Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2022 i Car India

Ask and Thou Shalt Receive Manual 911s PORSCHE HAVE INTRODUCED NOT ONE but two manual transmission-equipped 911 models, the Carrera T at one end of the line-up and the revived Sport Classic much higher up the order, each with potent six-cylinder boxer engines and rear-wheel drive. The all-new Carrera T brings a seven-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels with power coming from a 3.0-litre (2,981-cc), twin-turbo six-cylinder boxer making 385 hp and 450 Nm, allowing a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 291 km/h. Meanwhile, the Sport Classic is the 992 generation’s equivalent of a GT2, to us anyway, thanks to its combination of manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and powerful turbocharged engine. With a hefty 550 hp, 20 more than the…

THE GLOBAL NEW CAR ASSESSMENT Program (GNCAP) is the go-to crash safety standard for us in India, and is part of a larger network of automotive safety testing standards under the NCAP umbrella including the Euro NCAP, ASEAN NCAP and Latin NCAP, among others. Now, Skoda have made headlines with the Kushaq SUV reiterating the Czech brand’s tank-like build scoring a five-star rating. And this is no mean feat now. We say Skoda have stamped their authority not only because the Kushaq got five stars—there are a few Indian cars with five-star ratings already—but also because two things make the Kushaq’s feat significant. One, it has got five-star ratings for both adult and child occupant safety, mMaking it the only car in India to do so. Two, it has done…

Bojan Jankulovski Car India (CI): It’s been just over seven years since the Maserati brand formally made its début in India. How has the response been thus far? Is the festive season looking particularly promising? Bojan Jankulovski (BJ): Maserati consumers are evolving and giving a lot more importance to whether a brand resonates with their lifestyle and personality. Thus, as carmakers, we have tried to understand our ever-growing market and offer a product line-up based on these needs. With that, Maserati has managed to achieve fame amongst the Indian luxury connoisseurs for the design, style, and performance of our unique cars and this artistry and exclusivity of a Maserati distinguishes it from the clutter. Smaller cities like Mangalore, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Goa, among others, have shown an increase…

Lamborghini Countach: Old v New LIKE ALL THE BEST STORIES, THERE IS more than one version and no one can quite agree which one is true. The most popular version of how the Lamborghini Countach got its name is that a technician saw the original show car for the first time in all its impossibly low, impossibly wide origami glory as it was being hurriedly prepped for its début at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show and blurted ‘Countach!’ It is an exclamation in the local Piedmontese dialect for which there is no direct translation in English. The “Lamborghini Cor Blimey” would not really have the same ring to it. True or not, the new supercar codenamed LP500 did not yet have a name and this one stuck. And it is…

Audi RS 5 Sportback THE FIRST RS 5 I LAID MY HANDS ON WAS AN absolute hoot! That V8 FSI beautifully naturally aspirated motor raised eyebrows, arm hair, and needles in the info-cluster very quickly indeed. Then came the next one, with a twin-turbo V6 that maintained power output while bringing in more torque across a wider band. Good car. Now they’ve brought in a Sportback iteration, earlier S’d but never RS’d. The RS 5 Sportback adds 60 millimetres to the wheelbase and overall length, 27 mm to the height, and 50 kilograms to the weight. The face looks identical to its two-door coupé sibling and the rear is also reminiscent, but tweaked ever so slightly. The long, raked rear windscreen forms part of the fifth-door as the notchback opens…

COMPARO Mercedes-AMG SL 63 v Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet I WAS HUGELY IMPRESSED BY THE SL 55 THAT I drove in California in February 2022, but concluded it was still a cruiser more than a sports car. So, let us see what the range-topping 63 can do, up against the only benchmark that matters, the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet. And not just any old 911 Turbo Cabrio. This is my own car, which replaced my four-year-old 911 GT3 Touring when I turned 70 earlier this year. Whereas a test car borrowed from Porsche may well have come with a stack of extras—carbon ceramic brakes, titanium exhaust, and a glut of assistance systems—this vision of a close-to-perfect high-end 911 convertible keeps it relatively simple. It costs £157,400 (Rs 1.45 crore) (plus…

F1 Japan & US AT SUZUKA, JAPAN, A race that had to be restarted due to heavy downpour was won by Verstappen, with Leclerc initially appearing to be in second place. However, the Ferrari driver was fined for skipping the chicane on the last lap while defending against Sergio Perez’s other Red Bull. Verstappen will be crowned champion after the season’s final four races, including the United States Grand Prix, thanks to the massive points swing that has given him an unstoppable advantage over Perez and Leclerc. The race started as scheduled at 1400 hours (local time) with Verstappen holding off Leclerc following a close run to Turn One. Only two laps had been completed when the action was stopped due to heavy rain as well as a number of…

NEW THIS MONTH BYD ATTO 3 The first passenger EV from BYD, the ATTO 3, has arrived with an SUV bodystyle and a 150-kW electric motor LEXUS ES 300h The refreshed hybrid luxury sedan from Lexus has arrived, still made in India, from Rs 59.71 lakh INDEX 95 ASTON MARTIN, AUDI 96 BENTLEY 97 BMW 98 BYD, CITROËN 99 FERRARI , FORCE MOTORS, HONDA 100 HYUNDAI 101 ISUZU, JAGUAR 102 JEEP, KIA 103 LAMBORGHINI, LAND ROVER 104 LEXUS, MAHINDRA 106 MARUTI SUZUKI 107 MASERATI 108 McLAREN, MERCEDES-BENZ 109 MINI 110 MORRIS GARAGES, NISSAN 111 PORSCHE 112 RENAULT, ROLLS-ROYCE, ŠKODA 113 TATA MOTORS 114 TOYOTA 116 VOLKSWAGEN, VOLVO LEGENDS PRICES Ex-showroom, Pune (subject to change) BO: Available only by order NA: Price not available FEATURES F: Front only D: Driver airbag…

BMW M5 Competition ‘50 Jahre M Edition’ THE BMW M5 COMPETITION “50 JAHRE M Edition” is now available in India for Rs 1.80 crore (ex-showroom). Bookings are open on the BMW India website. The BMW M5 Competition “50 Jahre M Edition” continues the celebration of 50 years of the M Division with special styling elements and the 625-hp, 4.4-litre, twinturbo V8 petrol engine with all-wheel-drive. The newest vehicle in the fleet, the M5 Competition 50 Jahre M Edition is fully imported into India. It has a custom red paint job and the special BMW emblem with M colour surrounds. Other exterior features include stylish bumpers with air vents, LED tail-lights, an M exhaust system, and LED headlights with L-shaped LED DRL. Gloss black paint is used to complete exterior components…

Volkswagen Taigun RECENT SALES OF THE COMPACT SUV, THE Volkswagen Taigun, in India marked the end of a successful first year. For its first anniversary, it even received a brand-new unique model that is only offered with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and not the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. The “Rising Blue” paint job on the 1st Anniversary Edition Taigun is a brand-new shade that wasn’t earlier available for this SUV. Automobile manufacturers are taking chances to test their vehicles at the Global NCAP crash test laboratory because the Indian market treats safe SUVs with respect. The most recent round of crash tests performed by Global NCAP as part of the #SaferCarsForIndia programme. The new, more stringent crash tests for India were also passed by both of the small SUVs, receiving 42…

Mercedes EQS 580 4MATIC THE EQS 580 4MATIC LUXURY saloon has been introduced in India by Mercedes-Benz. This marks the company’s second electric vehicle (EV) début in less than two months, the first being the premium AMG EQS 53. Priced at Rs 1.55 crore (ex-showroom), here is what you need to know about the first Mercedes-EQ car made in India. The EQS 580 is the 14th Mercedes-Benz model to be “made in India” and the first electric vehicle that the company has ever built (assembled) in India. Its local production highlights Mercedes-Benz India’s global competencies accomplished in flexible production at their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which now produces offerings from sub-brands Maybach, AMG, and EQ luxury EVs all under one roof. It is a perfect blend of technology, luxury, and safety.…

LAMBORGHINI CARS TURN HEADS. THERE’S no two ways about that. Whether one is a car enthusiast or just a passer-by, a Lamborghini—any Lamborghini—will turn their head. Some look on with wonder and longing, some with the opposite. After all, supercars are not for everyone. But back to Sunday. The J W Marriott is a fine property and an apt venue for a meet and greet of Sant’Agata standard. Opulence sees an invigorating take with an exciting spread all waiting to be indulged in—a sort of parallel there. Anyway, this was an exclusive event and the only other media house participating was the popular video guys from across town, the founder of which has his own Lamborghini—the first series Gallardo—and was happy to be there. Though the line-up had a few…

Tata Nexon EV Max THE SALES OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EV) ARE progressively going up across the country. Car customers are increasingly looking for EV options due to rising environmental concerns and high fuel prices. In September 2022, the Nexon EV became the country’s best-selling electric vehicle and as many as 2,847 Nexon EV cars were sold by the company last month. This car is offered in a variety of configurations, including the Nexon EV Prime and the Nexon EV Max. Additionally, the Dark Edition and Jet Edition versions of the small SUV are also offered in an electric version. The Nexon EV Max, which starts at Rs 17.74 lakh, was recently revealed by Tata Motors. The Max is essentially a long-range variant of the Nexon EV. With this product, the…

Sports Car Giant Test 2022 IGHT HUNDRED AND thirty horsepower. Eight hundred! (And 30.) That is more power than Michael Schumacher had at his right foot when he won the first of his Ferrari-powered F1 titles in the year 2000. In a car with number-plates, two seats, and a stereo, cruise control and air-conditioning. Right now, though, the Ferrari 296 GTB is whispering briskly along in eDrive mode, powered solely by the 167-hp electric motor sandwiched between its eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox and all-new twin-turbo V6. That millennium-era-F1-worthy total output comes from the combined might of motor and engine, for the 296 is a plug-in hybrid at the crest of Ferrari’s new wave of road cars. When you call on more power, the V6 harrumphs into life with a disgruntled burr,…

F1 Japan & US A DAY AFTER RED BULL co-founder and owner Dietrich Mateschitz passed away, Verstappen set a record with his 13th victory of the year and the team won the championship. This was the team’s milestone fifth F1 constructors’ championship, which gave rise to an emotional celebration in Milton Keynes. Verstappen appeared to be headed for an easy victory at the Circuit of The Americas after taking the lead early on and avoiding the drama behind when Carlos Sainz and George Russell collided at Turn One. Verstappen handled repeated Safety Car restarts while keeping his pace under control. However, a sluggish last pit stop allowed Hamilton and the recuperating Charles Leclerc to pass both of them and the defending world champion did so with only six laps left…

BULLETIN AUTOMOTIVE NEWS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ROLLS-ROYCE HAVE TAKEN THE WRAPS OFF THE Spectre and it is their first electric vehicle in these times of charging forward. It also outlines their direction into the future. The Spectre has been touted as the brand’s initial step towards the transition to electrification. Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, ‘This is the start of a bold new chapter for our marque, our extraordinary clients, and the luxury industry. For this reason, I believe Spectre is the most perfect product that Rolls-Royce has ever produced.’ The widest grille ever adopted by Goodwood sits right in the middle of the front bumper and flanked by split headlamps. The vanes of the “Pantheon” grille are now smoother and more aerodynamically…

What has the response to the Taigun been at the end of a long journey with the “India 2.0” programme? The response has been overwhelming and that is evident to everybody. If you look at the numbers, we have had more than 45,000 bookings in the last year. The only disappointment that I have had is that we could only deliver 28,000 of them. The overall response has been fantastic. Volkswagen cars do generally take a little time to grow on customers. Customers need to experience them and need to feel them, so they can understand what the DNA of these cars are. The Taigun has enjoyed great sales growth for the Volkswagen brand in India. What do you think has been the key to this success? The key to…

Porsche 911 Sport Classic IN ROAD CYCLING, A CLASSIC IS A RACE characterised by certain agreed elements such as a historic route, a particularly nasty set of hills or a road surface lined with cobbles. A Porsche 911 Sport Classic comes with a similar set of defined parameters: namely, a ducktail spoiler, Fuchs-alike wheels, and a very limited-edition badge. Usually, a collectable 911 is as likely to see daylight as the sunken city of Atlantis. However, unlike the ultra-rare 997 Sport Classic, the allocation for the 992 model has been increased to 1,250 cars in an attempt to get at least some on to the road. The Sport Classic recipe is as stripped back and easy to love as a jam sandwich: 550 hp from a flat-six, fed through a…

Maruti Suzuki Brezza IN ITS LATEST ITERATION, THE POPULAR sub-four-metre compact SUV from Maruti Suzuki has shed the “Vitara” from its name. It is just Brezza now but refreshed, reworked, and reinvigorated. A semblance of the previous model is evident in this car as well, like sugar in a well-made cup of coffee; just enough to sweeten things up without overwhelming the base flavour. The Brezza continues to feature a boxy design but, this time, the edges are curvier than before and easier on the eyes. The butch stance has been retained but the car looks more contemporary and urban-centred than its predecessor. Elements such as the new light signatures, roof-rails, and 16-inch wheels contribute to this look. Personally, the only complaint I have is that when viewed from the…

MAHINDRA AND MAHINDRA MAKE THE sub-compact crossover SUV, known as the Mahindra XUV300. It is built on the SsangYong Tivoli’s X100 platform. The XUV300 has been around for a while and is currently offered in petrol, diesel, and an electric version as well. Mahindra claim that some of their clients wanted the XUV300 to perform better, so they chose to comply. The brand-new Mahindra XUV300 TurboSport has been introduced in India, with its price ranging from Rs 10.35 lakh to Rs 12.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The 1.2-litre T-GDi turbo-petrol engine, which replaces the old 1.2 turbo-petrol and 1.5 diesel engines, is now the XUV300’s highest-spec powerplant. The XUV300’s higher three trim levels—W6, W8, and W8(O)—are equipped with this new powerplant. In addition to receiving a new engine, the TurboSport has undergone…

F1 Mexico THE DUTCHMAN currently holds the record for the most victories in a single Formula 1 season, breaking Michael Schumacher’s (2004) and Sebastian Vettel’s (2015) previous mark of 13 (2013). Verstappen, whose Red Bull team chose a soft-medium tyre strategy, won the race by about 15 seconds over Hamilton, leaving the latter to wonder why Mercedes switched from their starting pair of mediums to hards. Perez gave the home crowd something to cheer about in the third after making a late challenge to Hamilton, while Russell, who started behind his teammate, finished well behind in the fourth. Russell was not satisfied with his strategy either. He kept requesting Mercedes to pit again and switch to soft tyres because the hard tyres did not help the Silver Arrows win the…

WRC SPAIN THE FRENCHMAN, WHO HAS BEEN competing for Toyota on a part-time basis this season, took command of this penultimate round by posting three of the fastest times throughout the course of the three-day asphalt rally. Ogier, who was driving a GR Yaris, had a 20.7-second advantage going into the last leg on Sunday and could afford to proceed cautiously through the remaining four speed challenges. He accomplished this by outlasting the Hyundai i20 N driver, Thierry Neuville, by 16.4 seconds, giving co-driver Benjamin Veillas his first victory in the WRC hybrid era. Toyota will finish on the podium twice, according to Kalle Rovanperä, who won the drivers’ championship earlier this month. His performance gave the Japanese brand its second consecutive manufacturer’s title. The Jyväskylä-based team has a commanding…