Innehållsförteckning för December 2020 från Car India

THE NEW HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC HAS RECEIVED A REDO WITH BOLD DESIGN enhancements to make it even more desirable with the addition of more safety, connectivity, and convenience features. Since 2018, the Kona Electric has seen more than 1.2 lakh global sales in just two years. The new model is now 25 millimetres longer and features enhanced aerodynamics that reduce turbulence in the front. The closed front grille gets a new look, enhanced by the new LED daytime lights and an asymmetric charging port. New, sharper-design headlamps stretch around the side. The new rear bumper has new horizontally stretched rear lamps to complement the front. A range of new exterior colours are on offer. Inside, there’s the latest Bluelink upgrade and new ambient lighting. The powertrain remains unchanged with a…

HAVING HAD OUR TASTE OF THE WILD SIDE of Odisha with a visit to Tikarpada during the previous leg of this journey, we couldn’t wait to see what other secrets the state’s dense forest cover had in store. So, we headed straight for the Similipal Forest Reserve. Before venturing into the forest, though, we learned about the legendary tigress of the same name and the equally legendary Indian Forest Service officer, Padmashri Saroj Raj Choudhary, who raised her and kept a pet python and hyena alongside. Stories of the bond between the tigress Khairi and Choudhary are amazing and well known across the country. Choudhary is also highly regarded in the wildlife and conservation world, having done a lot for this space, including the establishment of the Similipal Tiger Reserve…

#BeTheBetterGuy in the New Normal What Comes First? Seatbelt or Mask? The first thing that responsible drivers do when they sit in a car is reach over their shoulders for the seatbelt. Similarly, the first thing a responsible citizen does before leaving the house is wear their mask. Since coronavirus is still a very real and present danger, as drivers, we must also ensure that we are wearing our mask before even getting into the car because it is just the safer thing to do and its best not to risk it when the foe is an unseen germ. Safe Distances; Inside and Outside the Car Leaving enough room between yourself and a vehicle in front of you is safe and, if we are being honest, a matter of common…

BRINGING A NEW CAR home is always a special event. What makes it even more special is when the car in question is a rarefied supercar that has only seen limited production, is handcrafted, and specially packed for its destined home. Yohan Poonawalla, an avid car collector, among many other roles, certainly has a way of finding a future classic backed by a unique taste for purity. His choices thus far are testimony to that: Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé — one of many examples of the marque he possesses and the one he had said long ago was his favourite; the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG — AMG’s first car on their own, with its naturally aspirated V8; the rather hyper V12 grand tourer from Maranello, F12berlinetta, and its sensational drop-top natural…

HE COMPACT SUV IS A CAR GENRE THAT IS gaining fans quicker than K-pop here in India. It is fascinating to see how this very specific space (compact SUVs, not K-pop) is growing in the context of the Indian market, with month-on-month numbers showing steady leaps and bounds up the charts. Well, the latest entrant into this space is more J-pop than K-pop, seeing as it is rolling off the Nissan production line. The new Magnite is being billed as the big push from Nissan in India, so this is an important vehicle for sure and, as such, will have to score well in all aspects. I like the supersized blacked-out grille, especially with the chrome brackets it is ensconced within, and this is the element that your eyes get…

“M ”is truly the most powerful letter in the alphabet. And it’s been asserting its dominance in the performance space more than ever before. The new M8 Coupé — the first-ever M model for the 8 Series — brings more firepower than ever with the salvo packaged into a truly delectable offering, to say the very least. THE M8 IS NOT A COMPACT SPORTS CAR. IT’S 4.9 metres long and two metres wide with properly bold lines making for a unique fastback design; that is, when viewed from the side, reminiscent of both the Mustang Fastback and BMW i’s 8. The more I look at it, the more I see elements that draw more of my attention. The sweeping front face looks part evil and part aggressive, with the not-too-large…

BUTCH, LARGE, AND HEFTY. FOR AN ENTRY SUV FROM AN ICONIC brand, nothing less can be expected. From its Freelander days, there have been several changes and image updates to make it more modern, attractive, and efficient. The new Discovery Sport is indeed a capable Land Rover off the road and, being the more compact adventure and active lifestyle-oriented version of the Discovery, has some elements that try to make it feel more premium. The 4.6-metre-long SUV bears a smooth, flowing design with generous proportions highlighting its tank-like appeal. Its near-two-tonne weight is thanks to the robust build. The sturdy front-end face reminds me of a bulldog that means business and isn’t afraid to take on pretty much whatever’s thrown at it. It’s got a credible platform and can handle…

IT WAS A RETURN TO HISTORIC IMOLA for the Grand Prix Emilia Romagna, the third race in as many venues in the country this season. Pole position went to Valtteri Bottas and Mercedes-AMG with his six-time world champion teammate, Lewis Hamilton, close behind. As the lights went off, Bottas made a quick exit as Hamilton dropped to third with Max Verstappen in the Red Bull Racing Honda getting past and slotting into second behind the pole-sitter. Pierre Gasly, also on a charge in the AlphaTauri Honda, lost ground to Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari before going around the outside and taking fifth. Daniel Ricciardo, in the Renault, had made the most of the opportunity and made his way through. A little contact between Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari and Kevin…

UPON EXITING THE PITS, JEHAN found himself in 18th place after which he reeled in a couple of quick laps to gain grid positions. By the 19th lap, he had overtaken multiple racers and moved up to fifth place. Things then became really intense as the race leader, Mick Schumacher, took his mandatory pit-stop after which he emerged from the pits behind Jehan, who was now running third. Jehan and Mick were evenly matched for at least another six laps before Schumacher started closing the gap to Jehan. He soon brought the gap down from two seconds to around 1.5 seconds. Besides much fresher tyres, Schumacher was also now on the faster medium-compound and charged to reduce the gap down to 0.7 seconds with five laps to go. It seemed…

THE NEXT-GENERATION MAYBACH S-CLASS has arrived and it is more advanced, luxurious and intuitive than ever before. Advanced driver assistance systems and safety technology are now almost expected of super-luxury cars, but new luxury and convenience features? What could be changed? Gesture-controlled rear doors, laser-guided timed seat-belt delivery, and a rose gold-design digital information console, among many new features. The Maybach S-Class has grown and by a considerable amount. The wheelbase is 180 millimetres more than the long-wheelbase version of the Benz S-Class; so it’s 5,469 mm long overall with a wheelbase of 3,396 mm. That frees up a lot of room inside, enough for a slew of business- and even first-class appointments. Including the reclining rear seats with massage functions and individual climate control. Mercedes haven’t mentioned anything about…

HONDA HAVE GIVEN US A GLIMPSE OF THE ALL-NEW HONDA CIVIC for 2022 with the unveiling of the prototype. The new model teases the new Civic line-up which will begin to arrive in May 2021, starting with the launch of the Civic Sedan, followed by the sporty Civic Hatchback, performance-focused Civic Si, and the high-performance Civic Type R. The 2022 model marks the 11th generation of the Civic, inspired by timeless elements of Honda design. The new styling features a low and wide stance, low belt-line, clean and sophisticated detailing, and an open and airy cabin. Honda say that the new Civic will build on its appeal with an even sportier, fun-to-drive new chassis, more powerful and fuel-efficient powertrains, multiple new Civic-first features and technologies, an all-digital dashboard, and further…

CONTINENTAL HAVE ENGAGED WITH TOP engineering institutions in India for cutting-edge research to build competencies on niche ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) functionalities that pave the way for automated driving. In the last few years, Continental have forged partnerships with several academic institutions for collaboration in this area of technology. Continental India are currently conducting pioneering research in scenario perception — especially enhancing safety towards pedestrians, bicycles, and animals — with on-road protection from potholes and speed bumps. Typically, ADAS uses multiple sensor inputs — radar, camera, and lidar — for maximum awareness with increased safety and comfort through assistance in driver actions such as monitoring the surroundings, steering, braking, and parking. The ongoing research and development, aided by deep machine learning and next-generation artificial intelligence, continues to bring in…

RENAULT INDIA WILL OFFER CONCESSIONAL GST AT THE RATE OF 18 PER cent with a view to celebrate the indomitable spirit of the specially-abled and differently-abled members of society, as directed by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Heavy Industries. All Renault India dealerships will offer the concessional rate and internal corporate discounts to specially-abled customers with the waiver and additional discounts applicable upon the successful processing of documentation. While corporate discounts will be offered on all models, the GST waiver will be offered only to the specially-abled customers on all sub-four-metre vehicles with petrol engines of up to 1.2 litres. The maximum eligible discount is Rs 30,000 on the Duster, and Rs 9,000 on the Kwid and Triber. Other attractive schemes of the month may also be clubbed…

What Is the Purpose of Sunroofs? I have a question about sunroofs that I need your help with. What is their purpose really? I know that children aren't meant to stick their heads out of one. But I was wondering why they are there in the first place. Looking forward to your explanation. Rajeev A, by e-mail Dear Rajeev, That is an interesting question. You are absolutely right that it isn't something you should stick your head out of. A simple way to look at it is that the sunroof is an additional window in your car, but one mounted on the roof. It serves the same function as the more conventional window. It isn't meant to let passengers out but to allow the outside atmosphere into the car. Whether…

HE NEW ENYAQ IS ŠKODA’S FIRST ELECTRIC T SUV and, true to its genes, it combines the brand’s virtues of generous space, emotive design, and well-balanced proportions with a sustainable yet fun driving experience. Being the Czech brand’s first series-production vehicle based on the MEB (Modularen Elektrifizierungs Baukasten or Modular Electric Toolkit) architecture, it is the first of many possibilities that we may expect in the future. The new Škoda Enyaq iV measures 4.65 metres long. The proportions highlight a short front section and an elongated roofline that create a dynamic exterior while offering a generous amount of space. The dynamic design language is complemented by a striking grille — with the option of illumination. The “New Design Selection” concept for the interior makes for quality finish and a typically…

THE FOUR-WHEELER. THESE BEAUTIFUL modes of movement that have transformed human civilisation have become a regular part of most souls on Planet Earth. Today, our four-wheeled friends come in all shapes, sizes, designs, and uses neatly segregated into segments. We have hatchbacks, family hatchbacks, sporty hatchbacks, sedans, family, sporty, SUVs, family, sporty... the list is long. However, currently, in our ancient land, there is one segment that has been extremely lively and staunchly competitive: the sub-four-metre SUV. A host of new launches have made themselves felt in this segment, battling it out with the original inhabitants. Now we have a new contender, a contender that shines as bright as the segment itself. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Renault Kiger. The Renault Kiger sub-four-metre SUV is the company’s latest product planned…

ONCE PROUDLY PIONEERING, NOW more of a follower, long-time hybrid champion Lexus have finally built a full-electric car — and it looks exactly like a normal UX. Whereas Lexus show cars tend to be bracingly weird, this is very much a case of replacing the internal-combustion hardware with an electric motor and a battery under the floor. It has the same interior as the familiar hybrid UX, too, with the same excellent comfort, impeccable build quality, and fiddly touchpad-based infotainment system. The logic is clear enough. Lexus are killing off the CT hatch and IS saloon in the United Kingdom, a market favouring SUV body styles. So, the UX is their entry model and having a full-electric version in the line-up gives buyers an alternative to the likes of the…

ENTRY-LEVEL” AND “LUXURY” MAY BE contradictory terms, an oxymoron to make the utterer look like a complete moron. But even luxury has to start somewhere and, for the much-vaunted Indian-owned British brand Jaguar, luxe starts with the XE (rather than ending with it). So, the XE is the most economical option in Jaguar’s Indian line-up and provides the launch pad into the high-roller Jaguar-owner club. This 2020 XE is a mid-life update and, as such, does not mark a radical departure from the model it is based on. There are enough tweaks and touch-ups to make it relevant for the early 2020s, though. We drove the top-end SE trim, powered by the two-litre four-pot P250 Ingenium turbo-petrol mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The headlights on the made-over XE are…

FOCUS IS A WONDERFUL thing. It allows for more incisive execution of whatever it is the focus is on. However, it also limits abilities that could have been honed further, for a much better deal overall, without the worry of diluting what could be. Then there are cases where 100 per cent of something is not entirely essential and there is scope to create a mix of something that works everywhere. Now, this isn’t about an aspiring musician with an engineering degree who bakes cakes at home to survive in these disastrous times, but it’s about the crossover. I’m not a fan of blurring lines, but sometimes things just tend to work out well. The first GLE Coupé I’d sampled was the GLE 450 4MATIC; which, soon after, turned into…

Welcome KIA SONET 1.5 DIESEL AT BREAK FREE I RECENTLY RETURNED FROM MY FIRST inter-city drive (with all precautionary measures in place) and it feels like a shot in the arm. For journos like us who are used to living out of a suitcase and jumping straight into a car, being confined indoors seemed like a difficult task. With the Kia Sonet as my new long-term car, I was itching to go on a long, leisurely drive. The reason: it breaks a bunch of stereotypes associated with compact cars. It’s good-looking, has decent room even on the back seats, comes with great powertrain options, and is filled to the brim with features — some of which even cars from a segment above don’t offer! Moreover, it also endorses that…

THE NEW TUCSON SEEMS AS stunning a design as Hyundai’s learning curve is exponential. The company has gone from strength to strength — from high-quality interior layout and design to vastly improved handling dynamics and driver engagement — over the years. The fourth-generation Tucson marks their stride into the next decade. Following the flagship Palisade and the big Santa Fe, the Tucson gets a radical new design theme and a front end that looks properly futuristic and concept-like. The new Tucson is the first Hyundai SUV to be developed according to the company’s new “Sensuous Sportiness” design identity characterized by four fundamental elements: proportion, architecture, styling, and technology. Its purpose is to bring a sensuous and emotional touch to Hyundai vehicles, realised by innovative technology and solutions. It measures 4,500…

THE NEW LAMBORGHINI HURACáN STO — Super Trofeo Omologata — has been officially unveiled and it’s a brutal, lightweight, drool-worthy V10 bull. The new Huracán STO takes over the reins of lightweight king in Lamborghini’s V10 Huracán series from the Performante, with its weight down by 43 kilograms. This was accomplished by a number of factors, including a 20 per cent lighter windscreen, carbon-fibre in more than 75 per cent of the exterior panels, and magnesium rims, to name a few. Its heart is a naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 that now puts out 640 hp and 565 Nm. The engine is calibrated for a direct response coupled to an enhanced seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox for more rapid gear shifts. Lamborghini claim to have improved the engine’s sound. The rear-wheel drive…

JAGUAR’S FIRST-EVER ALL-ELECTRIC ROAD CAR, THE I-PACE, IS SET to arrive in India with bookings being accepted at dealerships all over the country. The I-Pace is a clean, smart, and safe compact luxury electric vehicle that delivers sustainable sports car performance, next-generation AI technology, and five-seat SUV practicality. A 90-kWh lithium-ion battery, using 432 pouch cells, allows for a range of up to 480 km on the WLTP cycle. A charge level of 0-80 per cent can be achieved in just 40 minutes using 100-kW DC rapid charging. Home charging with an AC wall box of seven kW will achieve the same state of charge in just over 10 hours — ideal for an overnighter. The I-Pace packs a suite of smart range-optimizing technologies and also includes a battery pre-conditioning…

BMW X3 M The first-ever BMW X3 M has been launched in India at Rs 99.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The new X3 M gets a slew of changes to revitalize the segment and raise the performance plane like only the Bavarians can, with the introduction of a new straight-six engine. The newly developed unit has a displacement of 2,993 cc. It uses a forged crankshaft and adopts the twin-turbo set-up; one each for cylinders one-three and four-six. It features variable valve and camshaft timing, apart from high-precision direct injection. This is good for 480 hp at 6,250 rpm with the peak torque of 600 Nm available from 2,600 to 5,600 rpm. An eight-speed M Steptronic torque-converter automatic with M xDrive handles power delivery duties, aided by the Active M Differential, adaptive…

THE LIGHTS OF ONCOMING VEHICLES ON the other side of the highway begin to meld together as the Sonet and I make our way to Similipal. I have the car in Sport mode and the throttle response is instantaneous as I put the foot down and overtake a line of trucks. The six-speed automatic gearbox is set up so well, it responds to every small input to the throttle. The steering weighs up nicely, too, offering pinpoint precision when I want to dart past traffic and the LED headlights light up the way, holding the inky blackness of the night sky at bay. As I arrive and park at our stop for the night, I can’t help but marvel at just how well the Sonet fits in with the road-tripping…

THE GAME HAS CHANGED. WHAT GAME? Well, for starters, the terms “essential”, “normal”, and “value” have, over the past year or so, been forcefully assigned different meanings altogether. What worked 10 years ago — what was enough 10 years ago — has changed. Evolved. No more is “enough” good enough. There has to be more. The new Hyundai i20 turbo-petrol with the dual-clutch automatic transmission — TGDI DCT, in manufacturer speak — in the Asta(O) trim level we have here brings just that; a lot more, but costs Rs 11.18 lakh (ex-showroom). That’s as much as a fairly loaded family sedan used to cost 10 years ago, including taxes! A lot has changed, hasn’t it? But how much of it is for the better? That’s what we’re going to find…

LIMITED EDITIONS ALWAYS SEEM TO GENERATE A different kind of interest and, more often than not, have a special place in enthusiast hearts. The Octavia vRS was a special addition to the Czech marque's range when it first arrived with its 1.8 TSI heart. Things got better and better. The market improved for performance machines that didn't need to deliver upwards of 15 km/l and, thus, choices improved. The new Octavia RS 245, then, is a limited model. Although just 200 cars came in, there are a few still up for grabs. And we were happy to partake. It's a stylish and striking design, the Octavia, and it looks just as quick as it is. The unmistakable front face is thanks to the signature grille, garnished with the special badge…

MATTHIAS FINK, THE MAN BEHIND THE EXTERIOR design of the Q2, has been quoted as saying that he drew inspiration from the American Football players hunkered down in a scrimmage line when sketching up this baby Q. Which is ironic considering that since its global launch in 2017, the Q2 has never featured in the American or indeed even the Canadian market. That’s largely irrelevant, though, as it has finally made it to India this year. Not the 2021 facelift that you Audi anoraks will have seen unveiled for some foreign markets, but that very same 2017 variant that Fink compared to quarterbacks and linebackers and... that’s about the extent of my knowledge of that other sport they call football. The fact that we got last generation’s Q2 isn’t necessarily…

ASTON MARTIN DBX An Aston for all seasons ABOVE ALL ELSE, THIS IS AN ASTON MARTIN. If you’ve put 158 big ones down, you surely care more than a little about driving, so you’ll be itching to prod the glowing starter button. The 550-hp twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 wakes with a rumble and the moment you set off, you appreciate the absorbent ride quality and fluent steering. The DBX breathes down the road with a pliancy and flow the others cannot match. Aston’s chunky steering wheel design leaves much to be desired, but the feel it imparts is surprisingly delicate and accurate for such a large car. It’s strange to mark an Aston for practicality over performance, but this car’s purpose demands it The bandwidth of Aston’s SUV is, perhaps, its…

A WET QUALIFYING SESSION SAW Lance Stroll in the Racing Point Mercedes put in a lap so quick no amount of anyone’s dad’s money could buy a time of that sort. Dismissing all rumours about his credibility and his deserving a seat in the soon-to-be Aston Martin Racing team, the young Canadian left others in his wake, taking the first non-Mercedes pole, albeit with a Mercedes power unit. The race would also see similar conditions and a field of cars all starting on wet tyres. Stroll got off to a good start with the Red Bull Racing cars of Max Verstappen and Alex Albon, as well as the Renaults of Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon in tow. The outside line was not the place to be as Albon and, almost…