During sale from April, 2019- High security number plates to come with vehicles

NEW DELHI: Come April 2019, vehicle buyers won’t need to wait for getting a high-security registration plate (HSRP) or seek an appointment with the vendor to fix them. The road transport ministry has mandated the automobile manufacturers to provide them along with the vehicle and dealers to affix them before sale.

Similarly, the vehicle manufacturers will also manufacture the third registration mark, which will also have colour coding for the fuel used in the vehicle, and these will be fixed by the authorised dealers on the windshield before any vehicle comes out of the showroom. In the case of existing vehicles, the government notification said, “The dealers of the vehicle manufacturers may also affix such plates, supplied by the vehicle manufacturers, on old vehicles after placing the registration mark.”

The HSRPs will come with five years’ guarantee and the third registration mark, a chromium-based hologram sticker, will be such that once it’s taken out, it will get destroyed. This will prevent foul play or tampering. The sticker will have the details of registering authority, registration number, laser-branded permanent number, engine number and chassis number making the vehicle more secure from theft. The Supreme Court has approved the scheme of colour coding for fuel for quick detection of polluting vehicles.

“The cost of the HSRP will be included in the vehicle cost itself. These registration plates with the distinctive number will be linked to the government’s Vaahan database. The new scheme will bring huge relief to vehicle owners as they won’t face any harassment and there will be a nation-wide implementation of the order uniformly,” said a government official.

Though the Supreme Court had ordered complete rollout of HSRP way back in 2005, nearly a dozen states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka have not yet implemented it. The SC had passed the order after the 2002 Parliament attack in which a vehicle with tampered number plate was used by terrorists. HSRPs have security features which are tamper-proof.

Meanwhile, Association of Registration Plates Manufacturers of India said they will challenge the central notification in the Supreme Court. “The Centre has no power to issue such an order or rule and it is against the MV Act. It can only lay down the form and manner of display of registration mark. Execution is a state subject. The SC had directed states to implement the rule after selecting a single vendor who would be responsible throughout the manufacturing and affixation process. The amended rules will pave way for multiple vendors and no price fixation and no accountability of the multiple vendors,” said Suren Uppal of the Association.

Madras High Court : Drivers can show vehicle documents in electronic

The Madras High Court has ruled that drivers can show vehicle documents in electronic form when demanded by police or any other official, as stated in a Union government notification last month.

A division bench of Justice Dr Vineet Kothari and Justice Dr Anitha Sumanth Wednesday disposed of various petitions against a memorandum which said vehicle drivers should carry original documents including licence, after recording the notification issued by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways last month.

"In view of the amendment brought by Union of India on November 2, the petitions have become infructuous," the bench said.

The petitions included one filed by All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners Association which challenged the memorandum issued by ADGP, State Traffic Planning Cell, on August 24, 2017 stating that persons driving without licence will be prosecuted under Sections 130 and 171 of Motor Vehicle Act.

According to the memorandum, all motor vehicle drivers shall carry the original documents, including the licence, while driving.

This was challenged by social activist 'Traffic' Ramaswamy, Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners Association and Tipper Lorry Owners Association and All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners Association in the high court.

When the matter came up for hearing, lorry owners association submitted before the bench a copy of the notification stating that an amendment had been made to Rule 139 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989 with regard to production of licence and registration certificates of vehicles.

The notification was addressed to the DGPs and secretaries of all the states and Union Territories.

The bench was further informed that according to the amended provision, citizens can produce transport-related documents such as registration, insurance, fitness certificates, permits, driving licence, certificate for pollution under check and any other relevant documents on demand by any police official or any other official in physical or electronic form.

This would enable use of digital platforms for carrying and verification of the documents, the notification said. 

Tata Motors Citing Jaguar Land Rover Weakness S&P Downgrades

S&P cut rating on Tata Motors' issuer credit and senior unsecured notes to 'BB-' from 'BB'.

S&P Global Ratings on Tuesday lowered the credit rating of Indian automaker Tata Motors Ltd and its luxury car unit Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc (JLR), citing weaker-than-expected profitability at JLR. JLR has been hit hard due to trade tensions between China and the United States, low demand for diesel cars in Europe and worries over Brexit. S&P cut its rating on Tata Motors' issuer credit and senior unsecured notes to 'BB-' from 'BB'. The ratings remain on negative watch, reflecting the uncertainties for JLR from a fast-approaching Brexit deadline, S&P said.

JLR's higher presence in the UK exposes it to the fallout of a potential "no-deal" Brexit which could further diminish the likelihood of a turnaround for the company, the rating firm added.

S&P also expects Tata Motors' leverage to deteriorate over the next 12-18 months, given its ongoing cash losses at JLR despite turnaround plans for the unit.

In October, Tata Motors logged a loss for the second quarter, and revealed a turnaround drive for JLR which included cost cuts and plans to improve cash flows by 2.5 billion pounds over 18 months.

S&P, which considers the company's cost cut target to be aggressive, forecasts that "JLR will have significant negative free operating cash flows over the next two years, resulting in weak financial ratios for Tata Motors."

Shares in the automobile major closed 0.2 per cent higher at Rs 175.70 on the BSE, whose benchmark index Sensex finished down 0.3 per cent.

Variants Explained : Tata Harrier

The Harrier will be available in four variants - XE, XM, XT, and XZ. So, here we have the detailed classification of what these variants have to offer

The Tata Harrier is possibly one of the most awaited launches for 2019, and it could very well be the first model to go on sale next year. Images and other technical specifications of the SUV are already out and now we have also come across the variants and features list of the all-new Tata Harrier. Slated to be launched in early 2019, possibly in January, the new Tata Harrier will come with only one diesel engine on offer with a 6-speed manual gearbox, available in four variants - XE, XM, XT, and XZ. Here we have the detailed classification of what these variants have to offer.

Being a premium product, the new Tata Harrier is quite equipped right from the base variant offering features like - projector headlamps, dual function daytime running lights which also function as turn indicators, electrically adjustable ORVMs, and rear parking sensors. As for the interior and cabin features, the Harrier comes with offerings like - power steering, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering, and all four power windows. On the safety front, the feature list includes - dual front airbags and ABS with EBD as standard.

Tata Harrier XM:

The XM variant comes with all the key features offered in the base XE model, and in addition to that, the Harrier also comes with features like - follow me home function for headlamps, front fog lamps, and rear wiper and washer. The cabin, on the other hand, features a floating island 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, four speakers & two tweeters, steering-mounted controls, and a six-way adjustable power seat for the driver. The XM variant of the Harrier also comes with Tata Multi-Drive Mode 2.0 system (Eco, City, and Sport). On the safety front, the SUV comes with additional features like remote central locking and rear parking sensors with the display on infotainment screen.

Tata Harrier XT:

A level higher XT variant of Tata Harrier comes with a host of additional premium features, adding on to the features offered in the XM trim. The exterior additions include large 17-inch alloy wheels, auto headlamps, dual function LED DRLs that also act as turn indicators, rain sensing wipers, and electrically foldable ORVMs. The cabin features offerings like - soft-touch dashboard with anti-reflective 'Nappa' grain layer, an eight-speaker setup (4 speakers + 4 tweeters), push-button start, automatic climate control, rear armrest, and an 8-way adjustable driver seat. Other features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse parking camera, and cruise control.

Tata Harrier XZ:

The top-of-the-line XZ variant too adds on to the features offered in the XT trim. The offerings include Xenon HID projector headlamps, cornering function for foglamps, logo projection in ORVMs, and shark fin antenna. The cabin, on the other hand, features oak brown interior, premium oak brown Benecke-Kaliko perforated leather seats and door pad inserts, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear-shift knob. The top-end XZ also comes with gizmos like - a larger 8.8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system with high-resolution display, nine JBL speakers with amplifier and tuned acoustics, and fully-digital 7-inch TFT instrument cluster. The SUV also comes with driver assistant functions like - Terrain Response Modes (Norman, Rough, Wet), hill hold and descent assist, rollover mitigation, corner stability control, electronic stability programme, and electronic traction control. On the safety front, the SUV features six airbags (driver, co-driver, side and curtain) and ISOFIX child seat mounts for rear outer seats.

India as the date with mandatory vehicle scrapping nears, the enormous test that awaits.

India has moved from being a laggard to securing leadership position in automobile production, ranking first in two-wheelers and fourth in cars in the world. Growth in gross domestic product, increasing incomes, rising aspirations, low penetrations levels, higher exports and the need for mobility have contributed to a surge in production and vehicle population. The industry has been growing at a scorching pace after delicensing in 1991. It produced 28 million vehicles (75 % were twowheelers) last year. This rate of growth will continue over the foreseeable future.

Proliferation of automobiles brought in its wake serious issues — roads choked with traffic, increase in accidents and pollution. A less visible but potent issue that will loom large in the near future is the disposal of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).

Before the industry was delicensed, people held on to their vehicles for longer periods. The few vehicles that came for scrapping were handled by small-scale informal units, mostly located within cities. Today, more people are buying vehicles and some change their vehicles more often.

The situation took a new turn when the National Green Tribunal mandated scrapping of 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old non-diesel cars in the National Capital Region. Other cities will soon follow suit. Vehicles produced 15-20 years earlier will be due for scrapping — and they will be in large numbers. Approximately 9 million vehicles (75% two-wheelers) will be due for scrapping by 2020. This will increase to 28 million by 2030. The informal industry does not have the capacity to tackle even 10% of the volumes.

INFRA HURDLES
High cost & non-availability of land: Lack of regulations governing operation of recycling units
Lax enforcement of safety & hygiene standards: Reluctance of new entrepreneurs to get into this area

There is a complete mismatch between India’s world-class manufacture of automobiles and the recycling infrastructure, which is primitive. In the West, the industry grew gradually. Scrapping systems developed in tandem. In India, however, the scrapping infrastructure remained static despite a spurt in vehicle population.

In the absence of avenues for disposal, the public will start abandoning old vehicles. Vehicles are increasingly being dumped along our highways. There are newspaper reports of abandonment of vehicles in open lots and on the roadsides in Pune, Goa, Mumbai and elsewhere. Detection of ownership can be dodged by effacing engine and vehicle numbers and removing number plates. If unchecked, abandonment of vehicles will spread like cancer.

The scrapping units — some are located in residential areas — use crude methods for dismantling vehicles and operate with low yield. Their operations pollute air and poison groundwater. They bypass the crucial “de-pollution” stage of recycling. They do not neutralise airbags and seat belts or degas air-conditioning units. The waste they generate is mixed with municipal waste. Lack of space constrains them from carrying out effective depollution and proper recycling. 

Europe and Japan have legislated quantitative targets for reuse, recycling and recovery from ELVs. The US and Canada leave it to market forces. In the US, Europe and Japan, around 85% by weight of cars is recycled using modern techniques. During depollution, batteries are removed, oils and fuels are drained, heavy metal items are separated and airbags deactivated. Saleable parts are removed. The remaining hulk is compacted into small bundles by powerful presses. The bundles are crushed and broken into sizes that are suitable to be fed into furnaces. Steel and non-ferrous items are separated by magnetic and eddy current separators. The 15% by weight of leftover auto shredder residue (ASR) comprises of glass, metals, ceramics, glass, rubber, plastics and other materials. ASR is dumped in designated landfills in the US and Canada. In Europe and Japan, where land is scarce, ASR is treated by mechanical or chemical means. Less than 5% by weight ends in landfills. 

ELV recycling is a win-win for society. It will create jobs, conserve resources, save energy, reduce pollution and mitigate climate change. Recycled aluminium and steel consume 5% and 20% of energy, respectively, compared with energy required for production of virgin metals. Effective recovery can reduce import of steel scrap and aluminium ingots, saving precious forex. Recycling uses proven technologies and is a relatively low hanging fruit. Scrapping units should be relocated away from residential areas. Recycling parks (modelled on industrial estates) could house the units. These recycling units would have to be equipped with modern techniques. They can be incentivised with access to funds and tax holidays. Processes like deregistration, IT support, depollution and shredding can be centralised. 

India has no regulations for ELVs. Apart from a joint venture of public sector undertaking MSTC with the Mahindra group, recycling is handled by small-scale units. We have to quickly set up recycling infrastructure, including processing of ASR. Governments, industry and stakeholders should jointly formulate time-bound action plans for setting up a viable and modern recycling industry. Inaction is guaranteed to generate chaos. There is no time to lose. 

The writer is chairman of SIAM recycling group and author of Recycling End of Life Vehicles 

India’s export hub image: RC Bhargava, Maruti Suzuki Chairman, Make in India can reinforce

New Delhi: Even as connected, autonomous, shared and electric mobility solutions are disrupting the automotive landscape globally, vehicle makers can’t afford to take their eyes off conventional vehicles which will continue to be a formidable part of business in the future.

Maruti Suzuki Chairman RC Bhargava on Thursday emphasised there is a need to focus on alternate energy solutions such as biofuels and compressed natural gas in India’s drive to bring on road cleaner and greener vehicles and reduce the dependency of oil imports.

Given the current cost structure of electric vehicles, customer acceptance would continue to be a challenge in the near future. In the meantime, hybrid vehicles — vehicles powered by biofuels and compressed natural gas — can contribute significantly towards reducing India’s oil import bill.

“Only 10 million cars, out of the 70 million vehicles on road by 2030, will be electric.

So for the non-electric vehicles, we need to consider energy solutions which are clean and green,” Bhargava said on the sidelines of the ETAuto Global Auto Business Summit.

The day-long summit deliberated and discussed issues right from ‘Make in India’ to mobility solutions for future including the role of startups and innovators in this disruptive environment.

Industry stalwarts including RC Bhargava, Vivek Chand Sehgal, chairman of Samvardhana Motherson Group, and Shi Jie, head of engineering at China’s largest car maker SAIC Motor, gave their views on the disruptions ahead.

Sehgal cautioned that there is no doubt the automotive industry is being influenced by connected, shared, autonomous and electric vehicles, yet they still account for a very small portion of the overall industry.

“Yes, there is a lot of talk, but the action is not as big as talk. About 102 million cars were sold, only one million were electric, there are factors emerging on the horizon but they are not dramatic, there will be a gradual shift. The core market is still very strong and one cannot lose sight of it to grow,” added Sehgal.

Motherson Sumi today has become the fastest growing auto component maker in India and fast expanding wings globally.

India is on the radar of the biggest vehicle makers in the world and it is set to become the third-largest car market in the coming three to five years. The experts attending the event underlined that beyond the significant domestic demand opportunity of the future, India can reinforce it’s image of an exports hub with ‘Make in India’ for not just small cars but electric or hybrid vehicles.

Ashok Taneja, MD & CEO of Shriram Pistons, welcomed governments move to offer no import duty for electrical vehicle components. However, he stated that these duties should be gradually hiked in order to promote local manufacturing. 

Delhi doesn’t even know how many e-vehicles it has, Beijing plans 48L charging points by 2022

The Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy, 2018 notes that sales of new electric cars worldwide surpassed a million units in 2017, with stocks at three million that year. More than half the sales were in China, where electric vehicles (EV) had a market share of 2.2%, while in Norway, the world’s most developed market for electric cars, this green option accounted for 39% of new car sales.

The policy also says, “Bloomberg New Energy Finance expects EVs to reach upfront cost parity with internal combustion engine vehicles by 2025, largely driven by rapid reductions in battery costs. This in turn is expected to drive global sales of electric vehicles to 11 million vehicles in 2025 and 30 million in 2030.”

The Lancet Countdown 2018 report similarly observes that despite road transport continuing to be powered almost exclusively by fossil fuels, there have been notable gains. “The use of non-fossil fuels (electricity and biofuels) has continued to outpace fossil fuel energy, rising more than 10% on a per-capita basis compared with an overall growth of 2% for fossil fuels from 2013 to 2015. This trend had a small, but notable, effect on the overall share of non-fossil fuel energy for road transport, which rose from 3.9% to 4.2% over these two years,” the Lancet report says.

Lancet put the growth of global per-capita electricity consumption for road transport as growing 13% from 2013 to 2015. In Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, per-capita electricity consumption for transport more than doubled compared with a 10% increase in non-OECD countries. “In China, the percapita electricity use was five times the global average because of the country’s high market share of electric vehicles,” the report says.

For the EV rollout in Delhi, the most crucial issue would be charging points. The state government would have to follow the example of other countries to encourage people to opt for electric vehicles. The Chinese government, for instance, plans to build 4.8 million charging points by 2022 at an investment of $1.9 billion. UK has announced a £400-million Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund to support companies in installing charging points. In the US, the California Public Utility Commission has approved $738 million and the New York Power Authority, up to $250 million, to build charging infrastructure.

Delhi has other lessons to learn too. Experts say the EV programme will prove successful if accompanied by strong legal mandate, welldesigned subsidy policy and proper implementation strategy. “California, for one, has a zero emission mandate, which makes sure that a certain percentage of vehicles have to be zero emission,” points out Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment. “The Netherlands has a good subsidy policy for EVs, while in China’s Shenzen, authorities have linked electric mobility with public transport and constituted a 16,000-strong electric bus fleet.”

She adds that Delhi’s policy is in the right direction, but needs a clear legal mandate. “They have to fix specific timelines, and monitored implementation needs to start now,” she says.

5 lakh cumulative sales milestone crosses Maruti Suzuki Baleno

India's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki Thursday said its premium hatchback Baleno has crossed cumulative sales milestone of 5 lakh within 38 months of its launch.

The model, which was launched in October 2015, posted a 20.4 per cent growth in sales in the April-October period this fiscal, the company said.

"Our engineers have ensured that Baleno offers superior ride and handling, class leading performance and safety...Baleno has been among the top selling cars in India since 2016," Maruti Suzuki India Senior Executive Director, Marketing and Sales, R S Kalsi said.

The model, exclusively manufactured in India, is the first car from MSI's stable to be exported from India to Japan.

Besides domestic market, the model has been receiving overwhelming response in global markets such as Australia, Europe, Latin America and East Asia, the company said.

Next Gen Porsche 911 Revealed Bookings Open In India

Porsche has revealed the eighth generation of the 911 at the L.A. Auto Show. The exterior design is completely new and emphasises the leap in performance for the 911 internally coded as 992. The new 911 gets significantly wider wheel housings arch over the 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch rear wheels. The rear end is now the same width across all models, highlighting the slimline centre section. At the front, the body is 45 mm wider and it also gets electrical pop-out handles in the doors. The bonnet with a pronounced recess evokes the design of the first 911 generations. At the rear, all models feature a wider, variable-position rear spoiler and the seamless, elegant light strip. Apart from the front and rear sections, the entire outer shell is now made from aluminium.

Under the hood is the turbocharged flat-six engine of the 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S which now produces 444 bhp. There are 30 more horses on offer compared to the previous generation. Both 911 models beat the four-second mark for acceleration from zero to 100 kmph: the rear-wheel-drive 911 Carrera S needs 3.7 seconds and the 911 Carrera 4S, with all-wheel drive, just 3.6 seconds. This makes both cars 0.4 seconds faster than their predecessors. The optional Sport Chrono Package reduces the sprint by a further 0.2 seconds. The top speed has been measured at 308 kmph for the 911 Carrera S and 306 kmph for the all-wheel-drive version.

The power is delivered by a newly developed eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (dual-clutch transmission). Additional highlights include new assistance systems, such as the Porsche Wet mode to make driving even safer and even Night Vision Assist with thermal imaging camera.

The completely new interior sees clear and straight lines of the dashboard with recessed instruments, inspired by the 911 models from the 1970s. Alongside the central rev counter, two thin, frameless displays supply information to the driver. The centre screen of the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) is now 10.9 inches, and can be operated without distraction thanks to the new interior design. In terms of digitalisation, the 911 takes the next step into the future with permanent connectivity as well as new functions and services. The standard PCM features include navigation as well as Porsche Connect Plus.

The 911 Carrera S and 4S models are available for order now in India. First deliveries are expected mid next year.

BMW Chief Says Considering Second U.S. Manufacturing Plant

BMW is considering a second U.S. manufacturing plant that could produce engines and transmissions, Chief Executive Harald Krueger said on Tuesday, shortly after a report that U.S. President Donald Trump would impose tariffs on imported cars from next week. Krueger in an interview at the Los Angeles Auto Show also said he backed British Prime Minister Theresa May's current Brexit plan to divorce the United Kingdom from the European Union.

"The compromise on the table is something I can clearly support," he said. May is drumming up support for the divorce deal with the European Union ahead of a December 11 vote in British parliament. "We're at the range where you could think about a second location" in the United States, he said, adding that such a factory would provide a natural currency hedge.

BMW is considering changes to U.S. operations as sales in the region grow, Krueger said. BMW has a U.S. vehicle assembly plant, in South Carolina, is planning to open a Mexico factory next year, and is considering changes to its current scheme of importing engines and transmissions.

To Increase prices Toyota from January 2019

NEW DELHI: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Tuesday said it will increase prices of its vehicles by up to 4% from January to offset increase in manufacturing costs.

The revised prices will come into effect from Jan 1, 2019.

“There has been an impact in the cost of manufacturing of vehicle primarily due to rupee depreciation. Toyota has been absorbing the additional costs all this while, protecting the customers from price increase. However, due to the continued pressure of high costs, we have to pass on a part of it to customers”, the company said in a statement.

Maruti Swift crosses 20 lakh sales milestone

NEW DELHI: Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Tuesday said its premium hatchback Swift has crossed 20 lakh sales milestone since its launch the country in May 2005.

The model raced past five lakh sales mark in September 2010, 10 lakh sales mark in September 2013, 15 lakh mark in March 2016 and 20 lakh milestone in November this year.

"Swift achieving two million sales milestone is a proud moment for all of us at Maruti Suzuki India. Brand Swift has consistently featured among the top five best-selling cars in India for more than a decade," MSI Senior Executive Director (Marketing & Sales) R S Kalsi said in a statement.

With increased output aimed at reducing the waiting period, the company would like to reinforce its commitment towards customers, he added.

MSI has increased production of the model by 45 per cent to 1.39 lakh units during April-October period of current fiscal, as compared with same period of 2017-18, leading to reduction in waiting period.

The model posted a sales growth of 36 per cent with a market share of 29 per cent in April-October period of the current fiscal.

The auto gear shift (AGS) technology variant of the model now contributes over 20 per cent of Swift sales, it added. 

Indian automotive aftermarket may touch Rs 75,000 crore by 2020

The domestic automotive aftermarket, which has grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 per cent in the last five years, is expected to touch Rs 75,000 crore by 2020, a report said Monday.

by industry body CII named 'Transformation Shifts in Mobility and Impact on Aftermarket in India' said.

"Total aftermarket has grown at a CAGR of 14 per cent over the last five years. The vibrant automotive sector is driving the growth of the automotive aftermarket in India and is estimated to grow at Rs 75,000 crore by the fiscal year 2020," the CII said in its report.

The states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala together contribute more than 75 per cent of the total aftermarket potential, it added.

Noting that increasing vehicle ownership (new and used vehicles) in semi-urban and rural markets are driving demand for auto components, the report said the number of vehicles are expected to grow 6-7 per cent during the next year.

"This offers substantial opportunity for independent aftermarket service providers both existing and new entrants to grow," it added.

According to the report, India's move towards a unified tax regime and push for 'Make in India' offer opportunity to establish and strengthen the local presence.

In addition, relatively lower manufacturing costs make it possible to make the country an export hub for auto parts similar to the case in news cars, it said.

India is targeting the deployment of five to seven million electric vehicles in the country by 2020 under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020.

The NEMMP is targeting 400,000 passenger battery electric cars (BEVs) by 2020, which could lead to a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 120 million barrels of oil, the CII report stated.

CII also expects the new mobility solutions market to grow to around USD 2 trillion market by 2030.

Revenue from the taxi cluster alone is expected to exceed USD 1 trillion by 2030, the report said. 

2018 Hyundai Santro Clocks Over 38,500 Bookings

The AMT variants contribute 30 per cent to the overall sales while 18 per cent of the overall sales is attributed to the CNG variants.

The 2018 Hyundai Santro is turning out to be a volume driver for the Korean carmaker. Hyundai Motor India has announced to have received over 38,500 bookings and 211,000 enquiries for the all new Santro since its launch on October 23, 2018. We have already reported that waiting period for the new Santro at present is up to four months depending on the colour and variants. Hyundai has decided to ramp-up the production of the Santro and has increased the sales target to 10,000 units in November in a bid to bring down the waiting period.


Speaking about the booking numbers, Y K Koo- MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Limited said, "The all new Santro is a true expression of Hyundai brand in India. The modern stylish tall boy design, new age technology, comfortable and premium cabin, all around safety and performance of the all new Santro has won the aspirations of Indian customers making it a trendsetter product. We are overwhelmed with the positive customer response and strong appreciation of the all new Santro."

The new Hyundai Santro is equipped with an AMT gearbox which contributes 30 per cent to the sales and as we have reported earlier, Hyundai could also prioritize the production of the AMT variants. The company fitted CNG variants of the Hyundai Santro contributes 18 per cent to the sales.The AMT gearbox which the Hyundai Santro is equipped with has been designed in-house at Hyundai. The 2018 Hyundai Santro is powered by a 1.1-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine which develops 69 bhp at 5500 rpm and 99 Nm of peak torque at 4500 rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox as standard while the five-speed AMT is also available as an option.

The total cost of development of the 2018 Hyundai Santro is ₹ 700 crores and it's been developed on the new K1 Platform which as we reported earlier, will also underpin all the future sub-four meter Hyundai models. The new platform has made the Santro 63 per cent more rigid which according to Hyundai will in-turn aid it to meet the new crash test norms. However, as of now the Santro is equipped with just a driver side airbag and ABS with EBD as standard while dual airbags and speed warning system are available in the top two variants.

F1: Hamilton Wins As Alonso Finishes 11th In Season Finale Abu Dhabi GP

Lewis Hamilton took his 11th win of the season with the F1 Abu Dhabi GP, while McLaren's Fernando Alonso finished 11th in his final race in the sport.

It was a spectacular end to yet another season of the Formula 1 Championship with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton took this season's 11th win amidst much drama at the Yas Marina circuit, while Fernando Alonso completed the last race (for now) of his F1 career in 11th place, bringing an end to an illustrious career in the sport. The former world champion was also announced as the driver of the day after a fantastic drive. Finishing on the podium though behind Hamilton were Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who finished second 2.5s adrift, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished third, 12.7s behind the race leader.


The race started with a massive collision on the opening lap as Romain Grosjean and Nico Hulkenberg send the latter's Renault flying. While Nico was thankfully uninjured, the incident did end his race for the day. Hulkenberg turned in to the apex of the right-hander and hit Grosjean's front-left, which pushed the Renault into a barrel roll. The car came to stop when upside down against the outside barrier, but left Hulkenberg unhurt despite briefly catching fire. The trackside was quick to extract him and was rushed to the hospital and was declared unhurt. The virtual safety car was immediately deployed post the incident which lasted on the track for the next five laps with Hamilton in the lead.

At the restart, Hamilton was again in P1, pulling at least a second clear of teammate Valtteri Bottas. The top drivers had switched to supersofts at the time. The Briton ran the longest stint of any driver after pitting on Lap 7, a second clear of Vettel. The same lap saw Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari switch off on the final corner on the start-finish line, abruptly ending the Fin's final race with Scuderia Ferrari. Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas, Vettel and Ricciardo extended their stint on the ultrasofts, while Verstappen continued his run on the hypersofts.

Verstappen had received an early engine warning but overcame the issue thanks to a fail-safe, as he charged towards P3 passing Bottas and teammate Daniel Ricciardo, denying the latter a podium finish in what would be his last race with Red Bull Racing before switching to Renault in 2019. Pitting late, Bottas, who was second to Hamilton early in the race dropped heavily after facing some problems under hard braking. The first lock up on Lap 35 allowed Vettel to move past to second, while Ricciardo caught up a lap later. Mercedes pitted Bottas again but the fresh tyres didn't help the driver as he finished fifth behind the Red Bull. This season turned out to be a winless championship for Bottas.

Coming in sixth was Carlos Sainz in what was his last race with Renault so far, fetching an appreciable result in the bottom half of the top 10, while Racing Point Force India's Sergio Perez finished eighth, trying to defend P7 but eventually lost it to Charles Leclerc of Sauber. The final spots were taken by the Haas duo Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen, who finished ninth and tenth respectively.

Alonso's final F1 appearance in the future saw the driver pick-up a five second penalty late in the race for a track limits offense. The penalty though did not affect his final standing. The Spaniard will continue with his other racing commitments though including IndyCar and Endurance Racing, as aims to bring the Triple crown home. In terms of retirements, Hulkenberg and Raikkonen were joined by Marcus Ericsson, Esteban Icon of Force India and Pierre Gasly. The latter two retired after finding smoke coming from their cars respectively, early in the race.

Mahindra Alturas G4 Launched In India; Prices Start At ₹ 26.95 Lakh

The all-new Mahindra Alturas is the company's flagship SUV and it has been launched at a price of Rs. 26.95 lakh. It is essentially the 4th generation model of the Ssangyong Rexton.

The all-new Mahindra Alturas G4 has been officially launched in India, at a starting price of ₹ 26.95 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Mahindra's new flagship SUV will be available in two variants - Alturas G4 2WD and Alturas G4 4WD, and latter is priced at ₹ 29.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Essentially, Alturas means pinnacle or height, which is quite an apt name for the new SUV considering the new Alturas G4 is the biggest and the most premium SUV to be launched by Mahindra yet. In India, the Mahindra Alturas G4 will rival the likes of the Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X and even the Skoda Kodiaq.

The Alturas G4 is essentially a Mahindra badged version of the SsangYong G4 Rexton, and we first saw it at the Auto Expo 2018. Since it's the same SUV, the visual changes are quite minimal. In fact, the only mentionable difference is the new grille, which signature Mahindra look with bold vertical chrome slats and the brand logo at the centre of it. The Alturas G4 SUV features HID headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lamps, along with an aggressive front bumper which comes with a second set of LED DRLs which act as cornering lamps as well.

The Alturas G4 also comes with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, ORVMs with integrates turn signal lights, and large roof rails. The rear section, on the other hand, features a set of wraparound LED taillamps, a roof-mounted spoiler with integrated brake lights, and the Alturas G4 has its name lettered just above the loading lip.

(The materials used inside the cabin of the Mahindra Alturas G4 are premium and feel good to touch)
As for the cabin, the Mahindra Alturas G4 comes with dual tone Nappa leather interior, leather finished door trims and soft-touch dashboard, LED cabin lights and a sunroof with anti-pinch function. The SUV also features a 7-inch fully-digital instrument cluster, an 8-way power adjustable driver seat, 3-zone climate control, electronic parking brakes and more. The SUV also features an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 3D view camera and rear parking assist, rain sensing wiper smart power tailgate and more. The Alturas also comes with 9 airbags, ABS + EBD, Electronic stability programme, ARP, HDC, HAS, BAS, and ESS.

Powering the SUV is a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, BS-6 ready diesel engine that is tuned to belt out a maximum of 178 bhp at 4000 rpm, and develop a peak torque of 420 Nm at 1600-2600 rpm. The motor comes mated to a 7-speed automatic torque converter sourced from Mercedes-Benz, as standard and comes with optional 4-wheel drive as well. As of now, Mahindra doesn't have a petrol engine on offer.

Mahindra Alturas G4 vs Ford Endeavour vs Toyota Fortuner vs Isuzu MU-X vs Skoda Kodiaq: Spec Comparison

The all-new Mahindra Alturas G4 is set to go on sale in India this week, on November 24, and it'll be the company's new flagship SUV. The new SUV is essentially a rebadged version of the fourth-generation SsangYong G4 Rexton that will be sold in Indian as a Mahindra product. The Mahindra Alturas G4 will be the first full-size 7-seater SUV to come with the Mahindra badging, and in India, it will rival the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Skoda Kodiaq, and Isuzu MU-X. While we have already reviewed the SUV and were quite impressed, how does it fair against its rival? While we will be doing a comparison review, for now, here's where the new Mahindra Alturas G4 stand against its competitors, on paper.

Exterior and Dimensions

The new Mahindra Alturas G4 is surely a looker. Similar to other SUVs in this space, the Alturas G4 also comes with a massive stance, with butch proportions, and a lot of chrome elements among others. We see a similar theme on the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Skoda Kodiaq, and Isuzu MU-X. The five SUVs in this list come with either LED or Bi-LED headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, LED taillamps, and all come with the option of 18-inch alloy wheels.

In terms of dimensions, though the Ford Endeavour is the longest among all at 4892 mm, followed by the Alturas G4 at 4850 mm, the MU-X at 4835 mm, the Fortuner at 4795 mm, and at last the Kodiaq at 4697 mm. In terms of width and height though the Alturas G4 leas at 1960 mm and 1845 mm, respectively. The Kodiaq is 1882 mm in width and the shortest at 1676 mm. The Endeavour and MU-X both measure 1860 mm in width, while their height is clocked at 1837 mm and 1840 mm respectively. The Fortuner is the slimmest at 1855 mm and comes with a height of 1835 mm.

The Mahindra Alturas also happens to offer the longest wheelbase at 2865 mm, followed by the Endeavour at 2850 mm, the MU-X at 2845 mm, the Kodiaq at 2791 mm, and finally the Fortuner at 2745 mm. As for ground clearance, the Ford Endeavour has the most at 255 mm, while the Alturas G4 is right behind at 244 mm. The MU-X, Fortuner and Kodiaq follow at 220 mm, 215 mm and 188 mm, respectively.

Features and Interior

All SUVs come with a well-equipped cabin as well. The Mahindra Alturas G4 comes with dual tone Nappa leather interior, leather finished door trims and soft-touch dashboard, LED cabin lights and a fully-digital instrument cluster, power adjustable driver seat, 3-zone climate control, electronic parking brakes and more. The SUV also features an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 3D view camera and rear parking assist, rain sensing wiper smart power tailgate and more. The Alturas also comes with 9 airbags, ABS + EBD, Electronic stability programme, ARP, HDC, HAS, BAS, and ESS.

The Kodiaq comes with 12-way adjustable driver and front passenger power seats, memory function for driver's seat, and electrically adjustable lumbar support for the passenger seat. There is an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient lighting, hands-free park-assist and more. On the safety front, the SUV gets 9 airbags as standard (first in its segment) along with a host of features such as ABS, ESP, traction control, all-round parking sensors, and reverse-parking camera. The Isuzu MU-X gets 3-spoke steering wheel looks a bit dated but it does come with mounted controls for music, telephony, and more. Other comfort features include climate control, aircon vents for all three rows, integrated 7-inch infotainment system, cruise control, centre locking with keyless entry feature and more. Isuzu MU-X just gets dual front airbags, ISOFIX mounts for the child seat, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control (ESC), traction control system (TCS), hill start assist (HSA).

The Ford Endeavour comes with bucket-seat at the front, multi-information display, keyless entry, power windows with one touch and anti-pinch action and rear parking sensors. The new Ford Endeavour also gets voice control functionality on the steering wheel, rain sensing wiper, dual-zone AC-automatic climate control, cruise control, power folding 3rd-row seat, terrain management system, and more. On the safety front, it gets 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability programme, traction control system, hill launch and descent assist, and Ford MyKey among others. The Toyota Fortuner includes a touchscreen infotainment system with audio connectivity and navigation, ambient lighting, multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters, automatic climate control, electric tailgate and a whole lot more. The SUV continues to offer three-row seating with the second and third row foldable, to make way improved cargo space. Safety features are also similar to the other two with offerings like - airbags, ABS, rear parking sensor, rear parking camera, keyless entry and much more.

Engine and Transmission

The Mahindra Alturas gets 2.2-litre diesel engine which makes 178 bhp and 420 Nm making it the most powerful among all. The engine is paired with a 7-speed AT assisted by 4x4 (4x2 also available). The engine is euro-6 ready and there will be neither a petrol engine nor a manual transmission even as an option for now. The Skoda Kodiaq gets a 2.0-litre diesel engine that makes 148 bhp and 340 Nm of peak torque and comes mated with a 7-speed DSG gearbox only. Toyota Fortuner with a 2.8-litre diesel engine makes 174 bhp and is mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The Ford Endeavour gets two engine options - a 2.2-litre diesel and a 3.2-litre diesel mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2.2-litre engine makes 158 bhp while the 3.2-litre engine makes almost 200 bhp.

BMW India Cars To Become More Expensive From January 2019

BMW India has announced a price increase of 4 per cent across its product range.

BMW India has announced to increase the prices across its model range by up to 4 per cent from January 2019. The rise in prices could be because of the cyclical revision which happens due to various macro-economic factors such as increase in the input cost, or increase in freight rates due to increase in fuel prices. However, BMW India has not cited any such reason. According to the information, the increase in prices is only limited to BMW and Mini cars which are sold through 44 BMW dealerships across India. The information did not mention anything about BMW Motorrad.

Speaking about the decision, Vikram Pawah, Chairman- BMW Group India said, "BMW India remains at the forefront of the luxury car market, offering 'Sheer Driving Pleasure' through its aspirational products and unmatched levels of customer centricity. From 1 January 2019, BMW India will increase the prices of its cars by up to 4%. BMW India will continue to present an extremely attractive value to its customers through pioneering products, best-in-class service experience and comprehensive financial solutions and offers from BMW India Financial Services."

The range of locally produced BMW cars in India include the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, the BMW 5 Series, the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, the BMW 7 Series, the BMW X1, the BMW X3, the BMW X5 and the MINI Countryman. BMW also sells the X6 SUV, the Z4 Convertible, the M2 Competition, the M3 Sedan, the M4 Coupe, the M5 Sedan, the X5 M SUV, the X6 M SUV and the i8 which are available in the country as completely built-up units (CBU).

Tags : BMW, BMW india, BMW cars in india, 

2019 - Tata Harrier Interior Teased Ahead Of Reveal Next Month

The Tata Harrier is the new compact SUV from the Indian auto giant and anticipation levels are high from the Hyundai Creta rival. While the production-spec Tata Harrier's exterior has been fully revealed in images, the automaker has now teased the interior of the SUV in a video. While revealing little about the cabin, the video does give a glimpse of what to expect from the upcoming offering. The new Tata Harrier is slated for a debut in December 2018, while the official launch is slated for January 2019.

The teaser of the new Tata Harrier showcases the dashboard. The video confirms a floating 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system similar to that of the concept and a dual-tone finish in grey and brown on the dashboard. The three-spoke multi-function steering wheel is likely to sport a new design over the ones that we've seen since the Zest. Expect the number of buttons to be minimal across the dashboard, barring the controls for the automatic climate control. The teaser also reveals chrome surrounds of the air-con vents.

The Tata Harrier's touchscreen infotainment system will be loaded with features including navigation, Bluetooth telephone, reverse camera display, MirrorLink, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and more. The system is likely to be sourced from Visteon, which also makes the infotainment systems for the Range Rover Velar. A Harman audio system will also make it to the Harrier.

Tata Motors has already revealed details on the powertrain for the Harrier. The compact SUV will be the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder, diesel engine sourced from FCA and has been badged as the Kryotec. The new motor also powers the Jeep Compass and churns out 140 bhp on the latter. The Harrier's power figures haven't been revealed yet and is likely to be revealed next month. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual, while an automatic version is likely to be introduced later.

Bookings for the Tata Harrier have already commenced across dealerships for a token amount of ₹ 30,000. Prices are expected to be extremely aggressive on the SUV starting at around ₹ 12-16 lakh (ex-showroom). Deliveries for the Harrier are expected to start around February next year.

Hyundai Santro: India’s Beloved Hatchback Through The Ages

What did the Santro do right to become one of the most revered nameplates in the Indian market? Let’s trace its journey over the years

A relatively unknown brand from South Korea entered the tricky Indian car market and pulled off an even trickier feat of cracking the small car space in India. Back in the 90’s, when compact hatchback buyers were accustomed to small engines and a features deficit, Hyundai introduced the Santro which claimed to offer superior technology, features, space and interior quality -- qualities which often were neglected till then.

But what helped the sun shine on the Hyundai Santro, making it win over more than 1.3 million satisfied owners without even a generation change in its near-17-year existence? Does the new generation Santro have enough to live up to its predecessor’s reputation?

History

Hyundai might have called it the Santro in India, but the hatch had quite different monikers in the overseas market, such as:
Hyundai Amica - United Kingdom
Dodge Atos - Mexico
Kia Visto - Indonesia and South Korea
Inokom Atos - Malaysia
First Steps

Making its world debut at the Indian Auto Expo in 1998, the Santro made all the right noises. It had set its sights on the most popular hatches of its time: the Maruti Suzuki Zen and the Tata Indica. This meant the Santro had its work cut out. However, what helped Hyundai’s cause was its decision to go solo and set up its own manufacturing facility with nearly 70 per cent localisation right from the word go. This was one of the major contributors to the Santro’s competitive pricing compared to its rivals.

Aesthetically, the first Santro had a tall boy profile with a high roofline unlike its competition at the time. The taller profile meant there was no dearth of headroom in the cabin, which also contributed to the feeling of overall space. The seating positions were also more upright and the cabin overall was more spacious as well. But it was the mechanicals where the Santro truly aced its competition. It employed a bigger 999cc, four-cylinder petrol engine producing 56PS of power with MPFi (multi-port fuel injection) technology instead of carburettors. It made a considerable difference in throttle response as well as emissions, helping it meet Euro 2 norms even before its implementation in Delhi-NCR region.

Within less than an year of its existence in India, the Santro received its first mid-life update, called the Zipdrive. It got a first-in-segment power steering while the exterior updates included a new radiator grille and a sporty rear spoiler.

Since the Santro was a new product, its facelift was preponed, coming in just a year after the initial launch. Hyundai aimed to keep the Santro refreshed in the memory of the new car buyers with this attempt. Later, Hyundai also introduced the the Santro Zip Plus with a bigger E-Epsilon 1.1-litre engine developing 63PS of power and 98Nm of torque. While the 5-speed manual was standard, there was a 4-speed automatic transmission on offer as well.

The Santro’s popularity could be seen in its sales numbers, which rose from more than 58,646 in 1999 to 65,515 in 2000. The ascent continued thereon with average sales nearing 1 lakh over the next decade.

Upon completion of five years of operation, the Santro received some extra zing to its design along with the ‘Xing’ suffix. This was a more radical update as the FF platform remained unchanged but the design language became boxy. Notable feature additions included front and rear power windows, and a 3-spoke steering wheel. While the pre-facelift version laid the foundation for the Santro nameplate, it was the Xing that went on to attain monumental sales figures for the company. Here’s a look at the Santro’s milestones before it left production.

November 2006: Santro crosses 10 lakh sales in eight years
July 2007: Santro CNG launched
September 2008: Dual fuel Santro Eco surfaces
April 2009: Santro makes way to taxi fleets
August 2013: Santro Celebration edition launched as a final update
Jan 2015: Hyundai pulls the plug on the Santro after 17 years to accommodate newer models like the Elite i20
Looking Forward

The 2018 second generation Hyundai Santro is based on a new K2 platform. Under the hood is still the 1.1-litre E-Epsilon petrol engine, but reworked for a bump up in performance, at 69PS and 99Nm. And with it, for the first time, a Hyundai has received a 5-speed AMT option as well.

Just like its predecessor, the new Santro has set a benchmark in terms of material quality, which seems to have come from a segment above. Even the features count is par for the course but it's the absence of usable features like standard dual airbags, AC and more which stick out like a sore thumb.

In an encore, the Santro is once again priced at a premium over its rivals like the Maruti WagonR, Celerio and the Datsun GO. But unlike the previous model, it doesn’t receive as much equipment in its budget variants. Neither do you have the option of getting a fully loaded Santro with AMT or CNG options, at least for now.

Hyundai had confirmed that it had bagged 23,500 pre-bookings, with a target of 8,000 units per month, which seems to be a cakewalk for the Santro. But whether this car make as strong a case for itself as the last generation remains to be seen.

Driver Burnt To Death After Speeding Car Catches Fire In Himachal: Police

Police say that the driver's body, charred beyond recognition, is yet to be identified.

NAHAN: The driver of a speeding car was charred to death as his vehicle hit a parapet on the edge of a road from Chandigarh to Dehradun in Himachal Pradesh's Nahan and burst into flames, a police officer said Tuesday.
Sirmaur's Additional Superintendent of Police Virender Singh Thakur said the accident happened around four kilometers from the district headquarters Nahan. He said the car was found fully gutted with the driver trapped inside, charred beyond recognition.

The victim is yet to be identified, he said, adding his remains had been sent for autopsy.

The car bore the registration number of Kharar in Punjab and police officers there have been contacted.

Porsche sees gold in classic cars

Having customers drive their old vehicles around for years and years would be a problem for some car brands. For Porsche Cars North America, it's a potential new gold mine.

More than 70 percent of all Porsches ever built are still being driven today. But the vast majority of the more than 200,000 classic cars in the U.S. — nearly twice as many as in Germany — are serviced by independent repair shops. Porsche now hopes to bring some of that business into its dealer network by expanding its Porsche Classic operations.

The network has 10 Porsche Classic dealers in the U.S., specializing in the maintenance and repair of the old cars. The stores can also perform factory-sanctioned restorations, augmenting Porsche's restoration centers in Atlanta and Stuttgart.

Porsche wants to enlist more of its 190 U.S. dealers to be part of the program. Porsche Cars North America CEO Klaus Zellmer declined to say how many would be needed to adequately serve the growing business.

"What I can tell you is, I think there needs to be a lot more," the CEO said. "Strategically speaking, we need to ramp up our game because that's a business field where we can still grow."

10 percent annual growth

Despite the low participation, in less than four years, Porsche Classic has become the luxury sports car maker's fastest-growing business in the U.S., growing at a 10 percent annual clip, according to Zellmer.

"The business here in the States is growing at a much higher rate than anything else we do at the moment," Zellmer told Automotive News. "There's a lot of work that we need to do here in the United States in order to take care of those wonderful pieces of art."

The business supplies more than 52,000 genuine parts to dealers and independent repair shops to keep those cars on the road. About 300 new and previously discontinued parts are added to the Classic catalog each year.

A Porsche model is considered a classic 10 years after series production ends.

Classic customers need vehicle services, too, adds Bucky Melvin, Classic business manager for Porsche Cars, and that is an added opportunity for retailers. "If they have a body shop and want to do full restorations, they can advertise."

Becoming a Classic dealer requires enthusiasm, competence and deep pockets.

The factory considers several factors in approving a Classic dealer, including the size and age of the showroom, the store's demographics, the quality of its technicians and the volume of cars that go through the service department.

"It's a thorough vetting process based on multiple criteria," Melvin said. "Many things are considered including their Classic passion and their history servicing their Classic community."

Classic partners must invest between $65,000 to $85,000 in a Classic Corner in the showroom. The store must have a classic Porsche on display, host at least two Classic customer events annually, and send technicians and service advisers for periodic training.

"We want customers to immediately realize, when they step into the showroom, 'This is a Classic partner,' " Zellmer said. "There's a certain footprint that we require. It's like a shop-in-shop system."

Being a Classic dealer bestows a halo effect on the dealership and opens doors to new business.

It's also a way of engaging existing customers and introducing them to classic cars, Melvin said. A Panamera owner who is in the dealership for service might notice the 993 on display and become curious about heritage Porsches.

‘Open our Porsche tent'

Gary Ackerman, owner of Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas, became a Classic dealer three years ago. Ackerman is a third-generation auto dealer who owns a collection of about 20 Porsche classics, including a 1964 911 and a 1975 911 Turbo.

"I loved the brand, the product, and the history," said Ackerman, who bought the Porsche dealership in the mid-1980s.

The Classic business "allows us to open our Porsche tent to people who are absolute Porsche purists," Ackerman said. "I want those people to understand that Porsche today still values them."

Ackerman said he is in talks with vendors in the independent repair and restoration business about forming joint ventures to broaden the service base of Porsche Classic.

"The more we can say yes to somebody who is running around with a car with a Porsche crest on it, the better off we are all going to be," Ackerman said.

Porsche also acknowledges that additional revenue from the Classic business could provide a hedge against an expected decline in service as electrification expands across the industry. Porsche is preparing to invest more than $6.5 billion on vehicle electrification by 2022. Electric vehicles require less maintenance than internal combustion engine- powered vehicles.

Get Ready to Track for Lamborghini Urus ST-X Concept Unveiled

Get Ready to Track for Lamborghini Urus ST-X Concept Unveiled

After delivering its first one-off hypercar in history, the SC18 Alston, Lamborghini has decided to showcase what its racing division - Lamborghini Squadra Corse, can do with the recently launched Urus. And the result is...well... as expected, is quite bonkers! And here it is, the brand new Lamborghini Urus ST-X Concept. Essentially an SUV for the racetrack, the new super Urus as it is being dubbed by social media has been prepared to a one-make rallycross style racing series that the Italian automaker is set to introduce in the near future. The Urus ST-X packs in exactly the same amount of power as compared to the production version but is much lighter.

In fact, the weight reduction is absolutely massive! A whopping 25 per cent lighter than its production version, the new Lamborghini Urus ST-X still packs in the exact same twin-turbo V8 engine making 641 bhp of peak power and 850 Nm of peak torque. The car will be used in the racing series, which will debut in 2020 and will be held on purpose built race tracks in the middle east and across Europe.

Modifications include a new carbon fibre hood with a massive air intake, a full racing exhaust and a massive rear wing. The Lamborghini Urus ST-X also packs an FIA approved and race spec steel roll cage along with an approved fire suppression system and a larger 'FT3' spec fuel tank. Lamborghini has even added a set of 21-inch centre lock wheels with Pirelli tyres along with a slightly raised suspension setup that can navigate possible bumps and bad surfaces that this car will have to withstand when it goes racing. And to wrap it all, the car has been painted in a special Verde Mantis Livery.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga 2018 : Price Expectation

The second generation Maruti Suzuki Ertiga was globally revealed earlier this year in Indonesia and the MPV is all set to be make its Indian debut on November 21, 2018. The multi-seater has been one of the most popular offerings from Maruti Suzuki and the MPV segment as well, even as other products failed to make a mark. The second generation Ertiga then, has high expectations pinned on with the model being leagues ahead of the current version. It is larger, better cabin room, more features and a new petrol engine as well. Since the 2018 Ertiga has so much new to offer, pricing will play a crucial role in the success of the model. So, with the launch just days away, here's what we think will be the key pricing on the new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

The current generation Maruti Suzuki Ertiga managed to offer multiple seating options at an affordable price tag, which was one of the main reasons for its success. Prices for the current Ertiga petrol start at ₹ 6.34 lakh, while that for the Ertiga diesel start at ₹ 8.78 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi). The prices are extremely competitive when compared to most rivals in the MPV segment, and we expect Maruti to continue retaining that edge with the next generation model as well.

We expect the second generation Maruti Suzuki Ertiga to be priced at about ₹ 7 lakh for the base petrol trim, going up to nearly ₹ 10 lakh for the range-topping petrol automatic version. Meanwhile, the Ertiga diesel range is expected to start around ₹ 8.5 lakh, going up to ₹ 12 lakh for the top-spec ZDi+ trim. The MPV is likely to be sold in four trims that will be available on both engine options.

This time round though, the all-new Ertiga will come with dual airbags and ABS with EBD as standard across all variants, and will also get the seatbelt reminder and speed alert system that debuted on the Ciaz facelift.

The 2018 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is longer at 4395 mm, wider at 1735 mm, and taller at 1690 mm. The wheelbase remains unchanged at 2740 mm while the ground clearance has been reduced to 180 mm. The MPV looks a lot more upmarket now in appeal that will help differentiate the model over the current avatar.

On the top variants, the MPV comes with features including LED DRLs, electronically adjustable ORVMs with integrated indicators, remote keyless entry, height adjustable driver's seat and seatbelt, push button start-stop, touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and more. The car will ride on 15-inch alloy wheels, and the automatic version will come with ESP and Hill Hold function separately.

Under the hood, the new Ertiga will draw power from the 1.5-litre K-Series petrol engine that replaces the 1.4-litre unit. The motor gets the SHVS mild hybrid system and is tuned for 103 bhp on the Ciaz, and we expect the same output on the MPV as well. Diesel duty will be handled by the tried and tested 1.3-litre DDiS motor tuned for 89 bhp. The new Ertiga will be taking on a host of competition including the recently launched Mahindra Marazzo, Renault Lodgy, Tata Hexa and even the Honda BR-V.

Teen Driver Sophia Floersch Fractures Spine in Macau Grand Prix Horror Crash

Van Amersfoort Racing’s Sophia Floersch was conscious and stable after the smash when her car became airborne and hurtled into a marshals and photographers’ area.

Japanese driver Sho Tsuboi, two photographers and a marshal were also taken to hospital. “All were conscious during transit to the hospital and are now receiving medical treatment. Further updates will be provided as soon as possible,” said the Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee in a statement cited by multiple sources, including the South China Morning Post and shared on Twitter by Italy’s Prema Powerteam.

Dramatic footage captured gasps from the crowd as Floersch’s machine flew through the air and into safety netting at the Guia Circuit’s Lisboa bend, a sharp right-hander.

The German teenager, running 16th, lost control in a contact down the straight, launched off a kerb and bounced off Tsuboi’s TOM’s Racing car.

A medical report sent to AFP said Floersch was admitted to the emergency room of a Macau hospital with a spinal fracture and vital signs stable.

Floersch later reassured her fans on Twitter Sunday evening.

“Just wanted to let everybody know that I am fine but will be going into surgery tomorrow morning,” she said.

“Thanks to everybody for the supporting messages. Update soon,” she added.

Among the others injured, the marshal suffered a broken jaw, while another victim had abdominal pain from a lacerated liver, according to the medical reports by the Macau Grand Prix sent to AFP.

“I hope everybody’s OK after this crash, I wish them the best recovery,” said European champion Mick Schumacher, the son of stricken F1 legend Michael, according to the Post.

Nineteen-year-old Briton Dan Ticktum of Red Bull Junior Team won the race on the fabled Macau street circuit, which has been graced by F1 greats such as Schumacher senior and Ayrton Senna.

At least three people have died on the Macau Grand Prix circuit.

British rider Daniel Hegarty died last year after hitting a barrier at Fishermen’s Bend during the Macau Grand Prix’s feature motorcycle race.

The Macau Grand Prix also suffered two deaths in 2012 when Portugal’s Luis Carreira and Hong Kong’s Phillip Yau were killed within two days of each other.

Specifications of Mahindra Scorpio 2018

Scorpio Latest Update

Mahindra Scorpio Latest Update: Mahindra has launched a new S9 variant which stacks in between the S7 and the S11 variant. It is priced at Rs 13.99 lakh and here's all that you need to know about this variant.

Mahindra Scorpio variants and price: The Mahindra Scorpio is available in six variants: S3, S5, S7 120, S7 140, S9 and the S11. Prices of the Scorpio start from Rs 9.99 lakh (base S3) and go up to Rs 16.39 lakh for the top-spec S11 4WD variant.  To know which variant suits your needs, read our Mahindra Scorpio Variants Explained. 

Mahindra Scorpio engine: The Scorpio can be had with two diesel engines: a 2.5-litre m2DICR 4-cylinder unit and a 2.2-litre mHawk motor. While the 2.5-litre engine makes 75PS of maximum power and 200Nm of peak torque, the latter is available in two different tunes: 120PS/280Nm and 140PS/320Nm. The 2.5-litre and standard 2.2-litre engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, whereas the more powerful version of the 2.2-litre motor is coupled exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission. The Scorpio is available with both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options.

Mahindra Scorpio features: On the features front, the Scorpio gets dual front airbags and ABS, which are offered on all variants except the base S3. Other features on offer include automatic projector headlamps with LED DRLs, electrically adjustable ORVMs, rain-sensing automatic wipers, automatic climate control, cruise control, 6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with CD, DVD, Bluetooth and Navigation, tilt adjustable steering with audio controls, rear parking camera with sensors and dynamic guidelines, tyre pressure monitoring system and a micro-hybrid system.    

Mahindra Scorpio competition: To this day, the Tata Safari Storme remains the Scorpio’s arch-rival. It also competes with compact SUVs such as the Renault Duster and Captur, the Honda BR-V and the Hyundai Creta.

The Mahindra Scorpio is one of the most popular SUVs sold in India, thanks to a reputation that has been solidified over more than a decade. It was Mahindra’s first truly modern SUV and with multiple updates over the years, it kept up with the needs of the market, while catering to a wide range of customers.

Engines

2179 cc, Diesel, 120 bhp @ 4000 rpm power

2179 cc, Diesel, 140 bhp @ 3750 rpm power

2523 cc, Diesel, 75 bhp @ 3200 rpm power

Gearboxes

6-speed, Manual, 4WD / AWD

6-speed, Manual, RWD

5-speed, Manual, RWD

Seating Capacity

7 seater

9 seater

8 seater

Steering

Power steering