BMW X4 MSport x30d-A supercool SUV Coupe

BMW has been on an update spree like most other manufacturers in the year 2022. This time around, it’s the X4’s turn to receive a stealthy yet worthy Shadow edition update, a limited edition! This vehicle is also offered in a standard edition, but the M Sport package amplifies the overall appeal as expected no matter which you choose. On a sunny afternoon, we drove a limited edition BMW X4 Shadow edition wrapped in a nardo grey suit, one of the best colours on automobiles. Rev along.

BMW X4 MSport x30d-Wiser and meaner with time

Launched back in 2014, BMW last updated the BMW X4 in 2019. This year, the BMW X4 gets an updated, versatile chassis shared with older and younger X siblings from the family. The shadow edition accentuates this car’s appearance with all black and nardo grey contrast. BMW equips the X4 in x30i or x30d configurations, both standard in the M Sport package. Visually, both are identical, with sharper fascia and slim M Sport BMW adaptive LED lights front and rear. While the X6 is the original SUV Coupe beauty, the X4 symbolises this design in the midsize SUV Coupe silhouette making it one of the most handsome SUVs for its asking price.

Standing on M Sport dual spoke M light run-flat 20-inch tyres and adaptive suspensions, the X4 looks stunning in proportion. Shadow edition masks all the chrome elements of the standard car in gloss and matte black combinations. First seen on the M4, the adaptive air intakes sit neatly behind the more proportionate BMW grille. Sharper angles make this update feel modern and apt for this year and the future. M Sport batches all around the car, red M Sport brake callipers and wider tyres with 245 section up front and 275 at rear heighten the car’s road presence compared to its predecessor. This time in sharp geometric shapes, the rear black diffuser and M Sport dual exhausts add a sense of sporty appeal to the overall X4 package.

On the inside, our shadow edition featured all-black interiors with red stitching on good quality leather finishes and soft-touch leather on the dash, doors and centre consoles. Nothing much has changed since its last update in 2019, apart from the 12.3 BMW live cockpit touch infotainment system featuring wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and gesture controls with M Sport animated dials to display gravitational acceleration, lean angles and more. M Sport three-spoke steering feels sturdy and acts sharp, making this SUV coupe feel more like a typical coupe than a midsize SUV. There are some misses, like the lack of wireless charging and 360-degree cameras, especially in a day and age when affordable cars are loaded with such sensors and more. The quality of leather and fit-finish levels are one of the best in the premium segment, and everything feels tactile. Being an SUV Coupe, the X4 packs a healthy electric-operated boot space of 525L with a space saver tyre.

BMW X4 MSport x30d-M Sport package as standard

The X4 is offered in twin-turbo combos of a 4-cylinder 252 bhp and 350 Nm petrol x30i engine, and our review (absolute) unit is provided in 6-cylinder 262 bhp and 620 Nm diesel x30d engine. BMW has got rid of other xDrive offerings. We test the better of the two – x30d, and its various drive modes include Eco, Eco Pro, Comfort, Comfort what-not, Sport and Sport Plus, with individual configurations for all settings. Truth be told, our dials were usually red with the Sport plus mode activated for most of our drive. What was surprising was the sheer opulent drive in comfort modes. The diesel engine is engineer-aged like a fine wine and feels refined, and the gearbox is smooth, mated to sophisticated NVH levels on a chassis developed for the X7!

Despite the larger shoes with 20-inch wheels, the adaptive suspension, brilliant chassis with minimal to no body roll, refined diesel engine and class-leading NVH levels give the BMW X4 a duality. It can be calm in comfort modes, and when you are in the mood for some paddle shifting fun, this bimmer can surprise you. A 0-100kmph sprint is achievable in 5.8s! This car is quick, considering the size and volume. To put it in perspective, this midsize mammoth is almost as fast as the newly launched BMW i4, and that is an all-electric sedan! Different modes aside, this car can perform a wheel spin on ECO mode if demanded. SPORT plus modes aggrandise the power, steering feel, suspension feedback and overall responsiveness of the BMW X4. BMW M sport package amplifies this car’s appeal by many folds. In an era dominated by midsize SUVs, this brilliant SUV Coupe does not just stand out with its design but also its mean twin-turbo M spec power.

The BMW X4 does feel like an SUV in all its elements. Still, it drives like a sedan thanks to an enthusiastic engine coupled with a smooth 8-speed Steptronic transmission, sharp steering inputs and M sport black magic on the limited shadow edition. Interiors, too, are sumptuous and accommodating despite the M sport seats with ample lumbar support. The adaptive suspension has made a world of difference to the overall drive quality of the updated BMW X4. There is almost no body roll despite the sheer size of this SUV, and high-speed stability has to be one of the best ammunition in its arsenal, coupled with solid but progressive braking.

BMW X4 MSport x30d- The sporty SUV styled as a Coupe

We drove spiritedly all day long in a limited Shadow edition BMW X4 x30d, and not many will be available in India. The black treatment on the exterior and interior with subtle M Sport badges makes the BMW X4 a handsome car. Newer details make the X4 look sharp and modern, ready to age with poise. Limited editions not just age with grace but sometimes appreciate with time. This beautiful monstrosity is a worthy set of wheels in your garage if you are tired of the ordinary-looking SUVs on our roads. Not only is it sporty in its drive appeal, but also composed in a way. BMW X4 has matured into a stunning midsize SUV Coupe update from BMW.

Design elements and specifications

BMW X4 shadow edition Specs

Price – 71.90 lakh onwards (Ex-Showroom)

Length (mm)	4751
Width (mm)	2138
Height (mm)	1621
Wheel Base (mm)	2864

Displacement (cc)	2993
Max Power	261.49bhp@4000rpm
Max Torque	620Nm@2000-2500rpm
No. of cylinder	6
Turbo Charger	twin
TransmissionType	Automatic
Gear Box	8-speed
Drive Type	4WD

Motorola Edge 30, Edging The Balance Just Right!

Motorola has been on a launching spree ever since it promised to deliver a new smartphone every month last year. This time around, it is the Motorola Edge 30, and Motorola claims this to be the slimmest and lightest 5G smartphone in India. We tested the brand claims and the phone only to witness surprised by our findings.

Display – POLED goodness

Motorola has retained the FHD+ pOLED panel from its predecessor, the Edge 20, with one of the fastest refresh rates at 144Hz on Edge 30. This display is bright, has punchy colours and has an extended edge to edge design, making the bezels as narrow as physically possible in 2022. The display also gets 10-bit HDR10 capabilities and content support for the same. There’s a fast in-display fingerprint sensor, and a hole punch camera makes this look amazing, especially at the starting price of 27999.

Is it the slimmest and lightest 5G phone as per Motorola claims?

Motorola has taken inspiration from the new generation of iPhones, which is visible in the design. Buttons are on the RHS ends, and despite the lack of a headphone jack, this time around, the phone features a Dolby Atmos algorithm on dual stereo speakers. Acrylic back and sides and a pOLED panel make the Edge 30 feel lighter than its visual appeal. At 155gms, this is one of the most lightweight phones available in India.

Specs – Balanced performer

Snapdragon 778+ 5G SOC is one of the most balanced SOCs made by Snapdragon. It easily handles the Android 12 based UI; scrolling is super smooth and fast and supports 13 5G bands, with none available to test. Overall, the WiFi 6E capable SOC with the latest Bluetooth 5.2 and support for multiple bands with carrier aggregation make this a good phone for a connected lifestyle. We played a couple of games, and the processor handled them all at the highest graphic settings with smooth gameplay at 360Hz touch sampling. Also, the standby time on Snapdragon 778, including this plus variant phone, is one of the best in Android smartphones.

Cameras – A decent pair of shooters

Motorola has included a 50MP OIS primary with 50MP ultra-wide sensor and a 2MP depth sensor for aiding camera algorithms. The shots from this phone are decent, and the best part is the colour consistency between cameras. Low light photography, too, has improved many folds compared to its predecessor, the Edge 20. The ultrawide sensor doubles as the macro shooter. The front 32MP camera is above average. All the sensors support 4K video recording, making it future proof and great for content creation.

Battery – Lasts long, really long.

Edge 30 comes with a 4020mAh battery coupled with a 33W fast charger inside the box. The best part is that Snapdragon 778+ is a very balanced SOC and thereby provides good performance and pairs it with good efficiency. This phone can last a heavy usage day with ease, thanks to the efficient SOC onboard.

Motorola features

Speakers are decently loud at this price range, and they sound richer than the competition. Moto Gametime allows for overclocking the processor when you play games and some optimised software settings to aid gaming on this phone. Motorola secures your data on the phone with Thinkshield technology, a gift from its parent company Lenovo. Motorola also equips the Edge 30 with ready for functionality, allowing straightforward phone content sharing with TV, computers and other devices. The whole package is available in two RAM trims and two colours of your choice. There’s quite a bit of functionality provided by Motorola for the price alongside the usual moto gestures.

Verdict – A good mid-range smartphone.

Motorola Edge 30 is one of India’s lightest, if not the slimmest 5G smartphone. Overall ad-free UI, capable low-light cameras, lightweight construction, and pOLED goodness powered by one of Snapdragon’s best SOC make the Motorola Edge 30 a good recommendation for anyone who wants the best of all worlds in the Android smartphone universe.

Good – Lightweight and balanced performance

Bad – Does not feel the slimmest

Ugly – Limited internal storage options

POCO Smartphones to be Launched Globally as Redmi Note 11T and 11T Pro

After launching POCO M4 5G in the Indian markets, the brand is all set to launch the smartphone in the global markets. As per the reports, POCO M4 5G might not be the only phone that the brand is gearing up to launch globally. Two new POCO smartphones with model numbers 22041216G and 22041216UGwere spotted on the FCC certification database.

On having a closer look at the documents, the model numbers are rebranded as Redmi Note 11T and the Redmi Note 11T Pro. The FCC certification database also reveals some specifications of the product.
The new smartphone comes with an MIUI 13 for POCO along with an 8GB and 12GB RAM option with 256GB internal storage.

The new POCO smartphones will have 5G, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity options. An expectation of a 4300 mAh battery with 120W fast charging is set as Redmi Note 11T was seen with exact battery details on the 3C certification website.

Another record implies that Xiaomi hopes to sell the 22041216UG in Europe and the US. A launch date for each smartphone has now no longer surfaced yet, although a confidentiality record indicates that the pair should be with us by the end of October at the latest. In all likelihood, Xiaomi will announce 22041216UG and 22041216G in the subsequent month or two.

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3402ZA) OLED Displays Should Be Mainstream!

Intel’s 12th generation processors are a giant leap forward in performance, and many brands are soon adopting newer processors. Intel is still the preferred choice of many professionals for its hassle-free operations and no unnecessary need to update BIOS to get the best performance out of their hardware. We have been using the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED for about a month, and here is our take.

Designed to be casually professional

The design is professional yet classy, with design elements finished in matte and glossed geometric lines. Overall, it is lightweight at 1.4Kgs with an all-metal chassis. It is still bottom heavy like most non-touchscreen laptops, but overall weight distribution is even across the computer. The gloss metal hinge looks interesting in real life. There’s also a 180-degree ergo-lift hinge. Two Thunderbolt 4 Type C USB ports, a Type A USB port, a full-fledged HDMI 2.0 port, a MicroSD card reader, two status lights, a 3.5mm headset jack, and Kensington lock ports complete the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED’s good I/O selection.

The display is glossy, unlike the entire matte finish feel of the laptop. The keyboard is a highlight with contoured keys and a clicky feel. Three levels of illumination with TKL design make it ample space for typing and a biometric fingerprint scanner in a subtle thin chrome bezel is fast. There’s a large touchpad with Asus NumericPad 2.0 and two brightness levels on this, along with usual gesture recognition. Both the camera and mic get a dedicated one tap manual access for privacy and hardware-level control.

OLED beauty

The USP of this laptop has to be an insane 550nits bright 2.8k OLED display featuring a 16:10 aspect ratio. With 100% DCI P3 and 109% sRGB colour calibration, this display is bright, colour accurate for professionals, and display nerds would be more than happy staring at this laptop all day long. The brightness levels are ample for outdoor viewing, but the glossy panel will have you staring at your face while using this laptop outdoors. Indoors, this is one of the best displays money can buy. Adding to the credibility of this laptop is Pantone validation.

Performance – Fast and Furious!

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED’s performance is top-notch thanks to their integration of Intel’s latest 12th gen processors. Ours was an i7 1260p with 12 cores and 16 threads paired with 16GB DDR5 RAM at 4800mhz and 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD by Samsung. Productivity is snappier than any Zenbook series we’ve ever tested. The only downside is the heat it produces. It can get warm enough to be uncomfortable on your lap, and fans tend to get audible enough to notice.

What surprised us was the efficiency level of this chip. This laptop is like a sprinter with a marathon runner’s stamina with normal work usage on multiple chrome tabs, including videos and audio. Throw any task apart from graphics-intensive tasks, and the laptop simply flies through the task. Over a week, we charged it only twice. At 75kWh and new-gen processing efficiency, this laptop is a thoroughbred business companion. Bundled inside the box is a Type C 65W USB fast charger, and the most exciting part of this laptop is its innate capability to charge through chargers with as low as 5W-20W output. Theoretically, it can charge over any normal power bank as well. This eliminated the need to carry multiple chargers, especially while travelling. It does take forever to charge on mobile phone chargers, but heck, it charges, and that is what matters. Video conferencing was a pleasant experience thanks to a better 3D NR camera, and noise cancellation featured mics with Dolby Atmos configured speakers. Nothing too impressive but definitely way above average.

Verdict

A relatively higher MSRP could be a deal-breaker when this amount of money could get you something like the Samsung pro book 2 360, an AMOLED 2k display with similar hardware, and spare you enough money to get a basic Asus laptop while weighing a mere 870 gms instead of a 1.4kg Asus Zenbook 14 OLED. In isolation, this OLED laptop is beautiful, powerful and classy, bundled with all the necessary Office suite and Windows seamlessness.

Specs

Processor – Intel 12th Gen i7 1260P (12C 16T)

Ram – 16GB LPDDR5 4800MHz

Storage – 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 Samsung SSD

Display – 14-inch 2880×1880 2K OLED 90Hz refresh rate 550 nits brightness 16:10 aspect ratio

Wifi 6E

Good – OLED display and brightness

Bad – Intel 12th Gen i7 1260P runs warms

Ugly – The price tag

KIA EV9 – ALL ELECTRIC SUV CONCEPT

THE KIA CONCEPT EV9

KIA’S ALL-ELECTRIC SUV CONCEPT TAKES CENTER STAGE AT AUTOMOBILITY LA

Having just recently launched the EV6 to great international acclaim and appreciation, Kia Corporation has stunned onlookers at the AutoMobility LA event with the reveal of its all-electric SUV concept, the Kia Concept EV9.

It is the clearest signal yet from Kia as to what might turn out to be the next addition to its new-generation EV lineup. The Concept EV9 epitomizes the brand’s recent leadership in designing and developing desirable, high-tech, zero-emissions vehicles. Just like the EV6, the Concept EV9 is known as a dedicated EV from Kia, having been carefully developed and optimized on the company’s advanced Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

The Kia Concept EV9 embodies Kia’s commitment to sustainable mobility solutions, having recently showcased the company’s future vision at the ‘Kia Sustainability Movement’ digital presentation. The design of the vehicle was inspired by nature and uses up-cycled materials developed from waste deposited into the fragile marine ecosystem.

The SUV even offers striking visual aesthetics. Thanks to Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy.The Kia design team was especially influenced by the ‘Bold for Nature’ pillar of “Opposites United”. This has helped the all-electric SUV concept to take on an iconic and bold form, meshing logical and emotional qualities with playful, rugged features and styling cues.

Kia Concept EV9’s extensive list of tech capabilities and all-round flexibility ensures that it always feels at home even when tackling traffic in densely populated urban areas; at the same time, it even offers families the freedom to experience leisure pursuits away from city vicinity.

The shape of things to come

It blends a stunning exterior profile with modern and sleek interior space which is influenced with state-of-the-art technology. The incredible aesthetics of the Kia Concept EV9 – both inside and out – have been carefully honed from “Opposites United”, Kia’s new design philosophy.

Taking inspiration from the ‘Bold for Nature’ design pillar of Opposites United, the Concept EV9 embodies an adventurous, recreational and outgoing form with its chiseled upright stance. From the outside, such proportions highlight a three-row SUV footprint, hence signifying a vehicle which is highly capable, practical and ready for action all the time. From the side, this modern looking angular profile gives the all-electric SUV a unique and distinctive silhouette that is deeply rooted in the new design language.

A low gravity side body creates maximum and instant impact with the sharp crystalline contoured fenders that sit high up on the vehicle. The low side body profiling effect makes the fender volumes of the Concept EV9 pop out, resulting in a butch SUV stance.

Concept EV9 measures 4,930mm in length, 2,055mm in width and 1,790mm of height. It boasts a wheelbase of 3,100mm. The concept also combines its stunning SUV form with state-of-the-art engineering. The all-electric SUV delivers driving range of up to 300 miles. It also features next-generation ultra-fast charging technology with a 350kW charger which allows its advanced battery electric powertrain to juice up from 10% to 80% charge in just 20-30 minutes.

Contrasting with its muscular on-road presence, soft and welcoming volumes across the body of the Concept EV9 are offset with sharp and neatly edged elements. Solid rock geometry is expressed through a sophisticated design distribution of mass, while the volume of the soft fuselage cabin has been made to feel welcoming and approachable.

Tiger Face goes digital

Kia’s iconic Tiger Face has been reinterpreted for the BEVs and is showcased on the Kia Concept EV9.

The new BEV-focused grille houses an intricate star cloud pattern display that is completely hidden behind the body panel of the Concept EV9 when not in use. This stylish light-show further highlights the high-tech nature of the all-electric SUV while still paying homage to the natural world. Sequential patterns create a ‘welcome light’ for the driver and also function to appropriately position lights during driving. The star cloud pattern inspired the Kia design team to create standout vertical Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) for both the front and rear of the car, in-turn creating a unique signature look from start to finish.

Enhancing aero efficiency are retractable roof rails that close inward into the roof of the Concept EV9 when not in use, creating smooth airflow over the vehicle. When needed, the roof rails can be raised by a simple touch of a button, further emphasizing the all-action and all-go nature of the Concept EV9. A next-gen camera monitoring system that replaces the conventional wing mirrors further improves aerodynamic properties while also enhancing the spatial awareness of the driver.

Natural light

At the rear of the Concept EV9 is a compelling yet beatifically delicate triangular d-pillar treatment that acts as a visual focal point and resonates with the SUV’s angular design elements. The innovative d-pillar design also creates a unique Daylight Opening (DLO) signature.

The machined 22-inch wheels further add to the geometric appearance and robust nature of the Concept EV9. A triangular aero design piece controls the airflow around the wheel and creates a visual contrast to the circular nature of the wheel to fully express the Opposites United design philosophy, making sure a balance in harmony extends into every element and section.

To stay in tune with the environment – and tapping back into the ‘Bold for Nature’ design pillar – the Concept EV9 has an all-encompassing DLO panoramic sky roof. This not only offers passengers relaxing views from above but also opens the potential for positive impact on wellness and mood.

The beautifully sleek glass structure creates a direct connection to the outside environment, be that sunshine flooding into the cabin on a blue-sky day, the tranquil sound of rain during a weekend drive in autumn or the calming feel of the luminous glow of moonlight and the stars on a cloudless evening.

Transformative interior space

Against a wellbeing, wellness and mindfulness backdrop, the Concept EV9 has been carefully crafted to offer the driver and passengers a transformative interior space as the journey experience evolves.

Mirroring the exterior design, the interior of the Concept EV9 has also been greatly influenced by the ‘Bold for Nature’ design pillar of Opposites United.

Inside the all-electric SUV is a design undertaking that integrates the qualities of nature, movement and stillness as part of a scenic, first-class lounge. The panoramic roof, with its sky-gazing views, further adds to the sense of lightness and being in contact with the environment.

An interactive 27-inch ultra-wide display connects the Concept EV9 from the real-world to the virtual one, while serving as the nerve center for all driver and passenger requirements, including media, climate control and comfort functionality features.

This sense of ‘tomorrow’ extends from the visionary interior design and into the steering wheel. The automotive industry today treats the steering wheel like a separate product – a total standalone subsystem; the Concept EV9, however, takes a radically different approach in which the pop-up steering pad is an extension of – and integrated and harmonized within – the interior space.

Innovative interior modes when not moving

The interior of the Concept EV9 explores new perspectives as the journey experience evolves. The all-electric SUV has three forward-thinking interior modes that capture different journey situations and requirements. Active Mode is when the Concept EV9 is on the move, making sure the driver and passengers have an optimal driving experience from within the all-electric SUV. The two other modes relate to when the Concept EV9 is not moving.

Pause Mode modifies the interior space to be more akin to a first-class lounge, giving occupants the opportunity to directly interact with each other while benefiting from the light streaming in from the wide panoramic roof. In this mode, the seats switch around to enable occupants seated in the first-row and third-row to face each other. The second-row seats fold down and become a table, completing the first-class lounge arrangement.

The second stationary mode is Enjoy Mode, which opens the interior into a downtime breakout space by turning around the three-row seat configuration. In this mode, the tailgate opens, giving all occupants the opportunity to connect with the outside environment and gaze ahead and beyond the vehicle while sitting comfortable inside the all-electric SUV.

Inspired by water

The Concept EV9 features a design inspired by taking note of the simplicity and perfection of nature, and how it contrasts and works together in perfect harmony. In this respect, the Concept EV9 took further inspiration from the ‘Water Element’ of Opposites United, taking on characteristics that relate to serenity, calmness and wellbeing. For example, the exterior color mimics the expansive depth of the ocean; this is then balanced by a soothing and clear blue sky that radiates throughout the interior.

The ‘Water Element’ ethos also came to the fore when the Kia design team was looking at sustainable and ecological materials for use in the Concept EV9. Recycled fishnets have been used to help create the flooring of the vehicle and seating fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles and recycled wool fibers. Also, vegan leather, which is far more ethical and sustainable compared to conventional animal leather, was used throughout the interior space. Kia plans to gradually reduce the use of animal leather in all its vehicles.

Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider

Kia recently announced its corporate vision to become a “Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider,” along with the intention to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the company’s value chain by 2045 at the ‘Kia Sustainability Movement’ event on November 11. The three-pillared carbon neutrality goal consists of commitments to “Sustainable Mobility,” “Sustainable Planet” and “Sustainable Energy”. The strategy encompasses processes from logistics, vehicle production, vehicle use and the disposal of waste. The Concept EV9 embodies an important part of this strategy as the next possible addition to Kia’s high-tech BEV line-up.

2022 BMW X4 launched in India

For all the automotive enthusiasts, the new BMW X4 launched in India today. BMW has refreshed the Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) with striking design elements, added equipment and attractive features. Locally produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai, the new BMW X4 will be available in diesel and petrol variants at all BMW dealerships across India from today onwards.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “The BMW X4 popularised the distinctive Sports Activity Coupe concept in India. It instantly became the vehicle of choice for customers who have a unique style that stands out from the rest of the crowd. At the same time, they desire the luxury and performance similar to a sports activity vehicle. And this is the USP of BMW X4! The way it fuses Sheer Driving Pleasure with head-turning looks and sporty adventure is inimitable. Now the new BMW X4 is ready to continue this status in its segment with a refreshed exterior and an attractive profile with multiple technology features. Its forever bold persona will make a statement that’s impossible to forget.”

The new 2022 BMW X4 is available in an exclusive ‘Black Shadow’ edition in limited numbers only. Designed with a focus on dynamics, it’s tailored to suit the needs of motorsport enthusiasts.

The car has been launched in a diesel and petrol variant at the following ex-showroom prices –

BMW X4 xDrive30i 2 litre inline 4 petrol – INR 70,50,000

BMW X4 xDrive30d 3 litre inline 6 diesel – INR 72,50,000

The new BMW X4 is available in Black Sapphire and M Brooklyn Grey metallic paintworks. They are paired with Leather Vernasca upholstery with ‘Black’ decor stitching. M interior trim Aluminum Rhombicledark with highlight trim finisher in Pearl Chrome is standard.

Service Inclusive and Service Inclusive Plus are optionally available for all BMW cars. These service packages cover Condition Based Service (CBS) and maintenance work. They begin from 3 years / 40,000 kilometres and can be extended up to 10 years / 2,00,000 kilometres, starting at an attractive pricing of INR 1.52 per kilometre. The BMW X4 also comes with optional BMW Repair Inclusive that extends warranty benefits from third year of operation to maximum sixth year, after the completion of the standard two-year warranty period. Together, these packages provide complete peace of mind and freedom to enjoy unlimited driving pleasure.

BMW India Financial Services offers an attractive BMW 360˚ financial plan with ‘drive away monthly price’ of INR 89,999/-, assured buyback and flexible end of term options. Customized financial solutions can be further designed as per individual requirements.

The new BMW X4.

BMW X4 launched in India starting from 70.5L

The distinctive sports activity coupe design of the new BMW X4 looks impressive. The significantly redesigned exterior reinforces the off-road look and sportiness. The new front is immediately noticeable with its striking BMW kidney grille, thin headlights and redesigned front apron.

The distinctive BMW mesh kidney grille has all-black mesh-inserts and frame finished in ‘M High Gloss Shadow line’. Adaptive LED Headlamps are now 10mm slimmer and flatter, creating a more focused face. They are designed in M Shadow line with black accents and have Matrix function as standard. Moving below, the newly designed front apron conveys power through the M Aerodynamic package which features components in body colour in front / rear apron and side sill covers. Vertical air intakes and bumper inserts in dark shadow metallic add further boldness.

The side profile is tremendously athletic and sporty. A visual black frame is created around the coupe-style windows with M High Gloss Shadow line. It extends from window recess cover, along the guide rail, mid pillars, to the base of the side-view mirrors and finally the roof rail. 20” light M alloy wheels double spoke and M Sport Brakes with red callipers display track readiness.

The rear is tidier with increased painted surface and bumper in M Aerodynamic package. The bumper is done up in dark shadow metallic colour with new anvil-shaped inlays in high gloss black and vertically arranged reflectors. The enormous width of the car is emphasized through two-part wrap-around LED rear taillights, a large automatic tailgate and wide free-form tailpipe in black colour.

Interiors and Features

The interior boasts comfort and functionality in a new sporty ambience. The interior has clearly structured surfaces and an ergonomically impeccable cockpit design that ensures the driver’s focus remains one hundred per cent on the intense driving experience. Driver and front passenger enjoy the flair of a premium SAC with Sports Seats which impress with numerous electrical adjustment options and memory function. Rear passengers can tilt the seats backwards by up to 9˚ for added comfort. The modern design of the center console, instrument panel in Sensatec, usage of M headliner anthracite and galvanic embellisher adds to the cabin’s premiumness. M leather steering wheel with ‘Walknappa’ black with black stitching and M logo spells exclusivity.

A relaxed and harmonious lounge atmosphere is promised thanks to a large electrically operated Panorama sunroof. Ambient Lighting with six selectable light designs creates an atmosphere for every mood. Welcome Light Carpet, projected from the side sill, welcomes passengers in glamorous style. Features such as electroplated controls and 3-zone automatic climate control with extended options add to the overall luxurious feel. The boot has a capacity of 525 litres and can be expanded further to 1,430 litres by folding down the 40/20/40 split rear seat backrest.

The innovative petrol and diesel engines from the BMW EfficientDynamics family offers spirited power delivery as well as responsiveness even at low engine speeds. Thanks to their unrivalled BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, they meld maximum power with exemplary efficiency. The three-litre six-cylinder diesel engine of the BMW X4 xDrive30d produces an output of 265 hp and a maximum torque of 620 Nm at 2,000 – 2,500 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 km / hr in just 5.8 seconds. The two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine of BMW X4 xDrive30i produces an output of 252 hp and maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1,450 –4,800 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 km / hr in just 6.6 seconds.

The 8-speed Steptronic Automatic Transmission claims to perform smooth gear shifts. For driving pleasure, the 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission is available with steering wheel paddle shifters.

BMW xDrive, an intelligent all-wheel-drive system monitors the driving situation constantly and is quick to respond. The compact, low-weight and efficient all-wheel-drive system distributes the engine’s power between the front and rear axle exactly to suit the driving situation and the surface. Electronically controlled ‘Automatic Differential Brakes/Locks (ADB-X)’, extended ‘Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)’, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control help to conquer every terrain. Adaptive Suspension makes it possible to adjust the damper characteristics to suit any given driving situation, increasing comfort and driving dynamics.

BMW EfficientDynamics doubles ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ with features such as Auto Start-Stop, ECO PRO mode, Brake-Energy Regeneration, Electronic Power Steering, 50:50 Weight Distribution and many other innovative technologies. Using the Driving Experience Control switch, driver is able to choose between different driving modes (ECOPRO, COMFORT, SPORT/ SPORT+) to suit diverse driving conditions.

The new BMW X4 features cutting-edge safety technologies. It provides optimal support in any situation with six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Cornering Brake Control (CBC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensor, ISOFIX child seat mounting and integrated emergency spare wheel under the load floor.

A host of BMW ConnectedDrive technologies continue to break the innovation barrier in the automotive industry. The modern cockpit concept BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes 3D Navigation, a 12.3-inch digital information display behind the steering wheel, a 12.3-inch Control Display and BMW Head-up Display. The occupants can operate a number of car functions simply by speaking to their BMW Virtual Assistant. Hands do the talking with BMW Gesture Control that recognizes six predefined hand movements for control of a number of functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay® / Android Auto ensures seamless smartphone connection with the car to access several functions. Harman Kardon Surround Sound System with 16 speakers sound like an engrossing treat for the ears.

The spread of driver assistance systems is more extensive than ever. Parking Assistant with Rear View Camera makes parking in tight spots easier. The Reversing Assistant provides unmatched support in reversing out of a parking spot or through narrow driveways.

Overall, the new BMW X4 offered in both 2 litre inline-4 cylinder petrol and 3 litre inline-6 diesel engines look promising with the diesel producing a whooping 620 Nm torque. The stance is sporty and newer colours do seem appealing. Priced competitively for an enthusiast SUV, let us know your thoughts about the new BMW X4.

Why Indian Govt. Issued an Order to Ban Garena Free Fire & 53 Other Chinese Apps?

2-years back, in September 2020 Indian Government banned the massively popular online battle royale game, PUBG Mobile, and 118 Chinese apps. Now, the Government is all-ready to repeat history as it issued an order to ban Garena Free Fire & 53 other Chinese apps due to the same concern, a threat to natural security. The Government has forbidden over 300+ Chinese apps over different tensions until now.

The list of 54 banned apps includes apps from music players to selfie cameras, app locks, notepads, gaming, and video chat. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology confirmed the news of the ban and stated, the apps allegedly obtained various critical permissions and collected sensitive user data and were involved in transmitting the data to servers located in a hostile country.

According to the IT ministry, these applications were involved in surveillance activities via camera/mic, accessing the GPS of the user, running malicious software and sending user details to China-based data centres without user consent.

The full list of 54 banned Chinese apps:

1 Beauty Camera: Sweet Selfie HD

2 Beauty Camera – Selfie Camera

3 Equalizer – Bass Booster & Volume EQ & Virtualizer

4 Music Player- Music.Mp3 Player

5 Equalizer & Bass Booster – Music Volume EQ

6 Music Plus – MP3 Player

7 Equalizer Pro – Volume Booster & Bass Booster

8 Video Player Media All Format

9 Music Player – Equalizer & MP3

10 Volume Booster – Loud Speaker & Sound Booster

11 Music Player – MP3 Player

12 CamCard for SalesForce Ent

13 Isoland 2: Ashes of Time Lite

14 Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade

15 IS/APUS Security HD (Pad Version)

16 Parallel Space Lite 32 Support

17 Viva Video Editor – Snack Video Maker with Music

18 Nice video Baidu

19 Tencent Xriver

20 Onmyoji Chess

21 Onmyoji Arena

22 AppLock

23 Dual Space Lite – Multiple Accounts & Clone App

24 Dual Space Pro – Multiple Accounts & App Cloner

25 DualSpace Lite – 32Bit Support

26 Dual Space – 32Bit Support

27 Dual Space – 64Bit Support

28 Dual Space Pro – 32Bit Support

29 Conquer Online – MMORPG Game

30 Conquer Online Il

31 Live Weather & Radar – Alerts

32 Notes- Color Notepad, Notebook

33 MP3 Cutter – Ringtone Maker & Audio Cutter

34 Voice Recorder & Voice Changer

35 Barcode Scanner – QR Code Scan

36 Lica Cam – selfie camera app

37 EVE Echoes

38 Astracraft

39 UU Game Booster-network solution for high ping

40 Extraordinary Ones

41 Badlanders

42 Stick Fight: The Game Mobile

43 Twilight Pioneers

44 CuteU: Match With The World

45 Small World-Enjoy groupchat and video chat

46 CuteU Pro

47 FancvU – Video Chat & Meetup

48 Real: Go Live. Make Friends

49 MoonChat: Enjoy Video Chats

50 Real Lite -video to live!

51 Wink: Connect Now

52 FunChat Meet People Around You

53 FancyU pro – Instant Meetup through Video chat!

54 Garena Free Fire – Illuminate

Elon Musk’s Starship could finally make us Interplanetary Species

Despite technological advances, we as human species have managed to travel only a little over 4 lakh kilometres to the dark side of our moon. Why have we not explored further? The answer is simple – The lack of powerful rockets capable of transporting humans and their bare necessities any further. We’ve been sling shooting satellites beyond immeasurable distances across our solar system’s circumference for years at this moment in time. Speaking of which, Elon Musk, his SpaceX organisation and their latest Starship in its third iteration powered by innovative new boosters might just be the tools required to make the human species an interplanetary species.

Elon Musk and SpaceX showcased their new plans with their newest Starship in Texas on 10th February 2022. This new Starship is 50m in height/length, 9m in diameter, has a propellant capacity of 1200t with a thrust capacity of 1500tf and a loading capacity of 100-150t based on the orbit trajectory. The Starship is SpaceX’s main vessel that shall transport humans, materials, tools and much more from planet Earth to destined planet Mars. This being the third generation Starship, it has improved from the ones shown two years ago and has larger dimensions and relatively powerful yet efficient boosters named Raptor V2.

This new propulsion system is said to be smaller, efficient, have fewer parts and produce more thrust power than its predecessor, Raptor V1. One of the critical components of the mix is their new Raptor engine configuration, which beautifully aligns 33 propulsion nozzles with achieving optimal thrust levels. There’s something unique about the launch and catch towers designed for Starship and the Super Heavy (yeah, that’s a name) booster vessel. The Starship vessel shall be thrust into the earth’s orbit by Super Heavy, a 69m long, 9m in diameter just as the Starship, has a propellant capacity of 3400t and a whopping thrust capacity of 7590tf. The Super Heavy booster can thrust one Starship into orbit, return and land on its pod, all in six minutes!

SpaceX plans to make and launch 50 of these Starships and Super Heavy thrusters before the end of 2022. Why so many, you ask? As Elon Musk explained on stage, the human race will eventually need to become an interplanetary species as the sun’s radiation destroys our solar system in the next million years. This is humanity’s first viable step towards carrying life beyond our planet and dwelling through the multi-verse. Elon Musk also spoke about the plan to colonise planet Mars. The new Starships’ ambitious production and life cycle will have SpaceX making one whole Starship each month. This is necessary as the Starships with payload will be refilled with fuel in Earth’s orbit by another fuel filling Starship. We are already fuelling flying jets and planes via other planes on a harsh gravitational pull, so doing this in space shall be relatively more straightforward or challenging considering the sheer size of the Starships.

Fuelling the Starships is necessary to carry the payload to Mars and back. Elon Musk claims that with time, they will be able to produce one Starship and its booster each month and bring that close to making each unit in about three days. Coupled with the announcements of making 7 Raptor V2 engines per week, SpaceX is all in to make Starship the vessel of transportation from Earth to Mars. While SpaceX waits for approvals from Federal Aviation Administration in the USA, the first orbital flight of the Starship could be seen as soon as the first half of 2022. Subsequently, the first trials of orbital fuel filling shall commence as soon as 2023-24. Being super optimistic on stage, Elon Musk announced that the boosters could be refilled and reused in less than an hour while the Starships can do the same in 6-8 hours. If managed well, we could see three Starship launches a day in the future of time.

The ISRU is working closely with SpaceX and scientists to plan this Mars invasion of humans powered by massive Starships. The first few Starships will have no humans and carry essential goods required to set up an infrastructure for human colonisation. Plus, the first people to land on Mars could be groups of crucial workers and experts who will build a habitable infrastructure on the red planet. That said, each Starship can be configured to take about 100 humans and a payload each flight. The first trip of Starship shall be reserved for artists worldwide to witness a round trip around the moon. It took us years to achieve these advancements in space travel. Elon Musk is confident that SpaceX’s Starship, Super Heavy boosters, launch and catch towers and the new Raptor V2 engines will propel humanity towards becoming a multi-planetary species. We sure hope this becomes real in our lifetimes.

Samsung Launched Galaxy S22 Series & Galaxy Tab S8 Series at Galaxy Unpacked 2022

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 series was highly anticipated, especially the Ultra model. Samsung bought a welcome surprise in the form of a flagship tablet – the Galaxy Tab S8 series. The Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Tab S8 are offered in 3 variants, each with the Ultra variant commanding their flagship positions.

This new line-up of phones and tablets from Samsung features industry-first 4nm processors. Samsung is yet to confirm which processor is available in India but considering the 4nm information – We anticipate these phones and tablets to feature either Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.

Monster specs as usual from these flagship offerings with up to 12GB RAM on phones to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage on the Tab S8 Ultra. Ranging from 6.1 inches on the Galaxy S22 to all the way 14.6 inches on the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, Samsung has raided the android phone and tablet market with unique products this year.

In 2022, Samsung Galaxy S22 sees the return of glass sandwich design with Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on both front and rear. The camera setup has seen a new addition on all phones, starting from 50MP primary to 108MP primary on the top end. Varying in sizes, the Galaxy S22 series consists of the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra.

The brightness levels have seen a bump from brighter 1500nits on the base model to 1750nits on the flagship phone. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra brings a taste of the Note series by adding a built-in S-Pen that stores neatly and performs better than any Note series thanks to 2.8-ms latency, the best from Samsung yet.

Samsung claims more robust chassis on these phones and offers them in reasonable weight despite their stronger shell. The Galaxy Tab S8 series brings the best of Samsung as a top-of-the-line Android tablet. Samsung barely has any competitors in this space other than the largest-selling tablet from Apple, the iPad.

It’s great to see something similarly powerful offered in a host of offerings starting from 11-inches all the way to 14.6inches, almost knocking the laptop category doorstep. Presented from a TFT display on the Galaxy Tab S8 to SAMOLED on the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, the S-Pen is a standard accessory with each Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series.

These tablets run on similar processors as the phones and should be plenty fast. Samsung claims up to 15 hours of battery life on continuous video viewing on these tablets. We shall wait and watch how efficient these new processors and products from Samsung are in the longer run. Samsung has started this year with a bang, and their new algorithms and hardware claim amazing nighttime photography and much more with the return of the S-Pen on phones. All of these run Android 12 with Samsung’s new One UI 4 that brings a host of privacy features and more. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and the new Galaxy Tab S8 tablets are surely welcomed in a mundane market of look-alikes.

Watch the event here.

Redmi Launched Redmi Note 11 Series Smartphones Along With Smart TV X43 & Smart Band Pro

Xiaomi launched a few Redmi sub-brand products at today’s virtual event, including Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11S, Redmi Smart TV X43 and Redmi Smart Band Pro. The event was live-streamed through the Redmi India social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Let’s take a brief look at the products launched at the event.

Redmi Note 11 Series

The Redmi Note 11 series includes two smartphones, Note 11 and Note 11S, starting at ₹13,499 and ₹15,999, respectively. A majority of features are the same for these two 11-series smartphones. They both get a 90Hz refresh rate with an AMOLED dot display, come with MIUI 13 out-of-the-box and a 5,000mAh battery along with a 33W charger.

However, they differ in terms of camera, as Redmi Note 11 features a 50MP quad-camera setup that sports a 50MP primary lens, 8MP ultra-wide sensor, 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. Whereas Redmi Note 11S also sports a quad-camera setup, it has a 108MP primary camera, 8MP ultra-wide sensor, 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor.

Redmi Smart TV X43

Along with the Note 11-series phones, Redmi launched Smart TV X43, the smallest TV in the X-series line-up. The smart TV is priced at Rs. 28,999, and it would be available for sale from February 16 ( at 12 PM) on the company’s website, Mi.com, Amazon and other retail websites. It sports a 43″ display with a 4K resolution that supports HDR, Dolby Vision, PatchWall software and IMDb integration.

Redmi Smart Band Pro

The Smart Band Pro is priced at ₹3,999, and it will be available for sale from February 14 on the company’s website and Amazon. The Smart Band Pro is priced at Rs. 3,499 for a limited period sale price.