Volvo XC40 Recharge – First Drive Review

Recharging and reinventing Volvo

We witnessed the Volvo XC40 Recharge when it was unveiled a year ago. Initial plans were to launch the car last year. EV charging infrastructure is slow in its growth compared to auto manufacturers’ plans of launching EVs. Volvo announced a year ago to convert their entire line-up into EVs by 2030. Volvo India wants to beat their deadline.

On a scorching sunny Sunday, we drove the Volvo XC40 Recharge from Aerocity, Delhi, to Neemrana Fort, Rajasthan and back. Volvo India had two charging stations ready for a top-up on our commute, but we were assured that most of the cars made it back in a single charge. Our car started at 92% charge when we began our drive. Volvo’s XC40 Recharge is quite a sleeper performance car. Later, let’s understand how this unique EV is about to revolutionise Volvo’s brand image into a worthy EV auto manufacturer. We drove a pre-production red coloured car, a colour we might not see at first in India.

Clean, smart design

Make no mistake about the name this car carries. The Volvo XC40 Recharge is based on the compact, mid-size SUV, the XC40. The overall silhouette of the XC40 remains the same. It is brilliantly complemented by the clean design upfront masking the ICE version’s grille with a body-coloured case and an embedded Volvo logo. The headlights and tail lights are the same, yet some of the best lamp designs. Changes include 19-inch standard wheels with 235/50/R-19 upfront and 255/45/R-19 at the rear. This is a subtle giveaway of the performance this car packs apart from a Recharge TWIN batch on the boot door.

The powered tailgate opens with a gesture swipe at the lower left of the car’s rear bumper apart from an electric button. This liberates up to 452L boot space, housing a space-saver tyre. Unlike the international variant, there are no electric split seat buttons or a towing hook button inside the boot area. The boot lock has two subtle lights on either side of the lock groove. The charging socket is located on LHS, while there’s another trunk up-front that opens similarly to the front hatch opening knob inside the driver’s cabin on most ICE cars. The frunk is 31L, and the floor mat opens to liberate space for what seems to be a tire puncture repair kit missing from inside the kit-holder cut-outs in our car. The rear boot mat also has some space under the RHS boot area. Overall, the EV version of this car allows quite a bit of room for storing cables, luggage, etc.

Somehow, the car looks even more handsome in the XC40 Recharge avatar than in the ICE versions. The little things that make this car more appealing could be the clean front, those wider rear tyres, a relatively low stance with a ground clearance of 175mm, ample in most scenarios, or a combination of all small things together.

Interior – Spot the difference!

Our media units were leather-clad, opposite to the no-leather upholstery promise from Volvo India. Nonetheless, these units also sported recycled material between leather inserts made from sustainable materials. Imagine the softer side of a velcro strip to put it in perspective. It feels similar to touch. Recycled waste used as luxury suits fashion on humans and now appears on their possessions. Volvo quality is second to none, and the overall insides of the XC40 Recharge are the same as its ICE counterparts. Volvo has simplified this car by making most things automatic, like the lack of a start-stop button. Keyless entry and app suite. The driver’s MID is 12.3-inch wide, crisp and clear. Thanks to Volvo’s Google integration of Android as a base, the driver’s MID seamlessly interacts with the primary 9-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system. Get the app, sign in to your primary Google account or create one for your car and now the car’s infotainment setup is an individual device in your Google account.

There’s a Play Store app right on the car’s console. The vehicle allows you to install all your favourite music, video and other apps right inside the car. Navigate through Google Maps on the central infotainment system, and the map route and navigation lines appear on the driver’s MID. Neat integration! Sadly, we could not witness the 8-speaker Harman Kardon music system on our pre-production car. Creature comforts include 4 USB type-C ports, two up-front and two for rear passengers. There’s also a wireless charging pad with neat creases to hold your phone, mainly when this car explores your gut feelings. Storage space is plenty, with some removable storage areas for easy cleaning. There’s a sense of thick leather-clad insulation on the inside and the overall cocoon is complemented by a large panoramic sunroof. Those thick windows and glass allow plenty of space for resting our limbs, too, and heat-reflecting glass kept us chill throughout the day.

Despite this being an EV, it still carries XC40’s thick transmission tunnel at the rear, making this five-seater uncomfortable with all seats occupied. Speaking of seats, the usual two rear passengers will be awkward if they’re more than 5-feet 5-inches tall. The floorboard now houses batteries, and under-thigh support has gone for a toss unless you get too comfortable stretching your limbs inside the car. The seats are plush, and there’s a large armrest with two exposed cup holders at the rear. Seats get electric headrests and folding mechanisms to operate 60-40 split-seats. The space inside is ample with a 2702mm wheelbase and does not feel cramped. The panoramic sunroof opens with a swipe touch gesture, and most things are spot on, except for some things like the lack of grab handles for rear passengers despite hooks and holder cutouts. Overall, the Volvo XC40 Recharge interiors are like a familiar place and feel like tasting a well-aged wine.

The steering wheel is nicely weighted and thick with a clean Volvo batch. The 360-degree camera has crisp footage and dynamic park-assist lines for all four wheels. Volvo has equipped the XC40 Recharge with drive-assist aids, sensors, and a robust safety suite. Adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane-keep assist, regenerative braking and tonnes of other sensors work seamlessly in the background with no physical settings or buttons to toggle. The driving assist setting allows drivers to select the way they want this car to aid their driving along with an interesting one-pedal mode. Disclaimer – One pedal mode is quite addictive on EVs. Apart from the usual ICE version apps, added apps include charge statistics, vehicle power generated and regenerated information, and battery management, making one perceive that this is a thoroughbred EV. More minor things like storage pads for rear passengers between the seats and doors are a nice Volvo touch. Volvo does not mention the number of airbags, but these are the same engineers who shared the three-point seat belt with the world and hence we are assured that a car with IC (inflatable curtain) airbags for windows shall be well endowed with passenger safety.

Drive – Do not race the Volvo XC40 Recharge!

Volvo XC40 Recharge comes with two motors, powering the front wheels and rear in an AWD (all-wheel drive) configuration. These motors propel this car with mindboggling numbers – 408HP power and 660Nm torque. These are sports car numbers! All 660Nm torque is available from a standstill. Punch the throttle, and the XC40 Recharge instantly forgets its insane 2.6T weight. Volvo claims a 0-100km/h sprint in about 4.9 seconds. We tested the claims, and the XC40 Recharge pounced with enthusiasm. This is unlike any other Volvo we have driven to date!

The vehicle’s heft is felt when driving, but there is an innate sense of confidence inspired and aided by Volvo’s numerous sensors. There are no select drive modes, no fancy knobs, no tedious settings, it’s simply Volvo, and it all just works. Interestingly what works in this EV is a maddening sense of power under a rather sophisticated body! The Volvo XC40 Recharge responds to throttle response like a big cat ready to pounce on its prey. Thanks to this new driving nature of the XC40 Recharge, this car seems to re-invent the wheel for Volvo as a car brand. People in other countries might be used to such twin motor monsters, but this car performs close to something more expensive, much faster and instead insane looking sports cars in India. Imagine this as a quick brawny ninja disguised as an average human.

The car easily handles its overall weight thanks to an excellent suspension setup and massive 18-inch disc brakes on all four of Pirelli’s wide low-profile tyres. The heft helps make this car feel planted at speeds and in varied road conditions. The relatively low profile tyres make the rather silent cabin buzz on Indian roads. But the trade-off is worth it when you see this car jump from mundane double-digit speed numbers to its max speed capped at 180km/h. This car can reach its top speed in a few seconds more than its 0-100km/h sprint and comfortably sit there until you drain its 78Kw battery. The driving dynamics are mature, and batteries in the floorboard with twin motors distributing weight across the length of this EV, make the XC40 Recharge a brilliant performer. Body roll is present, but body control is at point, inspiring you to drive more confidently across triple digits speed numbers. Drivers can select to add more heft to the steering wheel by toggling an option on the central infotainment system. Both front passenger seats get electric adjustments and heated functionality for cold environments. The steering feel is precise and inspires a sense of confidence required to manoeuvre a heavy speed, happy EV, Volvo XC40 Recharge.

We drove spiritedly for about 250 odd kilometres all day and returned with a 12% charge on the dashboard. Speaking of BMS, battery management system, the car provides ample information for math fanatics. Volvo team charges these cars at a nearby 30kWh DC charger to top up most cars by 80% charge in about 2.5 hours. In a hypothetical world of 150kWh DC charging, this car can go from 0-100% in about 33 minutes. Details on the home charger are yet unknown. Overall, this car does it both, being efficient and energetic! This duality adds a new dimension to Volvo as a car maker. If the XC40 Recharge is any indication of the evolution of Volvo as an EV manufacturer, their tagline – Our future is electric, does make their futures look bright.

0-100km/h – 4.9s claimed

418Kms WLTP range

78kWh battery pack

Twin Motor – 408hp 660Nm

Kia Carens

Kia Carens : Introduction

Is it from a different world?

All new design ideology can be seen on the Kia Carens

The Indian buyer’s growing obsession for SUV’s has flooded the market with 6 and 7 seater family haulers. With almost every automaker in the country trying to cater and please the big fat Indian families with their offerings, Kia isn’t falling back.

To bridge this segment’s gap, Kia unveiled its new three-row offering for the Indian market, the Carens, in December last year. The Carens made its global debut in India, and incidentally, the country will also be its sole manufacturing hub for both domestic and export purposes.

The wrap around tail lights look upmarket

The Kia Carens is based on a stretched platform of the Creta/Seltos, similar to the Hyundai Alcazar. Dimensionally, the Carens measures 4,540mm in length, 1,800mm in width, 1,700mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,780mm.

Now if you compare it to the Seltos, the Carens is 225mm longer and 80mm taller, while the wheelbase is 160mm longer. The Carens also fares brownie points as it is longer, wider and taller than even the Alcazar, that measures 4,500mm in length, 1,790mm in width, 1,675mm in height. Even the wheelbase is greater than the Alcazar’s 2,760mm. In fact, the Carens has the longest wheelbase in this segment, which is 30mm longer than the Toyota Innova Crsyta too, although the Toyota is longer when it comes to overall length. The dimensions certainly point to a spacious interior.

Kia Carens: Exterior design

What’s it like to look from the outside?

Kia is calling the design ideology as coming together of 2 different worlds apart. And it actually makes sense as Kia is neither placing it as an MPV, nor as an SUV, but what exactly are they categorizing it? A recreational vehicle.

The Kia Carens has a very distinctively striking presence to say the least. It has the proportions of an MPV, but also gets several styling elements to make it look like an SUV. Starting up front, the front facia is characterized by a striking split-LED headlamp assembly and a sealed off grille that is housed within a contrasting gloss piano back trim. The signature Kia tiger nose grille has moved down to the lower lip of the bumper giving space for a new chrome garnish. The grille even features some gnarled effects and 3D patterns on the brushed silver insert for some added bling. Down below, the front bumper is more sedately styled, although the gaping central air intake does add some character. In fact, Kia’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ motif is now featured on the bumper and not on the grille, although very subtly.

The LED DRLS are said to be inspired by constellations and hence a unique futuristic design adorns the front. I wonder how many stars it would pack inside. The crown jeweled LED headlamps are sleek and futuristic with the three slot design even carried in the LED fog-lamps which lend a distinctive visual edge through sleek and avant-garde design.

Move to the side and it has a very MPV’ish silhouette. Generous amount of chrome has been used to fancy the Indian buyers. A chrome strip running all the way from the front window sill and wrapping around at the third quarter glass sections lends it an upmarket appearance. Though the R16 crystal cut alloy wheels have a nice design, they look a tad bit small considering the proportions of this car. In my opinion, a size up would definitely make a huge difference.

From the side profile, the Carens shows resemblance to the Seltos until the front doors, though the rear doors are much longer and it also gets a larger rear quarter window area. Strong character lines that start from the headlamps, blend into the doors and then emerge at the rear to meet the tail-lamps. At the rear, the Carens gets a pair of wrap-around LED tail-lamps which look like they have been borrowed from the Sonet. The rear windshield can be seen slightly raked and also houses an integrated spoiler. Akin to the front, the rear bumper is also aggressively styled with chrome garnish inserts. The raised ground clearance and the upright stance due body cladding all around lends it a pretty masculine look.

Kia Carens: Interior design

How does it feel from the inside?

In its typical fashion, the interior of the Kia Carens is very well laid with premium-looking materials and a well appointed dashboard. Use of multiple colors for the interior trim like Triton navy and Sahel beige, makes the cabin feel dramatic and lively to sit inside. A big slab of piano black is thrown onto the dash with gnarled effects and a brushed metal strip flows down below. Something which might bother the consumers is that the dash might pick up dust and fingerprints pretty easily and it would be a hassle to maintain it clean and shining bright.

Notice the different color interior trims which jazz up the cabin

The interior also has a clean, layered effect with everything positioned for better reach. The infotainment system is neatly integrated in the dash. Giving it a premium touch. There’s even some fine detailing on the dashboard trim and on the door panels, adding some jazz to the interior.

Below the top-half, the AC vents have been integrated seamlessly along the width of the interior. The AC control unit gets a feather-touch panel with toggle switches for operating the climate controls, with the ambient lighting panel underlining all of this.

Ventilated seats and different driving modes for the AT variant.

The 64 color options for the ambient light makes the cabin feel more upmarket and lends the Carens a premium feel inside. The center console is short and stubby and features additional controls for seat ventilation, drive modes, etc. The Carens will be available in both 6- and 7-seat configurations, with the former getting captain seats for the second row.

The touchscreen in fluid and well responsive to use

Generous amount of cubby spaces in all the nooks and corners allows for ample storage of nick-nacks. Infact, all the doors get 3 bottle holders and small pockets to keep phones or other stuff. The front doors even have dedicated slots for keeping umbrellas during the rainy season.

Now you don’t have a panoramic sunroof because of the roof mounted AC vents for the 2nd and 3rd row, but you do get a single unit sunroof , just in case!

The second row boss seat features a one-touch tumble down function for easy ingress and egress to the third row. A fold up table and an air purifying module are housed behind the front seats. All in all you get 6 USB (5 C-type) ports to charge your devices.

Captain seats for the second row makes the cabin feel more roomier

Considering the sheer size of the Kia Carens, stepping in and out is not much of a hassle and hence, it will be comfortable even for senior citizens in your family. The seats though are a bit on the narrower side, but provide good under thigh support for easing the longer journeys.

Third row seats are considerably more comfortable

Now the extended wheelbase makes enough room even for the third row and for sure it is one of the best in its segment. Not just kids, but even average sized adults won’t be complaining much about the space at the back.

Notice the gnarled effects on the piano black trim

Kia Carens: Features

What all tech does it pack?

This being a Kia, the equipment list is long and is a big highlight of the Carens. Top-spec variants of the Carens are equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Kia’s UVO connect. The touch is fluid and well responsive. It also gets a fully digital instrument cluster, an eight-speaker Bose sound system and a multi-function steering wheel with buttons for audio controls, voice commands and calling, similar to the one seen on the Sonet and Seltos.

The air purifying module behind the driver seat

Notably, the Carens also gets roof-mounted AC vents to aid cooling at the rear, which rules out the possibility of a panoramic sunroof. There is a single unit sunroof for the fancy purpose though. Other highlights on the Carens include a 64-color ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, seat-back table with cup holder, electrically powered, one-touch tumble down feature for the second row (first in segment feature) and an air purifier. Kia has particularly stressed on safety features with the Carens as all models get six airbags, ABS, ESC, hill-start assist, disc brakes at all four ends, TPMS and rear parking sensors as standard across all variants.

Kia Carens: Engine and Gearbox options

How well does it drive?

Under the hood, the Carens gets the option of two petrol engines and a diesel engine. The first is a 115 hp, 144 Nm, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is solely offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 140hp, 242 Nm, 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine comes mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT gearbox.

Lastly, the diesel engine is a 1.5-litre unit which produces 115 hp and 250 Nm of peak torque. It can be opted in either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. These engine-gearbox combinations are the same as the ones that are offered in the Kia Seltos.

The overall drive is pliant and poised. The engine is never in a hurry and delivers a linear performance across the gear ratio range. It feels plush and sturdy at high speeds. Something worth pointing out are the well damped suspensions which can gulp in all the major potholes of city driving and the raised ground clearance allows the vehicle to glide over rough terrain patches.

Safety Features

Dual front Airbags as standard across all variant

ABS & EBD

Front and Reverse Parking Sensors with camera

Seat belt reminder

High speed alert

Hill start assist

Hill Descent control

Electronic Stability control

Front seatbelt pretensioners

Rear disk breaks

Impact sensing auto door unlock

Side and curtain airbags

Tire pressure monitoring system

ISOFIX

Anti theft alarm

Rear wiper and defogger

Rain sensing vipers

Auto headlamps

Kia Connect mobile app.

Functional features

50:50 Third row split

2nd and 3rd row AC vents

Height adjustable drivers seats

2nd row slide and recline

5x USB C-type ports

Ambient lights

Electric second row tumble

Front and rear armrests

3rd row recline

Ventilated front seats

Automatic climate control

LED DRL’s and headlamps

Wireless phone charger

Android Auto and Apple Car-play

Cooled cup-holders

Rear door sun shade

Cruise Control with steering mounted buttons

Push button start stop

To watch the complete first drive review, click here.

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

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

Public Charging Points

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

Setting Targets

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

Assessing Demands

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

Leveraging Streets & Electricity Grids

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

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

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

Mercedes-Benz launches the 2021 GLC in India

Mercedes-Benz today launched the 2021 GLC in India with updates to connected car technology and better comfort and driving assistance. The ‘Mercedes me connect’ technology gets a host of additional feature enrichment. These feature enhancements in the 2021 GLC will help maintain its lead in the mid-size luxury SUV segment and offer customers a compelling choice in the form of a fully loaded, connected luxury SUV.

The 2021 GLC is available in both GLC 200 and GLC 220d variants and combines outstanding on and off-road driving characteristics with spaciousness, practicality and comfort. It is an illustration of excellent artisanship of high-quality materials, in combination with a classy and authentic design that attracts immediate attention. Targeted towards tech-savvy urban dwellers and adrenaline seekers, the GLC is one of the most suitable products for them. With 2021 GLC, Mercedes-Benz is introducing two new shades in the GLC colour palette. They are ‘Brilliant Blue’ and ‘High Tech Silver’.

Martin Schwenk, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “The GLC has remained a key pillar of our SUV offence and has been the single highest-selling SUV in our portfolio last year. With 2021 GLC, we now offer a technology superior, feature enriched fully loaded mid-size SUV, which has raised the benchmark for tech, comfort and convenience in the segment significantly. The new intuitive Mmc technology, MBUX Telematics with Hey Mercedes and new features create a comfortable and best-in car experience. As a customer-centric brand, it remains our endeavour to constantly offer new products and technology that benefit the customers and create a delightful ownership experience. We are confident, with the technology and feature enrichment, the GLC will continue its customer preference and extend its lead in the premium mid-size SUV segment.”

Key feature and technology enrichments of the 2021 GLC:

All-digital Instrument Display:

The digital instrument display with a choice of styles like “Classic”, “Progressive” and “Sporty” provides information, which is important to the driver. The 31.2 cm (12.3-inch) display delivers a pin-sharp image, which is very easy to read in all light conditions. In all styles, the instrument display is divided into different areas. In each case, the driver can adjust these individually to suit their requirements using the various settings options. In this way, they always have a precise view of what is important to them while they are driving.

Front massage seats:

Introducing in its product portfolio, front massage seats make the journey all the more pleasant. Individually adjustable air chambers adjust just like a tailor-made suit. When you adjust the backrest bolsters so that they are particularly firm, it improves lateral support for sporty driving manoeuvres. The air chambers in the lumbar area can also alternately inflate and deflate, giving a massage with a pulsating effect. The massage functions are adjustable via the media display.

Parking Package with 360° camera:

Parking Assist with 360° camera makes it easier for the driver to manoeuvre effortlessly and park with precision. Thanks to the 360° camera the driver can have a view from every angle around the vehicle. The virtual bird’s-eye view is a smart way to show where the car stands. The combination of the reversing camera and three additional cameras provides the driver with all-round visibility: so you can see the surroundings in front of, alongside and behind your vehicle, on the media display.

Remote Engine Start

With the “Mercedes me” app on the phone, the customers can remotely start the engine, for air-conditioning before the start of their journey. Customers will also be able to track the location of the vehicle, remotely lock or unlock, remotely flash the headlamps, and use the horn to find it in the parking lot. Customers can also open or close windows and sunroof remotely from the app, set speed alerts for other users and enjoy a plethora of other connected services.

Featuring 2021 Mercedes me connect with Alexa, Google Home integration and Parking location on navigation system

Any conversation with Alexa promises to be more fun as the systems connect with customers Mercedes Benz via the cloud and provide a real-time update. This feature can be used from an Alexa Echo device set up at the home, office or also from phone’s Alexa App. Some examples that you can command, “Alexa, Ask Mercedes to lock the car” or “Alexa, Ask Mercedes to start the engine.” Or “Alexa, Ask Mercedes when is my service due?”

Google Home users can also use Google Home voice assistance with Mercedes me connect. Similarly, once the Mercedes me connect is linked to Google Home, you can start issuing commands like “Hey Google, ask Mercedes where is my car” or “Ok Google, ask Mercedes to remind me to buy flowers”

Another introduction is the new Parking solution POIs (Points of interest) across different parts of the cities. One can easily spot a parking lot with the help of the vehicle’s navigation system or even with the maps section on the Mercedes me App.

Rider Girl Vishakha | Top 100 | Influncex’20

Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?

Vishakha: I personally believe change is the only constant, talking digital blogging historically since Pyara Lab developed its blogger; it evolved as a primary mode of expression today. The journey of my blogging from mobile phone to action camera witnessed many turns.

Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented?

Vishakha: I wished I would have invented modern-day action cameras. I could have developed them in more friendly ways, sans all difficulties we face while making a travel vlog.

Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)

Vishakha: Seriously, it happened a week before when I received an email from a college-going girl. I was highly emotional reading the mail from Siddhi, who was explaining to me how she was preparing herself to become a female moto-vlogger.

Ex: Social Media is known to expose vulnerabilities, with influencers being at the epicenter. How do you deal with the dark side that comes with the medium?

Vishakha: It applies to each and everything under the sky. One must be mentally strong and strategically clear on what to be done and what not. I would rather say the more light you bring, the more darkness you can remove.

Ex: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a fad? Where do you see this space in years to come?

Vishakha: The journey just started and has a long way to go. If you see various recent studies, brands started looking at Influencer Marketing as a vital or topmost strategic priority. We still have to go a long way ahead. I was going through some recent studies which suggest around 75% of brands and agencies started developing independent, separate policies for influential marketing programs as a top priority.

Ex: What is your dream car or motorbike?

Vishakha: My dream car or bike must not be to drive or ride but to keep in a décor place with love and care. I am excited to ride CBR500 or Tiger in the future.

[button href=”https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz3bPLqJMACZj9h5bClFVFA” type=”btn-primary” size=”btn-lg”]FOLLOW[/button]

ŠKODA opens pre bookings for the new Rapid Automatic!

ŠKODA AUTO India commenced the booking window for the much-awaited new RAPID automatic (AT) against a refundable fee of ₹ 25,000 across all its authorized dealership facilities in the country and on the ŠKODA AUTO India website. Having secured a priority status, this pre-booked ŠKODA RAPID AT will be delivered to customers from 18 September 2020.

Mr. Zac Hollis, Brand Director – ŠKODA AUTO India, said: “ŠKODA AUTO India recently introduced the new RAPID TSI range of products that now boasts state of the art 1.0 Turbocharged Stratified Injection engine offering the best of both worlds: exceptional power output and excellent fuel economy. An overwhelming response from brand loyalists and auto enthusiasts from across the nation has obligated the Czech marque to push the yardstick further and introduce the convenience of an AT transmission across the RAPID TSI range, at a very competitive price point.”

“The new RAPID AT will offer a compelling combination of the brand’s timeless design ideals, unmatched performance, superior build quality, exemplary ‘value for money’ proposition, and enhanced safety and security. It is deemed to be the best seller in its class, setting the benchmark for functionality, practicality, spaciousness, and convenience.”

At the heart of the new ŠKODA RAPID AT is an incredible new TSI mill. Displacing 999 cm3, the new three-cylinder 1.0 TSI petrol engine fosters an astounding 110 PS (81 kW) of power at 5000 – 5500 rpm and 175 Nm of torque at 1750 – 4000 rpm. The fuel efficiency too is exemplary. The new RAPID AT, with the six-speed automatic transmission, offers 16.24 kmpl under standard test conditions.

When compared with the outgoing 1.6 MPI engine, the new ŠKODA RAPID AT offers a 5% upsurge in power and a 14% rise in torque output. At the same time, the new RAPID offers a 9% increase in fuel efficiency against the previous motor. The new RAPID AT is calibrated for refinement, efficiency as well as performance, and perfectly fits the urbane lifestyle of the ŠKODA AUTO customers.

What to expect from the upcoming Kia Sonet?

Korean carmaker Kia is set to launch its latest offering, the Sonet on August 7, in India. With its official rendering in July, the design is expected to set new benchmarks and inject a new dynamism in the compact SUV segment. This is the third product from the Hyundai-owned company in India and will compete with the Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford Ecosport, Mahindra XUV300 and Renault Duster.

The Auto Expo 2020 withholds the memory of the first look of the Sonet concept and hasn’t left the minds of young and aspirational Indians since then. The striking and curvaceous exterior highlights the brand’s dynamic DNA which has been merged with the emotive and bold design to create a strong on-road appearance.

“With the new Kia Sonet, we had the ambition to give this compact SUV a strong and muscular character found only in much larger vehicles. With this in mind, we have designed what we believe is a great SUV with a uniquely sporty attitude, a confident stance and a dynamic silhouette. We also gave the new Kia Sonet an uncompromising attention to detail and a selection of colors and materials that could have only be inspired by the great cultural heritage that our designers found all over India,” said Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Design Center at Kia Motors Corporation. “As a whole we believe the new Kia Sonet will be a fantastic SUV with a very compelling and attaching character to our young and young at heart, always connected customers in India and beyond…”

Of course, Kia would be incomplete with its signature structures: the tiger-nose grille with a three-dimensional ‘stepwell’ geometric grille mesh giving a pinched profile in the middle. The central air dam should be bounded by fog lamps and large air vents. The sleek headlights fused with LED DRLs merged into the grille, if given, will complete its classic look. The contrast-colored roof, the wing mirrors and the pair of roof rails should provide a unique look to the Sonet, along with dual-tone alloy wheels and the tapered rear windscreen.

Analogous to Seltos, the Sonet too is expected to be available in both Tech line and GT line variants. GT line variant is expected to come in black interiors along with red contrast highlights. On the other hand, the Tech line is expected to get dual-black tone and beige interiors.

The powertrains are expected to be similar to the Hyundai Venue such as 1.2-litre petrol engine with 5-speed manual transmission, a 1.5-litre 100bhp diesel engine and a 1.0-litre GDi turbo-petrol engine. The transmission choices could vary between manual and intelligent manual transmission (iMT) gearbox, which is essentially a clutchless manual gearbox, as well as an automatic option — recently introduced in the Hyundai Venue.

One can also expect the Sonet to have interesting features like wireless phone charging, ventilated seats, automatic climate control, a sunroof, keyless entry and a premium sound system. The Sonet might be first in its segment to offer a 360-degree camera. The compact SUV should be installed with excellent safety features like rear parking camera and sensors, 6 airbags, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, and tyre pressure monitoring system —like the Hyundai Venue. It is expected to launch with the price tag of Rs 8-13 lakhs (ex-showroom).

Want to try a Skoda? Now you can, touchfree!

It’s been “125 years of glorious history and heritage” since ŠKODA AUTO was first introduced to the world and has been blooming since then. With its 125th anniversary in play, ŠKODA AUTO has established the second wave of the contactless programme that all the automobile enthusiasts have been talking about. This recent development has received a great deal of encouragement across the world.

After the country was given the freedom to unlock their homes with the implementation of UNLOCK 1.0 in early June, ŠKODA AUTO India superseded everything in the entire digital automotive purchase ecosystem with the introduction of a centralized booking platform for the customers. The platform was highly appreciated which finally paved the way for the establishment of the second wave. It is developed and designed considering the Covid-19 situation, to give an opportunity to the customers to buy cars online without having to risk their lives in the first place.

The programme is developed in a way that is appropriate for the customers—a transparent and contactless experience that Czech marque commits to deliver along with the customer’s safety as the first priority. The platform requires you to choose the ŠKODA AUTO vehicle from the comfort of your own home in a hassle-free and convenient manner. It supports a robust live consultation suite and a contactless virtual product demonstration option, available for sign up on the website, and accessible via video conferencing over smartphones, tablets and personal computers while integrating with the 80 plus dealership touchpoints nationwide. The platform is undoubtedly safe and secure.

The service is easily available through video conferences on smartphones, tablets and personal computers, offering customers the facility of contactless test drives at their doorsteps.

“The ŠKODA AUTO contactless programme testifies our commitment to use technology as a tool to stay connected with our customers and deliver an uncompromised sales and service experience, more so in these unprecedented circumstances. The latest initiative provides customers with an opportunity to explore and experience our exciting new range of products from the comfort of their home”, said Zac Hollis, the Brand Director of ŠKODA AUTO, India.

Also, Czech marque believes in the typical practice of digitizing the ownership experience by providing a single window interface between an existing or a prospective customer and the branch through the latest MyŠKODA mobile application. The MYŠKODA App is available for download on the iTunes App Store for iPhone and Google Play store for Android devices. Customers can select their most preferred dealership, book an appointment according to their preferred time slot. They can also access service history, understand cost estimation through the cost calculator, buy accessories, itemized billing records and connect to ŠKODA customer care, if needed.

‘Simply Clever’ philosophy introduced by ŠKODA AUTO provides technologies like AI enabled Chat Bot, facilitating 24×7 support services, reduced turnaround time, and enhanced interactions. Amidst the pandemic, the automobile industry is going to great lengths to provide the best services possible to its customers. We simply have to use them!

Ducati opens bookings for the Panigale V2 ahead of launch

Italian luxury motorcycle manufacturer Ducati has opened bookings for its first BS6 motorcycle, the Panigale V2, in India. An Italian-sporty blend with the perfect proportion of a classy-vibe, the brand-new Ducati Panigale V2 is another member added to the Ducati Panigale family. With extraordinary features, Ducati India is accepting bookings now since its announcement on 20th July, 2020 with an initial amount of INR 100,000.

The visual design of the fairings is inspired by the Panigale V4 which makes it look like a ‘red-fiery-monster’ (if bought in the red color scheme), controllable with a better and comfortable seat. The other color scheme is the new White Red.

The Panigale V2 features a single-sided aluminium swingarm: the hallmark of every high-end Ducati superbike along with a compacted twin-cylinder Superquadro engine (smaller in comparison to the Desmosedici Stradale). Along with this, the exhaust has been set under the engine and the frame is the same monocoque with everything bolted to the 90-degree V-twin.

“The Panigale V2 has been the most awaited bike since EICMA and we eagerly waited to bring this ultimate superbike as our first BS6 motorcycle for the Indian motorcycle enthusiast. The new Panigale V2 is a beefy yet compact bike with clear-cut lines that convey power without compromising on the classic Ducati superbike flair. Considering the overwhelming inquiries for the launch of the Panigale V2, we are confident the bike will do well in the market by offering an unmatched Ducati riding experience to enthusiasts who’re looking to step into the world of riding on the racetrack and also to more experienced riders”, said Bipul Chandra, the Managing Director of Ducati India.

The Panigale V2 is similar to Panigale V4 in ways that it’s tangible, easy to ride. But Panigale V2 does not make you conscious about handling a lot of parts while riding it. The Panigale V2 is now the entry mode for the Panigale family, replacing Panigale 959. The members have often been described as ‘ferrari on to wheels’, making it an adventurous as well enjoyable ride. Racers have found the bike to be easy, predictable and friendly while learning the track layout.

The V2 is a better and upgraded version of Panigale 959, with a better and responsive design enabling one to get locked on the bike while riding it. Racers seem to put a lot of energy while riding Panigale 959 whereas the Panigale V2 is easy-riding and also has electronics that work in ways that you’ll be amazed to hear about. The addition of six-axis IMU and the manifold of electronic rider aides gets filtered with different racing modes the bike has on the 4.5-inch TFT display.

This ultimate middleweight sports bike can be booked at their nearest dealerships which can be searched on their website. As soon as the bike is launched, they will be delivered and it will be available on display across all Ducati dealerships in Delhi – NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai. Considering the Covid-19 situation, the test rides will also begin shortly after the launch under the ‘Ducati Cares’ program by taking care of all the guidelines and safety measures.

Lamborghini Squadra Corse SCV12: The Italian’s newest stallion

This lockdown has bored most of us almost to death and we don’t have much to rejoice about. Luckily, a new hypercar has been teased to rejuvenate your spirits and make you smile again. If you are a Lamborghini collector and you are wondering which one to add to your collection next, this has to be exciting news for you. For track enthusiasts, this is even better news. The Italian luxury car manufacturer has unleashed its latest track-only weapon today. Called the Squadra Corse SCV12, it features the company’s most powerful V12 engine to date.

Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s GT motorsports expertise, using its racing experience has created the car with a clear track intent. Several aspects of the SCV12 have been developed particularly for the hypercar, with specific racing solutions devised by Squadra Corse engineers, including a new fully carbon fibre chassis that allows for a greater power-to-weight ratio as well as the best handling and circuit driving experience.

Since the SCV12 is a track-only car, it does not feature compulsory street elements such as lights. Instead, the engineers have optimized every component of the car to improve its performance. For instance, The SCV12’s front bonnet has a double air intake and a central rib directing airflow to the ram-air intake scoop located on the roof. It also has a prominent splitter at the front, lateral flicks and vertical fins on the side sills, while at the rear is a custom-built carbon fibre rear wing.

The SCV12 has completed its development program and is now ready to hit the track for its world première, scheduled for summer 2020. It will be assembled entirely within the Lamborghini Squadra Corse factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, as a limited edition.

Customers will become members of a very exclusive club: they will participate in advanced driving programs at some of the world’s most prestigious circuits, with the technical assistance of Squadra Corse engineers and the special tutoring of Emanuele Pirro, five-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Lamborghini Squadra Corse Special Projects Consultant.

We cannot wait to check the car out at the first opportunity we get. Till then, all we can do is drool over its photos and wait with all eagerness!