Tag: news

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

Joydip SurLeave a comment

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.”

Le Mans First Winner Returns 100 Years On

Joydip SurLeave a comment

100 years ago, John Duff set off from Brooklands Circuit destined for Le Mans in the Bentley 3 Litre Sport. Alongside teammate Frank Clement, they would go on to triumph in the 24-hour endurance race, becoming the first Bentley to do so.

Fast forward to the present day and that same journey in that very same car is to be reinacted. Alongside the Automobile Club de L’Ouest (ACO), Vintage Bentley are thrilled to be driving the 1924 Bentley 3 Litre Sport Le Mans winning car from Brooklands to Le Mans to mark the beginning of her centenary celebrations.

Setting off from Brooklands circuit, the Bentley 3 Litre Sport will cross over to France and navigate south travelling through, Boulogne, Berck, Dieppe, Rouen, Evreux, Mortagne, and Mamers before reaching Le Mans.

This historic return will culminate in the 1924 Bentley 3 Litre Sport leading the procession at the end of Saturdays scrutineering session. Featuring nine Hypercars, one LMP2 and seven LMGT3s, the Bentley 3 Litre Sport will lead the cars through the streets of Le Mans City Centre before remaining in Le Mans as an exhibit at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum (from June 9).

The Bentley 3 Litre will feature across the Le Mans race weekend (June 14-16) with further details being announced imminently.

As the world’s leading specialist in W.O Bentleys, Vintage Bentley are proud to be supporting the ACO in these celebrations. A small yet well-established business with over 25 years knowledge and experience, Vintage Bentley offer workshop services, parts, sales, and event support across the world. Vintage Bentley are a verifiable nature positive organisation that are leading the way for sustainability within the classic car world.

Hyundai N Unveils IONIQ 5 N TA (Time Attack) Spec At Nürburgring 24 Hours

Joydip SurLeave a comment

Hyundai N returns to the Nürburgring Nordschleife aiming for its fourth consecutive TCR class victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours (N24) race.

At the event, the company has also unveiled its IONIQ 5 N TA (Time Attack) Spec variant for the upcoming The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (hereafter Pikes Peak International Hill Climb or PPIHC) and shared its collaboration plans with Gran Turismo, the popular sim-racing video game franchise made for PlayStation consoles.

“We are thrilled to return to the Nürburgring 24 Hours with drivers from Europe, North America and China, showing the growth of our motorsport program around the world,” said Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand and Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Company. “We are investing in the future of motorsport with our first ever electric Pikes Peak racer and collaboration with Gran Turismo. Motorsport passion continues to be at Hyundai N’s core as we move into the future.”

Hyundai N to run three-car TCR team at Nürburgring 24 Hours
Hyundai N heads back to the Nordschleife with three ELANTRA N TCR cars, chasing a fourth consecutive class win.

Drivers from three continents, including defending class winners and champion Hyundai Motorsport customer drivers from the competitive TCR series, are competing in the #830, #831 and #832 cars. The #830 crew of Mikel Azcona, Marc Basseng and Manuel Lauck return after claiming TCR-class victories in 2022 and 2023. Basseng and Lauck also won the TCR class at the 2021 N24 during the ELANTRA N TCR’s debut.

The Bryan Herta Autosport team, supported by Hyundai Motor America, achieved a third straight one-two finish in class for Hyundai Motorsport in 2023. The #831 team returns in 2024 with drivers Mason Filippi, Harry Gottsacker, Mark Wilkins and Bryson Morris.

The #832 entry for 2024 is driven by TCR China stars Martin (Hongwei) Cao, Rainey He, Andy Yan and Zhang Zhen Dong. Cao is the reigning 2023 national series champion.

Hyundai N’s entrants into the 2024 N24 also includes the Hyundai Driving Experience i30 Fastback N in the VT2 Front-Wheel-Drive class. In 2023, this team secured a class victory by nine laps despite a late technical issue. The 2024 crew features last year’s winners, including Marcus Willhardt and Michael Bohrer, journalist-racer Jens Dralle, and Korean Junior driver Gyumin Kim, who demonstrated his talent by winning the Hyundai N Festival and helping his team achieve podium finishes in their class at the first two NLS races of the season.

IONIQ 5 N TA Spec showcases award-winning high-performance EV prowess
At its N24 showcase, Hyundai Motor today unveiled the IONIQ 5 N TA Spec. Two of these specially equipped models will join two IONIQ 5 N production vehicles as part of an all-electric four-car effort at the 102nd running of America’s legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado Springs, CO, on June 23, 2024. The team is targeting Electric Production SUV/Crossover and Electric Modified SUV/Crossover records.

The 687 PS IONIQ 5 N TA Spec is designed to highlight the production-spec IONIQ 5 N’s strengths without fundamentally altering the car. Notably, the production IONIQ 5 N’s standard high-performance power electric (PE) system is carried over. The IONIQ 5 N TA Spec’s maximum output has been increased through software tuning to maximize performance. This was implemented by increasing the output of the rear motor by 37 horsepower (27 kW).

In addition, Hyundai N has chosen to utilize N Active Sound+ with modified speakers (over 120 dB) to both enhance feedback for the driver and replace sirens typical of electric Pikes Peak race cars.

To adapt the car for Pikes Peak, new shock absorbers, motorsport-spec brakes, 18-inch Yokohama ADVAN 005 slick tires, and a unique high-downforce aerodynamic package have been specially applied. Additional safety enhancements include a Recaro Pro Racer SPA Hans seat, Sabelt six-point Hans safety harness, a PPIHC specification roll cage and an EV fire suppression system.

At PPIHC, the two IONIQ 5 N and two IONIQ 5 N TA Spec entrants will make the grueling ascent along a twisting 12.42-mile (20 km) course that climbs over 4,700 feet (1,438 meters) to the summit of Pikes Peak. They will face 156 turns, rapidly changing weather and high-altitude conditions that can affect both drivers and vehicles.

The IONIQ 5 N TA Spec models — wrapped in a special ‘N’ design livery — will be driven by Robin Shute, a four-time overall winner at Pikes Peak and current ‘King of the Mountain’ title holder, and Dani Sordo, a Spanish World Rally Championship driver for Hyundai Motorsport. The IONIQ 5 N production models — wrapped in a special N performance colour livery — will be driven by Paul Dallenbach, 11-time PPIHC winner and three-time ‘King of the Mountain,’ and Ron Zaras, a PPIHC rookie and automotive media personality.

Hyundai Motor first competed in the PPIHC in 1992. Rod Millen won the 2-Wheel Drive Showroom Stock division with a time of 13:21.17, driving a Hyundai Scoupe equipped with the company’s then-new turbocharged dual overhead camshaft Alpha engine. Another highlight of Hyundai’s history at Pikes Peak came in 2012 when the brand set a course record of 9:46.164 with a Hyundai Genesis Coupe driven by Rhys Millen.

Hyundai N plans to collaborate with Gran Turismo
Hyundai N also announced today that it plans to collaborate with Gran Turismo (GT), the popular sim-racing video game franchise made for PlayStation consoles.

Hyundai N has a long history with Gran Turismo with the Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo released back in 2015. And this time, Hyundai N and Gran Turismo will collaborate again for various sim-racing activities including Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) participation. More details will come later in this year.

In the meantime, visitors to Hyundai’s N24 booth can also experience 10 Gran Turismo simulators. Hyundai will also be holding an on-site competition event for visiting customers during the N24 period.

The BMW 220i M Sport Shadow Edition Debuts In India

Joydip SurLeave a comment

The BMW 220i M Sport Shadow Edition has been launched in India at an ex-showroom price of INR 46,90,000. Locally produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai, the limited edition is exclusively available at the BMW Online shop effectively immediately.

Enhanced exterior of the BMW 220i M Sport Shadow Edition provides a distinctive visual appeal with the blacked-out kidney grille. The standout characteristic is its stretched silhouette, four frameless doors and prominent shoulders with side taper at the C-pillar which gives it a sporty, low and broad-set stance. The newly introduced adaptive LED headlights ensure consistent illumination of the road ahead, even when cornering. The adaptive LED headlights are also available with M Lights Shadow Line specification with darkened inlays. The all-black rear spoiler adds to the sporty visual appeal of the car. The BMW floating hub cap features the BMW logo, which remains leveled at all times.

Despite its sporty appearance, the interior is designed to accentuate cabin spaciousness and the driver-focused cockpit with exquisite materials. The sport seats with electrical memory function and generous cabin space offer rear passengers an ample knee room for greater long-distance comfort. The exclusive interior trim ‘Illuminated Berlin’ adds to the overall aesthetic feel. The carbon gear selector elevates the feeling of sportiness inside the cabin. The large 430 litres luggage compartment can be expanded by folding down the 40/20/40 split rear seat backrest. The rear seat can be folded down completely to create more space. Ambient lighting with six dimmable designs creates an atmosphere for every mood.

The car has front-wheel-drive architecture in which the engine is positioned transversely, thereby saving space without compromising on the driving dynamics. To reduce understeering, an ARB technology (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation system) works in combination with DSC (Driving Stability Control). The BMW performance control system increases the stability of the car by targeted braking of the wheels.

BMW TwinPower turbo petrol engine melds maximum power with exemplary efficiency and offers spontaneous responsiveness even at low engine speeds. The two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine produces best-in-class power output of 190 hp and a maximum torque of 280 Nm at 1350-4600 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 kmph in just 7.1 seconds.

The eight speed steptronic sport automatic transmission performs smooth, almost imperceptible gearshifts. At any time, in any gear, the transmission collaborates perfectly with the engine, enabling it to develop its full power and efficiency. For even greater driving pleasure, it comes with steering wheel paddle shifters and cruise control with braking function. Using the driving experience control switch, the driver is able to choose between different driving modes to suit the driving conditions – ECO PRO, Comfort and Sport.

A host of BMW ConnectedDrive technologies continue to break the innovation barrier in automotive industry. Modern cockpit concept BMW Live cockpit professional includes 3D navigation, a 12.3 inch digital instrument display behind the steering wheel and a 10.25 inch control display. The occupants can operate a number of car functions simply by speaking to their BMW virtual assistant. Hands do the talking with BMW gesture control that recognises 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. It keeps a record of the last 50 metres driven and assists by taking over the steering. Wireless Apple CarPlay ensures seamless smartphone connection with the car to access several functions.

BMW EfficientDynamics includes features such as 8-speed steptronic sport automatic transmission, auto start-stop, brake-energy regeneration, electronic power steering, 50:50 weight distribution and ECO PRO mode in driving experience control.

BMW safety technologies include six airbags, attentiveness assistance, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with brake zssist, 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 immobiliser and crash sensors, ISOFIX child seat mounting and integrated emergency spare wheel under the load floor.

Nissan Magnite GEZA CVT Special Edition Launched

Joydip SurLeave a comment

Building upon the resounding success of the 2023 Magnite GEZA Special Edition, Nissan Motor India has introduced the Nissan Magnite GEZA CVT Special Edition, at a starting price of INR 9.84 lakh. Driven by the overwhelming response from the 2023 GEZA Special Edition and coupled with extensive customer feedback, the Nissan Magnite GEZA CVT Special Edition has been launched on the 1st year anniversary of the GEZA Special Edition.

Inspired by Japanese theatre and its expressive musical themes, the Magnite GEZA CVT Special Edition is designed to offer a special package for music enthusiasts by offering bigger infotainment features and a premium speaker system that delivers an enhanced sensory experience.

For the first time since its launch last year, the Magnite GEZA CVT Special Edition will offer a range of infotainment offerings, making it even more appealing to consumers. This is Nissan’s most accessible and premium CVT Turbo in the B-SUV segment, offering the best value for money.

It is equipped with a host of innovative features which include:

· High-resolution 22.86cm touchscreen

· Android CarPlay with wireless connectivity

· Premium JBL speaker system

· Rear camera with trajectory line

· Ambient lighting with Nissan app-based controls

· Premium beige coloured seat upholstery as optional

· Unique GEZA Edition badge

This is the most advanced infotainment offering among all Nissan Magnite CVT variants.

Mr. Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (NMIPL), said, “We are delighted to introduce the newest variant of the Magnite following the tremendous success of the GEZA Special Edition last year. We have identified a significant opportunity based on customer feedback in the market to offer premium features at an accessible price point.”

“The Magnite GEZA CVT Special Edition is the only CVT Turbo available at such a competitive price with features that no other product offers in the market. It underlines our commitment to delivering best-in class technology, premium features and advanced infotainment offerings at an accessible price.”

The Magnite GEZA CVT Special Edition comes with a rear-view camera with trajectory guidelines and screen response, which ensures greater safety and convenience, better drive visibility, and a clearer view of obstacles. Available at an accessible price range of under INR 10 lakh, it is available exclusively in the HR10 Turbo CVT lineup, catering to customers who seek advanced infotainment offerings.

The success of the previous 2023 Magnite GEZA Special Edition is a testament to Nissan’s dedication to meeting customer demands and driving innovation. The Magnite GEZA CVT Special Edition enriches this legacy with its advanced technology, affordability, and unmatched value for Indian customers.

AC Cobra GT Roadster Hits The Road

Joydip SurLeave a comment

AC Cars, Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer, has started the first dynamic demonstrations and experience drives with the stunning new AC Cobra GT Roadster, showing the sensational sports car to clients as well as VIP guests.

A key step in the production of the new AC Cobra GT Roadster, running from the company’s HQ and R&D centre at the historic Donington Park in the UK, the experience events provide a unique opportunity to see, hear and feel the sensational sports car.

Providing all the drama of a 663 bhp supercharged engine, and cloaked in a flowing carbon-fibre body, the iconic AC Cobra profile has been running on the public roads surrounding Donington Park as the famous marque continues its development work and shows GT Roadster clients just what they can expect.

With members of the engineering and production team on hand to share details of the car’s design, the appointments are all part of AC Cars’ commitment to keep its clients up to speed as the project progresses. Overwhelmingly well received, the AC Cobra GT Roadster remains on track to deliver on its promise of unmistakable styling and thoroughbred performance.

With a unique aluminium spaceframe chassis, a full carbon-fibre body and sonorous 5.0-litre V8 engine, the new AC Cobra GT Roadster is the true successor to the legendary car born in the 1960s. It represents a level of performance and exclusivity unheard of in any previous iteration of the AC Cobra.

Retaining the unique visual identity of the iconic roadster, the car is a combination of enduring aesthetics with cutting-edge design and construction techniques that catch up on 50 years of design evolution.

Significantly larger than the original AC Cobra, the new GT Roadster’s thoroughly modern ergonomics mean the car’s cabin accommodates drivers well over six-feet tall, and includes a modern drivetrain and control technologies to validate its grand tourer credentials.

Available in both left and right-hand drive, and with an automatic or manual gearbox, it delivers a remarkable driving experience in a highly limited-production vehicle.

The recently announced brand centre at Donington Park joins the marque’s 100,000sq ft facility on the UK’s south coast, which will bring all the crafts and disciplines required under one roof, allowing the site to operate as AC Cars’ assembly centre.

Volkswagen Celebrates 50 Years Of Golf At The Nürburgring 24-Hour Race

Joydip SurLeave a comment
Golf GTI Clubsport 24h, Golf GTI Clubsport and Golf GTI 1st Generation

The countdown for Germany’s largest motorsport event has started: the legendary ADAC 24-hour race will start at the Nürburgring on June 1, with more than 200,000 spectators expected. This time, the event will also be a stage for the most successful European car of all time: the Golf. Volkswagen is celebrating the icon’s 50th birthday at the Nürburgring. And this celebration will be quite impressive: Volkswagen is presenting the new Golf GTI Clubsport1 with powerful drive and high-end sports suspension to visitors as a world premiere. The second highlight is the participation of the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h in the 24-hour race. The one-off GTI with an output of 256 kW / 348 PS2 will be driven by motorsport stars such as Benny Leuchter (Germany) and Johan Kristoffersson (Sweden). The starting number of the GTI race car powered by alternative fuel: the number 50, of course – a birthday gift from the organiser for half a century of the Golf success story. In addition, as a tribute to the more than 37 million Golf vehicles built to date, three classic Golf GTIs will take part in the ADAC 24h Classic race.

World premiere of the new Golf GTI Clubsport.

This represents the start of a true GTI weekend: on Friday, May 31, Volkswagen will unveil the Golf GTI Clubsport, the most powerful Golf with front-wheel drive, in front of thousands of visitors and present it on the ‘Ring Boulevard’. The enhanced Golf GTI Clubsport is characterised by a completely redesigned front, which has become even more powerful and more distinct. The standard LED Plus headlights have been revamped. In addition, the Volkswagen logo at the front is illuminated for the first time. A large roof spoiler at the rear ensures maximum downforce. The LED tail light clusters have also had a makeover. The 19-inch Queenstown3 alloy wheels are also new. With their striking design of five oval semi-circles, they evoke the classic Detroit wheel, which was introduced for the fifth-generation Golf GTI. As a further option, the Golf GTI Clubsport can be configured with the new 19-inch Warmenau3 forged wheel. With a weight of only eight kilograms per wheel rim, the forged wheels reduce the unsprung masses and thus optimise performance. The functions of the Golf GTI Clubsport are coordinated via a newly developed multifunction leather sports steering wheel and a new Infotainment system. This is extremely intuitive and ensures that the driver can concentrate even better on the road ahead. In addition, the new GTI top model has the new voice assistant IDA with Chat GPT integration.

The “Special” driving profile is adapted to the Nordschleife.

The performance and torque of the GTI turbocharged engine are transferred to the track via an electronically controlled front differential lock. The DCC adaptive chassis control is available as optional equipment. Another highlight of the Golf GTI Clubsport is the exclusive Special driving profile. This matches systems relevant for driving dynamics to the special track characteristics of the Nürburgring Nordschleife – in order to compensate for the undulations typical of the Nordschleife, maximum performance is achieved by means of a specific vertical setup of the DCC adaptive chassis control and a modified lateral dynamics setup of the standard Vehicle Dynamics Manager.

Motorsport becomes a test laboratory for the use of alternative fuels.

The Golf GTI Clubsport 24h used by Max Kruse Racing in the 24-hour race impressively demonstrates the potential of the new Golf GTI Clubsport because the production GTI served as the development basis for the race car. The latter was built by Volkswagen Motorsport, and the car was initially transferred to Volkswagen Classic in 2021 after the end of its motorsport activities. The prototype has now been reactivated and further perfected by racing driver Benny Leuchter and his team Max Kruse Racing specifically for use on the race track also known as ‘The Green Hell’. The race car will start in the AT3 class (SP3T / class for vehicles with “alternative fuels”), as the 348 PS 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is powered by a new bioethanol fuel from technology partner Shell: the high-tech fuel E20. The extremely knock-resistant fuel enables significantly more efficient operation of the near-production GTI engine thanks to software adaptation and ensures a significantly greater reduction in CO2 emissions than the familiar bioethanol fuels E5 and E10. The E20 fuel developed at the Shell Technology Centre in Hamburg reduces CO2 emissions in the well-to-wheel balance by 35 to 40 per cent, as it contains a further 40 per cent share of renewable components from residual and waste materials in addition to the 20 per cent bioethanol content.

Powerful race car, strong team.

The 270 km/h Golf GTI Clubsport 24h delivers first-class performance for a compact athlete. This is due firstly to its technical basis: the 1,170 kg Volkswagen has a weight-to-power ratio of 3.36 kg/PS. The turbocharged engine sends a maximum of 450 Nm of torque to the front axle. The efficient E20 fuel, of which the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h has up to 100 litres in the tank, also ensures excellent power output. The second success factor for the race is the driver team put together by Max Kruse Racing. Benny Leuchter won a class victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 2017 driving a Golf GTI TCR. In 2019, he was also the first German to win a WTCR qualifying race – in the Golf GTI TCR at the Nürburgring. One of the best racing drivers in the world is Johan Kristoffersson, who has written motorsport history with Volkswagen as the current and six-time FIA World Rallycross Champion. The Swede was Benny Leuchter’s teammate in the WTCR and also won a Nürburgring race there with the Golf GTI TCR. This well-established team is supported by the two German Nürburgring professionals Nico Otto and Heiko Hammel. From the outside, the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h, equipped with a racing camera, attracts attention with its sophisticated aerodynamics and a special camouflage design that was previously only used on the Golf GTI Clubsport’s camouflaged production vehicles.

Three GTIs in the ADAC 24h Classic race.

Before the main race, three first-generation classic Golf GTIs will create a fantastic atmosphere among visitors to the Eifel track at the ADAC 24h Classic. All three cars will start in the KWL Motorsport team, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2024. 45 years of KWL, 50 years of Golf – a perfect double anniversary on the Nordschleife. The team from Burscheid will enter a legendary Golf GTI 16S Oettinger (Group 4) from 1981 that has an output of 208 PS. Just as legendary: a 1978 Golf GTI Kamei (Group 2) with 183 PS. The third classic model is wrapped in the GTI camouflage design (with the ‘50 years of Golf’ logo): a 1980 Golf GTI from Group 2 with an output of 184 PS.

Spinny Witnesses A 20% Surge In First-Time SUV Buyers In Q1’24

Joydip SurLeave a comment

With the growing fondness for SUVs among consumers in the automotive industry, Spinny, has experienced significant growth in the initial four months of CY24. The company’s latest data analysis reveals a substantial 20% increase in first-time buyers within the SUV segment, marking a significant rise from 10% in 2023. This indicates a growing interest and trust in the company, with 73% first-time car buyers for all segments.

Amidst a diverse array of choices, Spinny customers have exhibited the strong preference for renowned brands such as Maruti, Hyundai, and Tata. Compact SUVs keep growing with Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Creta, and Tata Nexon have emerged as top picks with colours such as white, grey, and red capturing the attention of discerning clientele.

In addition to the SUV trend, Spinny’s data reveals a significant shift in consumer preferences towards hatchbacks, with models like the Renault Kwid, Hyundai Grand i10, and Tata Tiago leading the charts. The pre-owned luxury car segment also saw growth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Brands like BMW X1, Jeep Compass, and Mercedes C-Class have gained popularity, enjoying the growing appetite for luxury vehicles in these regions.

Commenting on the rise, Niraj Singh, Founder & CEO of Spinny, stated, “Our commitment to delivering a simple and delightful car-buying and selling experience remains unwavering. The surge reflects a significant shift in consumer preferences towards versatile and spacious vehicles. We are meeting our customers’ evolving needs by providing a wide array of high-quality cars. Our dedication to transparency, convenience, and unparalleled customer service ensures a seamless and satisfying car-buying experience and selling experience for every individual.”

In Q1 CY24, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Hyderabad emerged as the top cities driving demand for used cars. Spinny customers exhibited a clear preference for manual transmissions, constituting 70% of purchases, while automatic cars made up the remaining 30%. Notably, demand for automatic transmission vehicles has surged by 10% compared to last year, highlighting a significant shift towards a more convenient driving experience. March’24 saw the highest sales volume to date.

The company also witnessed a consistent traction in women car buyers, with 36% of women car buyers opting for Spinny cars, which surged to 46% in March alone. Additionally, 60% of the company’s sales happened digitally, highlighting the growing preference for personal mobility and the convenience of online transactions.

Over 54% of Spinny’s customers have opted for car financing through Spinny loans, facilitated by easy financing options and a broader trend of digitalization. This is a significant jump from last year of 46% of consumers opting for loans.

Spinny has received a customer base exceeding two lakhs; 25% of Spinny buyers have chosen the convenience of home delivery. Additionally, 50% of all car sales are from the dedicated Spinny Parks located in Bengaluru, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Pune.

BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport Shadow Edition Launched In India

Joydip SurLeave a comment

The BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport Shadow Edition has been launched in India at an ex-showroom price of INR 74,90,000. This special edition of the successful SAV, BMW X3, is available in the diesel variant at all BMW India dealerships and BMW Online shop from today onwards.

The design of the BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport Shadow Edition features a sportier orientation. Blacked Out Kidney Grille gives a striking impression of the car, when looked from the front. BMW Laser Light with its iconic blue accents makes a distinctive visual proclamation and distribute light perfectly up to 650 metres. Towards the rear, the Tailpipes in High-gloss black radiate a special presence and sporting flair. The window graphics, roof rails and BMW kidney frame and bars are also available in high-gloss black. The 19-inch Y-spoke style 887 M alloy wheels adds to the overall style of this sporty SAV.

The interior boasts an exceptional level of comfort and functionality in an extremely modern ambience. Exclusive functions such as Multi-function Sport Steering Wheel, electrical seat adjustment with memory function, add to the comfort. Driver and front passenger enjoy the superior sporty flair of a premium SAV. The M Sport package brings exclusivity to the interiors with Sports Seats, M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, M interior trim adding to the performance-oriented ambience. The standard Leather Vernasca upholstery elevates the premiumness inside the cabin. Panoramic glass roof and Welcome Light Carpet are few among the long list of features that create the perfect ambience. The electroplated trim elements on the air vents add a touch of elegance while emphasising the horizontal lines in the interior. Ambient Lighting with six dimmable designs creates an atmosphere for every mood. Features such as electroplated controls and 3-zone automatic climate control with extended options add to the overall luxurious feel. Roller Sunblinds in the rear offer much needed comfort from harsh weather. The boot has a capacity of 550 litres and can be expanded further to 1600 litres by folding down the 40/20/40 split rear seat backrest.

Customers can now spec their BMW X3 M Sport Shadow Edition with even more aggressive styling elements with specially curated accessory packages. For an all-black theme, customers can opt for the Black Edition Package comprising of M Performance Rear Spoiler, M Side Strip in Frozen Black & M side logo in high-gloss black. For an even more performance oriented look, customers can opt for the Carbon Edition Package with additional elements such as gear lever in carbon fibre and entry sill in carbon fibre.

Thanks to the unrivalled BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, the 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 140 kW / 190 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm at 1,750 – 2,500 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 km / hr in just 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 213 km/h.

A host of best in class technology continues to break the innovation barrier in automotive industry – BMW Gesture Control and Wireless Apple CarPlay砯 Android Auto. BMW Live Cockpit Professional running on BMW Operating System 7.0 includes 3D Navigation, with a high-resolution 12.3 screen instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a control display. Hands do the talking with BMW Gesture Control that recognizes six pre-defined hand movements for control of a number of functions. BMW Head-Up display projects information discretely in the drivers field of vision. The smartphone holder integrated into the centre console allows inductive, Wireless Charging for mobile phones. The car features a 464W Harman Kardon Surround Sound system 16 speaker with individually adjustable equalizing.

The eight-speed automatic Steptronic sport transmission performs smooth, almost imperceptible gear shifts. At any time, in any gear, the transmission collaborates perfectly with the engine, enabling it to develop its full power and efficiency. Adaptive Suspension with its individual electronically controlled dampers adapts to both road conditions & individual driving style thereby offering exceptional precision and improves the drive and handling dynamics. For even greater driving pleasure, it is available with steering wheel paddle shifters, cruise control with braking function and Automatic differential brakes (ADB) with electronic differential locks as standard. The BMW Performance Control system increases the stability of the car by targeted braking of the wheels.

BMW xDrive, an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, monitors the driving situation constantly and is quick to respond. Electronically controlled Automatic Differential Brakes/Locks (ADB-X), extended Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control help to conquer every terrain.

The spread of driver assistance systems is more extensive than ever. BMW Driving Assistant provides Blind Spot Detection and helps warn the driver for lane changes, front collisions, and rear collisions. Parking Assistant Plus with 360 camera makes parking in tight spots easier by taking over acceleration, braking as well as steering.

BMW EfficientDynamics include features such as 8-speed Steptronic Automatic Transmission, Auto Start-Stop, Brake-Energy Regeneration, Active Air Stream Kidney Grille, Electronic Power Steering, 50:50 Weight Distribution, Driving Experience Control switch with different driving modes such as COMFORT/ECO PRO/SPORT and many other innovative technologies.

BMW Safety technologies includes six airbags, Antilock Braking System (ABS) with brake assist, Attentiveness Assistance, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensor, Dynamic braking lights, ISOFIX child seat mounting and integrated emergency spare wheel under the load floor.

Bentley Batur Convertible Unveiled

Joydip SurLeave a comment

Bentley Motors today reveals the third coachbuilt Bentley of the modern era – the Batur Convertible. Created by Mulliner, Bentley’s in house bespoke division and the longest standing coachbuilder in the world, the Batur Convertible follows the exquisitely hand-crafted Bacalar barchetta and Batur coupe. With the Batur Convertible, Mulliner continues its long tradition of crafting truly individual cars, tailored to the wishes of each of its extraordinary clients.

The Batur Convertible furthers the innovative design DNA introduced by its coupe sibling that will ultimately guide the design of Bentley’s future cars. The Batur Convertible retains the most powerful version of Bentley’s iconic W12, with a 750 PS, hand-assembled 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine that has metaphorically and literally powered Bentley’s success for the last two decades. With the engine to finish production this summer, the Batur Convertible will be one of the last ever Bentleys to use this incredible powertrain.

Bespoke two-seat grand touring
Bentley has a rich history of open-cockpit cars, from the very first Bentley of 1919, through the company’s foundation years in the 1920s, to the most recent – the Bacalar. The architecture of the Batur Convertible has allowed Mulliner’s designers to seize the opportunity to create a theme that not only blends the design of the Bacalar and Batur but includes the usability of a convertible. The designers also chose to highlight the two-seater character with a ‘wraparound’ cockpit inspired by the design of the Bacalar.

The dramatic ‘airbridge’ behind the seats and tapered cowls at the rear hark back to the barchetta sports cars of old, whilst underlining the promise of a dynamic, driver-focused adventure in a cosseting, cocooned environment. The airbridge and tapered cowls are not only aesthetic, but also provide a semi-enclosed luggage compartment behind the two front seats.

The convertible roof delivers an aesthetic of beauty as a modern, tactile alternative to a hardtop roof. A combination of insulation material, sealing system refinements and acoustic treatments create a cossetting environment in a system which can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, with the car travelling at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h), transforming the car from a luxurious coupe into an open-top Grand Tourer at the touch of a button.

Personal and uniquely commisioned
Mulliner’s in-house design team will help co-create every Batur Convertible with its customer, working together through a specially created Mulliner visualiser that allows any part of the car to be customised in colour and surface finish. Endless samples of unique materials bring texture to the process, and the resulting designs will be truly individual and created by the customer – limited only by their imagination.

Customers will be able to specify the colour and finish of practically every surface of the Batur Convertible, to create a car as individual as they are. Beyond the exterior form of the car lies an almost endless array of choices for each car’s future owner to make.

Paint choice is infinite – starting with the full Mulliner colour palette and travelling beyond into fully bespoke paint and even hand-painted graphics. The exterior brightware can be any mix of light and dark, satin or gloss or even titanium. Another subtle option available is a graduated contrast colour to the front grille, for a vibrant ombre effect.

The Batur Convertible offers further areas to personalise with the unique Airbridge, tonneau cover and roof materials being able to be specified to complement the rest of the cabin and exterior.

In the cabin, the highly exclusive option of 3D printed rose gold includes key driver touch points, such as the Bentley Drive Mode Selector, encircling the start/stop button and used to change chassis modes. The centrepiece of an exquisite cabin, the dial complements the design of the front grille. Rose gold can also applied to Bentley’s iconic Organ Stop vent controls in the dashboard, as well as a rose gold insert marker on the steering wheel itself.

Bentley Mulliner has collaborated with expert goldsmiths based in the historic Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, England, where jewellery has been made for centuries, to craft the unique parts. This special collaboration highlights Bentley’s ability to combine new, advanced manufacturing technologies with more traditional materials and finishing techniques.

Exclusive and powerful
Each Batur Convertible will be handcrafted over the course of several months in Mulliner’s workshop at Bentley’s carbon neutral factory in Crewe, England. Production will be limited to just 16 pieces, each among the last ever Bentleys to be powered by the company’s iconic W12 engine, in its most potent iteration.

For the W12 powertrain that the Batur Convertible shares with its coupe counterpart, a revised intake system, upgraded turbochargers, new intercoolers and extensive recalibration enables 750 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, to deliver exceptional performance for this pinnacle grand tourer. This development of the engine is in celebration of its achievements over 20 years, over which time it has been developed to produce nearly 40% more power while fuel economy has improved by 25%. The W12 is paired with Bentley’s eight-speed double-clutch transmission, and a sports exhaust to provide a soundtrack in keeping with the level of performance. The entire exhaust system is in titanium, while the finishers are 3D-printed in titanium.

Batur Convertible Car #0
The engineering development car – Batur Convertible Car #0 – has had the same level of attention to detail as a customer’s own specification. The exterior paintwork is a bespoke colour – Vermillion Gloss over Vermillion Satin Duo tone – that provides a vibrant colour across the contemporary surfaces. The bodywork is underscored by front splitters, side skirts and rear diffuser in high gloss carbon fibre.

The front of the car features a grille of exceptional art – with the main matrix finished in Gloss Dark Titanium, accented with contrast chevrons in a horizontal ombré pattern that flows from Beluga in the centre and lighten to the vibrant sides in Vermillion Gloss. The “endless bonnet” line is finished in Gloss Dark Titanium paint, as are the 22” wheels – with the spokes in Gloss and Satin Black Titanium with Vermillion Gloss accents.