Beginner’s guide to car audio systems

Introduction

Good sound or good music has the ability to delight your soul. A good audio system in your car is pure eargasm while on the move. If you’re new to the world of car audio systems, check out our article on how the in-car infotainment system evolved with time here and they seem to have become more sophisticated with each passing year.

Almost everyone has different opinions on car audio systems, and some people love the look of their factory stereo. If you have a late model car with an integrated infotainment system, upgrading the stereo can be difficult. In either case, there are several ways to improve a factory sound system.

One interesting thing about upgrading your car audio is that there’s no right way or wrong way to go about it, in fact, the best thing about upgrading factory audio systems is that almost any component you replace will at least represent a marginal improvement.

The guide to “car audio” starts with an understanding of what each component contributes to the overall audio experience you have. But it’s important to be able to identify the pitfalls that you notice in your car audio, then know the right fix for each problem.

However, no matter how many complexities arise in the technological aspect, a car audio system only has three basic components. So if you’re considering upgrading your car’s audio system, keep in mind that the components listed below are the ones you must include.

If you are going by the budget-conscious piecemeal route, then you must plan on how you want the final system to look and sound like. If you do that, you’ll end up with components that work pretty well together.

There are many options when you build a car infotainment system from the ground up, so people who have never performed this task may shy away from that sort of drastic change.

Now, if you dive in, consider the types of features you want your car to sound like.

If you’re working on a tight budget, you can do some things to improve the sound quality. You can even replace components one at a time, depending on what your speculated budget permits, and eventually, you’ll have a completely custom car sound system.

Know the main components!

Head Units

This is the brain behind everything. In the beginning, head units were simply radio tuners which, as time went by, became proficient in providing audio signals from cassette tapes and CD players. In the modern-day vehicles, the head unit is often integrated into its entire “infotainment system”, which is the central console that also often houses climate controls and provides navigation.

Today, most head units have USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, etc to connect other devices and play digital music, built-in satellite and Internet capabilities, and whatnot.

Now it is entirely up to you what you want in your car.

Either way, we advise you to end up with a head unit that is capable of powering the speakers. You can also go for a head unit with pre-amp outputs and an amplifier capable of fully powering the speakers.

Speakers

It’s an old rule of thumb, but it remains true: even the best car stereo won’t sound great on lousy speakers. If your car’s stock car audio system shows distortion, lacks clarity during high-frequency ranges, and blasts hollow bass notes, you may improve the sound system in your vehicle with a worthwhile speaker upgrade.

If your car only has two or four-speaker slots, they are probably coaxial speakers, which means a single speaker head features both the woofer and a tweeter. The easiest way to replace them is with better coaxial speakers, preferably made with more superior materials.

A decent set of front speakers might only set you back less than ten grand. Component speakers provide even better sound, but that’s a complicated upgrade that’s better paired with a new car stereo.

Discrete speaker components sound even better because the tweeters and woofers operate separately, producing greater sound clarity. But this upgrade often requires cutting new speaker mounts, complex rewiring, and other actions best performed by a technician, an experienced installer of sound systems for cars.

At least four speakers make up most car audio systems, although you can play with various configurations that will allow you to add more.

There are several types of speakers, including coaxial, component, and subwoofers. A coaxial speaker is one unit that houses both the tweeter, which takes care of the treble or higher range notes and the woofer, which deals with the Bass or the lower to mid-range frequencies. On the other hand, component speakers are simply a set of speakers that separate the woofer and the tweeters. Subwoofers, meanwhile, are designed to reproduce Bass and sub-bass that is typically lower than what a woofer can generate.

More often than not, car owners prefer upgrading the speakers that come with their car because its sound quality is often poor. Go for speakers that are constructed better and are usually made of cloth and foam. Some excellent speakers have rubber, metal, silk, and other synthetic materials. Car owners can enjoy full-bodied Bass, pristine sound in high-frequency ranges, and a lack of distortion with these speakers.

Amplifiers

Turning up the volume.

If you’re concerned about high volume, an amplifier is still an essential component you need to add to your system. You’ll probably need an amp with speaker-level inputs if you’re leaving the factory stereo in place, but some premium factory fitted head units come with line-level outputs.

It’s easy to overpower the speakers when you add a powerful amplifier to a factory sound system. With that in mind, consider upgrading the speakers first if you want to crank up the volume all the way blasting out of the windows.

As mentioned above, the speakers receive the audio signal from the amplifier and serve as the output devices that in turn convert the electrical energy of that signal into sound.

Despite what we said above about having great speakers, it’s also quite true that great speakers only sound as good as their amplifier. You may get an uplift in quality with new speakers alone. Still, discrete car audio systems will require more sophisticated amplifiers that can output to multiple, distinct speaker channels. A good amp can output well to tweeters and woofers, for example, and even subwoofers, for that matter.

An amplifier does precisely what its name implies; it takes the audio signal that the head unit sends out and amplifies it on its way to the speakers. Not only does an amplifier increase the power of that audio signal from the head unit, but it also improves the quality of the sound. With speakers hooked up to an amplifier, you should be able to turn up the volume without it producing crackling sounds and distorting the audio quality. The sound is cleaner, more unmistakable, all making your listening experience much much better.

Not all amplifiers are created equal, though, so you can vastly improve your car audio by simply upgrading your amplifier to superior ones.

Adding more Bass

If the only thing you’re missing is Bass, add a subwoofer to your factory system in either of the two ways:

Add an amplifier and a subwoofer.
Add a powered subwoofer. Subwoofer in a car trunk

Powered subwoofers are a more straightforward proposition, but adding an amplifier and a subwoofer allows you more flexibility. Either way, a subwoofer is the best way to get that bass thumping.

If you want to go by the easiest way to add more bass to your car audio system, a powered amplifier with speaker-level inputs is the way to go. These units combine an amplifier and a subwoofer into one unit, and they can be hooked up to any factory or aftermarket head unit.

Doing it right

The most important thing to look for is a good wiring harness specifically designed for your vehicle requirements. This harness plugs into the factory wiring, so you won’t have to cut into any of your car stereo system wires and mess up with the electricals.

Some of these wiring harnesses are even designed to plug into a new head unit altogether, which means there’s no wiring involved at all. This is the easiest way to install a new head unit, and it ensures that you can pop the factory stereo back to stock any time you want.

What Does Your System Lack?

While many other components can affect the overall audio quality, those are the top three pieces of every car audio system. Now, consider the fact that your vehicle’s sound isn’t up to your expectations. What complaints do you have?

Your Speakers Buzz

Factory-installed speakers aren’t of the best quality, but you can easily upgrade to an aftermarket set that provides a broader range of sound. If you want an upgrade, particularly in the speaker department, install a separate woofer and tweeters along with component speakers for a good midrange sound.

There Is Not Enough Power

If the sound quality simply feels like it could need more “oomph”, your amplifier is likely the culprit in this scenario. Since it delivers more power to your new speakers, you should get more clarity without any kind of distortion.

There Isn’t Enough Detail.

If you’re a music-head audiophile, you know that layers of audio are very much essential to the full sound experience. An upgraded head unit could help enhance your jazz or classical listening, taking your hearing experience to another level.

Evaluating Your Car Audio System

If your car stereo sounds OK to you, that’s exactly what all the OEMs are looking for. Even factory-installed premium sound systems usually aren’t up to mark. So how can you tell if your factory audio needs a little tender loving care?

Here’s a test that anyone can do:

Sit in your car and close all the doors and windows.

Play your favourite music and turn up the volume.

Don’t be afraid to go higher than you usually would, but try avoiding blasting the sound and go blow-out-your-eardrums high.

Listen to the music and start noticing the drawbacks.

If you need to turn up the treble due to lack of clarity, that’s something that a speaker upgrade can fix.

If you turn up the bass figure, you have the Bass sounding hollow or empty, that’s also something an upgrade can fix.

If the music sounds distorted when the volume is up really high, that’s another thing you can take care of with a bit of tinkering with the amplifying system mentioned.

So, where do you start from? There are different ways to dig into a factory sound system upgrade. Answering a handful of questions can set you on the right path:

How important is your budget? Do you have much money to spend on upgrades?
Do you want to improve the sound while keeping your factory stereo?
Would you instead ditch the factory stereo and start fresh?
How important is Bass?
Do you like listening to your music loud?

You might be surprised at how the simple act of pondering those five questions sets you on the road to building a great car audio system.

Formula E and FIA introduce ‘Gen3’ racing car

The pinnacle of performance, efficiency and sustainability

About Formula E and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship

It is the world’s only all-electric FIA World Championship and the only sport to be certified net zero carbon emission since its inception. ABB FIA Formula E World Championship brings in dramatic racing to the heart of some of the world’s most iconic cities providing an elite motorsport platform for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle innovation and development.

Everyone associated with it, be it the teams, manufacturers, partners or broadcasters, are all passionate for the sport with the belief in its potential to create a better future of electric mobility.

www.FIAFormulaE.com

Formula E and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) have shared a sneak peek into the third-generation all-electric Formula E racing car that will race in Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

The Gen3 was described by FIA President Jean Todt as: “a machine created at the intersection of high performance, efficiency and sustainability.”

The Gen3 was presented to an exclusive group of Formula E manufacturers, teams, drivers and partners in Valencia, Spain, where pre-season testing is underway for Season 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, which begins in January next year.

While Formula E manufacturers are all set to take delivery of Gen3 cars in spring 2022 following further intensive development testing on and off the track, the briefing in Valencia disclosed a series of design, performance and sustainability innovations incorporated in the Gen3 car:

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship creates an environment where high-performance co-exists with utmost sustainability. Leading experts in sustainability at the FIA and Formula E worked closely with engineers throughout the development process to ensure sustainability in high performance racing cars.

The Gen3 will be net-zero carbon, maintaining the Championship’s status as the first sport to be certified as net-zero carbon footprint since inception.
All the carbon fiber broken parts will be recycled by an innovative process from the aviation and aerospace industry into new fibers which can be used in other applications.
This pioneering process will deliver 26% sustainable materials into the composition of tyres.
The Gen3 is powered by electric motors that are substantially more efficient than ICEs as they can convert over 90% of the electrical energy into mechanical energy compared to approx 40% in high efficiency ICEs.
Series of industry-leading design, production and technological innovations in Formula E’s fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient racing car ever
Third generation of Formula E racing car, the Gen3, sets the benchmark for sustainable high performance racing cars
Design inspired by the aero-efficient delta wing of a fighter jet and optimized for street racing.
The world’s most efficient racing car – at least 40% of the energy used within a race will be produced by regenerative braking during the race.
The first formula car with both front and rear powertrains: a new front powertrain adds 250kW to the 350kW at the rear, more than doubling the regenerative capability of the current Gen2 to a total of 600kW.
The first formula car that will not feature rear hydraulic brakes due to the addition of the front powertrain and its regenerative capability.
An electric motor delivering up to 350kw of power (470BHP), capable of a top speed of 200mph (320 km/h), with a power-to-weight ratio that is twice as efficient as an equivalent 470BHP internal combustion engine (ICE).
Lighter and smaller than the Gen2 to enable faster, more agile wheel-to-wheel racing.

Official Interviews :

Jean Todt, FIA President, said:

“The new Gen3 Formula E single-seater is a car created at the intersection of high performance, efficiency and sustainability. The work accomplished by the FIA’s teams together with Formula E, since the launch of the discipline eight seasons ago, tirelessly seek to drive innovation and further the development of sustainable mobility. I have no doubt that this new single-seater will elevate Formula E to the next level.”

Jamie Reigle, Formula E CEO, said:

“In designing the Gen3 car, we set out to demonstrate that high performance, efficiency and sustainability can co-exist without compromise. Together with the FIA, we have built the world’s most efficient and sustainable high performance race car.

“The Gen3 is our fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient racing car yet. It is a creature designed for its habitat: racing on city streets in wheel-to-wheel combat. We look forward to witnessing it inspire and excite the next generation of motorsport fans in cities around the world from Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.”

Formula E launches a new short-form episodic documentary series, Formula E: Unplugged, with all episodes free to view on Formula E’s YouTube and Facebook pages –

https://bit.ly/FormulaEUnpluggedPlaylist

The 15-episode x 15-minute series takes viewers through Season 7 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, revealing what it takes to deliver international motorsport against the backdrop of challenges imposed by the global pandemic

Viewers will see how drivers, engineers, team crews and executives are pushed to the limit in Formula E’s first season operating as an official motorsport FIA World Championship. From the season opener in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia to the climax in Berlin via Rome, Valencia, Monaco, Puebla (Mexico), New York and London, the Formula E: Unplugged cameras capture the triumphs and challenges of life in the Formula E paddock.

Season 7 the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship attracted record-breaking international TV audiences for the live race broadcasts. Formula E: Unplugged delivers a new perspective with original content from the garages and driver interviews in addition to racing action.

Formula E: Unplugged offers an honest and unfiltered look behind the scenes at Formula E during its first campaign as an FIA World Championship. It’s about the people who make up our sport, with a spotlight on their stories from a unique season in motorsport.

Whether viewers are long-time fans of Formula E, motorsport followers curious about electric racing, or simply intrigued to find out more about our world, Formula E: Unplugged will offer a new perspective on our teams and drivers as they navigate the season on and off the track.

Season 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship begins in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, on January 28 and 29 and will feature 16 races in 12 iconic world cities including Jakarta, Vancouver, Mexico City and London before concluding in Seoul, South Korea in August.

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 Billionaires Who Prefer to Drive Affordable Cars Over Luxury Cars

What do people usually wish to have after they become a billionaire? A luxury car, a luxurious villa at a prime location- possibly with a helipad, tickets to outer space, private planes, private islands, luxurious superyachts, and the list goes on, but a vast majority of people definitely want to own a luxury car. However, if you look at the list of top billionaires of the world, most of these moguls prefer affordable cars over luxury cars, a strange choice isn’t it?

Being an Indian, the majority of times, we assume a person’s status or their richness on the basis of what car they drive? We have a very straightforward and lame way of thinking on this one. A person driving or travelling in a Lamborghini or Mercedes car can’t be an ordinary fellow, and a person driving or travelling in a Honda or Ford car can’t be a billionaire. However, the reality is way too different from your predictions, and we’re here to disclose the reality.

Jeff Bezos

The Amazon founder, chairman, and CEO, Jeff Bezos has no less status than a celebrity, but when we talk about celebrities, we usually assume either they’re travelling in luxury cars or flying from one place to another by their private jets and choppers, but in the case of Jeff Bezos the results are contradictory. You’ll not believe it, but the man who’s currently on the list of top 5 richest persons in the world surprisingly drives the Honda Accord, which is one of the decent but affordable cars in the market.

Jeff Bezos used to work at Wall Street before he founded the largest online retailer in the world. Before you give it a second thought that he’s driving a newly launched Honda Accord, then hold your horses, it’s not a recent one. He’s been driving the Honda Accord, which he bought in the year 1999, which gives us clarity that Amazon only spends money on things that matter to the customer. Also, in one of his interviews, when asked about the reason behind this unobvious choice of ride, the man who has a wealth of close to $200 billion smiled and answered, “it’s quite a good ride”.

Mark Zuckerberg

The second billionaire who prefers an affordable car over a luxury car is quite an obvious name to guess, and everyone knows why? The next person on the list is the man behind the glorious success of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg and if you don’t know why it is an obvious name, have you ever noticed the Facebook founder and CEO in a different outfit than his regular plain grey Hanes t-shirt and blue jeans? Obviously not! Now think, if a man who owns several top social media platforms prefers simple outfits for his everyday outing, then why would he invest a hell of a lot more money for a regular ride?

The millennial software mogul was often spotted driving a black Acura TSX (approx. priced at 25 lacs) and Honda Fit, which is marketed as Jazz in India. Along with these two cars, he was even spotted driving an Italian-made car, Pagani Huayra, on some occasions. When asked why he prefers Acura TSX, he said, “it’s safe, comfortable and not ostentatious.” About Mark Zuckerberg, the millennial software mogul, almost everyone knows he prefers to live below his means, and he never misses to show it to the world.

Alice Walton

Alice Walton is not a very common name when it comes to billionaires, but you can always guess about someone’s family background by taking a look at their last name. The co-heir to the fortunes of Wal-Mart and daughter of Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, is the second wealthiest woman in the world, after L’Oréal heiress Françoise Bettencourt Meyers. Alice, the current board member of Amon Carter Museum, owns over US$13 billion in Walmart shares, but when it comes to spending some, she’s a pretty economical person.

Alice drives a newer but still considerably older 2006 Ford F-150 King Ranch, but her reason for driving the car is a bit more sentimental. Her father, Sam Walton, used to drive a 1979 Ford F-150 before his passing, and that’s why she has an emotional attachment with the Ford F-150 cars. Another angle behind preferring the Ford F-150 might be her involvement in multiple automobile accidents. In one of them, she lost control of a rented Jeep during 1983, shattering her leg, and in the later years, she once overspeeded and killed 50-year-old Oleta Hardin, and in 1998, she hit a gas meter while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Warren Buffet

Warren Buffet is an American business tycoon, investor, and philanthropist who likes steaks, Coco cola and candies from See’s that Berkshire owns. Mr Buffet serves as the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and is famous for making billions on Wall Street with some serious investments. Warren Buffet is known for spending a minimal amount on almost everything; for example, he never spends more than $3.17 on breakfast, and he lives in the same house he bought for $31,500 in 1958.

Warren Buffet is not the guy who will waste a dollar on materialistic items, and he proved it by driving domestic cars. He drove a 2006 Cadillac DTS for nearly a decade, and recently he purchased, a new 2014 Cadillac XTS when his daughter convinced him it was embarrassing. When it comes to the share market Warren Buffet has a keen eye for when and when not to spend cash, but about cars, he’s not much interested in having luxury models. When asked for the justification, he said, “I only drive about 3,500 miles a year so I will buy a new car very infrequently.”

Steve Ballmer

Steve Ballmer is a former CEO of Microsoft and owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. He served as the CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014, and just like several other billionaire Microsoft executives, he prefers to drive a cheap car. The American business tycoon and investor is a loyal Ford customer and has proudly driven Ford cars for most of his life because his father was a manager at Ford Motor Company. In 2009, Ford CEO at the time, Alan Mulally, personally delivered a new Ford Fusion Hybrid car in celebration of their one-millionth vehicle equipped with SYNC, an in-vehicle communications and entertainment system.

Larry Page & Sergey Brin

Larry Page and Sergey Brin together founded Google in 1998 and Alphabet in 2015. Since their Stanford University days, these two have been working together and have achieved massive success in their profession. Larry Page and Sergey Brin have a net worth of over $50 billion each, but their similarities don’t end there, as they both opt to drive Toyota Prius for a while now. Speaking about individuality, Larry Page is the 8th richest person in the world and only takes an annual salary of $1, and he’s very unconcerned about the low pay while Sergey Brin, the president of Google’s parent company, Alphabet and the brother-in-law of Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube, shares his partner’s fondness for the eco-friendly hybrid vehicle.

Dustin Moskovitz

If you’ve seen David Fincher’s 2010 release movie, The Social Network, closely, then you might have an idea of who’s Dustin Moskovitz. He is one of the young wizards associated with founding the world’s biggest social media site, Facebook. After his exit from Facebook in 2008, he cofounded Asana, a web and mobile application designed to help teams organize, track, and manage their work. In March 2011, Forbes reported Moskovitz to be the youngest self-made billionaire in history, and he only holds a 2.34% share in Facebook. Despite having a net worth of over $25 billion, Dustin Moskovitz prefers to live like an ordinary guy and drives a Volkswagen R32.

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.

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.

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.

Self-Driving Cars Subscriptions Launched by Tesla

The year 2014. A gimmick started floating – Acche din aayenge. Now, many may start a discourse about the same where it is, or it has arrived. But when it comes to technology, this Hindi idiom always takes a new writeup due to the advancement humanity is making with each lap. With the UK becoming the first country in the world to give a green signal to self-driving cars, the race has begun. And, with the race to better technology, you cannot keep Elon Musk away. Tesla has declared a full self-driving subscription beta model. With this Exhibit blog, get more details on this subject.

Steering Not in My Hands

Gimmicks and charming words have always attracted people. Indian media floated one a few days back – “Not in my name.” With driverless cars taking the center stage, you will find something like “Steering not in my hands” for sure. With $199 (around 14.8k INR) in a month, Tesla has announced that people who are craving a driverless car can start toying around the streets. Those who bought a Tesla car between 2016 and 2019 have to go through a hardware installation and update to ensure that they can witness such an experience too. For FSD chips and enjoying its features, Tesla has said they will give free hardware upgrades for hardware 2.0 and 5.0.

Future of Autonomous Vehicles

Suppose someone asks me what the future of autonomous vehicles is. In that case, I will say watch TheWire interview of Kerala’s Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, where he was asked about the future of Muslims. Now, please don’t tag me as a communitarian. Just use an analogy. What analogy? Well, the answer to the question is whatever is the future of AI, same as that for the future of autonomous vehicles/driverless cars. Yes, the way AI & mechatronics will take turns will determine how many driverless cars you will see on the road. The current advancement has already forecasted that there will be more than 55 million autonomous vehicles on the road by 2040.

Working Principle of Self-Driving Cars

The essential part of autonomous vehicles or self-driving cars is Computer Vision. Yeah, these cars will detect signals and check the proximity of objects near them. As per the dataset, the steering of these cars will take turns and move accordingly. The dataset will help to generate an algorithm for moving ahead and taking turns. Hence, machine learning and artificial intelligence will get more importance.

Major Concerns for Self-Driving Cars

The two-word answer is low reliability. Yeah, we are bringing this technology solely because they can reduce road accidents as a convention ratified in the Brasilia Declaration. But, still relying on a machine is a major concern that is creating hiccups for sovereign states to take any decision on self-driving cars.

Affair of the heart – Nissan Magnite

Since 1933, Nissan has been creating the kinds of cars that move people’s hearts. In their pursuit of this ideal, the Japanese have always challenged the limits of what is possible by rejecting assumptions and turning conventional wisdom on its head. It’s a brand that has never lost sight of the importance of their relationship with the society and has always remained focused on the effects they have on people’s lives.

Thanks to this approach, the Nissan’s innovations have come a long way to transcended the realm of auto manufacturing and product offerings. The Magnite, Nissan’s newest offering, is a car that debuted in India but is ready to appeal to customers globally. The brand is very passionate about driving experience, not only with cars like the Skyline and Nissan GT-R but with all of the cars they produce and offer.

And this passion is growing more intense with the passing of time. Through their long years of experience in motorsports, Nissan has learned a great deal about making cars that are faster, more beautiful, safer, more responsive, and simply more fun to drive. In our eight-month stint with the Nissan Magnite, these pillars of the brand have become all the more visible.

The Magnite grabs headlines for its value for money proposition, the same reason why it’s been crowned our Compact SUV for the year 2020. It offers features that would make you question the extra bills being spent on other purchases. Consumers were drawn to its value for money proposition and may ditch their traditional hatchbacks for this. Why not, if you can get yourself a bigger vehicle for the same buck, and with more features, it would seem half-witted to not consider one.

How has Nissan managed to achieve this? Long hours behind the wheel kept me wondering, and it comes down to just one fact – efficient and smart Japanese engineering. Nissan has applied what they’ve learned in their automotive experience in India and globally, to come up with a vehicle that ticks all the right boxes. Technology has introduced possibilities of manufacturers providing features that weren’t familiar to this segment of cars. And that’s where the Magnite pushes the envelope.

We’ve begun to see its merits a lot clearer. It’s an inexpensive daily runabout that has all the features that you’d ever need, and some. For instance, families would feel reassured by its four-star ASEAN NCAP crash test. Even today, it looks as striking as it was first showcased as the concept. The sharp creases haven’t been toned down and that lends it a very new-age design.

I’ve lost count of how many people have showered interest when we’re out with it. They want to see it up close, admire those sleek headlamps and DRLs, the dual-tone color scheme, the uniquely-styled alloys. For a lot of eyes out there, the Magnite does look striking, matching their expectations on a good-looking compact SUV. There’s even a LED foglamp that lends this all-LED face a very premium look, which is only accentuated by the dual-tone color scheme that extends to the ORVMs as well. The Magnite fender badging along with the plastic cladding gives it a much-desired SUV stance. Then there’s the bulged-out hip and the sharp crafter spoiler, which sits flush with the creases that extend through the roof. Serrated, sporty. Distinctively Japanese.

The exteriors are striking and the interiors; just so comforting. You’re greeted to a well-appointed cabin that feels roomy and airy on the inside. As you look around, you’d realize that the Magnite comes with plenty of segment-first like an all-digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree parking camera, and wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play. The seating position lets you buckle in for a commanding view and the JBL sound system, well they set the right tone for every occasion. There’s also the Nissan Connect app also allows you to enjoy 50 plus connected features accessible from your phones. Fast-paced tech-savvy buyers will also cherish the addition of a dedicated wireless phone charging pad to keep gadgets topped up.

Ferrying your friends or family would be ceremonious thanks to the more-than-plenty space on offer for the rear occupants. Headspace, knee room, shoulder space, and a flat floor for the third passenger – you name it and the Magnite has it all. Keeping them cool isn’t a worry either, thanks to uniquely placed AC vents as well.

The space on the back might be great but for enthusiasts like me, that’s not the place to be. I would instead find myself strapped behind the seatbelt on the driver’s seat because the Magnite’s engine delivers. The energetic 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit produces a healthy 98bhp and 160Nm of torque, and combined with a five-speed manual, it lets me play around a little bit. Zipping past through traffic, making those tiny gaps usable, it’s all very exciting and fun. It’s no GTR, but with the right skill sets, it’s not a slouch either. And backing the performance is the driving manners, it remains pliant and sure-footed as you push it through corners, and even soaks up the broken tarmac very well.

It’s evident then, that our love for this Nissan is just warming up. A one-sided relationship after all? Possibly, but you could blame it on the pandemic and the local guidelines around it. Now that things are springing back to normalcy, it’s the perfect time to stretch the Magnite’s legs a little bit, possibly to a neighboring state for a liberating drive. The perfect setting to rekindle with the Japanese SUV, a suited setting to explore this world together. Because that’s what the Magnite does for the masses, it enables them to choose a vehicle that can double up as a great adventure companion.