2020 has been a difficult year. The ongoing pandemic has created havoc across the globe with thousands of lives lost, businesses hit, and major events either been cancelled or postponed. Amidst this very dull circumstances, EIMG’s Goodbye 2020 Brunch Meet was the light at the end of the tunnel that has ushered in a ray of hope among the vintage and classic car fraternity in Kolkata and saw around 35 vintage and classic cars along with their owners and guests congregate outside the historic venue of Town Hall on Sunday, December 27.

Some of the notable cars in attendance in the winter morning of the last Sunday of 2020 were A. Bubna’s 1925 Rolls-Royce 20 HP, Shrivardhan Kanoria’s 1931 Chevrolet Big 6, Sanjay Ghosh’s 1932 Ford V8, Deborshi Sadan Bose’s 1936 SS1, Azam Monem’s 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III, Raja Mookerjee’s 1947 Buick Super 8, S.K. Lahiri’s 1948 Plymouth, Saikat Dutta’s 1963 Triumph Spitfire and Prasun Hazra’s 1965 Hillman Imp.

The event also saw participation from five well restored Fiats from the Fiat Users Club of Calcutta among which Vinay Agarwal’s 1955 Fiat Millecento and Sanjay Ghosh’s 1968 Fiat Delight deserves mention, both restored by Shrivardhan Kanoria.

The cars were flagged off from Town Hall and drove past the 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 getting on to the Gariahat flyover. The convoy then took a right from the Golpark on to Southern Avenue and continued straight on the thoroughfare before arriving at S.P. Mukherjee Road crossing. They finally turned left on to S.P. Mukherjee Road from where a short drive saw the run culminate at the iconic Royal Calcutta Golf Club.   

Eager onlookers were spotted catching a glimpse of these timeless beauties. And as each car, with considerable historic importance, toured the city and completed the route, you could see how the time gap between history and modernity was bridged in style and elegance.

Shrivardhan Kanoria, President, Eastern India Motoring Group said, “I started EIMG at the beginning of 2020. The objective was to create a group likeminded individuals and work towards a common cause of creating awareness about these historic cars and encouraging more vintage and classic car owners to restore and preserve their vehicles. We have already organized two events at the beginning of this year. This was our third event which has helped us sign off from 2020 in style. In the coming year, EIMG will be organizing many more events and hope to bring back the glory days when Calcutta was looked upon as the mine of the best vintage and classics cars of the country. Rajiv Ghosh and Subhajit Kumar have been inducted as the VP and Secretary of EIMG respectively”

Veteran rallyist Jogendra Jaiswal & co-driver Prakash Muthusamy has emerged victorious in the recently held Monsoon Drive 9 with a total of 552 penalty points. The team of Subir Roy & Nirav Mehta finished second with 964 penalty points followed by Ajgar Ali & Md. Mushtafa in third place with 1306 penalty points. Brother duo of Sudip Ghosh & Arindam Ghosh ended fourth with 1420 penalty points.

Organised by Kolkata-based sports management company Just Sportz, Monsoon Drive 9 was touted to be a four way battle from the very beginning. But it was the team of Jaiswal & Muthusamy who came out on the top after a tough contest spread over two legs. It was their consistency that paid off with the duo scoring the least penalty points in both the legs. The icing on the cake is that both Jaiswal & Muthusamy paired up for the first time in this rally and hit the bull’s eye at the very first outing.

The first leg of Monsoon Drive 9 was flagged off from the picturesque venue of Country Road in Panchla. It comprised of approximately 136 kilometre route which witnessed the competitors traverse through highways and navigate through rural settings en route reaching Haldia’s Helipad Ground where it culminated. The second leg was a night event which comprised of a mere 36 kilometre run within the industrial town of Haldia but gave all the competitors a run for their money. There were twists and tricks awaiting the competitors at each turn of an extremely interesting second leg that kept everyone at the edge of their seats. The light conditions along with the descending fog made this leg even more challenging for the participants. Kudos to the organisers for coming up with this immensely interesting course within a sanitized environment.

Until last year, Just Sportz had successfully organised eight editions of Monsoon Drive. With the global pandemic creating havoc across the world, all the motor sporting events were either cancelled or postponed causing heartache to competitors and organisers alike. But finally with Monsoon Drive 9, Just Sportz have been successful in marking the return of motor sporting action in eastern India.

The year 2020 has been dismal for one and all. The outbreak of the Coronavirus at the beginning of this year brought the entire world to a standstill. Every aspect of our lives was impacted. Motor sports too had to bear the brunt with events across motor racing and rallying categories being either cancelled or postponed. But as they say, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Kolkata-based sports management company Just Sportz is back with their annual event – Monsoon Drive 9.

Having been successfully run for eight editions, Monsoon Drive 9 marks the return of motor sporting action in eastern India post pandemic and is a huge sigh of relief for all motor sports lovers. The car rally will be run in the TSD (Time, Speed & Distance) format under the guideline of Federation Of Motor Sports Of India (FMSCI). Around 20 teams are expected to participate in this rally among whom are some of eastern India’s most popular names in rallying circuit – Subir Roy & Nirav Mehta, Ajgar Ali & Md. Mushafa, veteran rallyist Jogendra Jaiswal & Prakash M and brother duo Sudip Ghosh & Arindam Ghosh who will be locking horns in their quest for glory today.

Monsoon Drive 9 will be flagged off from the picturesque venue of Country Road in Panchla, Howrah at 1 PM on December 19. The rally has been divided into two legs. The first leg comprises of 136 kilometre route and will witness the competitors traverse through highways, tackle dirt track and navigate through rural settings en route reaching Haldia. The second leg is a night event and comprises of roughly 36 kilometre run in and around the industrial town of Haldia.

Nissan India has received phenomenal response from Indian consumers with over 50,000 enquiries and 5,000 bookings for the newly launched Nissan Magnite within five days of its launch. The Magnite is available across the country at Nissan showrooms to experience and book at special introductory price of INR 4,99,000 onwards (ex-showroom, Delhi) with the top variant bearing a price tag of INR 9,59,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). This special introductory price is valid for all bookings until December 31, 2020.

More than 60 per cent of the bookings received from the customers are on the Top 2 grades (XV and XV Premium) and more than 30 per cent of the bookings are on CVT Automatic. More than 40 per cent of all customers who booked the All-New Nissan Magnite came through digital channels. This is a clear indication on the convenience that Indian consumers are loving in the New normal.

Nissan Magnite offers a wide spectrum of 20 Grades between INR 4.99 Lakh and INR 9.35 Lakh with additional choice of Tech pack that expands the choice to 36 combinations to choose from.

Tata Nexon EV has surpassed the 2000 sales milestone. In over 10 months, since launch, the sales of the Nexon EV reached 2200 units as of November 2020, indicating the rapid demand for the EVs in the personal car segment. After rolling out its 1000th Nexon EV in August this year, the car clocked in another 1000 sales units in a record time of three months (September-November 2020). Currently, Tata Motors is leading the EV segment with a 74 per cent market share. This accomplishment is a testament to the strong response from customers for India’s own electric SUV, the Tata Nexon EV.

Appreciating the strong response from customers, Mr. Shailesh Chandra, President – Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, said, “This is a moment of great pride for us and those working with us in our journey to accelerate the adoption of EVs in India. The Tata Nexon EV, since launch, has captured the imagination of the entire nation and has consistently led the way for the electric vehicle segment. Offering thrilling performance, connected drive experience with zero emissions and at an attractive pricing, the Nexon EV has found widespread acceptance among its customers. This growing demand is on the back of increased awareness, growing charging infrastructure, encouraging government incentives, breaking myths that surrounds EVs, and most importantly the undisputed benefits that it offers i.e. lower operating cost. Further, with the continued support from the government in terms of incentives such as benefits on registration and road tax, we hope that EVs will soon become the most desirable and a mainstream choice for the customers in India.”

Further, to accelerate the adoption of EVs in India, Tata Motors also introduced a holistic e-mobility ecosystem “Tata uniEVerse” to closely leverage the strengths and experience of other Tata Group companies to create a viable EV environment. Powered by Tata uniEVerse, consumers will have access to a suite of e-mobility offerings including charging solutions, innovative retail experiences and easy financing options.

BMW Group India launched the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé ‘Black Shadow’ edition. Locally produced at BMW Plant Chennai, the exclusive edition will be available at shop.bmw.in from 7 December 2020 onwards.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “The first-ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé perfectly blends the comfort of a sedan and the sportiness of a coupé. The new ‘Black Shadow’ edition with BMW ‘M’ Performance parts offers an excellent athletic edge which further enhances the sporty character of the car in all aspects. Designed with a focus on dynamics, it demonstrates powerful uniqueness tailored to suit the requirements of motorsport enthusiastic customers. Available in limited units, the ‘Black Shadow’ edition offers our discerning customers an exclusive opportunity to own the latest BMW four-door coupé.”

New design elements enhance the exterior of the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé to give it even more dynamic looks. The ‘M’ Performance parts are not only visually attractive, but also integral elements of the light-weight construction concept. All components are perfectly matched to the specific character of the car and meet the highest requirements with regard to performance, production quality and design.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé ‘Black Shadow’ edition will be available in M Sport design scheme at a special price –

The BMW 220d M Sport ‘Black Shadow’ edition: INR 42,30,000

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé ‘Black Shadow’ edition is available in two exciting colours – Alpine White (non-metallic) and Black Sapphire (metallic). The upholstery available is Sensatec Oyster | Black.

What sets the special ‘Black Shadow’ edition apart is the special individualization content from the BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line package along with BMW ‘M’ Performance parts worth INR 2,50,000. The first 24 customers can avail the special ‘Black Shadow’ edition kit at an exclusive price.

Enhanced exterior of the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé ‘Black Shadow’ edition provides a distinctive visual appeal with its BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line package along with BMW ‘M’ Performance parts. The high-gloss black mesh-style M front grille lends a highly dynamic front look. The black exterior mirror caps add discreet yet distinctive details to the side view with an impressive depth effect. The BMW ‘M’ Performance rear spoiler in high-gloss black adds an attractive touch of visual flair and optimizes air stream around the car to reduce lift. The black chrome tail pipe finishers enhance the sporty rear view of the car. The 18-inch M Performance Y-Spoke Styling 554 M forged wheels in Jet Black Matt add to the sporty visual appeal of the car. The BMW Floating hub cap features the BMW logo which remains leveled at all times.

The interior is designed to accentuate cabin spaciousness with the driver-focused cockpit with exquisite materials and a large panorama glass sunroof. The newly designed Sport Seats with electrical memory function and generous cabin space offer rear passengers an ample kneeroom for greater long-distance comfort. The large 430 litres luggage compartment can be expanded by folding down the 40/20/40 split rear seat backrest. The illuminated trim, a segment-first, functions as decorative lighting element with a space-shaping effect in the dark. Ambient Lighting with six dimmable designs creates an atmosphere for every mood.

The car has front-wheel-drive architecture offers uncompromising driving dynamics. ARB technology (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation system) works in combination with DSC (Driving Stability Control) to reduce understeering. The BMW Performance Control system increases the stability of the car by targeted braking of the wheels.

The BMW TwinPower Turbo diesel engine melds maximum power with exemplary efficiency and offers spontaneous responsiveness even at low engine speeds. The two-litre four-cylinder diesel engine produces an output of 190 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm at 1,750 – 2,500 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 kmph in just 7.5 seconds. The eight speed steptronic sport automatic transmission performs smooth gearshifts. For even greater driving pleasure, it comes with Launch Control, steering wheel paddle shifters and cruise control with braking function. The Driving Experience Control switch offers different driving modes to suit individual driving styles – ECO PRO, Comfort and Sport.

A host of BMW ConnectedDrive technologies also features in this car. Modern cockpit concept BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes 3D Navigation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 10.25-inch Control Display. The occupants can operate 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. 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. Wireless Apple CarPlay ensures seamless smartphone connection with the car to access several functions.

BMW Safety technologies include six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist, ARB technology (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation system), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensors, ISOFIX child seat mounting and integrated emergency spare wheel under the load floor.

BMW India has announced the launch of the all-new BMW X5 M Competition in India. This Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) is designed and engineered to offer an enviable combination of performance and signature attributes of BMW M.

The all-new BMW X5 M Competition is now available across BMW dealerships in the country as a completely built-up unit (CBU).

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “BMW M is driven by a single-minded passion for creating authentic motorsport functionality with everyday usability. The all-new BMW X5 M Competition inherits this DNA and heralds a new dimension in Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment. It is a sublime mix of exclusive ‘M’ elements, an imposing thirst for forward progress, supreme power, captivating presence and ultra-modern interior that epitomizes luxury. The powerful V8 engine and an array of comfort and safety features promise a unique, sporty and exclusive driving experience. The all-new BMW X5 M Competition fulfills the highest customer expectations, not only for agility, dynamics and power but also the expression of individuality.”

The all-new BMW X5 M Competition combines high-performance power with the versatility of an SAV. Its unique attributes combine with the prowess of the BMW X range to bring an even greater degree of dominance, fueled by performance and visual appearance.

The ex-showroom price of the all-new BMW X5 M Competition is INR 1,94,90,000.

The all-new BMW X5 M Competition is available in metallic colours – Carbon Black, Black Sapphire, Mineral White, Marina Bay Blue, Donnington Grey, Manhattan Green and Tornado Red. Optionally, BMW Individual colours are available in Tanzanite Blue and Ametrine.

The standard upholstery is in Black Extended Merino Leather interior as standard. Available optionally on the Full Merino Leather interiors in a choice of Silverstone, Sakhir Orange/Black, Adelaide Grey, Taruma Brown, Black or Ivory White/Night Blue with color matched Alcantara headliner.

The hallmark BMW M design and striking exterior features are immediately recognizable courtesy a large front bumper air intake openings to feed additional air to the coolers. It features both a roof and lower tailgate spoiler as part of their aerodynamic enhancements. The car features exclusive ‘M’ light-alloy wheels in 21-inch format at the front axle and 22-inch at the rear with star-spoke style 809 ‘M’ Bi-colour. The optional BMW Laserlight offers selective beam and no dazzling high beam function with a range of around 500 metres.

The interior cockpit design draws inspiration from the racetrack and combines it with impressive spaciousness and luxurious flair. The classy, contemporary style of the cabin is complemented by displays and controls with the familiar M treatment – the bespoke M controls, and the red splashes of colour adorning the M leather steering wheel’s M buttons help the driver to dial fully into the dynamic driving experience. The integrated head rests on the M multifunction seats offer electric adjustments, head restraint height, thigh support, backrest and angle plus pneumatic lumbar support.

Hands-free Comfort Access facilitates easy loading and unloading of luggage. The all-new BMW X5 M Competition features a 12.3-inch Multifunction Display touchscreen, iDrive Touch Controller, multifunction steering wheel’s buttons, the voice control feature along-with the optional BMW Gesture Control. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional with navigation system and the BMW Virtual Assistant is offered as standard. It also gets wireless charging and Harman Kardon Surround Sound System. Interior ambience can be enhanced further by opting for Panorama Glass Roof Sky Lounge, Acoustic glazing and Ambient Air Package. The optionally available Rear Seat Entertainment Professional and Bowers and Wilkins Diamond surround sound system produce a superior entertainment experience. High-quality options from BMW Individual create a bespoke character with exclusive paintwork and interior trims.

The latest-generation V8 engine stands out with its high revving character and unmistakable performance of the M TwinPower Turbo technology with racetrack-proven cooling system. With a maximum output of 606PS / 600 hp at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 750 Nm between 1,800 – 5,600 rpm, the all-new BMW X5 M Competition sprints from 0-100 kmph in just 3.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 250 kmph (electronically limited).

The high-performance engine teams up with the latest version of the 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission. The transmission adjusts from smooth to aggressive with the three-stage Drivelogic shifting system. The steering wheel paddle shifters, cruise control with braking function as standard and launch control function offers even greater driving pleasure. The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system and Active M Differential ensure extremely dynamic on-road performance and masterful off-road ability.

The M-specific chassis always ensures precise handling. The M-specific adaptive suspension with electronically controlled dampers, active roll stabilization system and M Servotronic steering support sporty driving along with high comfort levels on long journeys. ‘M’ compound brakes offer outstanding stopping power. The integrated braking system developed for BMW M models offers two settings for brake pedal feel – Comfort and Sport.

The M Mode button on the centre console features a Track mode in addition to Road and Sport mode settings, which is exclusively designed for use on race circuits. In Sport / Track mode, the amount of information appearing in the displays is reduced offering a focused, high-performance experience.

The vehicle is loaded with BMW Safety technologies such as front, side and head airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including ‘M’ Dynamic Mode, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control, Dry Braking function, Cruise Control with braking function along with Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function.

As a part of standard package, Adaptive LED headlights, High Beam Assistant and Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant. M-specific display content can also be shown on BMW Head-Up Display, projecting driving information onto the windscreen and right into the driver’s immediate field of vision. Comfort and safety can be enhanced by opting to Driving Assistant Professional package that provides Steering and lane control assistant, the Lane Keeping Assistant with active side collision protection, the Lane Change Assistant, the Evasion Assistant, the Emergency Stop Assistant and the Crossroads warning, Wrong-way warning and Front Cross Traffic Alert systems.

Future MINI vehicle architectures will allow the extreme performance of the John Cooper Works brand to be experienced with electric powertrains as well as combustion engines. The evolution of the MINI model range is focused on the ongoing expansion of electric mobility and offering new opportunities to experience the brand’s trademark driving enjoyment.

MINI is already making great strides when it comes to electric mobility. The MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid model (combined fuel consumption: 2.0 – 1.7 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 14.0 – 13.1 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 45 – 40 g/km) led to five per cent of the brand’s total sales being electrified. Following the highly successful launch of the MINI Electric (fuel consumption combined: 0.0 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 16.8 – 14.8 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km), this share doubled to around ten per cent within just a few months. Based on this experience, and looking ahead to future technology, MINI is now preparing the next step in the development of electric John Cooper Works models.

“With the MINI Electric, we’ve shown how well brand-typical driving enjoyment and electric mobility can be combined,” says Bernd Körber, Head of the MINI brand. “Now it’s time to translate the passion for performance of the John Cooper Works brand to electromobility. That’s why we’re working to develop concepts for electric John Cooper Works models.”

The current focus on the development of a MINI John Cooper Works Electric demonstrates just how important electric mobility is in terms of the brand’s future direction – the goal is a unique blend of sustainability, performance and passion. “John Cooper Works models with conventional combustion engines will still continue to have an important role to play, to make sure we’re addressing the wishes and needs of performance enthusiasts all around the world,” says Bernd Körber. “With this new focus on electric performance, we’re also creating the opportunity to sharpen the distinctive profile of the John Cooper Works brand more than ever before.”

Nissan India has announced the price and commenced bookings of the all-new Nissan Magnite at a special introductory price of INR 4,99,000 (ex-showroom) until December 31, 2020.

“The all-new Nissan Magnite marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Nissan NEXT strategy for both the Indian and global market. Built on the philosophy of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’, the all-new Nissan Magnite comes with more than 20 first-in-class and best-in-segment features that provides consumers with a differentiated, innovative and accessible ownership experience,” said Sinan Ozkok, President, Nissan Motor India.

In line with Nissan’s philosophy of continuous innovation to deliver enriching experiences, Nissan’s renowned technologies are provided across the model range, including X-TRONIC CVT, Cruise Control, 360-degree Around View Monitor and Nissan Connect.

For the tech-savvy Indian customer, Nissan’s optional ‘Tech Pack’ includes wireless charger, air purifier, ambient mood lighting, puddle lamps and high-end speakers.

Nissan India today has also launched a first-in-industry virtual test drive feature that allows the customer to experience the all-new Nissan Magnite on their personal device, wherever they may be. This interactive drive experience gives Nissan customers a unique chance to drive the ‘carismatic’ SUV with a virtual sales consultant.

“With the launch of the all-new Nissan Magnite, Nissan has reached a memorable milestone in its customer-centric journey for the Indian market. Specifically for our discerning Indian customers, we are offering the big, bold, beautiful and ‘carismatic’ SUV at a special introductory price. We believe that the all-new Nissan Magnite will be a disruptive game changer that is high on technology and aspirations,” said Rakesh Srivastava, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India.

Introduction

Magnite is a portmanteau of the words “magnetic” and “ignite”. Whereas magnetic highlights the design and the product attributes that will attract customers, ignite emphasises on the beginning of a new era that Nissan wants to bring in India.

Built on the philosophy of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’, Nissan India recently unveiled their much-awaited B-SUV, the all-new Nissan Magnite. This is the company’s first ever product under the Nissan NEXT strategy for the Indian market, scheduled to be launched on December 2, 2020.

This year has been imperative for Nissan, right from the concept teaser to the global unveil to experiencing the SUV in the production state to now gearing up for the price and booking announcement.

The all-new Nissan Magnite is a testimony to Nissan’s global SUV DNA of innovation, technology, and Japanese engineering. It features latest technology as a part of Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM), the company’s vision as to how vehicles are powered, driven, and integrated into society.

In November, we got a chance to get up close and personal with the Nissan Magnite before its market launch. So buckle up and come for the ride with us to find out what we discovered.

Design and Engineering

The all-new Nissan Magnite boasts of a futuristic and dynamic design. Set your eyes on the Magnite and the first thing that will catch your attention is that dominating front chrome grille which makes a bold statement and helps the Nissan Magnite to stand out as you drive-in anywhere.

Its muscular lines and dynamic styling ensure that the Magnite looks macho yet agile. Nissan has also added substance to the Magnite with the full Beltline Chrome strip running on the side below the windows.

The car has sleek headlamps assembled with lightsaber-style turn indicators, L-Shaped Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) and LED fog lamps which helps the Magnite to make style statement and effortlessly lights up the carriageway in the dark. The rear too looks stylish with the sporty and sharp wide split signature tail lamps.

Bold square design of the wheel arches add to the dominating SUV look of the Nissan Magnite. The wider gap between the fender and the wheels helps reduce the bumpyness inside the cabin while driving through rough roads and uneven stretches. The 205 mm ground clearance of the Nissan Magnite ensured that we didn’t kiss even a single speed breaker in and around Delhi NCR. The sporty design of the alloy wheels adds to the style quotient and masculinity of the Magnite.

The Niassan Magnite is available in nine body colours, which includes five monotone and four dual tone to suit customer tastes. However, the one that the folks at Nissan has been highlighting is the Flare Garnet Red (Tint Coat) – a colour that depicts passion and desire is surely going to draw a lot of eyeballs.

Interior and Comfort

On the inside, the all-new Nissan Magnite is both spacious and premium. Nissan has achieved a good balance of packaging and seating comfort. With 60-40 split foldable rear seats that offer flexibility, it is a spacious B-SUV, which has a decent ‘couple distance’ (distance between the driver and side passenger) of 700mm + rear knee room of 593mm + rear headroom of 76mm. The front seats are designed to create an open interior space, delivering the spaciousness that one would experience while sitting in the rear, also known as the ‘one-class-above’ knee room. The seats are well bolstered and even after a long drive, one wouldn’t experience any fatigue.

Intuitively designed, the interface and information cluster and the center-stack are well-thought out for better accessibility without you having to take your eyes off the road. Its horizontal instrument panel structure double deck console makes it wider, spacious and provides plenty of functional storages. Along with that, the all-new Nissan Magnite also has a tech pack which has a wireless charger, air purifier, puddle lamps and ambient /mood lighting, premium speakers (JBL powered by Harman).

The Nissan Magnite is equipped with a 7-inch TFT meter with welcome animation and tyre pressure monitoring system and 8-inch infotainment display with full flush touchscreen, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and built-in voice recognition. It also comes with Nissan Connect that offers 50+ features (geo fence, roadside assistance, smart watch connectivity etc.) to transform the car as per customer needs.

A first in its segment, the all-new Nissan Magnite is also equipped the Around View Monitor (AVM), which gives the driver a virtual bird’s eye view from above the vehicle. The all-new Nissan Magnite boasts of a luggage room capacity of 336 litre and can comfortably accommodate three suitcases.

Performance and Handling

Nissan Magnite is powered by the all-new HRA0 1.0-litre Turbo petrol engine which is available with a choice of either a 5-speed manual or an X-TRONIC CVT gearbox. The engine delivers maximum power of 100PS and maximum torque of 160Nm, while claiming to deliver fuel-efficiency of 20kmpl (ARAI figure).

The HRA0 1.0-litre Turbo engine adopts “mirror bore cylinder coating” technology from world-class sports cars such as the Nissan GT-R that reduces resistance inside the engine, thus delivering smooth acceleration and efficient use of fuel. The HRA0 1.0-litre Turbo engine is responsive and delivers quicker acceleration making the Nisssan Magnite fun to drive.

With Nissan’s X-TRONIC CVT gearbox, Cruise Control and wider gear range, the all-new Nissan Magnite delivers seamless performance even in peak city traffic. Its D-step logic control computer software uses dynamic inputs like vehicle speed, accelerator pedal position and application speed to determine the ideal gear ratio needed to deliver an exhilarating drive and smooth cruises on the highways.

With a maximum power of 72 PS and maximum torque of 92 Nm, the all-new Nissan Magnite will also be available with the B4D naturally aspirated petrol engine. Paired with Nissan’s dual VVT system that delivers maximum response at all revs and ensures optimum acceleration, the B4D is the ideal choice for those looking for an engine that is easier to maintain.

The Nissan Magnite’s suspension set up is well tuned to tackle Indian road conditions. It handles both good and bad roads with equal ease. We tested the car over certain broken stretches and the suspension absorbed the undulations without sending much jerks to the passenger cabin resulting in a plush ride quality.

Handling of the Magnite is impressive. The steering feels feather light while trying to maneuver the car in city traffic, but when you push the car on the highway, the steering begins to weigh up giving strong feedback to the driver. Body roll is well contained and cornering even at high speed seemed confidence inspiring with the Magnite remaining firmly planted to the ground.

Safety

The all-new Nissan Magnite is equipped with safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), speed sensing door lock, central locking and SRS dual airbag system with pretension & load limiter seatbelt for driver and passenger.

Nissan’s unique Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system increases the all-new Nissan Magnite’s stability, allowing the driver to have better control, especially in poor weather conditions. Additionally, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps improve the driver’s braking ability while maintaining control of the vehicle in an emergency.

Verdict

For the majority of the car buyers, there are usually three important questions at the top of their mind. Is the car impressive to look? Is it fun to drive it around? And how much does it cost? In my opinion, Nissan India has hit the ball out of the park with it latest product offering.

To address the first question, the Nissan Magnite sports a futuristic and dynamic design that never fails to grab attention. When we took the Magnite for a spin in and around Delhi NCR, I was quite amazed to see the reaction of people on the road. Many even stopped by to enquire about the car and praised it appearance. This bears testimony to how well the general public, many of whom would also be future car buyers, have liked the design of the Nissan Magnite.

Moving onto the next important question, is the Nissan Magnite fun to drive? The answer is a resounding yes! The 1.0-litre turbo petrol that we tested was punchy and very responsive. With adequate power on offer, overtaking other vehicles, whether in the city or on the highway was a walk in the park. All you needed to do was to put the pedal to the metal and linear power delivery and quick acceleration will leave you impressed.

For the final question about the price, we have to wait till December 2. I sincerely hope that Nissan India’s management has devised an aggressive pricing strategy, because that can often make or break the product. Given that the segment is pretty competitive with products such as the Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and Kia Sonet, Nissan India could consider under-cutting the competition with their introductory price to give the Magnite that extra edge. The Nissan Magnite is a well packaged product that ticks most of the right boxes and got what it takes to bring home the numbers for Nissan but would need a little push in terms of the right price to get a fair shot at success.