Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2018 i Car India

THE 919 EVO IS AN UNRESTRICTED VERSION OF THE THREE-TIME LE MANS WINNING 919. With no restrictions to comply with, the 919 Evo is essentially the racer unleashed. With the limiter on the 2.0-litre turbocharged V4 removed, the car develops 720 PS. With the e-motor limiter also removed, the e-maschine now develops 10 per cent more output, peaking at 440 PS. Of course, for the car to be able to showcase its full potential, Porsche have also reduced the weight by 39 kg. So, it now weighs in at 849 kg. Power-to-weight? Do the math. At peak, it’s well over 1,300 PS/ tonne. The intent is simple, we reckon, break every known lap record in existence. Porsche factory racing driver Neel Jani lapped the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit, home of the…

Audi RS 5 Sportback Wanted an RS 5 but found the coupé model two doors too short? Thought the RS 7 Sportback was a bit too much? Audi have the answer for you. Genesis Essentia Concept When a concept looks like that, you know the company’s has to be taken seriously. Sensual lines and inviting design make it look like a winner already. Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach Package A drop of 18 kg, thanks to the front lid, roof, front and rear anti-roll bars and coupling rods being made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. The bolt-in roll-cage is also lighter than the Clubsport version. Brembo Calipers First seen on the Huayra, the new calipers are eight per cent lighter (400 grams) and just as stiff as the conventional best in…

UNIQUE WHEELS SPOTTED The other day I saw a giant blue extensively modified Mahindra Thar with a winch, and giant tyres, and was instantly drawn to it. The car also featured Mahindra Customisation badging, and was hoping if it would be possible to buy one? How much will cost? Sachin Vishwas, Mumbai Hello Sachin, We suspect that you’ve spotted the Mahindra Thar Wanderlust Concept. First seen at the 2018 Auto Expo, this Mahindra Customisation creation (you have a keen eye), is essentially the Thar dialled up to eleven. The dramatic styling, enlarged proportions, and massive tyres definitely catch the eye. It has also got additional features like a sunroof, heads-up display, bonnet-mounted jack, two jerry cans mounted at the rear, and gull wing doors among other things. Looks a good…

JVC JVC’s flagship model for 2018, the KW-V940BW, is the answer to in-car entertainment needs • DVD/CD/USB receiver with 6.8-inch Clear-coated Resistive Touch Control monitor with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabled • Air Mirroring for smartphones • Supported video formats: MPEG 4/H.264/MKV/WMV • Supported audio formats: Hi-Res Audio/MP3/FLAC/WAV/DSD • Dual USB, Digital Time Alignment and 4.0 V/three-Preouts JVC’s AV Receiver (non-DVD/CD) Multimedia Model KW-M740BT ― Navigation Solution with Waze • Digital media receiver with 6.8-inch Clear-coated Resistive Touch Control monitor and built-in Bluetooth • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto supported • Download “WebLink for JVC” App to use Waze Navigation and YouTube • Supported video formats: MPEG 4/H.264/MKV/WMV • Supported video formats: Hi-Res Audio/MP3/FLAC/WAV/WMA/AAC/DSD • Dual USB, USB rear monitor playback, Digital Time Alignment…

EVERYONE FROM ILLUSTRIOUS expatriates to India’s literary luminaries have waxed lyrical about the idyllic beauty and quiet charm of India’s glimmering Malabar Coast. Reading about it is all well and good, but the proof of the pudding, as they say, is in the eating, so I needed to go see for myself and bring back some visual evidence too. This could only mean one thing — time for yet another road trip! A 2,000-plus kilometre journey was planned, one that would see some highway action, a little bit of tomfoolery on the beach, and explorations deep between the bowels of the cities we would be hitting up. The Audi Q5 seemed like a no-brainer, so that’s exactly what we took along on the journey. Eager to get started, the first…

THE TATA NEXON HAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY HERE. NOW that automatic transmission cars are rapidly gaining acceptance in India, direct competitors such as the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza or Honda WR-V are yet to come up with an automatic version. It’s just the Ford EcoSport that has a petrol automatic variant currently. Since the Nexon has introduced automatic variants for both petrol and diesel versions, the compact SUV stands the chance of quickly becoming the crowd’s favourite. Unlike the Ford that gets a conventional torque converter, Tata have gone the automated manual transmission (AMT) way. This is also the first affordable AMT which has the option of driving modes (City, Eco, and Sport). Being a tiptronic gives it the flexibility of shifting gears manually, should you desire to do so.…

SOGGY, SNOW-LINED AUTOPISTA north of Barcelona, cruise control engaged. The new Mercedes CLS is keeping itself within its own lane and its own distance from the car ahead (an appealingly careworn Renault 4, if you’re interested). Should that come to a halt, so will the CLS, before autonomously following it away again up to 30 seconds later. Using map data, it can slow itself in advance of changing speed limits, junctions, and roundabouts. Feeling trusting? Nudge the indicator and it can swap lanes autonomously. Feeling stressed? Select a “wellness programme” for the most zen possible combination of seat heating/cooling/massage motors, ambient lighting, and music. About to hit something? If the CLS detects an impending collision neither you nor it can avoid, Pre-Safe Sound plays a brief rushing noise through the…

High-performance Audis can now unshackle their front driveshafts as if they’ve discovered the key to a chastity belt THE MATRIX BOARDS FLASHED SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS when I pointed the Audi R8 north up the A1 last night, on towards Kielder Water. Those warnings gave just a day to bag this drive, but next morning the weather’s creeping in: flecks of snow dance over the road as it stretches up past the reservoir, hypnotic like static interference on a television, thankfully melting away quickly into the frostbitten surface. Temperatures hover around zero as we push over the border into Scotland. Timber lorries bustle past in noisy, turbulent assaults, coating the road with clag dragged from clear-cut hillsides. Thick initially, the mud bleeds to almost nothing a few corners later, like a…

THAT’S WHAT THE NEW VISION Maybach is called. While we’ve come to expect that front end after renderings and glimpses, nothing could really prepare us for this Vision. Blending both a luxury saloon and an SUV together, the new Vision Maybach Ultimate Luxury Concept raises the bar, the ride height, and the seats, along with the wheel size and styling detail to be quite a sight to behold. The bold front end looks properly magnificent with the ‘MM’ insignia peppered on the air intakes and air dam. The large 24-inch turbine-style wheels look sharp, literally, and are home to an electric motor each. That’s right, building on the Vision Maybach 6, the Ultimate Luxury Concept is all-electric, packs 750 PS, and promises a range of 500 km.…

Fancy a roof that lets you see the Northern Lights, or falling rain, or forest all when you look up inside your car? The new Volvo S90 Ambience Concept offers a new take on luxury, and it’s a very interesting one, to say the very least. It synchronises visuals, sounds, and scent to raise the in-car luxury quotient. It, of course, is based on the three-seat S90 Excellence saloon, that focuses on chauffeured passengers. The visual element changes the car’s ceiling according to the theme chosen. Selections include Northern Lights, Scandinavian Forest, Swan Lake, Archipelago, Rain, Nocturnal, and Freedom. Each of these provide a different mood scaling from from relaxing to invigorating. The Nocturnal theme aims to improve resting while Freedom gives a boost of fresh and uplifting energy. That’s…

Audi Q5 L Long-wheelbase Q5 is the first SUV from Audi to be stretched 88 mm exclusively for China. Petrol 2.0 TFSI petrol engine offered in two states of tune, 190 PS or 252 PS, with standard quattro all-wheel drive. Lexus ES Sharper-dressed suit makes this Lexus even more like its larger and extremely likeable LS sibling. Now based on the GA-K platform, it’s longer, lower and wider than its predecessor. The range includes the ES 200, ES 250, ES 350, and the ES 300h with an updated hybrid powertrain making 218 PS. Mercedes-Benz A-Class L Sedan A move we saw coming, Mercedes-Benz have revealed the A-Class L Saloon, building on the hatchback but with a 60 mm longer wheelbase and a 420-litre boot. A 1.4-litre turbo-petrol with either 136…

HONDA ARE BELIEVED TO BE WORKING on a new compact SUV based on the new Honda Amaze. With the new Amaze, Honda have brought in a new and extremely versatile platform, codenamed 2UA, to India. During our interaction with Honda executives, they confirmed that the Japanese car maker will be launching a few new models on this platform. Since the company hasn’t seen the success they would have liked in the small car segment of India, they will be predominantly focusing on SUVs. The next model to be based on it will be a sub-four-metre SUV aimed at taking on the popular names: the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport.…

THE OXFORD ENGLISH Dictionary defines “architecture” as “the style in which a building is designed and constructed, especially with regard to a specific period, place, or culture”. In this special series we try to explore some amazing monuments that have stood the test of time to present a vibrant picture of the bygone era. For this special initiative, we decided to take the brilliant Hyundai Verna, itself an automotive equivalent of an architectural marvel, to Ghanerao, district Pali, Rajasthan, to visit the famous Royal Castle of Ghanerao. This is the abode of the former ruler of Ghanerao who belonged to the Mertia clan known for their valour and courage. We invited Gaurav Mathur, an architect and restoration expert, to show us round the restoration work done at Ghanerao Castle. Born…

THE NISSAN MICRA HAS BEEN INTRINSICALLY LINKED WITH the Japanese powerhouse’s journey in India. When it was introduced in 2010, the Micra became the first car from the Nissan stable to be locally produced on our shores. Today, it is a popular and celebrated hatchback that is very proudly Made in India and has achieved the historic landmark of being the most exported hatchback from India. Nissan’s Indian production has contributed to a car that isn’t just being sold out of the 200+ Nissan showrooms in India but has also sold over six million units in over 100 countries across the globe. One of the reasons for the Micra’s global success is Nissan’s constant efforts at innovation and raising the bar for the comfort and convenience of their customers. Following…

SOME CARS ARE IMMENSELY POPULAR OVERSEAS. BADGES, names, even specific variants are craved by many and known by many more. While the “Yaris” name belongs to Toyota’s hatchback and World Rally Championship contender, it still isn’t a “Supra”. Nevertheless, Toyota had a gap in their portfolio similar to a glaring open lot in the midst of a crowded business space. The divide between the Etios and the Corolla Altis was one that needed to be bridged, and while we initially believed the Vios was set to arrive, it turned out to be the Yaris that rolled in. At first glance, the Yaris looks every bit a modern sedan. Viewed head-on, the Toyota badge sits proudly in the centre of a Supra-like nose, flanked by long, sweeping headlamp clusters. LED daytime…

DESIGN HASN’T BEEN THE FORTE OF THE SUB-FOUR-metre sedan segment. Till recently the only options were hatchbacks with a boot attached as an afterthought, pretending to be a compact sedan. Thankfully things are changing rapidly. And the new Honda Amaze is riding that change. It is a bolder design, better packaged and the only car in the segment to offer a CVT automatic in both petrol and diesel variants. The first generation Amaze was launched way back in 2013, and a mild facelift followed in 2016. By now the sedan had crossed it peak and was already sailing into the sunset. So to remain as a contender in the competition, Honda had to get a new model. And that is when the ‘all-new Amaze’ stepped in and made its global…

 REFRESH, REFRESH, REFRESH. WELL, SUMMER IS already here and it is time for a refreshing change; at least, it is so for Mahindra, for the company has launched a refreshed XUV500 and it looks quite contemporary. Although the new XUV500 has not really received many technical updates, the cheetah-inspired design has been restyled. To give us a taste of the new XUV500, Mahindra invited us to their Chakan plant, near Pune, to drive this SUV at their test track. Here is what the experience was like. I was surprised to see that the turbo lag has come down drastically and the XUV500 now pulls cleanly from 1,500 rpm First, the major change: styling. Mahindra are smart when it comes to updating their SUVs. Their updates tend to be mild and…

IT WAS A RACE THAT was judged well by Sebastian Vettel as he powered on to his second consecutive victory in the opening two races. Starting from pole, Vettel showed that the scarlet cars could certainly challenge at the front. Unfortunately, his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen had an incident in the pitlane, where the pit mechanic was hit by his left rear wheel as he sped off from his pit-stop. The race ended in retirement for him. The two Red Bull cars, too, had a race to forget, with both Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen retiring from the race. Valtteri Bottas, in his Mercedes-AMG, only managed to bridge the gap to the front in the closing stages. He finished second, while his team-mate, defending world champion Lewis Hamilton, finished third.…

NEW THIS MONTH AUDI RS 5 COUPÉ It's back. Gone is the big V8 and in comes a blown V6, with the same 450 PS, but more torque. Yours from Rs 1.10 crore (ex) BMW X3 The next-generation X3 has arrived, sporting the 190-PS 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. From Rs 49.99 lakh (ex) LEGENDS PRICES Ex-showroom, Pune (subject to change) BO: Available only by order NA: Price not available FEATURES F: Front only D: Driver airbag only O: Optional equipment ASTON MARTIN BENTLEY BENTLEY FERRARI FERRARI HONDA HONDA HYUNDAI ISUZU LAND ROVER LAND ROVER MAHINDRA MARUTI SUZUKI MASERATI MERCEDES-BENZ MINI NISSAN RENAULT ROLLS-ROYCE TATA TATA VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN VOLVO…

Pininfarina H2 Speed Powertrain: Hydrogen fuel cell, 250 kW constant, 4x electric motors Peak Output: 480 kW (653 PS) at 13,000 rpm Transmission: Direct, 1:6.3 ratio, torque vectoring, rear-wheel drive Chassis: LMP carbon-based with steel frame Suspension: Wishbone, pushrod Brakes: Carbon discs LxWxH (mm): 4,730 x 1,956 x 1,113 Tyres: 30/68-18 (F), 31/71-18 (R) Michelin Pilot Sport GT Weight: 1,420 kg AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW IN MARCH, PININFARINA made headlines the world over when they showcased not one but two racy offerings: one, the H2 Speed, first shown at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show as a concept and the model set for production, and the second, the HK GT Concept, takes things further, allowing clean electric performance for 2+2 grand touring. Automobili Pininfarina, promoted by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd,…

THE SECOND OF PORSCHE’S TWO SUVS, THE MACAN, IS NExT IN LINE FOR A REVAMP. The Cayenne has recently been introduced in third-generation avatar, bringing in new efficiency and safety technology, together with more powerful yet cleaner drivetrains. The new Macan will follow suit and introduce new features and drivetrains as well. While nothing major will change on the exterior, the grapevine speaks of new LED headlamps, a more modern interior – minus the electric vent adjust seen in the new Panamera – and new drivetrains, also seen in the Panamera. The existing 3.0-litre and 3.6-litre V6 petrols will be replaced by the new 3.0-litre V6, and the 2.9-litre twin-turbo unit seen in the Panamera S. The latter will be in the Macan Turbo – capable of 440 PS and…

Audi RS 5 Coupé The next coming of Audi’s most extreme A5 is here – the 450-PS RS 5 has been launched at Rs 1.10 crore (ex-showroom). The RS 5 Coupé boasts luxury sport credentials like few others, packing sharp design and evocative styling, together with sports seats, fine material, an exciting layout, and a 2.9 TFSI V6 at the heart of it all. The twin-turbo motor makes 450 PS and 600 Nm of torque, with power fed to the quattro all-wheel-drive system through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RS 5 Coupé promises a 0-100 km/h sprint of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited) or 280 km/h with the option pack. We’ve road-tested the new RS 5 Coupé in this very issue. Turn to page…

THE AWARD-WINNING JEEP COMPASS WAS AMONG THE MOST EAGERLY awaited cars to have been launched last year. The new compact SUV comes from the iconic brand, one that revolutionised the 4x4 vehicle since the introduction of the Willys MB conceived in the early 1940s. Since its launch, the Jeep Compass has been a sales phenomenon, being widely appraised for its incredibly athletic styling and its refined and efficient choice of powertrains. The Jeep Compass carries forward the signature seven-slot grille which pays homage to the legendary Willys Jeep. With its bold headlamps with LED light signatures, the Jeep Compass boasts of a stance that immediately stands out from the crowd. Inside, the cabin effortlessly combines form and function, creating a perfect environment for every adventure. The seats, with their ski-grey…

THE 4.2-LITRE AUDI V8 FSI MOTOR WAS ONE OF THE FINEST engines this planet has ever seen. Revving to well over 8,000 rpm, it sent the power in a shooting linear curve with accompanying shivers, quivers, and an intoxicating wail making for quite an experience. Two years ago, it was consigned to history. And I was inconsolable for days. It was then that I knew this day would soon come. As the clouds cleared in Ingolstadt, styling departments were busy, yes, but the powers that be decided something that would result in two sides. For and against. Yes, there would be a new RS 5 and, yes, it would be a turbo V6 rather than a V8. Now, you may ask, why not? Sure. It’s supposed to be cleaner, more…

 IF YOU’RE GOING TO NITPICK, IT IS A CAR TO NITPICK. The dash controls — everything from the cruise control to radio and climate — are accessed almost entirely through a 15-inch touchscreen. Even adjusting the heater vents requires taking your eyes off traffic. Panel and trim fit ranges from Toyota-perfect to embarrassing. You can’t turn off stability control, which is fine for ordinary people but depressing for you and me. The front boot is so small, it should be labelled “second glovebox”. The rear view is a letterbox. The list goes on. Hundreds of miles around California for two days straight — call it the complete experience That’s if you’re going to nitpick. If you’re not going to nitpick, this is arguably one of the most impressive machines in…

IT’S A HATCHBACK; NO, WAIT, it’s a crossover. Confusing, right? Well, don’t be, because the new Freestyle from Ford India is a utility vehicle (UV), at least that’s what the company calls it. Although we usually associate a UV with something that is long, tall, and somewhat boxy, the Freestyle is none of those. So, what exactly is it? To find that out we went to Jaipur to see where exactly the new Freestyle fits in the wide array of genres in the country. To begin with, the Freestyle reminds us of the Figo and the KA+ Active, for those who are familiar with the international model that is quite popular in Europe. For India, Ford have pitched it as a completely new model and it is true to some…

THERE’S A SEQUENCE OF CORNERS AT THE Portimao race circuit in Portugal where the new Aston Martin Vantage’s strengths settle right between the cross hairs. It starts when you pop over a blind brow and run downhill towards the fish-hook Turn Six. You probably braked sooner on your first laps, but experience says you can leave it much later, so you hold the throttle flat in fifth, long after the kerbing starts strobing red and white. With the gravel trap rushing up, finally you stand on the pedal and the optional carbon-ceramic brakes wipe off speed like a child skipping into a conservatory door. You drop three gears — crisp, quick shifts the lot of them — kiss the apex in second, then feed in the torque as you run…

SEBASTIAN VETTEL AND Ferrari had carried their momentum over the previous weekend from Bahrain into China as he stormed to another consecutive pole position. While he got off to a good start, with a failed challenge from Kimi Raikkonen seeing the Finn drop out of second place. It was Bottas as well as Max Verstappen who got past, as the young Dutchman looked strong on the softer tyres. Vettel was in comfortably in the lead. The first set of pit-stops saw both Red Bulls come in, and a duet of pit-stop saw them exit rather quickly on fresh tyres. When Vettel came in for his stop, he ended up resuming behind Bottas. Bottas looked good in front, but a collision between the two Toro Rosso Honda cars brought out the…

THE MARUTI SUZUKI DESERT Storm, held annually across Rajasthan, is one of India’s toughest rally events. The soft sand, soaring temperatures, and the unyielding desert in all directions test man and machine to the limit in the extreme conditions of India’s desert state. This year’s rally was flagged off in Noida, from where the racers undertook a night-long drive southwards into Rajasthan, to Bikaner. As the first special stages kicked off the next day, just north of Bikaner, it was last year’s winner, Suresh Rana, and navigator, P V S Murthy, driving for the Maruti Suzuki Motorsports team who took an early lead, just ahead of the team of Aabhishek Mishra and Venu Rameshkumar. Behind them, the team of Gaurav Chiripal and Srikant Gowda wrapped up day one in third…