Author: Advait Berde

Samsung unpacks a galaxy of products!

At its first-ever virtual Galaxy Unpacked event, Korean tech giant Samsung revealed five new products. These include two smartphones, a tablet, a wearable smartwatch, and its latest wireless earbuds. These products not only promise to bring the future in your hands, but they are also determined to set benchmarks in their respective categories.

With the sole purpose of making life easier with technology, these products are launched as a part of the Galaxy ecosystem. This is meant to allow the user to freely access his data across multiple devices. For example, the Samsung Notes app features auto-save and syncing capabilities, so the user can continue his work right where he left off, from device to device. Samsung Notes easily straightens your messy handwriting into legible penmanship.

Samsung has also partnered with Microsoft to increase the list of features it has to offer. The Galaxy Note20 series can be used as a portable gaming console, as it now supports official Xbox games. The gaming experience is further enhanced with its AI game booster and Bluetooth audio response optimization, and 240Hz touch latency on the Galaxy Note20 Ultra.

Along with the Note20 Ultra, Samsung also revealed the Galaxy Tab S7 and its big bro, the S7+. Since all the devices belong to the next generation, they naturally support 5G connectivity. The Galaxy tab S7 and S7+ offer seamless videoconferencing, fast downloads, and virtually lag-free streaming. The S7+ has a 12.4” Super AMOLED display, which is sure to immerse the user in whatever he chooses to watch.

Samsung knows how to pamper its audience and that’s what it has done with the Galaxy Watch3. With a slimmed-down version of its popular rotating bezel, the Galaxy Watch3 is practically a wearable computer. With the Blood oxygen feature, you can measure and track oxygen saturation over time, for fitness and wellness purposes. The new Samsung Health Monitor app on Galaxy Watch3 offers cuffless blood pressure and electrocardiogram measurements, available in markets where these features have been authorized. When a potential fall is detected, your location will be sent immediately to pre-designated contacts. Running Analysis will help you run better, improve form, and prevent injuries, while VO2 max follows your cardio progress to provide insight into oxygen consumption. For those who want to stay fit while being at home, Samsung Health provides more than 120 different home training programs so you can track your workout progress on your watch.

Galaxy Buds Live are the company’s next-generation earbuds and offer an unmatched experience. Combining AKG’s sound expertise with a 12mm speaker and a bass duct, the audio received is deep and rich so you can enjoy music the way the artist intended. Galaxy Buds Live comes with three microphones and Voice Pickup Unit for accurate phone calls.

Finally, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Fold2. It is the result of extensive market research and user feedback on the most requested upgrades and new features. The Galaxy Z Fold2 comes packed with two edge-to-edge, nearly bezel-less Infinity-O Displays. The Cover Screen is 6.2-inches and the massive Main Screen is 7.6-inches.

The Galaxy Note20 series and Tab S7 series will be available in select markets starting August 21, 2020. The company is expected to reveal the India price list as the launch date approaches.

HyperX Cloud Stinger Core: An immersion into gaming, wirelessly!

I am an ardent gamer with a fond attraction to all gaming accessories. So, when HyperX sent its Cloud Stinger Core wireless gaming headphones, I had to jump in and grab it before anybody else could! With that, I managed to secure one of the best gadgets in gaming accessories and was about to experience something that redefined my gaming experience.

I have been gaming for a long time and I have seen days where the in-game audios were limited to repetitive, 8-bit, machine-generated sounds. But through the years, games have developed from offering primitive noises to full-blown sound effects. With the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core, these sounds were not just heard by my ears, they were felt. Without further ado, here is what I think about the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless gaming headphones.

Appearance

The Cloud Stinger Core headphones are offered with only a black body in a matte finish. This makes the pair of headphones look sleek and subtle, while also making its presence felt. It can be connected to your PC with the USB that it comes along with and is also compatible with gaming consoles. What stands out about the headphones is its inbuilt mic. It is placed at the end of a swiveling arm, that can not only be used to move the mic away from your face, but also to mute it.

It also has a minimalistic design with only two buttons- one for the power and a dial for the game and mic volume. The soft and supple padding of the ear cups and headband means you can wear them and play video games for hours at a stretch without losing comfort. Its 244g weight means that it won’t bear down on your head, while its steel sliders allow you to get the perfect positioning for your head.

Performance

The Cloud Stinger Core takes its job very seriously and offers a completely immersive experience. Although the 7.1 surround sound from the headphones can only be enjoyed on a PC, the sound output from consoles was also satisfactory. This is because the 7.1 virtual surround sound has to be activated through the HyperX NGENUITY software. It is also only available on Windows, which poses a major drawback for Mac users. Naturally, I also used these headphones to listen to music and watch movies. The surround sound also did complete justice to both and made me forget I was still in my bedroom and not in a Dolby theatre. The 40mm drivers that the headphones are equipped with not only deliver loud and blunt sound crisply but also allow you to hear the softest whispers and the slightest rustle with ease.

This acts as a major benefit for players of the FPS (first-person shooting) genre, where it is important to be able to hear the enemy’s footsteps, which are much quieter than the gunshots and bomb explosions happening all around.

Verdict

The headsets cost around Rs 10,000, making them one hell of a birthday present for a kid. But if you are one of the older guys looking for a good headset for yourself, this is one of the most value for money deals. The headphones do not have a 3.5mm jack due to which they cannot be connected to smartphones. But, they are not meant to anyway. They also offer a battery life of approximately 17 hours on a full charge, which was more than my capacity to play games in a day. Charging can easily be done via a USB-C port, which also makes it less of a hassle. The headphones are also charged quickly and though I didn’t time it precisely, I knew the headphones were ready to play games much before I was. Overall, the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core headphones are made for gamers and serve their purpose perfectly.

BMW S 1000 XR: The Holy Grail of off-roaders is back!

If luxury brands are your thing, it is impossible that you have not heard of German luxury automobile manufacturer BMW. Its Indian wing, BMW Motorrad India has officially launched its internationally best-selling adventure sportbike, the all-new BMW S 1000 XR in India. It’s an all-days sports bike that uniquely blends sporty and long-distance performance in perfect form. Its sporty aggressiveness comes from its fully-faired sibling, the S 1000 RR. Its outstanding GS ergonomics with the upright, relaxed seat position, lets the riders enjoy all curves and straight roads.

BMW has designed the motorcycle to reflect pure performance and the promise of long-distance traveling comfort with a riding position that is impressively active yet relaxed. The front fairing and lighting systems are defined by sharp edges. Combined with striking beading, the overall line is shaped aggressively and consistently to the finish. The visually short tail is also reminiscent of a sportbike. The revised aerodynamics, fairing, comfortable handlebars along with long-distant seating position ensure great riding fun miles after miles. The adjustable windshield provides even better protection against the cold, driving noises, and the elements allowing the rider to keep the eyes on the road. All lighting units such as the headlamp, taillight, indicator lights, and instrument cluster use the latest LED technology. The integrated parking lights enhance the bike’s unmistakable appearance.

The newly developed 999 cc in-line 4-cylinder engine is based on the BMW S 1000 RR engine and delivers an output of 165 hp at 11,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 114 Nm at 9,250 rpm. The engine speed range is broader and harmonious to enhance rideability. The 4th, 5th, and 6th gears now have longer ratios, low noise levels, lower fuel consumption, and lower engine rpm at cruising speeds. The motorcycle sprints from 0-100 km/hr in just 3.3 seconds and can achieve a top speed of over 200 km/hr.

The new BMW S 1000 XR has four standard riding modes – Rain, Road, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro. The ‘Dynamic Pro’ mode is fully configurable and offers riders a wide range of setting options to suit their riding style. The throttle response, engine brake, ABS control (Anti-lock Braking System) and traction control, wheelie control (including the new ‘Power Wheelie’ setting) can be configured separately for the first time. While the BMW Motorrad ABS system already provides a very high degree of performance and safety when braking in a straight line, ABS Pro takes this a step further when braking in a banking position.

The adventure tourer features the latest generation of BMW Motorrad Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) as standard. The best-in-class 6.5- inch colour TFT screen instrument cluster along with BMW Motorrad connectivity offers unmatched display and access to information. In addition, the BMW Motorrad Connected App offers handy arrow-based navigation suitable for day-to-day use directly on the TFT screen. The multi-controller on the left-hand handlebar panel enables quick, safe, and convenient screen operation.

A wide array of retrofit equipment and gear options are available to further enhance the riding experience with a range of storage bags, backpacks, rider gear, navigation, and communication. Customers can augment their bikes with safety accessories such as radiator grille, hand protector, brake disk lock with an anti-theft alarm, and protective glass for TFT screen.

Quick maintenance at home or while touring is made easy with assembly stand, multifunctional tool kit, tyre pressure travel pack, breakdown assistance kit for tubeless tyres and a compact foot pump.

Mr Arlindo Teixeira, acting President, BMW Group India said, “The all-new BMW S 1000 XR is an agile achiever that sets a new benchmark in the adventure sports segment. It is a power-packed performer that brings the real racetrack feel to everyday roads. With its newly developed engine and uncompromising ergonomics, it offers awe-inspiring performance, sporty ride and long-distance capabilities. Riders waiting for a distinctive experience will be drawn to the multi-faceted all-new BMW S 1000 XR. It’s a perfect companion, ready to hit the road for all kinds of journeys with sheer motorcycling enjoyment.”

For complete peace of mind and to ensure that the journey of pure motorcycling continues uninterrupted at all times, the all-new BMW S100 XR comes with a standard warranty for ‘three years, unlimited kilometers’, with an option to extend the warranty to fourth and fifth year. Roadside Assistance, a 24×7 365 days package further ensures prompt services in case of breakdown and towing situations.

The new bike can be ordered as a completely built-up unit (CBU) from today onwards throughout the BMW Motorrad dealer network. The all-new BMW S 1000 XR will be offered in a Pro variant in Ice Grey and Racing Red colour options. The ex-showroom price is Rs 20,90,000.

Love personalized products? The Audi RS 7 Sportback is perfect for you!

Soon after revealing the next-gen RS 7 Sportback, Audi has officially launched the car in India today. The German luxury carmaker has made the RS 7 Sportback more versatile than before and is offering it as a wide-bodied five-seater, for the first time.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India, said, “We are thrilled to launch the new Audi RS 7 Sportback in India – a car that is striking, powerful and is a technological masterpiece. The V8 twin-turbo 4.0L TFSI petrol heart propels the car to 100kph in a super quick 3.6 seconds. Our legendary quattro all-wheel drive system means you can make the most of the 600hp. I personally love the way the RS 7 sounds and I can’t wait for owners and enthusiasts to experience and hear its V8 growl.”

We had previously listed the technicalities of the RS7 Sportback. But we still cannot comprehend the number of personalization and customization options available for potential buyers.Right from an optional sunroof to suspension options, from 13 standard exterior paint finishes to 5 additional Matte Effect paints, the options are practically endless. To enable customers to explore the bevy of features available, Audi India offers an Augmented Reality experience, a first of its kind. Customers can visit www.audi.in and use the 360° Product Visualizer to explore all the latest features and customization options.

Audi has electronically limited the top speed of the RS 7 Sportback to 250kmph. However, racing enthusiasts and speed freaks can opt for the optional dynamic package or the RS dynamic plus package, that increases the speed limit to 280kmph and 305kmph respectively. Equipped with the standard eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and permanent , the Audi RS 7 Sportback can hit 100kph in just 3.6 seconds. The previously mentioned optional Dynamic Package plus package also adds high performance RS ceramic brakes to significantly increase the braking performance of the car.

The car gets LED headlamps with dynamic indicators as standard, while HD Matrix LED headlamps with laser lights are available as an option. The rear view camera can also be optionally upgraded with surround view cameras. Audi is also offering an optional B&O Advanced Surround System with 3D sound in the front and rear from 19 speakers and 1820 W output that will replace the standard B&O Sound System features a 3D front surround system and 16 speakers with a 705 W output.

The wheels too, can be personalized by the customer. The standard 53.34cm 10-spoke star design wheels can be upgraded to 55.88cm rims with different finishes. The seats can also be upgraded with black pearl Nappa leather or Valcona leather as per the customer’s wish. Soft power latching of the doors is also optionally available, to add a finishing touch of customization.

With all these options to choose from, the RS 7 also gets a suitable price tag. It has a base price of Rs 1.94 Crore (ex-showroom) and its deliveries are expected to commence in August 2020. Customers can book the Audi RS 7 Sportback online (www.audi.in) from the comfort of their home or head to their nearest Audi India dealership. Additionally, all customization and personalization needs can be catered to by any Audi India dealership. Audi India has ensured all dealerships and workshops are completely sanitized twice a day with adequate safety measures rolled out across processes.

 

Mars to get a new visitor soon, from the United Arab Emirates!

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is gearing up to join the ranks of those few countries around the world, who have extended their reach to infinity and beyond! After six years of extensive research and development, the Middle Eastern country will launch its first interplanetary mission to Mars. 

It is called the Emirates Mars Mission and the satellite will be launched on April 17, on top of a Japanese rocket. This will be the beginning of several other missions to Mars, including China’s orbiter, rover and lander launches on July 23. NASA is also in hot pursuit with its preparation to launch the Perseverance, its next rover. All these missions have a very small window of time, when  Earth and Mars come closest to one another on their orbits around the Sun. This planetary alignment only happens once every two years, so if any of these missions can’t launch this summer, they’ll have to wait until 2022 to try again.

The Emirates Mars Mission is especially important for the country, as it is viewed as a part of a celebration for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the UAE, which is in December 2021. It was first announced in 2013 by UAE Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, when he asked the nation’s top space engineers to pull off the ambitious space mission by 2021 to commemorate the occasion. 

The spacecraft is called Hope and aims to complement other studies going on about Mars. It is expected to give scientists a clearer picture of Mars’ lower atmosphere, which will help them understand the annual weather patterns. The UAE calls Hope “Mars’ first weather satellite” since it will monitor the weather throughout the day in as many locations as possible on Mars.

With a tight budget of just $200 million, the UAE had a tough job completing Hope on its own. To overcome this, The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, which built the Hope spacecraft, teamed up with the University of Colorado at Boulder — a college that’s been designing Martian instruments since the 1960s. It also received guidance from researchers at Arizona State University and the University of California, Berkeley throughout the course of the spacecraft’s development. NASA has also enabled communications with Hope for the Emirates, using its Deep Space Network (an existing network of antennas spread around the world).

The live counter for the launch of this spacecraft can be tracked on the official website of the Emirates Mars Mission. It is slated to be launched in the early morning hours on top of a Japanese H-IIA rocket out of the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan.

Ford’s terrain conqueror returns: The 2021 Bronco SUV

Ford has officially revealed the 2021 Bronco SUV that will, for the first time, be available in a four-door version. Since its hibernation in 1996, Bronco fans worldwide have been anticipating its return. The American car manufacturer also hinted at a new model in 2004, when it introduced a concept car. Ford finally confirmed the arrival of a new Bronco in 2016.

In its 2021 avatar, the fifth-gen Bronco aims at reigniting its age-old rivalry with the Jeep Wrangler. It retains some classic elements such as LED DRLs inset to the round headlights and hood tie-downs called “Trail Sights” by Ford; a true insignia of its legacy. It also keeps its familial stance and general proportions.

The interiors are awash with nostalgia as well, but with ample modernization. Its retro-looking instrumentation is suavely complemented by a brand-new, 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It gets Ford’s SYNC 4 software with OTA updates, that offers FordPass Performance app compatibility and onboard topographic trail maps. These maps can be used by drivers to plan, navigate and share their trail adventures. The roof panels and the frameless doors are removable (we would be so sad if they were not!) and the switches have been rubberised as well, making the interior completely washable. 

Ford, in a sleight of hand, has added an integrated rollcage and curtain airbags to get a one-up in safety over its rival. It has also made the Bronco significantly larger than the Jeep Wranger (JL), while giving it independent front suspension! It is paired with a solid multilink rear axle and is offered with Bilstein’s top of the line Position sensitive dampers.

The 2021 Bronco will be offered in a four-door, as well as in the classic two-door version. Customers can choose from seven trims, in which the ground clearance varies from 231m to 295mm and wheel size increases from standard 6-inch with 30-inch tyres to 17-inch wheels with 35-inch tyres.

Buyers also have a choice between two EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engines. The first is a 2.3-litre inline four-cylinder producing 270PS/420Nm, offered with either a Getrag 7-speed manual (6+1 crawler gear) or a 10-speed automatic. The second engine, a 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 making 310PS/542Nm is only offered with the automatic transmission.

Google announces $10 billion tech fund for India

American tech giant Google officially announced a $10 billion digitization fund to help accelerate India’s digital economy. Sundar Pichai, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Silicon-based company took to Twitter to make the announcement today.

Pichai wrote, “Today at #GoogleForIndia we announced a new $10B digitization fund to help accelerate India’s digital economy. We’re proud to support PM @narendramodi’s vision for Digital India – many thanks to Minister @rsprasad & Minister @DrRPNishank for joining us.”

The company will focus its investments on four areas: 

  • First, enabling affordable access and information for every Indian in their own language, whether it’s Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi or any other
  • Second, building new products and services that are deeply relevant to India’s unique needs
  • Third, empowering businesses as they continue or embark on their digital transformation
  • Fourth, leveraging technology and AI for social good, in areas like health, education, and agriculture

India has more than 500 million people online everyday with more than 450 million smartphones in active usage. India is also a key overseas market for Google, due to its range of products and services getting deeply embedded in the Indian digital system. Services such as Google Search, YouTube and Android OS have almost become inseparable from the average Indian user.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also confirmed this news on Twitter. He stated, “This morning, had an extremely fruitful interaction with @sundarpichai. We spoke on a wide range of subjects, particularly leveraging the power of technology to transform the lives of India’s farmers, youngsters and entrepreneurs.” Modi also discussed the challenges brought by Covid-19 to areas like sports as well as the importance of data and cyber security.

Google joins the ranks of Facebook and Amazon in India to have made an investment of substantial amounts. Facebook made a $5.7 billion investment in Reliance Jio Platforms, the top telecom operator in the nation in April this year to digitize 60 million mom and pop stores in the country. During his visit to India early this year, Jeff Bezos said Amazon plans to invest an additional $1 billion in India, totalling the company’s to-date commitment to $6.5 billion.

Wished Spy Kids was real? Meet the Audi AI: RACE.

We were barely breaking in our teens when we were introduced to the Spy Kids franchise. The cool, futuristic setting of the movies was only complemented by the fast and furious vehicles in the movie. Perhaps taking inspiration from them or out of sheer automotive genius, German automobile manufacturer Audi has created the AI: RACE.

First introduced in 2018, the car is a symbol of futuristic technology, as it supports wireless charging that can juice up the battery in just 15 minutes! It is expected to be offered with a solid-state 95kWh capacity battery that will give the AI: RACE a range of 500 kilometres. It also offers a segment-first transforming cockpit. 

No, the car does not transform into a talking robot, unfortunately. However, the cockpit can be adjusted to suit the racetrack or the road. This is possible as the driver’s seat and the cockpit are integrated into an inner monocoque shell that can be slid laterally. This allows the driver to position the steering wheel in the centre of the car- a perfect setup for the racetrack. Naturally, the pedals can be shifted as well, while all of this is made possible by the by-wire design that eliminates the need of a mechanical connection.

Gael Buzyn is Head of the Audi Design Loft in Malibu – where the Audi AI:RACE was born. He describes the most important item in the specifications: “We want to offer the driver an experience that is otherwise available only in a racing car like the Audi R18. That’s why we developed the interior around the ideal driver’s position in the center. Nevertheless, our aim was to also give the AI:RACE a high degree of everyday usability, not just for the driver, but also for a potential passenger.”

The AI:RACE is 4.53 meters long, 2 meters wide and just 1.15 meters tall (14.5 x 6.4 x 4.6 ft). These dimensions alone speak of a classical sports car. The wheelbase is 2.70 meters (8.9 ft) and the overhangs are compact. Wide and flat light units with integrated digital matrix technology and laser high-beam headlights complete the face of the AI:RACE.

Powering the futuristic concept are three electric motors – one in the front and two at the back. Audi, sticking to its quattro roots, divides the output of the AI: RACE accordingly. Though the maximum power output stands at 500kW, the driver can temporarily churn out an additional 70kW with boosting. The AI: RACE makes a combined peak torque of 830Nm, that propels the car from a standstill to 100kmph in barely more than 2 seconds.

As mentioned earlier, the AI: RACE supports wireless charging and is designed to charge with 800 volts. The Audi Wireless Charging (AWC) works by placing a charging pad with integral coil on the floor where the car is to be parked, and connecting it to the power supply. The alternating magnetic field induces an alternating voltage in the secondary coil fitted in the floor of the car, across the air gap.

The German luxury carmaker will be manufacturing the AI: RACE in a limited production run. There are 50 units expected to be produced in total and will be sold to exclusive customers.

The future of hybrid supercars, now with an open-top.

Supercar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini seems to be pushing its own boundaries. The Italian carmaker has launched the Lamborghini Sián Roadster: a limited edition, open-top hybrid supercar. It is engineered around Lamborghini’s iconic V12 engine, with unique hybrid technologies. 

The roofless design of the Sián Roadster puts an exclusive group of drivers in one of the most spectacular cockpits ever: always open to the sky; resonating with the inimitable V12 sound from the most powerful Lamborghini engine to date; and experiencing extraordinary performance while reveling in the Sián Roadster’s role in Lamborghini’s route to future hybridization.

Reminiscing the iconic periscopio line inspired by the first Countach, the Lamborghini Sián Roadster offers an unmatched aerial view. It is further enhanced by the lines running diagonally from the cockpit to the rear. These also culminate in the aerodynamic airstreamers behind driver and passenger. The Sián’s sculpted contours and characteristic aero wings give the Sián Roadster an unmistakable profile. The car has a very low front with integrated carbon fiber splitter, that houses the iconic Lamborghini Y-shape headlights.

Sticking to its traditional pure and uncluttered Sián design, Lamborghini has directed the  airflow in Sian through the front splitters and through the front bonnet, through the side air intakes and outlets and over the rear spoiler, with no loss of aerodynamic efficiency from the roadster’s roofless design.Active cooling vanes on the rear use unique materials-science technology patented by Lamborghini and operation of the vanes is triggered by the reaction of smart-material elements to the temperature generated by the exhaust system, causing them to rotate and providing an elegant and lightweight cooling solution.

The extreme and strong rear of the car incorporates Lamborghini’s signature hexagon design, including six hexagonal tail lights inspired by the Countach. The rear wing is integrated within the profile and extends out only during the driving to enhance the performance.

The low, powerful chassis houses the company’s next-generation V12 power plant. ‘Sián’ in local Bolognese dialect, meaning ‘flash’ or ‘lightening’, denotes the Sián Roadster’s electrification as part of the future hybrid strategy, while maintaining the extraordinary emotion and dynamic performance inherent in naturally aspirated Lamborghini super sports cars. 

The Sián Roadster combines the V12 engine with a new powertrain, adding a 48-volt e-motor, delivering 34 hp. It is incorporated into the gearbox to provide immediate response and improved performance. The e-motor also supports low-speed maneuvers such as reversing and parking with electric power.

Lamborghini has equipped the Sian with an innovative supercapacitor application. The company claims it to be a world-first technology storing ten times the power of a lithium-ion battery. It is located in the bulkhead between cockpit and engine and ensures perfect weight distribution. The electric system with the supercapacitor and e-motor weighs only 34 kg, thus delivering a remarkable weight-to-power ratio of 1 kg/hp. Symmetric power flow ensures the same efficiency in both charging and discharging cycles: the most lightweight and efficient hybrid solution. 

This advanced technology combines with the V12 engine, which incorporates titanium intake valves and is uprated to 785 hp (577 kW) at 8,500 rpm. Combined with the additional 34 hp from the hybrid system, the Sián Roadster delivers a total of 819 hp (602 kW). The supercar accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of over 350 km/h.

The Lamborghini Sián Roadster incorporates a highly sophisticated regenerative braking system, especially developed by Lamborghini. The symmetric behavior of the supercapacitor fully charges the Sián’s energy storage system every time the vehicle brakes. The energy stored is an instantly-available power boost, allowing the driver to draw immediately on increased torque when accelerating away, up to 130 km/h.

When the e-motor automatically disconnects, it improves the elasticity maneuvers and makes it more than 10 percent faster than a car without this system. The innovative system also delivers instant acceleration in low gears, with improved traction force provided by the combination of V12 engine and hybrid system.  

The Lamborghini Sián Roadster benefits from a heightened level of driving comfort facilitated by the hybrid system alongside dynamic handling and performance. The movement felt during deceleration and missing torque caused by a traditional combustion engine, is eliminated by the torque upshift fill provided by the hybrid’s e-motor. Hence the driver will feel only the backward thrust of acceleration minus the uncomfortable jerking movements.

The Sián Roadster makes its debut in Blu Uranus, especially selected by Lamborghini’s Centro Stile, which together with the Ad Personam department works with every Sián client to entirely personalize the color and finish of their Roadster.  Encapsulating the blue of the sky and the green of the fields, evoking the freedom and driving elation delivered by the open top Sián Roadster’s performance, the car is finished with Oro Electrum wheels: the color chosen by Lamborghini to signify electrification. The complementary interior is an elegant combination of white with Blu Glauco detailing and aluminum elements in Oro Electrum: new-design air vents produced via 3D printing allows customization with a client’s initials.

 

Mercedes-Benz goes all touchscreen with the new MBUX

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the next generation of its in-car user interface system, the MBUX. It will debut in the 2021 S-Class and features a new interface. The German luxury carmaker has powered the MBUX with a new hardware suite that adds multiple features and functions across the car. The hardware suite includes a 320GB SSD, 16GB of RAM and 50 percent more processing power over its predecessor.

Some of these features include a pseudo-3D display technology behind the steering wheel, new personal profiles that the driver can access via a fingerprint sensor, facial recognition or voice commands. The hardware also improves the “Hey Mercedes” voice recognition system. The new MBUX minimizes the use of physical buttons and encourages the use of voice commands and quick access shortcuts.

Mercedes-Benz will debut the new MBUX with the 2021 S-Class. The luxury sedan will be equipped with a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with haptic feedback, in a portrait orientation. The screen rises from the centre console, unlike the usual dashboard embedded position. It is easily accessible to the driver as it is placed just beside the steering wheel. Mercedes-Benz has also made the overall interaction sleeker by reducing 27 “hard keys” in the new S-Class.

Users can now save personalized preferences in the new MBUX, which include settings like seat adjustment, interior lighting colour, and their favourite radio station, among others. These personal profiles can be enabled or disabled with the new security features and can also be loaded in other Mercedes-Benz cars that feature the new MBUX.

Drivers get access to a large, rounded rectangular floating display. It is the car’s fully digital instrument cluster offers the driver a chance to customise the colour, layout, and overall presentation of information like speed, power output, and driver assistance features.

Sajjad Khan, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG, CASE says, “Our overarching goal is to offer the utmost in comfort, personalization and convenience for our customers. A system that is more detailed, thoughtful and individual than ever before. So I would even call it My MBUX. Through even more ease-of-use, our customers gain extra time and added value. This goes beyond just displays and voice control. My MBUX now becomes the spinal cord, or even the central brain of the vehicle.”

The MBUX has the capability of creating a three-dimensional impression of the objects on the screen. It can do so with the help of facial recognition cameras and something that Mercedes-Benz calls an “auto-stereoscopic display”. The screen of the MBUX is a combination of standard LCD display and “a special pixel structure and a controllable LCD aperture grille” that makes the driver’s left and right eyes see “different pixels of the LCD.”

Updates to the MBUX software include recognition of up to 20 different commands triggered by saying “Hey Mercedes” as well as support of 27 languages. The S-Class is also expected to feature as many as three screens in the rear that will be connected to the infotainment system in the front. This will allow passengers in the back to share content between the screens along with selecting or changing the navigation route.  Mercedes-Benz is expected to unveil the new S-Class in September 2021.

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