Tag: automobiles

Volvo Car India Launches The New XC90

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Volvo Car India has unveiled the new XC90, at SPL Volvo dealership in Kolkata, with an ex-showroom price of Rs. 1,02,89,900. The new XC90 showcases a suite of advanced technology and refined design elements, further elevating the award-winning and best-selling flagship SUV.

“This iconic SUV has long been a cornerstone of our success, and we are thrilled to unleash the new XC90 onto the Indian market,” stated Mr. Jyoti Malhotra, Managing Director, Volvo Car India. “The SUV embodies the pinnacle of Swedish luxury and design, seamlessly integrating innovation and safety, the hallmarks of the Volvo brand. This vehicle delivers unparalleled comfort, spaciousness, versatility, and efficiency. Its refreshed, contemporary exterior design reinforces its commanding presence on the road.”

As with every Volvo, the new XC90 is designed to be one of the safest vehicles on the road. It features a robust safety cage and a comprehensive array of active safety technologies, ensuring the protection of occupants and other road users.

Utilizing the radar and front camera, the new XC90 can detect unintentional lane drifts and automatically steer the vehicle back into its lane, preventing potential collisions. It also includes run-off road mitigation and collision avoidance systems that can detect and react to other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals.

The new XC90 delivers unparalleled driving experience, characterized by exceptional seating comfort and an upgraded standard suspension. The individual dampers now adapt mechanically to real-time road conditions, optimizing both comfort and stability for a confident and relaxed journey.

The optional air suspension system, working in conjunction with an active chassis, monitors the vehicle, road, and driver 500 times per second to ensure the most comfortable ride. This system allows ride height adjustments, lowering the vehicle by 20mm for improved aerodynamics or raising it by 40mm for challenging terrains. Enhanced insulation further reduces wind and road noise, creating a serene cabin environment.

The redesigned interior of the new XC90 reflects contemporary Scandinavian design, featuring a more horizontal dashboard with premium recycled material decorative panels and new vertical air vents. Enhanced ambient lighting adds to the luxurious ambiance.

A new 11.2-inch central touchscreen with higher resolution and an updated user interface provides seamless access to a range of features, apps, and over-the-air software updates.

“We are thrilled to unveil the new Volvo XC90 at our dealership today,” said Mr. Nikunj Sanwaria, Dealer Principal of SPL Volvo. “This iconic SUV sets a new standard for the luxury auto segment in the Indian market. We are confident that our customers will be impressed with the XC90’s advanced technology, refined interior, and unparalleled comfort. We invite everyone to visit our showroom and experience the magnificence for themselves.”

MG Windsor Launched In India At INR 9.99 Lakhs

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JSW MG Motor India has launched the MG Windsor at the price of a manual compact SUV. The Windsor, combining the comfort of a sedan and the expanse of an SUV, will be offered with innovative aerodynamic design, spacious and opulent interiors, reassuring safety, smart connectivity, driving comfort, and many hi-tech features. It is built on ‘Pure EV Platform’ with BaaS – a unique ownership program, MG Windsor is offered at INR 9.99 Lakhs + 3.5 Rs. /km for battery.

For the first time in India’s passenger vehicle segment, JSW MG Motor India is introducing an innovative ownership plan through Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) offering, which makes owning an electric CUV at the price of a manual engine-based compact SUV possible. This flexible ownership program eliminates the upfront cost of the battery, enabling customers to pay only for its usage. Essentially, buyers pay a nominal fee per kilometre driven, which is 40% of the fuel costs of conventional vehicles. This model significantly reduces the initial acquisition cost and lowers the per-kilometre expense, ensuring an economical and hassle-free ownership experience.

In addition, the company is offering a first-of-its-kind lifetime battery warranty to the first owner of MG Windsor. With the eHUB by MG app, the company is offering one year of free public charging, making it easier than ever for Windsor owners to power up anytime, anywhere. JSW MG Motor India is also introducing its 3-60 assured buyback plan for the Windsor which ensures that it will retain 60% of its value after 3 years/45,000kms.

The Intelligent CUV features an AeroGlide design language, which is futuristic and transcends the concept of traditional segmentation. The interiors are opulent and luxurious with spacious aero lounge seats that can be reclined to 1350, coupled with the expansive infinity view glass roof, adding to the business class experience. Immersive entertainment and smart connectivity features are powered by a massive 15.6-inch Grand View Touch Display in the central console.

The Windsor comes with the powerful PMS Motor which is IP67 certified. Impressive performance is derived through a 38 kWh Li-ion battery pack and four driving modes (Eco+, Eco, Normal and Sport) that deliver 100KW (136PS) power and 200Nm of instant torque, offering a range of 331 kms. It can be charged in 40 minutes at any DC fast charger.

Speaking at the launch, Parth Jindal, Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The MG Windsor is the realization of the vision and promise behind JSW MG India and marks a significant milestone in this journey. The Windsor is the first car that has come out of the JV and the team has worked very hard in developing and bringing it to the Indian market. This vehicle embodies our commitment to delivering to our Indian customers the best of innovation the world has to offer. As a crossover utility vehicle, the Windsor merges the comfort of a sedan with the expanse of an SUV, making it an ideal car for the Indian household. With its advanced features, innovative design, and disruptive pricing, the Windsor sets a new benchmark. I look forward to seeing the MG Windsor on our Indian roads, delighting our customers and helping them travel sustainably with comfort, style and power.”

Sharing his views on the occasion, Rajeev Chaba, CEO Emeritus, JSW MG Motor India said, “With its delightful features and easy to drive dynamics, MG Windsor will certainly invite newer sets of customers to try EVs. Enabling this, we have created a clear channel for smart and unique ownership through the BaaS program, complemented with additional benefits. With these initiatives, we are addressing the barrier of incremental upfront cost of owning an EV and supporting easy and hassle-free ownership through the user-friendly eHUB by MG app that brings the EV ecosystem to the fingertips of customers. I am confident that the overall package of the Windsor will prove to be a catalyst in strengthening the EV segment further for prospective car buyers.”

MG Windsor is a vision to bring the luxury of business class lifestyle and travel to the lives of every Indian. It is an ideal vehicle for customers looking to beat the bustling urban roads and tighter spaces in smaller towns, in comfort and style. The MG Windsor is being offered in three variants: Excite, Exclusive, and Essence; and four colours: Starburst Black, Pearl White, Clay Beige, and Turquoise Green.

Bridgestone Develops Bespoke Potenza Sport Tyres For Maserati’s First All-Electric SUV

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Bridgestone has been chosen by Maserati to develop bespoke 20-inch tyres for its first all-electric SUV, the Maserati Grecale Folgore.

After recent collaborations including fitments for the Maserati MC20 supercar and the Maserati Grecale, Maserati looked to its long-term partner for a tyre that could enhance the on-road capabilities of its first-ever all-electric SUV. Bridgestone responded with custom-developed Bridgestone Potenza Sport ENLITEN tyres, its flagship ultra-high performance tyre.

Providing top performance in dry conditions and supported by a premium wet package, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport ENLITEN has been custom engineered to keep Maserati Grecale Folgore drivers in control with superior handling performance in challenging conditions on both dry and wet surfaces.

The bespoke Bridgestone tyre delivers against the Maserati Grecale Folgore’s specific needs and enhances its performance thanks to the use of ENLITEN Technology, Bridgestone’s innovative approach to tyre development. This combination of multiple cutting-edge technologies provides maximum safety and outstanding tyre performance for Maserati Grecale Folgore drivers, while improving the sustainability characteristics of the tyre.

Alongside a successful, long-term partnership, Bridgestone and Maserati also share a strong commitment to electrification. The Bridgestone tyre specifically developed for the new Maserati Grecale Folgore delivers very low rolling resistance performance – achieving a best-in-class EU Label A-grade – to extend the Maserati Grecale Folgore’s 500km range.

Through a fully integrated approach, Bridgestone is investing to make electric mobility more efficient and accessible to drivers and fleets. The company is pioneering premium tyres and tyre technologies for EVs, as well as dedicated fleet and mobility solutions, while partnering with leading EV manufacturers and developing an EV-ready retail and service network. On its side, Maserati is the first Italian luxury brand to launch 100 percent electric vehicles, with a commitment to produce electric versions of all its models by 2025 and full-electric vehicles alone by 2028.

Consistent with Maserati’s deep-rooted Italian heritage, the Maserati Grecale Folgore was designed and produced in Italy, and so were its bespoke Bridgestone Potenza Sport ENLITEN tyres.

Bridgestone’s proprietary Virtual Tyre Development technologies was combined with Maserati’s driving simulator to ensure that the bespoke tyre could be created and tested in a digital environment – reducing physical prototyping and testing, cutting raw material consumption and carbon emissions, and enabling a faster time to market.

Speaking on this announcement was Steven De Bock, Vice President Original Equipment at Bridgestone EMEA: “The Grecale Folgore is a historic launch for Maserati on its pioneering electrification journey, and we’re very proud to help bring its performance to life with Bridgestone tyres. We both have a strong commitment to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles; it’s a great moment to see our collaboration break new ground in electric mobility.”

EIMG Indian Heritage Car Rally 2024: Unadulterated Nostalgia

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Kolkata has been facing its most cruel summer in the past many decades. Never before has city witnessed the kind of heat wave that befell upon us in the past few weeks. The scorching sun and absence of rain had sent the temperatures through the roof. But it wasn’t only these factors which sent the mercury soaring, as a bevy of Indian Heritage Cars turned up the heat by several notches on Sunday, April 28 as Eastern India Motoring Group organized the inaugural edition of the EIMG Indian Heritage Car Rally.

Time stood still as the immaculately restored Contessa, Hindustan Land Master, Fiat 1100, Standard Vanguard, Fiat Select, Standard 10, Fiat Super Select, Hindustan Ambassador Mark 3, Fiat Millecento, Contessa Classic and Maruti 800 among several other notable Indian heritage cars participated in what was eastern India’s first Indian Heritage Car Rally in the Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) format organized under the guidance of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) – the apex body of motor sports in the country.

This rally was the brainchild of EIMG Secretary Shubhajit Kumar and was specifically conceived to address the general apathy displayed by other motoring organizations towards the Indian Heritage Cars. This unique initiative was strongly supported by EIMG President Shrivardhan Kanoria and part sponsored by Rajiv Auto Care along with other patrons.

Organized in collaboration with the Kolkata Automotive Sports Association (KASA) and the Automobile Association of Eastern India (AAEI), the EIMG Indian Heritage Car Rally 2024 was a testament to the enduring charm of Indian heritage automobiles and unfolded as a grand showcase of automotive history & passion.

The rally brought together 24 teams, who participated in well turned out Indian heritage cars, each boasting a legacy of over 35 years. The flag-off ceremony was held at Automobile Association of Eastern India (AAEI) in the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including the Consul General of Italy Mr. Ricardo, KASA Secretary Mr. Debashish Bhattacharjee, and AAEI Hony. Secretary Mr. Prabir Roy.

Against the backdrop of roaring engines, the rally commenced sharp at 9 AM marking the beginning of an unforgettable journey through time and tradition. Despite the challenging conditions, with unforgiving heat prevailing, both man & machine showcased immense resilience as they traversed a maximum distance of 35 kilometres passing by some of the most beautiful heritage locations like Princep Ghat, Raj Bhavan, Akashbani Bhavan, General Post Office, Calcutta High Court, Writers’ Buildings, KC Das and Oberoi Grand.

Out of the 24 participating teams who embarked on this nostalgic voyage, 15 teams successfully completed the challenging course, a testament to their grit and determination. Along the route, participants encountered 10 time control points – a signature hallmark of a TSD Rally.

The team of Pushpak Ghosh & Rudrangsho Dey participating in a 1959 Fiat emerged victorious with 01 minute 06 seconds penalty. Closely following them on the second position was the duo of Vikramjit Kumar & Souradeep Dutta driving a Fiat 1100D finishing with 01 minute and 14 seconds penalty. The team of Sudip Kumar Ghosh & Soham Pal participating in a 1957 Fiat secured the third position of the podium with 04 minutes 12 seconds penalty.

The pair of Jubonashya Dutta & Nisan Chowdhury driving a Fiat 1100 recorded a penalty of 04 minutes 25 seconds while the team of Vivekanda Taanti & Ayan Das participating in a 1968 Fiat finished with 25 minutes 30 seconds penalty securing the fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Notably, an all-ladies team comprising of Anuja Kumar, Sreerupa Sirkar and Dipasree Ganguly who participated in a Contessa successfully completed the rally route breaking gender stereotypes and embodying the spirit of inclusivity in motorsport. The 1955 Standard owned by IK Ghosh emerged as the oldest Indian heritage car to successfully complete the rally route.

The EIMG Indian Heritage Car Rally 2024 not only celebrated the timeless charm of Indian heritage automobiles but also paid homage to the enduring spirit of Indian motoring culture. As participants navigated through the scenic route, they not only reminisced about the glory days of automotive design but also embraced the camaraderie that unites enthusiasts of all generations.

In essence, the rally was more than just a showcase of Indian heritage cars; it was a tribute to passion, perseverance, and the enduring bond between man and machine. As the engines roared and the wheels turned, the EIMG Indian Heritage Car Rally 2024 left an indelible mark on the annals of Kolkata’s motoring history, reminding us all of the timeless allure of Indian heritage automobiles and the joy of the open road.

Photographs courtesy: Kingshuk Sarkar

5 Reasons Why The Kia Sonet HTK+ Represents A Great Value Proposition

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In the highly competitive compact SUV market, the Kia Sonet remains popular for its exceptional design, impressive features, and premium driving experience. While there are multiple trim levels to choose from, the Kia Sonet HTK+ delivers a blend of advanced features, a safer driving experience and technological prowess with a substantial value-for-money proposition. 

1.   Power & Efficiency

The 1.2L engine strikes a great balance between dynamic city driving (82 bhp) and responsible fuel consumption thanks to its BS6 Phase 2 compliance. Paired with a smooth-shifting 5-speed manual transmission, you get the most value-driven experience while still enjoying budget-friendly mileage. 

2.   Hi-tech Safety

With the HTK+, you get impressive segment-best features including 6 airbags, an Electronic Stability Program, Hill Hold Control, and Brake Assist. This level of safety equipment is a welcome bonus in this price range. Additional features like a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and Over-Speed Warning systems add an extra layer of protection. 

3.   Elevated Comfort Features

Automatic climate control takes the hassle out of finding the perfect temperature, letting you focus on the road. Rear passengers stay comfortable on longer and shorter commutes, thanks to rear AC vents.  Cruise control makes those highway trips less tiring and helps you stay alert. 

4.   Tech-Savvy Convenience Enhancements

The HTK+ makes manoeuvring easier with both parking sensors and a rear camera with guidance lines. Keyless Start adds high-tech convenience to your routine, giving the Sonet HTK+ a premium feel. 

5.   Exceptional Value Proposition

With a starting price of Rs. 9.90 Lakh, the Kia Sonet HTK+ is a testament to Kia’s commitment to making a feature-rich car accessible to a wider range of buyers. It is the SUV that proves style, safety, and savings can go hand-in-hand.

Volvo Car India Commences Booking Of Its Newly Launched Variant Of XC40 Recharge

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Volvo Car India has announced commencement of bookings for its recently launched new variant of XC40 Recharge. Starting from March 19, 2024, bookings for the XC40 Recharge will be exclusively online and can be done on the Volvo Car India Website with a booking amount of one Lakh. This is the third EV model from Volvo in India to be assembled at the Company’s plant at Hosakote in Bengaluru, Karnataka and offered exclusively online.

Setting new benchmarks in performance and range, the XC40 Recharge Single Motor Variant offers a remarkable driving experience. With a range of 475 kilometers as per WLTP standards and 592 kilometers under ICAT testing conditions on a single charge, this EV empowers drivers to explore with confidence. Boasting a power output of 238hp and a torque of 420Nm, the XC40 Recharge comes with an 8-year battery warranty and includes a wall box charger as a standard fitment.

The XC40 Recharge Single Motor Variant represents a significant milestone in Volvo’s commitment to sustainable mobility. With its advanced electric drivetrain and innovative features, this model offers an unparalleled driving experience while contributing to a sustainable environment.

The Lake Club EIMG Concours d’Elegance Enthral The City Of Joy

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On Sunday, January 28, all roads led to The Lake Club as the EIMG Concours d’Elegance 2024 set the City of Joy ablaze with 95 scintillating exotic vehicles which took part in this annual heritage event. Now in this third edition, the event was organised by Eastern India Motoring Group (EIMG) in collaboration with The Lake Club and supported by ACE Commercial.

With the majestic Rabindra Sarobar in the backdrop, clear blue sky above, the sprawling green lawn of the The Lake Club made for the perfect setting for a memorable rendezvous with motoring heritage.

The icing on the cake was the seven beautiful Rolls-Royces which adorned the club lawns like seven spectacular jewels. Keeping them company was a century old Stoewer, the oldest entrant of this year’s Concours. The car has served four generations of Chowdhury family, namely Ishwar Chandra, Shantinath, Pratap and now Ananda who has maintained this car in pristine condition.

A 1938 Rolls-Royce 20/25 owned by vintage car connoisseur Avik Naha made its debut at this year’s Concours d’Elegance. This stunningly beautiful car had everyone drooling in admiration. This Rolls is a real stunner and prized possession of its owner.

The 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe once driven by legendary singer and composer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and now owned by SK Lahiri was another beauty on display. The Lahiri family bought this car in the early 1970s and thoroughly restored it. Fondly referred to as ‘Nilu’, the car is meticulously maintained till date.

Saurjya Pratim Mitra’s brilliantly restored 1937 Ford 7W10 invited admiration and envy in equal measure. Rajiv Ghosh’s 1932 Ford V8, also referred to as The Ladybird also participated in this year’s Concours. A brilliant car which once belonged to Justice JP Mitter has been the proud possession of the Ghosh family and immaculately restored by the legendary Sanjay Ghosh.

A rare German car Adler manufactured in 1938 was proved to be a huge crowd puller. Presently owned by former top cop Mr. Gadai Chandra Dey, this car has a fascinating history. It was buried after the owner of the vehicle heard in 1939 that it would be acquisitioned by the American Army for its officers serving USA during World War II. It was later salvaged in 1965 and completely restored.

A 1963 Triumph Spitfire which was once owned by Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff has always been a popular car in the Kolkata circuit, much like its debonair owner Saikat Dutta. A Ford Anglia whose reference one gets in the writings of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter also evoked admiration from the visitors. Once owned by ace footballer Subhas Bhowmick, this car is presently the prized possession of Amritendu Roy.

Other noteworthy vehicles which took part in The Lake Club EIMG Concours d’Elegance 2024 were Avik Naha’s 1948 Buick Super 8, Siddharth Swarup’s 1947 Wolseley 14, Indrajit Sircar’s 1957 Wolseley 6/90, Sourajit Pal Choudhuri’s 1928 Ford Model A, Sarmistha Hazra’s 1965 Hillman Imp, Prithvi Nath Tagore’s 1958 Mercedes-Benz 180 A and Sarojesh Mukerjee’s 1959 Ford Zephyr.

The two-wheeler section had as many as 14 participants among which Terence Lobo’s 1940 Triumph 3HW, Chandan Basu Mallik’s 1950 Norton Dominator, Lt. Col. Nitin Shrestha’s 1937 Arial Red Hunter deserve special mention.

Four immaculately restored Rolls-Royces along with a 1931 Chevrolet belonging to the Shrivardhan Kanoria Collection were also exhibited in the Concours. While these beauties weren’t entered in the competition, however, they added a touch of elegance and aristocracy to the event.

The heritage vehicles were judged by Shrivardhan Kanoria and his Concourz Restoration Team on the basis of Authenticity, Restoration, Maintenance, Historical Importance, and Rarity.

List of Winners:

Cars Built Upto 1930 – 1930 Plymouth Type 30U – Arijit Dutta

Cars Built From 1931 to 1940 – 1932 Ford V8 – Rajiv Ghosh

Cars Built From 1941 to 1950 – 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe – SK Lahiri

Cars Built From 1951 to 1975 – 1958 Mercedes-Benz 180 A- Prithvi Nath Tagore

Vintage Two Door Cars – 1937 Opel Cabrio – Rajiv Ghosh

Classic Two Door Cars – 1947 MG TC – Himanshu Ajmera

Indian Heritage Cars – 1958 Standard Vanguard – Sarojesh Mukerjee

Two Wheelers – 1937 Arial Red Hunter – Lt. Col. Nitin Shrestha

Oldest Car Award – 1913 Stoewer – Ananda Chowdhury

Oldest Two Wheeler Award – 1923 Panther Sloper – Afzal Hossain

Preservation Award – 1947 Wolseley 14 – Siddharth Swarup

Restoration Award – 1937 Ford 7W10 – Saurjya Pratim Mitra

Resurrection Award – 1957 Wolseley 6/90 – Indrajit Sircar

Admirable Award – 1938 Rolls-Royce 25/30 – Avik Naha

Judge’s Choice Award – 1968 Fiat Delight – Rajiv Ghosh

Special Car Award – 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 – S.K. Karnani & ORS (HUF)

Touring Delight Award – 1925 Rolls-Royce 20HP – Ashok Kumar Bubna

Sporty Playboy Award – 1963 Triumph Spitfire – Saikat Dutta

Hot Ride Award – 1947 Arial – Harjit Singh Dhanjal

Epitome of Elegance – 1948 Buick Super 8 – Avik Naha

Best of Show – 1938 Rolls-Royce 25/30 – Avik Naha

Photographs by Sourish Meryson

New Kia Seltos Crosses 1 Lakh Bookings

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After setting a record for the highest first-day bookings in its segment, India’s Kia Seltos continues its winning streak, surpassing over 100,000 bookings since its launch in July 2023. During this period, the company has received 13,500 bookings (approximately) every month. The starting price for the New Seltos in India is INR 10.99 lakhs (ex-showroom). Since its initial launch in August 2019, Kia has manufactured over 6 lakhs Seltos units in India, with nearly 75% sold in the domestic market. In 2023, Kia sold a total of 1.04 lakhs units of the Seltos.

The automatics emerged as the top choices among Seltos’ new-age customers, comprising nearly 50% of the total bookings. With growing awareness of advanced Active Safety features, approximately 40% of buyers are expressing strong interest in variants equipped with ADAS. Seltos booking trends mirror the enduring preference for sunroofs among Indian customers, with 80% of Seltos buyers opting for this feature. The ratio of petrol to diesel bookings also remains healthy at 58:42. The premium appeal of the Seltos is evident in the booking preferences, with 80% of buyers inclined towards owning the top variants.

Commenting on Seltos success, Mr. Myung-sik Sohn, Chief Sales & Business Officer, Kia India, said, “We are excited about the market success of the new Seltos. Undoubtedly, it stands out as one of the smartest SUV choices available, and the response from our customers resonates with this sentiment. The New Seltos is helping us consolidate our market leadership consistently in the mid-SUV segment. We are actively realigning our manufacturing processes to ensure that our customers gain access to their favourite SUVs as swiftly as possible. We are thankful to all Seltos and Kia fans in India who support and inspire us to do better with every product.”