engine which produces an output of 387 hp and 500 Nm maximum torque. It is accompanied by a characteristic sound thanks to the M Sport exhaust unit. The car completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, making it the quickest car to be produced in the country.

The eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission performs smooth, almost imperceptible gearshifts. At any time, in any gear, the transmission collaborates perfectly with the engine, enabling it to develop its full power and efficiency. For even greater driving pleasure, it is available with steering wheel paddle shifters and cruise control with braking function as standard. The Driver Experience Control modes SPORT and SPORT+ help support more dynamic driving even further by transferring power to the rear wheels.

As a category first, the car features BMW xDrive, the intelligent all-wheel drive technology which monitors the driving situations and is quick to respond to ensure maximum traction, agility and vehicle stability. The standard M Sport rear differential enhances traction and cornering by electronically controlling the distribution of power to each individual wheel. It helps to avoid understeer and oversteer in situations involving multiple changes of direction and load.

With kinematics and elastokinematics tuned for dynamic driving, the M Sport suspension features more rigid bearings and body struts, firm springs and anti-roll bars. It helps lower the ride height by 10 mm and offers a more engaging driving experience. The Variable Sport Steering is precise and responsive even when only a slight steering input is applied. With the variable ratio, it adjusts to the steering angle changes making it as adept at keeping the car in a straight line as at maximizing cornering agility and maneuvering comfort. M Sport brakes provide excellent braking performance and intuitive feel, whether negotiating city streets or driving around a circuit on a track day. The brake calipers are painted blue and display the M logo. The BMW Performance Control system increases the stability of the car by targeted braking of the wheels.

A host of BMW ConnectedDrive technologies continue to break the innovation barrier in automotive industry. Modern cockpit concept BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes 3D Navigation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display behind the steering wheel and a 10.25-inch Control Display. Occupants can operate a number of car functions simply by speaking to their BMW Virtual Assistant. Hands do the talking with BMW Gesture Control that recognizes six pre-defined hand movements for control of a number of functions. The smartphone holder integrated into the centre console allows inductive, Wireless Charging for mobile phones. Wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto ensures seamless smartphone connection with the car to access several functions. The car features a Harman Kardon Surround Sound system with 16 loudspeakers.

BMW Head-Up Display projects driving-related information onto the windscreen and directly into the driver’s field of view without having to divert their eyes from the road. Parking Assistant with Rear View Camera makes parking in tight spots easier. The Reversing Assistant provides unmatched support in reversing out of a parking spot or through narrow driveways. It keeps a record of the last 50 metres driven and assists by taking over the steering.

BMW EfficientDynamics includes features such as Auto Start-Stop, Brake-Energy Regeneration, Electronic Power Steering, 50:50 Weight Distribution and ECO PRO mode in Driving Experience Control.

BMW Safety technologies include six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensors, Runflat Tyres with Tyre Pressure Indicator, ISOFIX child seat mounting and integrated emergency spare wheel under the load floor.

Spinny announced its entry into Kolkata to meet the needs of consumers in the Eastern market. The first in Kolkata and the fourteenth Spinny car hub in India, it is located at City Centre 2 Mall, New Town, Kolkata. Backed by its pan-India inventory of 2000-plus assured cars, Spinny is set to serve India’s Eastern region.

Founded in 2015 and currently valued at US$150 million, Spinny believes in making car-buying and selling simple, accessible and delightful. Spinny prides itself on its full-stack capabilities, which enable it to bring greater transparency and integrity into the pre-owned car market. This also provides quality control and agility to create a holistically customer-centric offering and transfers savings as well as benefits at every step to car buyers and sellers.

Overhauling the used-car industry by digital purchasing that provides safe, sanitised home test drives, home deliveries and an entirely contactless experience focused on customer safety and satisfaction, Spinny’s consumer-centric model comes with the flexibility of offering seamless and easy processes, ensuring a car can be purchased or sold remotely. Spinny is aiming to earn trust of the market by it’s transparent and honest approach to used car buying and selling.

With direct car sales as its core revenue stream, features such as Spinny 360, online booking of each car, financing options and buyback benefits are live for Kolkata as well. Learnings from its existing base of 10,000-plus customers led the Company to launch ‘Home Test Drives and Home Delivery’ with Spinny Assured, which includes benefits of quality with 200-point inspection, 5-Day Money-back Guarantee, Fixed Price Assurance and One-year Warranty.

SellRight by Spinny offers the best value for a used car since there are no middlemen and the benefit of a better price goes to the seller, together with services such as doorstep car inspection and instant payment. Thanks to its full-stack model, the cars remain in Spinny’s custody till transferred to the new owner.

Speaking on the occasion, Niraj Singh, CEO & Founder, Spinny stated, “Spinny has been on an expansion spree during the past year and Kolkata is a new and promising market. Given our growing footprints, we will be positioned to play a pivotal role in fulfilling consumer demand in the used-car segment. Our focus remains on the section generating the most demand – Rs3 lakh to Rs5 lakh – for hatchbacks, premium hatchbacks and compact sedans, followed by premium sedans and compact SUVs. As a customer-centric service brand, our emphasis on quality and going the extra mile has augmented credibility and consumer trust.”

This year, we will be entering other cities too. Buoyed by the validation of our services via positive customer response, we are confident of providing a safe experience. Consequently, we will be scaling up our operations at periodic intervals. Our core concern while entering new territories is to maintain and enhance the quality of Spinny’s buying and selling experience. Accordingly, we plan to hire 1000+ employees by the end of 2021.”

Tata Motors has announced the launch of the new XTA variant of its hatchback – the Tata Tiago, at a starting price of INR 5.99 Lakhs (Ex. Showroom Delhi). With this launch, the Company is strengthening its automatic line up with 4 AMT options, adding an AMT variant to the XT trim of the existing Tata Tiago. Customers now have an array of options to choose from within the Tiago range.

Commenting on the introduction of this new variant, Vivek Srivatsa, Head Marketing, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit (PVBU), Tata Motors said,“Fulfilling our brand promise of staying New Forever, we are constantly listening and gathering feedback from the market. The Tiago has received tremendous market response from across regions. Furthermore, the automatic transmission (AT) segment in India is booming and the same has been proven in the sales of Tiago as well. Acknowledging the increasing preference for ATs we are excited to introduce the XTA version to the range and are confident that this new variant will not only give us a competitive edge in the mid-hatch segment but will also provide customers with accessible options to choose from at every price point.”

Since its launch in 2016, the Tiago has been very successful in its segment and has been appreciated by all. Following the same, the product’s BS6 version was introduced in 2020 which also received a 4-star safety rating by GNCAP at launch, making it the safest in its segment.It comes with a variety of exciting features such as the 7-inch Infotainment Touchscreen by Harman, 15-inch Alloy Wheels, Automatic Climate Control and a Digital Instrument Custer amongst others, making it a suitable choice of 3.25 lakh happy customers.

Road safety in India continues to be a major developmental issue, a public health concern, and a leading cause of death and injury across the world. Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) is a global disaster hampering the life of millions. Over 400 people are killed in road accidents every day, and over 1,200 injured every day in India. As per the Road Accident Report for 2019, a whooping 4,49,002 accidents occurred in the country, causing 1,51,113 deaths and 4,51,361 injuries. With a road crash happening every minute and one death every four minutes in India, every little step matters. Every life lost and every person injured due to road accidents is one too much. To ensure safe roads, the roadside assistance companies of India is also endeavouring to make roads safer by using technology. Below are such top four roadside assistance companies to look for while planning to hit the road.

Europ Assitance India
Europ Assistance with its local and global experience, provides uninterrupted service to its customers, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It has a vast network of credential service providers and experienced technicians to provide the right solution. The company offers services such as on the spot repair, emergency towing assistance, fuel delivery, vehicle key service, cab assistance and accommodation. Europ assistance serves more than 300 million people all over the world. http://www.europ-assistance.in/

ReadyAssist
ReadyAssist is a recent entrant in the segment but one of its kind with massive support coverage across any nook and corner of the country. A new age startup with high aspirations on fixing the fundamental gaps in the Indian RSA segment. Their support availability across PAN India is almost 100% and they are pretty fast in-terms of reaching a stranded customer. Their quality of service is also remarkable. They have a deep support network of own mechanics fleet, tow trucks and partner vendors who are tested and verified by the company’s ground team. They have a 24/7 hotline with multi-lingual support, WhatsApp support. Apart from the PAN India subscription support, the company also provide on demand Roadside assistance in most of the tier 1 and tier 2 cities. https://www.readyassist.in/

MyTVS Auto Assist
MyTVS Auto Assist has one of the largest networks in India. It provide 24×7 breakdown assistance to the customers, operating in Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Consumer (B2C) segments. The brand have three pillars to serve their customers viz., 24×7 multi-lingual Call Centres, Own Patrol and Authorized Service Providers. It also provide the help within 45 minutes, anytime, anywhere. A customer can Book painlessly and keep in touch for the vehicle queries through the MyTVS App. https://www.mytvs.in/

Allianz Assistance
Allianz Assistance India caters into two segments Roadside Assistance and Health Assistance. It provide 24×7 on-site repair, refuelling, towing the vehicle to the nearest garage or a specific location, and much more. Whether you are on your way to some exciting road trip or be it your daily commute, this roadside assistance do everything in their power to provide rapid repair and support to their customers from the event to its resolution. https://www.allianzassistance.in/roadside-assistance.html

Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first woman to qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix, behind the wheel of a Maserati 250F. Hers is a story of passion and audacity and for this reason, Maserati celebrates her achievements on the occasion of International Women’s Day, 8 March.

Maria Teresa de Filippis was born in Naples in 1926 and decided to enter the world of motor racing almost as a challenge. In 1948 she participated in her first race; at only 22 years of age she won the 10 km Salerno-Cava de ‘Tirreni, 500cc class of the touring car category, decisively beating her male colleagues. That very first victory ignites her passion for racing and in the following year she triumphed in several competitions in the 750cc category.

During 1953 – 1954 she moved on to an Osca 1100 cc in which she won the 12 Hours of Pescara, the Trullo d’Oro, the Catania-Etna, and the circuits of Caserta and Syracuse.

Maria Teresa de Filippis transitioned to a Maserati 2000 A6GCS in 1955. In an article she later wrote about her racing years, she said: “A powerful car with which I felt I could do anything…and I did”, adding, “Poor car! So many spectacular accidents, but also so many victories!” Chief among which was the victory in the Catania-Etna in record time, which remained undefeated for the following three years. She finished in second place in the 2000 cc class championship of 1955.

In 1958, behind the wheel of a private Maserati 250F, Maria Teresa de Filippis made her debut in the GP of Syracuse and then competed in her first Formula World Championship Grand Prix in Belgium. A number of female racing drivers have competed in motor sport over the years, but only Maria Teresa de Filippis holds the unique record, one that can never be broken or equaled, of being the first woman to compete in Formula 1.

Able to stand out in an environment that had previously been considered exclusively male, Maria Teresa de Filippis earned the respect and esteem of her rivals in the field and brought to the track the values that still guide Maserati today: excellence, elegance and power.

Maserati and Maria Teresa de Filippis represent a winning combination. A story of tenacity, courage and audacity. The desire and resolve to face technical, physical and personal challenges and to transform them into opportunities to be seized, looking to the future with determination.

Five years after her death, the strength and importance of her accomplishments continue to define the values of Maserati and also inspire all the women who work for the Brand today. A video, due to be released on social media on 8 March, to coincide with International Women’s Day, unites and celebrates them.

The new MINI Countryman was launched in India today. Locally produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai, the new MINI Countryman will be available in two petrol variants – MINI Countryman Cooper S and MINI Countryman Cooper S JCW Inspired.

Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “The new MINI Countryman inspires you to take the path to new experiences and new horizons of the mind. This versatile sports activity vehicle (SAV) is just as home in an urban jungle as it is in the great outdoors. Its adrenaline pumping engine, elegant interior design features and latest technology blend harmoniously together. The new MINI Countryman guarantees exciting new experiences, whether on a planned holiday or a spontaneous getaway. We are pleased to launch the new MINI Countryman for the first-time with an all-in ‘Absolute Value’ offer for our customers that ensures a comprehensive ownership experience.”

The ex-showroom prices of the two petrol engine variants are as follows:

MINI Countryman Cooper S : INR 39,50,000

MINI Countryman Cooper S JCW Inspired : INR 43,40,000

The new MINI Countryman adds a refreshed look with its inspiring design, new features and technology making it a perfect companion for long journeys or city drives and comes for the first-time with an all-in ‘Absolute Value’ offer. For a fixed EMI, customers can own the versatile new MINI Countryman for a period of 3 or 4 years with a secure and comprehensive ownership package that includes Service Inclusive Plus, Repair Inclusive, MINI Secure, Assured Buy-back Value with MINI 360°, Loyalty / Trade-in offer as well as an attractive 20% discount on MINI Accessories & Lifestyle. The all-in ‘Absolute Value’ offer will be available on both variants of the new MINI Countryman till end of June 2021. Further details on the offer are available at all MINI authorised dealerships.

The new MINI Countryman introduces two new colour options – White Silver and Sage Green, newly designed front and rear bumper, radiator grille, LED headlights and LED Rear Lights now with Union Jack Design. The new 5.5-inch/13.97 cm Multifunction fully Digital Display, new Leather Chester Upholstery in Malt Brown and Satellite Grey with matching colour line, MINI Yours Interior Style Shaded Silver Illuminated interior surface trim, John Cooper Works Aerodynamic kit and 7- Speed Double Clutch Steptronic Sport Transmission are exclusive to the new MINI Countryman Cooper S JCW Inspired.

The new MINI Countryman will be available in six striking colours including Sage Green (new), White Silver (new), Midnight Black, Chilli Red, Island Blue and British Racing Green.

Exterior of the new MINI Countryman expresses the vehicle’s versatility, agility and premium character. Contrasting roof, new LED headlight, LED rear lights in Union Jack Design, new radiator grille, new front and rear bumper and 17-inch/43.18 cm Imprint Spoke Wheel in the Cooper S variant add a fresh new look to the already captivating design. The roof-rails in satin-finished aluminium are combined with silver-coloured side sill tops, thereby lending greater visual emphasis to the height of the car. The slightly asymmetrically rounded contour of the LED headlamp together with the radiator grille produces a distinctive front view. The John Cooper Works Aerodynamic kit and 18 inch/ 45.72 cm John Cooper Works Thrill Spoke Wheel in the Cooper S JCW Inspired variant with runflat tyres add to the overall style quotient of the vehicle.

The exquisite interior style blends modern aesthetics and refined craftsmanship with practical functionality. The typical MINI cockpit impresses with its clear horizontal structure, stretched lines and generously sized surfaces. The MINI Countryman Cooper S comes with Interior Surface Piano Back with Leatherette Carbon Black upholstery while the MINI Countryman Cooper S JCW Inspired offers a new trim MINI Yours Interior Style Shaded Silver with options of either Leather Chester Malt Brown or Leather Chester Satellite Grey upholstery. The colour lines seen along the door panel, armrest surfaces and knee pads under the dashboard are now matched with the individual upholstery colours.

The MINI Excitement Pack features LED interior and ambient lighting which illuminates the cockpit with a choice of selectable colours as well as a projection of the MINI logo from the exterior mirror on the driver’s side when opening and closing the car door.

John Cooper Works influence continues in the illuminated cockpit with the JCW Sports Leather Steering Wheel. The car is equipped with premium features such as the Harman Kardon Hi-Fi Speaker System, Panorama Glass Sunroof, MINI Wired Package including MINI Navigation System with Touch Controller and Bluetooth mobile connectivity.

The MINI Countryman Cooper S JCW Inspired introduces a new Multifunction fully Digital Display that offers a clear view of speed, gear, fuel level, mileage, temperature and navigation instructions. The Head-Up Display further helps in keeping eyes on the road without missing essential details such as driving speed and navigation instructions. The iconic circular central instrument panel is surrounded by an LED ring offering a brilliant colour display in 8.8-inch/22.35 cm touchscreen (6.5-inch/16.51cm in the Cooper S variant). The intuitive use is complemented by the controller on the middle console for easy operation of multimedia, phone and car functions. Wireless charging is also offered as standard in this variant.

The electric seat adjustment (with memory function for driver) now offers enhanced head and shoulder space for both the driver and front passenger. The three full-fledged seats at the rear make for ample and comfortable seating for rear passengers. Using the cargo function, boot capacity can be increased from 450 litres to 1,390 litres by folding down the rear backrest with its 40:20:40 split. The new MINI Countryman can be parked at a scenic space and the view can be enjoyed with the unique Picnic Bench that folds out of the luggage compartment to provide seating space for two while protecting the clothing with a fender dirt protection flap. Automatic Tailgate combined with Comfort Access System allows the boot to be opened and closed just by waving the foot under the rear fender.

When it comes to power, the new MINI Countryman makes no compromises. It is powered by the latest MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology offering outstanding performance and efficiency. The 2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine with TwinPower Turbo Technology makes the new MINI Countryman high on performance and light on fuel. It mobilises a peak output of 192 hp/141 kW at 5,000 – 6,000 rpm and produces a maximum torque of 280 Nm at 1,350 – 4,600 rpm. It sprints to 100 km/hr in 7.5 seconds and the top speed is 225 km/hr.

The new 7-Speed Double Clutch Steptronic Transmission in Cooper S and the 7-Speed Double Clutch Steptronic Sport Transmission in Cooper S JCW Inspired offers even more efficient, comfortable and sporty driving due to a broader gear spread and smaller engine speed steps. The MINI Countryman Cooper S JCW Inspired features paddles shifters for even sportier driving experience.

MINI Driving Modes enable an individualised vehicle set-up focusing on ride comfort, enhanced sportiness or efficiency according to driver’s preference. In addition to the standard MID mode there is a choice of SPORT and GREEN mode. Driver Assistance Systems include Cruise Control, Park Assistant, Rear View Camera and Head-Up Display.

The new MINI Countryman is stacked with cutting-edge safety technology. The standard safety equipment comprises of front passenger airbags, Brake Assist, 3-Point Seat Belts, Dynamic Stability Control, Crash Sensor, Anti-lock Braking System, Cornering Brake Control and Run-flat tyres as standard.

The standard MINIMALISM technology includes auto start/stop function, brake energy recuperation, active cooling air flaps and electromechanical power steering.

Citroën is ready for India with the launch of “La Maison Citroën” phygital showroom in Kolkata. Located in the heart of the city, the showroom is among the first “La Maison Citroën” in India that is ready ahead of the start of pre-booking date (1st March 2021). The showroom will also offer customers a comfortable Test Drive experience and full-fledged After-Sales services.

“La Maison Citroën” will disrupt the codes of traditional automobile distribution. It is a ‘feels like home’ comfort experience with its warm, friendly and colourful ambience. A giant screen placed on the facade attracts passers-by, encouraging them to walk inside. The warm interiors featuring a natural wood finish and colourful inscriptions invite customers to experience the Citroën brand and its century-old legacy.

A full digital ecosystem will link seamlessly the digital experience of customers and will enrich the journey at the showroom with ATAWADAC reception Bar, high definition 3D configurator, Citroën Origins touchscreen.

As part of the 360° Comfort strategy for India, Citroën will offer a range of services to build trust with consumers with unmatched comfort, never experienced before. These services will include attractive finance and leasing services through Citroën Finance and Insurance and 30 minute Guaranteed Trade-In facility.

Commenting on “La Maison Citroën”, Roland Bouchara, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Citroën India, says, “We are excited to innovate and launch the “La Maison Citroën” in India and the Kolkata phygital showroom is an important milestone as we gear up towards the launch of our first car C5 Aircross SUV. The showroom will have numerous screens, debuting the ATAWADAC experience (AnyTime AnyWhere AnyDevice AnyContent) and a unique High Definition 3D configurator allowing customers to experience the product with a 360° view and personalise their product and services.”

Speaking about dealer network development in India, Joel Verany, VP, Sales & Network, Citroën India said, “Citroën is all about comfort and digital innovation, and through this La Maison Citroën phygital showrooms, we are confident that we will be able to bring a revolution in the way an Indian car consumer looks at his car purchasing journey. At the time of launch of the C5 Aircross SUV, La Maison Citroën will welcome customers in 10 main cities in India.”

RI District 3291 and Rotary Club of Calcutta Centenary along with other Rotary Clubs of the district is organising a Vintage and Super Car Show at Freemasons Hall (19 Park Street, Calcutta) in association with District Grand Lodge of Bengal and EMSA – Eastern Motor Sports Association represented by Mr. Deborshi Sadhan Billy Bose for creating awareness on reducing the Plastic and other pollutants, which are affecting the water bodies and land masses.

This event would be called – “Save our City, Say No to Plastic”. The organisers are also taking this opportunity to invite all Vintage and Super Car owners of the city, Club members to participate in this event and help to spread the most critical message of this millennium of saving our city, saving our planet.

Around 40 cars, including a mix of vintage and super cars will be showcased at the event. The cars will assemble at the Driveway of Freemasons Hall (entry by Gate next to Kwality Restaurant) on Saturday, February 27, by 2:30 PM. After a light refreshment, the Car show would be inaugurated by District Governor RI District 3291 – DG Sudip Mukherjee. Also in attendance will be other RI District Leaders. The event is being organised in partnership with Eastern Motor Sports Association (Technology Partner) and Grand Lodge of Bengal (Venue & Carnival Partner).

Kolkata Moto Fest 2021, a 4 Wheeler Autocross and 2 Wheeler Dirt Track event, set everyone’s adrenaline racing at the Shyam Business Park, near Singur. This exciting motor extravaganza was held in front of the motorsports enthusiasts of Kolkata during this weekend of 20th – 21st February. This was the first Autocross & Dirt Track event held in Eastern India after the COVID-19 pandemic which witnessed a neck to neck competition amongst the top driver and riders of the eastern zone.

The event was supported by Shyam Business Park, Godrej Properties and Red Bull. This year the event had eight diffeent categories for 4 Wheelers & similarly eight separate categories for 2 Wheelers, divided according to engine capacity and modification, to make the competition as fair as possible. The total numbers of entries were 146 amongst which the numbers of lady participants were four. Veteran rallyist Subir Roy won the Best Performer Award for 4 Wheeler Autocross and Uday Ganguli was the adjudged the Best Performer in 2 Wheelers Dirt Track. Sourabh Choudhury, Sk. Ibrahim Ali, Soumik Basu, Jogendra Kumar Jaiswal and Yogesh Chandra Mullick was other category toppers in Autocross. Deepshikha Ganeriwala emerged triumphant in the Ladies Class while young lad Chandrasish Roy impressed the onlookers with his driving skills.

In the 2 Wheelers Dirt Track categories, Sayan Mondal, Manmeet Singh Dhanjal, Somhrit Chanda, Sisir Raha, Vishal Das, Uday Ganguli pushed very hard to get their place on the top of the podium. 18-year-old Somhrit and newcomer Sayan won the spectator’s heart with their excellent performance and grit.

Speaking on the occasion, Saurav Chatterjee, the key organisers of this event explained the aim of the event is to woo the youth away from road racing to regulated motorsports, where safety of the drivers / rider is of paramount importance. He explained that Autocross & Dirt Track is not only about raw speed, one has to match that with driving acumen and physical stamina as well. The goal of this type of ground event is to identify young budding talents and thus Kolkata Moto Fest 2021 is a big step forward to the eminent goal. Motor Sports Association of Eastern India and Kolkata Automotive Sports Association, the organising motorsports clubs, wants to be the guiding force of many raw talents in the near future.

Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine is celebrated annually on February 14 as a Christian feast day honouring an early martyr named Saint Valentine and, through later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

While it is common practice for one to woo their person of desire with flowers, chocolates and objects of value on this day of love, Eastern India Motoring Group (EIMG) set up Kolkatans for a very special date that will be etched in the memory of city for a long time to come.

On the event of Valentine’s Day 2021, EIMG organised the Valentine’s Day Brunch Meet which witnessed the coming together of nearly 75 Vintage and Classic vehicles. The galaxy of historic four and two wheelers were lined up outside the iconic venue of Town Hall. These horseless carriages and timeless pieces of history made for the fabulous view against the backdrop of the majestic edifice. Collectors, restorers and guests in attendance basked in the winter sun while exchanging anecdotes and pleasantries.

At around 10.45 am the convoy of cars and bikes were flagged off from Town Hall and drove past the iconic Raj Bhavan before hitting the majestic Red Road. The convoy continued straight before turning left onto Hospital Road and then embarking on the AJC Bose Road flyover. The car alighted from the flyover at the Park Circus 7-Point Crossing before turning right on to Gariahat Road driving past Quest Mall, Ice Skating Rink, CCFC, Birla Mandir, Ballygunge Phari and Pantaloons before embarking on to the Gariahat flyover. The convoy then took a right from the Golpark on to Southern Avenue and continued straight on the beautiful thoroughfare before culminating at the Lake Club where the camaraderie among the participants and guests continued over brunch and cocktails.

Some of the cars in attendance at the event were Ananda Chowdhury’s 1913 Stoewer, A. Bubna’s 1925 Rolls-Royce 20 HP, Deborshi Sadan Bose’s 1928 Auburn, Shrivardhan Kanoria’s 1931 Chevrolet Big 6, Pradeep Gooptu’s 1931 Austin 7, Sanjay Ghosh’s 1932 Ford V8, Azam Monem’s 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III, Avik Naha’s 1947 Rover 12, Sarojesh Mukherjee’s 1947 Rover P2, Siddhartha Swarup’s 1947 Wolseley, Rajiv Ghosh’s 1949 Buick Super and Rishi Kumar’s 1967 Datsun among host of others.

Barno Barman’s 1941 Matchless and Harjit Singh Dhanjal’s 1947 Arial Red Hunter stood out among the participating two wheelers.

But it was Saikat Dutta’s 1963 Triumph Spitfire which fluttered several young and restless hearts.  

EIMG, a group of Heritage Car owners, is the labour of love of Collector / Restorer Shrivardhan Kanoria who founded the group in 2020 with the objective of bringing together likeminded individuals and providing a platform to its members to interact with each other, share valuable information, educate one another about the preservation of these timeless beauties by virtue of a WhatsApp group. Together with Rajiv Ghosh (Vice President), Subhajit Kumar (Secretary), and Avik Naha (Committe Member), EIMG President Shrivardhan Kanoria has been instrumental in organising notable heritage car shows/drives in Kolkata under the EIMG banner.

“My intention is to make the eastern region of India rich in the Heritage car movement, and hence I keep organising such events for the EIMG members. EIMG was started just as my brainchild, but now has surely turned into an important institution of motoring heritage. With such events, our members get encouraged to keep their heritage vehicles in good order and also get an opportunity to use and enjoy them. Very soon we would even move towards organising our own Concours D Elegance events, which would be one of its kind”, said the EIMG President, Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria.

After the recent success of Goodbye 2020 Brunch Meet held in December last year, the Valentine’s Day Brunch Meet was EIMG’s second event of the season which has been applauded by members and guests alike. 

“We keep affiliating with the clubs and other institutions which creates a destination for the EIMG members. These clubs are more than happy to support EIMG towards this good cause, just like Lake Club did this time” commented the EIMG Secretary, Mr. Subhajit Kumar.