The Motor Sports Association of Eastern India (MSAEI) along with the Calcutta Motor Sports Club (CMSC), has observed the 5th UN Road Safety Week, 2019 from May 6 – 12, 2019 in Kolkata.

Since last four years United Nations Road Safety Week has been observed throughout the world. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is continuously supporting this programme through FIA Road Safety Grant and encouraging automotive and motor sporting clubs throughout the world to take the initiative to lead this Road Safety activities in their respective countries/cities. This year FIA has granted the responsibility in India to MSAEI through FMSCI (The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India).

During this entire week several road shows, digital campaigns and seminars has been conducted by their women leadership in accordance with this year’s UN theme to identify the main problems that people face on the roads and its probable solutions.
The roadshows were conducted in various places like Ultadanga-HIDCO crossing, Nagerbazar crossing, Shovabazar crossing, Ariadaha crossing (Dakhineshwar), Shakherbazar crossing. Along with road shows, seminars were also being held in places like East Calcutta Girl’s College, Airport English Medium Higher Secondary School, The Rotary Club of East Calcutta, Urbane School etc. where a wide cross section of road users shared their opinion about the major road safety issues and some probable solutions were also sorted out.

Through this campaign MSAEI have recorded approximately 25,000 responses from people throughout the city. These concerns are being forwarded to and discussed with the police department and government authorities for their appropriate action.

With the country getting ready to support India colours at the upcoming Cricket World Cup, Ford India has launched a Special ‘Blu’ Edition of its compact-sedan Aspire. Available in the manual transmission of Titanium variant, the Aspire Blu is priced at Rs 740,900 (1.2-litre petrol) and Rs 820,900 (1.5-litre diesel) and available in three complementary shades – White, Moondust Silver and Smoke.

“The Ford Aspire Blu Edition celebrates the spirit of style, power and performance,” said Vinay Raina, Executive Director, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford India. “Thanks to the 5-year warranty on offer, the Ford Aspire Blu will deliver complete peace-of-mind to consumers, enabling them to enjoy the game as much as the car ownership experience.”

So what’s different the in The Aspire Blu?

The Aspire Blu features an absolute black grille mesh encased in a black front grille surround, and the dual tone roof which makes the car stand apart and make a statement.

The fog lamps in the new Aspire are integrated into the front bumper and comes with a blue touch. The Aspire Blu also features a premium black finish alloys and 15-inch tyres to deliver confidence and planted drive dynamics.

The cabin of Ford Aspire Blu features stylish blue themed interiors including a leather-wrapped steering wheel to add to the premiumness. The cabin also remains well-equipped with several convenience features including push-button start/stop, rear parking sensors, USB slots among many others.

Like all Ford’s, Aspire Blu also makes safety a top priority and will offer two front airbags as standard. Going beyond airbags, Ford Aspire Blu will offer several features to enhance occupant safety such as Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), helping drivers with better grip, while keeping the drive smooth.

High on technology and convenience, the Aspire Blu will offer a host of convenience features, including embedded satellite navigation, an infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen & Bluetooth connectivity, rear-view camera, remote central locking, automatic air-conditioner and power windows among others.

Ensuring complete peace-of-mind, the Ford Aspire Blu will come with a five-year or 100,000 KM warranty, which includes 2-year factory warranty and 3-year extended warranty.

The Ford Aspire Blu is produced at Ford India’s Sanand Factory in Gujarat, for consumers in India and all around the world.

Dr. Hans-Christian Baertels, President (act.), BMW Group India with the MINI John Cooper Works Hatch

The MINI John Cooper Works Hatch was introduced in India today at an ex-showroom price of Rs 43,50,000.  The MINI John Cooper Works, based on the MINI 3-door Hatch, will be available at all MINI dealerships as a Completely Built-Up Unit (CBU) unit from June onwards.

Dr. Hans-Christian Baertels, President (act.), BMW Group India said, “A unique combination of heritage, exclusivity and performance, John Cooper Works has always been in a league of its own. Our premium performance models that are named after the legendary John Cooper are the most powerful and exclusive MINI models ever built. John Cooper Works embodies the true essence of motorsport. When you’re behind the wheel of a John Cooper Works, you’re guaranteed thrills worthy of the race track. The MINI John Cooper Works Hatch is the latest addition to our established and highly successful MINI model portfolio in India.”

The MINI John Cooper Works Hatch is available in the following standard paintworks – Chilli Red, Electric Blue, Emerald Grey, Melting Silver, Midnight Black, Pepper White, Solaris Orange, Starlight Blue, Thunder Grey and White Silver and in the exclusive John Cooper Works Rebel Green – a modern take on the classic British Racing Green.

The MINI John Cooper Works Hatch is available with standard upholstery Dinamica Leather combination Carbon Black/Carbon Black and in the following optional upholstery choices – Leather Cross Punch Carbon Black | Carbon Black, Leather Lounge Satellite Grey | Carbon Black, Leather Chester Malt Brown | Black and MINI Yours Leather Lounge Carbon Black | Carbon Black.

The MINI John Cooper Works models are built to thrill. Bold, racing-inspired looks, finest quality materials along with visual enhancements put the John Cooper Works models in a league of their own. Wide, long and low, MINI John Cooper Works sports a silhouette that spells exclusivity and action all at once.

The hexagonal radiator grille at the centre section has a characteristic honeycomb pattern with a cross member at the bottom edge finished in red. Reserved solely for the top athlete, the exclusive John Cooper Works bonnet stripes add a distinctively race-inspired look. LED headlamps are standard and are surrounded by LED daytime running lights incorporating the direction indicators.

A symbol of racing pedigree – the John Cooper Works badge, emblazoned in the front, side scuttles and tailgate sets the pulse racing. The MINI John Cooper Works Hatch enhances its racing genes even further with a contrasting paint finish for the roof and mirror caps in white, black or exclusively for MINI John Cooper Works in Chilli Red.

Aerodynamic features include the front apron with integral air ducts, side sills and the sporty 17-inch JCW Track Spoke Light Alloy Wheels in Black as standard that ensure uninterrupted driving dynamics. Highest performance demands tight control and stability, especially when you’re driving through bends at higher speeds. The 4-piston, fixed-caliper brakes in bold Chilli Red with a John Cooper Works badge, provide all the stopping power needed for tight turns and fast changes of pace.

The sporty John Cooper Works front and rear bumpers as well as rear spoiler give an extra aerodynamic edge. Power is at disposal with the roar of the incredible chrome plated double exhaust tailpipes.

The interior of MINI John Cooper Works exudes its pure racing heritage. John Cooper Works sport seats integrated with headrests in Carbon Black Dinamica Leather and red accents as standard are designed to give full control of the power beneath. The ultimate ‘go-kart’ feeling is enhanced with the John Cooper Works sports leather steering wheel which comes with paddle shifters and automatically adjusted steering sensitivity. John Cooper Works DNA can be found in every detail, like the John Cooper Works stainless steel pedal caps and the the door sills with an integrated John Cooper Works badge.

The MINI Excitement Pack features exterior MINI Logo projection, LED interior and ambient lighting which illuminates the cabin with a choice 12 selectable colours. The optional panorama glass roof allows ample amounts of natural light and fresh air in the cabin.

The MINI John Cooper Works Hatch comes with high contrast MINI Head-Up Display, which provides information regarding the media outputs, navigation and telephone options directly in the line of sight for the driver. As a standard feature, Harman Kardon Hi-Fi Audio System, featuring 12 high performance speakers and an eight-channel digital amplifier, delivers 360 watts of crisp, natural and powerful sound.

The iconic circular central instrument panel is surrounded by an LED ring offering a brilliant colour display in 6.5-inches. Bluetooth phone/audio connectivity comes as standard. The Radio MINI Visual Boost with touch functionality including AUX-IN socket and USB interface is also a standard feature of the MINI John Cooper Works Hatch.

The optional MINI Wired package offers an 8.8 inch touch screen with Touchpad controller, MINI Find Mate with 2 Bluetooth tags, Navigation System Professional, MINI Connected XL, telephony with wireless charging and 2nd USB interface. Other infotainment options now include Apple CarPlay along with MINI Radio Visual Boost + MINI Navigation or with MINI Wired Package.

Setting new standards in dynamics and efficiency, MINI John Cooper Works Hatch fitted with an 8-speed Sports Steptronic automatic transmission with shift paddles provides an even smoother and sportier drive. The shift by wire technology for automatic transmission comes with an electronic gear selector that is ergonomically shaped for more comfortable handling.

Performance is paramount and keeps adrenaline pumping in the MINI John Cooper Works Hatch. This hot hatch is powered by the 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine that can hit 100 kmph in 6.1 seconds, mobilising a peak output of 231 PS and a maximum torque of 320 Nm.

MINI Driving Modes enable an individualised vehicle set-up focusing on ride comfort, sportiness or efficiency, according to the driver’s preference. In addition to the standard MID mode, there is a choice of SPORT and GREEN modes. Sport Mode sharpens the steering and acceleration for sportier, more agile handling. Driver Assistance Systems include Park Distant Control and Rear View Camera as standard.

The MINI John Cooper Works Hatch is loaded with safety technology. The standard safety equipment comprises of front and passenger airbags, brake assist, 3-point seat belts, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), crash sensor, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), 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.

Jaguar Land Rover India announced the start of sale of the locally manufactured Range Rover Velar with ex-showroom prices starting from Rs 72.47 lakh in India. Available in two powertrains, 2.0-litre petrol (250 PS) and 2.0-litre diesel (179 PS), the locally manufactured Velar offers a seamless blend of reductionism and elegance. The Velar’s local manufacturing will now enable Jaguar Land Rover India to gain a competitive edge within the Indian luxury SUV segment.

Rohit Suri, President & Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd. (JLRIL), said: “Since its launch in 2018, the Range Rover Velar has received an overwhelming response from customers across the country. Now, with the introduction of the locally manufactured Range Rover Velar, we are able to offer this iconic, award winning product at a very attractive and compelling price than before. This will enable more Range Rover fans in India to own and drive this striking, good looking and distinctive vehicle.”

Honda 2Wheelers India has announced that Dio accomplished 30 lakh sales milestone.

While it took 14 years to achieve the first 15 lakh sales, the latest 15 lakh sales were achieved in last 3 years i.e. almost 5 times faster the former pace. Honda’s Dio retains the position of India’s 4^th largest selling scooter in India.

Noteworthy, Dio is not only catering to young customers in India but enjoys global acceptance as well. With 44 per cent export market share in scooter segment, Dio is the largest exported scooter of India and exported to more than 11 South Asian and Latin American countries among which are the likes of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Colombia and more. 

Expressing his delight on this landmark, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “With its 17 years of legacy, Dio remains fresh as ever while celebrating the spirit of youthfulness. Convenient features & stylish looks make it a perfect partner for youngsters of today – not just in India but in international markets as well. We thank all our customers who choose to ride on the uber-trendy Dio while living life their own way.”

Bridgestone India’s two plants in India have opted for using solar power, arguably the cleanest energy available. The Pune Plant in Chakan has currently installed 1 MW of solar capacity and is in the process of setting up of another 4 MW of capacity which will commence operations by September 2019. The Indore plant in Kheda has 1 MW solar energy capacity that is being enhanced by another 1 MW capacity slated to be operational by the third quarter of 2019.

Parag Satpute, Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said “Usage of clean energy is key to Bridgestone’s sustainability goals. In sync with this, our adoption of solar energy reduces the dependence on conventional forms of energy leading to a reduction in the carbon footprint. 1 MW of solar capacity saves an estimated 1000 tonnes of CO2 emission per year. By this estimate the 7MW of solar capacity will save an estimated 150,000 tons of CO2 emission over two decades. For us in India, this is a step towards the company’s global long term commitment of achieving a 50% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2050 and beyond.”

While using solar energy is good for the environment, it also reflects positively in monetary terms. 1MW of solar power results in savings of nearly 59 million rupees worth of electricity expenses in 20 years.

Bridgestone Group has focused on the “Environment,” as one of the priority areas of its Group’s global CSR commitment ‘Our Way to Serve’ and has set a target of a 35 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions per net sales from operations and products’ after-use by 2020 (compared to 2005). Also, it has set a long-term environmental vision for the year 2050 and beyond, for realizing an environmentally sustainable society. The realization of CO2 reduction will be an important part of achieving this vision. As one of Bridgestone Group, Bridgestone India is committed to work for a healthy environment for present and future generations.

MG (Morris Garages) Motor India today rolled out the first production version of Hector from its facility at Halol in Gujarat. Hector, MG’s first car in India, has gone into commercial production after one million kilometres of testing in diverse road and climatic conditions across India. With extensive localisation, more than 300+ India specific changes have been carried out in the MG Hector to suit the customer preferences and road conditions.

MG Motor India will begin shipments of the Hector SUV within the next few weeks to its widespread network of 65 showrooms across 50 cities. The Hector SUV will make its global debut on 15 May and pre-orders will begin in the month of June.

“We are proud to be rolling out the first made in India, feature-rich internet car, the MG Hector, from our all-new assembly line in Gujarat. Adopting the highest quality global manufacturing standards, the Hector has been specially customized to suit Indian customer preferences and road conditions. The MG Hector is poised to become a new benchmark in SUVs,” said Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India.

MG India has so far invested Rs 2,200 crores in its Gujarat manufacturing plant to roll out the MG Hector. The company has set up new assembly line, new press shop, new body shop, new parts distribution centre, testing track and a training facility in the plant, within a short span of 18 months. MG’s Halol plant currently has a production capacity of 80,000 units per annum and has the provision to increase the capacity going forward depending upon the requirement.

On 4 May 1904, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce met for the first time at The Midland Hotel, Manchester; an encounter that would change the course of automotive history. Exactly 115 years later, the marque they agreed to form that day continues to set global standards for innovation and excellence, and uphold their legacy as the originators of ‘the best car in the world’.

Rolls and Royce would doubtless be astonished at the cars produced under their names in 2019. The century (and more) that has elapsed since their first 10hp machine made its debut at the Paris Salon has seen materials, technology and manufacturing methods utterly transformed. Yet in several key areas, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars retains unbroken links to those pioneering days; and in its approach, instincts and values, it would be immediately – and pleasingly – recognisable to its founding fathers.

A Return to Coachbuilding

The lines and styling of the first Rolls-Royce cars are clearly influenced by the horse-drawn carriages they replaced. This is no coincidence, since they were handcrafted by the same master coachbuilders, who effortlessly transferred their skills and artistry from the outgoing tradition to the new technology. Coachbuilding at Rolls-Royce ended in the 1960s, but in 2017, the craft made a triumphant return in the form of ‘Sweptail’ – a fully bespoke, coachbuilt commission for a customer seeking ‘the ultimate grand tourer’.

‘Sweptail’ is a truly unique creation, with a never-to-be-repeated silhouette and individual interior touches, including a champagne cooler specifically proportioned to hold only a bottle of Dom Perignon ’73. Nevertheless, with its Pantheon grille and rear overhang, it remains absolutely true to the Rolls-Royce brand and design language.

The Architecture of Luxury

Henry Royce began his automotive career by building an improved version of the 10hp two-cylinder French Decauville – the first car he bought when his eponymous electrical company became successful. When Rolls saw and drove Royce’s machine, he knew he had found a British car that could outshine the continental competition and agreed to sell all the cars Royce could build. In its first two years, Rolls-Royce produced a mere 10 cars: in 2018, it delivered 4,107 – the highest annual total in its history – to customers in over 50 countries.

To satisfy global demand for its products, the company has developed a common platform that underpins all new models. Known as The Architecture of Luxury, it comprises an aluminium spaceframe that can be scaled to fit different applications by using different-sized floor pans and cross members: new production processes ensure stiffness and integrity, as well as delivering the company’s signature Magic Carpet Ride.

Black Badge

Black Badge is Rolls-Royce’s response to a small and select group of clients who have asked the marque for motor cars with specific, focused characteristics that reflect their different take on life, success and the luxury they consume. These people choose to define themselves differently from their wider social group; a subset within a subset.

For over a century such individuals, possessed of a dark and restless spirit, have been drawn to Rolls-Royce’s unique allure. Luminaries including Sir Malcolm Campbell, Howard Hughes and Muhammad Ali have all shared the marque’s founding philosophy; an uncompromising refusal to accept the status quo and a constant yearn to innovate, create and advance.

Their restless spirit was also shared by the marque’s co-founder; himself one of the great disrupters of his day. The Honourable C.S. Rolls was a man in a hurry. Not satisfied with fundamentally altering the road-car landscape, he sought more and pursued his appetite for advancement and adventure in the air; a passion that would ultimately lead to his untimely demise aged just 33.

It is this indomitable spirit that, since the launch of Black Badge, has captivated so many of today’s young owners, who are drawn to Rolls-Royce in the knowledge that no other luxury house is possessed of the vision and flexibility to meet their demands both in design and engineering terms. Indeed, Black Badge serves to amplify the inherent characteristics that have driven so many new, younger patrons of luxury to the marque.

In conceiving Black Badge versions of Wraith, Ghost and Dawn, the marque’s Bespoke designers and engineers drew upon their instinctive understanding of the unique lives of these extraordinary men and women to create both design and engineering treatments that perfectly amplify the inherent values of these great Rolls-Royces.

Black Badge models are the ‘alter egos’ of the standard models: darker, edgier, with more power and torque and enhanced driving dynamics to open up the Rolls-Royce brand to new audiences.

Styling details include a dark-chrome Spirit of Ecstasy, wheels and carbon-fibre interior components, plus the ‘inverted’ black-on-silver ‘RR’ logo: as with every other Rolls-Royce, however, customers can add whatever Bespoke elements they wish, so even a Black Badge car can be any colour you desire.

Effortless, everywhere

In July 1917, a British diplomat, Hugh Lloyd-Thomas, was dining in a Cairo club with his wife, Aileen, when a man in flowing robes swept in and demanded: “Whose Rolls-Royce is this outside?” When Aileen said it was hers, the man announced that he was commandeering it “in the name of His Majesty’s armed forces” and drove away. He was, of course, T. E. Lawrence, more familiar to millions as Lawrence of Arabia; both he and the car would be immortalised in one of the most famous photographs of the First World War.

A century after Lawrence’s exploits, Rolls-Royce once again produced a car capable of conquering the most hostile environments on Earth. The Cullinan super-luxury SUV caused an international sensation on its launch in 2018, and set the new global standard in luxury off-road motoring. Cullinan was engineered from scratch to enable customers to go anywhere, see anything and do everything they desire with total confidence, while cocooned in the comfort and splendour embodied in the Rolls-Royce name. To prove its all-terrain credentials, the car completed a 12,000-mile odyssey through some of the world’s most challenging terrain, in partnership with National Geographic. As well as the Scottish Highlands, the Austrian Alps and the American West, Cullinan’s itinerary included the arid wastes of the Middle East, where it effortlessly confirmed Lawrence’s assertion that ‘a Rolls in the desert is above rubies.’

“We are deeply conscious of our heritage: it is a tremendous privilege to be continuing and building on work that began 115 years ago,” says Torsten Muller-Otvos, Chief Executive, Rolls‑Royce Motor Cars. “But we also understand that our founders were visionaries, always looking to do things in new and different ways. It’s that spirit of excellence and innovation that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars embodies and celebrates today.”

To celebrate World Land Rover Day, Land Rover has announced plans for the new Defender to complete a final phase of field testing with the Tusk Trust, on location in Kenya.

A Defender prototype wearing a unique camouflage will experience life at the Borana Conservancy as part of Land Rover’s 15-year partnership with Tusk Trust.

The prototype will tow heavy loads, wade through rivers and carry supplies across unforgiving terrain in a series of real-world trials at the 14,000-hectare reserve.

By the time the new Defender makes its public debut later this year, it will have passed more than 45,000 individual tests in some of the most extreme environments on earth. Land Rover engineers have taken the test fleet to the 50-degree heat of the desert, the sub 40-degree cold of the Arctic, as well as up to 10,000ft altitude of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to ensure the new Defender will take everyday life in its stride, for even its most adventurous customers.

Nick Rogers, Executive Director Product Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “In addition to the extensive simulation and rig testing, we’ve driven new Defender 1.2 million kilometres across all terrains and in extreme climates to ensure that it is the toughest and most capable Land Rover ever made. The incredible opportunity to put it to the test in the field, supporting operations at the Borana Conservancy in Kenya, with Tusk, will allow our engineers to verify that we are meeting this target as we enter the final phase of our development programme.”

With on-road dynamics honed at the Nurburgring facility in Germany and all-terrain credentials tested on the muddy roads of Eastnor, UK, the rocky trails of Moab in Utah, and the sand dunes of Dubai, the new 4×4 promises to bring unparalleled breadth of capability and new levels of comfort and driveability to the Defender family.

The new Defender has been designed and developed in the UK, at Gaydon, home to Land Rover’s world-class design, engineering and testing facilities. The new home of global Defender production will be Land Rover’s recently opened state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Nitra, Slovakia.

Land Rover has been an official partner of the Tusk Trust wildlife conservation charity for 15 years, helping to reach some of the world’s most remote locations. News of the testing initiative has been announced to mark World Land Rover Day, which is celebrated on 30 April every year to mark the world premiere of the original Land Rover at the Amsterdam Motor Show on this day in 1948.