Bridgestone is collaborating with Microsoft to develop a world-first monitoring system for detecting tyre damage issues in real-time. These issues are a serious matter, contributing to some 30 per cent of all car accidents caused by technical failure.

Tyre issues take four main forms: inadequate pressure, fatigue, irregular wear, and lastly, damage from curbs, potholes, or items on the road.

Fortunately, most of these issues can already be reliably mitigated against. TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring systems) have been mandatory in all cars built since 2012 in most parts of the world, and help motorists avoid low-pressure problems. Regular service and replacing tyres in time will guard against wear and fatigue.

The exception, and safety gap, has been tyre damage – which often cannot be detected without close, manual inspection, and which can potentially occur at any time. Damaged tyres can lead to accidents. They can also adversely affect other vehicle components, such as causing damage to the wheels, and thus create a further source of potential danger to motorists.

Now that gap can be closed. Bridgestone’s Tyre Damage Monitoring System delivers real-time awareness of damage. It uses MCVP’s cloud framework together with existing sensor data, from hardware that is already installed, and uses algorithms to detect events affecting the tyre surface and carcass. The driver can then be immediately notified of the hazard and act accordingly to remedy the situation. There is currently no other equivalent monitoring system available in the market. Alternatives would require extra hardware to be installed.

This tyre damage monitoring system has other valuable applications. The system not only understands when damage has occurred, but also where. It thus allows broader insight into road conditions and infrastructure, which can be used to alert the agencies responsible for road damage issues to the presence and location of potholes and other hazards. Future autonomous vehicles could also be beneficiaries of the system – as vehicles pass information about local hazards to others in the vicinity, as well as cloud data stores.

Currently, Bridgestone’s new Tyre Damage Monitoring System is available to all vehicle fleets and OEM’s that use MCVP. The partnership with Microsoft also enables Bridgestone to further develop its solution to meet the requirements of fleets and key OEM partners around the world.

MCVP provides one consistent, cloud-connected, horizontal platform across digital scenarios on top of which customer-facing solutions can be built, including in-vehicle infotainment, advanced navigation, autonomous driving, telematics and prediction services, as well as over-the-air updates (OTA). It includes the enterprise-grade global availability and scale that comes with Microsoft Azure.

MCVP will provide Bridgestone with a digital infrastructure that will accelerate its delivery of connected mobility solutions, providing access to a multitude of Microsoft Azure cloud, AI, and IoT capabilities.

In turn, working with Bridgestone helps Microsoft grow its ecosystem of supporting partners, and enables MCVP’s customers to integrate these partner’s solutions into their own offerings.

Laurent Dartoux, CEO and President of Bridgestone EMIA, says: “Digital is such a huge part of what we do today at Bridgestone; it’s imperative that we work with industry-leading partners who can support our needs today and in the future. By teaming up with Microsoft, we have the opportunity to bring our Tyre Damage Monitoring System to millions of drivers, offering them better safety and peace of mind.”

“Microsoft partners with mobility companies to support their transformation into smart mobility services providers. With the Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform, our mission is to help businesses accelerate the delivery of safe and personalized connected mobility experiences. Using MCVP, Bridgestone has created Tyre Damage Monitoring System that offers a remarkable contribution to road safety and proves how the collaboration between industry leaders can unlock new business opportunities ahead”, said Tara Prakriya, General Manager, Azure Mobility, and Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform at Microsoft.

On this global partnership, Bridgestone India Managing Director, Parag Satpute said, “This tie-up gives Bridgestone India the opportunity to bring state of the art and pioneering technology in mobility solutions to India. This partnership will allow Bridgestone India to further collaborate with our OE partners and provide a higher degree of safety to our consumers. For our Fleet partners in India, the incorporation of this advanced offering means higher safety and better utilization of resources.’’

Every summer the stunning West Sussex countryside comes alive to the thrill of racing engines at full blast, as Goodwood hosts two of the biggest and most renowned motorsport events in the world; the Festival of Speed and the Revival. Sadly, neither is able to go ahead this year due to the global pandemic. Instead, inspired by the sights and sounds beloved by fans of both events, Goodwood will launch a new, once-in-a-lifetime motorsport occasion in October.

Goodwood Speedweek will take the greatest elements of the Festival and Revival, and combine them into one unmissable three-day extravaganza. Staged behind closed doors at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, Speedweek will be optimised for broadcast, getting motorsport fans to the heart of the action wherever they are in the world. The thrilling action will be transmitted free of charge globally via Goodwood Road & Racing’s website, social channels and a range of broadcast partners.

Nothing like Speedweek has been seen before, as Goodwood brings more than a century of world class motorsport to life to celebrate the legendary feats of speed, courage and endurance that make it the most compelling sport on earth. On the track, the most valuable cars will do battle in the closest, most competitive historic racing in the world, driven by a glittering line-up of famous faces. Embracing the lack of spectators, a dramatic rally competition will see cars go on, over and even under the circuit, and the inaugural ‘Goodwood Gymkhana’ will literally take over the venue, going to places that would normally be strictly out of bounds.

Building to a climax on Sunday, a never-to-be-repeated competition will see some of the fastest cars in motorsport history vying for honours in a winner-takes-all shoot-out over one lap. Modern cars have never competed at Goodwood, so the speeds they achieve will be unlike anything previously seen at the iconic venue. The official Goodwood lap record has stood for 55 years, and, with modern cars never likely to return, it’s entirely possible that the times recorded at Speedweek will remain unsurpassed for the next 55 years.

 

During Speedweek, Goodwood will be the epicentre of the motoring world, as leading manufacturers launch their latest cars to a global audience. Jaw-dropping supercars will be put through their paces around the historic Goodwood Motor Circuit, while technology will also take centre stage, as FOS Future Lab gives a tantalising glimpse into the mobility of tomorrow. Bonhams, an ever-present Goodwood partner since the very first Festival of Speed in 1993, will hold an online auction over the weekend, with viewing by appointment only at Goodwood on Wednesday-Friday.

The most ambitious event ever held at Goodwood, Speedweek will be broadcast in innovative ways, putting viewers right in the racing seat, with layers of interactivity that create an immersive, not-to-be-missed experience. Without spectators present, the action can be faster, more extreme and even more spectacular than ever. It will redefine the experience of watching motorsport at home in much the same way that the Festival of Speed and Revival changed forever the perception of classic car events. The programme of events and full driver line-up will be announced over the coming weeks and months.

The Duke of Richmond said: “Having taken the heart-breaking decision not to hold the Festival of Speed and Revival this year, we were determined to find a way of bringing motorsport to Goodwood in 2020. Speedweek will be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion – the fastest, most exciting and spectacular event we have ever staged. I have been overwhelmed by the positivity and support offered to us by our partners and friends. In particular, I’m delighted that Mastercard, who have been the presenting partner of the Festival of Speed since 2017, will also be the presenting partner of Speedweek; and Bonhams who have held their auctions at Goodwood every year since 1993, will be joining us.  An event unlike any that’s gone before, Goodwood Speedweek will be a fitting celebration of the spirit of the Festival of Speed and Revival, both of which will return, bigger and better than ever, in 2021.”

Ducati India today announced the opening of bookings for its first BS6 motorcycle, the Panigale V2 in India. The Panigale V2 is an all new motorcycle from the ground up and will become the entry model into the revered Panigale superbike family.

To cater to the soaring demand of BS6 Ducati motorcycles, Ducati India is accepting bookings for the all new Panigale V2 for an initial amount of INR 100,000. Customers can book their Panigale V2 at their nearest Ducati dealerships till the current stocks last. The deliveries for the Panigale V2 will begin soon after the launch and it will be available on display across all Ducati dealerships in Delhi – NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai. Test rides for the new Panigale V2 will also begin shortly after the launch, under the ‘Ducati Cares’ program which ensures the practice of all safety measures to tackle the current covid-19 situation.

Bipul Chandra, Managing Director of Ducati India said, “The Panigale V2 has been the most awaited bike since EICMA and we eagerly waited to bring this ultimate superbike as our first BS6 motorcycle for the Indian motorcycle enthusiast. The new Panigale V2 is a beefy yet compact bike with clear-cut lines that convey power without compromising on the classic Ducati superbike flair. Considering the overwhelming inquiries for launch of the Panigale V2, we are confident the bike will do well in the market by offering an unmatched Ducati riding experience to enthusiasts who’re looking to step into the world of riding on the racetrack and also to more experienced riders.”

Unlike the outgoing model, the Panigale V2 features a single-sided aluminium swingarm, the hallmark of every high-end Ducati superbike. Gently moulded around the refined monocoque frame, the extensive fairing highlights the more compact twin-cylinder Superquadro engine (smaller in comparison to the Desmosedici Stradale), creating a bike that is visibly leaner and less intimidating than the Panigale V4.

The motorcycle will be launched in India very soon, and more details will be shared at the time of its launch. Stay tuned!

A sensational trio of early Ferraris confirmed for this year’s Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance, including perhaps the most significant car in the Italian marque’s illustrious history.

The 166MM that will grace the lawns of Blenheim Palace scored two famous victories during 1949, and in doing so it helped to create the Ferrari legend. In April of that year, the works-entered chassis 0008M won the Mille Miglia in the hands of Clemente Biondetti and Ettore Salani. Then, two months later, Lord Selsdon and Luigi Chinetti took it to victory in the world’s most high-profile motor race – the Le Mans 24 Hours. It remains the only car to have won both of those prestigious and gruelling events in the same year.

The historic 166MM will be joined by another of the very earliest Ferraris – a 1948 166 Inter Coupé, chassis number 0015S. This Touring-bodied beauty was displayed at the 1949 Geneva Salon and retains its original jewel-like 1995cc V12 engine. Completing the trio is a 1952 Vignale-bodied 212/225 Export that boasts significant period competition history.

Ferrari has a history of success in the Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance, and last year collected more class awards than any other marque courtesy of such iconic models as the 250 GT LWB California Spyder and the 250 GT SWB. In 2020, Maranello’s finest will join some of the most coveted motor cars in the world, with the entry encompassing everything from a 1904 Napier to a 2019 McLaren Senna. All will be judged to the very highest standards by the International Chief Judge Advisory Group (ICJAG).

Ferraris are also bound to feature prominently within Friday’s Salon Privé Masters by Pirelli and Lockton. This year, the event celebrates the evolution of the supercar, from the dawn of the genre in the 1960s to the technological wonders of the 21st century. Ferrari models set to take part both in the Masters and the Concours d’Elégance include mid-engined V8s such as the 308, 328 and 355, the front-engined V12 599, and supercars in the form of the F50 and the landmark F40.

The Ferrari Owners’ Club of Great Britain is an official supporter of Salon Privé, and on Saturday more than 1000 cars will converge on the South Lawn and battle it out for the coveted Club Trophy. Classic and modern greats from Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche and many more will be attempting to steal the spotlight from Ferrari’s finest.

Bringing the story right up to date, Ferrari will be showcasing its latest models during Salon Privé Week. The all-new Ferrari Roma continues a long tradition of sublime GT cars from Maranello, and features a front-mid-mounted turbocharged V8 engine giving more than 600bhp. Test drives will be available for clients who have pre-registered with their local official dealer.

The Ferrari Roma will be displayed alongside the SF90 Stradale – named for the 90th anniversary of Scuderia Ferrari – the 812 GTS and the F8 Spider.

Salon Privé Director David Bagley said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome the most famous name in automotive history to Blenheim Palace. Few marques inspire the sort of devotion that Ferrari does, and the cars that we’ll have on show – from the earliest racers to the very latest road cars – are sure to quicken the pulse of any enthusiast.”

BMW Motorrad India has launched its internationally best-selling adventure sport bike, the all-new BMW S 1000 XR in India. The new bike can be ordered as a completely built-up unit (CBU) wffective immediately throughout the BMW Motorrad dealer network.

The all-new BMW S 1000 XR is an all-days sports bike that uniquely blends sporty and long-distance performance in perfect form. Its sporty aggressiveness comes from the RR. Its outstanding GS ergonomics with the upright, relaxed seat position, lets the riders enjoy all curves and straight roads.

Arlindo Teixeira, acting President, BMW Group India said, “The all-new BMW S 1000 XR is an agile achiever that sets a new benchmark in the adventure sports segment. It is a power-packed performer that brings the real racetrack feel to everyday roads. With its newly developed engine and uncompromising ergonomics, it offers awe-inspiring performance, sporty ride and long-distance capabilities. Riders waiting for a distinctive experience will be drawn to the multi-faceted all-new BMW S 1000 XR. It’s a perfect companion, ready to hit the road for all kind of journeys with sheer motorcycling enjoyment.”

The all-new BMW S 1000 XR will be offered in a Pro variant in Ice Grey and Racing Red colour options. The ex-showroom price is as follows:

The all-new BMW S 1000 XR Pro : INR 20,90,000

For complete peace of mind and to ensure that the journey of pure motorcycling continues uninterrupted at all times, the all-new BMW S100 XR comes with a standard warranty for ‘three years, unlimited kilometres with an option to extend the warranty to fourth and fifth year. Road Side Assistance, a 24×7 365 days package further ensures prompt services in case of breakdown and towing situations.

Ford India has introduced a new automatic variant of its compact SUV EcoSport, at a special price of INR 10.66 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Delhi).

The new Ford EcoSport Titanium AT trim offers six-speed, torque converter automatic gearbox that is paired to Ford’s latest, Bharat Stage 6 compliant three-cylinder 1.5L petrol engine. The new Titanium variant in the 2020 line-up will deliver 122 PS of power and 149 Nm of peak torque.

“With the new Titanium trim in the 2020 EcoSport line-up, we wish more consumers to enjoy the convenience of an automatic without compromising on the fun-of-driving. The outstanding value on offer will ensure that consumers no longer settle for underwhelming automatic technologies available in the market,” said Vinay Raina, Executive Director for Marketing, Sales and Service at Ford India.

The new EcoSport Titanium Automatic offers several other features including paddle shifters, cruise control, push start/stop for greater convenience.

The variant offers a superior technology with a touchscreen infotainment system with embedded navigation, as well as superior safety with standard dual airbags, traction control system, electronic stability control and hill launch, assist among other features.

The new variant will also be the only automatic compact SUV in its price range to offer mobility and connectivity solution FordPassTM, a one-stop smartphone app meeting diverse ownership needs, at no additional cost.

With a factory-fitted cloud-connected device, owners of the new Titanium trim will be able to perform several vehicle operations — like starting, stopping, locking or unlocking remotely, via the FordPassTM app.

The Ford EcoSport has been setting a benchmark in value of ownership with 3-year or 100,000 KM standard warranty, longer service intervals of 10,000 KM, compared to 5,000 KM for most compact SUVs. Ford EcoSport owners spend as low as INR 1,400 for scheduled service in the first year while the 100,000-KM or 10-year service is surprisingly affordable at just INR 4,700.

FORD ECOSPORT AT – VARIANTS	PRICE
Titanium AT (New Introduction)	INR 10,66,500
Titanium+ AT	INR 11,56,500

MG (Morris Garages) Motor India has launched the much-anticipated MG Hector Plus at an introductory price of Rs 13.48 Lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Hector Plus is a 6-seater SUV with panoramic sunroof will be manufactured at the carmaker’s manufacturing facility at Halol near Vadodara in Gujarat.

The latest addition to the MG Hector family, the 6-seater Hector Plus, comes with comfortable captain seats in the middle row. The 6-seater SUV features an all-new dual-tone Smoked Sepia Brown interiors, along with stylish new headlamps, a new Chrome-Studded Front Grille, and a Chit-Chat feature on i-SMART Next Gen interface. It also comes with other attractive features including the all-new Smart Swipe, Front and Rear Bumpers, New Rear Tail Light Design, and Revised Skid Plates.

Like MG Hector, MG Motor India has further assured its customers of the resale value of their Hector Plus. The carmaker has tied up with CarDekho for the same. The latter will buyback MG Hector Plus at a residual value of 60 per cent after three years of ownership under the “3-60” plan, which customers can purchase at a very compelling price.

Speaking on the launch, Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India said, “We entered the Indian automobile market in 2019 with MG HECTOR. Our vision has been to touch the lives of car owners in India by offering them the world’s best technology including connected mobility. The launch of MG HECTOR PLUS is a new milestone in our journey that is committed to serving customers with the top-notch products and services. The 6-seater internet SUV is a blend of luxury and comfort aided by technology to provide the perfect family moments to all our customers.”

MG Hector Plus offers both MG Shield and the MG Shield+ to provide an assuring experience to its customers. Under MG Shield, MG extends the Free-three ‘5s’, i.e. 5-year/Unlimited KMs warranty, 5-year Roadside Assistance, and Free Labour Charges for the first 5 services. All these elements under ‘MG Shield’ are aimed at enhancing the MG ownership experience and providing complete peace of mind to MG customers. The 6-seater SUV’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is very competitive in the segment. It is 45 paise per kilometre for its petrol variants and 60 paise per kilometre for the diesel ones (calculated up to 100,000 KMs of usage). MG Hector Plus further offers the best prepaid maintenance plans starting at INR 8,000 for 3 years with its Classic package.

Nissan India today revealed the concept version of its highly anticipated B-SUV. Christened as the Nissan Magnite, the technology-rich and stylish B-SUV will be launched in FY 2020 in India.

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.

“The Nissan Magnite is an evolutionary leap in Nissan’s global SUV DNA. With cutting-edge technology onboard, it will be a game-changer in its segment. A bold offering in the sub-four-meter category, we are confident that Nissan Magnite will redefine the B-SUV segment for the industry. The Nissan Magnite is made on the philosophy of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ and has been designed in Japan while keeping in mind the requirements and aspirations of Indian customers.” said Rakesh Srivastava, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India.

The Nissan Magnite will be a feature rich premium offering with stylish design for a strong and dynamic road presence.

Marking a key milestone in its Nissan NEXT transformation plan, Nissan has unveiled the all-new Ariya. As the company’s first all-electric crossover SUV, the Ariya opens a new chapter for the Nissan brand and embodies the company’s vision: enriching people’s lives.

Representing the pinnacle of Nissan’s technologies and design, the 100 per cent electric Nissan Ariya debuted during a digital event in Yokohama. The model is a major step in Nissan’s transformation as the company refocuses on key strengths, including electrified vehicles and SUVs.

“We created the Nissan Ariya as an answer to the aspirations and practical needs of today’s customers,” said Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida. “Combining our strengths in EVs and crossovers, it’s a showcase for Nissan’s new era of excitement and design.”

The Ariya sets the pace for Nissan’s plan to roll out 12 new models in 18 months. The all-new crossover demonstrates Nissan’s commitment to meeting customer demand for new electrified, autonomous and connected technologies.

Nissan expects sales of EVs and e-Power electrified models to be more than 1 million units a year by the end of fiscal 2023. By then, the company also aims to introduce autonomous driving technologies in more than 20 models in 20 markets, and to have sold more than 1.5 million vehicles equipped with these systems.

The Nissan Ariya sports Nissan’s new logo, which also made its world premiere. Symbolizing the company’s dedication to keep innovating for new generations of customers, it will adorn coming Nissan models as they’re introduced or refreshed.

The new logo looks to the future while staying proudly connected to the company’s rich heritage and tradition of innovation. The company name remains at the center of the logo, communicating an instantly recognizable brand that evokes past milestones and memories while also conveying evolution.

“The Nissan Ariya opens a new chapter in our history as we begin our journey of transformation in our business, in our products, and in our culture,” Uchida said. “It defines what matters to Nissan, represents what we stand for, and embodies the essence of who we are: a passionate, innovative challenger.”

Although this day would see thousands of Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles gathered across the country, and the globe, to celebrate the iconic brand and the camaraderie, the current global pandemic situation gave a virtual twist to the 18^th edition of International Jawa Day (IJD) this year.

IJD, which is celebrated on the second Sunday of July every year, witnessed the global Jawa Kommuniti come together for an online meet up this year for a virtual celebration. This one-of-its-kind gathering witnessed a blast of expressions across the internet with about 300,000 people engaged and talking about the Jawa day and thousands finally logging in to watch the two hour live cast of festivities online.

Members from the major Jawa & Yezdi Motorcycle Clubs in India took the mantle of organising the virtual event, bringing together Kommuniti members not just from clubs across the country but also countries like Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, USA, Vietnam and Cuba to come together for a virtual celebration.

The festivities began with a session aptly named ‘Legendshala’ an evening prior to set the mood with stories of the yore from people who kept the legacy of Jawa alive over decades. Moderated by renowned auto journalist and author of ‘The Forever Bike’ Adil Jal Darukhanawala, the session saw veteran racers like Somender Singh, CK Chinappa, Shyam Kothari narrate their experiences of racing on Jawa motorcycles over their careers while Prashanth PK, a collector of all things Jawa talked about his prized possessions.

The livestream on Jawa Day consisted of veteran Kommuniti riders come together on a common platform to reminisce their experiences about previous Jawa Day celebrations, long rides and friendly banter that connects them as Jawa riders. Riders from 10 international clubs as well as 35 clubs from India were invited to do their bit for the celebrations. The club members shared recordings from their locations sending out wishes for their fellow riders and the promise of riding their Jawa motorcycles together soon.

The session saw riders from across the spectrum showing off their motorcycles ranging from pristine vintage ones to shining new models over video clips, just like they would on a live event. The platform also engaged female riders with a dedicated segment with the participants telling encouraging stories about women in motorcycling. The session honoured the ‘ustaads’, technicians who have kept the Jawa motorcycles of the past running perfectly over the years.

In keeping with the tradition, the organising panel of the show hosted contests on social platforms to engage with the Kommuniti. The contests witnessed a stirring response from avid Jawa and Yezdi riders and followers. Categories included best dressed rider, picture of a bike in unexpected location, best 90 second video, picture of a ride with public message regarding traffic rules, recreation of old pictures in a collage with year mentioned etc.

The virtual meetup session was full of enthusiastic members of the Jawa Kommuniti and while the ongoing lockdown situation did put brakes on the physical rides and celebrations, it didn’t curb their enthusiasm to come together as one family on an online forum.

The event this year also saw a higher active participation from new Jawa owners. The Kommuniti spirit among the new owners is on a rise and it reflected in the new clubs alongside the older ones in big numbers to celebrate this event.

In some cities such as Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Cochin, Kannur and Jaipur where unlock rules allowed riding with safety protocols, Kommuniti members went about riding in the spirit of Jawa day to celebrate.