Flipkart Ties Up With Government to Empower Artisans, SHGs

Flipkart on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry's Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) to empower...

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Xiaomi Reportedly Delays the Release of Mi Mix Alpha Concept Phone

Xiaomi has reportedly pushed back the release of its Mi Mix Alpha concept phone and currently has no concrete plans regarding its market arrival.

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Car Sales December 2019: Maruti Suzuki Ends Year With A Positive Growth

The improvement in sales is attributed to the pre-buying that was expected to happen ahead of the annual price revision. Maruti also doesn't need to de-stock its inventory ahead of the April 2020...

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Hyundai Venue Bookings Cross The 1 Lakh Mark

Pushed by the strong response in the Indian market, Hyundai has now started exporting the SUV to overseas market and recently shipped 1400 units of the India-made Venue to South Africa.

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Realme will show ads on its phones but you can disable them

One of the most contested aspects of the MIUI software experience on Xiaomi and Redmi phones in places such as India has been the extensive use of ads all over. But it looks like the appeal of introducing ads into your software UI is just too high, because now Realme is doing it too. Realme as a brand is an Oppo offshoot that is pretty clearly aiming to compete primarily with Xiaomi (and mostly, its Redmi sub-brand), and it's been doing a great job so far. Now though, it will introduce ads in its UI in India, which it's sneakily calling "commercial content recommendation". All Realme...

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Scientists Working on Brain-Like Memory Device

An international joint research team led by National Institute for Materials Science in Japan is currently developing a brain-like memory device using the neuromorphic network material.

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Samsung Galaxy M21 Storage Variants, Colour Options Leaked Ahead of Launch

Samsung Galaxy M21 is reported to come with model number SM-M215F. The upcoming phone will reportedly come with 64GB and 128GB storage options – a considerable increase from the 32GB and 64GB...

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite Leaked Live Images Show a Familiar Design

Alleged live images of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite have reportedly been leaked, revealing a familiar design with triple rear cameras and a hole-punch.

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U.S. Auto Safety Agency To Investigate Fatal Tesla Crash In California

Autopilot had been engaged in at least three Tesla vehicles that were involved in fatal U.S. crashes since 2016.

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MG Motor India Sells 3021 Units In December 2019

Since the launch of the SUV in the country in July last year, MG has managed to sell a total of 15,930 units till the end of last year.

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Nokia 4.2 gets a huge price cut in India

The Nokia 4.2 was released earlier this year in India for INR 10,990 (approximately $154 or €137). Subsequently it got a price cut down to INR 9,499 ($133 or €118), which made the already affordable phone even more so. Now though it's received a new price cut, and this one is huge. The Nokia 4.2 went from INR 9,499 to INR 6,975 ($97 or €87) over at Amazon, and we expect the price change to be reflected on both Flipkart and Nokia's online store in the subcontinent too. So now the Nokia 4.2 is around 36% cheaper than its introductory price, which makes it a much more appealing purchase,...

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ISRO to Launch Chandrayaan-3 in 2020: Minister

India will launch Chandrayaan-3 in 2020, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday, asserting that the mission cost will be less than Chandrayaan-2.

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Google to End 'Double Irish, Dutch Sandwich' Tax Scheme

Google parent Alphabet will no longer use an intellectual property licensing scheme, known as the "Double Irish, Dutch sandwich", which allowed it to delay paying US taxes, 2018 tax filings show.

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US Auto Safety Agency to Investigate Fatal Tesla Crash in California

The fatal December 29 crash of a Tesla vehicle in Southern California will be investigated by the US government's auto safety regulator, the agency said on Tuesday.

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From iPhone 9 to Mi TV 4X, Our Gadgets Wishlist for 2020

iPhone 9, Mi TV 4X, MacBook Air 2020, Apple Watch Series 5, Kindle Paperwhite, AirPods Pro, PS5, Xbox Series X, Samsung Galaxy Buds, Pixel 4a, and... Nike Air Jordan 1? These are the gadgets (and...

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Latest official poster shows off the front of the Realme X50 5G

Last week, Realme shared a couple of posters of the X50 5G, which revealed the design of the smartphone and confirmed quad rear cameras and a side-mounted fingerprint reader. Today, the company shared a new image, which shows us the front of the X50 5G. A previously shared poster by Realme did reveal that X50 5G will feature a display with a pill-shaped hole in the upper-left corner for the dual selfie camera. But the image shared by Realme today offers a clearer look and shows off the slim bezels surrounding the phone's display on three sides - left, right, and top. The X50 5G will...

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From Sex Education to Jamtara, TV Shows to Watch in January 2020

Sex Education season 2, Jamtara Netflix, Doctor Who season 12, Dracula Netflix, BoJack Horseman season 6 part 2, Star Trek: Picard, The Forgotten Army, Little America, Avenue 5, Curb Your Enthusiasm...

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JLR acquires off-road performance tuning firm Bowler

Rising to fame in the 1980s and 1990s for specialising in Land Rover-based off-road performance cars and competition cars for rally-raid events, Bowler has been acquired by the British carmaker in a bid to sidestep other tuners. Bought for an undisclosed sum, Bowler has expertise in all-terrain vehicle dynamics, low-volume production techniques, and proving component durability in extreme conditions, with JLR branding it “highly sought-after.”

JLR says Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) is a “fast-growing business that amplifies the key attributes of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles to create distinctive world-class products.” The automaker considers Bowler a “natural fit” as one of its business units; in 2012, Bowler formed a brand partnership with JLR which led to the creation of the Defender Challenger.

If Bowler’s relationship with Land Rover is anything to go by, it seems likely that the tuner’s name will be sported by the automaker’s more extreme, off-road variants. This move comes as no surprise, given Land Rover’s long-standing objection to tuners taking business away. A number of big names in the tuning and styling scene exist predominantly for Land Rover models, including Overfinch and Kahn.

Jaguar Land Rover has a two-part plan for Bowler. SVO boss Michael van der Sande told our sister publication Autocar UK that its intentions for Bowler start with “giving it the organisation and investment it needs” but didn’t divulge any more details beyond the fact that it will become bigger.

Van der Sande seemed enthusiastic about the incorporation of Bowler into Jaguar Land Rover, and in the official statement announcing the acquisition, mentioned how the Bowler name has stood for innovation and success for almost 35 years. He concluded by saying, “Our immediate focus is on ensuring continuity of support for Bowler employees and customers during this transition to Jaguar Land Rover.”

JLR has not made any announcements regarding its plans to bring the Bowler offerings to our market. However, Land Rover has confirmed that the new Defender 110 will be making its way to our shores.

Also see:

New cars for 2020: SUVs to wait for

Jaguar XE facelift launched at Rs 44.98 lakh

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Happy New Year 2020!

Another year is upon us and another cultural decade begins. We can only hope the next 12 months will be as eventful an filled with entertainment as the past 12 have been. Thank you for staying with us for another round of exciting stories from the world of mobile technology. We've been quite the busy bees in 2019 - we are on the brink of reaching 1 million subscribers on our YouTube channel, after publishing more than 140 videos in 2019 - that's almost 24 hours of non-stop phone reviews and opinions. We also posted nearly 6,000 articles, trying to stay on point with every leak,...

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Jawa Perak bookings commence on January 1 at 6pm

Bookings for the new Jawa Perak will commence on January 1, 2020, from 6pm onwards. Prospective customers can book the Perak bobber online, at the Jawa India website as well as at its dealerships. While bookings begin this evening, deliveries will only start from April 2, 2020 onwards.

The Jawa Perak was launched in November 2019, at Rs 1.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), making this the most affordable factory-made bobber in the country. Bobber motorcycles are lifestyle products and aren't supposed to cater to the practical motorcycle buyer; which explains the low-slung design and the lack of a pillion seat.

The Perak looks markedly different than its siblings, the Jawa and the Forty Two. The bike also gives up all the chrome for a matte-black treatment. The bobber-like styling elements include a floating seat, bar-end mirrors, chopped fenders, and stubby exhaust mufflers. The rear subframe-and-suspension setup is also different, compared to the smaller Jawa bikes. The Perak also gets ABS-equipped disc brakes at either end.

Additionally, the Perak is Jawa India's first, BS6-complaint motorcycle, powered by a 334cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine which develops 30hp and 31Nm of torque. These figures are higher than the 27hp/28Nm produced by the Jawa and Forty Two's motor.

Watch this space as we bring you the first ride experience soon.

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Mercedes-Benz evaluating Maybach GLS for India launch

Mercedes-Benz is planning an onslaught of SUVs next year, with the new-gen GLE and GLS, and the all-new GLB expected to launch in India. Aside from the normal GLS, Mercedes-Benz India is also actively considering a Maybach GLS launch in our country, which was unveiled last month at the 2019 Guangzhou motor show in China.

We first reported Mercedes’ interest in bringing the GLS Maybach to India in our December 2019 issue. Although there is no firm decision as yet, our sources say that Mercedes India is quite confident of its success. This is because the only Maybach model on sale in India, the S-class, has seen a decent response from buyers since its launch.

Published in the December 2019 issue of Autocar India.

The four-seater model is expected to be brought in as a completely built-up unit (CBU) under the new rule which allows carmakers to import 2,500 units a year without having to homologate them. This enables Mercedes to save on time when it decides to launch the SUV here.

The Maybach comes in a solitary GLS 600 4Matic variant powered by a 4.0-litre, turbocharged V8 petrol engine with a 48V integrated starter motor to provide an overall output of 558hp at 6,000rpm and 730Nm of torque from 2,500-5,000rpm. Power is channelled through a 9-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox and 4Matic all-wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz claims a 0-100kph time for the 2,710kg Maybach GLS of 4.9sec, while top speed is limited to 250kph.

If and when the Maybach GLS makes it to the Indian market, it will compete with our uber-luxurious SUVs like the Bentley Bentayga and the Range Rover. 

Also see:

Buying used: (2016-2019) Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLC facelift launched at Rs 52.75 lakh

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB review, test drive

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2019 Winners and Losers: Google

This year the mobile phone market saw the rise of many new trends - from high refresh rate screens through 108MP image sensors to periscope cameras. The first foldable phones went on sale, charging speeds went through the roof, displays got curvier and grew punch holes. Some brands used these trends to their advantage and grow in the market, others missed the mark. In this series we look at what each company got right in 2019 and where their efforts came short. Winner: Pixel 3a and 3a XL Undoubtedly, Google's best products this year were the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL. Sure, you...

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Review: Volkswagen Vento facelift review, test drive

What is it?

With the amount of new technology flooding the market, car manufacturers have to make sure their portfolio is up to date. Volkswagen has followed the trend to a certain extent, and ever since the launch of the Vento back in 2010, they have been updating the car with minor cosmetic changes, but nothing major in terms of design and construction. The last major update on the Vento was in 2014 when the 1.6-litre diesel was replaced by the 1.5-litre diesel, and DSG automatic was introduced, followed by a facelift in 2015. The most recent update is the one that you see here, so let's get right to it.

 

What's it like on the outside?

The Vento now gets styling cues from the Polo GTI hot hatchback. The grille is now sleek and the three slats have been replaced by honeycomb mesh pattern with a prominent VW logo in the centre. The front bumper gets a split air dam with fog lamps on both sides, and static cornering lights. In profile, there are no major changes except for the addition of a black side skirt. The rear also gets the GTI-inspired bumper with a chrome-tipped exhaust.

What’s it like on the inside?

The clean design of the dashboard hasn’t been altered and you still have the black and beige theme in the cabin. Fit and finish levels are impressive as well, and although there aren’t many soft-touch plastics, they are scratch-resistant. The front seats are wide, comfortable, and provide good side and underthigh support. Getting into the rear seats is pretty easy, and there are good levels of legroom and headroom as well. The backrest here, however, feels a bit upright, and the seats don't offer much underthigh support.  Moreover, the transmission tunnel makes seating a third passenger in the middle difficult.

 

In terms of features, the top-spec Highline Plus variant gets LED headlights with DRLs, 16-inch alloys, four airbags, ABS (Anti-lock braking system), auto-dimming inside mirror, static cornering lights, ESP (Electronic Stability Program), Hill-hold control, static cornering lights, touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. In terms of convenience, you get cruise control, automatic wipers, reverse parking camera with sensors and auto-levelling headlamps. With the facelift, the Vento now gets Volkswagen Connect – a telematics and vehicle assistance system that allows users to connect their car to their smartphone via a data dongle fitted to the on-board diagnostics (OBD) port of the car. Once connected, customers can use features like trip tracking, fuel cost monitor, driving behaviour, location sharing, SOS calls and even book service appointments.

 

What’s it like to drive?

The engine options for the Vento are the same – the BS4-compliant, 105hp, 1.6-litre petrol with a 5-speed manual, a 105hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol dual-clutch auto, and a 110hp, 1.5-litre diesel that gets 5-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic options. The car we have with us is the 1.5-litre diesel automatic and not much has changed in the way it drives. Refinement levels at idle are average compared to that of recent diesel cars like the Hyundai Verna 1.6 and the Maruti Ciaz 1.5. The typical diesel clatter is present at idle and the cabin gets boomy at high revs. Turbo lag is well masked and power delivery is linear. The dual-clutch unit is smooth moving through the gears and it complements the engine’s strong mid-range well. Even when you demand instant power, the gearbox is quick to downshift and gives you the necessary boost for a quick overtake.

 

Volkswagen introduced the 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/55 R16 tyres on the Sport edition in March 2018. The bigger wheels do add a bit of stiffness to the ride quality, but, overall, it remains absorbent. The suspension works silently, with only sharp potholes felt and heard in the cabin. The steering is light at city speeds and weights up adequately on the highways, however, there’s not much feel or feedback in the corners.

Should I buy one?

The VW Vento is priced between Rs 8.77 lakh and Rs 13.18 lakh for the petrol variants, and Rs 9.59 lakh to Rs 14.50 lakh for the diesel variants (all prices ex-showroom, India), and that makes it feel overpriced when compared to the segment leader, the Maruti Ciaz. Also, the fact that the Vento has been around for over nine years without a major makeover is quite evident. And even though the equipment list has been kept up to date, it still falls short in some areas compared to its closest rivals like the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and the Maruti Ciaz.

 

However, the silver lining here is that the Vento is fundamentally a strong product and it gets the basics right. It is powered by a tried-and-tested, punchy diesel engine mated to one of the smoothest-shifting automatics, and it has a robust build quality that feels like it’s built to last a lifetime. This is what draws the customers to it, and although Volkswagen may not have started on a clean sheet of paper for this particular Vento, it still remains relevant in the segment.

Also see:

New entry-level Volkswagen ID EV previewed

Slideshow: 2019 VolksDrive draws crowds from all over Mumbai

BS6 Skoda Rapid petrol to launch in April 2020

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Block Your Lost or Stolen Phone With This New Web Portal

Phones users in Delhi-NCR who lose their mobile phones will now have some respite, with the government launching a portal that will enable blocking and tracing of stolen or lost mobile phones.

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HMSI Contributes Highest To Honda's Global Production

During April 2018 till March 2019, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India contributed over 58 lakh units, or roughly 28.2 per cent of Honda's global two-wheeler production.

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Most influential cars of the decade (2010-19)

It’s the end of a decade, and just before the new one is thrust upon us, let’s quickly reflect on the cars that really stood out in the past 10 years. Many outstanding cars were launched over the course of the decade but it’s the ones that redefined the shape of the car market that made it to our shortlist. They all aren’t necessarily best-sellers, or even the best cars, but they are those that made a lasting impact and will be remembered. In a decade that witnessed an explosion of SUVs, it’s not surprising that they ruled our list. So here are our top seven Cars of the Decade, listed in order of their launch dates.

Renault Duster (2012) – Hitting the sweetest spot

 

The early success of the Mahindra XUV500 proved that SUVs in India had to be large, have three rows of seats and come with big, powerful diesel engines. Renault flipped that notion on its head and found an even sweeter spot in India’s fast-growing SUV market with something smaller – the Duster. This 4.3-metre-long SUV turned out to be optimally sized. It was not too big, not too small and gave birth to a new mid-size SUV segment, which is now the most lucrative slice of the Indian car market. The Duster itself eclipsed heavyweights such as the XUV500 and Scorpio and at its peak was the best-selling SUV in the country after the enduring Bolero.

The Duster also dispelled a long-held belief that SUVs would only sell if they came with seven seats, but the truth is that skipping an extra row actually played to the Duster’s strengths. Compared to the unwieldy and heavy body-on-frame SUVs like the Scorpio and Safari – and even the monocoque-based XUV500 – the smaller and lighter five-seat Duster was more efficient and a dream to drive. It was much easier to handle, had strong performance and an astonishing ability to smoothen out any surface. In fact, even today, there are few other SUVs that can match the Duster’s ride comfort on bad roads.

The Duster’s secret sauce is the ‘M0’ platform, which underpins it. Hardy mechanicals, a wide track (the key to its exceptional dynamics) and Renault’s hugely capable 1.5 K9K diesel are what endears the Duster to its owners. The 4x4 version is even better and possibly the most capable off-roader for the money.

However, the mechanical hardiness hasn’t come with corresponding finesse. Bits like the hydraulic steering (which has an unpleasant kick-back); the clunky, mechanically operated air controls; the flap type door handles and the cheap interior trim fell short of expectations of a new breed of gizmo-crazy SUV buyers. The Duster hasn’t raised the game enough in the segment it created but truth be told, there is still no other SUV quite like it.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga (2012) – Filling a gap

 

Taking on the mighty Innova was never an option for Maruti Suzuki but the huge space below the big Toyota MPV was up for grabs and it’s incredulous that no one thought of diving in there earlier. If the success of the Innova was anything to go by, a low-end MPV costing almost half the price would be a sure-shot winner, or so logic said. And logic is one thing that appeals to Maruti, so it logically slipped into the bottom end of the MPV segment with the very logical Ertiga.

Envisioned as a poor man’s Innova, the Ertiga drew reference from the premium Toyota MPV and cobbled together a car that had seven flexible seats, a practical and well-equipped cabin, decent petrol and diesel options and was easy to drive.

The result was an MPV that did 90 percent of what the Innova could do at 60 percent of the price. Moreover, it was much cheaper to run and, except for some gearbox issues on the 1.3 diesel, was incredibly reliable. This established its popularity with fleet and individual buyers alike.

Maruti Suzuki’s formula worked and customers looking for an affordable people-mover flocked to the Ertiga. Sitting at the other end of the MPV spectrum, it often outsold the mighty Innova and challenged it for the title of India's bestselling MPV. The Ertiga’s success naturally tempted other automakers to join the party but none of them had bargained for the vice-like grip the Ertiga had on the lower-end of the market. The Chevrolet Enjoy, Honda Mobilio and Renault Lodgy all came and went after failing miserably. In contrast, the Ertiga moved up a gear with the second-generation model, hitting record sales and nosing ahead of the Innova. It’s the way the Ertiga finely mixes all the ingredients that go into making an MPV-like space, size, practicality, user-friendliness and low running costs, at a very digestible price. That makes it the MPV India needs.

Ford EcoSport (2013) – The driver’s compact SUV

The forgotten Premier Rio was the first compact SUV in India but it was the Ford EcoSport that blew the compact SUV segment wide open. It took 18 months to bring the EcoSport to our market after it was unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo, but the delay didn’t stop it from riding the SUV wave that was fast engulfing the market. When it was launched at a jaw-droppingly low price of Rs 5.59 lakh, Ford simply couldn’t keep up with the massive demand. More importantly, the EcoSport came as an enticing alternative to formulaic hatchbacks the average buyer was jaded with. That it was a hatchback on stilts was in fact, central to the EcoSport’s appeal. Owners loved the high seating position and ground clearance, which gave them a newfound confidence behind wheel. The best bit was that the raised stance didn’t really hurt the dynamics and in fact, the EcoSport was a showcase of Ford’s renowned ride and handling. With the facelift, the ride was later softened to soothe the backsides of owners who found the suspension set-up a touch too stiff for Indian roads, but the EcoSport is still benchmark for dynamics. The engine line-up was no less impressive. The award-winning 1.0 Ecoboost direct-injection turbo-petrol – with its incredible refinement (hard to believe from a three-pot engine) and plateau-like torque curve – is still the gold standard for compact engines. The 1.5 diesel and the 1.5 Dragon (which replaced the old 1.5 Sigma petrol engine) complemented the terrific chassis too.

Though it’s now up against newer and fresher rivals, which have a lot more to offer, the EcoSport still remains a true driver’s compact SUV, if there ever was one.

Renault Kwid (2015) – A true game-changer

 

A landmark car that was bold enough to take Maruti Suzuki head-on and even succeed against the market leader on its own turf.  Renault was clearly on to something big with the Kwid, which came as a rude wake-up call for Maruti Suzuki and sent its engineers scurrying to the drawing board to develop a rival. And that rival arrived four years later in the form of the S-Presso to join the micro-SUV segment. Others will soon follow, but it was the Kwid that pioneered the category.

The success of the Kwid lies in its radical and even risky approach to the budget-end of the segment. It tore up the rulebook, which subscribed to the belief that conservative first-time buyers needed a conservative car. Instead, the Kwid pounced on the growing craze for SUVs with its distinctive SUV-ish looks and that was half the battle won. The other half was won by offering a mix of practicality (passenger and luggage space was class-leading) and certain features like a touchscreen that was unheard of in an entry-level car. In fact, the Kwid’s touchscreen alone was a big enough hook to snare buyers and eventually make this feature de rigueur in every car. And of course, hygiene factors such as good fuel economy and a great price were bundled in to complete what was an irresistible package.

That said, the Kwid wasn’t perfect. It couldn’t be if it had to meet the brutal cost targets Renault had set for itself. Compromises were made in areas of refinement, drivability, fit and finish and even safety, where a disproportionate amount of cost would have yielded only marginal gains.

But the genius of the Kwid lay in the fact that it had an element of desirability that made customers overlook its flaws. It had character, it had purpose, and it came as a breath of fresh air in a staid marketplace.  Four years on, Kwid sales are way off their peak but the baby Renault still has a relatively strong following and a uniqueness that has just been freshened with the launch of the Kwid facelift.

Hyundai Creta (2015) – Centre of gravity

 

The mid-size SUV segment pioneered by the Duster and dominated by the Hyundai Creta, is the most happening part of the Indian market. Today, almost every automaker wants to make a 'Creta' of its own, and by 2021, we will see at least a dozen brands having a ‘Creta-fighter’ in their line-up.

The monumental success of the Creta has made it the Indian car market’s centre of gravity. Apart from being in the crosshairs of other automakers tantalised by the juicy profits the Creta must make for Hyundai, this exceptionally well thought-out SUV is pulling customers across segments and from price points above and below. Premium hatch and compact SUV buyers, as well executive sedan and full-sized SUV buyers, have fallen for the Creta’s charm. It’s only now at the end of its lifecycle and with Kia doing a ‘Creta’ with the Seltos that its popularity has waned, but for the better part of the decade the Creta was the industry’s poster car.

When the Creta was launched, it took no prisoners and cluster-bombed the market with multiple variants at multiple price points. It came with diesel and petrol engines along with an automatic option for both to cover most of the mid-size SUV market and plug the gaps that rivals had left empty.

The Creta was conceived to be a car for every occasion and it’s the breadth of its appeal that’s another reason for its huge popularity. It’s SUV enough to scamper up a muddy track to the farm house, hatchback enough to punt around town and slot in to a tight parking space and sedan enough to be comfortably chauffeured in. Unlike the hard-as-nails Duster, the Creta is more polished, well-rounded and sophisticated. It’s the template future mid-size SUVs are and will be based on.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza (2016) – Going by the book

 

If the Ford EcoSport pried open the compact SUV segment, it was the Vitara Brezza that barged into it. Unlike the EcoSport, the Vitara Brezza wasn’t anything revolutionary, but in true Maruti Suzuki tradition, was conceived with good common sense and an ear to the ground to understand what customers really want.

The tricky part was getting something highly subjective like the design and styling right. The ‘experts’ and media (us included) derided the Vitara Brezza’s boxy and upright shape but the market gave it a big thumbs up. Maruti Suzuki obviously knew something the sceptics didn’t, which is that customers want their SUVs to feel robust and in particular, look the part as well. That means a high bonnet, a wide stance and large wheel envelopes to give it the desired road presence.

The designers made a virtue of the Vitara Brezza’s upright proportions to carve out a spacious passenger compartment and a decent-sized boot within the confines of a sub-four metre long car. And it’s with this space on offer that the Vitara Brezza trumped the sleeker but less spacious EcoSport.

Practical, cheap to buy and even cheaper to own and run, the Vitara Brezza with its rather underwhelming but very efficient 1.3 DDiS engine racked up record sales and was a classic example of the head winning over the heart. It also exemplified Maruti Suzuki at its best, giving the customer just what they need. Nothing more, nothing less. However, with car buyers becoming ever more demanding and compact SUVs such as the Hyundai Venue – armed to the roof and ready for the kill – the Brezza has to seriously up its game if it wants to stay relevant in the next decade.

Tata Tiago (2016) – Redefining a brand

 

‘More car per car’ was the catchy tag line for the original Indica when it was launched in 1999 and VFM has been Tata Motors’ mantra ever since. But playing the value card hasn’t always worked because what Tata customers saved on price they lost in product quality. The Tiago was Tata’s first product that came with a great price and quality to match. In fact, pound for pound, the Tiago was simply outstanding value. It felt a segment or two higher than a similarly priced Wagon R and came with premium bits like a knitted roof liner, plush plastics and seat fabrics never seen before in a car at this price point. “They must be losing pots of money” was the common response from execs in rival companies. They weren’t wrong. The Tiago, when launched, was far from profitable and a clear attempt by the company to buy market share. Let’s not forget the Tiago wasn’t just another hatchback from Tata Motors but a model aimed at redefining the Tata brand and finding new customers.

Based on a heavily modified version of the first Indica’s platform, the Tiago follows the same template of a handsome, well-proportioned hatchback with a generously spacious cabin. Fresh out of the box, were a new set of petrol and diesel engines powering the Tiago, but they weren’t fully sorted and stood out as rough edges in an otherwise solid package. However, the price made up for any shortcomings and the Tiago went on to become the best-selling Tata.

However, the Tiago’s success was more than just a number on the sales charts. It led a product renaissance at Tata Motors and brought a new breed of customers into Tata showrooms; not the Indica and Indigo fleet buyers but individuals on the lookout for a decent, affordable, family car. Changing the perception of the Tata brand is the Tiago’s biggest contribution.

Which cars launched between 2010 and 2019 do you think had the biggest impact on the Indian car market? Let us know in the comments.

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Uber, Postmates Sue To Block California gig worker law, claiming it's unconstitutional

Ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Inc and courier services provider Postmates Inc asked a U.S. court to block a California labor law set to go into effect on Wednesday, arguing the bill violates...

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Ford Says Reservations Full For High-End Version Of Electric Mustang Mach-E

Ford Motor Co said on Monday reservations were full for the high-end Mustang Mach-E First Edition electric sport utility vehicle.

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Realme 5i coming on January 6, listed on retailer's website with specs and images

Realme unveiled the 5 and 5 Pro back in August and followed up with the 5s later in November. Now the company has announced it will add the fourth member to the lineup, dubbed Realme 5i, on January 6. This information comes through Realme Vietnam who took to Facebook to make the announcement. The company didn't reveal anything else about the 5i, but the smartphone's listed on Vietnamese retailer FPTShop's website with specs and images. The images confirm the Realme 5i will come in Green and Blue colors and look similar to the 5 and 5s, but the back doesn't flaunt the crystal design...

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Shares Soar As Tesla-Rival Nio's Loss Narrows On Higher EV Sales

Shares of Tesla-rival Nio Inc soared 53% on Monday after the electrical car maker reported a smaller-than-expected loss, benefiting from selling more of its lower-priced vehicles even as the industry...

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PSA: WhatsApp Ends Support for Windows Phone Platform

WhatsApp will withdraw support for all Windows Phone operating system starting today, December 31. The instant messaging app is also set to leave support for the devices running Android version 2.3.7...

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Huawei Says 'Survival' Top Priority as Sales Fall Short

Huawei said Tuesday that "survival" was its top priority after announcing 2019 sales were expected to fall short of projections as a result of US sanctions.

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Realme 5i to Launch on January 6, Specifications Tipped by Online Listing

Realme 5i has been officially confirmed to launch on January 6 in Vietnam, and it has also appeared on an e-commerce website as well.

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US Retailers Rush to Comply With California Privacy Law

US retailers including Walmart will add "Do Not Sell My Info" links to their websites and signage in stores starting Jan. 1, allowing California shoppers to understand for the first time what personal...

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Google Ends the Decade With a Fireworks Doodle

Google is celebrating New Year's Eve 2019 with a creative doodle on its homepage. The tech giant is known to celebrate big occasions with artsy Google Doodles, and the latest shows Froggy the...

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Privacy Fears as Police Use Facial Recognition at PM Modi's Rally

Police in Delhi used facial recognition software to screen crowds at a recent political rally - a first for India - raising concerns about privacy and mass surveillance amidst nationwide protests...

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Facebook Disables Some Misleading Ads on HIV Prevention Drugs

Facebook has quietly started removing some misleading ads about HIV prevention medication, responding to a deluge of activists, health experts and government regulators who said the tech giant had...

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Apple looking into BOE as second largest OLED supplier for 2021

Apple is planning to order a batch of OLEDs from China's BOE with the potential of making the display manufacturer its second largest supplier of OLEDs in 2021. The rumor comes from sources in South Korea and claims that Apple could be looking to order some 45 million OLED panels from BOE, intended for use in the 2021 iPhone devices. This would make BOE Apple's second largest supplier of OLED panels with Samsung continuing to satisfy the bulk of Apple's OLED needs, LG Display would be relegated to third and Japan Display would supply small OLED screens, catering to the Apple...

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T-Mobile's OnePlus 7 Pro is now running Android 10 too

The OnePlus 7 Pro started receiving the update to Android 10 back in September, but that unfortunately hasn't applied to all units out there. Specifically, those phones sold by T-Mobile in the States have been stuck on Android 9 Pie until today. Now though, owners of a OnePlus 7 Pro purchased from T-Mobile finally have a reason to celebrate. OxygenOS 10.0.1 is rolling out for the handset. It includes everything that's new in Android 10, as well as the November security patches. Yes, that's almost two months late, but OnePlus has yet to figure out how to be more timely about security...

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Ex-Nissan Boss Ghosn Says He Is In Lebanon, Denies Fleeing Justice In Japan

Ghosn was released from prison in March on a $9 million bail, among the highest-ever paid in Japan, after the court rejected an appeal by prosecutors to keep him in jail.

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Huami Amazfit Bip S and truly wireless earbuds coming CES 2020

Huami which sits under Xiaomi's umbrella is planning to start 2020 with a bang by bringing its latest Amazfit Bip S smartwatch and a pair of truly wireless earbuds to CES. According to the first teaser, the Bip S will reportedly come with "ultra-long" battery life in a light form factor retaining the same rectangular shape. More powerful with an ultra-long #battery life. The #Amazfit BipS is worth the wait!We'll be unveiling it at #CES2020!Learn more at https://ift.tt/37ncGZ1 pic.twitter.com/WmEThWNbe2— Amazfit (@amazfit) December 26, 2019 In addition to the upcoming...

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Special feature: Mercedes-Benz - The pleasure is all mine

AMG’s history is a storied one. Right since 1967, the mad hatters at AMG have been fettling big-on-luxury Mercs to make them big on power too. AMGs today? They come in all shapes and sizes, like the GLE 43 Coupe I’m with today. It’s an SUV that thinks it’s a sportscar. The way it builds speed, and even the grace with which it turns-in belies the GLE 43’s size and weight. But as much of an AMG as it is, it’s an SUV too. And that’s what brings me to Katni in the mining belt of Madhya Pradesh. The task at hand is to see if and how the GLE 43 Coupe leverages its off-road ability and performance when things get down and dirty. I mean that quite literally so, because I’ve just looped my way down 200ft in a limestone mine. This is a setting far removed from the performance car gatherings you’d typically find a GLE 43 Coupe at.

 

The drive down turns out to be a journey of discovery. It’s not the rock as much as the path down that interests me. Battered and bruised by constant dumper traffic, the path makes the worst of Mumbai’s roads back home feel like expressways. But I really can’t say I have it bad – drive mode dial set to ‘Comfort’, air suspension set to full height, the Merc makes it all seem easy peasy. There’s also confidence in knowing that the Merc’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system has my back on the shale-strewn path. On the first of the short, straight stretches, I give in to temptation and floor the big pedal. It’d be rude not to, right? It’s over these short bursts of acceleration that I start to work a rhythm with the big GLE 43 Coupe. Forward thrust is just as strong on the kuchcha raasta as it is on the tarmac. Amazing. Powering out of the hairpins is great fun too. I’m grinning. Never had I imagined that a limestone mine could double as a play pen for a big performance SUV.

We have company

I get a glimpse of a water body every few corners and see it in its entirety when we’re at the base of the quarry. The lake is an impossible shade of turquoise which, as I learn, is due to the scattering of light by calcite crystals. I’m awed by the setting but just as I reach out for my phone to click the Merc, I hear the buzz of an engine in the distance. Right. That’ll be my friend and colleague Rahul Kakar, who’s promised to show up in something special to keep the GLE 43 Coupe honest. I see a streak of green and as he gets closer, I think I know his weapon of choice. Yup, it’s a hopped-up buggy. Think midway between an ATV and a rally car, and you’ll get the idea.

You’ll feel like a rally god in the buggy. It’s immense fun.

Rahul’s in MX gear and something tells me he’s taking the competition that’s on the menu for today really seriously. It won’t be a timed run or a lights-to-flag sprint – all that I need to do is keep up with the buggy on the quick blast up. A hill-climb with a difference, you could say.

I can’t see Rahul’s face under the helmet to gauge what he makes of the GLE 43 Coupe but I’m sure he sees a bit of trepidation on mine. The buggy is no toy. It’s got a torque-sensing limited-slip rear differential, a fly-off handbrake, 13 inches of suspension travel, racing buckets with four-point harnesses and off-road tyres – and it weighs all of 540kg. The 70hp power doesn’t sound all that bad, suddenly.

The Merc? It’s like bringing a bazooka to a gunfight. The 3.0-litre, bi-turbo V6 has to cart 2,280kg of SUV so the numbers are on my side. I have Sport+ mode to bring out the best of the engine and of course there’s all-wheel drive to help put all the power down. This should be fun.

Go time

We line up side by side. This could go either way. Cameraperson Shreyans gives us the countdown. “3…2…1, Go!” I see the buggy take off like a scalded cat. The Merc lowers on its haunches and launches forward too. It’s a short path to the first hairpin, and that’s where Rahul engages the fly-off handbrake to swivel into position. The big Merc is more elegant in its ways, and I quickly understand the fastest way through is to ease in, line up and power out. And power out I do. The elevation change goes by unnoticed and the Merc closes the gap to the pesky buggy on the long-ish straight that follows. I’m bouncing all over the bumpy and rocky track and the blares and baarps from the AMG’s exhaust only add to the drama.

You slide the buggy into corners. The Merc eases into them.

I don’t know if Rahul’s checked his mirrors but the disclaimer that objects in the mirror are closer than they appear would surely apply. I’m in hot pursuit now and the Merc’s ready power makes good on every advantage the buggy has on the turns. From the corner of my eye I sense we’ve climbed a lot so the end won’t be too far. The higher we go, the smoother (relatively speaking) the surface gets, giving me a change to unleash all of the Merc’s might. I’m firmly on the buggy’s tail by the end of it; and what follows is a dash to the designated finish line. It’s a photo finish. Did someone say this wasn’t a race?

Calm as it may appear, the cabin sees frantic activity.

The Merc’s splattered with all sorts of specks and spots thrown up by the buggy. At least I’m all clean! I can’t say the same about Rahul, who looks like he’s been sand-blasted. He gives me an appreciative thumbs up but it’s a few moments before he can work his way out of the buggy’s roll cage. And that’s precisely when it hits me: Here’s a Merc with all the trappings of a modern-day luxury vehicle that just kept pace with a purpose-built buggy in a setting suitable for the latter. And a quick wash is all it’ll take to get the GLE 43 Coupe ready for a red carpet event – or a car meet, if that’s your thing.

It’s something that an SUV with an AMG badge can do.

Also see:

Mercedes-Benz India announces new service initiative

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC facelift review, test drive

Mercedes-Benz E-class LWB facelift spied for the first time

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Review: Mercedes-Benz G 350d review, test drive

Thus far, in India, the G-class was the extroverted madcap of the Mercedes model range. It was only sold in AMG guise with tremendous V8 petrol engines. Hell, it once even had a variant called the ‘Crazy Colour Edition’. And that’s just as well, because despite its immense price tag, hilarious thirst for unleaded fuel, and a ride that bordered on uncomfortable, it was hugely popular. In fact, it remains the bestselling AMG in India, despite being one of the most expensive. And that has less to do with its uncompromising approach to off-road hardware, and perhaps not even its military-grade engineering. It’s always been something far less tangible with the G-Wagen, and that’s its incredible road presence – the fact that it looks like it could conquer a medium-size country, not the fact that it actually can.

The G 350d, then, feels like it should have come to India years ago. It gives you the same all-conquering look as its AMG sibling but at a lower price and with the promise of far lower running costs. Certainly, in this optional black-on-black-on-black colour scheme, it looks like something a Bond villain would drive. The few differences are that it foregoes the AMG Panamericana grille for the traditional three-slat Mercedes one, it has smaller wheels (20 inches on this car), its bumpers look a bit tamer, and the exhaust tips no longer poke out from the sides – how very conventional!

Push these for off-road invincibility.

Some might be more concerned about losing almost 300hp and 250Nm compared to the G63, but they needn’t be. The S-class-sourced 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine (BS6 compliant, of course), with its 286hp and 600Nm, provides more than sufficient push, which comes in a brisk but predictable surge rather than the gut-punch you’d get from the highly-strung AMG V8. The diesel engine hustles this 2.5-tonne behemoth along without a fuss, but perhaps not quite as effortlessly as it would an S-class, which weighs about 400kg less! As a result, you tend to hear the engine as it strains a bit more in the big G, but overall, it’s still very refined. And though the straight-six note is nicer than the old V6 diesel’s, if you want sound, you can’t really beat AMG’s V8.

Where it will undoubtedly beat the AMG is on running costs, but make no mistake, despite the more sensible engine, the G 350d’s cuboid proportions and heavy hardware mean it could never truly be called fuel-efficient. Though we didn’t do a proper fuel economy test, the car’s own real-time readouts showed single-digit figures every time we used the accelerator pedal.

Surround cams you might actually use.

If you think this ‘lesser’ version gives up any of the G-Wagen’s legendary off-road ability, you’d be dead wrong. Rigid rear axle, 241mm ground clearance, 700mm water-wading ability, almost hilarious approach, ramp-over and departure angles, low range and – the party trick – three locking differentials; the whole nine yards. It’s also got those characteristic, old-school G-class touches like flared wheel arches, fender-top front indicators, the spare wheel on the side-hinged tailgate, push-button door handles, exposed door hinges, and – my favourite – locks that make an explosive ‘clack’ when they engage.

The inside is suitably modern, with Merc’s excellent dual-screen infotainment and instrumentation unit, but understandably, it’s not the latest MBUX touchscreen system you’ll see on the new GLE elsewhere in this issue. This car is also equipped with a sunroof, contrast-stitched leather upholstery and heated, cooled, massaging front seats. However, it’s worth noting that much of this is optional, which could drive the price up really quick.

Superb blend of luxury, rugged bits and new tech. Lots of stuff is optional though.

And here’s the thing – at Rs 1.5 crore (ex-showroom), the G 350d is still very expensive. Though a G63 may cost 50 percent more, this one in turn costs 50 percent more than Merc’s other big SUV, the GLS. And that’s before options. Additionally, while you can forgive a lot of the AMG G63’s flaws because of how ridiculous an indulgence it is, this more sensible G 350d lends itself to greater scrutiny, comparable to other big luxury SUVs. The back seat, though spacious, is nowhere near as comfortable, fuel economy is not great by diesel standards, rear visibility is appalling, thanks to the spare wheel, and though it has adaptive dampers, the ride quality is very lumpy.

The diesel G-Wagen, then, is a bit of an anomaly. While buyers of most luxury cars are happy to settle for a smaller engine if it means getting a prestigious badge at a more reasonable price, does that still apply when the price is north of Rs 1.5 crore? You’re certainly getting the best of both worlds – the rugged appeal of a G-class (including that insane off-road ability, should you ever need it) – in a package that’s cheaper to buy and run. Still, we suspect that most people who’ve decided to splurge on an indulgence like a G-Wagen would be happy to go the whole hog and get the AMG. 

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All-electric Mini Cooper in the pipeline for India

British carmaker Mini is considering the all-electric Cooper SE hatchback for India. The development was first reported in Autocar India’s December 2019 issue. However, the Cooper SE – the brand’s first mass-production electric vehicle that was unveiled earlier this year – will make it to the Indian market only by 2021; not any time soon. The brand cites the country's EV infrastructure (or the lack, thereof) as one of the reasons behind this decision.

Speaking to Autocar India, Francois Roca – vice president, Mini Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle-east and Africa, hinted the car is not a priority model for India. “We’re ramping up the production, so we will be servicing the first markets that are near the plant. It will come eventually.” Roca said. He added, “We need infrastructure. So when there will be very large infrastructure, it definitely makes sense to have the BEV in the Indian market. Today, I would say it can’t be that we have to be in India with the BEV to tick a box.”

Published in the December 2019 issue.

Mini believes that the model’s limited range will not be a big concern, given the car's primarily intra-city usage. Mini’s parent company BMW has toyed with the idea of launching its own all-electric hatchback, the i3s; which, incidentally, lends its powertrain to the Cooper SE.  You can read our review of the BMW i3s here.

The Cooper SE’s i3s-derived powertrain makes 184hp and 270Nm of torque. This is mated to a 32.6kWh battery mounted beneath the passenger seat in a T-shape, which delivers a 235-270km WLTP-certified range. However, unlike the AWD BMW, the motor in the Mini powers the front wheels only. 0-100kph takes a claimed 7.3sec, with a 150kph top speed. Mini says it is also capable of fast-charging from 0-80 percent in 35min via a 50kW charge point. An 11kW wall box can achieve 0-80 percent charge in 150min – or 210min to full.

When launched, the Mini Cooper SE will be one of its kind in the country, with no direct rivals to compete with.

Also see:

Next-gen Mini Clubman likely to be an SUV

Mini John Cooper Works GP revealed at 2019 LA auto show

Francois Roca, Vice President, Mini Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa interview video

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Product (RED) Apple Watch briefly spotted, reported to arrive in spring

A new report from French website WatchGeneration cited an Apple database that briefly showed mention of a Product (RED) Apple Watch before it was quickly removed. The report was posted along with the following mock-up images, which depict the aluminum body of the Apple Watch Series 5 in a rather pale hue of red. Source: MacGeneration The report doesn't reveal much more than: "it briefly appeared in an Apple database, under a reference number different from RED bracelets." (translated from French). The report speculates that the supposed (RED) Apple Watch is a Series 5 and...

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Speed Up: Suzuki Endurace Race Experience

A line-up of grown men clad in leather suits sprint across the breadth of the Kari Motor Speedway (KMS) as the marshal waves his flag at the front of the pack. Their teammates hold their bikes up for them – side stand up, ignition and kill switch on. All the running member has to do is get on the bike as fast as possible, turn it on and ride away. This is how endurance races start, but to add to the excitement, this year we were getting to experience Suzuki’s gorgeous new, race-spec Gixxer SF 250.

It’s not the most graceful thing to do in a leather suit, but since every second counts, you sprint as fast as your legs can carry you.

Unfortunately for us common folk, this modified, track-only Suzuki isn’t for sale and will run only in a One Make Championship. Suzuki already has an ongoing one-make series (now in its fifth season) that uses the smaller capacity Gixxer. Just as before, it continues to be one of the most affordable entries into circuit racing in the country, and maybe even the world. Suzuki tells us that the series, comprising of the SF 250s, will debut next year and feature only experienced riders, unlike the ongoing Gixxer series that’s open to novice riders as well. Lucky for us journalists, we were given the opportunity to see how the changes to the road-going SF 250 translate to the racetrack.

One vision

Like with motorcycles in most other one-make series, weight reduction is the area that sees the most substantial change. We’ve been told that the race-ready SF 250 has lost nearly 20kg by removing hardware that isn’t needed on a racetrack. This includes the headlight, the tail extension, turn signals, saree guard, grab rails and stock exhaust. The stock bodywork remains; so we assume that the removed parts must have been made of some rather heavy materials to account for a 20kg saving.

A lightweight, neatly finished, free-flow exhaust replaces the stock system and also bumps up the power output by a bit. Suzuki claims a 3.5-5hp increase over the 26.5hp on the stock bike, but considering the bike receives no other mechanical updates, the gain is probably more in line with the lower end of that spectrum. Suzuki tells us that the exhaust didn’t demand a remapped ECU or higher-flow air filter, so they remain stock, along with the engine.

A much-needed taller windscreen is in the works.

The 249cc engine delivered an engaging performance even when we first rode the stock bike, and what really kept it from being a great machine on the track were the sports-tourer ergonomics. Suzuki has addressed this, and how! The front suspension has its pre-load dialled down, resulting in a lowered fork; a similar adjustment has been made to the rear suspension as well, and both can be adjusted according to the racer’s body weight. A more consequential change comes in the form of the clip-on handlebar that’s now been set 40mm lower. With that, the foot pegs are now set backwards and upwards, both by close to 50mm. Interestingly, the lowered handlebar meant the fairing would get in the way at higher steering angles, and to avoid this, the steering lock has been limited to conform with what Suzuki says are MotoGP-like regulations. This took some getting used to in the pit lane, with a lot of us almost dropping our bikes even before we got out on the track. However, you never notice this on the track, and it just goes to show how little steering input is required to get the bike to lean over. Now, back to how these changes were in application.

Clip-ons and fork lowered for the track. Great!

Dancing queen

The SF 250 was more intuitive to steering inputs and carried much more lean than previously possible. Another key factor responsible for the increased performance and agility came with the grippier tyres – Metzeler Sportec M7s. It wasn’t until I got passed on the outside by a faster rider that I realised the tyres had a lot more to offer.

These changes not only eliminate any trace of ‘touring’ characteristics from the SF 250, but also result in a stunning bike. The MotoGP livery is one of the best graphic schemes on an Indian motorcycle and the cut-down, minimal body work only adds to the aesthetic appeal. The rest of the bike remains nearly identical to the stock bike. The brakes lose the ABS system, and while the rest of the braking hardware remains the same, Suzuki has used a steel-braided hose for the front to decrease chances of brake fade.

Steel-braided lines reduce brake fade.

The only chink in its armour is due to the stock sprocketing – the SF 250 was banging off the rev limiter at 154kph with more than a couple of hundred metres to go down the long main straight. It was even quicker when I found myself in someone else’s slipstream. Nevertheless, in its track-prepped form, the SF 250 turned out to be a very fun and rewarding motorcycle to ride on a short, technical circuit like the KMS. And a fun and rewarding race weekend it was!

Under pressure

So here’s what you need to know about endurance races – a team of two or more riders race over multiple hours, with the participants given the chance to come into the pit lane and switch riders. The most famous example is the Suzuka 8 Hours. In this case, we were paired in two-man teams and the race duration was a mere 40 minutes, but given the general lack of fitness in our fraternity, it wasn’t exactly going to be smooth-sailing. The only regulation was that each rider needed to do a minimum of 14 minutes and a maximum of 26.

Rear-set foot pegs don’t scrape any more.

We were asked to pick numbered chits to decide our teammates, and I was paired with Manoj from MotorOctane, who thankfully had a fair amount of track experience. After a brief introduction and a quick chat about his trip to Malaysia to break the ice, we were suiting up for our qualifying session. Turns out, we would get along just fine; with a combined average time of 1m27.030s, we qualified in pole position.

On race day, the relaxed atmosphere from the previous evening started to fade, with some of us more serious than the others. I knew we had the pace to finish on the podium, or maybe even come away with the win. And I prepped, stretched and suited up, all with my headphones on, just like the pros do. Manoj too was swept over by this lingering sense of competitiveness in the air, and offered to go on track first and come in for the swap as soon as he’d completed his 14 minutes, because I was the faster rider.

The bikes were lined up on the grid, I held ours in place for Manoj and moments after the marshal flagged the start, he was on the bike. Seconds later, my teammate was off, and the waiting game began. 15 minutes in, I asked for the marshal to signal for him to come in, and a lap later, it was my turn to head out. Manoj was running in 4th place when I took over, but I knew that if I was consistent with my lap timings, we could gain a position or two. With no sense of how much time was left, I rode every lap as if it were the last and crossed the chequered flag. It was only when I returned to the pits that I discovered we’d finished first! My first race experience as a journalist turned out to be extremely fun and equally rewarding, and on a motorcycle that’s quite adept at what it’s been designed to do. Now, I’ve got to try and wrangle a seat to see where I stand against the big boys in the national championship!

 

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Xbox Live Gold Price in India Cut by 30 Percent, Effective January 15

Microsoft is dropping the price of Xbox Live Gold in India by 30 percent. A 12-month subscription to Xbox Live Gold - equivalent to PlayStation Plus on the PS4 - will now cost Rs. 2,799, instead...

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Huawei Mate Xs to Reportedly Include 65W Fast Charging Support

Huawei's upcoming foldable phone, the Huawei Mate Xs, has reportedly been certified by 3C in China ahead of its MWC 2020 debut.

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Realme's Fast Charging Technology May Be Called Dart, SuperDart

Realme has reportedly trademarked Dart and SuperDart names for its fast charging technology. While Realme now recognises itself as an independent company, it still uses Oppo's ColorOS 7 and VOOC...

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Volkswagen ID. Crozz To Enter Series Production; World Premiere In 2020

The company's first all-electric SUV, will make its way to series production and the world premiere of the car will happen in 2020 while the production will start at the Zwickau electric car plant in...

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Suzuki Ignis facelift leaked

Maruti Suzuki launched the Ignis back in 2017, and due to its unique and retro styling, it was aimed towards younger buyers. Now some new images have surfaced online, and they seem to be of the international-spec Ignis facelift. The design is likely to make it to the India-spec Ignis facelift that is expected to be launched by mid-2020.

From these images, we can see that the Ignis facelift sports a new grille design similar to the one seen on the S-Presso, as well as a new front and rear bumper design. We can also see that both the bumpers get faux scuff plates. The rest of the styling, however, seems very similar to the current model, including the side profile, where the wheels, headlights, and tail-lights all appear to be carried over.

In terms of engines, the updated hatchback is expected to use the same BS6 version of the 1.2-litre petrol engine, currently seen in the Swift and Baleno. In the Swift, the 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine produces 83hp and 113Nm of torque, but in the transition to BS6, it did see a marginal drop in fuel efficiency. Coming to gearbox options, the engine will be offered with a 5-speed manual and an AMT automatic unit.

Although the interiors are not visible in these images, the facelift is likely to feature the same interiors as the updated Ignis which saw the addition of the SmartPlay Studio infotainment and was launched earlier this year.

In the Indian market, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis rivals the likes of the Ford Freestyle and the Mahindra KUV100 NXT.

IMAGE SOURCE

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US Astronaut Sets Record for Longest Spaceflight by a Woman

NASA astronaut Christina Koch on Saturday set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, eclipsing the record of 288 days set by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson in 2016-17.

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Tesla Delivers First China-Made Model 3 Sedans In Just Under A Year

Tesla has started delivering Model 3 electric cars built at its Shanghai factory in just under a year since it began work on the $2 billion plant, a record for global automakers in China, and said it...

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Samsung, LG to Show Off Latest AI Tech, Displays at CES 2020

Samsung and LG are ready to boast their latest technologies in the field of artificial intelligence and displays at the upcoming US consumer electronics show, industry watchers said on Sunday.

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Gemopai Astrid Lite electric scooter review

Gemopai Astrid Lite electric scooter review

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Realme X50 Leak Tips 64-Megapixel Main Camera, 4,500mAh Battery

Realme X50's complete specifications and pricing details have allegedly surfaced online prior to its official debut at an event on January 7 in China.

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Star Trek, Russell Peters, Angry Birds, and More on Prime Video in January

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12 new Tata cars coming in the next 4 years

Tata Motors’ new Altroz isn’t merely its first premium hatchback, it also boasts another first – one that is even more significant in the grander scheme of things – it is the first car off Tata’s all-new ALFA platform. Designed and engineered to deliver global levels of flexibility and local levels of cost-competitiveness, the new platform started out life as the AMP or Advanced Modular Platform. Slated to be shared with the Volkswagen Group at the time, AMP has today evolved into Tata’s first flexible vehicle architecture, ALFA.

Named ALFA for Agile Light Flexible and Advanced, the new architecture will, in combination with the OMEGA platform (shared with JLR), account for all of Tata’s new cars set to hit the market in the next decade or so. Of the two platforms, the ALFA, of course, will have the lion’s share, and that’s only right. Smaller, more affordable and the more suitable of the two in our low- cost environment, it is very flexible, and, as a result, can be adapted to make cars of different
shapes and sizes.

ALFA architecture stretches from 3.7 to 4.3m, offers tremendous flexibility.

But just how many cars can we expect? Guenter Butschek, CEO of Tata Motors spells it out: “We will have 12 to 14 new top hats between ALFA and OMEGA in the next 3-4 years”. This is huge and it is likely to take Tata’s market coverage up massively, to around 90 percent.

So what can we look forward to? Plans haven’t exactly been firmed up, but you can expect the range to start with Tata’s H2X or Hornbill, then the new Nexon will be built on the ALFA platform, and Tata could even push the limits of the platform and try and do a Creta rival. The latter, however, could also be built on a platform shared with Chinese carmaker and JLR partner Chery (see below).

Tata recently showed a sedan concept that looks like it could go up against the Honda City, and then, logically there should be a compact sedan or Maruti Dzire rival. An Ertiga-sized MPV is also on the cards, and then don’t discount a spacious Maruti Wagon R-rivalling hatchback either. Of course, later on, there will be replacements for the Tiago, Tigor and a dedicated EV is likely as well.

Tata is likely to do a compact sedan as well as a Honda City rival.

Tata says cars built on the ALFA platform will stretch between 3.7-4.3m in length, the wheelbase is stretchable to a not-so-insignificant 2,450mm, the front and rear track can be altered, and should engineers and designers choose, the cars, SUVs, and MPVs could be as wide as 1,800mm too. They are likely to have the biggest boots in their class, there will be a flat floor in the rear, and quality levels are likely to take a big jump up too, as around 90 percent of the cars’ bodies will be built by robots, allowing for great precision, and greater uniformity of parts.

The Omega platform is less flexible. The larger of the two and the one shared with Land Rover, it could have at least three new cars built on it. The first will be the seven-seat Gravitas. Then there will be an SUV with a coupé-like roof, and later on will come the Hexa replacement or a large, Innova-sized MPV. For now, the OMEGA platform has only one diesel, the 2.0 Multijet, but Tata is working on a larger 1.5 petrol, and there could even be a mild-hybrid version, though Tata seems to currently not be in favour of hybridisation. 

 

The smaller ALFA architecture, on the other hand, will have all manner of powertrains: petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric. Engines currently available on the Nexon and the Altroz are expected to be the mainstay, and there is a new twin-clutch automatic gearbox in the works too.

To keep costs down on the ALFA, the entire structure will be split into around 15 essential modules which can be reused on other top hats without too much additional investment. Tata is also in the process of weeding down the supplier chain. Now finally down to around 300 component makers between both PVs and CVs, from at least double of that, it will allow Tata to get its new models to the market faster – less time wasted on taking care of poor-quality supplies.

 

Leapfrogging and going directly to a variable architecture was actually crucial for Tata. “We changed track halfway from doing a more limited platform to a more flexible architecture,” explains Butschek. “Rather than merely have a platform with a limited range of top hats, we moved to an architecture that’s flexible in length, width, height, and which finally is going to give us a high degree of commonality. By doing this we also de-risk individual launches, create massive economies of scale, and, at the same time, help leverage the big initial investment better.

BRIDGING THE GAP . . . WITH CHERY

 

Tata’s Creta-fighter, codenamed ‘Blackbird’, is an SUV looking for a platform. Too small to be built on the OMEGA or Harrier platform, and too big to be built on the ALFA architecture, it falls in no man’s land. The stumbling block isn’t overall length; ALFA can be stretched to 4.3m. The problem is wheel size, or rather a lack of it. Thing is, ALFA is predominantly a small-car architecture, and as a result doesn’t support wheels larger than 700mm in diameter, key to SUV appeal. To get around the problem, Tata has been talking with JLR partner and Chinese automaker Chery, which has SUVs and platforms that fit the description. Of the many, the best fit is thought to be the 4,338mm-long Tiggo 4 or T-17. But is a 5- star NCAP crash-test rating possible with these underpinnings?

With 90 percent market coverage now technically possible and an assault of all-new cars on the horizon, Tata Motors could be in for its most successful phase ever. ALFA and OMEGA put together certainly have plenty of promise. We just could see an all-new and hitherto unrecognisable Tata Motors emerge. Heady times ahead.

Also see:

Tata Nexon EV: What to expect from each variant

Tata Altroz: What to expect

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