Maxing the City at natrax

Indore, the cleanest city of the country, has never really excited the auto enthusiasts, but it’s like a turbocharger now and gets the adrenaline pumping and is on the map of all automobile manufacturers and enthusiasts alike. This surge in acceleration for Indore is because of NATRAX – National Automotive Test Tracks – which is about 50 KM from Indore, and the 11.3-km long track is currently the fifth-largest high-speed track in the world. For Auto Manufacturers, it’s a testing facility equipped with all sorts of tracks, but for enthusiasts, the needle stops or instead starts from the high-speed track. Usually, one would like to get their sports car, M or AMG machines and Max them here, but the Excitement of seeing the needle touching those extreme bars and redlining the speedometer is totally diabolic, and going through those parabolic curves is an exhilarating experience.

We had taken the Mercedes AMG GLE 63 S Coupe, which Roshan maxed at 295 km [check our Mercedes story. On the other hand, I wanted to drive a regular sedan and take the needle to the max, and hence zeroed down on a rather familiar Honda City. Will get to the “Why” of it ahead. Before that, Let’s get a reality check – How many of us can afford a Lamborghini, Porsche and the likes? But when you’re at NATRAX, a sudden rise of adrenaline will make you drive your regular sedan like a supercar.

While the Indian market is currently obsessed with all sorts of SUVs, sedans have their unmatched charm and appeal, and whoever said tracks are only made for supercars haven’t risked driving an everyday and affordable sedan on it. We always believe in breaking patterns, and we had an opportunity to break this old-school saying, so we did it most unexpectedly- by driving the Honda City on a high-speed track.

Why Honda City?

And why not? Honda City is one of the ideal sedans in our country and has been a household name since its first launch in 1998. Honestly, it was the first car that I bought with my hard-earned money, and somewhere I still have an emotional connection with. It’s a decorous sedan that amazed the world with its brilliance, year after year, decade after decade, and emerged as a game-changer. The car is so phenomenally dominant in the Sedan segment that no wonder it stands tall in every car manufacturer’s rival list. The sporty lineup of Honda City has grown tremendously over the years, but for me, the excitement of driving a Honda City remains the same because some things never change. When you are attempting to touch the top speed in an engine which is not meant for race track; you have to be careful with your choice or else anything can happen when revving at such top speed. That’s where you can rely on Japanese engineering.

The 2021 Honda City is 4549 mm long, 1748 mm wide, and 1489 mm tall. The wheelbase of the car hasn’t changed, it’s still at 2600mm, but the 5th-gen Honda City has a 10 mm lower stance than its predecessor, which makes it more suitable for a track experience. The cabin offers an ultra-premium feel and sophisticated vibes along with perfect driving position and adjustable headrests. An important feature to have for parabolic curves of a high-speed track. With the tilt & telescopic steering wheel adjustments and the plush comfortable seats, one can easily get in the right posture no matter how tall or short you are. Again high speed runs on the track guzzles fuel like a thirsty camel in the hot desert.

We picked the car’s petrol variant, which is Water Cooled and powered by an Inline 4 Cylinder i-VTEC DOHC with VTC and throws 89 kW (121 ps) best-in-segment power and 145 Nm torque albeit with a 40-litre fuel tank capacity. The six-speed manual transmission, which features 6 forward speed ratios, and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), is the best innovation from Honda. We also wanted a car in a relatively affordable price band of around 15 lakhs on the road. So all of this makes it a perfect choice. Agreed?

The final lap towards the Top Speed

I did the first three laps just to get used to the track, understand the curves and straights, align the car with the track, and make mental notes in my mind. The fourth lap was an attempt to touch 190 km and see how the car behaved, and there I was fully confident to go for the kill. It was the 5th lap which was the one for records. Few checks – A/C off, Camera Mounted on the speedometer, seat belt fastened and I started pushing the pedal hard with all my thrust and engaged my right foot with the accelerator against gravity.

There is a time when you feel like lifting your feet to calm your fast pacing heartbeat, especially in those parabolic curves, but you have to keep reminding yourself against it. One lift-off means whatever you have gained in terms of speed will neutralise. I continued pounding and finally touched 208 km. Maybe had I prevailed more, I could have touched the 212-215 km mark, but it was a hot day. We had been driving the car for continuous laps and just the night before drove it from Mumbai to Indore on stock tyres. But the Honda City played like a true champion in my pursuit to set the records straight and helped me prove a point that, if you are half a good driver and have a trusted sedan, then it can be fun anywhere, even at Asia’s longest high speed track.

Top 5 Honda Divisions & A Few Interesting Facts About Honda

Honda established itself as one of the topmost manufacturers of automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment globally. The Japanese company also manufactures garden equipment, marine engines, personal watercraft, power generators, robots and mountain bikes. Let’s take a look at the top 5 Honda divisions.

Honda Motorcycles

Honda has come a long way from manufacturing noisy scooters to making the finest cars on the planet, but people will always remember the company for its motorcycle division. Since 1955, Honda has been the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Japan and one of the topmost motorcycle manufacturers globally. Honda started venturing outside the Japanese motorcycle market in the ’60s and began exporting their motorcycles to the United States.

Along with Robert Emmenegger, creative director, Grey Advertising, the company created an innovative 12-year-long advertising campaign, “You meet the nicest people on a Honda”, and it became hugely successful, helping the company to sell over 90,000 motorcycles. The campaign marked the inception of the decay of domestic and British motorcycle brands in the US market and helped Honda to rise as a top motorcycle manufacturer.

Honda Automobiles

After Honda Motorcycles, a large sum of the company’s annual sales came from Honda Automobiles, which the company began manufacturing in 1963. The first car from Honda was the S500 sports car, which had chain-driven rear wheels. Over the next few decades, the company expanded their range of vehicles and exported its automobiles to the United States and other parts of the world.

In 1986, the company ventured into the luxury car segment and became the first Japanese automobile manufacturer to release a dedicated luxury brand- Acura. Soon, the company released the wildly successful Acura brand to the American market to gain ground in the luxury vehicle market. Since its inception, Honda has produced several prosperous cars, including the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Honda City.

Honda Engines

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is the world’s largest engine manufacturer that sets the standard for reliable and hard-working engines. When it comes to making engines, Honda focuses on better fuel efficiency, higher power output, superior and quieter performance. Honda engines are built with high-quality elements designed for optimum performance in the harshest environments. Honda engines are renowned for being easy to start but, despite being known as an engine company, Honda has never built a V8 for passenger vehicles. Honda engines powered the entire 33-car starting field of the 94th Indianapolis 500, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, in 2010.

Honda Robots

Being a motorcycle and automobile manufacturing expert, Honda has always shown interest in Robotics. Since 1986, the company has been involved with artificial intelligence/robotics research. The Japanese company developed its first humanoid robot in 1986 and named it the Honda E series. The E series was a collection of experimental humanoid robots made by Honda between 1986 and 1993.

The series later evolved into the Honda P series and helped Honda gather the knowledge and expertise necessary to create Honda’s advanced humanoid robot: ASIMO, which the company released in 2000. ASIMO was the world’s most advanced humanoid robot of its time, and even today, it is the world’s only humanoid robot able to ascend and descend stairs independently.

Honda Aircraft Company

Honda Aircraft Company is an aircraft manufacturing company founded as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Company in August 2006. The aircraft division of Honda has pioneered new technology in its HA-420 HondaJet and is responsible for producing the HondaJet family of aircraft. Honda Aircraft Company builds aircraft with the latest innovations in aviation to change the way we travel.

The company has introduced several innovations and cutting edge technology in general aviation aircraft, including an over-wing engine mount, carbon composite fuselage and natural laminar flow wings. In late 2003, an experimental HondaJet equipped with Honda HF118 engines completed its initial flight test, and in 2005, the aircraft division made its world debut for the public. Since 2017, the HondaJet has been the most delivered aircraft in its class, earning the accomplishment for the fourth consecutive year.

Did You Know?

As of October 2021, Honda’s market capitalization was valued at over $52 billion.
The Honda Accord was the first foreign vehicle manufactured in the United States.
Honda has its airport.
The Honda Gold Wing motorcycle has been in production for over 40 years.
The Honda Civic was Honda’s answer to the ’70s Fuel Crisis; the car is still one of the best value and fuel-efficient options on the market.
Honda made the first four-wheel-drive car, the 1987 Honda Prelude.
Honda’s logo is the most conservative one as it has remained unchanged in its entire history.
Every Honda CR-V manufactured from 1997 to 2006 had a picnic table under the cargo area.

The ultimate celebrity seduction – Range Rover Sport SVR

Range Rover Sport SVR

The Performance British SUV gets a new attire.

With the Indian market currently obsessed with SUVs, no carmaker is leaving the stones unturned to attract buyers to their park. Fast performance road monsters are the favourite choice for many celebrities and wealthy folks out there. With the recent outburst of super-fast goliaths like the Audi RS Q8, BMW X5M, the AMG’s from Benz and Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo, JLR isn’t falling back. And to bridge this gap and to make others feel shy, the Range Rover Sport SVR is here to give a good game to the rest of the lot at this price range.

So, how much does this thing cost? A wee more than 2.19 Crore. And for that whopping amount, what do you get? A five-litre supercharged V-8 petrol engine that produces 567bhp of power and 700Nm torque and can accelerate from 0-100 kph in 4.5 seconds. That’s quite a bit for a luxury SUV.

The SVR is the most powerful Range Rover you can opt for. Designed, engineered and developed by JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations, the luxury performance SUV is hand-finished in Coventry, UK.

How different is it from the regular Range Rover Sport SVR, you ask?

For starters, the chassis bespoke enhancements, the SVR delivers more dynamic handling without compromising traditional Range Rover comfort or all-terrain capability.

The brilliantly engineered design of the vehicle ensures a controlled pitch under heavy acceleration and braking, and the damping hardware is tuned to provide exceptional turn-in, mid-corner grip and body control.

Styling on the outside of the Range Rover SVR?

The redesigned front bumper design lends the Range Rover Sport SVR an aggressive appearance, with the massive vents designed to improve brake cooling and gulp and squish the air through its turbos. The performance brake pads and discs provide enhanced performance at higher temperatures, ensuring the braking system is more resistant to fade during dynamic driving.

Body-coloured detailing along with blacked-out accents all across the body adorns and gives it a distinctive look you cannot mistake it for anything else. At the rear end, an SVR badge also helps to identify the SVR. A contrasting black roof gives it an even sportier stance.

How’s it like from the inside?

The lightweight SVR Performance seats create an athletic silhouette and provide exceptional comfort on long journeys. Finished in high-quality perforated Windsor leather, the SVR Performance seats reflect the SVR’s status as the ultimate high-performance luxury SUV. Seat backs finished in satin black with an embossed SVR logo on the headrests also deliver heightened exclusivity. The supportive seats also create more rear legroom and the impression of a cosseting four-seat interior while retaining flexible five-seat capability. The dual-tone tan leather coupled with sporty carbon fibre trims, gives it an uber-luxury cum sporty feel.

Continuing the high-performance theme, sound quality comes from a 19-speaker Meridian Surround Sound System, which combines 825 watts, a dual-channel subwoofer and Trifield technology for a thrilling personal sound experience in every seat.

Rohit Suri, President and Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India, said, “ Range Rover SVR redefines & further elevates performance and luxury in an SUV by leveraging the best of bespoke British design and engineering. I am sure that Range Rover Sport SUV enthusiasts and fans will simply love this latest offering combining formidable British engineering craftsmanship with high end and refined luxury. ”

All in all , a complete package to get the celebrity horses running.

Two-Stroke vs Four-Stroke Engine

The two-stroke and the four-stroke engine

Massive transformations have taken place in automotive engines in the past few decades, but the two main internal combustion engine designs remain the 2-stroke and the 4-stroke. While we reckon that you’ve at least heard these terms before, do you really know the difference between them? How do they work, and which is better? Read on to know more!

How Does a Combustion Engine Work, and What Is a “Stroke” Anyways?

In order to understand how different these two engines are, you need to first understand the basics of how an engine works. Combustion, also known as the process of burning fuel, is the underlying chemical process involving releasing energy from the mixture of air & fuel. In an internal combustion engine (ICE), the ignition and combustion of the fuel occur within the engine itself. The engine then partially converts this energy from the combustion to work up. The engine consists of a fixed cylinder and a moving piston. The expanding combustion gases push the piston, which in turn rotates the crankshaft. Ultimately, through a system of gears in the powertrain, this motion drives the vehicle’s wheels. A stroke is when the piston moves up & down to complete a revolution. This revolution or the combustion cycle is the complete process in which fuel & air is mixed and sucked in the piston chamber, ignited and expelling exhaust gases. This process takes place in four different steps mainly-

Intake: When the piston moves down the cylinder, it allows a mixture of fuel and air into the combustion chamber.

Compression: When the piston moves back up the cylinder, the intake valve is closed to compress the gasses within.

Combustion: A spark from the spark plug ignites this mixture.

Exhaust: When the piston goes back up the cylinder and the exhaust valve is opened, the combusted gases are released via the exhaust.

Two-stroke vs four-stroke

The Difference between a 2-stroke and a 4-stroke engine is how quickly this combustion cycle process takes place, based on the number of times the piston moves up and down during each cycle.

In a 2-stroke engine, the entire combustion cycle is completed within a single piston stroke: a compression stroke followed by the combustion of the compressed fuel. During the return stroke, the exhaust is let out, and a fresh fuel mixture enters the cylinder. The spark plugs fire once every single revolution, and power is produced once every 2-strokes of the piston. It has one revolution of the crankshaft during one power stroke, and due to the larger power-to-weight ratio, it generates higher torque as compared to four-stroke engines. It uses ports for fuel’s outlet and inlet, and is usually less efficient and produces more smoke. Two-stroke engines also require more lubricating oil to be pre-mixed in with the fuel, as it burns with it.

In a 4-stroke engine, the piston completes 2-strokes during each revolution: one compression stroke and one exhaust stroke, each being followed by a return stroke which means it has two revolutions of the crankshaft during each power stroke. The spark plugs fire only once every other revolution, and power is produced every 4-strokes of the piston. Compared to the ports used in two-stroke engines, the four-stroke engine uses valves for the inlet and outlet of fuel, resulting in higher thermal efficiency while generating less torque. It is more efficient in burning the fuel, it emits less smoke and has comparatively less wear & tear of the parts. These engines also do not require pre-mixing of fuel and oil, as they have a separate compartment for the oil.

So, which is ‘better and which one to choose?

Here are a few of the pros and cons of both engine designs:

As far as efficiency goes, the 4-stroke certainly ranks up the chart due to the fact that fuel is consumed once every four strokes.
Four-stroke engines are heavier due to more components & can weigh up to 50% more than a comparable 2stroke engine, adding a lot of difference to the overall riding dynamics of the vehicle.
Typically, a 2-stroke engine creates more torque at a higher RPM, while a 4-stroke engine creates a higher torque at a lower RPM.
BRRRAAAAPPPPP!!! The 4-stroke engine is also much quieter; a 2-stroke engine is significantly louder and has a distinctive, high-pitched “buzzing” sound.
Because 2-stroke engines are designed to run at a higher RPM, they also tend to wear out faster; a 4-stroke engine is generally more durable in comparison. That being said, 2-stroke engines are more powerful as the initial torque can blow the mind away!
Two-stroke engines are of much simpler design as compared to the complexity of four-stroke engines, making them easier to fix. They do not have valves but rather ports. Four-stroke engines have more parts; therefore, they are more expensive, and the maintenance costs more.
Two-stroke engines require pre-mixing of oil and fuel, while the 4-strokes do not.
Four-strokes are more environmentally friendly; in a 2-stroke engine, burnt oil is also released into the air with the exhaust.
So which is better and which one to prefer completely depends on the application and preference of usage. Two-stroke engines are typically found in smaller applications such as remote-controlled cars, lawnmowers & tools like chainsaws, boat motors and dirt bikes. Four-stroke engines are found in anything from go-karts, sportbikes right up to the typical internal combustion engine in your cars. It’s up to you to decide which engine you prefer and for what purpose.

5 Racing technologies that have been adopted for road use

Automobile racing as an organized sport began in the mid 19th century with the initial races between gasoline powered internal combustion vehicles. Sports car racing emerged as a platform for various automakers to prove themselves on the tarmac, which paved its path for a lot many automotive technologies which in future, would turn out to become an everyday usage tech. With the intention of dominating the streets, a lot of manufacturers, in time adopted ways and techniques to make better cars for everyone. From safety to increased power and handling, innovations in the sector have created numerous technologies for better road handling and drivability of cars. Lets look at 5 such innovations which proved a game changer in the industry.

All Wheel Drive

Roots from rallying, all wheel drive systems were introduced by Audi’s Quattro technology which was the first ever all wheel drive system designed for use in regular everyday cars for all road conditions. All wheel drive means more power and of course better handling at the same time. Extra traction gives better stability to the overall driving dynamics of the vehicle making it easy to drive even on mud and ice.

Turbo / Air intake

A high performance engine needs to breathe properly so as to give out max output from the overall combustion process. The more air there’d be , the better performance and better burning of the air fuel mixture would happen. In turn churning out enough boost. Enhancements like turbochargers, superchargers, Ram air intake systems were all designed for this sole purpose. While this technology was derived from drag racing cars, today it can be found on regular production cars.

Automatic gear transmission

The elimination of engaging the clutch while shifting gears saved a lot of time for racers on track and even proved to be an added performance advantage as they could shift without using the clutch pedal. In today’s scenario, it makes driving a hassle free experience as you don’t have to fiddle around using the clutch pedal in tight bumper to bumper city traffic. Moreover, having an automatic transmission, quick maneuvers like sudden acceleration for overtaking become a less tiring process as the transmission is doing everything on its own.

Disc Brakes and Tyre

Braking is as important as the performance of any vehicle. The disc brake has by far been the most advanced and necessary technology since the inception of cars. Disc brakes have better performance as they have better cooling as compared to drum brakes, thereby decreasing the chances of overheating and hence improving performance. Also, brakes are of no importance if the rubber in contact with the tarmac is of no good. Tyre manufacturers have always used motorsport platforms to test and promote their rubber as it helps them test the durability and drivability of the tyre. Now there are purpose oriented tyre in the market depending on the kind of usage one wants. Highway, mud-terrain, all-terrain, track oriented and also eco-friendly tyre which help in better mileage are now all easily available.

Suspension

The overall driving dynamics and handling is based on the suspensions. Independent suspensions were adopted from race cars as it delivered better stability and drivability. Be it multi-link setup or McPherson struts, both are available on a number of production cars depending on the type. A proper setup helps keep the car stable through twists and turns, and provides comfort over bad roads.

Meet the all-new and all-curvy Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Meet the all-new and curvy Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Reviewed by – Pratik Ghone

Maruti Suzuki sales are banking on products that cater to mass-market audiences, at least in India. With the sales plateau and the world slow-down (read as lockdown), it is time for something new. Maruti has been studying the demographics in India and, adhering to the mindset of young professionals, launched the all-new Maruti Suzuki Celerio.

The new Celerio is available in six different colours – Speedy Blue, Arctic White, Solid Fire Red, Glistening Grey, Silky Silver, Caffeine Brown with a young audience in mind. The design is a complete overhaul compared to the ageing Celerio launched in 2014. Noticeable changes include curves that translate all over the exterior fascia and then some. The wheel arches are neatly designed to give a sense of bulge without actually protruding. The most exciting section is how curves on the front and rear doors make the car like a concept design made real for the masses. Curved headlights, curved front doors, a (mandatory to Indian markets) chrome strip splitting the nose grill, indicators integrated ORVMs, and a shrunk down Baleno inspired tail section make the Celerio look like a major overhaul to its earlier design.

The new Celerio is 55 mm wider than before. Also, its wheelbase is now 10 mm longer, making it 2,435 mm. The new Celerio has a 170 mm ground clearance, 5 mm more than the old model, making it easier to tackle all road undulations. Our top-of-the-line ZXi+ variant also comes equipped with keyless entry assist next to conventional upward pull door handles. Unlike its predecessor, the A-pillar is also sanely sized, which created a huge blind spot for the driver in the earlier model. What comes exclusively to the ZXi+ variant are the 15″ alloy rims with 175 section Yokohama tyres. All other variants come with standard 14″ rims and 165 section tyres.

Hop inside, and the all-new tagline feels justified cocooned in varied textures of black fibre all across the interiors. The earlier Celerio did come with part analogue and part digital console, but Maruti has overhauled the same approach on the new Celerio. The background textures are symmetrical geometric shapes with a clean and understandable round design that matches the new Celerio DNA. It looks amber clad, round, modern and youthful, with ample information for the driver. There are tonnes of textures on the dashboard, all in black fibre. Gone are the door controls from the doors, and everything now sits in the central bay. For better or for worse, the central console flaunts a 7-inch Smartplay touch infotainment system with support for wired Android Auto and Apple car play support. Do understand that only the top-end variants get this feature. The centre console extends adjacent to the front row seats ending with window controls for the rear seats.

Doors of the Celerio are barebones with no control units, but they make up for it with large door pockets, enough to place six full-size bottles across four doors. Apart from the base variant, all other variants get electronic controls for ORVM adjustment on the right side of the steering. This panel also features the switch for auto start-stop feature. Seats are cushioned well enough with integrated headrests for both front and rear seats. Thanks to the additional wheelbase, space at the rear is comfortable and ample for three teenagers. A healthy 313 litres boot space apart from a sink well for the spare wheel makes the car spacious enough for long trip luggage. Note that the boot storage lip is high and could be a hurdle when loading heavy baggage.

We drove the ZXi+ manual, and automatic variants, which come equipped with steering mounted controls, adjustable steering, height adjust for the driver seat and most bells and whistles of the lot. Such creature comforts are a welcome addition to the Celerio. That said, Maruti has also introduced the K10C 1-litre engine with this car. The engine is the same across the various variants, with AMT (AGS) offered upwards of the VXi variant. This engine is run by a 5-speed manual and automatic transmission and produces impressive 25+km/l mileage, a segment-leading number. Let’s check out how it feels to drive.

The new K10C engine is potent and carries the signature torque-oriented appeal. On paper, the engine makes 67bhp at 6000rpm and 89Nm of torque as low as 3500rpm. In the real world, the first gear seems short and to the point. Shifting up to the 2nd and 3rd gear with a bit of throttle reveals a healthy powerband that can stretch in 3 digits and way over the legal limitations on Indian roads. The engine is happiest over 1200rpm and pulls strong right up to 6000rpm. The 4th gear is excellent on highways with enough grunt to overtake, albeit in linear power delivery. 5th gear is best suited for comfort cruising which this engine does not mind doing all day long. The steering is electronically controlled, but the inputs are precise, and feedback is ample to feel the road underneath. What came as a surprise is how this car handles within city limits. At times, the steering, engine and chassis come together to make one feel like they are driving a much smaller car than the spec sheets suggest. This characteristic is excellent for novice and experienced drivers irrespective of their sex, age and other choices. The increased ground clearance and dimensions also make the car rock-solid on highway and in city speeds. There is a certain sense of body roll when carrying a few people and maneuvering the car at high speeds but never too intrusive in the overall driving experience.

One thing to be noted was the way this engine sounds when revved and performance-driven. We should make it clear that our cars were brand new off the assembly line. When stressed, the engine produces a growling noise, and the NVH levels aren’t the best in class either. While the sound felt like the engine was small, its performance did not match the sound output. Maybe a few oil changes would make this engine sound calmer, but it is worth noting nonetheless. The overall characteristic of the engine makes it a perfect choice to be driven on city and highway commutes without leaving the driver unsatisfied.

Increased wheelbase, better creature comforts, capable engine and new design language make the new Celerio look like a good competition in the crowded hatchback segment. Yes, some competitors like the Tata Tiago and Hyundai’s line-up add more features in comparison, but none have the K-series engine dynamics to match their stature. Still, in isolation, the Celerio matched with Maruti’s vast service network is a good budget option for anyone looking to get a new age hatchback with minimal running costs.

Story of India’s Most Popular Audi

Vintage cars and classic India vs Pakistan cricket matches have a few common factors, they hit differently, straight in the heart, and take you back to the times when people used to adore cars like their children and celebrate India’s victory against Pakistan like a birthday party. We don’t see vintage cars often, especially Audi, frequently moving around Indian streets, as a number of them are lying disgracefully in the city junkyard. However, one Audi car is still in good condition and has an exciting story to narrate, and this Audi belongs to one of the best commentators from the Indian contingent, India’s former all-rounder and current Head-coach of the Indian cricket team, Ravi Shastri.

The world knows Ravi Shastri for his commentary, particularly for his iconic words, “Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lift the World Cup after 28 years!” when MS Dhoni, former Indian skipper, hit a humongous six against Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Kulasekara in the 2011 ICC World Cup final. Besides this, Ravi Shastri is also known for being a part of the World Cup-winning squad of 1983 and the first Indian cricketer in domestic cricket to hammer 6 successive sixes in an over. As a cricketer and coach, Ravi Shastri has achieved a lot during his time, and one of his most outstanding achievements is winning an Audi 100 sedan during the 1985 World Championship of Cricket.

The Audi 100 was one of the most popular cars manufactured and marketed by Audi, and back in the day, it was owned by many celebrities. The company started its production in 1968, and it was available until 1994. The car Ravi Shastri won was the third-generation Audi 100, launched internationally in 1982 and during those times, there were very few luxury cars on the Indian roads owned by ordinary citizens in India. In fact, when Ravi Shastri was voted as the ‘The Champion of Champions’ and was awarded an Audi 100 sedan, India’s then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had to order Indian customs officials to waive off the heavy import duty the car required to enter the Indian territory.

How did Ravi Shastri win the Audi 100?

In 1985, after defeating spectacular West Indies cricket team in a 1983 World Cup final, the Indian cricket team was on an Australia tour to play the World Championship of Cricket (Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket) held from 17th February to 10th March 1985 along with all of the then Test match playing nations on the event of the 150th anniversary of European settlement in Victoria. Even after winning a World Cup, the Indian team was not one of the favourites to win a trophy, but unfolding another surprise package India reached the final of the World Championship of Cricket by defeating New Zealand, and on the other side, India’s arch-rival Pakistan reached the final by beating West Indies.

Ravi Shastri played tremendously well during the tournament and came up with an all-round performance where he scored 182 runs and took eight wickets in five matches. He got into a tiff with then Pakistan skipper Javed Miandad who also performed great during the tournament. In the final Match, Javed Miandad managed to score 48 runs while Ravi Shastri outperformed him with not out 63* runs and one wicket. Ravi Shastri was awarded as the Man of the Series for his stellar performance. Indian team conquered Pakistan by 8 wickets to win the World Championship of Cricket, which was held only for once in 1985, and Wisden adjudged the Indian team that won the cup as ‘The Indian Team of the Century’.

Along with the Man of the Series trophy, Ravi Shastri was awarded an Audi 100 Sedan for his performance, and soon a victorious Indian team clustered the Audi 100, occupying spots both inside and on top of the car. The allrounder drove the sedan around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia, and since then, the car has become a symbol of cricketing richness in all senses. The Audi 100 sedan, which Ravi Shastri won at the World Championship of Cricket, is close to his heart and his most prized possession. He takes the car for a drive every Sunday whenever he is in Mumbai, and surprisingly he didn’t even let his father drive the car without asking for his permission.

The fashionable vintage Audi 100 owned by Ravi Shastri is currently India’s most popular Audi car and is still in pristine condition. Till today, Ravi Shastri says, the car doesn’t belong to him, it belongs to India, to the Indian cricket team, though during one of the pre-tournament meetings, when asked about sharing the car, he wasn’t ready to share the car with anyone and was prepared to do anything to win the car which he successfully earned by playing great cricket. Since then, Audi has become a prominent part of Indian cricket and signed several Indian cricketers as their brand ambassadors. Ravi Shastri has maintained the car really well, it still looks brand new, and he often gives out the car to exhibitors to showcase, as it is considered one of the first Audi cars reported in India.

The wait is over, for the all new Range Rover !

The all-new 2022 Range Rover

After nearly a legacy of about half a century, Land Rover has finally unveiled its flagship SUV, “Range Rover”, which made its premiere in the UK, ahead of its launch in early 2022. This Range Rover has been built on the triumph of its outgoing fourth-generation predecessor which became the synonym for the epitome of luxury full-size SUV around the world. Even though the overall silhouette remains the same, many indispensable changes have been carried out extensively on the technical front.

Exterior dimensions and looks:

At the first glimpse, it looks unneighborly to the outgoing generation, but many styling ques have been carried forward. Take a closer look, and you will notice that even though the overall delineation hasn’t changed, the transpose lies in its details. From its sophistically slated grill design to the digital LED headlights claiming a beam range of 500m to the wholly revamped bumpers and gills on the flanks. Crisp body lines with flushed door handles to accentuate the sleek, seamless design of the new Range Rover. From the back, a more futuristic design with vertical blacked-out LED tail-lights gives it a much broader appeal as they are visible only when lit up. With blacked-out pillars, the glance of a floating roof is much appreciated. The wheel size could vary from 21-23 inches, depending on the spec you opt.

These evolutionary changes made on the new MLA-Flex platform of JLR will be made available in two different versions- the short wheelbase sitting at 2997mm and the long-wheelbase measuring a whopping 3197mm. The maximum ground clearance is estimated at 295mm, with rear-wheel steering (moving up to 7-degrees) being offered as standard across the range. As per the Land Rover DNA, the new Range Rover is supposed to have a water wading depth of 900mm and can tackle as steep as 45-degree inclines with utmost ease.

Interior comfort and Features:

More compendious changes have been carried out on the inside with a completely re-designed dashboard which houses a thoroughly overhauled infotainment system and driving aid tech. A 13.1-inch floating Alexa integrated touchscreen with haptic feedback and a 13.7-inch fully digital instrument cluster (with heads-up display as an optional) adorn the fondness of the interior. An entirely new designed two-bar steering houses physical controls for ease of use. A panoramic sunroof lets the cabin feel roomier and light up than before. The use of high-quality materials like leather, matte finish wood and brushed aluminum can be seen generously spread across the beautifully designed clean interiors.

As before, it will be offered in four, five and seven-seat configurations to choose from different variants amongst the long and short wheelbase layout. With active noise cancellation, a 1600-watt Meridian Signature sound system has moved a step forward with 20-watt speakers built into the four main headrests for an exhilarating experience. Loaded with the latest tech like power-assisted doors, an air purifier and a smartphone application to control vital features of the car, the range-topping spec will also get 24-way adjustable rear seats with massager. The central console will house a fridge with auto-folding tables, a large 13.1-inch entertainment screen, & an 8-inch touch control panel for the rear seat occupants will add up to the overall exquisite experience.

Drive & Powertrains:

With the four-cylinder engine options going obsolete, the patrons will get to choose from a 3-litre six-cylinder (both petrol & diesel) mated to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system churning outputs ranging from 250hp to 400hp and a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 530hp propelling the Range Rover from 0-100kmph in just under 4.6 secs. The eight-speed ZF auto transmission will be standard across the range.

Later, a plug-in hybrid version will follow with a 3-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with a 143 hp electric motor which will derive its power from a 38.2 kWh lithium-ion battery delivering a combined output of 450hp (P450e) or 510hp (P510e). Range Rover claims that its PHEV battery will take just about an hour to charge up to 80%.

Land Rover has also confirmed that the all-electric variant may hit the roads by 2024, which will be the first EV from the brand.

Speaking about the drivetrain, a 48-volt electronic anti-roll system with an active rear differential locking system, five-link rear axle, and twin-valve Bilstein dampers makes it accurate to the off-road capabilities. The “Integrated Chassis Control” aids the driving by using navigational data to project oncoming terrain and adjust the suspensions accordingly. With as many as six drive modes to choose from, the famed Terrain Response 2 system has been integrated in the vehicle.

Will we get this in India?

Of-course! But as a CBU like before. Land Rover has started taking the orders for the 2022 facelift and is expected to start deliveries by 2022. With the current generation priced from 2.10 crore to 4.30 crore (ex-showroom) , this particular one might see an increase in its pricing.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: NITI Aayog’s Policy Review Part – 2

So far, we have discussed EVSE, Battery Capacity Segmentation, and Battery Swapping when we reviewed NITI Aayog’s Policy Document on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure. If you missed all of these sections, along with concrete recommendations made by Exhibit, you could read all of them here. Let’s move on and go further with this document to assess what all things are here for you.

Public Charging Points

Not so important section, but you cannot ignore it. Well, it becomes important for stakeholders to think about bringing establishments and distance between such closest points. NITI Aayog has given the example of the EU and how they have kept different charging points or stations for several categories of vehicles. However, one should only see the good practices present in the EU countries and not adopt them as the conditions in India will be pretty different. In addition to this, Exhibit will also suggest you check how electricity for charging is getting produced. Even, Government and private players who will get involved in this domain need to ponder about green production of electricity. One such example is of setting up a Solar-powered electric vehicle charging station in Karnal (midpoint of Delhi and Chandigarh in the Delhi Chandigarh highway by BHEL).

Setting Targets

Don’t worry; you are not playing a cricket match where one of us has set a target for another. The Indian team had proved its mettle on Lord’s again a few days back when they defeated the England team by 151 runs. Since the core discussion is on electric vehicle charging infrastructure, we will stick to it. The Government of India, through different ministries, has set a target of where to install a charging station, be it in a public place, semi-public place, or private place. But, the issue is that again all this is going through different branches. Rather, the focus should be brought to a special-purpose vehicle or working group that will formulate everything in this sector. No doubt NITI Aayog has talked about nodal agencies and working groups. However, NITI Aayog has assigned different niches to them.

Assessing Demands

Trust me, but this section is very confined on which the policy formulation team has worked properly. Under this, NITI Aayog has laid out the assessment plan with which you as a stakeholder can understand the demand. NITI Aayog is right in its place to record data of how many vehicles are coming, along with the charging time it takes to refuel the batteries installed in EVs. Also, you have to examine the timeline to understand how this demand is increasing.

Leveraging Streets & Electricity Grids

NITI Aayog has also provided information on how a Germany-based startup has utilized the street poles to upgrade them and build mini charging points. Hence, there is optimum space for leveraging the street and its essential points where one recharges their EV batteries. And, to tap such poles for electricity, it becomes important to ponder electricity grid and street poles connection. But, if one thinks of such connections, one has to consider electricity tariff rates. For this purpose, all the state governments have to come up with a consolidated strategy. Consolidated strategy means instructing DISCOMS to establish a parallel framework or bring a new connection for such electricity supply.

Final Remarks on NITI Aayog Policy’s on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

No doubt, NITI Aayog has laid down a vibrant framework to ensure a country like India can create a conducive ecosystem. But, it also becomes necessary to work upon eliminating loopholes. For other Auto-Tech section articles, click here.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: NITI Aayog’s Policy Review Part – 1

A few days ago, our Chief Editor, Ramesh Somani, came with a quote – Future is Electric. Yes, it is. As if Ramesh Somani has some sort of telepathy with one of the largest think tanks of this country – NITI Aayog. Why? Check out their website, and you will know why. Recently NITI Aayog has come up with their new handbook on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure. Now, terracotta environmentalists can differ from me that EV policy is not going to help. The 6th IPCC Report also showcases that human effort towards a better future in terms of climate change is not helping a lot. But, EVs can turn around things and reduce the penetration of pollutants in your vicinity. Let’s know what this handbook is all about from this Exhibit blog.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)

If you don’t know what terminology I have just thrown towards you, let me make you understand it easily. Well, this EVSE is nothing but the core component of charging infrastructure. It’s like finding a charging station for your EV, like when you seek electric sockets to charge your smartphones. However, an EVSE has more niche than your smartphone charging point. It is because your EVSE is a public point and will not be present at your home. Hence, you must add more functionality, including user authorization, authentication process for charging, privacy, security, information storage, and network management for better regulations.

Segmentation based on Battery Capacity

Trust me; it’s an important section. Wherever you go to fill the tanks of your car in a pumping station, you get several choices – petrol, diesel, power, CNG, etc. A similar sort of consideration should come in the charging infrastructure prospect of an EV. Why? Now, your two-wheeler EV will not have the same battery capacity that your four-wheeler will hold. Even when the Government of India will think about EV trucks, situations will become more different. So, if anyone thinks to install a charging infrastructure on any land, one must also ponder battery capacity segmentation.

Battery Charging or Battery Swapping

EV battery charging methods will have different methods, consisting of AC or DC. Apart from this, the charging infrastructure must have a battery swapping facility if the lifespan of a battery finishes. But, it can be in a normal car repairing centre. No, it should not be there. You will like to know the reason for sure. See, many of these repairing centres will have the capital to go for such battery replacement. But batteries are a bit costly, and it won’t be possible for small repair centres. Thinking about the population of this country who will purchase EVs after the Vehicle Scrappage Policy, the demands for batteries will increase for sure. To meet such needs, charging infrastructure must add such facilities there.

Final Remarks & Lacunae in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

The Exhibit team has discussed hardly anything in the handbook that NITI Aayog has brought. So, I will get more editions for you by examining every aspect of this so-called future document, just like we did yesterday for these articles. However, before we wrap, this document can add some more facilities. Governments must think about installing computer vision cameras that can track the vehicle number of your car and integrate the same with the VAHAN portal to know its car details and accordingly give directions to a particular place where they can charge their batteries (due to different battery capacities). It is an age of automation, and charging infrastructure should have such arrangements. It will surely avoid a fuss even in an electric vehicle charging infrastructure.