Friday, May 31, 2019

SpaceX Says Its Internet Satellites Won't Become a Headache for Astronomers

SpaceX said that the first 60 satellites in its "Starlink" constellation, which is intended to provide internet from space, will be less and less visible from Earth as they reach their final orbit.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2W57Auf

Lotus Teases Type 130 Electric Hypercar

Lotus has confirmed that Type 130, the brand's first all-new model in more than a decade, will be revealed to the world's media at an exclusive event in Central London on 16 July, 2019.

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2Ic4obg

To Restore Internet Access After a Massive Quake, Peru Turned to Balloons

Loon - an Internet-providing balloon service owned by Alphabet, Google's parent company - is providing Peru's people with wireless broadband communication.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2WhzBDL

China Threatens 'To Blacklist' Foreign Firms Post Huawei Ban

China has said that it was drawing up a list of "unreliable" foreign companies, organisations and individuals for targeting in what could signal retaliation for US sanctions on the Chinese tech...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/30YqfLX

US Justice Department Said to Be Exploring Antitrust Case Against Google

The US Justice Department has taken early steps toward opening a federal antitrust case into Google, according to three people familiar with the matter.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/3111XRC

Mark Zuckerberg's Security Head Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Zuckerberg's Head of security Liam Booth has been accused of sexually harassing other household staffers and making derogatory racist, sexist, homophobic and transphobic remarks about other staffers...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2YTZ3w6

US Judge Demands Facebook Hand Over Records on Data Privacy

A US judge ordered Facebook to give shareholders emails and other records concerning how the social media company handles data privacy, after data for 87 million users was accessed by the British...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2W5wYjz

Honda CB300R First Ride Review

We spend a day riding Honda's new roadster, the very handsome CB300R. It could prove to be shot in the arm for Honda in the 200 cc to 400 cc space, where the company has been lacking firepower for...

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2W2B0t6

Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro and Redmi Note 5 Pro both get stable Android 9 Pie updates

Back in March, Xiaomi started sending out beta builds of the Android 9 Pie update for both the Redmi 6 Pro and the Redmi Note 5 Pro to interested testers in India. And now it looks like all the bugs have been ironed out, because the stable update is rolling out for both devices. It's arriving over-the-air in India, as MIUI 10.3.2.0.PDMMIXM for the Redmi 6 Pro, weighing in at 1.6GB. This release includes the May 2019 security patch level. You also get face unlock support for App lock, the ability to stay on the lock screen after using face unlock, and to restrict the opening of the...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2MjYnyF

Review: 2019 Honda CB300R video review

2019 Honda CB300R video review

from Autocar India - Bikes http://bit.ly/310yBCQ

Review: 2019 Honda CB300R review, test ride

What is it?

Honda’s priorities in India have seen a slight shift in the past couple of years. Where the company used to seemingly deploy every resource in the quest of being No. 1 in our market, it’s become evident that Hero isn’t going down without a fight. In fact, the gap in sales volume actually grew last year. But don’t feel bad, because this has actually gotten the Japanese giant to focus more of its might on a much smaller group of people for a change – us, the enthusiasts. Honda’s big bike line-up is ever growing. It recently announced a new Silver Wing business vertical dedicated to premium bikes and has just opened its first big-bike-only Big Wing showroom in Gurgaon. And the best part is that when Honda makes a move, the rest usually follow.

Of course, Gold Wings and Blades remain a dream for most, and it’s been years since Honda offered a reasonably priced motorcycle that’s of any interest to the enthusiast. Now, five years after its 300cc platform replaced the CBR250R, (which still languishes in our market), we finally have a taste of what progress feels like. Say hello to the CB300R.

What does it look like?

You’ll want to take your time with that first hello, because this is a fine-looking machine and there’s so much detail to take in. The first thing that took me off guard is how compact it is – it isn’t as big as it looks in images. The smaller dimensions probably contribute to how Honda managed a kerb weight of under 150kg, and the good news is that the proportions haven’t suffered and it still comes across as a muscular design that’s very easy on the eyes.

The round, full-LED headlamp is obviously retro-themed, but the fuel tank is long and chiselled and those radiator shrouds with their brushed aluminium look add a real sense of class. A new 41mm USD fork does wonders in giving the bike powerful stance and you can’t miss the unique cylindrical LED indicators. Also something you don’t usually see on small machines like this is a naked aluminium housing for the radiator, which looks fantastic from afar, but a little roughly finished when examined closely.

The rear section is clean and uncluttered with a split seat design, a neatly executed LED tail-lamp and cleverly designed grab handles. The lower section seems a bit cluttered though, with a large but decently executed exhaust on the right and an enormous saree guard on the left. Facing the rider is a clean-looking LCD display that is well laid out and easy to read, but is missing a gear position indicator. The switchgear seems to be of high quality, but the indicator button is where the horn’s usually is and this gets quite annoying.

What's new with the engine?

The biggest question in your mind is probably what this 30.45hp, 300cc Honda engine feels like. Well, for starters it’s actually 286.01cc, which is up from the earlier 249cc. Sound and feel-wise, it’s very familiar. Refinement is decent, but there are some mild vibrations above 8,000rpm, which get stronger near the 11,000rpm redline. Performance-wise, the engine definitely feels more potent at all points in the rev range and this comes down to two things. Naturally, there’s the extra 3.9hp and 4.5Nm, but perhaps more significantly, it is the fact that it weighs a whole 20kg less than the CBR250R.

Our performance tests highlight the advantage of lower weight, and this bike is quicker than you’d expect, managing to just sneak under the 7sec mark in the 0-100kph run. Power delivery is linear, a 100kph cruise is easy and 140kph arrives without too much stress. With some determination, you should be able to see well above 150kph on the clocks, possibly even 160. Flexibility at city speeds is a strong point too, and I’d say this is the nicest city bike in its segment, given the easy dimensions, tight turning radius, light clutch and decent heat management. The upside of its weight shines once more, this time in the form of impressive fuel efficiency – 28.1kpl in the city and 37.4 on the highway.

What is it like to ride?

The CB300R packs a brand-new tubular diamond frame spring by the earlier mentioned 41mm USD fork and a seven-step preload-adjustable rear. In the city, suspension comfort is very good, especially from the front end, but you do get the sense that the rear might be just a little too soft. This was confirmed when we took the CB out on some smooth mountain roads, where the rear started weaving and bouncing about when pushed hard. This could very well be fixed by bumping up the preload, but we didn’t have the bike for long and the skimpy tool kit didn’t have the required C-spanner. The CB wears Michelin Pilot Street tyres, and our experience with these is that they work well for the most part but struggle on the limit, and the same holds true here.

The 300 uses the same brake disc sizes as the 250, but it now gets a radially mounted Nissan caliper at the front, which not only looks better, but should offer better performance too. However, that hasn’t proved to be the case entirely, because even though the lighter CB300R may stop in a shorter distance, the 250 had a sharper feel and stronger initial bite. Where the 300 claims a segment-first is in its use of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to assist the ABS. It probably isn’t as advanced as the IMUs you’ll find on superbikes, but it will still lend lean angle sensitivity to the system, and that will only help it perform better.

Should I buy one?

At this point, it’s worth addressing the value quotient. The CB300R comes in as a CKD, which places challenges on how affordable it can be. With that in mind, the price tag is reasonable, especially when you consider the absurd asking price its direct rival from BMW commands. While the CB has high levels of finish and some premium kit, there are some areas that come up short. For starters, the black and white LCD display feels quite basic and neither of the two levers are adjustable. It’s also disappointing to see that there’s no engine cut-off or even a warning light for the side stand. Then there’s the 10-litre fuel tank capacity, which is tiny if you plan to do any serious touring.

Ultimately, the KTM 390 Duke might be slightly more expensive, but it offers a huge step up in performance and is also a much better value proposition in terms of features and price. However, the CB will appeal to a much wider audience simply because it offers such a different experience to the single-focus KTM. It’s very much a Honda at heart, offering great design, good quality and a very competent riding experience, but stops short of being dramatic or overly exciting.

The CB300R is a fun bike that’s easy to live with and carries the brand’s hallowed reputation for reliability. So even though the wait has been long, this bike definitely finds a place in our market. If you’re on the lookout for a motorcycle of this size and nature, but you’re put off by the KTM’s insatiable over-exuberance, the sensible CB is probably what you need.



from Autocar India - Bikes http://bit.ly/2wuasXf

Flipkart Flipstart Days Sale Kicks Off, Here Are the Best Tech Deals

Flipkart Flipstart Days sale offers include extra 10 percent discount to Axis Bank credit and debit card customers.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2EMlZFU

Samsung Galaxy A80 could launch in India next week

Samsung made the Galaxy A70 official in March and the Galaxy A80 in April, but while the former has already gone on sale in some markets, including India, the A80 with the unique rotating pop-up camera is still nowhere to be found in stores. That may change very soon. The Korean company is apparently going to hold some exclusive preview events of the Galaxy A80 for interested customers in India next week. Samsung fans in Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad will be able to see and experience it on Saturday, June 8, while people in Bangalore and Kolkata will have the same opportunity on Sunday,...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2XiTV49

Maruti Suzuki introduces new Ertiga Tour M variant

Maruti Suzuki has introduced a new variant to its Ertiga MPV’s line-up – the Tour M. This variant is aimed specifically towards the cab and commercial fleet market, similar to how Maruti has positioned the Dzire Tour S. However, unlike the other Tour offerings from Maruti that are based on the entry level variants of the respective cars, the Ertiga Tour M appears to be based on the mid-level VXi trim, when it comes to features.

In terms of features on offer, the Ertiga Tour M is equipped with power steering, front and rear power windows, remote central locking, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, seatbelt reminder, rear parking sensors and speed limiter (limits the car to 80kph) among others. The exteriors feature a chrome grille, full-wheel caps, projector headlights (halogen), body-coloured door handles, ORVMs and bumpers, along with turn indicators integrated in the ORVMs.

On the inside, the features list continues, as it gets a coloured MID, an audio system with AUX, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, steering mounted audio and call controls, four speakers, first and second row 12V power outlets, head rests in all three rows, and a dual-tone dashboard.

Mechanically, the Tour M is powered by the 1.5-litre, K15B petrol engine that produces 105hp and 138Nm of torque. The engine can only be had with a 5-speed manual gearbox. It is also worth noting that this engine is not BS6 compliant. Although it hasn’t yet been officially confirmed, Maruti is expected to offer the Ertiga Tour M with a factory fitted CNG kit, due to its popularity in the cab market.

At launch, we expect the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Tour M to be priced around the Rs 8 lakh mark (ex-showroom).

Also see

Click here for all Maruti Suzuki models, prices, reviews, images, videos and more.

Click here for Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, prices, reviews, images, videos and more.

 



from Autocar India - Cars http://bit.ly/310IAYI

Mitsubishi working on new strategy for SUVs

Mitsubishi is working on a new strategy that will reorganise its SUV line-up so as to create more space and differentiation between the brand's SUV models sold in the international market like the Outlander, Eclipse Cross and ASX. This new strategy is set to roll out by 2020 and will make use of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, which the carmaker joined back in 2016. This alliance provides Mitsubishi with access to the shared platforms from Renault and Nissan.

The exact changes in the SUVs' size and positioning have not yet been mentioned. However, sources have stated that there will be around a 200mm gap in overall lengths between the SUVs. This suggests that Mitsubishi’s new SUV line-up will have a similar structure to Nissan's current international SUV range – specifically the size and positioning of the X-Trail, Qashqai and Juke SUVs. This is expected to translate to the Mitsubishi Outlander growing in length, while the ASX will likely reduce in length.

According to the Japanese carmaker, the next generation of the Outlander SUV will be offered with a plug-in hybrid variant in addition to the existing petrol and diesel variants. The next-generation Eclipse Cross will be available as either a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, while the next-generation ASX will get the option of full battery-electric.

The Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer displayed at the 2019 Geneva motor show earlier this year, showcases the look of the next-generation Outlander as well as a new four-wheel-drive, plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Although Mitsubishi has not confirmed which SUVs it is planning to bring to the Indian market, it currently offers the Outlander, which was launched last year in a single, fully loaded variant and the Pajero Sport, which has been in the Indian automotive market since 2012.

Also see

Click here for all Mitsubishi models, prices, reviews, images, videos and more.

Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi announce creation of new joint board

Mitsubishi Xpander Limited revealed

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross image gallery



from Autocar India - Cars http://bit.ly/2EKGdzM

Samsung Galaxy M40 full specs leak reveals smaller battery than previously rumored

Samsung is launching the Galaxy M40 in India on June 11. To build up the hype it's already released some teasers, and an official has even outed some information about the handset. Thus, we found out it would be priced around INR 20,000 ($287 or €257 according to the current exchange rates), that its main rear camera would be a 32 MP snapper, and on the front the selfie shooter would have 16 MP resolution. Today more specs of the highest-end Samsung M-series smartphone have been leaked, and despite what past rumors claimed, it looks like it's not getting a 5,000 battery (like the M30),...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/311sFt9

Aprilia Storm 125 vs rivals: Price, specifications comparison

Aprilia has just launched its most affordable offering in the country, the Aprilia Storm. At Rs 65,000, the Storm is also likely to be the most affordable Aprilia in the world. The scooter is based on the SR range of scooters, but gets wider tyres and loses out on some hardware to keep costs in check. The Aprilia SR 125 costs around Rs 8,000 more than the Storm, making it significantly more expensive than its 125cc rivals. The Storm’s price, meanwhile, puts it in competition with the Honda Grazia and the TVS Ntorq. We find out how they stack up on paper?

Styling and tech:

Barring the bolder graphic schemes, the Aprilia Storm 125 looks just like its SR siblings. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing because despite its age, this design language continues to be the sharpest and sportiest you will see on an Indian scooter. Aprilia has said that the Storm is directed at a younger audience and the graphic schemes it comes with certainly attest to this claim. Available in two bright colour options, the Storm is quite the attention grabber. Adding to the visual drama, are chunky off-road tyres, which is not a trait common to scooters in the country. The Storm also borrows its headlight and analogue instrumentation from the Aprilia SR 125.

The TVS Ntorq, meanwhile, features some sharp, sporty styling too, and can be had in bright colours as well. It features a full-digital display that’s certainly the most advanced of the lot. The Bluetooth compatible unit is also capable of displaying basic navigation prompts and gets a ‘Sport’ mode that displays a lap timer and also logs 0-60kph times.

On the other hand, the Grazia features the most contemporary design of the bunch and is one that will appeal to a wider audience. While it may not have bold styling on its side, it’s the only one here to get an LED headlight and also the only scooter in India with an rpm gauge on its fully-digital display.

Dimensions
Aprilia Storm 125 TVS Ntorq 125 Honda Grazia
Length 1985mm 1865mm 1821mm
Width 703mm 710mm 697mm
Height 1166mm 1160mm 1146mm
Wheelbase 1365mm 1285mm 1260mm
Seat height 775mm 770mm 766mm
Kerb weight 115kg 116kg 107kg
Fuel tank 7 litres 5.0 litre 5.3 litres
Front tyre 120/80 - 12 100/80 R12 90/90 R12
Rear tyre 130/80 - 12 110/80 R12 90/100 R10

Engine and hardware:

The Aprilia Storm gets the same powertrain as the SR 125, with the 125cc single-cylinder, three-valve, air-cooled unit producing 9.5hp at 7,250rpm and 9.9Nm of torque at 6,250rpm. This makes it the most powerful scooter here, but by a very small margin – just 0.1hp more than the Ntorq 125. On the other hand, it makes the least torque of the lot. Unlike its more expensive SR siblings that come equipped with 14-inch wheels, the Storm gets 12-inch wheels that are shod with Vee Rubber off-road oriented tyres that measure 120/80 at the front and 130/80 at the rear – considerably wider than those on its rivals.

Powering the new Ntorq 125 is a 124.8cc motor with a three-valve head that’s good for 9.4hp at 7,500rpm and 10.5Nm of torque at 5,500rpm. The Ntorq also has 12-inch wheels at both ends with 100/80 (front) and 110/80 (rear) tyres. The Grazia, meanwhile, is powered by the same 124.9cc motor seen on the Activa – it produces 8.5hp at 6,500rpm and 10.5Nm of torque at 5,000rpm. The 12-inch front wheel is shod in 90/90 rubber while the 10-inch rear wheel gets a 90/100 tyre.

The Grazia and Ntorq are available as a front disc variant and a drum brake variant, while the Storm has been launched only with drum brakes. However, Aprilia has told us that a disc brake variant is in the works.

Powertrain
Aprilia Storm 125 TVS Ntorq 125 Honda Grazia
Engine 124.49, 3-valve 124.7cc, 3-valve 124.9cc, 2-valve
Power 9.5hp at 7250rpm 9.4hp at 7500rpm 8.5hp at 6500rpm
Torque 9.9Nm at 6250rpm 10.5Nm at 5500rpm 10.5Nm at 5000rpm

Verdict:

The Rs 8,000 difference between the Aprilia Storm and the SR 125 means the former is now in a much better position to rival other 125cc scooters in the segment. That said, it still offers a little less than its competition at the price point. The disc variants of the Grazia and Ntorq costs Rs 65,095 and Rs 59,900, respectively, offering more value for around the same price or less. What the Storm does have in its favour is bold and sporty styling, and of course, the title of being the only product here from an exotic Italian manufacturer.

Price
Aprilia Storm 125 TVS Ntorq 125 Honda Grazia
Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) Rs 65,000 Rs 58,252 Rs 60,723

Also see:

2019 Aprilia SR 150 ABS review, test ride



from Autocar India - Bikes http://bit.ly/2WzYb2g

Sony infographic brags about its mobile innovations, records and world firsts

Sony's smartphone business is anything but a beacon of hope and huge sales and profitability. Still, the company is in it for the long haul and doesn't plan on exiting this market, even if it is retreating from certain areas. While its sales numbers might not be great, Sony wants to remain relevant, and its latest effort to do that is an infographic. This was shared today on the official blog of its mobile arm, and it's all about the various innovations, records, and world firsts that can be attributed to its past in the mobile business. From the first 4K display in a smartphone (the...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2IeGmfK

Review: 2019 BMW X5 India review, test drive

What is it?

The X5 was BMW’s first SUV, nee SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle in BMW speak) and it set the tone for models of the type. Genuinely sporty and surprisingly versatile, the X5 has been a favourite for keen drivers and luxury buyers for long. In India too, the X5 has had a good run over the three generations yet. The fourth-gen X5 is out and it marks a slight shift in focus for the model; there’s a greater emphasis on luxury than before. If that’s good news or bad and how the latest X5 fits into the India scheme of things is what we’re going to find out.

What’s it like on the outside?

The new X5 is bigger than you think. Unlike the X3, which looks visually larger than its predecessor, this new ‘G05’ X5, from a distance at least, looks much smaller than the outgoing ‘F15’ X5, despite it being 36mm longer, 19mm taller and a solid 66mm wider. In fact, you might mistake the X5 for an X3 or even an X1, up until the point it pulls up next to you.

This is because of its design, which features sharper lines, tighter skinning and some exaggerated details. The most controversial of these is the enormous chrome-heavy, single-piece kidney grille, which absolutely dominates the front end. From this sprouts a pair of slimmer, more angular headlamps – now with the electric-blue signature of BMW’s Laserlight high-beam system (which gives a throw of 600m) – and, of course, the new-age, C-shaped take on BMW’s LED corona ring DRL signature. The waistline crease flows into a pronounced haunch over the rear wheel, adding some muscle, and this xLine trim looks far more elegant than the M Sport version, which is currently only available with the petrol engine.

Some of us aren’t fans of the way BMW has abandoned the classic L-shaped tail-lamp signature for a more generic, rectangular look, but we like that they’ve stuck with the trademark split tailgate. As for some perspective on just how big this car has gotten, look at the wheels – they have a decent amount of tyre sidewall and don’t look that big, but they’re 20 inches in diameter. A few years ago, this would have been the largest size; now it goes up to 22 inches. And as for the stance, you can go from jacked-up off-roader to hunkered-down M car at the flick of a switch, thanks to the two-axle air suspension new to the X5 (previous cars only had it on the rear axle, so you couldn’t vary the ride height). As ever, you get different-sized front and rear tyres, with the ones at the rear being almost comically wide, with a 305 section – the same as a Lamborghini Huracán!

What’s it like on the inside?

The latest BMW X5’s greater dimensions have, naturally, translated into more interior space. The 42mm increase in the wheelbase to 2,975mm can be easily felt as soon as you slip into the back seat and stretch out, but the even greater sense is of width. The previous X5 was not a narrow car, but in the new one, it feels like there’s a chasm between you and your fellow passenger. It’s a comfortable back seat too, but some might find the backrest a bit too upright, and it’s not adjustable. You can flip it down to free luggage space of course, and if you do, you’ll find the already vast 650-litre space expanding to 1,860 litres, and a really cool motorised luggage cover that whirrs out from its deployed position to under the floor when not needed. What you won’t find anymore are the pair of tiny rear jump seats – they have been left out of the India-spec car this time, likely to differentiate it from the upcoming, three-row X7. What you do get, happily, is a space-saver spare tyre.

Back to the cabin, and more than the outright comfort, it’s the ambience that’s taken a quantum leap. It’s not a stretch to say this xLine variant is approaching 7 Series levels of luxury. Thick bars of dull, unvarnished wood veneer sit on the dashboard, central console and doors, and these are framed in brushed aluminium, which you’ll also find the door handles are fashioned from. The ‘Vernasca’ leather upholstery, available in this cream colour, as well as tan, brown, or black, is wonderfully soft, and there’s even double-stitched leather on the dashboard. The front seats (powered, with a memory function, of course) are big and plush, with a wide array of adjustments, including shoulder support. There are 12 choices of colour combinations for the LED ambient lighting, which even extends to a panoramic sunroof – Sky Lounge, as BMW calls it – and it looks incredible at night.

There are some things that stand out for the wrong reasons in the otherwise high-quality cabin. Those chrome central AC vents, though incredibly well-finished, appear as an uninspired piece of design in this classy BMW cabin. The mode select buttons feel a little flimsy and are tricky to click properly, especially on the move. Then there’s the cut-glass effect on the gear lever, iDrive click-wheel and start button, which has been very polarising. Some find it cool, others find it gaudy, and while on one hand it doesn’t smudge with fingerprints like the standard plastic lever, on the other, in bright sunlight, the reflections off it can hit you right in the eye.

Speaking of points of contention – there’s the new all-digital dial system. While the previous generation of this system (in the 5 Series, for example) mirrored BMW’s classic twin round dials, this new one, which you’ll find on all upcoming Bimmers, adopts a more sci-fi-feeling angular look. This would be fine if it functioned well, but the numbers aren’t as clear to read, the tachometer spins counterclockwise, and when you switch to Sport mode – the tacho needle disappears entirely! Plus, being a screen, they’ve tried to cram it with as much info as possible, which would be helpful, but it’s small and hard to read, which means it’s more distracting to try and find it. The navigation map between the dials, for instance, is monochrome, not full colour, so it blends in rather than standing out. It just seems unintuitive; I wish there was at least the option of returning to the classic dial layout.

We can’t talk tech without mentioning the latest version of BMW’s class-leading iDrive infotainment system, which is presented here on a crisp 12.3-inch touchscreen. Apart from touch, it can be operated by the traditional click-wheel, the touch pad, voice commands and gesture control as well. The tile-based home screen has been replaced with a more tablet-computer-like clustered system, which takes a little getting used to, but ultimately works better at giving you all your vital data at once; and it’s customisable. You also get readouts for real-time power and torque usage, G-force, pitch and yaw angle, and other off-road parameters. There’s also the 360-degree camera with the fun ‘augmented reality’ system that puts a 3D model of the car in a camera-generated depiction of your surroundings. And if you opt for the M Sport trim, you’ll get a head-up display too.

The equipment list on the whole, in fact, is vast and impressive. Apart from what we’ve already discussed already, you’ll find the likes of wireless mobile charging, hands-free parking, four-zone climate control, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon hi-fi, soft-close doors, paddleshifters, adaptive dampers, a powered tailgate with remote opening, auto stop-start, Apple CarPlay (but no Android Auto) and eight airbags. Interestingly, there is only one conventional USB port, but there are three of the new-generation USB-C ports – one at the front, two at the rear – so chances are you’ll have to buy a new cable to make the most of them.

What’s it like to drive?

As we’ve said already, the new X5 is bigger than you think, and while that may apply to its appearance, it isn’t quite as true from behind the wheel, as it was with previous X5s. It’s a trend we’re seeing in most new BMWs – a general ‘softening’ of the driving experience to cater to a wider audience and offer a more luxurious experience, but here, much of the change can be attributed to one mechanical difference – two-axle rear suspension. Previously, X5s only offered air suspension at the rear to aid comfort, but now that it’s at all four wheels, it’s allowed for much more. For one, the ride height can be raised or lowered (in five steps) for varying situations, but the main benefit is a far more luxurious ride. Sure, the massive wheels and tyres can cause a bit of lumpiness over bumps, but overall, the ride is incredibly plush. If you find it too floaty in Comfort mode, switching to Sport gives it a good balance.

Sound insulation, too, is far improved, but again, it’s those big tyres that play spoilsport a bit over expansion joints. The steering has been blunted and softened too, to the point that it is incredibly light at low speeds. It’s almost enough to make you forget this car’s mammoth dimensions; almost.

So it’s great at low speeds, but the contention arises when you’re driving for enjoyment, and here’s where some of the razor-sharp agility of previous X5s is missing. The steering does feel a little mushier, and even in Sport mode there is noticeably more body roll; you really do feel the X5’s size in the corners. But perhaps I’m being a bit harsh because it still handles better than most 2.1-tonne SUVs, with perhaps only a Porsche Cayenne being able to break the laws of physics better. Those massive tyres also afford it prodigious grip, and, despite the AWD, it always has a distinctly rear-biased feel.

Whether you’re barrelling up a mountain road or weaving through traffic, you’ll love the straight-six diesel engine (there’s a straight-six petrol too) and its 8-speed automatic gearbox. With 265hp and 620Nm of torque, it’s got more than enough pulling power to compensate for the X5’s size and weight. It’s not just effortless, it’s downright quick, with 0-100kph coming up in only 6.55sec. And with the quick-acting ZF gearbox (it seems to get better with every new car launched) doing its thing, kickdown acceleration is equally brisk. The good news is the characteristic (and quite thrilling) shove in the guts typical of BMW’s diesel engines is still there. Take it out of Sport mode and – apart from a little bit of hesitation if you catch the gearbox off guard – it is smooth and refined, as is befitting this new, more luxurious X5.

Should I buy one?

The X5 starts at Rs 72.90 lakh (ex-showroom, India). This xLine variant, though, will set you back
Rs 82.40 lakh, putting it dangerously close to seven-seat luxury SUVs like the Audi Q7, Volvo XC90 and even the Mercedes-Benz GLS. It stings even more when you realise this isn’t a full CBU import; it’s assembled in India. However, you have to consider a few things, like how much more this car gets you. Not only is it more spacious, it’s more comfortable, thanks to the air suspension, and far better appointed and better equipped now. Then there’s BMW’s updated SU – sorry, SAV – range. The X3 has grown, you also have an X4 now, there will soon be an X7 and below that a new X6; all the models have been moved up the ladder. Sure, it’s not quite the ultimate driving machine that its forebears were, but it’s still pretty damn good to drive – and that can be forgiven for how much better a luxury SUV it is. It’s gotten more expensive, but it’s also a lot more car for the money.

Click here for BMW X5 prices, reviews, videos, images and more

Click here for BMW India models, prices, reviews, videos, images and more



from Autocar India - Cars http://bit.ly/2XcmbFA

Toyota Glanza variants, features explained

Set to launch on June 6, 2019, there has been plenty of speculation and rumours about exactly what equipment Toyota will provide with its Glanza premium hatchback. We can now reveal the exact list of features, engines, gearboxes and creature comforts that will be available on each variant of the Toyota Glanza. As we had reported earlier, what is essentially a badge-engineered version of Maruti Suzuki’s Baleno, will launch in two variants (both higher-spec versions) and three engine-gearbox combinations – an 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol-MT; an 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol-CVT; and a 90hp, 1.2-litre Smart Hybrid-MT.

Toyota Glanza G

  • 90hp, 1.2-litre Smart Hybrid petrol engine with a 5-speed manual
  • 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 7-step CVT
  • Dual front airbags
  • ABS, EBD and brake assist
  • Seatbelt reminder for the height-adjustable seatbelts
  • Speed warning
  • Front fog light
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Isofix child seat mounts at the rear
  • Rear defogger, wiper
  • Mild-hybrid system (on 90hp engine only)
  • LED projector headlamps
  • Power adjustable and folding wing mirrors
  • 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
  • 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system (Smart Playcast) with Aux, USB, Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
  • 4 speakers and 2 tweeters
  • Steering-mounted controls
  • Central locking and keyless entry
  • Push-button start
  • Tilt and telescopic steering adjust
  • Adjustable front and rear headrests
  • Height adjustable driver’s seat
  • Power windows with auto up/down function for the front
  • Automatic climate control
  • Front centre armrest
  • 60:40 split folding seats
  • Front and rear accessory socket

Toyota Glanza V

  • 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 5-speed manual
  • 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 7-step CVT
  • Rear parking camera
  • Automatic LED projector headlamps with LED DRLs and a follow-me-home function
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel

When it arrives in showrooms, one of the Toyota Glanza’s main USPs over its rivals (like the Maruti Baleno, Honda Jazz and Hyundai i20), will be its longer 3-year/unlimited kilometre standard warranty pack. Considering the Glanza variants are expected to be priced at a premium over their respective Baleno variants, expect Toyota to price its hatchback in the Rs 8-9 lakh (ex-showroom) bracket.

Click here for Toyota Glanza launch details, est. prices, news, images, and more



from Autocar India - Cars http://bit.ly/2Xhtf3G

ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G hits Northern Europe

ZTE was having some troubles in 2018 with breaching embargoes and following orders, but it appears the company is back on track for the 5G revolution. After the Axon 10 Pro 5G smartphone was announced at MWC in Barcelona and 2,5 months later launched in China, now the phone made its way outside its home market. The first country that will receive the 5G flagship is Finland, where ZTE is partnering with local carriers on the 5G switch, expected to happen later this year. The Axon 10 Pro 5G is available for purchase in the Northern European country, but so is the non-5G variant...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2WwYzyh

BlackBerry KEY2 LE available for Verizon Business customers

Back during CES, TCL and Verizon announced that the more affordable BlackBerry KEY2 LE will be available to purchase for business and enterprise accounts. That was back in January, but the carrier is finally revealing pricing and availability for the BlackBerry. The KEY2 LE will be available starting today on Verizon for corporate customers who want to offer their employees the classic @ work device. The BlackBerry will only be available from Verizon in the Slate color and is going for $450 outright or $100 with on a 2-year contract with Verizon. The KEY2 LE is a lower-cost variant...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2EMajTs

Galaxy Note10 won't have a headphone jack or physical buttons

Remember the buttonless abomination that was the HTC U12+? Samsung apparently took a long hard look at that concept and decided it's something it needs to get into. Seriously, a new rumor today, claimed to originate at "a source familiar with the company's plans", says the Galaxy Note10 will be devoid of any actual physical buttons. Those will be replaced by capacitive or pressure-sensitive areas, which will probably be highlighted by raised bumps or special textures along the edge. Read: faux buttons. Read: HTC U12+ redux. Let's hope Samsung manages to pull this off more than HTC could,...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2QyYdlr

Samsung sells over 2 million Galaxy M10, M20, and M30 devices in India

Earlier this month Samsung triumphantly announced that it sold 5 million Galaxy A-series phones in India in just 70 days of availability, and today it's time for the company to tout another big number. This time it's related to the M-series, namely the Galaxy M10, M20, and M30, handsets which are exclusively sold online in the subcontinent. And they are selling quite well, as it turns out. Samsung has already managed to move over 2 million units. The M-series will help the company double its market share in India when it comes to handsets sold online this year, according to Asim Warsi,...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2I7tHev

Huawei sales in India still strong despite uncertain future

While some carriers and retailers in Europe are reevaluating their relationship with Huawei following its US ban, which made the future of its smartphone business uncertain, sales in India are going as usual with indications of change in the near future. Croma, one of the leading retail giants in India, stated that Huawei users aren't particularly worried about incoming updates and are confident they will be getting new software features pretty soon. Ritesh Ghosal, the Chief Marketing Officer at Croma, said that "with its innovative and differentiated technology offerings, Huawei...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2KdbuPj

Huawei nova 5i benchmarked with Kirin 710, docs show 4/128GB memory

A couple of leaks from multiple sources have revealed details about the Huawei nova 5i. Some suggest that this will launch as the Huawei P20 lite (2019) in some regions, however, several of the rumored specs don't line up. The nova 5i was certified by Taiwan's NCC with 4GB of RAM and 128GB storage, plus up to 512GB extra with a microSD card. There will be a version will 64GB storage as well. The phone has passed through Geekbench as well, showing a Kirin 710-level score. Huawei may announce the Kirin 720 any moment now and we thought a nova phone will introduce it, but that doesn't...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2W3MyfA

New iPhone XR 2019 renders show an alternative color scheme

Earlier this month we saw renders of the iPhone XR 2019, which showed a variety of colors, and days after that we heard about even more. The renders showed bold colors like the current XR, rather than the more subdued hues of the X-series iPhones. Now new renders have surfaced, which picture the new XR with XS colors. Apple iPhone XR 2019 renders: Gold • Gray • Black • (PRODUCT)RED This means Gold and Gray and Black. There's also what looks like PRODUCT(RED), which the current iPhone XR has as a special edition for select carriers, but the XS phones never got (despite...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2XgdgTv

Our Asus Zenfone 6 video review is up

Asus is far from a major player in the smartphone industry. As far as the wider tech world is concerned, however, the Taiwanese company is a behemoth, with its expertise in computer hardware earning it many fans. That position seems to be key in understanding the occasional Asus dabble in the phone world. Historically, Asus handsets tend to be different than the mainstream. The company's PC pedigree shines through, be it through the use Intel mobile chipsets when that was a thing, convoluted PC-style model numbering or bold design and functional decisions all around, like on the ROG...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2HJVhiV

Huawei P30 and P30 Pro update enables DC dimming

DC dimming is being enabled on the Huawei P30 and P30 Pro via a software update that is currently rolling out in China. This means that Huawei's flagships have joined the growing number of phones with OLED screens that ditched PWM for DC dimming. What's the difference? In short, PWM rapidly turns the pixels on and off to lower the brightness - hence the name "pulse width modulation". This leads to a flicker that some people are sensitive to and causes headaches for them. DC dimming reduces the current sent to each pixel, which reduces its brightness while keeping it on constantly (so,...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2wsCan9

Oppo Reno 10x zoom review

No, this review is not about some detachable Oppo lens as we are past the era of these crude workarounds - it's an actual phone and a proper flagship at that. But while this particular name isn't our cup of tea, the rest sounds beyond intriguing.



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2KdouV9

Samsung Galaxy Note10e rumored to have a 3,400 mAh battery

We've seen rumors that Samsung's upcoming Note10 line will feature at least two variants with a smaller SM-N970 and larger SM-N975. According to new reports, the smaller version will come with a 3,400 mAh battery. The discovery was made by the folks over at GalaxyClub.nl who came up on the actual battery model number which happens to correspond to the more affordable Note10e's model number. Last month a similar discovery found the Note10 Pro's battery to be a 4,500 mAh cell, which would be an upgrade over the Note9's 4,000 mAh battery. Previous reports suggest the smaller Galaxy...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2Xg6mOh

Motorola One Action does Geekbench with Exynos 9609 chipset

Back in April, @evleaks tweeted that Motorola is working on four "One" phones and with the release of the One Vision, three of them are a reality. The fourth one has just passed through Geekbench. The Motorola One Action is powered by a Samsung-made Exynos 9609 chipset, just like the One Vision. This is just a lower clocked version of the 9610 chip - 2.2 + 1.6GHz instead of 2.3 + 1.7GHz. Here's a quick comparison with the Galaxy A50, though note that it was a pre-release One Action that ran the test. Even so and despite the 0.1GHz difference in clocks, the scores are very close. ...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2YVXPjU

Four New Harry Potter Ebooks Will Release Over the Next Few Months

Four new Harry Potter short ebooks have been announced, which will be adapted from the audiobook Harry Potter: A History of Magic and will release between June-August.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2QAk5gd

T-Series Becomes First YouTube Channel to Reach 100 Million Subscribers

T-series has won the race to the 100 million subscribers mark on YouTube, and has become the first channel to achieve the milestone.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2wv30ep

Twitter Is Eroding Your Intelligence. Now There's Data to Prove It.

Economists at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan found that the social networking site undermines intellectual attainment.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2XpQhFy

Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass Subscription Service is Coming to PC

Microsoft is bringing the Xbox Game Pass subscription service over to the PC ecosystem. Xbox Game Pass for PC will offer access to more than 100 titles on Windows 10 for a monthly fee.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2XiftxJ

Uber Posts $1 Billion Loss in Its First Quarter as a Public Company

Uber reported a $1 billion loss as the ride-hailing service spends heavily to build up its food delivery and freight businesses, sending revenues up 20% in its first quarterly report as a public...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2W2ptKm

Watch the First Trailer for Pixar's Onward, Releasing March 2020

Pixar has released the first teaser trailer for Onward, which features the voices of Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Octavia Spencer. Onward is out March 6, 2020.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2Kerhxl

Amazon Said to Be Interested in Buying a US Telecom Operator

Amazon is interested in buying prepaid cellphone wireless service Boost Mobile from US carriers T-Mobile US and Sprint, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2JMHgDt

Inflatable Angry Emoji Looms Over Facebook's Annual Meeting

Protesters carrying an inflatable angry emoji greeted Facebook shareholders as they gathered for the company's annual meeting, the latest sign of its struggle to shake off privacy scandals and rein in...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2I8ekCO

OnePlus 6, OnePlus 6T OxygenOS Beta Updates Bring Zen Mode, Screen Recorder

OnePlus 6 and 6T have started receiving new OxygenOS open beta updates that bring the Zen Mode introduced with the OnePlus 7 series.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2WuwUhs

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Redmi Note 7S Review

Redmi Note 7S sports the same hardware like the Redmi Note 7 but gets an upgraded camera module. But is it the one to buy? We review to find out.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2XbuoKk

Motorola Moto Z4 debuts with Snapdragon 675 and 48MP camera

Building on last year's Moto Z3, Motorola has officially released the first member of its 2019 Z lineup - the Moto Z4. The phone is actually a midrange retaining the Moto Mods compatibility. The Moto Z4 is built around a 6.4-inch FHD+ OLED screen with a 19:9 aspect ratio and waterdrop notch for the 25MP f/2.0 selfie cam. It has in-display fingerprint reader for your biometric security needs. The screen features Gorilla Glass 3 protection and an aluminum frame. The back houses a single 48MP f/1.7 main camera with OIS which utilizes a Quad Bayer color filter outputting 12MP shots....



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2EIFRJQ

New Sony Xperia 1 promo videos highlight camera performance

The Sony Xperia 1 went on sale yesterday with its 21:9 OLED display with 4K resolution and triple camera setup. Sony is betting big on the camera performance of its latest flagship and released several promotional videos aimed at exploring all the advanced options found in the Xperia 1's camera department. Cinema Pro is a feature which aims to let the phone create videos similar to professional movie cameras with more natural and cinematic tones. The color presets will work in conjunction with the default cinematic 24 frame-rate and varying shutter speeds for preserved highlights and...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/30UdUZ4

Meizu 16Xs announced with triple camera, UD fingerprint reader and Snapdragon 675

Meizu accidentally leaked its Meizu 16Xs smartphone yesterday, but today it's announcing it for real. It brings a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED panel with 1080 x 2232px resolution, a fingerprint reader sitting and Snapdragon 675 with 6GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. The camera setup on the back is 48MP + 8MP + 5MP. The main 48MP unit has f/1.7 aperture, while the 8MP wide-angle unit features f/2.2 lens. The third one is actually a depth sensor aiming to improve the portrait mode. On the front sits the 16MP selfie snapper with f/2.2 aperture. The device has a...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2Xi3EI6

Moto Z4 With 48-Megapixel Camera, Moto Mods Support Launched

Moto Z4 price is set at $499 (roughly Rs. 34,900) for its sole 4GB RAM/ 128GB storage variant.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2IdBaJk

NASA's Curiosity Rover Finds Clay Cache on Mars

Curiosity Mars rover at a region of the Red Planet called the "clay-bearing unit" has revealed the highest amounts of clay minerals ever found during the mission, NASA has said.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2XmXJ4F

Realme C2 to Go on Sale Again Tomorrow via Flipkart, Realme Website

Realme C2 will be available for purchase once again tomorrow. Realme is hosting a new flash sale for the smartphone at 12pm (noon) on May 31 via Flipkart and Realme Online Store.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2IcsKll

Database Leaks 42.5 Million Records From Chinese Dating Apps: Researcher

As many as 42.5 million records of users of different dating apps were found in a single Chinese database that doesn't have a password protection, a security researcher has said.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2JMRzYl

Microsoft Hints at a 'Modern OS' With 'Seamless Updates'

Microsoft has teased the attendees of the ongoing Computex event in Taipei with hints of a new, modern operating system (OS) in the making.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/30WEfG8

Verizon announces pricing for Motorola Moto Z4

Moto Z4 is the latest smartphone on the horizon, with a Snapdragon 675 chipset and plenty of storage. The device was just announced, and Verizon followed up with the pricing and plans it will offer to customers. The device can be purchased straight away for $499, and Big Red is also offering a 5G mod for $199.99. If you decide to purchase the smartphone in installments, you can get it for $20.83 per month for 24 months. If you want to migrate to Verizon or you are already a customer, but want to add a new line, Moto Z4 will cost you only $10 per month in the next two years. Existing...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2wve5fI

2020 Honda Africa Twin Rumours Suggest 1100 cc Engine

New Honda Africa Twin likely to get a bigger, more powerful engine and variable valve timing, according to latest reports.

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2WyEibI

Glanza to become first Toyota in India with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay

As is widely known, the Toyota Glanza will essentially be a rebadged Maruti Suzuki Baleno. Save for small cosmetic changes, the two cars will virtually be the same. The part sharing will trickle down to the infotainment systems as well. Maruti Suzuki’s SmartPlay Studio will find use in the Toyota, albeit branded as ‘Smart Playcast’. Maruti Suzuki’s SmartPlay Studio first debuted in the Wagon R and was later rolled out on the updated Baleno. 

The Glanza’s Smart Playcast system will come with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto making it the first Toyota product in India to get these features. Security concerns have kept Toyota from embracing the systems on a global level thus far, though newer models will start getting them. The Playcast system will not come with onboard navigation, though the feature can be used via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The Playcast system will also feature voice commands, USB, Bluetooth and AUX. Both variants of the Glanza are likely to come with a four-speaker and two-tweeter setup.

Interestingly, Toyota will offer a 12-month free trial of the Toyota connect app with the Glanza. In contrast, Maruti Suzuki charges Rs 10,000 for a three-year subscription of the Suzuki S-Connect app that is available on the Baleno. However, from the information available, Suzuki’s S-Connect telematics app is more comprehensive than what Toyota offers. 

Slight differences in infotainment system aside, the Glanza and Baleno will also differ in their warranties. As reported by us earlier, the Glanza will come with a 3-year/ 1,00,000km warranty as standard on all variants, just like other Toyota offerings in India. In contrast, the Baleno comes with a 2 year/40,000km warranty.

Toyota will sell the Glanza in two variants and two engine gearbox options. The Toyota Glanza G Smart Hybrid will come with the new Suzuki K12N 1.2-litre DualJet petrol engine with Smart Hybrid tech that made its debut in the Baleno recently. This version would be unique in the Toyota universe, being the only hybrid with a manual gearbox.  The Toyota Glanza will also be offered with a 1.2-litre K12M engine that churns out 83hp and 113Nm of torque. This engine will be offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox and a CVT gearbox as well.

Key rivals to the Glanza include its badge-engineered twin, the Baleno, Honda Jazz and the popular Hyundai i20 hatchback. The Toyota Glanza launches on June 6, 2019.

Click here for Toyota Glanza launch details, est. prices, news, images, and more



from Autocar India - Cars http://bit.ly/2I5nEXY

PhotoGallery: 2020 Lexus RX SUV image gallery



from Autocar India - Cars http://bit.ly/2ws8pmr

Nokia 2.2 Tipped to Launch at June 6 'Global Event'

Nokia 2.2 or the Nokia Wasp, has been spotted on FCC certification revealing that the phone will come with 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage configuration.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2Kexl96

Google CEO Said to Have Shunned a Large Stock Award After Lavish Payouts

Sundar Pichai was, for years, one of the world's highest-paid corporate executives. Now he's facing the opposite reality: No big paychecks at all.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2MeB6Op

Redmi Note 7 Pro MIUI 10 Update Rolling Out With New AI Camera Modes

The OTA rollout for Redmi Note 7 Pro users is underway, but Xiaomi has also published Recovery ROM and Fastboot ROM links for manual downloads.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2QzWex2

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Set to Face Leadership Vote: Report

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was likely to face a leadership vote at the social networking giant's annual general meeting on Thursday.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2KdaJWM

PhotoGallery: 2019 Aprilia Storm 125 image gallery



from Autocar India - Bikes http://bit.ly/2W0TaLH

Mahindra EV Sales Soar By Over 60 Per Cent In FY19-20

Mahindra and Mahindra stated that its electric vehicle sales grew over two-and-a-half times to 10,276 units in 2018-19.

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2W2jtkL

Uber May Soon Allow You to Mark 'Favourite' Drivers

Uber is reportedly testing a new feature that would allow you to mark a driver as a favourite.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2HLQxcL

Amazon Pantry Service Now Available in 110 Indian Cities

Amazon Pantry grocery box service is now available in 110 cities in India, the company announced. The service can be used by the Amazon customers in cities like Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bhubaneswar,...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2QCgwq2

ISRO, IAF Partner for Gaganyaan Manned Mission Crew Selection

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday said it signed an agreement with the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Tuesday.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2MieeOe

Oppo A1k Review

Oppo A1k doesn't deliver all the features that we've come to expect in the sub-Rs. 10,000 market, but what it does offer might come as a pleasant surprise to some potential buyers.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2HKqe6Q

Tesla CEO Urges Employees to 'Catch Up' to Hit Delivery Record

Tesla has "a lot of catching up" to do but still can achieve a record quarter, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk wrote in a new email that was reviewed by Reuters.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/313Z16O

Huawei a Key Beneficiary of China Subsidies That US Wants Ended

Huawei has become a major flashpoint in the US-China trade war, with President Donald Trump taking steps to block the company's dealings with US companies.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2MwWdMn

Microsoft to open flagship store in London on July 11

Microsoft is gearing to bring its flagship store experience to Europe this July with its upcoming Oxford Street retail store. The new retail location will be housed in a three-story building in the heart of London. Inside, visitors will have access to the latest Microsoft products thanks to the interactive zones allowing customers to experience products like HoloLens and the latest from the Surface and Xbox lines. The Answer Desk will let you bring in any device running Microsoft services regardless of brand and operating system for repairs and advice. The store will also offer a...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2XaP8Si

Facebook Sees 'Many Open Questions' in Years-Long Privacy Pivot

Facebook says there are still "many open questions" about how it will use and keep data such as users' IP addresses.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2wpCeUT

Google Chrome to Offer Full Ad Blocking Features Only to Enterprise Users

Google Chrome is set to move away from the existing webRequest API to the newly proposed declarativeNetRequest API to restrict ad blockers.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2EIwM3U

NXP to Buy Marvell's Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Business for $1.76 Billion

NXP Semiconductors said on Wednesday it will buy Marvell's wireless connectivity business for $1.76 billion in cash to offer its customers a bigger product portfolio.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2JOtMXZ

Harley-Davidson May Start Manufacturing Bikes In Europe

Increasing tariffs from Europe on Harley-Davidson bikes may force the American manufacturer to shift production to Europe in a few years' time.

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2WeBq4h

Twitter Now Lets Up to 3 Guests Join in on Live Streams

Twitter has decided to allow broadcasters on its app open up their live streams to guests.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/30RiIi9

Dropbox Plus, Professional Plans Upgraded With More Storage, New Features

The Dropbox Professional plan will now offer 3TB storage and a new watermarking feature, and the Business plan will increase its storage capacity from 3TB to 5TB.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2YYt5yJ

Oppo Reno Z With Waterdrop-Style Notch, 48-Megapixel Rear Camera Launched

Oppo Reno Z on Thursday became the latest phone to join the Chinese smartphone maker's Reno lineup. The Reno family already includes Oppo Reno, Oppo Reno 10x Zoom edition, and Oppo Reno 5G...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2XevapJ

Google Bans Apps That Facilitate Sale of Marijuana

Google on Wednesday banned apps on its app store that facilitate the sale of marijuana or related products, as part of a change to its content policy.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/30Rgb7D

Nokia to launch new phones next Thursday

Yesterday we reported an invitation from Nokia for a launch in New Delhi, India, where the Nokia 1 Plus and Nokia 9 PureView are expected to debut in the local market. Now, according to sources, another event is taking place at the same time in Italy, suggesting we might see completely new devices on the global scene like the Nokia X71 or another affordable handset. So far, we've only heard about a Snapdragon 429-powered phone, but this time last year HMD Global announced the Nokia 5.1, Nokia 3.1, and Nokia 2.1 in Moscow, Russia, so we might be getting their successors in seven days....



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2QvVtp1

Sponsored feature: Peak Performance

Naldehra has many delights. The eight-hour drive from Delhi to this hamlet, an hour away Shimla, is delightful; the Mall Road is great for people-watching; and there are noble trees all around. For some people, though, there is another attraction – and that is the almost-a-century-old Naldehra Golf Club which, at 2,200m above mean sea level (MSL), has one of the country’s highest golf courses. The lure of the greens is so strong that, sometimes, on long weekends, one simply exchanges the man bag for the golf kit, thumbs the starter button on the car at hand – in this case, the new Toyota Camry Hybrid – and points its attractive nose away from Delhi.

Early morning is a great time to check out how the light bounces off the Camry which, with its creases, 18-inch wheels and that beautifully sloping roof, has tremendous road presence. The road that leads to Naldehra is not without irritants, but there are several stretches on which one can move at a fast clip. Aiding that rapid advance up the hills is the new Camry’s engine and electric motor, which ensures you have 221hp at your command. Life is quiet and extremely comfortable inside the Camry, and those large windows frame views of towns that you leave behind – Karnal, Ambala, Chandigarh – until the mountains finally come into view.

The next morning, the 18-hole Naldehra Golf Course is drenched in sunlight, and presents some becalming views. It was Lord Curzon, the viceroy of India, who oversaw the making of the course; and there is quite obviously a decidedly colonial feel to it. The rhythm and pace of life are slower, and that suits one just fine. Soon, it’s tee time, and a sweet drive, a combination of both precision and power, brings immense satisfaction. Precision and power also reminds one of the automobile that entered Naldehra elegantly the previous evening.

From the way the two sources of power work in tandem, the smoothness exhibited by the e-CVT transmission, to the car’s grip on the road, the Camry is a study in the melding of exactness and power. All it took was a quick dab on the accelerator for the car to make short work of highway traffic, and one was especially glad to note the presence of paddleshifters. Obviously, the engine has a dual role here. Apart from pulling the car forward, it also charges the battery. The latter also gets charged when brakes are applied — that’s what brake regeneration is — and it helps one get sterling fuel-efficiency figures.

The rest of the morning is spent getting my swing right and losing many golf balls. There were some hits and many misses; but all in all, it was a good day, which ended early in the evening with a cup of refreshing tea at the lovely club house. There are many things golf teaches you. One of them is that practice – whether in the boardroom or on the greens – makes perfect; and the other is that it’s important to switch off, every once in a while. The caddy had several recommendations regarding Naldehra, and the Camry dipped into and out of small, winding lanes and relatively broader roads to Shaily Peak and the Chadwick Falls. The weather was bracing, and one often paused to enjoy the silence amidst the woods.

The drive back to Delhi the next morning was even better. As the car made light of rough patches on the road – the new Camry sports an independent rear suspension, by the way – one wondered what it would be like to sit at the rear. That part of the cabin looked quite inviting, especially with those cosy seats and that touch-operated panel that controls the rear windscreen’s sunshade, backrest recline, and the rear air conditioner.

In the end, one decided that the pleasure of driving an exceedingly well-engineered car, at this point in life, trumped all other attractions. And, as Delhi appeared on the horizon way earlier than expected, one felt vindicated.



from Autocar India - Cars http://bit.ly/2Ic0oYx

Volvo Cars and Varjo Launch Mixed Reality Application For Car Development

Volvo Cars and Varjo, the maker of high-end augmented reality headsets, have created a world-first mixed reality approach to evaluating prototypes, designs and active safety technologies. The...

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2QB6oNX

JioSaavn Users Can Now Share Music on Snapchat

Snap has partnered with JioSaavn to enable the streaming app's users to share music on the ephemeral social networking app.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2JLKU0e

Twitter Looking Into Whether White Supremacists Should Be Banned

Twitter is conducting in-house research to decide whether racism-promoting white supremacists should stay on its platform.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2HJb1mu

Aprilia Storm 125 Launched In India, Priced At Rs. 65,000

Piaggio Group today launched the new Aprilia Storm 125 cc scooter in India, priced at Rs. 65,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). First, showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo, the new Aprilia Storm 125 is now the most...

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2XeosjG

Oppo Reno Z debuts with waterdrop notch, Helio P90

Without much publicity, Oppo has officially unveiled the fourth member of the Reno line - the Reno Z. The phone is listed for reservations on Oppo's own site as well as popular online retailer JD.com. By all accounts, this will be the least impressive model in the Reno series with toned down specs and a more affordable price point. The Reno Z features a 6.4-inch AMOLED screen with FHD+ resolution and a waterdrop notch at the top for the 32MP selfie cam. The display supports HDR 10 and features a built-in fingerprint scanner. Around the back, the device packs the 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2wuPVlr

2019 Kawasaki Ninja 300 Gets Two New Colour Options

Mechanically, the motorcycle remains the same, apart from the introduction of two new paint schemes - Lime Green and Metallic Moon Dust Grey.

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2W1XCKa

Huawei reinstated in the SD Association

In light of recent development with the USA - Huawei trade ban, the Chinese company's name got removed from the SD Association's website a few days ago and today we can see Huawei being reinstated. A Huawei representative confirmed that Huawei is back on the SD Association or as he said - its membership was never cancelled in the first place. It was just temporarily modified to ensure it complies with the US Department of Commerce order. That doesn't mean it's the end of Huawei's troubles, though. The company still needs to settle with the US government or it will be unable to...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2WyhKrI

Kia SP2i Production Model Spotted Sans Camouflage; To Be Called Seltos Globally

The production version of the Kia SP2i concept-based SUV was recently spotted while being filmed for a TV commercial, outside India. As per the badging on the SUV, the production version of the SP2i...

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2YV1RZJ

Xiaomi Mi 9T Teased With Notchless, Full-Screen Experience

Xiaomi Mi 9T is rumoured to debut alongside Mi 9T Pro in Russia next month.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/30WhWjC

Meizu 16Xs With Triple Rear Cameras, Snapdragon 675 SoC Launched

Meizu 16Xs includes a 6.2-inch Full-HD+ display, Snapdragon 675 processor, and a 48-megapixel rear sensor.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2HKUheA

Redmi Note 7S to Go on Open Sale in India From Tonight via Flipkart, Mi.com

Redmi Note 7S open sale starts at 12:01am on May 31, via Flipkart and Mi.com. It will also be made available via Mi Home stores on Friday.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2YXaAec

Samsung Galaxy A10e Spotted on Geekbench, Tipping Specifications

Samsung Galaxy A10e spotted on Geekbench 4 reveals processor and RAM details.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/30MEOCa

Huawei Gets Listed Again on SD Association, Wi-Fi Alliance Members List

The SD Association list has over 1,000 names and Huawei Technologies Ltd. has been added to the list.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2MgY8o3

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 May Look Like This, Battery Capacity Also Tipped

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10 Pro both variants are rumoured to come with a single selfie camera.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2HLprCz

Death Stranding Release Date, Editions Revealed; Pre-Orders Go Live

Death Stranding has finally been confirmed to release on November 8, and pre-orders for the game have now gone live with a total of four editions in tow.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2EHVMbF

Huawei Launches 5G Lab in South Korea, Keeps Event Low-Key After US Ban

Huawei unveiled an open lab for next-generation 5G wireless network in South Korea on Thursday.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2WrAdpR

How to Watch ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Live Online Around the World

Watch a live stream and live score of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, England, the US and other parts of...

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2WvxEmI

Leaked macOS 10.15 Screenshots Detail Anticipated Apple TV, Music Apps

Apple is set to announce its latest edition of macOS at WWDC 2019. But ahead of the keynote, leaked screenshots seem to reveal upcoming TV and Music apps on macOS 10.15.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2Mi3kYD

Polarity Electric Bike With 100 kmph Top Speed Spotted Testing

The electric bike is claimed to have a top speed of 100 kmph and a range of 80 km on a fully-charged battery.

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2YWM5gW

Aprilia Storm 125 officially launched at Rs 65,000

The Aprilia Storm started to reach dealerships a week ago, and after revealing the price on its social media, the manufacturer has officially launched the scooter at a price of Rs 65,000 (ex-showroom, India). The Storm was first displayed at Auto Expo 2018, and this production ready variant has undergone a few changes.

Unlike the 14 inch wheel on the Aprilia, the 12-inch alloy wheels on the Storm are of a simpler design than the ones we saw on the scooter at the Auto Expo.  It also misses out on a front disc brake and gets a drum brake at either end, with CBS. However, Aprilia has said that a disc brake variant is in the works. Other differences on the production scooter are minor, like the addition of a grab handle and a white Aprilia logo instead of a red one.

While Aprilia has made many changes, almost certainly in order to cut costs, it hasn’t swapped out the Vee rubber off-road-oriented tyres for regular ones. These tyres measure 120/80 at the front and 130/80 at the rear. In comparison, the SR sports 120/70 section rubber at either end, and it recently switched from Vee Rubber to MRF Nylogrip Zappers. The scooter also features the bold graphics from the scooter displayed at the expo.

The bodywork, instrumentation and lights, meanwhile, are identical to the SR 125. So is the engine -  it uses the same single-cylinder, three-valve air-cooled unit that makes 9.5hp at 7,250rpm and 9.9Nm of torque at 6,250rpm.

The Storm 125 costs around Rs 8,000 less than the SR 125 and In terms of competition, will take on TVS Entorq 125 (drum brake) that is priced much lower at Rs 58, 252 and the Honda Grazia (drum brake), which costs Rs 60,723 (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi).



from Autocar India - Bikes http://bit.ly/2WwlREA

Bugatti La Voiture Noire1 Wins Design Award At Villa D'Este

The Bugatti La Voiture Noire1 participated in the 'Concept Cars and Prototypes' category.

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2Klnw9J

Hydrogen-Powered Electric Flying Vehicle Unveiled by US-Based Company

A transportation company is betting its sleek new hydrogen-powered electric flying vehicles will someday serve as taxis, cargo carriers and ambulances of the sky.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2YUmsNR

Oppo Reno gets two new versions - Coral Orange and Inspiration Edition

Oppo initially announced the Reno series in Ocean Green, Nebule Purple, and Pink Mist. Now the palette is getting two more variants - Coral, which looks like Peach Orange, and an Inspiration Edition that has Dark Navy Blue to Purple hues and plenty of drawings. Oppo Reno Coral • Oppo Reno Inspiration Edition The Oppo Reno variant that will get the new colors is the regular unit with two cameras on the back. It is powered by a Snapdragon 710 chipset and comes with 6 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. The phone also comes with VOOC 3.0 fast charging and latest ColorOS 6, based on...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2MhAx6s

MG Hector bookings open officially on June 4, 2019

The MG Hector has made quite a splash, following its unveil on May 15, 2019. While a few dealers have been accepting orders prior to the model’s launch, MG Motor India has announced that Hector bookings will officially open on June 4, 2019. Incidentally, MG Motor India’s flagship outlet at New Delhi will also open its doors on that day; prospective buyers will be able book the SUV at 120 MG centres across 50 cities in India. Additionally, the SUV will also be available for booking on the carmaker’s India website, www.mgmotor.co.in, starting 12pm on the same day. 

MG had previously announced plans to widen its footprint in India, with 250 touch points to come up by September this year. Dealer despatches of the MG Hector SUV are expected to begin soon, with the market launch and price announcement expected to take place sometime mid-June 2019.

The MG SUV will come with a 143hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol; a 170hp, 2.0-litre diesel; and a 48V mild-hybrid version of the 1.5 turbo-petrol unit.  The 4,655mm long Hector will launch in five-seat form and 
MG has officially confirmed to us that a seven-seat variant will join the line-up in 2020.

The MG Hector will rival the likes of the Mahindra XUV500, Jeep Compass and the Tata Harrier.  The SUV will come with a long list of segment-first features, including a 10.4-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system with a number of connectivity technologies, a panoramic sunroof, six airbags, and 17-inch alloy wheels, among others. MG Hector prices are expected to range from Rs 15-20 lakh (ex-showroom).     

MG Motor India is also readying its second product for our market, the eZS electric SUV, which will launch later this year.



from Autocar India - Cars http://bit.ly/2Ke776E

Mahindra and Mahindra's Q4 Profit Slips By 20% To Rs. 849 Crore

Mahindra also exported 10,200 vehicles during the current quarter, registering a growth of 17.1 per cent over the corresponding quarter previous year.

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2I6Vls5

Excel for iPhone Now Lets You Convert Photo of a Table Into a Spreadsheet

Microsoft Excel for iPhone has added same the Insert Data from Picture feature that was previously offered to Android users.

from NDTV Gadgets - Latest http://bit.ly/2WdZSTx

MG Motor India To Kick Start Bookings For The Hector SUV From June 4, 2019

The company has made an investment of Rs. 2,200 crore to refurbish the Halol manufacturing facility and roll out its first product, the Hector, from the facility.

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2YZJnHQ

Ferrari SF90 Stradale Unveiled; The Company's First Plug-in Hybrid With 986 bhp

For maximum performance in terms of overall weight, rigidity and centre of gravity, the chassis and bodyshell of the SF90 Stradale is all new, built using multi-material technology, including carbon...

from NDTV Auto - Latest http://bit.ly/2HLQPR3

Production-spec Kia SP spied fully undisguised

There’s less than a month to go for the global debut of the Kia SP2i, which is set to take place on June 20, 2019. However, you won’t have to wait that long, as the production-spec Kia SP SUV has been spotted fully undisguised during a TV commercial shoot abroad, and the new spy pictures reveal a few key details.

First, the name. While the Kia SP spied in these pictures bears the Seltos name, it could have a different name for India. Kia is understood to have readied region-specific versions of the SP, and while Kia may christen it the Seltos for certain markets abroad, in India, it could be named the Kia Trailster.

As expected, the production-spec Kia SP2i remains largely similar to the SP Signature concept (revealed at the 2019 Seoul motor show) in terms of design. Replacing the Signature’s small, fancy-looking ORVMs are bigger units, and the 19-inch alloy wheels have made way for 18-inch wheels wrapped in 225/45-section Kumho tyres, even though the design of the dual-tone alloys remains the same.

Taking pride of place up front is the bold ‘Tiger Nose’ grille sitting between sharp-looking LED headlights, seemingly connected by a LED light bar atop the grille. The Kia Seltos sports a contrast roof, slim LED fog lamps, pull-type door handles, a chrome strip on the A-pillar, a chrome-finished window line that rises sharply towards the rear, prominent roof rails and a chunkier chrome bar connecting the mildly reshaped tail-lights.

Another interesting point to note is that the Kia Seltos seen in these pictures sports the T-GDi and 4WD badges, which indicates there will be a turbo-petrol, four-wheel drive version on offer in some markets. One of the interior sketches Kia revealed recently showed off what looked like a drive mode selector with ‘Off-Road’ marked on top of the dial, which indicates the Kia SP2i will also have a certain degree of off-road ability.

The spy pictures don’t reveal much of the Kia Seltos’ interior, but one shot does show the black-and-brown colour scheme on the inside. The Kia SP2i’s interior is expected to be well-appointed and will get a handful of segment-first features as well. Equipment on offer is likely to include a large touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera, wireless charging and in-car WiFi. A head-up display and an ambient lighting package will also likely be on offer on the top-spec variant.

At launch, the Kia SP2i’s engine options are expected to include a 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Both engine options are likely to be BS6-ready, but could be BS4-compliant at launch. Both engines will be available with a choice of manual and automatic gearboxes, and Kia is even working on a sportier variant of the SP SUV, with a 140hp, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with paddleshifters.

When it is launched in the months following its India reveal, the Kia SP’s price will be in the range of Rs 10-16 lakh (ex-showroom). At that price point, the SP will rival the Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks, Renault Captur, Tata Harrier, and even the lower variants of the Jeep Compass and the upcoming MG Hector.

What do you think of the Kia Seltos’ looks? Let us know in the comments.

Click here for more Kia SP pictures, details and info

IMAGE SOURCE: Chris Doane Automotive via Autoblog



from Autocar India - Cars http://bit.ly/2MdUeMt

Ferrari SF90 Stradale breaks cover

Ferrari has taken the wraps off the most powerful, most advanced and fastest-accelerating road car it has ever produced: the SF90 Stradale.

The new flagship Ferrari is also the first series production plug-in hybrid vehicle from the brand. It's the second of five new models to be presented this year – an “unprecedented” product rollout, according to the Italian firm.

Dubbed Project 173 during development, the production name (SF90) is taken from the Ferrari’s 2019 Formula 1 car and is also a reference to 90 years since Scuderia Ferrari was founded. Unlike with the LaFerrari, production is limited only to the amount the firm can sell, with 2,000 customers from around the world lined up already.

The most significant number for the SF90 Stradale is 1,000. That's the total horsepower figure that the petrol-electric powertrain makes: about 36hp more than the LaFerrari's and the most of any road going Ferrari ever built.

The heart of the car is Ferrari’s award-winning ‘F154’ twin-turbocharged V8, bored out from the 3,902cc of the 488 Pista to 3,990cc.  The resulting output of the engine alone is 780hp, with 800Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. The new engine design – in which the turbocharger is mounted lower and the flywheel is smaller – results in a lower centre of gravity. The exhaust system also makes use of the super-alloy Inconel, instead of steel, to save weight. Ferrari claims a “fuller, richer” sound for the exhaust.  Complementing the V8 is a trio of electric motors – two mounted at the front and one mounted at the rear between the engine and gearbox that in combination provide all-wheel drive. All three generate a total of 220hp to make the 1,000hp total. They are powered by a relatively small (7.9kWh) lithium-ion battery pack that makes the SF90 Stradale capable of 25.7km of electric-only running at speeds of up to 135kph. The battery can be charged either by plugging it in (no charging time has been revealed) or using the engine as a generator.

The two power systems are channelled through a newly developed 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It’s lighter and more compact than the outgoing 7-speed unit and promises an 8 percent reduction in fuel consumption in normal driving on the WLTP cycle. Shifts are also claimed to be 30 percent faster. The advancements also extend to the brakes, with Ferrari recording a 160-0kph stopping distance 2m shorter than the LaFerrari.

All of this results a 0-100kph time of 2.5sec, which is a record for a road-going Ferrari. Furthermore, 0-200kph takes 6.7sec, while the top speed (claimed not to be the main performance focus) is 342kph. Ferrari also says the new car pulls out a 64-metre lead from the LaFerrari in one lap around its Fiorano test track.

A new power mode selector, dubbed eManettino, provides four driving modes. eDrive keeps the engine switched off for as long as the battery lasts, while Hybrid is the default setting, balancing both power sources. Performance and Qualify add increasing levels of go-faster capability.

The SF90 Stradale’s exterior is designed to provide the optimum balance between maintaining the style, heritage and proportions of classic Ferraris and employing advanced aerodynamics.

Two bodystyles are available on the SF90 Stradale: the standard one and the Assetto Fiorano package, which is aimed at forgoing some comfort in the name of offering better track pace. It features a taller rear spoiler for increased downforce, a more stripped-out interior and bespoke carbonfibre detailing, resulting in a weight reduction of 30kg. It also gets Michelin Cup 2 tyres with a bespoke compound instead of the Pirelli P Zero tyres available on the standard car.

The SF90 Stradale's shorter overhangs – including a rear one that’s shorter than the front – have created a cab-forward layout that's said to emphasise the mid-engined look and feel. The cabin area is 20mm lower than on previous Ferraris and is bubble-shaped with larger rear flying buttresses – a classic Ferrari design cue. Slim C-shape headlights are integrated in the brake air intakes and use matrix LED technology, while the tail-pipes are centrally mounted and higher than ever before.

Ferrari claims the SF90 Stradale is “the new benchmark for downforce and efficiency in high-performance road cars”. The headline figure is 390kg of downforce generated at 250kph – 30kg more than the LaFerrari.

The stand-out bodywork element is a part of the rear wing. Dubbed the ‘shut-off Gurney’, it’s a mobile section of the spoiler that, in high-downforce conditions, is lowered towards the body to create new tail geometry, or raised up when low drag is needed for straight-line speed. A complex system of vortex generators and two front diffusers ensure airflow from the front to the rear is optimised.

As with the rest of the car, the SF90 Stradale’s interior is totally new. Even entering it is a different process, with a new keyless entry system incorporating a key that is shaped and styled like the Ferrari logo and doors that open via push buttons from the inside.

The dashboard is dominated by a completely new interface and a 16-inch curved digital instrument cluster. All car functions and infotainment are controlled through this, with only a handful of touch-sensitive icons on either side of the steering wheel for climate and driving assistance functions.

A head-up display also features for the first time, but it’s the new steering wheel that's most significant. Ferrari claims 80 percent of the car’s functions can be controlled from here, citing that “eyes on the road, hands on the wheel” was a key safety motivation during development.

Despite the technological advances, a few classic touches still remain, including the gear selections built into an ‘H-gate’-style metal gear lever.

Ferrari is remaining coy about the exact pricing figure for the SF90 Stradale, claiming it will be revealed later.

The car is a series production model, with of the 2,000 customers who are invited to see the car, “most have already ordered one. Anyone who orders now will have a long wait” according to sources.   The first deliveries are tipped to begin in Italy in the first quarter of 2020.

Also see:

2020 Ferrari SF90 Stradale hybrid image gallery

Click here for Ferrari India models, prices, reviews, features, videos, images and more



from Autocar India - Cars http://bit.ly/2WdLlas

Sponsored Feature: Hometown Hero - Mango Run in a Renault Duster

Sometimes, familiar roads lead to new destinations and to new perspectives. If that sounds a touch philosophical, let me elaborate. I am, as I suppose you all are, a massive mango fan, and when I say mango, I mean the Alphonso or Hapus. I could write a thesis on them, and I always believed that there was the Alphonso, and there were the rest.

That was until earlier this year when a Goan friend of mine asked me whether I had ever tasted the Mankurad. He rubbished the Alphonso, and called it a poor cousin of the Mankurad. My curiosity was piqued, and as luck would have it, I was asked to head out in a Renault Duster AMT for the first leg of our mango run to, of all places, Goa. So, there I was last month, pointing the Duster’s pugnacious nose down south. But what exactly is the Mankurad? And why is it that most mango lovers, especially those in Mumbai,  have never heard of it? The Mankurad is grown in Goa, and it is in such demand in the tiny state that it is rarely seen in other parts of the country. The name, apparently, is a corruption of the Portuguese Malcorado (poor in colour), but, as my friend pointed out, the mangoes have an intense aroma and burst with flavour. I might have been curious, but I was still a sceptic, and I carried that scepticism all through our journey, which began on a steaming Wednesday morning.

Old roads, new journeys

I can never tire of going to Goa, and the windows of the Duster framed familiar yet soothing sights – trees in full bloom in summer, makeshift neera stalls by the roadside, and hundreds of cars packed with happy families off on their holiday. I was also glad that I was in a car I was familiar with. It’s been about seven years since Renault launched it here, and it’s had a recent update making it as indefatigable as ever. The variant I was driving was the AMT, which is basically a 6-speed automated manual transmission mated to the doughty 110hp motor. Like all automatics, the AMT is supposed to make driving in the rotting traffic of cities less of a chore, which it does, of course. But, as importantly, I found it to be a good companion on highways as well. With its happy and powerful diesel, and the tall sixth gearing that made for great cruising, we munched the miles from Mumbai to Goa and hit the sun-kissed state earlier than we expected to. Also impressive was the Duster’s fuel efficiency. It returned a healthy 17kpl on our trip. In other words, I reached Goa with lots of fuel to spare. Here’s what I jotted down in my notepad on that evening by the beach – ‘Why doesn’t the Duster have a dead pedal?’ ‘Gearshifts mostly and pleasantly seamless’; ‘Prefer shifting manually around corners; thank god for manual mode’; and ‘Early morning meeting with Nestor Rangel at Valpoi’.

Nestor Rangel is a genial man in his late 30s. He is among those Goans who have taken it upon themselves to conserve the Mankurad mango and help popularise it. The cultivation of the Mankurad is not as popular as other more established mango varieties, and one of the main reasons is that it does not travel well. Rangel owns several mango orchards in Valpoi, which is about 40km from Panaji, and among the mangoes he grows there is the Mankurad. Before driving to Valpoi, I hit the fruit markets around Mapusa to check out the object that had made me drive this far. The Mankurad looks a lot like the Alphonso mango, though it feels a lot fleshier. But its aroma is distinct and a touch heavier than its more famous neighbour. And it wafted through the Duster’s cabin, as we drove towards Valpoi, flicking the car into narrow lanes, deftly negotiating a late morning surge in traffic, and riding roughshod over some especially rough patches of road. The AMT was a boon in and around chaotic Panaji, and as I switched to the highway and floored the pedal, the Duster stayed reassuringly stable even at triple-digit speeds, just like it did on our way from Mumbai to Goa.

King of mangoes

Rangel smiles a lot when he talks about the Mankurad. You can see he is intensely passionate about this mango variety. He tells me that most farmers in Goa grow the mango variety organically and they do it out of passion. “Its short shelf life means export and even long-distance transportation within the country is an issue. Again, we avoid pesticides and hybrid ripening. That means it ripens naturally, and that is responsible for its distinct taste,” says Rangel.

Mangoes grown in Goa were always much sought after, especially after the arrival of the Portuguese into the region. The Portuguese popularised modern grafting techniques, and soon enough the reputation of its mangoes spread all over the world. Apart from the Mankurad, the other mangoes that are much in demand include the Hilario, Fernandin, Xavier and Monserrate.

Desa, a Goan based in Qatar, is another Mankurad aficionado. In early May, Desa, along with fellow Mankurad lovers who form part of Transform Goa, an NGO, organised the second edition of the All Goa Mankurad Festival. “I have eaten mangoes from all over the world, and there is nothing like the Mankurad,” says Desa, echoing what every Goan fervently believes. Desa says that 20 vendors participated in the most recent edition of the festival, and over 1,000 people turned up to both buy the mangoes and express their solidarity. With support from the state government, Transform Goa plans to introduce Mankurad to the world. “We will encourage private land owners to plant saplings, create a cooperative movement. In April and May, all roads in Goa should give out the aroma of the mango, and this can be achieved by planting the mangoes along the roads in the state,” says Desa. Plans are also afoot to involve the Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, in Goa, which, Desa hopes, will help Mankurad enthusiasts get the hang of better grafting techniques.

Sweet surrender

Rangel gifted me some Mankurad mangoes, and I purchased more from the markets around Mapusa. Mankurad sells for about the same price as Alphonsos in Goa, for about Rs 400-Rs 600 a dozen, and the price is only slightly negotiable, if at all. Obviously, vendors know they will always find buyers for the Mankurad. The Duster’s commodious boot easily swallowed up the dozens of mangoes I purchased, and I made my way back to Mumbai early next day. Once back home, late at night, I sliced open a Mankurad and bit into it. The first thing that hits you is the flavour: it is indescribably rich, and combined with that distinctive aroma, it creates a delightful impression on your palate. It is almost as sweet as the Alphonso, and definitely way juicier. I didn’t stop at one. In fact, after consuming about three, I realised that unlike Alphonsos, which taste more or less the same, each Mankurad tastes slightly different from the other. There is no monotony of taste, so to speak. Does that mean that the Mankurad is my new favourite? Not yet, but it might soon get there. 

 



from Autocar India - Cars http://bit.ly/2MeoxCQ