RS: Volvo XC 40 Recharge is all about sustainability and our issue as well. So, tell me, what has been your experience with an electric car? Have you ever driven an electric car?
Rakul Preet Singh: Yes, but very briefly. However, I want to make my next buy an electric one because we all need to be more responsible towards the planet, and sustainability starts from the smallest things. I’m not saying everyone should buy an electric car, but whoever has the ability to or has the awareness should make that switch. I think we need to have more electric charging stations, and a lot of people would switch to electric.
RS: if you have to go on a road trip with Volvo XC 40 Recharge, where would you go and who would you like to take along?
Rakul: I would drive to Goa or Delhi to Bombay once that expressway is ready, and I would take somebody who could give me a hand in driving, for instance, my friends from the “Spark”. Well, we have a group of five people called Spark, and I would take the entire Spark with me because we are sparks in each other’s life.
RS: How do you maintain your healthy work-life balance?
Rakul: Yeah, it’s all about what your priorities are. I choose a healthy lifestyle as it’s a way of life. It’s not something that I take pressure for. In fact, on the contrary, if I don’t find time for myself, whether it’s my workout or my little peace with myself, then I get very edgy. Also, you can always find time for things you love and prioritise. In easy words, people are busy, but they find time to watch TV, they find time to party, but they don’t find time to work out. So it’s just priorities.
Ramesh: Any tips for staying motivated?
Rakul: You will be motivated if you’re very passionate about something. You don’t need tips for it. Like, there’s a fire up my belly all the time, 24×7, because I love my job and want to do a lot more. Have you seen my Twitter header? It says Build a life you don’t need a vacation from. I love my work; I want to go to shoot every day and be in front of a camera every day, that’s my sanity, and if I take a break, I get anxious.
Ramesh: Do you read books?
Rakul: I do. I am more of a spiritual reading sort of person. So one of my all-time favourite books is The Power of Now. Then there’s Cosmic Consciousness, which is a beautiful book.
Ramesh: Do you read e-books, and what about audiobooks?
Rakul: No, I read on paperback. Anybody who’s a reader will prefer to avoid reading e-books. I tried audiobooks during the lockdown, but my problem with audiobooks is that if I don’t like your voice, I will not listen to it. I think reading is how your brain processes and absorbs the information the book offers. So, for me, reading is a very personal affair, and I can’t read in public. I need absolutely pin-drop silence. I can watch content from anywhere, but when I’m reading, I need to be alone at home because otherwise, I feel I’m not doing a good job; I’m missing something that the author said. I feel like I’m with the book or connected with the matter or the material of the book only when I’m in my piece, in my space, alone; it’s also giving respect to the author.
Ramesh: You have been involved in a lot of philanthropic activities. Tell us more about that.
Rakul: Whatever I’ve done in the past is something I will keep doing again to give back a little to society. When COVID was at its peak, there was a village of 500 families near Gurgaon that I had adopted, which I haven’t shared in the media. We put caterers in our house on the terrace, and every day my dad went and gave the food to the people. Then I love to educate people, especially young girls. Currently, there are four girls I’m helping with their education, and all these girls are my house help’s daughters living in the village while their mothers work in the city.
Ramesh: What are your thoughts about sustainability?
Rakul: I’ll be frank, I’m also new to sustainability, but this is a conversation we must have more often because it has been trending for the last two or three years, mainly since COVID-19 struck the planet. While we were in lockdown, the air became purer, but as we stepped out again, we were back to square one. The climate change is extreme; we’re already running out of water, the Antarctic is melting, and there’s summer in the Arctic region. We should not make a complete switch, but we can always start making efforts with small contributions in our daily lives. In the last couple of years, I started refusing new plates after a one-course meal by saying, “I’m good with my plate. Do we change our plates at home?”
Ramesh: You have a big army of 23 million followers on Instagram. Tell us about your journey to the film industry ?
Rakul: I’m highly thankful to all those 23 million people who have given me love and been my great pillars of support ever since I started my journey because my journey has been of someone who had no clue about the industry. I came from an Army background, somebody who didn’t know about films at all. Yaariyan was my first Hindi film, and then I started working in the Telugu industry. I always wanted to be an actor, and the journey began when I was 18. At first, I started modelling, and within a month of my pictures being shot and circulated, someone saw my pictures, and they called my dad and said, we want to cast her in a film. At that point, I was unaware of any film industry except Bollywood; hence I refused the offer. However, when they called back, I said yes to the movie just for pocket money and wanted to be the first one who buys a car in my friend circle. Then I moved to Bombay when I was 20, started auditioning, standing in Aaram Nagar queues, trying to reach out to people, driving from Kandivali to Bandra every single day as a routine, whether I have meetings or not, in the hope that I would crack something and then I cracked the Yaariyan. I signed a Telugu film after that, which became a hit, and before I knew it, I signed a lot of other films. The journey began when I thought that let me be a star in one place rather than a struggle in the other, and then I focused on Telugu films until I felt that, okay, I’ve worked with everyone, and it’s time to change the ground.
Ramesh: Who do you look up to?
Rakul: If there’s one person, and I’ve said this many times, that I truly look up to is my father because, being an army man, he comes with a lot of sense of dignity and discipline and just the way he is and his personality. You can talk to him about anything under the sun, whether it’s world politics, regional politics, wine or anything.
Ramesh: Tell me something, any quotes or phrases that peps you up on a daily basis?
Rakul: Well, there’s a quote in my living room which says, people who tried to bury you didn’t know you were a seed. So it’s something I see every time I eat my meal in the dining room, and it’s a real motivator.
Ramesh: What parting words would you like to say to our readers?
Rakul: Thank you so much to all of you who supported me and also all the readers of Exhibit; this drive interview in the Volvo XC 40 Recharge has been really fun. And yes, this issue is all about sustainability, so all of you should take small steps towards a sustainable self, towards a sustainable nation and make small changes.
I want to make my next buy an electric one because we all need to be more responsible towards the planet, and sustainability starts from the smallest things
Shivya Nath is a well-known travel blogger, author, and speaker who has inspired thousands worldwide to pursue a more mindful and sustainable approach to travel. Born and raised in India, Shivya quit her corporate job at 23 to travel the world and share her stories through her blog, The Shooting Star. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and is recognised as one of the leading voices in responsible tourism. Today, Shivya continues to travel the world, sharing her experiences and insights with her followers while advocating for a more responsible and sustainable approach to travel. Let’s see what’s her thought on sustainability.
Exhibit: What inspired you to become a climate activist, and how did you get involved in this cause?
Shivya Nath: We’re living through a climate emergency – which is not just an environmental issue but also intersects with gender, social justice, biodiversity and much more. As a travel writer and storyteller, I’ve been lucky enough to witness the incredible beauty of our planet but also how climate change is changing entire landscapes and cultures. It’s almost impossible to tell real travel stories without addressing how climate change is impacting the places we visit and advocating for climate action both within the industry and globally.
Ex. How do you think technology can help address climate change, and what role does it play in the fight against climate change?
Shivya: Technology has a major role to play, both in mitigation and adaptation. In order to stay under 1.5°C of warming, we need to scale renewable energy and carbon capture and storage technologies to complement reduced consumption and nature-based solutions. To adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change, we need advanced technology to predict erratic weather changes and extreme weather events.
Ex. In your opinion, what lifestyle changes can individuals make to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future?
Shivya: We can play an important role in driving climate action by urging the organisations we work for to measure and reduce their Scope 1 & 2 emissions and work with their value chains to reduce Scope 3 emissions. By making climate change a political issue, we can also intimidate local, regional and national governments to consider it in their daily decision-making. In our personal lives, actions like reducing consumption, installing renewable energy, choosing low-carbon transport, opting for a plant-based diet, segregating, composting and recycling waste, and flying less can make for meaningful sustainability choices.
Ex. What are some of the most pressing environmental challenges that we face today, and how can we work together to address them?
Shivya: We’re simultaneously facing the interlinked crises of climate and biodiversity. The first step is to educate ourselves on what is happening, why, and what needs to be in the bigger picture. As we learn, we can use our voice, online or offline, to create awareness among our friends, families and social media followers.
Ex: How do you stay motivated and engaged in this cause, despite the many obstacles and setbacks that you may encounter?
Shivya: We don’t have a choice! To give up is to accept that we’ll hit 1.5, or worse, 2°C of warming, leading to a colossal loss of human and non-human lives.
Ex: Can you talk about a particular project or initiative that you have been involved in that has made a positive impact on the environment?
Shivya: I recently founded Climate Conscious Travel, an impact consultancy with destinations and businesses to integrate community-centric climate action into tourism offerings. This includes developing carbon-neutral trips, climate change communication through tourism, and sustainability research and storytelling. Through my blog and Instagram, I also continue my work as a travel storyteller creating awareness about sustainable tourism, climate change, zero-waste living, veganism and other interlinked areas.
Ex: How do you balance the need for immediate action on climate change with the need for long-term solutions and systemic change?
Shivya: The two are interlinked. A change in climate policies today, for instance, will pave the way for long-term solutions and systemic change. We’ve already seen this in the growth of electric vehicles and some renewable energy technologies.
Ex: What do you see as the biggest barriers to progress on climate change, and how can we overcome them?
Shivya: Public apathy is a significant barrier. Suppose we don’t collectively demand bolder climate ambition and action. In that case, there will never be enough political will and sweeping policy changes to do what needs to be done to seek a low-carbon development pathway and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Ex: Finally, how do you envision a more sustainable future, and what steps can we take today to make that vision a reality?
Shivya: A sustainable future will be one where we globally curb our emissions and use a mix of nature-based and technological solutions to remove what we’ve already emitted. Such a future will reward a minimalist lifestyle, with things like green electricity grids, sustainable aviation fuel, electric transport, conscious travel, upcycled fashion, and zero-waste alternatives becoming the norm rather than the exception!
HYUNDAI AS A MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN IN INDIA FOR NEARLY AS LONG AS I’VE BEEN ON THIS PLANET.
A whopping 27 years have passed since this South Korean manufacturer first arrived at our shores. The Santro will forever be etched into my memory as the first car that Hyundai launched in India and the first car my family brought home. It was the car I had all my road trips in growing up and the car that introduced me to the art of driving. After 27 years of mobilising our country and its families, Hyundai has finally reached a point where it is now viewed as not the cheaper alternative but, the better alternative. Hyundai now makes vehicles that range from sub 10 lakhs to ones that exceed 30 lakhs. With each passing year, the brand slowly grew with each step to be recognised as a more premium brand and after all these years, that time has finally arrived.
The IONIQ 5 marks a milestone in Hyundai India’s book not only because it’s their first vehicle to be built on a dedicated EV architecture but also because it’s Hyundai’s most premium offering in its Indian catalogue by far. So for the launch of such a significant vehicle, why not make the review milestone worthy? What better way to do that than a road trip? And not just any road trip but one that would span throughout the country while setting a brand-new record.
Well, Hyundai loved the idea too, so on a cold winter morning, we picked up the brand new IONIQ 5 from the HMI headquarters and were ready to go. Given this launch and monumental journey, we visited several monuments. These aren’t your regular monuments but are known as the seven wonders of India. The first of our wonders is too well-known to need an introduction.
630KM – Amritsar, Punjab
So without any delay, we set off for our first destination, the Golden Temple in Amritsar; this monument needs little to no introduction. Built-in 1589, the Golden Temple is known for its beauty and religious significance to Sikhism. Our journey to Amritsar would be about 500 kms from Delhi and would be a perfect way to test the claimed range of this vehicle. Hyundai claims that the IONIQ 5 can do about 630 kms in one full charge, but to be safer, we intended to make a quick stop to juice up on the way. After all, we had a record to set, and our journey had just begun.
The drive to the Golden Temple was surprisingly relaxing, and I was amazed by how comfortable the IONIQ 5 felt. This was unlike any Hyundai I’d ever driven and felt like a cut above. The road to the Amritsar was pretty well paved, and we didn’t get an excellent chance to see just how well it would do on our typical Indian roads, so to say, but alas, our journey had only just begun.
They say that a visit to the Golden Temple replenishes one’s soul. Well, mine felt replenished, basking in the serenity of this temple. With my blessings in check, I continued towards our next destination, which too requires little to no introduction and is globally known.
1,310KM – Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Known as the symbol of love and found in Agra, the Taj Mahal is a renowned monument in India and a wonder to the world. It’s renowned for its mesmerising architecture and timeless beauty. Its design still influences modern-day architecture students with its exquisite details and elaborate carvings. The distance to Agra from Amritsar was about 700 kms, so we’d need one quick stop to juice up on the way, and we were good to go. Finding chargers so far was easy since we were around significant cities and civilizations.
Still, once we were past Agra, we would be venturing into uncharted territory, and that sort of uncertainty can be scary, especially when you’re aiming to set a record. Nevertheless, our spirits were high, and we had faith in ourselves and the IONIQ 5 to come through.
As before, our journey mainly comprised well-paved highways as we quickly covered ground and made it to Agra, where the roads were narrow, and the potholes were abundant. There is something extraordinary about the city of Agra, as parts of it seem frozen in time. With its congested busy streets and rich history, a lovely vibe in the air made me feel like a tourist in my country.
Anyway, we finally found an excellent spot to observe the Taj Mahal from afar and what a spectacle it is to behold. It’s a lot bigger than you’d imagine and looks magnificent even from afar. This would be an excellent opportunity to admire my ride and talk about the styling of the IONIQ 5.
If you have not noticed, let me address the elephant in the room. The IONIQ 5’s styling is polarising, to say the least, but I mean it in the best way possible. Its intriguing design managed to turn heads nearly everywhere we went, and each time we parked the car, a crowd gathered within moments. The IONIQ 5 takes inspiration from the Hyundai Pony, launched in 1975. It was a handsome rear-wheel drive vehicle with a design language ahead of its time.
The IONIQ 5 takes inspiration from the Pony and manages to blend designs from the past and the future. The IONIQ 5 looks retro, to say the least, but in the most cyberpunk way possible. Its sharp and clean lines define it, and the smoked headlamp draws you in with its iconic parametric pixel design that manages to entice and illuminates the front of the IONIQ 5.
In this shade of matte silver, the IONIQ 5 looks especially angular and cutting since this shade further accentuates its lines. I was smitten with the design from the moment I saw it and grew increasingly fond of it the more time I spent with it. The front bumper integrates the active air flap system, aiding aerodynamics and cooling. I found the vent opening only at lower speeds or when standing still to cool the batteries, but they remain closed for the most part.
Coming to the side of the IONIQ 5, the angular lines continue and feature a Z-shaped character line, making the IONIQ 5 look athletic even when stationary. The 20-inch wheels on the IONIQ 5 are one of the sexiest wheels I’ve ever seen on any vehicle and the best I’ve ever seen on a Hyundai. They, too, follow a parametric pixel design and look stunning in person. They may taste for some, but I loved these wheels.
The door handles, too, remain flush and pop out every time you’re in the proximity of the vehicle, which only further adds to how clean the overall design is. Photos don’t justify how long and wide the IONIQ 5 looks in person. Coming to the rear of the IONIQ 5 and the parametric pixel design continues in the rear. The taillights look stunning both when they’re on and not. Despite being covered in lines, the vehicle looks relatively clean, all a testament to the shade and how well the car’s geometry plays with these lines. The rear three-quarter is by far, my favourite angle for the IONIQ 5, and I’m sure you’d also have a favourite once you see it in person. The rear spoiler is rather neatly integrated into the roof and conceals a brake light into the spoiler.
I have little to no gripes with the design of the IONIQ 5, and beauty may lie in the eye of the beholder, but I cannot deny just how beautiful this Hyundai looks. Now that I’m done admiring these two wonders of engineering and architecture, I head to my next destination, Madhya Pradesh, in Khajuraho. This is where our journey into uncharted territory began, where the internet no longer showed us any availability of reliable chargers. Worst-case scenario, we were willing to sacrifice some precious time and rely on an AC charger which could take over a day or even more depending on the charge we had left.
So with that in mind, we set off on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, a freshly laid piece of tarmac that was as well paved as they come and primarily desolate since we started at the crack of dawn. This would be a great place to test the highway performance and ride quality of the IONIQ 5. Right off the bat, I can tell you that the IONIQ 5 rides like no other Hyundai that has come before it. It’s soft, supple, and rides smoothly, especially following the speed limit.
As smooth as our roads are, one eventually encounters a bumpy patch occasionally, where the IONIQ 5 needs to catch up. At lower speeds, it handles bumps well enough, but as soon as you go a bit faster, the suspension seems too busy under you and feels like it’s working overtime, as the IONIQ 5 tends to lose its composure.
Infact, if you go over a speed breaker too fast or not slow enough, the rear suspension tends to dive as it goes over the bump. Hyundai could have done a better job calibrating the rebound damping of the rear suspension because it seems a tad too soft for our Indian roads. Granted, it brings comfort when on busy streets, but I would have preferred a better balance between handling and comfort.
We managed to make it to the city of Kanpur, where to our amusement, not a single charger seemed to be working, and the ones that did would either trip or stop working due to the power cuts the city was facing. To our surprise, Hyundai doesn’t have any chargers at its own dealerships, and if you’re a Hyundai owner, know that you will essentially be relying on chargers from Tata, MG, BMW and Audi. Buying a premium Hyundai product exceeds the vehicle.
This could be a make-it-or-break-it factor. Knowing that you share the workshop floor with vehicles that are more mass-market than premium could sour the deal for some potential buyers, and this got me thinking about how Hyundai needs to improve its overall quality appeal because selling a premium product is more than just fancy tech and high performance but more on that later.
1,920KM – Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
After somehow charging the vehicle in Kanpur, we were off to Khajuraho, where technology was limited, and so was infrastructure. Khajuraho is a beautiful city in Madhya Pradesh known for its erotic art and detailed temple architecture. Finding a charger here was not going to be possible, and we had to rely on using a wall-mounted socket to charge the vehicle, which meant we’d had to spend the next three days charging up the vehicle since the speed was a mere 1 KW per hour. This gave us plenty of time to plan our next few stops and do some sightseeing around the beautiful temples of Khajuraho. This would be a good time to talk about the interiors of the IONIQ 5, which, unlike the temples in Khajuraho, took a more minimal approach to styling.
The interior of the IONIQ 5 is simple and clean. Hyundai has done away with most buttons which is a one-step forward and twostep back approach but more on that in a bit. So from the moment you step inside the cabin, you realise that there is ample space and thanks to the minimalistic approach, even the dashboard remains clutter-free.
The cabin feels airy thanks to the excess space; the white interiors then further exaggerate the sense of space, making it feel even more spacious than it already is. Given how space conscious we Indians tend to be, the IONIQ 5 does a fantastic job of triggering that sensory experience. You’d never feel claustrophobia, even with all five seats occupied. You can not only control the recline and movement of all five seats but also move the entire central armrest and everything under it, which makes finding the right amount of space for your needs a pretty easy affair. I don’t know any other car in India that can showcase such a feat, and it genuinely makes the interior of this car feel unique and customisable to suit your needs.
The trade-off of the white interior is the obvious dust magnet it is. Even on dry summer days, dirtying these seats and leaving stains all over is fairly straightforward. If you’re an owner with OCD, you will have a tough time keeping that OCD in check with this white leather interior. Sure, knowing that all the materials inside the vehicle come from sustainably sourced methods boost one’s consciousness, but knowing the lack of durability in our conditions makes it a bit of a tedious affair.
The lack of buttons makes the dash seem clean, but at the cost of constantly having to distract yourself from accessing the most basic functions like ventilated seats. A simple button would have done the trick, but now you must pull over and navigate through a giant screen whenever you wish to turn on or off the ventilated seats in the IONIQ 5.
The passengers in the rear get heated seats for some reason, but not seats that can be ventilated, and this seems like a sore miss given that the majority of the country and the metropolitan cities tend to be on the hotter side of things than the cooler ones we’d hope for.
Another thing worth mentioning is the comfort of the seats; Hyundai has done a fantastic job designing the seats and their support. Not only do they recline so you can practically sleep in the car while waiting out the charging, but they’re also entirely customisable and let you pick the optimum driving position to suit your dimensions and preferences. However, I’d like the steering to be further adjusted, as you can only adjust the rake, not the steering wheel’s reach.
2,550KM – Nalanda, Bihar
Long story short, after three days of charging, we were finally ready to reach our next destination, Nalanda, in Bihar. The ruins of Nalanda are considered by historians to be the world’s first residential university and among the most important centres of learning in the ancient world. Unfortunately, it succumbed to war and was pillaged and burned down by the Khalji dynasty, and now all that’s left are its ruins and tales of its rich history. Like Khajuraho, Nalanda had little to no chargers to offer, so we decided to juice up the IONIQ 5 in Patna instead and head over to Nalanda. This would be an excellent opportunity to discuss the advanced safety systems and tech in the IONIQ 5.
So Hyundai has equipped the IONIQ 5 with level 2 ADAS, which comes with upto 21 features, including forward and rear collision warnings, lane keep assist, a 360-degree camera, blind spot monitoring and safe exit assist, which essentially helps driving out of blind parking spots. These are just a few, as many more would take a while. As practical as all these features are, they can be too intrusive in the real world. For example, none of these features can be turned off except for lane keep assist; the rest remain running in the background.
The safe exit assist is handy but can’t distinguish between a pedestrian approaching and a vehicle and treats both as the same. This means each time you’re backing out of the parking, it’ll aggressively slam on the brakes if it detects someone standing close to the rear. It may be in the name of safety, but over time, this can become quite annoying, especially when you factor in that this is in India and there are always people or vehicles present on the road at all times.
The intelligent cruise control can maintain a certain distance from the vehicles ahead of you, but it likes to remain two car lengths away even at its closest setting. Given how congested our streets usually are and how used to we are driving under such circumstances, the IONIQ 5, on the other hand, could be better versed with our streets. It tends to panic when a vehicle gets too close, which can be pretty unnerving for the driver and anyone behind you. I wish Hyundai provided the option to turn off some of these systems or let you further modulate to what degree they intrude.
The lane keep assist works surprisingly well, and it even manages to detect lanes over some of our bad roads where the markings have either disappeared or are a mere blur. The sensors on the IONIQ 5 are top-notch; it’s just our infrastructure that has yet to grow to adapt to such order and still revels in its orderly chaos.
Our next destination was quite far, and we’d have to go all the way to the East Coast of India to the city of Bhubaneshwar. So our first stop was Ranchi, where we took a quick stop to charge and then headed straight for Jamshedpur. Finding a reliable charger again posed a challenge in Jamshedpur, which was a surprise given that Jamshedpur essentially is a giant Tata plant. Nevertheless, after a quick charge, we continued towards Bhubaneshwar, where we’d spend the night. The following day we rose before the sun and began our drive to Puri, a coastal town famous for its clean beaches and is a hop, skip and jump away from the famous Konark Sun Temple.
3,430KM – Puri, Odisha
Dedicated to the sun god Surya, the Konark Sun Temple is a staple of Kalingan architecture to impress the sun, which is the source of all our energy and at the centre of the solar system. Since we’re talking about a giant ball of nuclear fusion, it’ll seem ironic to talk about a vehicle that has ditched combustion. Solar is the future of powering all our electrical appliances, so we may address the electric motor and its prowess.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is powered by a liquid-cooled lithiumion battery with a capacity of 72.6 kWh, translating to about 220 bhp of power and 350 Nm of torque. These output figures may not sound all that impressive on paper, but if you think about it, you’d soon realise this has all its power available at all times, unlike an internal combustion motor. So despite weighing nearly 2 tons, the IONIQ 5 accelerates from 0 to 100kmph in under 7.5 seconds.
Its roll-on acceleration is even more impressive, making any overtake feel like a piece of cake. Sure, it’s no Volvo XC40 regarding sheer acceleration, but it offers an even better range. Most folks think the range is more important when buying an EV than outright performance. Plus, the IONIQ 5 feels fast enough to excite most drivers; the Volvo XC40, on the other hand, has now entered sports car territory.
The IONIQ 5 packs plenty of punch and, despite being a rear-wheel drive car, maintains traction at all times. Even when you’re intentionally trying to break traction, the safety systems will always be on guard and ready to spank you with traction each time you try to drift the vehicle or slide it around a corner.
The only time you can consistently break traction is when you’re on dirt, and even then, the IONIQ 5 will manage to reel itself in. If this is a testament to the IONIQ 5’s composure or a slap in the face to any EV enthusiast looking for that fun daily driver, that’s down to perspective. That being said, the IONIQ 5 drives like no other Hyundai before it and can be a ton of fun while also incredibly relaxing.
After having a lovely time at the coastal beaches of Puri, it was time we started our most extended leg, which was to be from Puri all the way to Hampi. This would have us cross three states on our journey to Hampi, which is located in the state of Karnataka. This nearly 1500 km journey would not only test dedication to our record but also test the IONIQ 5 as it would succumb to varying degrees of broken tarmac and dirt roads. As we traversed through open highways and busy city roads, we finally decided to halt in Visakhapatnam.
Finding chargers became much easier, and we were soon flying past Vijayawada and on our way to Hyderabad. Despite running on 20-inch wheels, the ground clearance and suspension rarely bottomed out. Eventually, I stopped babying the precious IONIQ and started driving it like a regular car. The IONIQ 5 is a rather easy-to-drive vehicle, and despite its odd dimensions and funky design, it is rather practical. I will talk more about it when we get to Hampi.
After our lengthy stint in Hyderabad and some much-needed rest, it was time to venture into the unknown again on our way to Hampi. After careful research, we discovered just one charger about 100 kms away from Hampi. Which means we’d have to make a gamble. We either head straight for Hampi and try and arrange a wall-mounted AC charger or take our chances with heading for the charger. So far, we’ve had mixed results with chargers, including those with reliable reviews posted online. Well, sometimes you gotta risk it to get the biscuit, in this case, the biscuit being a reliable charger.
Off we drove, and as we got further away from Hyderabad and into the rural side of the Telangana-Karnataka border, the roads kept getting narrower and narrower to a point where we’d practically have to keep half the car off the tar for oncoming vehicles to pass. Not something you want to be doing with an expensive and exclusive car, but this is India, so one is forced to bend the rules occasionally.
4,972KM – Hampi, Karnataka
After crossing some beautiful fields, sunflower and windmill farms, we finally made it to the charger. It came as a surprise to all our pessimistic expectations that not only was the charger a fast one but one that was in perfect working condition. That boosted my morale, and I was ready to take on all the long stints back home. As usual, we rose before the sun the following day and headed for the renowned Vijaya Vittala Temple. Why this temple, you ask?
Well, the majority of Hampi is scattered with monuments and structures of the past, which has turned it into an important UNESCO site. However, the grandest of them is the Vijaya Vittala Temple. It is an excellent showcase of the architectural prowess and creativity of the sculptors and artists of the Vijayanagara era.
The drive to the temple was breathtaking itself, stretching across some beautiful roads and sights and scenes. Now that I’ve been driving through these narrow rural roads, I better understand the IONIQ 5’s everyday practicality and liveability for one’s daily use. Truth be told, I remain astonished at just how practical the IONIQ 5 proves to be.
The IONIQ 5 can easily tackle most speed breakers and potholes thanks to the E-GMP platform. The turning radius may take some time, but that’s a minor hurdle. Even the overall visibility outside is quite good, and the ultra-clear surround cameras do a fantastic job showing you any and every obstacle with some excellent camera quality. The usable space inside the IONIQ 5 is quite commendable too. There is more than sufficient space inside the cabin and the cubby holes, but Hyundai adds to it by giving you a big enough boot capacity, and it even has a frunk! It’s a small frunk but sufficient to store your charging necessities and a couple of other knick-knacks. Sadly there is no spare, and instead, you get a puncture repair kit, and a tyre inflator tucked away in the boot. Fortunately, we didn’t have to use ours so far, but if it’s something you’ve never done, I suggest getting more up to speed with the whole process.
5,460KM – Udupi, Karnataka
Practicality out of the way, it was time to head to our next destination, which falls on the west coast of India and is the coastal city of Udupi. What’s at Udupi, you ask? Well, on the outskirts of Udupi lies a 57-foot-tall monolithic statue carved out of a single piece of granite. It is the statue of Bahubali, and a depiction of his meditation said to last long enough for vines to grow at his feet. It’s an excellent time to ponder various things we’ve noticed about the IONIQ 5.
For starters, the sound system on the IONIQ 5 is decent but not the best In its class. It falls short of the ones found on the Volvo XC40 Recharge, which is the best in its class. The ambient lighting on the IONIQ 5 is defused and does a good job illuminating this light-coloured cabin. A couple more features are rather clever in the IONIQ 5, like the ability to turn off the air conditioning for all the passengers and leave it on just for the driver.
This is a great way to conserve energy and maintain cooling. The prominent feature that Hyundai has been talking about is its V2L ability, which allows it to charge any electrical appliances or even power another EV in an emergency. A three-pin socket is embedded under the rear passenger seat, allowing you to charge your laptop on the go. In reality, it only works when you’re stationary, so that can be a bummer, but if you’re okay with working while waiting at the side of the road, then it’s a feature you’d appreciate.
However, I wonder if anyone will go camping with the IONIQ 5; the ones that’ll even take it out for a picnic will be quite a niche. Does this feature justify the hype around it? Well, sorta. Having this feature in your arsenal enables you to pursue more spontaneous endeavours and be more carefree about your devices. Though I highly doubt you’d be carrying anything more than a pair of speakers at best, and for that reason, I’ve got somewhat mixed feelings about this feature. It’s a cool gimmick, I’ll give it that, but to me, it’s not a very useful feature and would have made a lot more sense on an offroad vehicle than on a rear-wheel drive crossover.
After enjoying the scenic coastal roads of Udupi, it was time we pushed for our final destination, Mumbai. It never felt so good to return home, sweet home; I especially missed the food and the familiarity of speaking a known language. Sadly it’ll also be where I’d have to part ways with the lovely IONIQ 5. It’s been a reliable steed and has worked effortlessly through anything and everything the road has presented. The longest stretch we could pull on one full charge was about 530 km, which is commendable for an EV as most ICE vehicles struggle to have a range over 450 kms. Plus, you’ve got to factor in the cost. The owner of an IONIQ 5 will spend a lot more on cleaning the seats than he’d actually spend charging the IONIQ 5.
At an ex-showroom price of Rs. 45 lakhs, the IONIQ 5 isn’t the most accessible EV out there, but it manages to undercut its competition while performing just as well, if not better, in some cases. Would I ever like to make a road trip this long in an EV? No. This was tedious, to say the least, and our infrastructure has a long way to go. However, if I ever have to set out on a road trip of this sort, I’d happily hop inside the IONIQ 5 as it’s most certainly a capable vehicle and quite reliable at that. What more could you want from your EV? And on that note, I must conclude this story.
6,300KM – Mumbai, Maharashtra
FOR – Dashing aesthetics, genuinely sustainable, great range
AGAINST – Intrusive driver aids, sensitive paint, limited interior and exterior shades.
Exhibit Magazine: Can you tell us briefly about your background and how you started your journey as a creator?
Rohit Zinjurke: If it wasn’t for content creation, I would still work as a sales executive in a textile shop. Wherever I have worked, I have always been sincere. However, content creation was my calling. I used to do both together until I realised how much potential the digital world has.
Ex: How did you first realise that you were gaining popularity, and what was your initial reaction?
Rohit: When I was at my earlier job as an executive, I had a wholesaler who had come to the shop and immediately recognised me. Also, many customers kept looking at me as if they’d seen me somewhere. That’s when I realised that I was getting there. I was absolutely humbled and knew this was my path.
Ex: How has your life changed since you became a creator, and how have you adapted to your newfound fame and success?
Rohit: More than my life, I feel like I have changed because I am surrounded with so much love that it urges me to be a better person and to make better content every day.
Ex: What do you think sets your content apart from others, and what do you believe contributed to its success?
Rohit: More than my content, I feel like it’s me as a person that my audience relates to.
Ex: Can you tell us about any memorable challenges or obstacles you faced on your journey to success and how you overcame them?
Rohit: There is no one specific challenge because every day, there is something challenging about what we do. Whether it is creating content, editing, or scripting.
Ex: Who are some of your favourite fashion photographers or creators that you look up to?
Rohit: I like Rohan Shrestha and Dabboo Ratnani’s work. For me, a person who is comfortable in their own skin is fashionable. So I can’t name one person as everyone is fashionable in their own way.
Ex: How do you engage with your audience and build a community through your vlog?
Rohit: By keeping it real and raw.
Ex: Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or collaborations you have in the pipeline?
Rohit: Picture ahi baaki hai mere dost. There is so much I have to offer, but I can’t reveal everything just yet. You will have to wait and watch.
Ex: What advice would you give to aspiring vloggers or creators who are just starting out?
Rohit: Respect your craft, and it’s okay if you haven’t figured it all out. Take it as it comes, and have fun with it.
Ex: How are you feeling after crossing 25 million people on Instagram at the age of 22?
Rohit: Imagine receiving love from 25 million amazing souls! I feel absolutely blessed, but my journey has just begun. And this also means that I’ve got the responsibility of entertaining an audience of 25M, so while I am super joyed, I am also working very hard.
With his soulful voice, catchy tunes, and engaging lyrics, Guru Randhawa has taken the Punjabi music industry by storm and has won the hearts of millions of fans not just in India but across the globe. Besides being a musician, he is a tech-savvy individual who has leveraged the power of technology to reach out to his fans and grow his fan base, along with experimenting with new-age music production techniques.
His ability to blend traditional Punjabi folk music with contemporary pop beats is a testament to his innovative spirit and willingness to embrace new technologies. In this exclusive interview, we delve deeper into Guru Randhawa’s journey as a musician and his thoughts on the intersection of music and technology. We explore the various aspects of his work that have made him a household name in the Indian music industry.
Exhibit: What was it like working with Kapil Sharma on your latest song?
Guru Randhawa: It is always great working with artists whom you admire. Kapil Paaji has been a dear friend since I’ve known him. I love his work, and it was great to collaborate with him on his debut song. While I was shooting for Kapil Sharma’s show, we discussed the idea of making a song together, and I’m glad to see it come to life. The response has been really great as well.
Ex: How do you think the driving experience has changed over the years as technology and electric vehicles have become more prevalent?
Guru: I think advances in fields of technology are happening at a rapid rate, and the future of cars is electric. In fact, we see a lot of that in developed countries, and it’s making its way to IndiGuru: Driving cars has indeed become a seamless experience with assistance like ADAS and many more.
Ex: Out of all your songs, which one holds the most emotional value for you?
Guru: My recent song, “Alone”, is very emotional, and I’m currently enjoying that.
Ex: Are there any songs or albums you think are particularly suited for driving, and why?
Guru: I like listening to soundtracks of Hans Zimmer, I enjoy Weekend’s music on drives, some Punjabi legends, and trying out new artists as well.
Ex: You’ve been in the music industry for over a decade now. How has the journey been? And what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting out?
Guru: Yes. I’m grateful for everything. God has been kind, and it’s all a blessing! I’m thankful to my fans for their undivided support. Honestly, I’ve grown so much as an individual and artist. Overall, it’s been an enriching experience for me and very special too. As I said, I started my career as an independent artist and always kept at it. I believe one should never give up, keep putting in that effort, and love what you do, even if it is challenging. Consistency transcends into success.
Ex: How does the experience of driving a car compare to performing on stage or recording music?
Guru: Yes, both activities involve adventure and thrill. Sometimes both are really relaxing as well. Each day is a new experience that I look forward to.
Ex: You’ve collaborated with many different artists over the years, from Pitbull to Jay Sean. Who would you like to work with next, and why?
Guru: I would love to collaborate with Bruno Mars because I absolutely love his music.
Ex: Your music often blends traditional Punjabi sounds with modern beats and rhythms. How do you balance these two influences in your work?
Guru: I think it comes to me naturally, maybe because I was born in a village in Punjab and later moved to Delhi for higher studies. So I think both places have had their influences on my music and style.
Ex: Your song “Lahore” became a massive hit, with over 1 billion views on YouTube. Did you expect it to become so popular, and what do you think made it resonate with so many people?
Guru: Well, I think it is the simplicity of the song that makes it easier for people to connect.
Ex: You’re known for your energetic live performances. How do you prepare for a show, both mentally and physically?
Guru: Yes, of course, we work hard on our live shows regarding a set list, rehearsals and production. Not just for live shows, but otherwise, on a regular basis, I take care of my health.
Ex: Do you think there is a connection between music and driving, and if so, how would you describe it?
Guru: Yes. Music has a connection with everything. It’s the rhythm of life. It enhances the state of mind and is the best company while driving. I like listening to my songs first in the car, which gives me the right feel about them.
Bolstering its coveted Smart Wearable Range, HAMMER, one of the emerging acoustic brands, has announced the launch of its new ACE 3.0 Smart Watch in India. The latest addition to the affordable and premium-quality smartwatch segment celebrates self-expression and boldly reflects customers’ changing demands and lifestyles.
HAMMER defined the ACE 3.0 Smart Watch as a work of art crafted precisely to reflect the brand’s promise of offering extraordinary products with unique features. Its metallic body and skin-friendly silicone strap exude luxury, making it the perfect companion for anyone who values exclusivity.
The ACE 3.0 Smart Watch packs a punch with its high-performance features. It comes equipped with a high-quality display, providing crisp visuals that elevate the user experience. The watch’s customizable faces allow users to express themselves and make it their own, making it an ideal choice for those who want to stand out from the crowd.
The ACE 3.0 smartwatch has been launched under the new campaign by the brand- #thebigmove. Commenting on the launch, Rohit Nandwani, Founder and COO, HAMMER, said, “We are thrilled to launch the ACE 3.0 Smart Watch, which not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our customers in terms of design, functionality, and affordability.”
HAMMER ACE 3.0 smartwatch is an elegantly designed and modern-age smart wearable gadget that continues the legacy of the Ace series. The latest smartwatch becomes apparent in 1.85-inch IPS large touchscreen display with a peak brightness of 500 nits. The watch comes with a truly advanced calling experience, an in-built speaker, and a microphone with quick access voice assistant.
The watch is installed by a 190 mAh efficient battery that can run continuously for 5 days. Additionally, ACE 3.0 has been rated IP67 for water and dust resistance. It has built-in 24×7 activity trackers, which allow the device to track vitals such as SPO2 levels, heart rate, sleeping and breathing patterns, and sports activity.
HAMMER also added that the High-performance smart watch ACE 3.0 comes with an elegant & commanding character, best-in-class features, and software where users can call from the watch directly and even save up to 50 contacts on the watch over supported with Bluetooth 5.0. Consumers can buy the product from the official website- https://hammeronline.in/ and on Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart, Reliance Digital, Nykaa, TataCliq, and CRED.
Uber today announced a comprehensive global revamp of its app, adding a slew of new features to help riders go anywhere effortlessly. Uber’s redesigned app has been made intuitive, customized to the individual preferences of each rider, offering easy access to all services, consistent experiences, and a smooth flow through the booking process. Starting right at the redesigned homescreen, the new Uber app makes it easier to book rides, taking into account the most preferred destinations and products for each rider. The list of updates that will show on the app as a result of the new App Redesign rollout includes:
A new homescreen
The homescreen experience has been simplified to help riders book trips faster, with fewer taps, right from the get-go. The new app also features a “Services” tab as a one-stop shop to find all product offerings available to riders in their city – from a nearby Moto to Auto, Intercity, Rentals, Reserve, Connect and more. The new “Activity Hub” helps keep track of past and upcoming rides in one place.
More personalized
Booking favourites – ride types, locations, and more – also gets more effortless with the new app. Upon tapping “where to?” on the homescreen, “Saved Places” will appear for each rider, and the app will suggest a list of personalized destinations and ride types based on preferences, past trips, and most likely destinations. The app will also share personalized recommendations for planning travel and saving based on how each rider uses Uber. As an example, if a rider typically uses Uber Auto, it will likely be the first option they see; and the app will also suggest other affordable options.
A new way to track the progress of rides
Now, with Live Activities on the lock screen, riders can easily track the live progress of their ride and receive critical updates like vehicle details, the latest ETA information, and trip status – all on the Lock Screen without opening the app. This feature is being rolled out for iOS devices and will be available on Android devices soon. Riders will need to ensure their device is up to date with the latest available software and the latest version of the Uber app to experience the redesigned app and its new features.
Commenting on the updated Uber app, Nitish Bhushan, Director – Central Operations, Uber India and South Asia, said, “We have always worked to provide mobility with few taps on the app for riders on the Uber platform. Seeing how fast-paced our lives are getting, we understand the need to be able to navigate through apps in seconds. We are introducing the redesigned Uber app to help our users more effortlessly navigate to ensure each rider sees an app designed for their specific needs, with their frequented routes and preferred products showing right at the top.”
SC Ans: If you think like a child, your imagination is
firm and nothing is impossible.
Ex: What is your dream road trip destination?
SC Ans: Ladakh, I’ve been there a couple of times, but I would like to go there again and again.
Ex: Going beyond the appearances of an individual, what do you notice in people?
SC Ans: Attention span, as it’s quite rare nowadays.
Ex: Describe this car (Audi Q3) in one word.
SC Ans: It’s a statement in itself
Ex: What is the most expensive gadget you’ve gifted to yourself?
SC Ans: Harley Davidson Sportster S
Ex: What three cars would you like to have in your dream garage?
SC Ans: The Hummer, Mustang (American Muscle) and G-Wagon
Ex: Define comfort in your own words.
SC Ans: Just chilling at home in my boxers. I mean,
feeling free is what it is.
Ex: Quattro (4) things you practice daily.
SC Ans: Reading, writing, watching films and
drinking a lot of water.
Ex: OTT show you’ve binged on recently?
SC Ans: Panchayat seasons 1&2
Ex: Audiobooks or physical book copies? Which one do you prefer, and name your favorite?
SC Ans: Physical books. 21 lessons for the 21st century, Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, Raag Darbari and The Almanack Of Naval Ravikant.
Ex: If you had to give three tips to newcomers, what would they be?
SC Ans: Travel the country by train, read a lot of good books, and watch a bunch of bad films.
Ex: Do you read your comments and interact with your followers on social media?
SC Ans: Yes, I’m all ears for the feedback as it helps grow and understand audience taste.
Ex: What do you know about AI, or in particular, AI in films?
SC Ans: I play many games, and I can see it growing exponentially in the gaming industry. There’s still some time for AI to blend in with the movies, but it’s pretty close. In the future, the characters may be a mixed breed of actors and VFX.
Ex: Any experience working on sets with many automobiles and tech-related stuff?
SC Ans: Yes, my upcoming film Yudra where we have a bike chase sequence. I got to do some stunts with the bikes on my own,
which was quite thrilling. I also drove a mustang in Inside edge 2 in Georgia.
Ex: How did you prepare to go beyond the ordinary when acting in the industry?
SC Ans: I have watched many films and have done theatres which give me a bit of confidence, and with that, inhibitions fade away.
Ex: Tell us about your upcoming projects.
SC Ans: The upcoming projects are Kho Gayein Hum Kahan, which is about relationships in the social media digital age, and another is an action thriller on a crazy scale.
Ex: In a multifaceted profession, what is your mantra for commitment and versatility?
SC Ans: Keep it simple, do what you love, and never compromise with your dreams. Make smart choices only to create more choices in the long run.
Ex. You have made a name for yourself in the hosting space. When did you first know you had this in you?
Siddharth Kanan: My Amma (Radha Kannan) and Appa (V. Kannan) were ahead of their times and always encouraged me in debates, elocution & sports.
In fact, my father used to write my debates and train me in how to say my lines. Since then, I had an inner feeling that I would not choose a conventional field in the long run.
I started very young, at the age of 14. I am in the Limca Book of Records for being the youngest RJ in the country. So, I guess I was always made for this. And since I always think that I am a mazdur in my head, I keep working hard and evolving every day.
Ex. You have interviewed almost every celebrity in the county. Who according to you is the most interesting personality among all?
SK: Honestly, I can’t pinpoint one person, since I have done thousands of interviews in my career. But I have been inspired by the biggest superstar our country has ever seen, Mr Amitabh Bachchan. His work ethic, his discipline, how he is the first person to reach the sets always, constantly learning and reinventing himself. My interviews with him have always been motivating, and inspiring and I get a renewed vigour after interviewing him. In fact, he always says that I get him to share anecdotes like never before.
Ex. Who is the easiest and the most difficult to talk to?
SK: I would like to rephrase this question. How do you get your celebrity to bring out their most unheard stories? Well, there goes a lot of research behind it. Whenever I speak to a celebrity, even though he/ she has been a friend for years, when I speak to them, I think like the audience. I want to know what the audience would want their favourite star to talk about. What would the audience like the celebrity to confess about? And when you think like that, the magic happens. And that’s been my mantra since the beginning of my career.
In fact, I feel the audiences feel ‘I am their voice’ and relate to me and my chat shows. Maybe that’s why I have crossed 1.12 million subscribers, 350 million views and have loads of trending videos on youtube throughout the year.
Ex. Hosting is a difficult arena to step into and requires an excellent presence of mind. Do you feel anxious before stepping up on the stage?
SK: My parents have taught me to not be ‘Scared to Lose’! Hence, I am fearless in my approach. I have a tremendous amount of inner confidence and self-belief. The only thing I have always been hopeful of is giving the best show each time to the audience and giving an experience to them that they have never seen or felt.
When the audiences feel on top of the world, I feel the happiest. I am extremely well prepared for my shows, and my team and I work throughout the year on my content, I am well-read and have been blessed with spontaneity. I feel like a student every day of my life, hence I do not take a minute of mine for granted and maybe that’s my shows have been extremely successful and am blessed to booked throughout the year with brands and agencies and have clients who keep giving me repeated business
Ex. What are the apps that you use the most?
SK: Instagram and YouTube
Ex. How tech-savvy are you? What is the most expensive piece of gadget that you own?
SK: My iPhone 13 Pro Max and Apple MacBook Pro
Ex. What is that one event you dream of hosting once in your life?
SK: I dream of an event where millions and millions of people are watching me and I have touched every single person’s life in that event with humour, inspiration and soul.
Ex. How has worked for the radio changed and shaped you in your professional journey?
SK: Radio shaped my professional career in the biggest way. Even though I have left the radio and have gone independent, I still owe a lot to the radio! Radio taught me to be spontaneous, think on my feet, and be real. When I started radio, there were no radio software, so I learnt the art of ‘One Take’ which means there was no chance of retakes. The ability me doing scripts in one take and ad-libbing has helped me in events, digital content, voice-overs and in every walk of life.
Ex. One thing that you often say to your guests is, ‘tu mera bhai hai’. Who exactly in Bollywood is your bhai in the true sense?
SK: I have been around for a long time. My biggest asset is my relationships with people which have withstood the test of time…hence, I have made loads of solid relationships within and outside the industry. People have faith in me and value my ethics and believe in my integrity.
I am proud to say that I have a number of people in Bollywood that have a love for me and vice versa but I choose not to name them because those friendships are extremely dear and sacred to me.
Ex. Tell us something about yourself no one knows about.
SK: I might look very outgoing, flamboyant and bindass but there is a huge part of me which is very emotional and sensitive and only the ones very close to me know and see that side.
Ex. What was the last time you were surprised or shocked?
SK: Nothing shocks or surprises me. The only thing that I look forward to each day is a great experience! I am an eternal optimist!
Ex. What is that one book you recommend?
SK: I recently read The Secret. And I love Suits, the show. Highly recommended.
The Samsung Unpacked 2023 event is only two weeks away, and today, the company officially announced the 200MP camera that will debut in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The latest 200-megapixel (MP) image sensor, the ISOCELL HP2, the successor to the 200MP HP1, will arrive with improved pixel technology and full-well capacity for stunning mobile images in tomorrow’s premium smartphones.
The ISOCELL HP2 packs 200 million 0.6-micrometer (μm) pixels in a 1/1.3” optical format, a sensor size that is widely used in 108MP main smartphone cameras, which enables consumers to enjoy even higher resolutions in the latest high-end smartphones without larger camera bumps in their devices. Washed-out pictures from brightly lit environments can be significantly reduced with the HP2, thanks to Samsung’s new Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D-VTG) technology. A voltage transfer gate is placed on the bottom of a photodiode within each pixel to transport electrons from the pixels to the logic layer.
“The Samsung ISOCELL HP2 harnesses Samsung’s high-resolution image sensor technologies and know-how at the cutting edge for epic details. Our leadership comes from innovative pixel technologies that allow our sensors to go beyond the number and size of pixels. We will continue to open new horizons and solidify our presence in the expanding ultra-high-resolution sensor market,” said JoonSeo Yim, executive vice president of the Sensor Business at Samsung Electronics.
With Samsung’s advanced pixel-binning technology, Tetra 2 pixel, the HP2 adds more versatility to the camera as it simulates different pixel sizes to accommodate varying lighting levels. When in low-lit environments, the sensor transforms either into a 1.2μm 50MP or 2.4μm 12.5MP image sensor by binding four to 16 neighbouring pixels. For fuller 8K video, approximately at 33MP, the HP2 switches to 1.2μm 50MP mode to minimise cropping and capture more of the scene.
In low-lit settings, the HP2’s auto-focusing is taken to the next level with Super QPD, which allows the sensor to use all its 200-million pixels for focusing agents. The ample amount of focusing agents are grouped by four adjacent pixels to recognize both horizontal and vertical pattern changes that deliver faster and more accurate auto-focusing. Utilising the rich pattern data along with the sheer number of reference points, the new sensor is capable of fast auto-focusing, even in a dimly lit environment.
