motown india september 2015

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VOL-5 • ISSUE-12 • SEPTEMBER 2015

FORGING A MAKE IN INDIA GLOBAL PLAN

FORCE GURKHA RFC INDIA 2015

ON A HI-TECH JOURNEY

INTERVIEW WITH

AMIT KALYANI,EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BHARAT FORGE LTD.

PRABHAKAR KADAPA,CEO, AVTEC LTD.

DR. RAVI DAMODARAN,PRESIDENT - TECHNICAL, STRATEGY & HR, VARROC ENGINEERING LTD.

FIAT 595 ABARTH COMPETIZIONE

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FIRST DRIVE

CRAZY ‘G’CRAZY ‘G’

MERCEDES AMG G63

‘CRAZY COLOUR’ EDITION

HONDA CBR 650FNEW LAUNCH

B2B SECTIONPages 53 - 74YOLO ChroniclesYOLO Chronicles

FIRST DRIVE

FIRST RIDEYAMAHA YZF R3

MERCEDES AMG G63

‘CRAZY COLOUR’ EDITION

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I t’s been one emotional and rewarding journey for the team at

Motown India. With the September 2015 issue of the magazine,

we now complete full five years of uninterrupted existence in

the publishing industry. It was with the October 2010 issue

that Motown India began its journey in the world of automotive

publishing. If there is one magazine that stood its ground without the

backing of a big business house or a foreign collaboration, it was

Motown India. Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister does not have to

look far to see a great example of a Make in India product in the auto

publishing industry!

Like I have always maintained, Motown India is the only magazine in

the country that has a fair mix of both the B2C and B2B worlds. On the

one hand while we drove the powerful and awesome Mercedes AMG

G63, on the other, we have some very special reports on companies

like Bharat Forge, Avtec Ltd. and Varroc Engineering. Also, at an event

organised in New Delhi we got to interview the top management of

Scania Commercial Vehicles India and Volvo Buses India.

In the August 2015 issue, Motown India had carried the RFC India 2015

news. In this issue we are carrying a report on the interesting moments

experienced by our motorsport correspondent during the week-long

event in Goa. We also have some very interesting race track drive and

ride experiences on the Fiat 595 Competizione and the Yamaha YZF R3

respectively. I am sure our readers will love going through the pages of

this issue of our magazine. Thank you for being with us during our five-

year journey.

www.facebook.com/MotownIndia

@MotownIndia

EDITOR P. Tharyan------------------------------------News CoordinatorJisha PSenior PhotographerMohd. NasirCorrespondents Joshua David Luther, Rahul KapoorS. Madhavan, Tripti Singh, Jasbeer KohliWeb CorrespondentsAvdesh Kumar, Seema Paul-------------------------------------------For Editorial contact [email protected]@gmail.com-------------------------------------------For Marketing & Sales contactJisha P - Head-OperationsJoshua David Luther - Manager Business Strategy([email protected] /+91-9958125645, 9811097399)-------------------------------------------Sheeja Sasindran - Regional Head Ad Sales (Chennai Office - 98849 50491)-------------------------------------------For Accounts ContactAnkit Sharma ([email protected] / +91-9654005547)-------------------------------------------For Circulation & Subscription ContactDalip Singh Bagdwal ([email protected] /+91-9811305822)-------------------------------------------Editorial Delhi Office145 B/9, First Floor, Kishangarh, Next to United Free Church, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070, Tel: 011-26122758/59, Tele Fax: 011-26122757-------------------------------------------Distributed ByCentral News Agency, New Delhi-------------------------------------------EDITORIAL CONTENTThe publisher makes every effort to ensure that the contents in the magazine are correct. However, he can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Any unauthorised reproduction of Motown India content is strictly forbidden.-------------------------------------------Motown India is printed, published, edited and owned by Punnoose Tharyan and published from 4058 / D-4, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070. Printed at Pearl Printers, C-105, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase 1, New Delhi. -------------------------------------------This issue of Motown India magazine contains 74 pages including both covers. -------------------------------------------Editorial AdvisorsSalil Sharma, Alexander .T & Annie JacobEditor

www.motownindia.com September 2015 I 5

Contents

8 HONDA LAUNCHES CBR 650F FOR 7.3 LAKH 26

MERCEDES AMG G63 CRAZY COLOUR EDITION ROAD TEST REVIEW

66RIGHT HAND DRIVE FORD MUSTANGS FOR UK; INDIA A DEFINITE MARKET

12 FORD FIGO ASPIRE FOR 4.89 LAKH 30 YAMAHA YZF R63 ROAD

TEST REVIEW 68INTERVIEW WITH AKASH PASSEY & SURESH CHETTIAR, VOLVO BUSES

16LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR SV ROADSTER GLOBAL DEBUT IN US

40YOLO CHRONICLES: FORCE GURKHA RFC INDIA 2015

70INTERVIEW WITH ANDERS GRUNDSTROMER, SCANIA CV INDIA

FIRST DRIVE: ABARTH 595 COMPETIZIONE - LITTLE MASTER 22

6 I September 2015 www.motownindia.com

BHARAT FORGE LIMITED: FORGING A MAKE IN INDIA GLOBAL PLAN

AVTEC LIMITED: ON A HI-TECH JOURNEY

VARROC ENGINEERING PVT. LTD: INTERVIEW WITH DR. RAVI DAMODARAN

SPECIAL REPORTS

INDIA NEWS

HONDA launches CBR 650F for 7.3 lakh


Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India has launched the CBR 650F superbike in India. The 650F is available as of now at select Honda dealerships at a price of Rs. 7.3 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.

Honda will sell the 650F at select Wing World dealerships across 12 cities in India. With a 16 valve 4-cylinder 650cc engine that screams out 85.8bhp and 62.9Nm of torque with ABS to stop you from crashing more easily with all that power. The motorcycle will be produced in India in CKD format with 5pc localisation.

Honda launched the CBR 650F at the Honda Revfest in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi and subsequently in 7 more cities (Bangalore, Mumbai, Indore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad) at the same time. At the Revfest, Akshay Kumar and Taapsee Pannu, Brand Ambassadors of HMSI were also present at the event. Honda also showcased the CB Hornet 160R (replacement for CB Trigger)

the CBR 250R and the CBR 150R which are the bikes Honda will launch this year in India in the fourth coming months. In association with their MotoGP heritage, Honda also has their RC213V MotoGP bike on display and a fashion show of the Italian casual clothing brand GAS to showcase their limited edition Honda motor-biking clothing and

accessories line. Keita Muramatsu- President

& CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd, said, “Today, we showcase not only one but a total of 5 new motorcycles. The Revfest is much more than a celebration. It marks the beginning of fun motorcycling in India. The 5 new models introduced today epitomize Honda’s motorsport

DNA and its challenging spirit. The team at Honda has worked very hard to realise a dream of making a 16 Valve, In-line-Four cylinder motorcycle right here in India. The Made in India CBR 650F opens a window of opportunity for us. We are ready for the next level & this is one moment we all are proud of.”

Y. S. Guleria, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd, said, “We at Honda believe that THIS IS IT! It’s time to come out of the base camp, time to connect with vibrant youth of India and rev-up the motorcycle market in India. Our customers will discover the ‘Joy of Riding with 5 new motorcycles across 5 segments – the CBR 650F, CB Hornet, LIVO as well as the new CBR 250R and 150R. You also witnessed the first-look of yet-another motorcycle, our 15th product of the year 2015; all of them are going to drive the next growth-curve for Honda in India.”

(L-R) Akshay Kumar, Y.S Guleria, Keita Muramatsu, Noriaski Abe and Taapsee Pannu

INDIA NEWS

Yamaha has launched the YZF-R3 superbike in India for an ex-showroom Delhi price of Rs. 3,25,000/- which will be sold from select Yamaha showrooms in Racing Blue and Black Lightning colours.

With a 321cc liquid cooled, 4 stroke, 2 cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder, fuel injected engine that sends 41.4bhp to the rear wheel with 29.6Nm of torque. The engine is mated to 6-speed constant mesh transmission with a wet multiple clutch.

Yamaha has fitted with a telescopic front and a swingarm rear suspension on the R3 superbike with hydraulic single disc brakes at the front and rear. The YZF R3 will be brought in for sale in CKD format.

Roy Kurian, Vice President- Sales & Marketing, Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd shared, “The YZF-R3 is a model that takes the R-Series technology and know-how Yamaha has accumulated since the original YZF-R1 and brings the world of the “YZF” lineup to the 320cc displacement class. It inherits the high level of riding performance and styling DNA worthy of an R-Series model while also being easy to handle in daily use. The YZF-R3 is expected to attract younger racing enthusiasts looking for their first racing bike. Currently the Supersports segment (250cc to 600cc) is doing around 1000 bikes a month and our plan is to attain a 20pc market share in the segment.”

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) India has unveiled the iconic Italian brand, Fiat Abarth 595 Competizione, at the Buddh International Circuit in New Delhi. The price of the Fiat Abarth 595 Competizione has been fixed at Rs 29.85 lakh (ex showroom Delhi). The car will brought into India through the CBU route.

The iconic Abarth 595 Competizione is a sports performance coupe with a powerful 1.4 litre T-Jet engine

producing approximately 158bhp and generating 230Nm of torque@ 2750-3000 rpm.

FCA India also showcased the all new Punto Abarth which has a 1.4 litre four-cylinder turbocharged T-Jet engine, making it the hottest hatch in the country.

The 3-door hatchback 595 Competizione can do a 0-100 kmph in just 7.6 seconds which makes it furiously fast and fun to

drive.

The top speed is estimated to be around 210 kmph. Low ground clearance provides good traction and control for manoeuvring at high speeds with confident driving. The 595 Competizione features large 17 inch alloy wheels to ensure it remains gripped to the road and cut corners with ease.

The exterior designing of the Abarth 595 Competizione is inspired from the Fiat 500 Cinquecento. The exterior body is made up of steel and it is a

forward wheel drive car. The Abarth 595 Competizione

comes with the well acclaimed

perforated and ventilated brake discs which considerably improves the car’s reactivity while stopping. On the features list, the Abarth 595 Competizione is provided with a world class infotainment system, Xenon headlamps, rear parking sensors and Monza exhaust systems taking the overall excitement to another level altogether.

The steering wheel is small, leather wrapped with multifunction buttons cladded on y. The bright round dials behind the steering favours sportiness and aggressiveness without compromise. The 595 launched in India comprises AMT transmission with paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel. It features well contoured hand stitched leather

seats, promising comfort and agility at high speeds. Equipped with two driving modes, normal and sport, the car delivers an enhanced driving experience.


YAMAHA launches YZF-R3 for 3.25 lakh

FCA introduces new Fiat Abarth 595 Competizione for 29.85 lakh

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Jamna Auto Industries is India's Largest and World's 2nd Largest Tapered Leaf Spring and Parabolic Spring manufacturer with focus on heavy commercial vehicles. JAI products are trusted by prestigious brands like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra & Mahindra, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, Force Motors, MAN Trucks India, Kamaz Vectra, Ashok Leyland Nissan Vehicles, Asia Motor Works, Bharat Benz, Volvo, Renault Nissan, SML ISUZU to name a few. JAI has also diversified into Lift Axle and Air Suspension Systems. JAI has taken the Suspension Systems to a new level in terms of technology, quality and unmatched customer support.

Jamna Auto Industries is India's Largest and World's 2nd Largest Tapered Leaf Spring and Parabolic Spring manufacturer with focus on heavy commercial vehicles. JAI products are trusted by prestigious brands like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland Nissan, SML ISUZU, Asia Motor Works, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, Mahindra Trucks & Buses, Bharat Benz, Volvo to name a few. JAI has also diversified into Lift Axle and Air Suspension Systems. JAI has taken the Suspension Systems to a new level in terms of technology, quality and unmatched customer support.

ndJamna Auto Industries is India's Largest and World's 2 Largest Tapered Leaf Spring and Parabolic Spring manufacturer with focus on heavy commercial vehicles. JAI products are trusted by prestigious brands like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, Mahindra Trucks & Buses, Bharat Benz, Ford Motors, Volvo, Toyota Kirloskar Motors to name a few. JAI has also diversified into Lift Axle and Air Suspension Systems. JAI has taken the Suspension Systems to a new level in terms of technology, quality and unmatched customer support.

INDIA NEWS


MERCEDES S63 AMG sedan for 2.53 crore

Ford India has launched its new compact sedan - Figo Aspire for a starting price of Rs. 4,89,990. The Figo Aspire will compete with the likes of the mighty Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Honda Amaze. The Figo Aspire is available with three engine options – a 1.2L Ti-VCT Petrol, a 1.5L TDCi Diesel and a 1.5L Ti-VCT Petrol. The 1.5L petrol motor will be available only with an automatic gear box.

On the safety front the Figo Aspire also comes equipped with Emergency Assistance which uses SYNC and a Bluetooth-paired phone to automatically call emergency services in the event of an accident. Another exciting feature on the Figo Aspire is ‘My Ford Dock’ which offers drivers a unique solution for storing, mounting and charging mobile phones, MP3 players and satellite navigation systems. For greater connectivity Ford is also offering the Figo Aspire with AppLink which enables users to wirelessly connect to the infotainment system of the car.

The interior of the car features leather seats with adjustable headrests, ample of legroom, 20 storage spaces, automatic climate control system

and steering mounted controls. The 1.2-liter Ti-VCT petrol engine produces 86.8bhp and returns 18.2km to a litre. The 1.5-litre TDCi diesel mill produces 98.6bhp and has a fuel economy of 25.8kmpl. The 1.2L petrol and the 1.5L diesel are available with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Ford is also offering the Figo Aspire with a 1.5L petrol motor which is available with a 6-speed automatic box. The 1.5L petrol produces 110.5bhp and returns 17.2kms to a litre. The Figo Aspire is available in 7 colours - Ruby Red, Sparkling Gold, Oxford White, Tuxedo Black, Deep Impact Blue, Ingot Silver and Smoke Grey.

Nigel Harris, President and Managing Director, Ford India, said “the Figo Aspire breaks all stereotypes and proves that a compact sedan can also have the best of everything – be it stunning design, smart technology, advanced safety and impressive fuel efficiency.” The Figo Aspire will be built in Sanand, Gujarat at Ford’s newest manufacturing facility. The compact sedan also features driver and passenger airbags as standard which is an industry first. The car will also be available with six airbags – including side and curtain airbags.

Mercedes-AMG has launched the S63 Sedan following the S63 AMG Coupe, the G63 AMG and the S600 Coupe in India this month. Mercedes has priced the AMG version of the 4 door sedan at Rs. 2.53 crore (ex-showroom Bangalore).

At heart of the S63 AMG will be a 5.5 litre, V8 biturbo from AMG that produces 585hp and 900Nm of torque. The result of that is a 4 door limousine that slingshots from a 0-100kmph in 4.4 seconds mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. With a lightweight construction and performance set as priority, maybe we should talk about fuel economy some other time.

Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “The new AMG V8 flagship model in the S-Class is a unique package that has no match in the competitive segment. Path breaking technology like MAGIC BODY CONTROL and a gamut of high-end features makes the Mercedes-AMG S 63 one of the most desirable luxury sedans in our range.”

To keep the car planted on to the ground while moving, Mercedes has taken a leaf out of the Harry Potter novels with what they call “Magic

Body Control” feature fitted at the sports suspension from AMG. For that measly price tag, you also get Heads up display, Night View Assist Plus, Seat Comfort Package, COMAND Online, AMG sports exhaust system and many more things. To dampen the screams of the horrified passengers, a 1540 watt Burmester high-end 3D surround sound system is offered as an option.

FORD FIGO ASPIRE for 4.89 lakh

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INDIA NEWS

Isuzu MU-7 gets a DC Design magic‘DC Design’, a leading automobile design company, has introduced a new exclusive interior design concept for the Isuzu MU-7 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). The customised interiors by DC Design offers crafted exclusive features that are not part of standard features of the MU-7, currently.

The customisation focusses on a host of features on the interiors covering the dashboard, centre console and seats to give its occupants a feel of sophistication that would make them exclusive. DC Design would offer these packages to MU-7 owners and the modifications would be done at ‘DC Designs’ facilities at Mumbai, Delhi and Pune. This was stated in a press release by Isuzu.

DC Design was founded in 1993 with the dual aim of redesigning and modifying mass market cars to create one-of-a-kind automotive beauties for automotive connoisseurs as well as offering design and prototyping services to the OEM automotive sector. Founded by Dilip Chhabria, DC Design offers the discerning aficionado a sense of exclusivity with designs that create a surreal experience. The MU-7 was recently launched with an Automatic variant besides the existing manual variant.

Dilip Chhabria, DC Design, noted, “The new design dimension added by DC Design for the MU-7 is exciting and we are sure that MU-7 enthusiasts will now have the choice to experience a new sense of exclusivity.”

Interested customers who prefer to appoint their MU-7 with DC Design features will have to first purchase the MU-7 from IMI dealers and then approach DC Design for further refurbishments. The cost for the customised designs will be Rs. 3.45 lakh, approximately.


SUZUKI S-CROSS launched for 8.34 lakhMaruti Suzuki has launched the Suzuki S-Cross in India for a starting price of Rs 8.34 lakh. The S-Cross will be available with only 2 diesel engines-- a 1.6 litre and a 1.3 litre. The S- Cross is a crossover from the Maruti Suzuki stable and will be sold exclusively through NEXA outlets across the country.

The DDiS 320 1.6 litre 4 cylinder diesel engine produces 118bhp and 320Nm of torque with an average fuel consumption claimed by Maruti of 22.7kmpl. The 1.6 diesel will be available with a 6 speed manual where as the DDiS 200 1.3 litre 4 cylinder diesel powered motor produces 88bhp and 200Nm of torque mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox.

The crossover comes with special features like cruise control, rain sensing auto wipers, all wheel disc brakes, electronic IRVM, self adjusting clutch and fully synchronised reverse gear mechanism and high intensity discharge projector headlamps with auto function, among others.

With an 18cm touch panel display for the infotainment system, Bluetooth, smart phone connectivity, navigation system are also

provided in the interior. The interior also hosts many more features like premium meter cluster- high definition TFT screen, rear parking sensor display, adjustable front central arm, automatic climate control, tilt and telescopic leather steering wheel, etc. The vehicle boasts of a boot space of 353 litres which can be increased to 810 litres when the rear seats are folded. It has a 60:40 rear seat split with two step recline.

ENGINE VARIANT PRICE (EX-SHOWROOM DELHI)

1.3L Diesel

Sigma `8,34,000

Delta `9,15,000

Zeta `9,99,000

Alpha `10,75,000

1.6L Diesel

Delta `11,99,000

Zeta `12,99,000

Alpha `13,74,000

GLOBAL NEWS


LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR SV ROADSTER global debut in US

World premiere of HONDA BR-V PROTOTYPE; India debut likely in 2016

The Italians know a lot about style. They also know a lot about cars…supercars to be precise. Lamborghini had debuted the Aventador Superveloce earlier this year. Now they sawed off the roof and made a roadster.

They call it the Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster. Probably the longest car name in the world and as it suggests, it gets a 740bhp from a 6.5 litre V12 and sends a total of 690Nm of torque to its 4 wheel drive system. Without the roof it can still do 0-100 in 2.9 seconds and if you don’t throw up by then, it will go on to do its top speed of 350kmph with a jiffy shifting 7 speed ISR transmission

Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said; ‘‘The Superveloce is the purest, most sports-oriented and fastest series production Lamborghini ever. The Roadster version represents our commitment to satisfying our passionate clients with immensely emotional driving dynamics combined with an extraordinary open air experience,’’

What is astonishing is that convertibles are actually heavier than hardtops. But Lamborghini has shed 50kgs of weight from the standard car and squeezed out 50bhp more from the engine making it lighter, more powerful and even more agile than ever before. The SV roadster comes with a two-piece, carbon fibre hardtop which weigh less than 6kgs each can be stored in the luggage compartment.

Lamborghini will only make 500 of these and they will cost 375,000 Euros which sums up to around Rs. 2.78cr before you get to the paper work. Lamborghini debuted the car for the first time at ‘The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering’ in California, USA.

Honda BR-V Prototype officially made a world debut at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2015. Like all crossovers, this one too has an SUV appearance and handling and great utility. It also has a spacious cabin of an MPV. Powered by a 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine with either a new 6-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), it enhances both driving performance and fuel economy. The much-awaited Honda BR-V is scheduled to be marketed first in Indonesia in early 2016, followed by other countries.

According to unconfirmed news, this crossover is likely to find its way into India’s growing crossover / compact SUV segment. Already the likes of Suzuki S-Cross and Hyundai Creta have been launched in this space. The BR-V will be competing with not just these vehicles but even other compact SUVs / crossovers from the stables of Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles India, Volkswagen, etc.

Honda BR-V will be marketed in Indonesia with a price range from Rp. 230 (Rs 10.82 lakh) to 265 million, and the booking will start from GIIAS onward. The production of Honda BR-V will start at HPM’s Karawang factory in January 2016.

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MOTORSPORT


Karminder Singh on top after Race 2 victory in Vento Cup

Formula E : Nick Heidfeld replaces Chandok in Mahindra Racing

Karminder Singh has won race 2 of Volkswagen Vento Cup 2015 to claim the top sport in the championship after round 1 of JK Tyre National Racing Championship at the Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore. Singh started race 2 from 6th place and moved to the lead in the action packed race, while Polo R Cup 2015 Junior Champion Anindith Reddy walked away with 2nd place. Sahil Gahuri scored his first podium

by finishing 3rd which was only his second race on his debut weekend. Race 1 winner Sailesh Bolisetti started eight on the grid and managed to climb up two positions to finish sixth in the end. Round 2 of the JK Tyre National Racing Championship will be held from September 4-6 at the Kari Motor Speedway before heading to Round 3 and 4 at the Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida later this year.

In a tragic turn of events, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) President R Bharath Raj passed away late in the afternoon on August 15, 2015. He was only 56 years old. He was also the Chairman of the Karnataka Motor Sports Club. Raj is survived by his wife.

Raj was a very successful mine owner by profession but his passion was in motorsport. Raj had taken it upon himself to work for the betterment of motorsport and the KMSC, which he supported and sponsored for many years. He was also the past president of the

KMSC.His company, IMG Sports, has been

sponsoring the K-1000 for some time now. Last year, he was full of enthusiasm as the KMSC conducted the 40th edition of the K-1000. In fact, he would personally supervise all preparations for the famed rally.

IMG Sports was the promoter of the Indian National Rally Championship for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons. His dream was to get the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship and World Rally Championship to India and he put in his best efforts on those two fronts.

Mahindra Racing has officially announced that Nick Heidfeld will team up with their existing driver Bruno Senna for the second season for the Formula E Championship. The duo incidentally came in 6th and 7th on the first day testing that kicked off season two at Donington Park in England.Heidfeld who replaced Karun Chandhok, is a Le Mans and former Formula 1 driver for numerous teams. He will drive the Mahindra Racing’s second generation car, the M2Electro in the coming 2015-2016 season of Formula E alongside Bruna Senna.Karun Chandok, after the dismissal has hinted that he might be heading towards Sportscar Racing in the near future.Heidfeld was racing in Formula E for the 2014-15 season with the Venturi Racing team and had a best finish of 12th place out of his 11 starts in the season. The German driver has started work immediately for the

team at the pre season testing at Donnigton Park. Currently both drivers sit in 6th and 7th with Senna leading the way for Mahindra on Day 1 of testing. Anand Mahindra, chairman and managing director of the Mahindra Group said: “Nick’s appointment marks a new milestone in the journey of the Mahindra Racing team. This year, we race not only under the Mahindra brand but in a Mahindra developed and powered car. This is a significant moment in what is proving to be a global showcase for electric vehicle technology and I look forward to seeing Nick take the wheel of the M2Electro in Beijing.”

Earlier in the month, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile approved the homologation of the eight manufacturers that are providing powertrains to the 10 teams competing in the second season of the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship.

FMSCI President R. Bharath Raj passes away

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MOTORSPORT

Belgium Grand Prix1-2 for Mercedes & a podium for Lotus

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes AMG Petronas got his 80th podium at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit for round 11 of the championship, the 2015 Formula 1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix. Lewis’s win draws him level with the great Ayrton Senna in fourth in the all-time lists. His teammate Nico Rosberg who came in second has 36, in level with two-time champion Graham Hill.

Romain Grosjean of Lotus came in third and with that it was his 10th rostrum of his career, but probably the most unlikely. Grosjean and Lotus last stood on the podium in November 2013, in Austin. He couldn’t hide his delight as he stepped out to take the applause in front of a raucous Spa crowd. The biggest cheers were

reserved for Grosjean though, who addressed the crowd in his native tongue, before adding, “It has been an incredible weekend for us. I still can’t believe we are on the podium. These guys work so hard to give us this car. Of course at Spa I still remember Turn 1 in 2012, but I think that made me stronger. For us has the prize of a race win.”

Meanwhile, Rosberg admitted that the start cost him. “I completely messed up the start. Then I fought my way through and gave it everything, we were both really on the edge all the time. Lewis did a great job and deserved the win. I gave it everything - but not enough. I’m rushing off - we’re expecting our first child at any moment!” he said immediately

after the race.Spa Francorchamps is the

longest and most exciting track on the Formula One calendar which includes the iconic Eau Rouge flat out uphill corner that is loved and feared by every driver. With

new start procedure regulations in place, the race was bound to be exciting and it was.

Before the race even began, Nico Hulkenberg of Sahara Force India and Carlos Sainz Jr of Torro Rosso faced the gremlins early on

Pict

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Romain Grosjean and Lotus last stood on the podium in November 2013, in Austin. Grosjean (FRA) celebrates his third position with the team

Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG F1, race winner. Picture courtesy: Daimler

MOTORSPORT

Raikkonen confirmed to drive for Ferrari in 2016Amidst speculation in and around the Formula One paddock if Ferrari will extend Kimi Raikkonen’s contact, Scuderia Ferrari have confirmed that the Finn will remain with the team alongside Sebastian Vettel for another year.

The team released a statement signed by Team Principal, Maurizio Arrivabene saying that “Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has renewed its technical and racing agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The driver line-up next season will consist of the Finnish driver and Sebastian Vettel.”

On his contract extension, Raikkonen said that “Ferrari is always my family”. The Iceman went on to say; “What can I say… For me, to be able to stay another year at Ferrari means that the

dream goes on. The Scuderia is my family, as I always said, it’s here I want to end my career. I am more committed than ever and I want to say thank you to the people who gave me this chance. Also, a big thank you goes to all my Ferrari fans, for their continuous support”.

The next race will be held from August 21-23 at the Circuit de Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, one of Raikkonen’s favorite tracks on the Formula One calendar. Due to his outstanding performances at the past Grand Prixs at Spa and 4 Belgian Grand Prix victories at the track to his name the Finn has been given the name the “King of Spa”.

The race will also mark the 900th Grand Prix entry for

Scuderia Ferrari. The Iceman said “I love racing on this track, it’s very nice and it has all the appeal of the circuits of days gone by. Usually, it’s a very exciting race, with a lot of overtaking, but much depends on the weather and what tyre compounds are available. My best win? Definitely the one in 2009, because we didn’t have a particularly quick car, but thanks to a good start we managed to get a great result”.

“The fact we won in Hungary doesn’t change our approach to the next race,” adds Alberto Antonini, head of communications for Scuderia Ferrari. “We didn’t think we were going through a crisis after Silverstone and we don’t believe we are brilliant now. We are keeping our feet

on the ground, as we know we are up against some very strong opposition, but we will give it our best shot as always.”


with problems on their cars. The race start was abandoned after Hulkenberg started waving his hands after the formation lap on the grid and had his Force India car pulled into the garage. On the second formation lap, Sainz came into the pits in his Torro Rosso to retire.

When the lights finally went out, Hamilton jumped to the first corner with a decent un aided start while Rosberg struggled and dropped down the grid. This gave Sergio Perez (Force India) sitting on 4th on the grid to leapfrog to 2nd and challenge Hamilton through Eau Rouge and onto the Kemmel straight. Perez slipstreamed momentarily to the lead only for Hamilton to out-brake him into the turn and maintain his lead and go on to lead the entirety of the race to take the win.

Rosberg fell down the grid due to his poor start but through the race managed to climb up to 2nd. On the second lap however, it was a sad moment for the Colombian, Pastor Maldonado of Lotus who faced engine problems and was forced to retire.

The grid was shuffled and

reshuffled due to numerous and brilliant over takes and moves and also pit strategies that didn’t play too much of a factor, but none the less made a difference. The first set of pit stops came from Daniel Ricciardo, who pitted his Redbull to undercut Perez successfully on lap 8. Valtteri Bottas was having a great race until his first pit stop. Williams brought the Finn into the box, and sent him out on 3 soft tyres and 1 medium tyre. The error caused Bottas a drive through penalty, but he soldiered on with the mixed set, took his penalty on lap 14, then continued on with his stint to his next scheduled pit stop as it didn’t make much of a difference.

The Aussie Redbull driver, Ricciardo, last year’s Belgian GP winner, was having a fantastic race up to the point where his hydraulics gave in on the 20th lap. This forced the smiling Aussie to walk back to the pits, retiring his RB11 F1 car to the marshals.

The second set of stops came in due to the Virtual Safety Car being imposed on the track for the marshals to remove the RB11 off the track and into safety. This

reshuffled the pack even more as many cars dived into the pits.

Williams didn’t have an easy day as well as the team was using too much wing which led them to struggle to keep the others at bay. This also gave the spectators a huge show as the battle for 5th to 8th position was fired up and remained until all of them crossed the finish line.

On their 900th Grand Prix entry, Ferrari might have some regets from the weekend and would rather forget than celebrate. With problems faced by Kimi Raikkonen in qualifying and a gearbox change that enforced penalty, the Iceman managed a hard fought 7th place while Sebastian Vettel who was 2 laps away from taking the 3rd spot away from Grosjean, suffered a blown tyre on the Kemmel straight 2 laps to the chequered flag. The German, the only competition from another team to Hamilton’s world title could score points after a brilliant race by finishing 12th. Should Ferrari, and could Ferrari had decided to pit Vettel in the given window of opportunity, the German might have walked away with some points rather than

empty handed. After a disappointment from

one car retiring early on, Lotus was given a reason to celebrate, despite their internal financial woes when Romain Grosjean came across the finish line 3rd behind both the Mercedes cars for his first podium since the US Grand Prix in 2013. Daniil Kvyat came in 4th for Redbull, while Sergio Perez only finished 5th after a brilliant start to his race. Felippe Massa managed a commendable 6th after holding off Raikkonen in 7th. Max Verstappen lost a place on the final lap to the more experienced Finn to check-in in 8th place. Valterri Bottos in the 2nd Williams finished 9th after his penalty and Marcus Ericsson took the final point of the race with a 10th place finish for Sauber.

Felipe Nasr, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and, the two Manor Marussia cars of Will Stevens and Roberto Mehri were the final ones to finish the race in that order.

With Hamilton extending his Championship lead, the party now heads to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix from September 4-6.

WHEELZ & ROADZA driving experience

ABARTH 595 COMPETIZIONE

Have you ever imagined yourself to be a race car driver? Have you wanted to feel the adrenaline rush as you walk out of the paddock to the

thunderous applause of a million fans? Well I have, ever since I was a little kid all I dreamt of was going faster. When I was called for a track review of the Abarth 595 Competizione you could imagine how elated I would have been. To be honest I was more excited about

driving on the track, than to be driving the 595. My last stint at the Buddh International Circuit was in a T1 Tata Prima race truck and to be driving the 595 was going to be an entirely different experience. As I walked out of the paddock area and into the pit lane, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. This was where I always wanted to be, this was home for me.

When I first laid eyes on the 595 it reminded me of a British Bulldog, the typical shape of the snout protruding from a rather

Report: JOSHUA DAVID LUTHER / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

LITTLE MASTER


FIRST DRIVE

The ABARTH 595 COMPETIZIONE still carries the distinct horizontal belt line on the sides which run seamlessly

from front to back. This car will definitely turn heads and put a smile on your face wherever you go.

flat facade. But don’t get me wrong, this does not mean the 595 is boring to look at. The Abarth 595 Competizione is essentially a Fiat 500 Cinquecento but with many improvisations and enhancement which come with the Abarth badge. The 595 has very chic and urban looks, the front sports dual Xenon Projector headlamps. The essential design of the Fiat 500 remains on the 595 with the addition of sportier looking side skirts, front and rear bumpers. The Abarth 595 Competizione still carries the distinct horizontal belt line on the sides which run seamlessly from front to back. This car will definitely turn heads and put a smile on your face wherever you go.

The big question in my mind was would the 595 be able to do justice to the Abarth

badge and be track worthy? Powering this little pocket rocket is a 1.4L T-JET motor which produces 158.2bhp @ 5500rpm and churns out a satisfactory 230Nm of torque @ 3000rpm when in sports mode. We got a go at the AMT version of the car and once we left the pit lane I was pleasantly startled. This little car is a master of the track. Not only did the 595 go fast but the grip on tarmac was incredible. I was a bit cautious while leaving the pit lane and did not gun it immediately. But when I eventually opened up the throttle this little British Bulldog turned into a Rottweiler. The flow of power from the T-JET is smooth and the 5-speed AMT version of the 595 comes with steering mounted paddle shifters which make things much more enjoyable. While I did feel the AMT could







have been more responsive it is nothing worth complaining about. As we moved through the corners and began testing the car

I gained more confidence that this was no ordinary machine. No matter how hard I pushed, the 595 just did not lose traction. The 205/40 R17 tyres seemed glued to the track and would not let go. As we entered the hot lap, I floored the pedal in a bid to overtake Car No. 2 and just before the rumble strips on the first hard right I got ahead from the right and began breaking. I was easily over 140kmph when we entered the curb but not once did the 595 sticks its rear out and slide. The car has self ventilated and perforated oversized discs on all four wheels and they were precise to my inputs. The suspension on the 595 is a combination of a Cofap with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology in the front and Koni with FSD in the rear. The suspension can adjust to the driving mode and road surface. While on the track it was stiff and facilitated great control over the vehicle. The 595 will go from 0-100kmph in 7.4 seconds and has a top speed of 210kmph. By the end of my track review I was more excited that I drove the 595 on the track rather than just driving on the track.

The interiors of the Abarth 595 Competizione are just as sporty as the exterior. You get Abarth Corsa fabric racing bucket seats from Sabelt, a 7 inch TFT colour display instrument panel, manual climate control, leather wrapped steering with controls, a Bluetooth handsfree audio system with USB integration, electric sunroof and split rear seats with head restraints. The 595 also features rear parking sensors and will be available in Iridato White, Scorpione Black, Cordolo Red and Campovolo Grey colours. The Abarth 595 Competizione is available in 5 select Fiat dealerships across the country for a price of 29,85,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). Yes it is a bit steep but you are not just buying a car, you are buying heritage which has evolved from 10 world records, 133 international records and more than 10,000 track victories left behind by Karl Abarth.

Price

29,85,000/- (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Engine & Transmission

1368cc T-JET, 4 Cylinder, In-line, Petrol / 5-speed AMT

158.2bhp@5,500rpm 230Nm@3000rpm (Sports Mode)

205/ 40 R17 Tubeless

Power & Torque

SPECIFICATIONS

Wheels & Tyres



Engine & Transmission Price

5461cc V8 bi turbo petrol7G-Tronic AT

2,17,00,000(ex-showroom Delhi)

Power & Torque

544bhp@ 5500 rpm760 Nm@ 2000 – 5000rpm

275/50 R 2096 litres (reserve 14 litres approx.)

TyresFuel Tank Capacity


Report: P.THARYAN / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

This crazy colour edition of the G63 AMG is the ultimate SUV you can drive on Indian roads, or as a matter of fact, any road or terrain anywhere in the world. What separates

the crazy coloured G63 AMG from its ordinary coloured sibling are the several upmarket features that have been incorporated, apart from the crazy colour.

Mercedes-Benz recently launched the G63 AMG ‘Crazy Colour’ Edition for around Rs. 2 crore plus (ex-showroom Delhi). The

massive AMG G63 features a 5461cc V8 Petrol mill which produces 544bhp @ 5500rpm and 760Nm of torque from 2000-5000rpm. This beast goes from 0-100kmph in 5.4 seconds and has a top speed of 210kmph (electronically

controlled). Impressed? Nah? Then bury your head in 3 feet of dirty monsoon muck and stay stuck for the rest of your life!

This crazy colour edition of the G63 AMG is the ultimate SUV you can drive on Indian roads, or as a matter of fact, any road or terrain anywhere in the world. The SUV we drove came in alien green crazy colour. There are two more of these in solar beam and sunset beam crazy colours. What separates the crazy coloured G63 AMG from its ordinary coloured

sibling are the several upmarket features that have been incorporated, apart from the crazy colour. This is apart from the Rs 1 crore (approximately) difference between the crazy model and the ordinary one.

Whatever the crazy colour, you cannot miss the obsidian black finish for the roof, exterior mirror housings, front and rear bumpers as well as the wheel arch flarings and the spare wheel cover ring. The spare wheel cover has a 3D Mercedes star. That’s not all on the looks front.


CRAZY ‘G’

MERCEDES AMG G63 CRAZY COLOUR EDITIONFIRST DRIVE



The vehicle sports AMG 5-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in matt black paired with AMG red brake calipers.

The front too is very impressive with black cooling air intakes, AMG radiator grille in black with chrome surround and “AMG” lettering. Not to miss are the two high-quality running boards on left and right sides in stainless steel along with a stainless steel brush guard (bull bars we call them generally), giving the vehicle a macho look. Don’t waste your time searching for the exhaust tail pipes in the rear. In this AMG it comes side-mounted and in the form of chrome-plated twin tailpipes.

The Bi-xenon headlamps in the AMG G63 come with automatic headlight range adjustment and

headlamp cleaning system is standard. The LED daytime running lamps are integrated into the headlamp fascia below the headlamps. The SUV also comes with a sliding sunroof that should be never be used in Delhi’s sticky weather lest you get mauled by the mosquitoes and end up with dengue!

Step inside the G63 AMG crazy colour edition and it’s then you realise that the ‘G’ stands for Grand. The top notch stitching on the top notch material inside is done in the colour of the exterior paint finish….it’s simply awesome. This stitching gives a sporty look to the black nappa leather on the seats, centre console and dashboard, as well as on the handbrake and beltlines and grab handles on the doors.

As for the steering wheel, it is strong to feel when driving and it comes all wrapped in perforated nappa leather with chrome elements and a flat bottom. Sexy? Ooh la, la, la!

The seats of the driver and front passenger can be electronically

adjusted with several buttons on the sides of the doors as well as buttons on the sides of the seats. The seats are climatised too which means that small fans are integrated into the upholstery to distribute an even airflow beneath the leather covering of



the backrest and seat cushion. Then there are these automatic climate control that provides two climate zones and increases individual climate comfort.

The G63 AMG is not just a beast to admire. It’s a beast you fall in love with. If you think the engine is powerful and driving the AMG is sweeter than being high on cocaine, then you have got to admire the safety this vehicle has to offer. A plethora of safety airbags like window bags, side bags and pelvis bags makes travelling by the G63 AMG bliss by all means.

And then there are these electronically controlled features that should set your mind at ease when you drive the G63 AMG. The vehicle comes with Anti-lock braking system (ABS), Brake Assist system with brake servo assistance, Electronic Traction System 4ETS for all-wheel drive, Acceleration skid control (ASR), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Adaptive Brake with HOLD function and Hill Start Assist function and even a tyre pressure monitoring system.

On the road, while driving this huge machine, I felt the vehicle was exceedingly planted on the road and drove like a breeze. The engine is mated to the AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic transmission. The AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic automatic transmission features steering-wheel shift paddles and the transmission modes “C” (Controlled Efficiency), “S” (Sport) and “M” (Manual). The fun starts the moment you go off-road. Toss it around in slush, mud or gravel and you realise the competence of the permanent all-wheel drive feature with differential gear. The differential locks are 100pc electrically

engageable while in motion on front- and rear-axle differentials. The vehicle can also wade through 600mm deep water and has an 80pc gradient climbing capability. In short, it’s versatile in every way possible. The three electrically engageable 100pc differential locks are a key factor behind the off-road capabilities of the G-Class. Locking all the differentials ensures that the wheels on both axles, as well as each wheel of an axle, have exactly the same rpm. This means that the drive torque is actually directed to those wheels which are able to obtain traction. This was amply demonstrated when we tested it on the rough.

While I enjoyed the versatility of the vehicle on some off the road tracks on the outskirts of the Delhi, I must confess I did not bother to play around too much with what lay before me on the car’s console. While the vehicle comes with an instrument cluster in twin-tube design with a 4.5-inch multifunction display, it’s multimedia system that impresses you with its various functions, be it navigation, Bluetooth, Mercedes-Benz Apps for internet connectivity, USB interface and AUX-IN connection (in centre armrest) and a lot more.

The AMG 5.5-litre V8 twin-turbocharged engine is truly versatile. Spray-guided direct petrol injection with piezo injectors and twin turbochargers, four valves per cylinder with camshaft adjustment, air-to-water inter-cooling and the ECO start/stop function blend high efficiency with high output. The brilliant performance is quite evident both on road as well as off road. Crazy ‘G’, by all means!

WHEELZ & ROADZA riding experience


YAMAHA YZF R3

PRECISELY PERFECTPRECISELY PERFECT

FIRST RIDE



They say living on the edge is to live dangerously but for me it means to ride at the edge of a rumble strip. For those who don’t get it, it means to corner hard on a race track. One fine August morning, Motown’s bike crew was called out to do

a test review of the recently launched Yamaha YZF R3. We were getting a go at this race pedigree bike on the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida. While it seemed like an excess of adrenaline was pumping through my veins, I maintained my composure. The R3 is Yamaha’s answer to competition in the 300cc segment

and will take on contenders like the much in demand KTM RC390 and the mighty Kawasaki Ninja 300.

The R3 is powered by a 321cc liquid cooled, in-line, 2-cylinder engine which puts out 41.4bhp @ 10750rpm and an impressive 29.6Nm of torque @ 9000rpm. The red line begins at 12,500 revolutions per minute and this monster just loves to hit that line. As soon as I hopped on the R3 and hit the ignition, I knew this was no ordinary machine. The exhaust is a two into one pipe with a shorter muffler which makes a distinct low rumble. The in-line, 2-cylinder is a rev happy motor and going through corners was a real treat. We hit a top speed of

Report: JOSHUA DAVID LUTHER / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

Engine & Transmission Price

321cc, 2-cylinder, liquid cooled, 4 stroke, DOHC, 4-valve engine / 6-speed,

constant mesh

3,25,000 (ex-showroom Delhi)

Power & Torque

[email protected]@9000rpm

Front: 110/70 R17 Tubeless

Rear: 140/70 R17 Tubeless

14 Litres

TyresFuel Tank Capacity

The R3 scores more points over the Ninja 300 thanks to a better engine output and a better price point.... It has been engineered from a pedigree

of race spec bikes with proven track records and is precisely perfect for its segment striking a fine balance between cost, performance and engineering

standard.


and will not really set you apart from the other not-so-performance-oriented sports bikes out there. The Racing Blue version looks much better and would be an obvious choice for most. The bike comes with Split Reverse Slant headlamps which give it an aggressive look while the rear end has a crisp and pointy tail furnished with an LED stop lamp. The fairings add to the aggressive looks of the R3 and optimise aerodynamics of the bike. The switch gear on the bike has been ergonomically designed and is of good quality. The instrument cluster features an analogue tachometer on the left

with a digital speedometer on the right. It also displays an odometer, two trip meters, water temperature meter, fuel gauge, a clock and fuel consumption.

The R3 will set you back by Rs. 3,25,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) and in terms of price it sits between the Ninja 300 and the much cheaper RC 390. It definitely has more power than the Ninja 300 but not as much as RC 390. The R3 scores more points over the Ninja 300 thanks to a better engine output and a better price point while we feel it beats the RC 390 in terms of build quality and brand value. The Ninja on the other hand comes with

ABS and a slipper clutch which for some may be worth the additional cost and the RC 390 is cheaper and has better performance figures. The RC 390 however has a single cylinder engine while the R3 has a dual cylinder. After a comprehensive track test we felt that the Yamaha R3 is definitely a strong contender in the market and has a few points over its competitors. It has been engineered from a pedigree of race spec bikes with proven track records and is precisely perfect for its segment striking a fine balance between cost, performance and engineering standard.



about 168kmph on the back straight at BIC but I’m sure we could have gone faster. The engine is mated to a 6-speed, constant mesh transmission. Shifting is quick and the R3 will go through gears in a jiffy. However the 6th gear is an overdrive gear for a higher top speed. The flow of power on the R3 is quite smooth while this bike felt more oriented for road conditions. Its track performance was admirable. The engine does not jerk too much while down shifting but what you do find missing is a slipper clutch which would have

made things much better. The R3 has been set on a diamond type

tubular frame which aids weight reduction. The bike sits on 110/70 R17’s in the front and 140/70 R17’s in the rear. The suspension set up is a non-adjustable telescopic fork in the front and a swingarm in the rear. Braking is facilitated through a single 280mm hydraulic front disc and a single 220mm hydraulic rear disc. The brakes are quite accurate with the front discs rendering precise stopping power. The suspension set up is more on the

softer side and there is sufficient feedback to determine weight shifting. The MRF Zappers provide good grip on tarmac and we had ample of confidence while going through corners. The rider seat height has been set at 780mm which I felt was quite comfortable for most riders. The bike has a broad split saddle which could take some getting used to but is comfy none the less.

The R3 is definitely a head turner but we feel there could have been additional colour options. The Black Lightening version is subtle



and will not really set you apart from the other not-so-performance-oriented sports bikes out there. The Racing Blue version looks much better and would be an obvious choice for most. The bike comes with Split Reverse Slant headlamps which give it an aggressive look while the rear end has a crisp and pointy tail furnished with an LED stop lamp. The fairings add to the aggressive looks of the R3 and optimise aerodynamics of the bike. The switch gear on the bike has been ergonomically designed and is of good quality. The instrument cluster features an analogue tachometer on the left

with a digital speedometer on the right. It also displays an odometer, two trip meters, water temperature meter, fuel gauge, a clock and fuel consumption.

The R3 will set you back by Rs. 3,25,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) and in terms of price it sits between the Ninja 300 and the much cheaper RC 390. It definitely has more power than the Ninja 300 but not as much as RC 390. The R3 scores more points over the Ninja 300 thanks to a better engine output and a better price point while we feel it beats the RC 390 in terms of build quality and brand value. The Ninja on the other hand comes with

ABS and a slipper clutch which for some may be worth the additional cost and the RC 390 is cheaper and has better performance figures. The RC 390 however has a single cylinder engine while the R3 has a dual cylinder. After a comprehensive track test we felt that the Yamaha R3 is definitely a strong contender in the market and has a few points over its competitors. It has been engineered from a pedigree of race spec bikes with proven track records and is precisely perfect for its segment striking a fine balance between cost, performance and engineering standard.




Jessica Alba, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, Miley Cyrus, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Harrision Ford, Matt Damon, Orlando Bloom, Bradley Cooper, Owen

Wilson…. The list of Hollywood starts who drive a Toyota Prius is endless. The Toyota Prius is the most beloved car of the Hollywood celebrities who want to make a statement that they are kind to the environment and are making an effort to save the planet.

Which is why, in America, there is a huge demand for electric, hybrid and hydrogen powered vehicles. Irrespective of the fact the particular car is actually practical or not or not even a pretty car to look at, watch these celebrities driving around in Hybrids gets the ball rolling for the regular public to buy them in America.

The popularity of hybrids and electric cars in India is terrible. But on the other hand the fan following of Bollywood stars is ludicrous in India. There are people who want to be them, there are people who want to be with them, and there are people who worship and pray to them every day. Here they are looked up to as Gods but these Gods of the Indian public don’t drive around in hybrid family cars. They like their luxury and super cars. So that avenue hasn’t been successful in India.

But Toyota has been trying persistently to do their bit in every which way they can with their hybrid line up. Toyota makes the Camry which is also available in a hybrid powertrain which we loved as a car and they also ship the Prius

to India from Japan and sell it just about 40lakh rupees thanks to the import tax by our beloved liberal government.

The new updated Camry Hybrid has been doing quite well since its launch as expected from the segment, but the Prius hasn’t had many takers. We tried to find out why by driving it.

The powertrain is a smaller 1.8L VVT-I petrol engine with the similar Hybrid Synergy System as the Camry. So to drive, the Prius is responsive immediately when you put your foot down. But the Prius just doesn’t seem stream lined as the Camry which makes the Prius less as fun to drive, but the shape of it probably is what lets it down. After the initial response, because of the small engine, there isn’t much after that but over taking with that electric torque makes it easy in normal city traffic. The CVT gearbox changes seamlessly, you never feel a gear change.

The ride however is a bit firm and ground clearance isn’t optimized for India. So a reasonable speed breaker will cause the bottom to scrape if you’re not careful. Handling wise it does understeer a bit if you’re on an open highway road with twisty bends and the steering is extremely light and could use a little more feedback and a little bit of weight.

The cabin is roomy and airy and the sunroof helps brighten it up even more. The seats are extremely comfortable and wrapped in leather. Storage is key, and there are more compartments that objects in the world to put in them. You have a nice massive storage space ender the centre console with the 16V

electrical port and another compartment under the armrest in the front. The doors have relatively sizeable cubby holes in addition to the dual split opening glove box under the dash but the plastics are quite clunky and could be improved. Though I like the heads-up-display, I would rather have the instrument cluster directly in front of the driver and not advertising it to all the passengers housed in the middle. The rear seats are very supportive with a lot of head room, leg room and knee room, but doesn’t get rear air con vents.

As a package it is a brilliant piece of machinery, worth the 40 lakh price tag thanks to the 100pc import tax? I’m not so sure. In the long run, in my opinion, hybrids aren’t the hard and fast solution to the problem of depleting resources and saving the planet. It just isn’t. Mining for nickel is a dirty job and can be hazardous for the environment, but it is one of the very few alternatives we humans have for now. And to popularize it in India, the Government has the FAME scheme, but the policy lacks the vital cause to popularize and sell EVs and hybrids. Bollywood stars need to start driving electric hybrid cars or they will never become popular. FAME has not included “fame” and it needs to take that into consideration for Electric powered cars to be popular in India. Japan and California are the two largest markets for hybrids and electric vehicles in the world and in America it has been popularized by the endless list of celebrities who drive them. The same has to be done in India for it to work as well and I can vouch that it will work. If only it didn’t quite as gopping.

TOYOTA PRIUS

Report: RAHUL KAPOOR / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

HOLLYWOOD HERODRIVEN



Some Indians have a saying “Mujhe Dikki Waali Gaadi Chahiye.” If you asked them to reason, all they respond with is shoulder shrug and an expression of ‘why would

you ask such a thing?’. Because of this attitude towards buying a car, the sedan segment in India is very popular. There are many cars in this segment and Volkswagens entrant is the Vento.

The Vento has been around for quite a while and Volkswagen decided it needed a facelift and a tummy tuck. That resulted in the Vento that you can buy today. The new one has some extra chrome bits on the outside, new fog lamps, newly designed 15 inch alloy wheels, new updated tail lamps, and ORVMs with turn indicators on them. Inside you get a cooled glove compartment, rear AC vents, and the new interior scheme with piano black finish on the das and the new flat bottomed steering

wheel. With some aero changes and weight reduction in some B areas of the car, the car has become less thirsty than it was before.

To drive, the 1.2 litre TSI engine feels much more refined that the one I first drove in the previous Polo GT. There is more of an urgency and obedience from the brilliant 7-speed DSG transmission in addition to the improved throttle response. It isn’t drastically different, but there is a very thin improvement made to everything from the engine, to the gearbox, to the steering and even the brakes feel a bit sharper too. I will admit I have never been a fan of the wooden electric power steering in Volkswagen’s or anything from the same family and its nearly the same with this one. You barely get any feedback at

all from the wheels.With dual front airbags as standard, ABS,

Anti pinch power windows, rear parking sensors, and an improved fuel economy of 18.19kmpl. The new Vento TSI is a very good package for the shoulder shrugging, junk in the trunk loving people in India. Even though I’m not a fan of the steering system, I just love that dual clutch transmission. I would buy a food blender if it came with a DSG gearbox.

2015 VOLKSWAGEN VENTO TSI

Report: RAHUL KAPOOR / Photography: MOHD. NASIRDSG MANIADRIVEN



Jessica Alba, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, Miley Cyrus, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Harrision Ford, Matt Damon, Orlando Bloom, Bradley Cooper, Owen

Wilson…. The list of Hollywood starts who drive a Toyota Prius is endless. The Toyota Prius is the most beloved car of the Hollywood celebrities who want to make a statement that they are kind to the environment and are making an effort to save the planet.

Which is why, in America, there is a huge demand for electric, hybrid and hydrogen powered vehicles. Irrespective of the fact the particular car is actually practical or not or not even a pretty car to look at, watch these celebrities driving around in Hybrids gets the ball rolling for the regular public to buy them in America.

The popularity of hybrids and electric cars in India is terrible. But on the other hand the fan following of Bollywood stars is ludicrous in India. There are people who want to be them, there are people who want to be with them, and there are people who worship and pray to them every day. Here they are looked up to as Gods but these Gods of the Indian public don’t drive around in hybrid family cars. They like their luxury and super cars. So that avenue hasn’t been successful in India.

But Toyota has been trying persistently to do their bit in every which way they can with their hybrid line up. Toyota makes the Camry which is also available in a hybrid powertrain which we loved as a car and they also ship the Prius

to India from Japan and sell it just about 40lakh rupees thanks to the import tax by our beloved liberal government.

The new updated Camry Hybrid has been doing quite well since its launch as expected from the segment, but the Prius hasn’t had many takers. We tried to find out why by driving it.

The powertrain is a smaller 1.8L VVT-I petrol engine with the similar Hybrid Synergy System as the Camry. So to drive, the Prius is responsive immediately when you put your foot down. But the Prius just doesn’t seem stream lined as the Camry which makes the Prius less as fun to drive, but the shape of it probably is what lets it down. After the initial response, because of the small engine, there isn’t much after that but over taking with that electric torque makes it easy in normal city traffic. The CVT gearbox changes seamlessly, you never feel a gear change.

The ride however is a bit firm and ground clearance isn’t optimized for India. So a reasonable speed breaker will cause the bottom to scrape if you’re not careful. Handling wise it does understeer a bit if you’re on an open highway road with twisty bends and the steering is extremely light and could use a little more feedback and a little bit of weight.

The cabin is roomy and airy and the sunroof helps brighten it up even more. The seats are extremely comfortable and wrapped in leather. Storage is key, and there are more compartments that objects in the world to put in them. You have a nice massive storage space ender the centre console with the 16V

electrical port and another compartment under the armrest in the front. The doors have relatively sizeable cubby holes in addition to the dual split opening glove box under the dash but the plastics are quite clunky and could be improved. Though I like the heads-up-display, I would rather have the instrument cluster directly in front of the driver and not advertising it to all the passengers housed in the middle. The rear seats are very supportive with a lot of head room, leg room and knee room, but doesn’t get rear air con vents.

As a package it is a brilliant piece of machinery, worth the 40 lakh price tag thanks to the 100pc import tax? I’m not so sure. In the long run, in my opinion, hybrids aren’t the hard and fast solution to the problem of depleting resources and saving the planet. It just isn’t. Mining for nickel is a dirty job and can be hazardous for the environment, but it is one of the very few alternatives we humans have for now. And to popularize it in India, the Government has the FAME scheme, but the policy lacks the vital cause to popularize and sell EVs and hybrids. Bollywood stars need to start driving electric hybrid cars or they will never become popular. FAME has not included “fame” and it needs to take that into consideration for Electric powered cars to be popular in India. Japan and California are the two largest markets for hybrids and electric vehicles in the world and in America it has been popularized by the endless list of celebrities who drive them. The same has to be done in India for it to work as well and I can vouch that it will work. If only it didn’t quite as gopping.

TOYOTA PRIUS

Report: RAHUL KAPOOR / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

HOLLYWOOD HERODRIVEN



MAHINDRA GUSTO VX

A PERFECT RIDE ON BUMPY ROADS

LONG TERMER

The word Gusto means “Enjoyment and enthusiasm in doing something”. It’s been three months since

we got the Mahindra Gusto and in these three months Delhi experienced severe bouts of rains, extreme hot conditions, terrible humid temperature and also several cool evenings.

I must confess I did not get time to ride this scooter for hundreds and thousands of kilometres. I could barely ride around a hundred kilometres in three months. But then each time I took it out for a short spin, I realised how practical this vehicle is when it comes to riding it. First and foremost, the fun starts with the flip key...a la stylish car key feature. This key comes only with the top end variant of

the scooter, the VX model. Now the best part of this key is that it is unique in every which way. I mean it’s not only a flip key, but has three tiny buttons on them, with each having a distinct function. The top one has a small light to it, so in the dark you can see what you are keen to see. The second one activates the find-me lights and the third one screams out to help you identify your scooter in a crowded parking area. Mind you, these functions have immense importance and are not mere cosmetic add-ons to a key.

The moment you are seated on this scooter you also realise it has a decent ground clearance. It has the highest ground clearance of 165mm in its segment, with

scooters like the TVS Jupiter, the Hero Maestro and the Honda Activa having a far lower ground clearance. This scooter is just about perfect to ride but for shorter riders, especially girls, the seats can be adjusted for height. Yes, it comes with a unique height-adjustable seat. Where else among the competition can you find such a scooter?

Now practically speaking, I found the scooter a perfect ride on our pot holed roads of Delhi. As I waded through these roads I felt it handled itself well on the rough. The scooter has large tubeless tyres which is not there among of

its competitors. This along with telescopic suspension with air springs helps the scooter to offer some decent ride.

Now when it comes to speed, I did not push it much. Being a bit old fashioned in my riding and driving habits, I always believe that the engine must not be tortured till it’s a bit run in. That means for me at least a 1000 km. I was far away from that mark. But yes, the 110cc, 4 stroke, M-Tec engine is quite responsive.

In my next review I shall touch upon the fuel average, the little features I wish the scooter had and a few likes and dislikes.

Report: Motown India Correspondent

FEATURES & TRAVEL


about another hour for some more pictures and decided to call it a day. Then I realised the only way back at that point is to walk. So I started climbing the steep, but well paved road to the hotel. Halfway through, I saw a Force traveller coming my way. It was Badshah to my rescue. I arrived back to the hotel and passed out in my room. Later at night, all of us guys from the media decided to head out for dinner scouting for some Goan fish. We found some, and we came back happily smiling.

The second day of the Prologue stage was similar to day one with new and more challenging 6 more special stages. These 12 stages eliminated the weak ones before they were to head to the Predator, Terminator and the Twilight zones in the days to come.

DAY 4 - ALIEN VS PREDATORNext morning, we were dragged out of the hotel by Juhi and Murchana, the PR team who were responsible for us, to Quepem for the Predator round. Badshah took the wheel for the hour long journey to the location where the alien like 4x4s were already revving up at the start. As he did in the previous stages, David Metcalfe, the Course Master & Designer had set up 6 more mind boggling special stages for the competitors.

With inclines and gradients that were as close to 90 degrees up or down hill as possible, Metcalfe made the competitors go through rivers, small valleys, through the ruins of a fort, and anything he could find to challenge and test their skills. This meant we as

photographers needed to get deep inside there as well while gasping for breath, inhaling smoke from burnt clutches and the screaming from navigators losing their tempers.

Up until this point Gurmeet Virdi and Kabir Waraich, the two Indian’s led the tables with their respective navigators putting up a fight to the Malaysian teams in the Gurkhas. Once the Predator stage was a go, the Malaysian teams of Tan and Mervyn showed that this is where experience plays a huge part in succeeding at this stage of the competition. On SS7, Gurmeet/Kirpal went first as they were leading the board. The duo met a full 90 degree incline which they needed to use their ladders and winch themselves out. But Kirpal couldn’t manage to find a strong enough anchor.

So they decided to call it quits. Tan and his navigating nephew showed them how it’s done. With his awesome spikey shoes, little Tan (nephew) ran up the 20 foot tall hill opposite the very same spot, tied the winch to the tree, while his uncle throttled out of the obstacle with astonishing ease. Mervyn/Hamizan in the second Gurkha, followed as both cars set blistering times before heading out to the next SS.

Walking profusely, running tirelessly, climbing endlessly, eventually it was lunch time. A few of us from the media were so hungry, we arrived before the food was set up and found some bananas. We hogged until they decided to feed us some real food. With our appetites met and satisfied, we went back into the field again for more shots at the

FEATURES & TRAVEL

YOLO Chronicles


YOLO Chronicles EXPERIENCING FORCE GURKHA RAINFOREST CHALLENGE INDIA

Never in my life had I even imagined my asthamatic self to wheeze my way into off-roading.

But ever since I was asked to try out a Polaris RZR, I realised how amazing and adrenaline pumping it can be despite my clumsiness when it comes to a topsy-turvy terrain. Now, off-roading has become my favourite thing to do. Covering off-road events I reckon is the best part about my job which I cherish more than anything.

When the guys at Cougar Motorsport decided to introduce Rainforest Challenge India (RFC) last year (sponsored by Force Motors) in 2014, I really wanted to cover the event, but due to my inexperience covering anything last year on my own, I was asked

to sit it out. This year however, when they came back for Season 2, i was sent into the battle field. With just the right luggage, I made my way to Goa.

DAY 1 - THE ARRIVALWe arrived around late afternoon in Goa. At the airport, our driver Badshah was waiting to take all of us, mediawale, to the Goa International Centre where we were going to spend most of our week. It was the place where the officials and the organisers were also putting up.

We arrived and headed to our respective rooms. The Driver’s Briefing took place around 5pm after which we just relaxed till we were to head to Bay 15, a night club for the pre event party and dinner. I would like to tell you what happened but everything is

just a blur, and the second hand information I have from that night is unspeakable. All I can tell you is, Badshah took us to our hotel safely and we did get some sleep or probably just passed out.

DAY 2 & 3 - HUNGOVER PROLOGUEThe first day of the challenge was Day 1 of the Prologue stage. We were all set to leave to the location by 10am. Cougar had found a spot right opposite the hotel, a large ground which was converted into 6 special stages. Every driver had to go through each stage once and then move on to the next one. It was my job to find a live stage and run to it without getting on the track and get good pictures for my story. Its sounds relatively easy, but with Wellingtons on my feet, I was just

begging to sit down somewhere. What made matters worse

is that with the camera in my hand, as the most exciting shot was to come into the frame, the heavens opened up. I struggled to shelter myself with the waterproof poncho provided by the Cougar team. As soon as I wore the poncho, the rain stopped. This happened at least 7-8 times that day…and every day thereafter. The competitors had to build bridges, jump over gradients, splash some water, change 37 inch tyres, winch themselves, and climb into a pit, set up a ladder for the vehicle and climb out the other side. Everyone was drenched in rain water and sweat. The boiling sun wasn’t much help either apart from sunburns on every part of our exposed skin.

After lunch I stayed back for

Pict

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: Cou

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(L-R) Luis Wee, Rahul Kapoor & David Metcalfe Luis with team Polaris

Report & Photography: RAHUL KAPOOR

FEATURES & TRAVEL


about another hour for some more pictures and decided to call it a day. Then I realised the only way back at that point is to walk. So I started climbing the steep, but well paved road to the hotel. Halfway through, I saw a Force traveller coming my way. It was Badshah to my rescue. I arrived back to the hotel and passed out in my room. Later at night, all of us guys from the media decided to head out for dinner scouting for some Goan fish. We found some, and we came back happily smiling.

The second day of the Prologue stage was similar to day one with new and more challenging 6 more special stages. These 12 stages eliminated the weak ones before they were to head to the Predator, Terminator and the Twilight zones in the days to come.

DAY 4 - ALIEN VS PREDATORNext morning, we were dragged out of the hotel by Juhi and Murchana, the PR team who were responsible for us, to Quepem for the Predator round. Badshah took the wheel for the hour long journey to the location where the alien like 4x4s were already revving up at the start. As he did in the previous stages, David Metcalfe, the Course Master & Designer had set up 6 more mind boggling special stages for the competitors.

With inclines and gradients that were as close to 90 degrees up or down hill as possible, Metcalfe made the competitors go through rivers, small valleys, through the ruins of a fort, and anything he could find to challenge and test their skills. This meant we as

photographers needed to get deep inside there as well while gasping for breath, inhaling smoke from burnt clutches and the screaming from navigators losing their tempers.

Up until this point Gurmeet Virdi and Kabir Waraich, the two Indian’s led the tables with their respective navigators putting up a fight to the Malaysian teams in the Gurkhas. Once the Predator stage was a go, the Malaysian teams of Tan and Mervyn showed that this is where experience plays a huge part in succeeding at this stage of the competition. On SS7, Gurmeet/Kirpal went first as they were leading the board. The duo met a full 90 degree incline which they needed to use their ladders and winch themselves out. But Kirpal couldn’t manage to find a strong enough anchor.

So they decided to call it quits. Tan and his navigating nephew showed them how it’s done. With his awesome spikey shoes, little Tan (nephew) ran up the 20 foot tall hill opposite the very same spot, tied the winch to the tree, while his uncle throttled out of the obstacle with astonishing ease. Mervyn/Hamizan in the second Gurkha, followed as both cars set blistering times before heading out to the next SS.

Walking profusely, running tirelessly, climbing endlessly, eventually it was lunch time. A few of us from the media were so hungry, we arrived before the food was set up and found some bananas. We hogged until they decided to feed us some real food. With our appetites met and satisfied, we went back into the field again for more shots at the

FEATURES & TRAVEL


ladders for each other and helping other competitors with whatever they faced in the jungle.

After a few pictures and numerous bottles of water, we decided to head back for lunch and then back to the hotel. We relaxed for the rest of the day. At dinner, all of us from different linguistic backgrounds sat down together and made fun of each other one by one. In short, we just laughed our way through the evening.

DAY 7 - JUDGMENT DAYNext morning, the competitors were on their way back from

Sattari. In the evening, the final results were announced in the prize distribution where all the trophies were handed out. To our surprise, Juhi and Murchana also called every person representing their respective Media houses to come up on stage individually and receive a token of appreciation. It was a first time someone had done something like that. All of us were pleasantly surprised and overwhelmed. Once the prize distribution was over, we went out for the after party at Bay 15, again, where we did some more questionable things. Half way through, suddenly I decided to

walk back to the hotel by climbing up the mountain. Midway I even decided to jog to the hotel for no reason whatsoever and passed out in my room.

DAY 8 - I’LL BE BACKLucky I wasn’t hungover like I was from last time, I sat down with Luis, the founder of the Rainforest Challenge over breakfast. We had a long extensive conversation which I shall elaborate in a report later.

To sum up the week, it was one that I will surely remember, and it was all possible because of Ashish Gupta for hosting the life changing event, Cougar

Motorsport and the Marshals for doing an undoubtedly brilliant job, Luis and his RFC International team for creating such an event and the good memories. A special shout out to Murchana and Juhi, from Greenthumb PR for having us and running the event flawlessly and tirelessly. Anything we needed, anything we wanted to know, they were extremely helpful and deserve a massive round of applause. With that we flew back home and I made a promise to myself, with a year at hand, I will be fitter, I will work smarter and in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger: “I’ll Be Back.”

FEATURES & TRAVEL


other 5 stages. Day 4 was also the first day we had a choice to camp with the officials and competitors. Unsure if I would survive, I decided to head back to the hotel with a massive backache.

DAY 5 – YOU ARE TERMINATED!All fresh to be terminated, the next day we left for Sanguem, South Goa for the Terminator round for 6 more Special Stages. After suffering a million degree burns from the sun on the previous day, I resorted to whatever I could find in my luggage. I found a balaclava and a pollution mask. All geared up and humiliated by my peers from other publishing houses and making it to social media we arrived at the camp site where the teams had camped the night before. Once the stages were live, it wasn’t long for them to be red flagged. The competitors found it so difficult, at one point, 4 out of 6 stages were awaiting recovery. With limited number of cranes available, some teams waited for 3 hours for recovery. This delayed the entire day and hampered its progress.

SS19 was the stage where all drivers found it extremely hard. This stage destroyed many cars from the first major obstacle. It was quickly nicknamed the axle breaker. The scariest point on this stage was when Raj Singh Rathore almost ran over his navigator Guhan Shetty in the Polaris S800. Guhan was knocked down to the ground by the spare wheel on the side of the UTV. Luckily, he saw it coming and moved out of the way inches from the driven tyres. No humans were harmed in the execution of the SS. However the same could not be said about the cars.

SS20 however became the favorite SS of all. A fast uphill and downhill sprint to the top and back, a stage Team Polaris felt most comfortable on and set one of the quickest times of the stage despite the fact they were wet with barely any illumination after sundown.

I was also ordered for a lead shot for the magazine so I headed to SS22, the pitch back dark gap in the trees that lead to a river and a waterfall. I made my way right into the trees not knowing what I would find. Then I remembered a quote from Dumbledore from Harry Potter. “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times” Literally, what I found there was next to gold. Some of the best pictures I was able to get were from that stage itself.

After sun down, the stages were stopped and the remaining cars were to complete the stages the following morning. At this point I had noticed that my fellow peers from the media who camped the night before were still alive. Spontaneously I decided to camp. Unprepared, unaware and with barely any supplies, I thought how hard can it be? With me being the noob, it was obvious I was to get the broken bed of the 4. After some beers, water, food and a lot of pointless meaningless conversations, we went to our tents and tried our best to sleep amidst the smell of stinking feet and the grumble of snores. In my intoxicated state I didn’t notice the side of my tent was completely exposed.

DAY 6 –CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!The next day, I woke up completely drenched in water from the rain from the night before and the terrible stench of wet and dirty socks. But when I climbed my way out of the tent I was welcomed with one of the most beautiful view I could have NEVER imagined.

We did out daily routine and headed for breakfast, while the competitors who couldn’t manage to complete all the stages the day before got their times in for the stage.

The day was meant to be a rest day for all of us. But Ashish Gupta and his Cougar team decided to have some fun with us Media professionals. They had set up two special stages just for us as a part of what they called the

“Media Challenge”. By around 1:30pm the stages were set and two Polaris RZR S800 UTVs were ready at each SS. SS2 was my first stage of the group. Going first everyone had a beautiful view of my incompetence and were making notes on what not to do. The start was right at the edge of a cliff. From where I was sitting all I could see were the top of 20 foot high trees. Srivathsan Vallabhan, a veteran marshal was assigned as our navigator for the stage. We had to gingerly head down the hill and into a tight left hander at the bottom. Follow that path to a cross axle right hand and slalom though a series of trees turn around, slalom again through them and back to the start point across the finish line. I handled the first bit well, then hit a rock on my way to the slalom, hit a tree in the slalom, hit the same rock on my way back and climbed up that hill to stop the clock.

SS1 was a relatively easy downhill followed by a slush pit which led into a dense trail into the trees with lots and lots of water. With Guhan Shetty as my Navigator, I went in blind not knowing what I would have to do. With Guhan’s life in my hands, and only his instructions as my guide I floored it as the sound of the whistle. With mud all over us from the very first splash, I soldiered on, pinning the throttle completely, batting the torque steer into the gully between the trees. We came to a point of…return, jammed the CVT into reverse, turned the car around and made my way back as quickly as I could across the finish line. My idiotic driving was rewarded with a terrible time on both stages but I was happy that I was not last. I came 8th of the 12 of us who took part.

After the Marshals and organisers had their fun watching us make a fool of ourselves, we forced Juhi and Murchana from the PR team to go as passengers. Once we FORCEfully…(terrible pun intended) strapped them in, we called Raj Singh Rathore, from team Polaris to give them a ride of

their life. Needless to say, as we had told them, they came back with brown muddy faces grinning with their glistening white teeth overwhelmed from the experience they witnessed for the first time.

By far, it was the best day of my life. I will put my hand on my heart and say that I have never had so much fun in a single day in my life. I can’t speak for everyone there, but I’m sure they would say the same. When the excitement settled, we headed back to our hotel to clean ourselves up.

DAY 6 - TWILIGHT (No Vampires and Werewolves in this story)

Day 6 was scheduled to be the Twilight Stage, the real RFC stage. The selected location was a forest in Sattari, Goa that no one had entered in the last 15 years. The start point was marked, a GPS location was provided to the drivers, no marshals will be marshaling, and a time of 10 hours was allotted to them. Starting from 12pm, on the way, they had to ford 4 waterfalls, treacherous paths that they had to carve out from the forest to make their way and drive as the crow flies.

I knew I was not physically fit to handle the task for 10 hours to complete it on my own on foot. But with some help of my dear peers from the media, we helped each other through the dense jungle. It was pure camaraderie not just among us photographers and reporters, but also the competitors. Climbing the mountain as the un-treaded path through the forest, with all the knives, sticks and protective gear we could find to prepare for snakes, spiders and anything else mother nature decided to throw at us, I thought to myself if the Virgin Screwdriver I was offered before I left would have helped me survive. Come to think of it… No. So I wheezed my way to the first waterfall with the others. Over there we saw the competitors working together building a path through the waterfall, moving rocks, tying winches, placing

FEATURES & TRAVEL


ladders for each other and helping other competitors with whatever they faced in the jungle.

After a few pictures and numerous bottles of water, we decided to head back for lunch and then back to the hotel. We relaxed for the rest of the day. At dinner, all of us from different linguistic backgrounds sat down together and made fun of each other one by one. In short, we just laughed our way through the evening.

DAY 7 - JUDGMENT DAYNext morning, the competitors were on their way back from

Sattari. In the evening, the final results were announced in the prize distribution where all the trophies were handed out. To our surprise, Juhi and Murchana also called every person representing their respective Media houses to come up on stage individually and receive a token of appreciation. It was a first time someone had done something like that. All of us were pleasantly surprised and overwhelmed. Once the prize distribution was over, we went out for the after party at Bay 15, again, where we did some more questionable things. Half way through, suddenly I decided to

walk back to the hotel by climbing up the mountain. Midway I even decided to jog to the hotel for no reason whatsoever and passed out in my room.

DAY 8 - I’LL BE BACKLucky I wasn’t hungover like I was from last time, I sat down with Luis, the founder of the Rainforest Challenge over breakfast. We had a long extensive conversation which I shall elaborate in a report later.

To sum up the week, it was one that I will surely remember, and it was all possible because of Ashish Gupta for hosting the life changing event, Cougar

Motorsport and the Marshals for doing an undoubtedly brilliant job, Luis and his RFC International team for creating such an event and the good memories. A special shout out to Murchana and Juhi, from Greenthumb PR for having us and running the event flawlessly and tirelessly. Anything we needed, anything we wanted to know, they were extremely helpful and deserve a massive round of applause. With that we flew back home and I made a promise to myself, with a year at hand, I will be fitter, I will work smarter and in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger: “I’ll Be Back.”

FEATURES & TRAVEL

Museum of Treasures, Reginalds’ Tower and The Bishop’s Palace. While in Waterford City, it is a good idea to visit the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre where I observed master glasscutters at work in the factory carrying out the intensive job of creating stunning pieces of crystals.

My next port of call was the beautiful Kilkenny City, a vibrant medieval city which displays a wonderful blend of the old and new, dating back to the 6th century, with its many structures and buildings highlighting the many periods since then. It is a regular winner of Ireland’s tidiest town awards and as I walked along the lanes and bylanes of this stunning city, all I could see was rows and rows of beautiful flowers. A crash course to learn how to play the traditional Irish drum, the ‘Bodhrán’, in the atmospheric surroundings of Kilkenny’s oldest pub, Kytelers Inn followed by dinner in Kyteler’s Inn made for an exciting day. This was followed by a concert by Jordi Savall who performed with Martin Hayes and Friends in the lovely St Canice’s Cathedral as part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival.

On the last day of my trip, I visited the iconic Rock of Cashel, one of the most spectacular tourist attractions in Ireland. Cashel’s rich history is reflected in its built heritage, from prehistoric raths to mediaeval monasteries and fortified town houses, a Georgian Cathedral and a 21st century Library which holds regular exhibitions, workshops and concerts. The Georgian quarter also boasts the Bolton Library where you can find the smallest book in Ireland.

I stopped at Kinnitty Castle Hotel for lunch before proceeding to the next stop. The earliest evidence of human habitation in Ireland is 6500 BC at Lough Boora, County Offaly just 15


minutes away from Kinnitty Castle hotel. These early nomadic men would have hunted and gathered on the edge of the lakes which have now turned to peat bogs. Renowned for being the birthplace and early home of legendary Fionn MacCool along with being the spawning ground of the Salmon of Knowledge which brought with him the wisdom of the world, the Slieve Blooms rolling hills inspire. The Kinnitty Castle has a long and colourful history which dates back to ancient times. Located on an ancient druidic ceremonial ground, where ley lines cross and mystical forces are prevalent, the area around Kinnitty can be considered to be the solar plexus chakra of

Ireland.After lunch it was time to visit

the Castle Demesne of Discovery. The award winning gardens of Birr Castle are rich in amazing rare trees, feats of science and engineering and wonderful wildlife. The Parsons family resides here in a structure that has been created over generations and is an environmental and scientific time capsule. I went on a tour of the Castle which is a family home since the 17th century. I also got to take a look at the largest telescope in the world, for over 70 years, created by the third Earl of Rosse in the 1840s. This world famous telescope has been fully restored and sits in the centre

of the Demesne to be viewed by everyone who visits.

My journey into Ireland’s Ancient East- a region steeped in history and natural beauty was food for the soul and will be a memorable one for many years to come!

Kinnitty castle

Famine ship

Waterford

Kilkenny

FEATURES & TRAVEL

Ireland’s Ancient EastBY JYOTI BALANI

The Road Less Travelled

Each year tourists visit Ireland to see the grandeur of Dublin city and to lose themselves

in its glamour but not many think of going to lesser known regions of this soulfully beautiful country. In the month of August 2015, I was fortunate enough to visit the south eastern region, a region with unique stories to tell. My first stop was at the National Opera House in Wexford. A tour around the new Wexford Opera House, a beautiful building which hosts the internationally renowned Wexford Opera Festival every October was a great place to start.

This was followed by a visit to the Irish National Heritage Park at Ferrycarrig just outside Wexford Town. A tour guide showed me around the park to see how people

lived in ancient times dating back 9,000 years.

The history of the county, from the arrival of the Normans in the 11th century right up to its more recent historical connections with the American Presidency was what I explored in the town of New Ross. This is home to the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a recreation of the actual 19th century timber-built ship on which actors re-enact the hardships of transatlantic crossings in the 1840’s following the Great Famine suffered at that time. New Ross is also the ancestral birthplace of John F Kennedy

and there are many locations in the area which commemorate him and his family. The Dunbrody famine ship is centered on an authentic reproduction of an 1840s emigrant experience. I was shown around this ship, saw costumed performers enacting parts of those who travelled by the ship ages ago. This gave me an insight into the bravery and fortitude with which the Irish faced up to a desperate situation. As one leaves the area, one can overhear the conversations of emigrants, a couple quarrelling over what to pack, a young man reading about a letter from his brother in Detroit.

The plight of these brave travelers is obvious with potato crops failing and food prices soaring, more than a million people are forced to leave their homes for an uncertain future abroad. Once on board, the voyage that lasted over six weeks was like a terrible trial for most passengers. Packed cheek by jowl below decks, the steerage passengers barely even saw the light of the day.

Waterford City is Ireland’s oldest city, dating back to the arrival of the Vikings in the 9th century; the history of this ancient port is maintained in its many remarkable buildings around the city. A walking tour in this city led me to the museums of the Viking Triangle, including the Waterford


Kinnitty castle

FEATURES & TRAVEL

Museum of Treasures, Reginalds’ Tower and The Bishop’s Palace. While in Waterford City, it is a good idea to visit the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre where I observed master glasscutters at work in the factory carrying out the intensive job of creating stunning pieces of crystals.

My next port of call was the beautiful Kilkenny City, a vibrant medieval city which displays a wonderful blend of the old and new, dating back to the 6th century, with its many structures and buildings highlighting the many periods since then. It is a regular winner of Ireland’s tidiest town awards and as I walked along the lanes and bylanes of this stunning city, all I could see was rows and rows of beautiful flowers. A crash course to learn how to play the traditional Irish drum, the ‘Bodhrán’, in the atmospheric surroundings of Kilkenny’s oldest pub, Kytelers Inn followed by dinner in Kyteler’s Inn made for an exciting day. This was followed by a concert by Jordi Savall who performed with Martin Hayes and Friends in the lovely St Canice’s Cathedral as part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival.

On the last day of my trip, I visited the iconic Rock of Cashel, one of the most spectacular tourist attractions in Ireland. Cashel’s rich history is reflected in its built heritage, from prehistoric raths to mediaeval monasteries and fortified town houses, a Georgian Cathedral and a 21st century Library which holds regular exhibitions, workshops and concerts. The Georgian quarter also boasts the Bolton Library where you can find the smallest book in Ireland.

I stopped at Kinnitty Castle Hotel for lunch before proceeding to the next stop. The earliest evidence of human habitation in Ireland is 6500 BC at Lough Boora, County Offaly just 15


minutes away from Kinnitty Castle hotel. These early nomadic men would have hunted and gathered on the edge of the lakes which have now turned to peat bogs. Renowned for being the birthplace and early home of legendary Fionn MacCool along with being the spawning ground of the Salmon of Knowledge which brought with him the wisdom of the world, the Slieve Blooms rolling hills inspire. The Kinnitty Castle has a long and colourful history which dates back to ancient times. Located on an ancient druidic ceremonial ground, where ley lines cross and mystical forces are prevalent, the area around Kinnitty can be considered to be the solar plexus chakra of

Ireland.After lunch it was time to visit

the Castle Demesne of Discovery. The award winning gardens of Birr Castle are rich in amazing rare trees, feats of science and engineering and wonderful wildlife. The Parsons family resides here in a structure that has been created over generations and is an environmental and scientific time capsule. I went on a tour of the Castle which is a family home since the 17th century. I also got to take a look at the largest telescope in the world, for over 70 years, created by the third Earl of Rosse in the 1840s. This world famous telescope has been fully restored and sits in the centre

of the Demesne to be viewed by everyone who visits.

My journey into Ireland’s Ancient East- a region steeped in history and natural beauty was food for the soul and will be a memorable one for many years to come!

Kinnitty castle

Famine ship

Waterford

Kilkenny

MODEL VARIANTS ENGINE* FUEL*FUEL

EFFICIENCY*PRICE*

* Engine in Litres | Fuel - Petrol (P), Diesel (D), CNG, LPG, Hybrid (H), Electric (E) | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakh/Crore

FiestaAmbiente 1.5 D 25.01 8.50

Trend 1.5 D 25.01 9.39Titanium 1.5 D 25.01 10.18

Figo

LXi Duratec 1.2 P 15.22 4.14EXi Duratec 1.2 P 15.22 4.71ZXi Duratec 1.2 P 15.22 5.04

Titanium Duratec 1.2 P 15.22 5.45LXi Duratorq 1.4 D 19.99 5.05EXi Duratorq 1.4 D 19.99 5.62ZXi Duratorq 1.4 D 19.99 5.94

Titanium Duratorq 1.4 D 19.99 6.35

Figo Aspire

Ambiente 1.2 P 18.2 4.89Trend 1.2 P 18.2 5.76

Titanium 1.2 P 18.2 6.69Titanium+ 1.2 P 18.2 7.24Ambiente 1.5 D 25.8 5.89


Titanium+ 1.5 D 25.8 8.24Titanium (AT) 1.5 P 17.2 7.79

HONDA

Amaze

E M/T 1.2 P 18 5.19EX M/T 1.2 P 18 5.55S M/T 1.2 P 18 5.94

S MT Plus (i-VTEC) 1.2 P / CNG NA 5.99SX M/T 1.2 P 18 6.48VX M/T 1.2 P 18 6.87

VX (O) M/T 1.2 P 18 7.32S A/T 1.2 P 15.50 6.95

VX A/T 1.2 P 15.50 7.78E M/T 1.5 D 25.80 6.20

EX M/T 1.5 D 25.80 6.52S M/T 1.5 D 25.80 6.97

SX M/T 1.5 D 25.80 7.39VX M/T 1.5 D 25.80 7.75

VX (O) M/T 1.5 D 25.80 8.20

Brio

E M/T 1.2 P 19.40 4.21EX M/T 1.2 P 19.40 4.43S M/T 1.2 P 19.40 4.78V M/T 1.2 P 19.40 5.12

VX M/T 1.2 P 19.40 5.51VX BL M/T 1.2 P 19.40 5.99

VX A/T 1.2 P 16.50 6.31VX BL A/T 1.2 P 16.50 6.78

City

E M/T 1.5 P 17.80 7.53S M/T 1.5 P 17.80 8.19

SV M/T 1.5 P 17.80 8.78V M/T 1.5 P 17.80 9.37

VX M/T 1.5 P 17.80 10.34SV CVT 1.5 P 18 9.81VX CVT 1.5 P 18 11.42

EMT 1.5 D 26 8.75SMT 1.5 D 26 9.40

SVMT 1.5 D 26 9.94VMT 1.5 D 26 10.55

VXMT 1.5 D 25.10 11.53

CR-V2WD M/T 2.0 P 13.70 21.092WD A/T 2.0 P 13.70 22.85

4WD AVN A/T 2.4 P 12 25.09

Jazz

E 1.2 P 18.7 5.30S 1.2 P 18.7 5.94

SV 1.2 P 18.7 6.44V 1.2 P 18.7 6.79

VX 1.2 P 18.7 7.26S CVT 1.2 P 19 6.99V CVT 1.2 P 19 7.85

E 1.5 D 27.3 6.49S 1.5 D 27.3 7.14

SV 1.5 D 27.3 7.64V 1.5 D 27.3 8.09

VX 1.5 D 27.3 8.59

Mobilio

E 1.5 P 17.30 6.75S 1.5 P 17.30 7.80V 1.5 P 17.30 9.06

V (O) 1.5 P 17.30 9.75E 1.5 D 24.20 8.19S 1.5 D 24.20 8.93V 1.5 D 24.20 10.09

V (O) 1.5 D 24.20 10.77RS 1.5 D 24.20 11.19

RS (O) 1.5 D 24.20 11.87HYUNDAI

Creta

L 1.6 P 15.29 8.59S 1.6 P 15.29 9.57

SX+ 1.6 P 15.29 11.19L 1.4 D 21.38 9.46LS 1.4 D 21.38 10.42S+ 1.4 D 21.38 11.45SX 1.6 D 19.67 11.59

SX+ 1.6 D 19.67 12.67SX+ A/T 1.6 D 17.01 13.57SX (O) 1.6 D 19.67 13.6

Elantra S M/T 1.8 P 16.30 14.43

CAR PRICES* Prices (Ex-Showroom Delhi)


EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


Sail Hatchback

TCDi PS 1.3 D 22.10 5.69TCDi LS 1.3 D 22.10 6.20

TCDi LS ABS 1.3 D 22.10 6.36TCDi LT ABS 1.3 D 22.10 7.18

Sail Sedan

PS 1.2 P 18.20 5.50LS 1.2 P 18.20 5.99

LS ABS 1.2 P 18.20 6.36LT ABS 1.2 P 18.20 6.84TCDi PS 1.3 D 22.10 6.74TCDi LS 1.3 D 22.10 7.14


SparkBS4 OBDII 1.0 P 16.20 3.61

LS BS4 OBDII 1.0 P 16.20 3.88LT BS4 OBDII 1.0 P 16.20 4.18

Tavera *

Neo 3 -10-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 7.59Neo 3 Max -10-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 8.47Neo 3 Max -7-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 8.79Neo 3 LS-10-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 9.25Neo 3 LS-7-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 9.51

Neo 3 LS-7(C)-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 9.62Neo 3 LT-9-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 10.58Neo 3 LT-8-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 11.03

Neo 3 LT-7(C)-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 11.30* Only available in BS3 cities.DATSUN

Go

D 1.2 P 20.63 3.23D1 1.2 P 20.63 3.26A 1.2 P 20.63 3.59T 1.2 P 20.63 4.05

Go+

D 1.2 P 20.63 3.79D1 1.2 P 20.63 3.82A 1.2 P 20.63 4.15T 1.2 P 20.63 4.61

FERRARICalifornia T Convertible 3.8 P 9.51 NAFF FF 6.2 P 6.49 NA488 GTB Coupe 3.9 P 6.96 NA

458Spider 4.5 P 8.46 NA

Speciale 4.5 P 8.46 NAF12 Berlinetta 6.2 P 6.66 NAFIATAbarth 500 Competizione 1.4 P NA 29.85

Avventura

Active Fire 1.4 P 14.40 6.44 Dynamic Fire 1.4 P 14.40 7.31Active Multijet 1.3 D 20.50 7.18

Dynamic Multijet 1.3 D 20.50 7.95Emotion Multijet 1.3 D 20.50 8.49

Linea

Active Fire 1.4 P 15.70 7Active T-Jet 1.4 P 15.70 7.99

Dynamic T-Jet 1.4 P 15.70 9.15Emotion T-Jet 1.4 P 15.70 9.67Active Multijet 1.3 D 20.40 8.47


Linea ClassicClassic Fire 1.4 P 14.90 6.12

Classic Multijet 1.3 D 19.50 7.13Classic Plus Multijet 1.3 D 19.50 7.69

Punto Evo

Active Fire 1.2 P 15.80 4.94Dynamic Fire 1.2 P 15.80 5.36Emotion Fire 1.4 P 15.80 7.18

Active Multijet 1.3 D 21.20 5.88Dynamic Multijet 1.3 D 21.20 6.51Emotion Multijet 1.3 D 21.20 7.14

Sport 93 PS 1.3 D 21.20 7.52FORCE

Force One

EX 6 Seater 2.6 D NA 9.59LX-ABS 6 Seater 2.2 D NA 14.34SX-ABS 6 Seater 2.2 D NA 12.70SX-ABS 5 Seater 2.2 D NA 12.78

GurkhaHard Top (4x4) 2.6 D NA 8.71Soft Top (4x2) 2.6 D NA 6.42Soft Top (4x4) 2.6 D NA 8.56

FORD

Classic

LXi Duratec 1.6 P 14.09 5.06CLXi Duratec 1.6 P 14.09 5.77

Titanium Duratec 1.6 P 14.09 6.58LXi Duratorq 1.4 D 19.68 6.47

CLXi Duratorq 1.4 D 19.68 6.95Titanium Duratorq 1.4 D 19.68 7.68

Ecosport

Ambiente M/T 1.5 P 15.80 6.75Trend M/T 1.5 P 15.80 7.71

Titanium M/T 1.5 P 15.80 8.70Titanium A/T 1.5 P 15.60 9.73

Titanium Ecoboost 1.0 P 18.90 9.14Titanium (O) Ecoboost 1.0 P 18.90 9.70

Ambiente (D) 1.5 D 22.70 7.89Trend (D) 1.5 D 22.70 8.61

Titanium (D) 1.5 D 22.70 9.60Titanium (O) (D) 1.5 D 22.70 10.20

Endeavour4x2 M/T 2.5 D 12.67 22.154x2 A/T 3.0 D 10.70 23.734x4 A/T 3.0 D 10.70 25.67


Buyers’Guide

* Prices (Ex-Showroom Delhi)


EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


ASTON MARTIN

DB9Coupe 6.0 P NA 2.90 (Cr.)Volante 6.0 P NA 3 (Cr.)

Rapide Rapide S 6.0 P NA 3.50 (Cr.)

Vantage

V8 Coupe 4.8 P NA 1.86 (Cr.)V8 S Coupe 4.8 P NA 2.20 (Cr.)V8 Volante 4.8 P NA 2.40 (Cr.)V8 N430 4.8 P NA NA

V12 S 6 P NA NAV12 S Roadster 6.0 P NA NA

Vanquish Coupe 6.0 P NA 3.85 (Cr.)Volante 6.0 P NA NA

AUDIA3 TFSI Premium Plus + Sunroof 1.8 P 16.30 31.40

TFSI S Line Cabriolet 1.8 P 16.30 44.75TDI Attraction 2.0 D 20 24.56

TDI Premium + Sunroof Edition

2.0 D 20 28.55

TDI Premium Plus + Sunroof 2.0 D 20 32.22TDI Technology Pack +

Sunroof2.0 D 20 34.06

A4 TFSI Premium Edition 1.8 P 15.64 32.68TDI Special Edition 2.0 D 17.11 29.45

TDI Standard Edition 2.0 D 17.11 30.10TDI Premium Edition 2.0 D 17.11 35.39

TDI Premium Plus 2.0 D 17.11 38.93TDI Technology Pack 2.0 D 17.11 40.79

TDI Quattro Premium Plus 3.0 D 14.94 55.02TDI Quattro Technology 3.0 D 14.94 57.82

A6 35 Tdi Matrix 2.0 D NA 49.50A8 L TFSI quattro 4.0 P 9.20 1.38 (Cr.)

TDI quattro 3.0 D 6 1.17 (Cr.)TDI quattro 4.2 D NA 1.33 (Cr.)

W12 TDI quattro 6.3 D NA 1.87 (Cr.)Q3 S Edition 35 TDI 2.0 D 15.73 28.99

Premium 35 TDI 2.0 D 15.73 33.99Premium Plus 35 TDI 2.0 D 15.73 37.50

Q5 TDI Quatrro Premium 2.0 D 14.10 49.46TDI Quatrro Premium Plus 2.0 D 14.10 51.42TDI Quatrro Technology 2.0 D 14.10 56.02TDI QuattroTechnology 3.0 D 13.20 62.95

Q7 TDI Quattro Premium 3.0 D 12 61.52TDI Quattro Premium Plus 3.0 D 12 67.01TDI Quattro Technology 3.0 D 12 76.88TDI Quattro Technology 4.2 D 11.30 84.86

RS5 TFSI Quattro 4.2 P 9.20 1.09 (Cr.)RS6 Avant TFSI Quattro 4 P 10.4 1.35 (Cr.)RS7 TFSI Quattro 4.0 P 10.4 1.40 (Cr.)R8 V8 FSI 4.2 P 8 1.71 (Cr.)

V10 FSI 5.2 P 7.60 1.99 (Cr.)V10 FSI Plus S-Tronic 5.2 P 7.60 2.31 (Cr.)

R8 Spyder V10 FSI 5.2 P 7.70 2.19 (Cr.)S4 TFSI Quatrro 3.0 P 10.30 52.64S6 TFSI Quattro 3.0 P NA 95.25TT 45 TFSI Coupe Quattro 2.0 P 8.30 60.35BENTLEY MOTORSContinental GT W12 6.0 P NA NA

Continental

GT V8 4.0 P NA 3.28 (Cr.)GT Speed W12 6.0 P NA NA

GT V8 S 4.0 P NA 3.54 (Cr.)GTC W12 6.0 P NA NAGTC V8 4.0 P NA NA

GT Speed Convertible 6.0 P NA 4.03 (Cr.)GT V8S Convertible 6.0 P NA NA

Flying SpurFlying Spur V8 4.0 P 6.38 3.21 (Cr.)

Flying Spur W12 6.0 P 8 3.40 (Cr.)Mulsanne Mulsanne 6.8 P NA 5.55 (Cr.)BMW1 Series 118d Prestige 2.0 D 20.58 26.50


EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


1 Series 118d Sport Line 2.0 D 20.58 29.50

3 Series320d Prestige 2.0 D 18.88 34.90

320d Sport Line 2.0 D 18.88 38.90320d Luxury Line 2.0 D 18.88 38.90

3 series Gran Turismo

Sport Line 2.0 D 19.59 39.90Luxury Line 2.0 D 19.59 42.90

5 Series

520d Prestige 2.0 D 18.48 44.90520d Prestige Plus 2.0 D 18.48 47.90520d Luxury Line 2.0 D 18.48 49.90

530d M Sport 3.0 D 14.69 59.90

6 Series640d Gran Coupé Eminence 3.0 D 17.54 1.14 (Cr.)

640d Gran Coupé Design Pure Experience

3.0 D 17.54 1.21 (Cr.)

7 Series

730 Ld Prestige 3.0 D 16.46 92.50730 Ld Eminence 3.0 D 16.46 1.06 (Cr.)730 Ld Signature 3.0 D 16.46 1.25 (Cr.)750Li Eminence 5.0 P 11.62 1.46 (Cr.)760Li Eminence 6.0 P 7.46 1.95 (Cr.)ActiveHybrid 7L 3.0 P 13.85 1.41 (Cr.)

X1 sDrive20d xLine 2.0 D 17.05 37.90

X3xDrive20d Expedition 2.0 D 18.56 46.90

xDrive20d xLine 2.0 D 18.56 51.90xDrive30d M Sport 3.0 D 15.35 59.90

X5

xDrive30d Expedition 3.0 D 15.35 65.90xDrive30d Design Pure

Experience 3.0 D 15.35 69.90

xDrive30d Design Pure Experience (7 Seater)

3.0 D 15.35 72.90

X6 xDrive40d 3.0 D 15.9 1.15 (Cr.)

Z4sDrive 35i 3.0 P 10.37 74.90

sDrive 35i Design Pure Traction

3.0 P 10.37 75.90

M

M3 Sedan 3.0 P 10.75 1.23 (Cr.)M4 Coupé 3.0 P 10.75 1.25 (Cr.)M5 Sedan 5.0 P 10.10 1.39 (Cr.)

M6 Gran Coupé 4.3 P 10.10 1.80 (Cr.)i8 i8 1.5 H 47.45 2.29 (Cr.)BUGATTIVeyron (Sold out) Veyron Grand Sport 8.0 P NA 12 (Cr.)CHEVROLET

Beat

PS 1.2 P 18.61 4.20LS 1.2 P 18.61 4.47LT 1.2 P 18.61 4.90

LT Option 1.2 P 18.61 5.41PS 1.0 D 25.44 5.05LS 1.0 D 25.44 5.34LT 1.0 D 25.44 5.77

LT Option 1.0 D 25.44 6.28

CaptivaLT 2.2 D 14.60 25.13

LTZ 2.2 D 12.12 27.36

CruzeLT (MT) 2.0 D 17.30 14.26

LTZ (MT) 2.0 D 17.30 15.81LTZ (AT) 2.0 D NA 16.86

Enjoy

LS - 8 Seater 1.4 P 13.70 6.24LS -7 Seater 1.4 P 13.70 6.26LT - 8 Seater 1.4 P 13.70 6.83LT - 7 Seater 1.4 P 13.70 6.86

LTZ - 8 Seater 1.4 P 13.70 7.68LTZ - 7 Seater 1.4 P 13.70 7.70

Enjoy

TCDi LS - 8 Seater 1.3 D 18.20 7.54TCDi LS -7 Seater 1.3 D 18.20 7.57TCDi LT - 8 Seater 1.3 D 18.20 8.02TCDi LT - 7 Seater 1.3 D 18.20 8.05

TCDi LTZ - 8 Seater 1.3 D 18.20 8.76TCDi LTZ - 7 Seater 1.3 D 18.20 8.79

Sail Hatchback

PS 1.2 P 18.20 4.67LS 1.2 P 18.20 5.16

LS ABS 1.2 P 18.20 5.39LT ABS 1.2 P 18.20 5.99

CAR PRICES

CAR PRICES



EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


FiestaAmbiente 1.5 D 25.01 8.50


Figo

LXi Duratec 1.2 P 15.22 4.14EXi Duratec 1.2 P 15.22 4.71ZXi Duratec 1.2 P 15.22 5.04

Titanium Duratec 1.2 P 15.22 5.45LXi Duratorq 1.4 D 19.99 5.05EXi Duratorq 1.4 D 19.99 5.62ZXi Duratorq 1.4 D 19.99 5.94

Titanium Duratorq 1.4 D 19.99 6.35

Figo Aspire

Ambiente 1.2 P 18.2 4.89Trend 1.2 P 18.2 5.76

Titanium 1.2 P 18.2 6.69Titanium+ 1.2 P 18.2 7.24Ambiente 1.5 D 25.8 5.89


Titanium+ 1.5 D 25.8 8.24Titanium (AT) 1.5 P 17.2 7.79

HONDA

Amaze

E M/T 1.2 P 18 5.19EX M/T 1.2 P 18 5.55S M/T 1.2 P 18 5.94

S MT Plus (i-VTEC) 1.2 P / CNG NA 5.99SX M/T 1.2 P 18 6.48VX M/T 1.2 P 18 6.87

VX (O) M/T 1.2 P 18 7.32S A/T 1.2 P 15.50 6.95

VX A/T 1.2 P 15.50 7.78E M/T 1.5 D 25.80 6.20

EX M/T 1.5 D 25.80 6.52S M/T 1.5 D 25.80 6.97

SX M/T 1.5 D 25.80 7.39VX M/T 1.5 D 25.80 7.75

VX (O) M/T 1.5 D 25.80 8.20

Brio

E M/T 1.2 P 19.40 4.21EX M/T 1.2 P 19.40 4.43S M/T 1.2 P 19.40 4.78V M/T 1.2 P 19.40 5.12

VX M/T 1.2 P 19.40 5.51VX BL M/T 1.2 P 19.40 5.99

VX A/T 1.2 P 16.50 6.31VX BL A/T 1.2 P 16.50 6.78

City

E M/T 1.5 P 17.80 7.53S M/T 1.5 P 17.80 8.19

SV M/T 1.5 P 17.80 8.78V M/T 1.5 P 17.80 9.37

VX M/T 1.5 P 17.80 10.34SV CVT 1.5 P 18 9.81VX CVT 1.5 P 18 11.42

EMT 1.5 D 26 8.75SMT 1.5 D 26 9.40

SVMT 1.5 D 26 9.94VMT 1.5 D 26 10.55

VXMT 1.5 D 25.10 11.53

CR-V2WD M/T 2.0 P 13.70 21.092WD A/T 2.0 P 13.70 22.85

4WD AVN A/T 2.4 P 12 25.09

Jazz

E 1.2 P 18.7 5.30S 1.2 P 18.7 5.94

SV 1.2 P 18.7 6.44V 1.2 P 18.7 6.79

VX 1.2 P 18.7 7.26S CVT 1.2 P 19 6.99V CVT 1.2 P 19 7.85

E 1.5 D 27.3 6.49S 1.5 D 27.3 7.14

SV 1.5 D 27.3 7.64V 1.5 D 27.3 8.09

VX 1.5 D 27.3 8.59

Mobilio

E 1.5 P 17.30 6.75S 1.5 P 17.30 7.80V 1.5 P 17.30 9.06

V (O) 1.5 P 17.30 9.75E 1.5 D 24.20 8.19S 1.5 D 24.20 8.93V 1.5 D 24.20 10.09

V (O) 1.5 D 24.20 10.77RS 1.5 D 24.20 11.19

RS (O) 1.5 D 24.20 11.87HYUNDAI

Creta

L 1.6 P 15.29 8.59S 1.6 P 15.29 9.57

SX+ 1.6 P 15.29 11.19L 1.4 D 21.38 9.46LS 1.4 D 21.38 10.42S+ 1.4 D 21.38 11.45SX 1.6 D 19.67 11.59

SX+ 1.6 D 19.67 12.67SX+ A/T 1.6 D 17.01 13.57SX (O) 1.6 D 19.67 13.6

Elantra S M/T 1.8 P 16.30 14.43



EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


Sail Hatchback

TCDi PS 1.3 D 22.10 5.69TCDi LS 1.3 D 22.10 6.20


Sail Sedan

PS 1.2 P 18.20 5.50LS 1.2 P 18.20 5.99

LS ABS 1.2 P 18.20 6.36LT ABS 1.2 P 18.20 6.84TCDi PS 1.3 D 22.10 6.74TCDi LS 1.3 D 22.10 7.14


SparkBS4 OBDII 1.0 P 16.20 3.61

LS BS4 OBDII 1.0 P 16.20 3.88LT BS4 OBDII 1.0 P 16.20 4.18

Tavera *

Neo 3 -10-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 7.59Neo 3 Max -10-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 8.47Neo 3 Max -7-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 8.79Neo 3 LS-10-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 9.25Neo 3 LS-7-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 9.51

Neo 3 LS-7(C)-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 9.62Neo 3 LT-9-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 10.58Neo 3 LT-8-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 11.03

Neo 3 LT-7(C)-BS3 2.5 D 13.58 11.30* Only available in BS3 cities.DATSUN

Go

D 1.2 P 20.63 3.23D1 1.2 P 20.63 3.26A 1.2 P 20.63 3.59T 1.2 P 20.63 4.05

Go+

D 1.2 P 20.63 3.79D1 1.2 P 20.63 3.82A 1.2 P 20.63 4.15T 1.2 P 20.63 4.61

FERRARICalifornia T Convertible 3.8 P 9.51 NAFF FF 6.2 P 6.49 NA488 GTB Coupe 3.9 P 6.96 NA

458Spider 4.5 P 8.46 NA

Speciale 4.5 P 8.46 NAF12 Berlinetta 6.2 P 6.66 NAFIATAbarth 500 Competizione 1.4 P NA 29.85

Avventura

Active Fire 1.4 P 14.40 6.44 Dynamic Fire 1.4 P 14.40 7.31Active Multijet 1.3 D 20.50 7.18


Linea

Active Fire 1.4 P 15.70 7Active T-Jet 1.4 P 15.70 7.99

Dynamic T-Jet 1.4 P 15.70 9.15Emotion T-Jet 1.4 P 15.70 9.67Active Multijet 1.3 D 20.40 8.47


Linea ClassicClassic Fire 1.4 P 14.90 6.12

Classic Multijet 1.3 D 19.50 7.13Classic Plus Multijet 1.3 D 19.50 7.69

Punto Evo

Active Fire 1.2 P 15.80 4.94Dynamic Fire 1.2 P 15.80 5.36Emotion Fire 1.4 P 15.80 7.18

Active Multijet 1.3 D 21.20 5.88Dynamic Multijet 1.3 D 21.20 6.51Emotion Multijet 1.3 D 21.20 7.14

Sport 93 PS 1.3 D 21.20 7.52FORCE

Force One

EX 6 Seater 2.6 D NA 9.59LX-ABS 6 Seater 2.2 D NA 14.34SX-ABS 6 Seater 2.2 D NA 12.70SX-ABS 5 Seater 2.2 D NA 12.78

GurkhaHard Top (4x4) 2.6 D NA 8.71Soft Top (4x2) 2.6 D NA 6.42Soft Top (4x4) 2.6 D NA 8.56

FORD

Classic

LXi Duratec 1.6 P 14.09 5.06CLXi Duratec 1.6 P 14.09 5.77

Titanium Duratec 1.6 P 14.09 6.58LXi Duratorq 1.4 D 19.68 6.47

CLXi Duratorq 1.4 D 19.68 6.95Titanium Duratorq 1.4 D 19.68 7.68

Ecosport

Ambiente M/T 1.5 P 15.80 6.75Trend M/T 1.5 P 15.80 7.71

Titanium M/T 1.5 P 15.80 8.70Titanium A/T 1.5 P 15.60 9.73

Titanium Ecoboost 1.0 P 18.90 9.14Titanium (O) Ecoboost 1.0 P 18.90 9.70

Ambiente (D) 1.5 D 22.70 7.89Trend (D) 1.5 D 22.70 8.61

Titanium (D) 1.5 D 22.70 9.60Titanium (O) (D) 1.5 D 22.70 10.20

Endeavour4x2 M/T 2.5 D 12.67 22.154x2 A/T 3.0 D 10.70 23.734x4 A/T 3.0 D 10.70 25.67



EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


Alto 800VXi Airbag 0.8 P 22.74 3.43LXi CNG 0.8 CNG 30.46 3.68

Alto K10

LX 1.0 P 24.07 3.19Lxi 1.0 P 24.07 3.36

LXi CNG 1.0 P 24.07 3.98Vxi 1.0 P 24.07 3.52

VXi (O) 1.0 P 24.07 3.72VXi AGS 1.0 P 24.07 4.01

Celerio

Lxi 1.0 P 23.10 3.96LXi AGS 1.0 P 23.10 4.46

Vxi 1.0 P 23.10 4.26VXi AGS 1.0 P 23.10 4.76

Zxi 1.0 P 23.10 4.56ZXi (O) 1.0 P 23.10 5.02Zxi AMT 1.0 P 23.10 5.06

LDi 0.8 D 27.62 4.71Vdi 0.8 D 27.62 5.01Zdi 0.8 D 27.62 5.31

ZDi (O) 0.8 D 27.62 5.77GREEN Vxi 1.0 CNG 31.79 4.92

Ciaz

Vdi 1.3 D 26.30 8.31VDi Plus 1.3 D 26.30 8.92

VXi 1.4 P 20.73 7.23VXi Plus 1.4 P 20.73 7.81

VXi Plus AT 1.4 P 19.12 8.94ZDi 1.3 D 26.30 9.76

ZDi (O) 1.3 D 26.30 10.12ZDi Plus 1.3 D 26.30 10.37

ZXi 1.4 P 20.73 8.51ZXi AT 1.4 P 19.12 9.64

ZXi Plus 1.4 P 20.73 9.09

Eeco

5 Seater 1.2 P 15.10 3.155 Seater Ac 1.2 P 15.10 3.46

7 Seater 1.2 P 15.10 3.32Flexi Green 1.2 CNG 20 4.21

Flexi 1.2 P 20 3.443Green 5 Seater Non Ac 1.2 CNG 20 3.82

Green 5 Seater Ac 1.2 CNG 20 4.18

Ertiga

Lxi 1.4 P 16.02 5.99Vxi 1.4 P 16.02 6.86

VXi ABS 1.4 P 16.02 6.93ZXi 1.4 P 16.02 7.66LDi 1.3 D 20.77 7.48Vdi 1.3 D 20.77 8.12Zdi 1.3 D 20.77 8.78

LXi CNG 1.4 CNG 22.80 6.68VXi CNG 1.4 CNG 22.80 7.45

GypsyKing Soft Top 1.3 P 11.96 6.01King Hard Top 1.3 P 11.96 6.15

OmniMPI 0.8 LPG 10.90 2.57

E 0.8 P 14.70 2.56

Ritz

LXi 1.2 P 18.50 4.45VXi 1.2 P 18.50 4.85

VXi ABS 1.2 P 18.50 5.09VXi AT ABS 1.2 P 17.16 6.09

ZXi 1.2 P 18.50 5.45Mc LDi 1.3 D 23.20 5.53Mc VDi 1.3 D 23.20 5.85

Mc VDi ABS 1.3 D 23.20 6.04Mc ZDi 1.3 D 23.20 6.44

S-Cross

Sigma 1.3 D 23.65 8.34Delta 1.3 D 23.65 9.15Zeta 1.3 D 23.65 9.99

Alpha 1.3 D 23.65 10.75Delta 1.6 D 22.70 11.99Zeta 1.6 D 22.70 12.99

Alpha 1.6 D 22.70 13.74

Swift

LXi 1.2 P 20.40 4.64LXi (O) 1.2 P 20.40 4.78

VXi 1.2 P 20.40 5.40ZXi 1.2 P 20.40 6.24LDi 1.3 D 25.20 5.84VDi 1.3 D 25.20 6.31ZDi 1.3 D 25.20 7.28

Swift Dzire

LXi 1.2 P 19.10 5.16LXi (O) 1.2 P 19.10 5.28

VXi 1.2 P 19.10 5.94VXi AT 1.2 P 19.10 6.73

ZXi 1.2 P 19.10 6.89LDi 1.3 D 23.40 5.99VDi 1.3 D 23.40 6.94

Swift Dzire ZDi 1.3 D 23.40 7.9

WagonR

Mc Lx 1.0 P 20.51 3.7Mc LXi 1.0 P 20.51 4.02

LXi CNG 1.0 CNG 26.60 4.56Mc VXi 1.0 P 20.51 4.28

Mc VXi ABS 1.0 P 20.51 4.59

WagonR Stingray LXi 1.0 P 20.51 4.21VXi 1.0 P 20.51 4.49

VXi (O) 1.0 P 20.51 4.78MASERATIGhibli Ghibli 3. 0 D NA 1.1 (Cr.)


EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


QuattraporteQuattraporte 3. 0 P NA 1.5 (Cr.)

Quattraporte GTS 3.8 P NA 2.2 (Cr.)

Gran TurismoGran Turismo 4.2 P NA 1.8 (Cr.)

Gran Turismo Sport 4.7 P NA NAMC Stradale 4.7 P NA NA

Gran Cabrio Gran Cabrio 4.7 P NA 2.0 (Cr.)

Gran CabrioGran Cabrio Sport 4.7 P NA NAGran Cabrio MC 4.7 P NA NA

MERCEDES-BENZ

A-Class

180 Sport Standard Edition 1.6 P 15.50 26.53180 CDI Standard Edition 2.1 D 20.06 25.61

New 180 Sport 1.6 P NA 27.45New 200 CDI Sport 2.1 D NA 28.45

CLA-Class200 CDI 2.1 D 17.90 31.50

200 Sport 2.0 P 15.04 35200 CDI Sport 2.1 D 17.90 35.90

B-Class

180 Sport 1.6 P 14.91 28.84180 CDI 2.1 D 18.98 27.75

180 Sport Facelift 1.6 P NA 29.45200 CDI Sport Facelift 2.1 D NA 30.45

C-Class

200 Avantgarde 2.0 P 14.74 41.70220 CDI Style 2.1 D 19.27 39.90

200 CDI Avantgarde 2.1 D 19.27 42.90220 CDI Avantgarde 2.1 D 19.27 37.90

E-Class

200 CDI Avantgarde 2.0 P 13.82 48.50250 CDI Avantgarde 2.1 D 14.21 50.70350 CDI Avantgrade 3.0 D NA 59.90

V6 Cabriolet 3.0 P NA 78.50

GLA-class200 CDI Style 2.2 D 17.90 31.31200 CDI Sport 2.2 D 17.9 34.25

200 Sport 2.0 P NA 36GL-class 350 CDI 3.0 D NA 77.50

ML-class250 CDI 2.1 D 14.80 56.60350 CDI 3.0 D 8.70 67.90

S-class

350 CDI 3.0 D NA 1.13 (Cr.)500 4.6 P NA 1.44 (Cr.)

500 Coupe 4.6 P NA 2.00 (Cr.)600 Coupe 6.0 P NA NA600 Guard 6.0 P 8.8 8.9 (Cr.)

CLS-Class250 2.2 D NA 76.50350 3.5 P 9.26 91.90

SLK-class 350 3.5 P NA 71.90

AMG

CLA 45AMG 2.0 P NA 68.50GLA 45AMG 2.0 P NA 69.60C 63 AMG 6.2 P NA 1.07 (Cr.)E 63 AMG 5.5 P NA 1.29 (Cr.)

GL 63 AMG 5.5 P NA 1.70 (Cr.)G 63 AMG Crazy Colour

Edition5.5 P NA 2.17 (Cr.)

ML 63 AMG 5.5 P 10.41 1.50 (Cr.)SLK 55 AMG 5.5 P NA 1.26 (Cr.)

S 63 AMG Coupe 5.5 P NA 2.60 (Cr.)S 63 AMG Sedan 5.5 P NA 2.53 (Cr.)

MINI

Mini 3-Door Cooper D 1.5 D 21.15 32.65 Cooper S 1.5 D 21.15 34.65

Mini 5-Door Cooper D 1.5 D 21.15 36.10Mini Convertible Cooper Convertible 1.6 P NA 36.70Mini Countryman CooperD 2 D 16.57 36.5MITSUBISHI

PajeroSport 4x2 A/T 2.5 D 13.5 24.98Sport Di-D 4x4 2.5 D 13.5 25.28

NISSAN

Evalia

XE 1.5 D 19.30 9.14XE+ 1.5 D 19.30 9.67XL 1.5 D 19.30 10.51

XL (O) 1.5 D 19.30 10.77XV 1.5 D 19.30 11.22

X (O) 1.5 D 19.30 11.48SV 1.5 D 19.30 12.22

Micra

XL 1.2 P 18.44 5.16XL Comfort 1.2 P 18.44 5.82

XV CVT 1.2 P 19.34 6.93DCI XE 1.5 D 23.08 5.74DCI XL 1.5 D 23.08 6

DCI XL Comfort 1.5 D 23.08 6.62DCI XV 1.5 D 23.08 7.10

DCI XV Premium 1.5 D 23.08 7.47

Micra ActiveActive XL 1.2 P 19.49 4.38Active XV 1.2 P 19.49 4.70

Active XV S 1.2 P 19.49 5.02

New Sunny

XE 1.5 P 17.97 7.40XL 1.5 P 17.97 8.19

XL CVT 1.5 P 17.97 9.55XE D 1.5 D 22.71 8.60XL D 1.5 D 22.71 9.25XV D 1.5 D 22.71 10

XV D Premium Safety 1.5 D 22.71 10.29XV D Premium Leather 1.5 D 22.71 10.50

TerranoXL 1.6 P 13.24 10.15

XE D 1.5 D 20.45 10.13XL D 1.5 D 20.45 11.17





EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


Elantra

SX M/T 1.8 P 16.30 15.71SX A/T 1.8 P 14.30 16.79L M/T 1.6 D 22.70 14.87S M/T 1.6 D 22.70 15.65

SX M/T 1.6 D 22.70 16.97SX A/T 1.6 D 19.10 18.24

Eon

D-Lite 0.8 P 21.10 3.01D-Lite+ 0.8 P 21.10 3.31

Era+ 0.8 P 21.10 3.45Era+ Lpg 0.8 P/LPG 21.10 3.71Magna+ 0.8 P 21.10 3.75

Magna+ LPG 0.8 P/LPG 21.10 4.02Magna+ Kappa 1.0 P 20.30 4.05

Magna+ (O) 1.0 P 20.30 4.18Sportz 0.8 P 21.10 4.04

Elite i20

Kappa Era 1.2 P 18.60 5.34Kappa Magna 1.2 P 18.60 5.88Kappa Sportz 1.2 P 18.60 6.39

Kappa Sportz (O) 1.2 P 18.60 6.74Kappa Sportz Special Edition 1.2 P 18.60 6.69

Kappa Asta 1.2 P 18.60 6.97Kappa Asta (O) 1.2 P 18.60 7.16

CRDi Era 1.4 D 22.54 6.45CRDi Magna 1.4 D 22.54 6.99CRDi Sportz 1.4 D 22.54 7.54

CRDi Sportz (O) 1.4 D 22.54 7.86CRDi Sportz Special Edition 1.4 D 22.54 7.84

CRDi Asta 1.4 D 22.54 8.09CRDi Asta (O) 1.4 D 22.54 8.28

Grand i10

Kappa Era 1.2 P 18.90 4.62Kappa Magna 1.2 P 18.90 4.82

Kappa Magna (LPG) 1.2 P/LPG 18.90 5.25Kappa Sportz 1.2 P 18.90 5.22Kappa Asta 1.2 P 18.90 5.48

Kappa Asta A/T 1.2 P 18.90 6.23Kappa Asta (O) 1.2 P 18.90 5.81

CRDi Era 1.1 D 24 5.49CRDi Magna 1.1 D 24 5.68CRDi Sportz 1.1 D 24 6.08CRDi Asta 1.1 D 24 6.35

CRDi Asta (O) 1.1 D 24 6.67

i10

Era 1.1 P 19.81 4.17Magna 1.1 P 19.81 4.41Sportz 1.1 P 19.81 4.70

Sportz LPG 1.1 P/LPG 19.20 4.98

i20 Active

Kappa Base 1.2 P 17.19 6.38Kappa S 1.2 P 17.19 7.10

CRDi Base 1.4 D 21.19 7.63CRDi S 1.4 D 21.19 8.34

CRDi SX 1.4 D 21.19 8.89

Santa Fe2WD M/T 2.2 D 14.74 26.652WD A/T 2.2 D 13.01 27.864WD A/T 2.2 D 13.01 29.95

4S Fludic Verna

Base 1.4 P 17.01 7.69S 1.6 P 17.01 8.79

S (O) 1.6 P 17.01 9.32S (O) A/T 1.6 P 17.01 10.05

SX 1.6 P 17.01 10.09CRDi Base 1.4 D 23.50 8.90

CRDi S 1.6 D 23.50 9.93CRDi S (O) 1.6 D 23.50 10.52CRDi SX 1.6 D 23.50 11.39

CRDi SX A/T 1.6 D 19.08 12.12

Xcent

Kappa Base 1.2 P 19.10 4.96Kappa S 1.2 P 19.10 5.64

Kappa S (O) 1.2 P 19.10 5.90Kappa SX 1.2 P 19.10 6.58

Kappa SX (O) 1.2 P 19.10 6.84Kappa SX (O) A/T 1.2 P 16.90 7.59

CRDi Base 1.1 D 24.40 5.85CRDi S 1.1 D 24.40 6.54

CRDi S (O) 1.1 D 24.40 6.80CRDi SX 1.1 D 24.40 7.47

CRDi SX (O) 1.1 D 24.40 7.74ISUZU

D-Max

D-Max Single Cab 2.5 D NA 5.89D-Max Space Cab Flat Deck 2.5 D NA 6.09D-Max Space Cab Arched

Deck2.5 D NA 6.99

MU-7BS4 4x2 MT 3.0 D 12.08 20.20

BS4 4x2 MT HI Pack 3.0 D 12.08 22BS4 AT Premium 3.0 D NA 23.90

JAGUAR

F-Type

F-Type Coupe 3.0 P NA 1.25 (Cr.)F-Type S Coupe 3.0 P NA 1.37 (Cr.)F-Type R Coupe 5.0 P NA 1.87 (Cr.)

F-Type V6 S Covertible 3.0 P NA 1.52 (Cr.)F-Type V8 S Covertible 5.0 P NA 1.79 (Cr.)

XF

XF 2.0 P NA 50.23XF 2.2 D NA 50.55

Executive Edition 2.2 D NA 46.72XF 3.0 D NA 58.86


EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


XF XFR 5.0 P NA NA

XJ

Premium Luxury 2.0 P NA NAPortfolio 2.0 P 9.4 95.97

Premium Luxury 3.0 D NA 94.80Portfolio 3.0 D NA 1.02 (Cr.)

LAMBORGHINI

AventadorLP 700-4 6.5 P 6.3 3.69 (Cr.)

LP 700-4 Roadster 6.5 P 6.3 4.77 (Cr.)Huracan LP 610-4 5.2 P NA 3.43 (Cr.)LAND ROVER

Discovery 4V6 SE 3.0 P NA 1.10 (Cr.)

V6 HSE 3.0 P NA 1.19 (Cr.)

Freelander 2

TD4 S BE 2.2 D NA 41.61TD4 SE 2.2 D NA 45.42

TD4 SE Sterling Edition 2.2 D NA 47.03TD4 HSE 2.2 D NA 51.02

Range Rover

TDV6 HSE 3.0 D NA 1.81 (Cr.)TDV6 Vogue 3.0 D NA 2.06 (Cr.)

SDV8 Vogue SE 4.4 D NA 2.46 (Cr.)SDV8 Autobiography 4.4 D NA 2.53 (Cr.)V8 SC Autobiography 5.0 P NA 2.61 (Cr.)

TDV6 Vogue LWB 3.0 D NA 2.18 (Cr.)SDV8 Vogue SE LWB 4.4 D NA 2.56 (Cr.)

SDV8 Autobiography LWB 4.4 D NA 2.67 (Cr.)V8 SC Autobiography LWB 5.0 P NA 2.74 (Cr.)

Range Rover Evoque

Pure 2.2 D NA 59.49Prestige 2.2 D NA 67.80Dynamic 2.2 D NA 67.50

Dynamic Coupe 2.0 P NA NA5 Door Pure 2.2 D NA 48.73

5 Door Dynamic 2.2 D NA 52.405 Door Prestige 2.2 D NA 56.21

Range Rover Sport

SDV6 S 3.0 D NA 1.15 (Cr.)SDV6 SE 3.0 D NA 1.31 (Cr.)

SDV6 HSE 3.0 D NA 1.50 (Cr.)SC Autobiography 5.0 P NA 1.74 (Cr.)

MAHINDRA

Bolero

Plus Non Ac BS4 2.5 D 15.96 6.88Plus Ac BS4 2.5 D 15.96 7.27

Ex Non Ac BS4 2.5 D 15.96 6.50Ex Ac BS4 2.5 D 15.96 6.90SLE BS4 2.5 D 15.96 7.30SLX BS4 2.5 D 15.96 7.82ZLX BS4 2.5 D 15.96 7.99

Quanto

C2 1.5 D 17.21 6.41C4 1.5 D 17.21 7.28C6 1.5 D 17.21 7.75C8 1.5 D 17.21 8.26

RextonRX5 MT 2.7 D 11.18 19.83RX6 MT 2.7 D 11.18 21.87RX7 AT 2.7 D 11.18 23.17

Scorpio

S2 2.5 D NA 8.69S4 2.2 D NA 9.29

S4 / S4 4WD 2.2 D NA 9.70 / 10.83S6 / S6 PLUS 2.2 D NA 10.48 / 10.79

S8 2.2 D NA 11.68S10 AT 2.2 D NA 13.13

Thar DI 2WD 2.6 D NA 5.21DI 2WD PS 2.6 D NA 5.45

DI 4X4 2.6 D NA 5.964x4 CRDE 2.5 D NA 8.25

Verito

D2 1.5 D 20.08 6.72D4 1.5 D 20.08 6.95

D6 ABS 1.5 D 20.08 7.65D6 ABS EXECUTIVE 1.5 D 20.08 8.13

Verito VibeD2 1.5 D 20.08 6D4 1.5 D 20.08 6.27D6 1.5 D 20.08 6.89

XUV 500

W4 FWD 2.2 D 15.10 11.20W6 FWD 2.2 D 15.10 12.47W8 FWD 2.2 D 15.10 14.07W8 AWD 2.2 D 15.10 15.06

Xclusive Edition 2.2 D 15.10 14.49 / 14.65

XYLO

D2 BS IV 2.5 D 14.88 8.07D2 MAXX BS IV 2.5 D 14.88 7.86

D4 BS IV 2.5 D 14.88 8.49

H4 BS IV / ABS BS IV 2.2 D 14.02 8.96 / 9.20

H8 ABS BS IV / ABS AIRBAG BS IV

2.2 D 14.02 10.23 / 10.62

H9 BS IV 2.2 D 14.02 11.47MAHINDRA REVA

e2oT2

Electric Motor

E NA 7.19

T20 Electric Motor

E NA 7.67

MARUTI

Alto 800

STD 0.8 P 22.74 2.52LX 0.8 P 22.74 2.89Lxi 0.8 P 22.74 3.11

LXi Airbag 0.8 P 22.74 3.27Vxi 0.8 P 22.74 3.25



EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


Alto 800VXi Airbag 0.8 P 22.74 3.43LXi CNG 0.8 CNG 30.46 3.68

Alto K10

LX 1.0 P 24.07 3.19Lxi 1.0 P 24.07 3.36

LXi CNG 1.0 P 24.07 3.98Vxi 1.0 P 24.07 3.52

VXi (O) 1.0 P 24.07 3.72VXi AGS 1.0 P 24.07 4.01

Celerio

Lxi 1.0 P 23.10 3.96LXi AGS 1.0 P 23.10 4.46

Vxi 1.0 P 23.10 4.26VXi AGS 1.0 P 23.10 4.76

Zxi 1.0 P 23.10 4.56ZXi (O) 1.0 P 23.10 5.02Zxi AMT 1.0 P 23.10 5.06

LDi 0.8 D 27.62 4.71Vdi 0.8 D 27.62 5.01Zdi 0.8 D 27.62 5.31

ZDi (O) 0.8 D 27.62 5.77GREEN Vxi 1.0 CNG 31.79 4.92

Ciaz

Vdi 1.3 D 26.30 8.31VDi Plus 1.3 D 26.30 8.92

VXi 1.4 P 20.73 7.23VXi Plus 1.4 P 20.73 7.81

VXi Plus AT 1.4 P 19.12 8.94ZDi 1.3 D 26.30 9.76

ZDi (O) 1.3 D 26.30 10.12ZDi Plus 1.3 D 26.30 10.37

ZXi 1.4 P 20.73 8.51ZXi AT 1.4 P 19.12 9.64

ZXi Plus 1.4 P 20.73 9.09

Eeco

5 Seater 1.2 P 15.10 3.155 Seater Ac 1.2 P 15.10 3.46

7 Seater 1.2 P 15.10 3.32Flexi Green 1.2 CNG 20 4.21

Flexi 1.2 P 20 3.443Green 5 Seater Non Ac 1.2 CNG 20 3.82

Green 5 Seater Ac 1.2 CNG 20 4.18

Ertiga

Lxi 1.4 P 16.02 5.99Vxi 1.4 P 16.02 6.86

VXi ABS 1.4 P 16.02 6.93ZXi 1.4 P 16.02 7.66LDi 1.3 D 20.77 7.48Vdi 1.3 D 20.77 8.12Zdi 1.3 D 20.77 8.78

LXi CNG 1.4 CNG 22.80 6.68VXi CNG 1.4 CNG 22.80 7.45

GypsyKing Soft Top 1.3 P 11.96 6.01King Hard Top 1.3 P 11.96 6.15

OmniMPI 0.8 LPG 10.90 2.57

E 0.8 P 14.70 2.56

Ritz

LXi 1.2 P 18.50 4.45VXi 1.2 P 18.50 4.85

VXi ABS 1.2 P 18.50 5.09VXi AT ABS 1.2 P 17.16 6.09

ZXi 1.2 P 18.50 5.45Mc LDi 1.3 D 23.20 5.53Mc VDi 1.3 D 23.20 5.85

Mc VDi ABS 1.3 D 23.20 6.04Mc ZDi 1.3 D 23.20 6.44

S-Cross

Sigma 1.3 D 23.65 8.34Delta 1.3 D 23.65 9.15Zeta 1.3 D 23.65 9.99

Alpha 1.3 D 23.65 10.75Delta 1.6 D 22.70 11.99Zeta 1.6 D 22.70 12.99

Alpha 1.6 D 22.70 13.74

Swift

LXi 1.2 P 20.40 4.64LXi (O) 1.2 P 20.40 4.78

VXi 1.2 P 20.40 5.40ZXi 1.2 P 20.40 6.24LDi 1.3 D 25.20 5.84VDi 1.3 D 25.20 6.31ZDi 1.3 D 25.20 7.28

Swift Dzire

LXi 1.2 P 19.10 5.16LXi (O) 1.2 P 19.10 5.28

VXi 1.2 P 19.10 5.94VXi AT 1.2 P 19.10 6.73

ZXi 1.2 P 19.10 6.89LDi 1.3 D 23.40 5.99VDi 1.3 D 23.40 6.94

Swift Dzire ZDi 1.3 D 23.40 7.9

WagonR

Mc Lx 1.0 P 20.51 3.7Mc LXi 1.0 P 20.51 4.02

LXi CNG 1.0 CNG 26.60 4.56Mc VXi 1.0 P 20.51 4.28

Mc VXi ABS 1.0 P 20.51 4.59

WagonR Stingray LXi 1.0 P 20.51 4.21VXi 1.0 P 20.51 4.49

VXi (O) 1.0 P 20.51 4.78MASERATIGhibli Ghibli 3. 0 D NA 1.1 (Cr.)


EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


QuattraporteQuattraporte 3. 0 P NA 1.5 (Cr.)

Quattraporte GTS 3.8 P NA 2.2 (Cr.)

Gran TurismoGran Turismo 4.2 P NA 1.8 (Cr.)

Gran Turismo Sport 4.7 P NA NAMC Stradale 4.7 P NA NA

Gran Cabrio Gran Cabrio 4.7 P NA 2.0 (Cr.)

Gran CabrioGran Cabrio Sport 4.7 P NA NAGran Cabrio MC 4.7 P NA NA

MERCEDES-BENZ

A-Class

180 Sport Standard Edition 1.6 P 15.50 26.53180 CDI Standard Edition 2.1 D 20.06 25.61

New 180 Sport 1.6 P NA 27.45New 200 CDI Sport 2.1 D NA 28.45

CLA-Class200 CDI 2.1 D 17.90 31.50

200 Sport 2.0 P 15.04 35200 CDI Sport 2.1 D 17.90 35.90

B-Class

180 Sport 1.6 P 14.91 28.84180 CDI 2.1 D 18.98 27.75

180 Sport Facelift 1.6 P NA 29.45200 CDI Sport Facelift 2.1 D NA 30.45

C-Class

200 Avantgarde 2.0 P 14.74 41.70220 CDI Style 2.1 D 19.27 39.90

200 CDI Avantgarde 2.1 D 19.27 42.90220 CDI Avantgarde 2.1 D 19.27 37.90

E-Class

200 CDI Avantgarde 2.0 P 13.82 48.50250 CDI Avantgarde 2.1 D 14.21 50.70350 CDI Avantgrade 3.0 D NA 59.90

V6 Cabriolet 3.0 P NA 78.50

GLA-class200 CDI Style 2.2 D 17.90 31.31200 CDI Sport 2.2 D 17.9 34.25

200 Sport 2.0 P NA 36GL-class 350 CDI 3.0 D NA 77.50

ML-class250 CDI 2.1 D 14.80 56.60350 CDI 3.0 D 8.70 67.90

S-class

350 CDI 3.0 D NA 1.13 (Cr.)500 4.6 P NA 1.44 (Cr.)

500 Coupe 4.6 P NA 2.00 (Cr.)600 Coupe 6.0 P NA NA600 Guard 6.0 P 8.8 8.9 (Cr.)

CLS-Class250 2.2 D NA 76.50350 3.5 P 9.26 91.90

SLK-class 350 3.5 P NA 71.90

AMG

CLA 45AMG 2.0 P NA 68.50GLA 45AMG 2.0 P NA 69.60C 63 AMG 6.2 P NA 1.07 (Cr.)E 63 AMG 5.5 P NA 1.29 (Cr.)

GL 63 AMG 5.5 P NA 1.70 (Cr.)G 63 AMG Crazy Colour

Edition5.5 P NA 2.17 (Cr.)

ML 63 AMG 5.5 P 10.41 1.50 (Cr.)SLK 55 AMG 5.5 P NA 1.26 (Cr.)

S 63 AMG Coupe 5.5 P NA 2.60 (Cr.)S 63 AMG Sedan 5.5 P NA 2.53 (Cr.)

MINI

Mini 3-Door Cooper D 1.5 D 21.15 32.65 Cooper S 1.5 D 21.15 34.65

Mini 5-Door Cooper D 1.5 D 21.15 36.10Mini Convertible Cooper Convertible 1.6 P NA 36.70Mini Countryman CooperD 2 D 16.57 36.5MITSUBISHI

PajeroSport 4x2 A/T 2.5 D 13.5 24.98Sport Di-D 4x4 2.5 D 13.5 25.28

NISSAN

Evalia

XE 1.5 D 19.30 9.14XE+ 1.5 D 19.30 9.67XL 1.5 D 19.30 10.51

XL (O) 1.5 D 19.30 10.77XV 1.5 D 19.30 11.22

X (O) 1.5 D 19.30 11.48SV 1.5 D 19.30 12.22

Micra

XL 1.2 P 18.44 5.16XL Comfort 1.2 P 18.44 5.82

XV CVT 1.2 P 19.34 6.93DCI XE 1.5 D 23.08 5.74DCI XL 1.5 D 23.08 6

DCI XL Comfort 1.5 D 23.08 6.62DCI XV 1.5 D 23.08 7.10

DCI XV Premium 1.5 D 23.08 7.47

Micra ActiveActive XL 1.2 P 19.49 4.38Active XV 1.2 P 19.49 4.70

Active XV S 1.2 P 19.49 5.02

New Sunny

XE 1.5 P 17.97 7.40XL 1.5 P 17.97 8.19

XL CVT 1.5 P 17.97 9.55XE D 1.5 D 22.71 8.60XL D 1.5 D 22.71 9.25XV D 1.5 D 22.71 10

XV D Premium Safety 1.5 D 22.71 10.29XV D Premium Leather 1.5 D 22.71 10.50

TerranoXL 1.6 P 13.24 10.15

XE D 1.5 D 20.45 10.13XL D 1.5 D 20.45 11.17




EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


Corolla Altis

G (CVT) 1.8 P 15.22 15.88GL 1.8 P 14.05 16.22

VL A/T 1.8 P 15.22 17.73D4-DJ 1.4 D 21.45 13.93D4-DJS 1.4 D 21.45 14.50D4-DG 1.4 D 21.45 15.90D4-DGL 1.4 D 21.45 17.54

Etios

J PS 1.5 P 16.78 6.03G 1.5 P 16.78 6.33V 1.5 P 16.78 6.73

VX 1.5 P 16.78 7.35D-4D JD 1.4 D 23.59 7.13D-4D GD 1.4 D 23.59 7.43D-4D VD 1.4 D 23.59 7.83

D-4D VXD 1.4 D 23.59 8.45

Etios Liva

J PS 1.2 P 17.71 5G 1.2 P 17.71 5.17V 1.2 P 17.71 5.67

VX 1.2 P 17.71 6.18TRD Sportivo 1.5 P 16.78 6.83

D-4D JD 1.4 D 23.59 6.18D-4D GD 1.4 D 23.59 6.36D-4D VD 1.4 D 23.59 6.70

D-4D VXD 1.4 D 23.59 7.21D-4D TRD Sportivo 1.4 D 23.59 7.19

Etios Cross

Cross G 1.2 P 17.71 6.23Cross V 1.5 P 16.78 7.63

D-4D GD 1.4 D 23.59 7.41D-4D VD 1.4 D 23.59 7.71

Fortuner

4x2 M/T 3.0 D 12.55 24.174x4 M/T 3.0 D 12.55 25.494x2 A/T 3.0 D 11.88 25.174x4 A/T 3.0 D NA 26.49

4x2 M/T (TRD Sportivo) 2.5 D NA 24.354x2 A/T (TRD Sportivo) 2.5 D NA 25.35

Innova

E Euro IV Non AC 8 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 10.51E Euro IV Non AC 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 10.55

E Euro IV PS 8 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 11.04E Euro IV PS 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 11.08

G Euro IV 8 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 12.58G Euro IV 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 12.53

GX Euro IV 8 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 13.15GX Euro IV 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 13.10VX Euro IV 8 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 15.16VX Euro IV 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 15.12ZX Euro IV 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 15.81

Land Cruiser LC 200

VX 200 Premium 4.5 D 9.65 1.19 (Cr.)

Land Cruiser Parado

Parado VX-L 3.0 D 11.13 88.80

PriusZ5 1.8 P 23.91 38.10Z6 1.8 P 23.91 39.80

VOLKSWAGEN

Jetta

TSI Trendline 1.4 P 14.69 14.15TSI Comfortline 1.4 P 14.69 15.67TDI Trendline 2.0 D 19.33 15.31

TDI Comfortline 2.0 D 19.33 17.24TDI Highline 2.0 D 19.33 19.14

TDI Highline A/T 2.0 D 16.96 20.17

Polo

Trendline 1.2 P 16.47 5.33Comfortline 1.2 P 16.47 5.95

Highline 1.2 P 16.47 6.47Trendline (Diesel) 1.5 D 20.14 6.68

Comfortline (Diesel) 1.5 D 20.14 7.30Highline (Diesel) 1.5 D 20.14 7.82

GT TSI 1.2 P 17.21 8.48GT TDI 1.6 D 19.78 8.48

Cross Polo 1.2 D 22.07 8.37

Vento


Highline 1.6 P 16.93 9.42Comfortline DSG AT 1.2 P 18.19 9.87

Highline DSG AT 1.2 P 18.19 10.62Trendline 1.5 D 20.64 9.1

Comfortline 1.5 D 20.64 9.92Highline 1.5 D 20.64 10.67

Comfortline DSG AT 1.5 D 21.5 11.12Highline DSG AT 1.5 D 21.5 11.87

VOLVO

V40D3 Kinetic 2 D NA 24.75R-Design 2 D NA 27.7

V40 Cross Country

D3 Inscription 2.0 D NA 32.50T4 Petrol 1.6 P NA 27

S60

T6 Petrol 2.0 P NA 40.25D4 Kinetic 2.0 D NA 32.40

D4 Momentum 2.0 D NA 35.25D5 Summum 2.4 D NA 38.35

R-Design 2.0 D NA 40.25

S80D4 Summum 2.0 D NA 42.58D5 Summum 2.4 D NA 46.20

XC60D4 Kinetic 2.0 D NA 43.50

D4 Momentum 2.0 D NA 46.60

CARS/TWO WHEELERS

TWO WHEELER PRICES


MODEL ENGINE* FUEL EFFICIENCY* PRICE*

* Engine in CC | Fuel Efficiency in kmpl/kmpkg | Prices in lakhs

BAJAJ AUTOPlatina 100 99.27 90 0.39Platina 100 ES 102 96.90 0.44Discover 100 94.38 91 0.46Discover 100 M 102 84 0.48Discover 125 M (Drum) 124.6 76 0.51Discover 125 M (Disc) 124.6 76 0.53Discover 150 S (Drum) 144.8 NA 0.54Discover 150 S (Disc) 144.8 NA 0.57Discover 150 F 144.8 NA 0.61Pulsar 135LS 134.66 68.10 0.63Pulsar 150 DTS-i 149 65 0.70Pulsar 180 DTS-i 178.6 58.10 0.74Pulsar 200 NS 199.5 58 0.91Pulsar RS200 200 NA 1.18 (Lakh)Pulsar RS200 ABS 200 NA 1.30 (Lakh)Pulsar 220 220 54.20 0.86Avenger 220 DTS-i 219.89 49.80 0.81BMW MOTORRADR 1200 R 1170 NA 24.13 (Lakh)R 1200 GS ADV 0A02 1170 NA 29.73 (Lakh)R 1200 RT 1170 NA 29.73 (Lakh)R 1200 X (RnineT) 0A06 1170 NA 25.96 (Lakh)K 1300 R 1293 NA 27.25 (Lakh)K 1300 S 1293 NA 29.41 (Lakh)S 1000 RR 999 NA 29.41 (Lakh)HP2 Sport 1170 NA NAK 1600 GT 1649 NA 34.35 (Lakh)K 1600 GTL 1649 NA 37.04 (Lakh)K 1600 GTL Exclusive 0603 1649 NA 44.79 (Lakh)DSK BENELLITNT 300 300 NA 2.83 (Lakh)TNT 600i 600 NA 5.15 (Lakh)TNT 600 GT 600 NA 5.62 (Lakh)TNT 899 898 NA 9.48 (Lakh)TNT R 1131 NA 11.81 (Lakh)DSK HYOUSUNGGT 250R 249 NA 2.89 (Lakh)Aquila 250 249 NA 2.74 (Lakh)GT 650R 647 NA 4.63 (Lakh)GT 650N 647 NA 3.73 (Lakh)Aquila PRO 647 NA 5.08 (Lakh)ST7 678.2 NA 5.79 (Lakh)DUCATIScrambler Icon 803 NA NAScrambler Classic 803 NA NAScrambler Full Throttle 803 NA NAMonster 821 821 NA NAMonster 821 Dark 821 NA NAMonster 1200 1198 NA NAMonster 1200 S 1198 NA NAHyperstrada 821 NA NAHypermotard 821 NA NAMultistrada 1198 NA NAMultistrada S White 1198 NA NAMultistrada S Red 1198 NA NA

SEGMENT MODEL ENGINE (CC) PRICE (RS.)

POLARIS

ATV & Youth Mode

Outlaw 50 49 2.64 lakhPhoenix 200 196 4.89 lakh

RZR 170 169 5.29 lakhSportsman 400 H.O 445 7.25 lakhSportsman 500 H.O 498 7.67 lakhSportsman 570 EFI 567 7.94 lakhSportsman 850 H.O 850 14.72 lakh

Sportsman Big Boss 800 760 15.35 lakh

Ranger

400 455 11.14 lakhCrew 500 EFI 498 13.97 lakh

Crew 800 760 18 lakhRanger Diesel 904 20.48 lakh

Ranger EV NA 12.82 lakh

Ranger RZR RZR S 800 760 22.85 lakh

RZR XP 900 875 21.13 lakhRZR XP4 900 875 24.10 lakh

Snowmobile Widetrak LS 488 10.86 lakhEicher Polaris Multix NA 2.32 lakh

OFF-ROAD VEHICLE PRICES



EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


XC60 R-Design 2.0 D NA 52

D5 Inscription 2.4 D NA 50.20

XC90D5 Inscription 2.0 D NA 65D5 Momentum 2.0 D NA 72


EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


Terrano

XL D PLUS 1.5 D 20.45 11.45XL D THP 1.5 D 19.01 11.64

XV OPTION D THP 1.5 D 19.01 12.60XV OPTION D THP Premium 1.5 D 19.01 12.92

PORSCHE

911

Careera 3.4 P NA 1.29 (Cr.)Careera S 3.8 P NA 1.51 (Cr.)Careera 4 3.4 P NA 1.42 (Cr.)Careera 4S 3.8 P NA 1.61 (Cr.)

Careera Cabriolet 3.4 P NA 1.47 (Cr.)Careera S Cabriolet 3.8 P NA 1.68 (Cr.)Careera 4 Cabriolet 3.4 P NA 1.57 (Cr.)Careera 4S Cabriolet 3.8 P NA 1.78 (Cr.)

GT3 3.8 P NA 2.14 (Cr.)Turbo 3.8 P NA 2.20 (Cr.)

Turbo S 3.8 P NA 2.67 (Cr.)Targa 4 3.4 P NA 1.59 (Cr.)

Targa 4 S 3.8 P NA 1.78 (Cr.)Boxter Boxter S 3.4 P NA 92.02

Cayenne

Cayenne Diesel 3.0 D NA 79.06Cayenne S 4.8 P NA 99.92

Cayenne Platinum 3.0 D NA 86.50Cayenne S Diesel 4.1 D NA 1.02 (Cr.)Cayenne S Hybrid 3.0 P NA 91.05

Cayenne GTS 4.8 P NA 1.16 (Cr.)Cayenne Tiptronic 3.6 P NA 71.17

Cayenne Turbo 4.8 P NA 1.60 (Cr.)Cayenne Turbo S 4.8 P NA 2.09 (Cr.)

Cayman Cayman S 3.4 P NA 94.51

MacanTurbo 3.6 D 10.80 1.09 (Cr.)

S Diesel 3.0 D 15.80 98.18

Panamera

Panamera 3.6 P NA 1.20 (Cr.)Panamera Diesel 3.0 D NA 1.23 (Cr.)

Panamera 4 3.6 P NA 1.22 (Cr.)Panamera GTS 4.8 P NA 1.61 (Cr.)

Panamera Turbo 4.8 P NA 2 (Cr.)PREMIER

Rio

GX 1.2 P 15 4.71GLX 1.2 P 15 5.16DX 1.2 D 13 5.64LX 1.2 D 13 6.10

CRDi 1.2 D 20 6.70RENAULT

Duster

RXE 1.6 P 13.24 8.30RXL 1.6 P 13.24 9.63

85 PS RXE 1.5 D 19.87 9.0785 PS RXL 1.5 D 19.87 10.10

85 PS RXL Plus 1.5 D 19.87 10.8085 PS RXL Option 1.5 D 19.87 11.39

110 PS RXL 1.5 D 19.64 11.10110 PS RXL AWD 1.5 D 19.64 12.40110 PS RXZ AWD 1.5 D 19.64 13.55110 PS RXZ Plus 1.5 D 19.64 12.37

110 PS RXZ Option 1.5 D 19.64 12.42

FluenceE2 1.5 D 20.04 14.73E4 1.5 D 20.04 16.31

Koleos4x2 MT 2.0 D 17.15 23.484X4 MT 2.0 D 16.26 26.684X4 AT 2.0 D 14.56 27.75

Lodgy

85 PS 1.5 D 21.04 8.1985 PS RxE 1.5 D 21.04 8.9985 PS RxL 1.5 D 21.04 9.5985 PS RxZ 1.5 D 21.04 10.89110 PS RxL 1.5 D 19.98 10.09

110 PS RxZ (7 Seater) 1.5 D 19.98 11.79110 PS RxZ 1.5 D 19.98 11.49

Stepway RxZ 110 PS 8 seater 1.5 D 19.98 11.99Stepway RxZ 110 PS 7 seater 1.5 D 19.98 12.29

PulseRXL 1.5 D 23.08 5.04

RXL ABS 1.5 D 23.08 6.11RXZ 1.5 D 23.08 6.80

Scala

RXE 1.5 P 16.95 7.44RXL 1.5 P 16.95 8.23

RXL CVT 1.5 P 17.97 9.41RXZ CVT 1.5 P 17.97 10.34

RXE 1.5 D 21.64 8.58RXL 1.5 D 21.64 9.10RXZ 1.5 D 21.64 10.02

ROLLS-ROYCE

GhostGhost SWB 6.6 P NA 2.50 (Cr.)Ghost EWB 6.6 P NA 3.05 (Cr.)

Ghost Ghost V-Specification 6.6 P NA NA

Phantom Series II

Phantom 6.7 P NA 3.34 (Cr.)Phantom EWB 6.7 P NA NA

Drophead Coupe 6.7 P NA 4.01 (Cr.)Coupe 6.7 P NA 4 (Cr.)

Wraith Wraith 6.6 P NA NASKODA

Octavia

Ambition TSI 1.4 P 16.80 16.25Elegance TSI AT 1.8 P 14.70 19.66Ambition TDI CR 2.0 D 20.60 17.87

Ambition TDI CR AT 2.0 D 19.30 18.55


EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


Octavia Elegance TDI CR AT 2.0 D 19.30 20.60

Rapid

Active MPI 1.6 P 15 7.55Ambition MPI Plus 1.6 P 15 8.43

Elegance MPI 1.6 P 15 8.88Elegance MPI Black Package 1.6 P 15 9.01

Elegance Plus MPI 1.6 P 15 9.22

Rapid

Elegance MPI AT 1.6 P 14.30 9.87Elegance MPI Black Package

AT1.6 P 14.30 10.34

Active TDI CR 1.5 D 21.66 8.80Ambition TDI CR Plus 1.5 D 21.66 9.48

Elegance TDI CR 1.5 D 21.66 9.87Elegance TDI CR Black

Package1.5 D 21.66 10

Ambition TDI CR Plus AT 1.5 D 21.66 10.83Elegance TDI CR AT 1.5 D 21.66 11.18

Elegance TDI CR Black Package AT

1.5 D 21.66 11.31

Elegance Plus AT 1.5 D 21.66 11.52Elegance Plus Black Package

AT1.5 D 21.66 11.65

SuperbElegance TSI MT 1.8 P 13.10 21.65Elegance TSI AT 1.8 P 13.70 23.30

Elegance TDI CR AT 2.0 D 17.20 26.25

YetiElegance TDI CR 4x2 2.0 D 17.72 20.10Elegance TDI CR 4x4 2.0 D 17.67 21.80

TATA

AriaPure LX 4x2 BS IV 2.2 D 15.05 10.42

Pleasure LX 4x2 BS IV 2.2 D 15.05 12.56Pride 4x4 BS IV 2.2 D 15.05 15.43

Bolt

XE Revotron 90PS 1.2 P 17.57 4.45XM Revotron 90PS 1.2 P 17.57 5.16XMS Revotron 90PS 1.2 P 17.57 5.40XT Revotron 90PS 1.2 P 17.57 6XE Quadrajet 75PS 1.3 D 22.95 5.50XM Quadrajet 75PS 1.3 D 22.95 6.12XMS Quadrajet 75PS 1.3 D 22.95 6.35XT Quadrajet 75PS 1.3 D 22.95 7

GenX Nano

XE 0.6 P 23.6 1.99XM 0.6 P 23.6 2.29

XMA (AMT) 0.6 P 21.9 2.69XT 0.6 P 23.6 2.49

XTA (AMT) 0.6 P 21.9 2.89

Indica

ev2 LS BS IV 1.4 D 25 4.44ev2 LX BS IV 1.4 D 25 4.85

emax GLS BS IV 1.2 P/CNG NA 3.90emax GLX BS IV 1.2 P/CNG NA 4.16

Indigo eCS

GLX BS IV 1.2 P 15.64 4.93GVX BS IV 1.2 P 15.64 5.21

LS 1.4 D 25 5.38LX 1.4 D 25 5.57VX 1.4 D 25 5.95

emax GLS 1.2 P/CNG NA 4.88emax GLX 1.2 P/CNG NA 5.15

Manza

Safire GLS 1.4 P 13.70 5.97Safire GLX 1.4 P 13.70 6.20Safire GVX 1.4 P 13.70 6.61Safire GEX 1.4 P 13.70 7.59Safire GEXL 1.4 P 13.70 7.61

Quadrajet LS 1.3 D 21.02 6.16Quadrajet LX 1.3 D 21.02 6.93Quadrajet VX 1.3 D 21.02 7.59Quadrajet EX 1.3 D 21.02 8.58Quadrajet EXL 1.3 D 21.02 8.51

SafariDicor EX BS 4 2.2 D 11.57 10.20Dicor LX BS 4 2.2 D 11.57 8.90

Safari Storme

Storme LX BS 4 2.2 D 14.1 9.99Storme EX 2.2 D 14.1 11.60

Storme VX 4x2 2.2 D 14.1 13.02Storme VX 4x4 2.2 D 14.1 14.35

Sumo Gold

CX BS 4 3.0 D 15.30 6.56 CX - PS BS 4 3.0 D 15.30 6.74

EX BS 4 3.0 D 15.30 7.28GX BS 4 3.0 D 15.30 7.93

VistaQuadrajet LS BS 4 1.3 D 16.70 5.28

Quadrajet VX Tech BS 4 1.3 D 21.12 5.97

Xenon XTXT EX 4x2 2.2 D 13.49 9.96XT EX 4x4 2.2 D 13.49 10.99

ZestXE Revotron 90PS 1.2 P 17.57 4.85XM Revotron 90PS 1.2 P 17.57 5.49XMS Revotron 90PS 1.2 P 17.57 5.69

Zest

XT Revotron 90PS 1.2 P 17.57 6.27XE Quadrajet 75PS 1.3 D 22.95 5.87XM Quadrajet 90PS 1.3 D 22.95 6.55XMS Quadrajet 90PS 1.3 D 22.95 6.75XT Quadrajet 90PS 1.3 D 22.95 7.31

XMA Quadrajet 90PS 1.3 D 22.95 7.25TOYOTA

CamryA/T 2.5 P 12.98 26.62

Hybrid 2.5 P 19.16 31.20

Corolla AltisJS 1.8 P 14.05 13.06G 1.8 P 14.05 14.58




EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


Corolla Altis

G (CVT) 1.8 P 15.22 15.88GL 1.8 P 14.05 16.22

VL A/T 1.8 P 15.22 17.73D4-DJ 1.4 D 21.45 13.93D4-DJS 1.4 D 21.45 14.50D4-DG 1.4 D 21.45 15.90D4-DGL 1.4 D 21.45 17.54

Etios

J PS 1.5 P 16.78 6.03G 1.5 P 16.78 6.33V 1.5 P 16.78 6.73

VX 1.5 P 16.78 7.35D-4D JD 1.4 D 23.59 7.13D-4D GD 1.4 D 23.59 7.43D-4D VD 1.4 D 23.59 7.83

D-4D VXD 1.4 D 23.59 8.45

Etios Liva

J PS 1.2 P 17.71 5G 1.2 P 17.71 5.17V 1.2 P 17.71 5.67

VX 1.2 P 17.71 6.18TRD Sportivo 1.5 P 16.78 6.83

D-4D JD 1.4 D 23.59 6.18D-4D GD 1.4 D 23.59 6.36D-4D VD 1.4 D 23.59 6.70

D-4D VXD 1.4 D 23.59 7.21D-4D TRD Sportivo 1.4 D 23.59 7.19

Etios Cross

Cross G 1.2 P 17.71 6.23Cross V 1.5 P 16.78 7.63

D-4D GD 1.4 D 23.59 7.41D-4D VD 1.4 D 23.59 7.71

Fortuner

4x2 M/T 3.0 D 12.55 24.174x4 M/T 3.0 D 12.55 25.494x2 A/T 3.0 D 11.88 25.174x4 A/T 3.0 D NA 26.49

4x2 M/T (TRD Sportivo) 2.5 D NA 24.354x2 A/T (TRD Sportivo) 2.5 D NA 25.35

Innova

E Euro IV Non AC 8 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 10.51E Euro IV Non AC 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 10.55

E Euro IV PS 8 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 11.04E Euro IV PS 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 11.08

G Euro IV 8 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 12.58G Euro IV 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 12.53

GX Euro IV 8 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 13.15GX Euro IV 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 13.10VX Euro IV 8 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 15.16VX Euro IV 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 15.12ZX Euro IV 7 Seater 2.5 D 13.31 15.81

Land Cruiser LC 200

VX 200 Premium 4.5 D 9.65 1.19 (Cr.)

Land Cruiser Parado

Parado VX-L 3.0 D 11.13 88.80

PriusZ5 1.8 P 23.91 38.10Z6 1.8 P 23.91 39.80

VOLKSWAGEN

Jetta

TSI Trendline 1.4 P 14.69 14.15TSI Comfortline 1.4 P 14.69 15.67TDI Trendline 2.0 D 19.33 15.31

TDI Comfortline 2.0 D 19.33 17.24TDI Highline 2.0 D 19.33 19.14

TDI Highline A/T 2.0 D 16.96 20.17

Polo


Highline 1.2 P 16.47 6.47Trendline (Diesel) 1.5 D 20.14 6.68

Comfortline (Diesel) 1.5 D 20.14 7.30Highline (Diesel) 1.5 D 20.14 7.82

GT TSI 1.2 P 17.21 8.48GT TDI 1.6 D 19.78 8.48

Cross Polo 1.2 D 22.07 8.37

Vento


Highline 1.6 P 16.93 9.42Comfortline DSG AT 1.2 P 18.19 9.87

Highline DSG AT 1.2 P 18.19 10.62Trendline 1.5 D 20.64 9.1

Comfortline 1.5 D 20.64 9.92Highline 1.5 D 20.64 10.67

Comfortline DSG AT 1.5 D 21.5 11.12Highline DSG AT 1.5 D 21.5 11.87

VOLVO

V40D3 Kinetic 2 D NA 24.75R-Design 2 D NA 27.7

V40 Cross Country

D3 Inscription 2.0 D NA 32.50T4 Petrol 1.6 P NA 27

S60

T6 Petrol 2.0 P NA 40.25D4 Kinetic 2.0 D NA 32.40

D4 Momentum 2.0 D NA 35.25D5 Summum 2.4 D NA 38.35

R-Design 2.0 D NA 40.25

S80D4 Summum 2.0 D NA 42.58D5 Summum 2.4 D NA 46.20

XC60D4 Kinetic 2.0 D NA 43.50

D4 Momentum 2.0 D NA 46.60

CARS/TWO WHEELERS

TWO WHEELER PRICES




BAJAJ AUTOPlatina 100 99.27 90 0.39Platina 100 ES 102 96.90 0.44Discover 100 94.38 91 0.46Discover 100 M 102 84 0.48Discover 125 M (Drum) 124.6 76 0.51Discover 125 M (Disc) 124.6 76 0.53Discover 150 S (Drum) 144.8 NA 0.54Discover 150 S (Disc) 144.8 NA 0.57Discover 150 F 144.8 NA 0.61Pulsar 135LS 134.66 68.10 0.63Pulsar 150 DTS-i 149 65 0.70Pulsar 180 DTS-i 178.6 58.10 0.74Pulsar 200 NS 199.5 58 0.91Pulsar RS200 200 NA 1.18 (Lakh)Pulsar RS200 ABS 200 NA 1.30 (Lakh)Pulsar 220 220 54.20 0.86Avenger 220 DTS-i 219.89 49.80 0.81BMW MOTORRADR 1200 R 1170 NA 24.13 (Lakh)R 1200 GS ADV 0A02 1170 NA 29.73 (Lakh)R 1200 RT 1170 NA 29.73 (Lakh)R 1200 X (RnineT) 0A06 1170 NA 25.96 (Lakh)K 1300 R 1293 NA 27.25 (Lakh)K 1300 S 1293 NA 29.41 (Lakh)S 1000 RR 999 NA 29.41 (Lakh)HP2 Sport 1170 NA NAK 1600 GT 1649 NA 34.35 (Lakh)K 1600 GTL 1649 NA 37.04 (Lakh)K 1600 GTL Exclusive 0603 1649 NA 44.79 (Lakh)DSK BENELLITNT 300 300 NA 2.83 (Lakh)TNT 600i 600 NA 5.15 (Lakh)TNT 600 GT 600 NA 5.62 (Lakh)TNT 899 898 NA 9.48 (Lakh)TNT R 1131 NA 11.81 (Lakh)DSK HYOUSUNGGT 250R 249 NA 2.89 (Lakh)Aquila 250 249 NA 2.74 (Lakh)GT 650R 647 NA 4.63 (Lakh)GT 650N 647 NA 3.73 (Lakh)Aquila PRO 647 NA 5.08 (Lakh)ST7 678.2 NA 5.79 (Lakh)DUCATIScrambler Icon 803 NA NAScrambler Classic 803 NA NAScrambler Full Throttle 803 NA NAMonster 821 821 NA NAMonster 821 Dark 821 NA NAMonster 1200 1198 NA NAMonster 1200 S 1198 NA NAHyperstrada 821 NA NAHypermotard 821 NA NAMultistrada 1198 NA NAMultistrada S White 1198 NA NAMultistrada S Red 1198 NA NA

SEGMENT MODEL ENGINE (CC) PRICE (RS.)

POLARIS

ATV & Youth Mode

Outlaw 50 49 2.64 lakhPhoenix 200 196 4.89 lakh

RZR 170 169 5.29 lakhSportsman 400 H.O 445 7.25 lakhSportsman 500 H.O 498 7.67 lakhSportsman 570 EFI 567 7.94 lakhSportsman 850 H.O 850 14.72 lakh

Sportsman Big Boss 800 760 15.35 lakh

Ranger

400 455 11.14 lakhCrew 500 EFI 498 13.97 lakh

Crew 800 760 18 lakhRanger Diesel 904 20.48 lakh

Ranger EV NA 12.82 lakh

Ranger RZR RZR S 800 760 22.85 lakh

RZR XP 900 875 21.13 lakhRZR XP4 900 875 24.10 lakh

Snowmobile Widetrak LS 488 10.86 lakhEicher Polaris Multix NA 2.32 lakh

OFF-ROAD VEHICLE PRICES



EFFICIENCY*PRICE*


XC60 R-Design 2.0 D NA 52

D5 Inscription 2.4 D NA 50.20

XC90D5 Inscription 2.0 D NA 65D5 Momentum 2.0 D NA 72

SPECIAL REPORTBHARAT FORGE LTD.


BHARAT FORGE LTD.

Forging a MAKE IN INDIA Global Plan Report: : P. THARYAN

AMIT KALYANI, Executive Director, Bharat Forge Ltd



Diavel Dark 1198 NA NADiavel Carbon Red 1198 NA NADiavel Carbon Star White 1198 NA NADiavel Titanium (LE) 1198 NA NAPanigale 899 899 NA NAPanigale 1299 1285 NA NAPanigale 1299 S 1285 NA NAPanigale R 1198 NA NAPanigale R F015 1198 NA NAHARLEY DAVIDSONStreet 750 749 NA 4.32 (Lakh)Super Low 883 21.70 6.32 (Lakh)Iron 883 883 21.70 7.22 (Lakh)Forty - Eight 1202 NA 8.82 (Lakh)Night Rod Special 1247 15.80 22.02 (Lakh)Street Bob 1585 18.18 10.37 (Lakh)Fat Bob 1690 17.85 13.03 (Lakh)Fat Boy 1690 17.85 15.08 (Lakh)Heritage Softail Classic 1690 17.85 16.45 (Lakh)BreakOut 1690 13.86 16.30 (Lakh)Street Glide 1690 17.85 29.91 (Lakh)CVO Limited 1801 NA 49.23 (Lakh)HERO MOTOCORPPleasure 102 49 0.43Maestro 109 50 0.51HF Dawn 97.2 80 0.38HF Deluxe 97.2 80 0.40HF Deluxe Eco 97.2 80 0.44Splendor+ 97.2 81 0.43Splendor NXG 97.2 81 0.43Splendor PRO 97.2 81 0.44Splendor ISMART 97.2 NA 0.47Super Splendor 124.7 83.10 0.51Passion Pro 97.2 79 0.47Passion XPro 109.1 60 0.47Glamour 124.7 81.10 0.53Glamour PGM - FI 124.8 NA 0.59Ignitor 124.7 52.40 0.57Achiever 149.1 68 0.58CBZ Xtreme 149.2 65.10 0.66Xtreme Sports 149.2 65.10 0.72Hunk 149.2 65.10 0.66Impulse 149.2 55 0.69Karizma 223 48.50 0.78Karizma ZMR 223 51 0.97HONDADio DLX 109 60 0.47Activa DLX 109 60 0.46Activa i 109 60 0.46Activa i DLX 109 60 0.46Activa 125 125 60 0.55Activa 3G 110 60 0.49Aviator 109 60 0.5Aviator DLX 109 60 0.56Lvio 109 74 0.52Livo (Disc) 109 74 0.59Dream Neo 109 74 0.49Dream Yuga 109 74 0.5CB Shine 124.7 65 0.55CB Unicorn 149.1 NA 0.63CB Unicorn 160 162.71 NA 0.72CBR 150R 149.4 NA 1.22 (Lakh)CBR 250R 249 30 1.58 (Lakh)CBR 650F 650 NA 7.30 (Lakh)CB 1000R 998 NA 11.81 (Lakh)CB 1000RR 999 NA 15.21 (Lakh)VT 1300 CX 1312 NA 13.99 (Lakh)Gold Wing- GL 1800 1832 NA 28.50 (Lakh)INDIAN MOTORCYCLEChief Classic 1811 NA 25.50 (Lakh)Chief Vintage 1811 NA 28.50 (Lakh)Chieftain 1811 NA 32 (Lakh)Scout 1131 NA 12 (Lakh)Roadmaster 1811 NA 37 (Lakh)KAWASAKINinja 300 296 26 3.60 (Lakh)Ninja 650 R 649 33 5.14 (Lakh)Ninja ZX 10R 998 14 16.40 (Lakh)Ninja ZX 14R 1441 18 17.66 (Lakh)Ninja 1000 1043 15 12.87 (Lakh)Ninja Z800 806 18 8.13 (Lakh)Ninja Z1000 1043 15 12.87 (Lakh)ER-6n 649 NA 4.78 (Lakh)Z250 249 NA 2.99 (Lakh)KTMKTM 200 Duke 200 NA 1.35 (Lakh)KTM 390 Duke 373 NA 1.87 (Lakh)KTM RC 200 200 NA 1.85 (Lakh)KTM RC 390 373 NA 2.05 (Lakh)LMLNV SPL 149.56 NA 0.40NV LS 147.55 NA 0.45

TWO WHEELERS* Prices (Ex-Showroom Delhi)



STAR EURO 150 150.82 NA 0.47STAR EURO 200 199.89 NA 0.53MAHINDRA 2 WHEELERSKine 71.5 63.25 0.35Flyte 124.6 40 0.43Duro DZ 124.6 56.25 0.46Rodeo RZ 124.6 59.38 0.47Rodeo UZO 125 59 0.49Gusto 110 63 0.45Pantero 106.7 79.40 0.39Centuro 106.7 85.40 0.48Centuro Rockstar 110 85.40 0.43PIAGGIOVespa LX 125 62 0.67Vespa VX 125 60 0.71Vespa S 125 NA 0.75Vespa ELEGANTE 125 NA 0.79ROYAL ENFIELDBullet 350 346 53.40 0.98Bullet 500 499 NA 1.42 (Lakh)Electra Twinspark 346 53.40 1.11 (Lakh)Thunderbird 350 346 NA 1.28 (Lakh)Thunderbird 500 500 NA 1.63 (Lakh)Classic 350 346 53.40 1.18 (Lakh)Classic 500 499 53.40 1.51 (Lakh)Desert Storm 499 39.35 1.53 (Lakh)Classic- Chrome 499 39.35 1.60 (Lakh)Continental GT 535 NA 1.85 (Lakh)SUZUKIAccess 125 124 50.22 0.49Lets 112.8 63 0.43Swish 125 124 51 0.48Hayate 112.8 72 0.45Slingshot 124 68.50 0.51GS 150R 149.5 55.70 0.69Gixxer 154.9 NA 0.72Inazuma 250 NA 2.09 (Lakh)Bandit 1250 SA 1255 NA 10.75 (Lakh)Intruder M800 805 NA 10.05 (Lakh)Intruder M1800R 1783 NA 15.95 (Lakh)Intruder M1800R B.O.S.S 1783 NA 16.45 (Lakh)Hayabusa 1340 NA 15.95 (Lakh)GSX - R1000 999 NA 15.95 (Lakh)V- Storm 1000 1037 NA 14.95 (Lakh)TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLESBonneville A3 865 18.12 5.99 (Lakh)Bonneville T100 865 18.13 6.97 (Lakh)Thruxton A2 865 NA 7.18 (Lakh)Street Triple ABS A2 675 NA 7.91 (Lakh)Speed Triple ABS A1 1050 NA 11.06 (Lakh)Daytona 675 ABS 675 16.37 10.69 (Lakh)Daytona 675 R 675 16.37 12.14 (Lakh)Tiger XR 800 800 17.56 10.50 (Lakh)Tiger XRx 800 17.56 11.60 (Lakh)Tiger XCx 800 17.56 12.70 (Lakh)Tiger 800 XC 800 17.56 12.14 (Lakh)Tiger Explorer 1215 15.93 18.75 (Lakh)Thunderbird Storm 1699 NA 13.95 (Lakh)Thunderbird LT 1699 NA 16.19 (Lakh)Rocket III Roadster 2294 NA 21.29 (Lakh)TVSScooty Pep+ 87.8 65 0.42Scooty Streak 87.8 65 0.44Wego 109.7 62 0.47Zest 109.7 62 0.42Star Sport 99.7 87.70 0.40Star City 109.7 83.90 0.42Jupiter 109.7 62 0.44Phoenix 125 67 0.50Apache RTR 160 159.7 NA 0.69Apache RTR 180 177.4 NA 0.73YAMAHAAlpha 113 66 0.50Ray 113 66 0.48Ray Z 113 66 0.49Crux 106 75.74 0.38YBR 110 106 70.03 0.45YBR 125 123 71.50 0.51SS 125 123 NA 0.55FZ 153 NA 0.71FZ-S 153 NA 0.73FZ Version 2 150 NA 0.77FZ-S Version 2 150 NA 0.79SZ-RR 153 62.40 0.61SZ-S 153 NA 0.58FAZER 153 50.81 0.78FAZER F1 Version 2.0 149 NA 0.84FZ 1 998 NA 10.72 (Lakh)YZF R1 998 NA 15.60 (Lakh)YZF R15 1498 NA 1.17 (Lakh)VMAX 1679 NA 25.65 (Lakh)




BHARAT FORGE LTD.

Forging a MAKE IN INDIA Global Plan Report: : P. THARYAN

AMIT KALYANI, Executive Director, Bharat Forge Ltd



revenues to grow despite a challenging demand environment, says the company.

The recent steps taken by the Government to revive the capex cycle in India by way of allocation of coal blocks, resumption of Iron ore mining, focus on public sector investment in the Road and Railways sector augurs well for the Commercial Vehicle sector and also for the resurgence of the capital goods sectors. Says Amit Kalyani, Executive Director, Bharat Forge Ltd, “ These measures coupled with the Government’s ‘Make in India’ programme, aimed at creating a vibrant manufacturing sector and an import substitution market opens up a potentially huge opportunity for technology-focused manufacturing companies” . As a part of the ‘Make in India’ programme, focused efforts and activities have been undertaken to address the programmes of the Government in the Rail, Power, Defence and Aerospace sectors. “BFL’s focus on technology, innovation along with a strong R&D approach should assist in positioning it at the forefront to address these new opportunities,” adds Amit Kalyani.

Amit Kalyani also serves on the Boards of several group companies such as Kalyani Steels Limited, BF Utilities Limited, Automotive Axles Ltd., Khed Economic Infrastructure Pvt.

Limited (KEIPL), among others.

GLOBAL MARKETSWith the US auto industry showing signs of revival and the country registering a robust economic growth, the year gone by has been good for BFL. The class 8 truck (The Class 8 trucks are those with gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 14969 kg) production volumes grew by around 20pc while the Passenger Vehicle segment also witnessed growth. In the November 2014 to February 2015 period, a sharp uptick in Class 8 trucks net orders was witnessed, causing a jump in production backlog from normal levels of 100,000 units to around 190,000 units.

European car sales in 2014 rose for the first time in seven years, but the sales gains were

primarily driven by discounting, state-backed incentives, fleet sales and change in consumer spending pattern rather than a genuine recovery of consumer confidence as consumers needed to replace their cars regardless of economic conditions. The overall CV market also showed marginal growth because the strong growth in the LCV’s was negated by a 7pc decrease in M&HCV volumes. The auto sector contributes around 50pc of the total exports of BFL. The revenues from the auto segment in the export markets in FY 2014-15 grew as compared to FY 2013- 14 mainly on account of new customer addition and a ramp up in the passenger vehicles orders.

According to the BFL report, in 2015-16, growth in the auto industry is expected to be led by

the NAFTA region, strong orders, long backlogs, better freight volumes, a healthy economic outlook, an old playing fleet, rising profitability of fleet operators and the sharp plunge in crude prices can be the contributing factors for a sustainable year forward, if not better. Looking ahead, the expected continuation of Eurozone economic recovery bodes well for the automotive industry.

“We expect the Heavy Truck segment volumes to grow by 2-5pc over the next two years. We expect to continue to grow our export business on the automotive side by focusing on new product development, working on providing solution such as light weighting, fatigue enhancement, increasing our market share with existing customers while simultaneously working on adding new customers and markets,” says Amit Kalyani.

The Company’s presence in the international industrial segment extends across three verticals namely Energy (Oil & Gas, Power across sources), Transportation (Aerospace, locomotive & Marine) and Materials (Construction and Mining). The year 2014 was a difficult year for the oil and gas sector with crude oil prices rapidly declining from peak levels of US$ 120 per barrel to as low as US$ 55 per barrel in the span of few months.

“The Company made

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel talks with Baba Kalyani, Chairman & MD, Bharat Forge during the joint walk at the Industrial trade fair Hannover Messe in Germany

BHARAT FORGE LTD.


For the Baba Kalyani controlled Kalyani Group, ‘Make in India” has been a way of life. For long, this

group which has business interests in the fields of automotive, energy, rail, marine, aerospace, defence and construction & mining, ‘Make in India’ has just been one part of its growth strategy. ‘Making for the World’ has been the other critical part of its strategy.

Bharat Forge Ltd (BFL) is the flagship company of the Kalyani Group and is amongst the largest forging companies globally. The company is entering into the 50th year of operations, and according to Baba N Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director, BFL, “the best is yet to come”.

For the financial year 2014-15, the total revenue of BFL stood at Rs 4548.10 crore with profit after tax of Rs 719 crore. The Company is India’s leading exporter of value added safety and critical powertrain and chassis components for automotive and industrial applications. Powertrain components include crankshafts and connecting rods, while chassis components include front axles and steering knuckles. It has four manufacturing facilities in India, four in Germany and one each in Sweden and France. Critical components for several sectors

include those for commercial and passenger vehicles, oil & gas, aerospace, rail and marine, energy (across renewable and non-renewable sources), construction, mining and general engineering.

In the last one year it made an entry into the Aerospace segment with 4 marquee customer contracts and also expanded manufacturing footprint in Europe with acquisition of Mécanique Générale Langroise, France.

BFL also manufactures transmission parts and other automotive products like pistons, rockers arms, control arms, swivel hubs, wheel carriers and brackets

According to Kalyani, BFL is extending its expertise in the automotive business across other industrial verticals. In order to do so, it is exploring further opportunities in high value, high growth sectors like Oil & Gas, Power & Nuclear, Thermal, Wind, Hydro, besides Rail, Marine and Aerospace.

In the automotive segment, BFL’s global customers include the likes of Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota, Volvo, Renault, Dana, ArvinMeritor, Caterpillar, Cummins, and Iveco. The Kalyani group, through the company Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSSL) has now undertaken a key initiative in the field of Artillery Gun Systems. The group hopes to realise the aim

of becoming a leading defence player in the world. The Indian Gun Programme (IGP), one of KSSL’s star projects in the defence sector, is its key initiative in the field of Artillery Gun Systems.

BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR BFLBharat Forge’s business in the domestic market spans the full spectrum of the automotive industry (excluding two-wheelers), diesel engines, construction & mining, power, oil & gas, tractors and the general engineering space like sugar, cement and steel, among others. Around 43pc of BFL’s domestic revenues are contributed by the commercial vehicles. From financial year 2010-11 to 2013-14, it was a challenging period for the Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV) segment, with volumes declining from the peaks of 384,801 units in FY 2011-12 to 221,699 units in FY 2013-14 due to several macroeconomic headwinds such as decline in GDP from 8.9pc in FY 2010- 11 to around 6.9pc in FY 2013-14, halt in mining activities in Karnataka and Goa, sharp reduction in infrastructure capex, increase in interest rates and fuel price among many other factors, notes the company.

In FY 2014-15, the industry trend of the past three years reversed with volumes increasing

21pc to 268,553 units. This increase in demand was a result of culmination of various factors such as decreasing fuel prices, decline in Interest rates, lower excise duty, and resumption of mining activity in Karnataka and initial signs of recovery in the Indian economy. Though the CV market volumes grew by 21pc, the revenues of BFL from this grew by 25pc mainly on account of the growing customers and increased penetration in the existing customers. The passenger vehicle segment also witnessed positive demand in FY 2014-15 after almost two years of sluggishness. The return of the first time buyer and a positive sentiment in the urban markets resulted in the passenger vehicle volumes increasing by 4pc. Revenues for the company from the passenger vehicle segment grew by 5.3pc compared to FY 2013-14, says the company’s Annual Report 2014-15.

Unlike the commercial vehicle sector which witnessed positive demand growth in FY 2014-15, the same was not visible in the industrial sector. Decline in infrastructure-related capex, sluggish IIP (Index of Industrial Production) numbers through FY 2014-15 impacted the sector across all major segments. BFL’s presence across many sectors and its relationship with key marquee OEMs enabled domestic industrial

80 MT Loco Crankshaft

SPECIAL REPORT

special RepoRtBharat Forge Ltd.


revenues to grow despite a challenging demand environment, says the company.

The recent steps taken by the Government to revive the capex cycle in India by way of allocation of coal blocks, resumption of Iron ore mining, focus on public sector investment in the Road and Railways sector augurs well for the Commercial Vehicle sector and also for the resurgence of the capital goods sectors. Says Amit Kalyani, Executive Director, Bharat Forge Ltd, “ These measures coupled with the Government’s ‘Make in India’ programme, aimed at creating a vibrant manufacturing sector and an import substitution market opens up a potentially huge opportunity for technology-focused manufacturing companies” . As a part of the ‘Make in India’ programme, focused efforts and activities have been undertaken to address the programmes of the Government in the Rail, Power, Defence and Aerospace sectors. “BFL’s focus on technology, innovation along with a strong R&D approach should assist in positioning it at the forefront to address these new opportunities,” adds Amit Kalyani.

Amit Kalyani also serves on the Boards of several group companies such as Kalyani Steels Limited, BF Utilities Limited, Automotive Axles Ltd., Khed Economic Infrastructure Pvt.

Limited (KEIPL), among others.

Global marketsWith the US auto industry showing signs of revival and the country registering a robust economic growth, the year gone by has been good for BFL. The class 8 truck (The Class 8 trucks are those with gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 14969 kg) production volumes grew by around 20pc while the Passenger Vehicle segment also witnessed growth. In the November 2014 to February 2015 period, a sharp uptick in Class 8 trucks net orders was witnessed, causing a jump in production backlog from normal levels of 100,000 units to around 190,000 units.

European car sales in 2014 rose for the first time in seven years, but the sales gains were

primarily driven by discounting, state-backed incentives, fleet sales and change in consumer spending pattern rather than a genuine recovery of consumer confidence as consumers needed to replace their cars regardless of economic conditions. The overall CV market also showed marginal growth because the strong growth in the LCV’s was negated by a 7pc decrease in M&HCV volumes. The auto sector contributes around 50pc of the total exports of BFL. The revenues from the auto segment in the export markets in FY 2014-15 grew as compared to FY 2013- 14 mainly on account of new customer addition and a ramp up in the passenger vehicles orders.

According to the BFL report, in 2015-16, growth in the auto industry is expected to be led by

the NAFTA region, strong orders, long backlogs, better freight volumes, a healthy economic outlook, an old playing fleet, rising profitability of fleet operators and the sharp plunge in crude prices can be the contributing factors for a sustainable year forward, if not better. Looking ahead, the expected continuation of Eurozone economic recovery bodes well for the automotive industry.

“We expect the Heavy Truck segment volumes to grow by 2-5pc over the next two years. We expect to continue to grow our export business on the automotive side by focusing on new product development, working on providing solution such as light weighting, fatigue enhancement, increasing our market share with existing customers while simultaneously working on adding new customers and markets,” says Amit Kalyani.

The Company’s presence in the international industrial segment extends across three verticals namely Energy (Oil & Gas, Power across sources), Transportation (Aerospace, locomotive & Marine) and Materials (Construction and Mining). The year 2014 was a difficult year for the oil and gas sector with crude oil prices rapidly declining from peak levels of US$ 120 per barrel to as low as US$ 55 per barrel in the span of few months.

“The Company made

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel with Baba Kalyani, Chairman & MD, Bharat Forge during the joint walk at the Industrial trade fair Hannover Messe in Germany

SPECIAL REPORT


AVTEC LTD.

AVTEC LTD.

On a Hi-Tech Journey

Report: : P. THARYAN / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

PRABHAKAR KADAPA, CEO, Avtec Ltd

SPECIAL REPORT


KALYANI STRATEGIC SYSTEMS LTD The Kalyani group has formulated a new defence holding company under the name of Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSSL). The Indian Gun Programme (IGP), one of KSSL’s star project in the defence sector, is its key initiative in the field of Artillery Gun Systems. KSSL is a one stop solution for Artillery systems, offering comprehensive solution which includes processing of raw material (special grade ESR steel), cross disciplinary domain knowledge across verticals like metallurgy, material science, mathematical modeling, servo-electrical, hydraulics, electronics, etc, design & engineering capabilities, state of the art barrel manufacturing plant, fabrication facility, assembly, integration and testing.

BHARAT 52KSSL’s state-of-the-art Bharat-52 is a long-range 155mm/52 calibre gun. It is the first indigenous solution of its kind designed and developed in India. Bharat-52 is a futuristic towed gun, providing a highly maneuverable field artillery solution. It has been designed for accuracy, stability and reliability during moving and firing maneuvers, and is based on the requirements of the Indian Army. Bharat-52 is capable of a range exceeding 40km and utilises self-propelling capability and automatic laying mode. The Anti-backlash drive for elevation and traverse make it a truly unique system and a robust solution for superior battlefield operation. It is designed to operate as an all- weather system and has superior all-

terrain mobility. Extremely easy to deploy, it takes a team of six crew members to deploy the system within one minute during day time and 1.5 minutes during night time. Bharat-52 in self-propelled mode is capable of achieving a mobility of 30kmph using its own diesel engine and electronic steering system.

GARUDA 105 Garuda 105 is ultra-light gun system which utilises the high end Soft Recoil Technology. This allows the weapon (gun) to

be placed on light vehicles and nonstandard platforms, including aircraft and coastal and river patrol watercraft.

BEASBEAS is a 130mm M46 to 155mm/45 calibre gun which has been designed and developed by with proven track record of Elbit Systems.

tremendous progress in its journey of further developing the industrial business. In the aerospace sector, BFL has achieved all the requisite approvals. The Company has entered into relationship with four global OEMs to develop a portfolio of products over the next few years,” says Kalyani.

As part of its latest acquisition, BFL’s German subsidiary, CDP Bharat Forge GmbH, has acquired 100pc equity shares of Mécanique Générale Langroise (MGL) for EUR 11.8 Million. MGL, based in Saint Goesmes, France, is focused on precision machining and other high value added processes. MGL primarily caters to global Oil & Gas industry and supplies turnkey components for drilling application. The acquisition further consolidates BFL position in the Oil & Gas space by enhancing service offerings and geographical reach.

INNOVATION AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR)BFL strongly believes that the next round of growth will be propelled by creating opportunities through

innovation. “Innovation is at the heart of everything BFL does. Our in-house R&D team has been committed to work on various projects including developing technologies to minimise carbon footprint and manufacture light weight products that result in lower energy consumption. Innovation is a continuous on-going process in the Company which has helped us explore new ideas and deliver solutions for transformation consistently. Innovation for new products is being carried out by the Company not only for products in the automotive space, but in the non-automotive space as well,” points out Amit Kalyani.

Bharat Forge has endeavoured to develop fossil free technologies that aim at providing greener technologies that its automotive clientele can capitalise on. Innovative application of latest technologies has helped the Company develop critical and high value added products for the non-automotive sector. Today, BFL is an indigenous supply source for some of these products which were largely imported earlier.

“With innovation at its heart, BFL continues its endeavour of venturing through diversification and manufacturing of high-quality products that drive change and sustainability,” notes Amit Kalyani.

In his address to shareholders of BFL, Baba Kalyani says, “...Using our state-of-the-art Research & Innovation centre, and a talented resource pool, I am happy to inform that in FY 2014-15, your Company has completed the requisite quality homologation process to supply forgings. Our progress has been rewarded — your Company has successfully entered into relationships with four global OEMs. We are working on developing a roadmap to transform this relationship from single product to a portfolio of products over the next few years. Goal 2018: 2X 2014 Your Company has charted out an ambitious plan to double the standalone operations topline from Rs 3,400 crore achieved in FY 2013-14 to about Rs 7,000 crore by FY 2017-18, a growth of 20pc CAGR over the defined period. Your Company plans

to achieve this through several growth initiatives led by improving market share and creating a broader product offering in industries we currently serve. Your Company’s in-house Innovation & Technology Centre will be a key catalyst in almost all the growth initiatives.

“...Advanced manufacturing encapsulates a wide spectrum of activities and processes. Your Company’s focus with regards to advanced manufacturing centres on four key activities namely 3D printing, Electron Beam Welding, laser welding and nanotechnology. All these activities will be carried out at our world class Technology Centre, KCTI. I am happy to share with you that we have already started making prototypes using both plastic and metal while the other activities are at an early stage and will ramp up over the next few months and quarters.”

Baba Kalyani’s words are obviously music to the ears of the company’s shareholders, for they know the company has in the past weathered many a storm and come out unscathed.

BHARAT FORGE LTD.

SPECIAL REPORT


AVTEC LTD.

AVTEC LTD.

On a Hi-Tech Journey


PRABHAKAR KADAPA, CEO, Avtec Ltd

SPECIAL REPORT


AVTEC LTD.

Ford India went on an expansion drive into Gujarat, Avtec too set up an adjoining facility for another 250,000 units per annum. Put together, Avtec is capable of assembling 450,000 transaxles and each transaxle is completely tested as per international standards.

“The USP of the Switzerland based company is that it has got a lot of Intellectual Properties. There is a technology called face gear. We are the global patent holder for this particular gear profiling or gear designing. Hitherto they were only producing customised gear box, using only the technology. The proliferation of this technology is a little slow because the way we were manufacturing, cost competitiveness was little difficult, given their cost structure. So what we decided as part of our strategy

is that we are having a big plan to do the manufacturing in India to offer a cost effective solution to the design of Switzerland so that the combined revenue between Avtec and Assag would go up multi-fold. That is one strategy,” says Kadapa.

Kadapa notes that the second strategy is that “they are very competent in creating gear boxes for varieties of applications. That is another area we are working very closely. Third is that supporting Avtec here, a couple of design programmes are given to them so that they design and give it to us and Avtec will do the piloting, validation and testing for the customers. All this will help us to harness their intelligence competency in the design field. All these three put together will support the Avtec growth plan of

Rs 3000 crore before 2019-20. We want to grow to a Rs 3000 crore company”.

Kadapa stresses that Assag has a larger role to play in product development. For its various clients Assag will give design solutions and Avtec will do the manufacturing. “As for the customers of Assag, the latter will do the design and we shall manufacture for them. In other words, there will be a seamless integration of the parent company and the acquired company,” he adds.

The Hosur plant of Avtec manufactures both automatic and power-shift hauling transmission for domestic and global off-highway enterprises. It follows a cellular manufacturing approach, which supports a broad product mix and a faster response. Another

plant, located in the Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), Chennai is a completely export oriented unit caters to the global demands.

MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES OF AVTECAvtec’s manufacturing units in Pithampur, Hosur and Chennai are equipped with some of the best of international machines like Liebherr, Gleasen, Hyundai, Mori Sekie, Reishauer and Escofier. Globally it had acquired Assag of Switzerland. According to the company, ‘Cylkro’ Gear Production B.V (CGP), in Hengelo, the Netherlands, is a 100pc subsidiary of Assag equipped with sophisticated manufacturing facility for face gears. With modern machinery and comprehensive measurement system, CGP can

SPECIAL REPORT


AVTEC LTD.

Avtec Ltd, among the several brilliant companies of the CK

Birla Group, has got several formulas ready for engineering a massive growth in the near future. But the common ingredient that will make all these formulas fool proof and successful is evidently very simple—“Make in India”. Having become an expert on the heavy engineering front by producing powertrain aggregates, the company has put together a handful of strategies to emerge as a major force to reckon with in not just powertrain aggregates but also high-precision engine and transmission components for the automotive and off-highway Industry, besides the Indian

Railways. All this with the aim of becoming a Rs 3000 crore company in the next few years.“The company’s growth has been a bit slower in the last two years as compared to the earlier years. But now we are poised for a greater growth. In the year 2012 when we came out with a strategy we were treating Avtec as one company. We came out with an SBU (Strategic Business Unit) structure that had Automotive, Off Highway, Components and our overseas division of Assag. We now have four different SBUs. That really helped us to focus on growth and especially the products we decided to get into,” says Prabhakar Kadapa, CEO of Avtec Ltd in an exclusive interview with Motown India.

Avtec currently undertakes proprietary and contract

manufacturing of petrol and diesel engines and transmissions for passenger cars, SUVs and light and medium commercial vehicles. Flexible manufacturing capabilities allow a mix of process- and product-based layouts, for both batch and high volume production. The company’s automotive offerings are also backed by R&D capabilities in India and Switzerland.

Avtec expanded its global footprint by acquiring Assag, a Switzerland-based company that is into face gear technology. Assag is the world leader in crown gear technology and a leading enterprise for drive systems. Assag , with headquarter in Dudingen, Switzerland, has a big engineering team for R&D of face gears. It also encompasses assembly line for gears with varying diameter,

prototype building, testing and validation. The Switzerland based company has a sophisticated face gear manufacturing unit in the Netherlands. With modern machinery and comprehensive measurement systems, the Netherlands unit is capable to provide high quality gears with shorten delivery time.

Meanwhile, back in India, Avtec’s manufacturing units in Pithampur near Indore and Hosur in Tamil Nadu, are engaged in the proprietary products and contract manufacturing of engines and transmission aggregates for some of the renowned global OEMs’ such as Ford, GM, Renault-Nissan and Daimler, to name a few. The company had set up a capacity of putting together 200,000 units of transaxles per annum initially in Hosur for Ford India. But when

SPECIAL REPORT


AVTEC LTD.

Ford India went on an expansion drive into Gujarat, Avtec too set up an adjoining facility for another 250,000 units per annum. Put together, Avtec is capable of assembling 450,000 transaxles and each transaxle is completely tested as per international standards.

“The USP of the Switzerland based company is that it has got a lot of Intellectual Properties. There is a technology called face gear. We are the global patent holder for this particular gear profiling or gear designing. Hitherto they were only producing customised gear box, using only the technology. The proliferation of this technology is a little slow because the way we were manufacturing, cost competitiveness was little difficult, given their cost structure. So what we decided as part of our strategy

is that we are having a big plan to do the manufacturing in India to offer a cost effective solution to the design of Switzerland so that the combined revenue between Avtec and Assag would go up multi-fold. That is one strategy,” says Kadapa.

Kadapa notes that the second strategy is that “they are very competent in creating gear boxes for varieties of applications. That is another area we are working very closely. Third is that supporting Avtec here, a couple of design programmes are given to them so that they design and give it to us and Avtec will do the piloting, validation and testing for the customers. All this will help us to harness their intelligence competency in the design field. All these three put together will support the Avtec growth plan of

Rs 3000 crore before 2019-20. We want to grow to a Rs 3000 crore company”.

Kadapa stresses that Assag has a larger role to play in product development. For its various clients Assag will give design solutions and Avtec will do the manufacturing. “As for the customers of Assag, the latter will do the design and we shall manufacture for them. In other words, there will be a seamless integration of the parent company and the acquired company,” he adds.

The Hosur plant of Avtec manufactures both automatic and power-shift hauling transmission for domestic and global off-highway enterprises. It follows a cellular manufacturing approach, which supports a broad product mix and a faster response. Another

plant, located in the Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), Chennai is a completely export oriented unit caters to the global demands.

MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES OF AVTECAvtec’s manufacturing units in Pithampur, Hosur and Chennai are equipped with some of the best of international machines like Liebherr, Gleasen, Hyundai, Mori Sekie, Reishauer and Escofier. Globally it had acquired Assag of Switzerland. According to the company, ‘Cylkro’ Gear Production B.V (CGP), in Hengelo, the Netherlands, is a 100pc subsidiary of Assag equipped with sophisticated manufacturing facility for face gears. With modern machinery and comprehensive measurement system, CGP can

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AVTEC LTD.

provide high quality face gears with shorter delivery time.

Avtec has also formed a joint venture with Russian local engine manufacturer ZVD under the name AZ Powertrain. The company is setting up a plant in the Togliatti region for the manufacture of engine and transmission for a Sports utility vehicle in Russia. Production is expected to begin by the end of 2015.

Avtec has now decided to focus a lot on components. The range of components manufactured by Avtec includes:• 5 ‘C’s of Engine: Cylinder head, Cylinder blocks, Crank shaft, Connecting rod and Camshaft- Complex Casting Parts: Exhaust & Inlet manifold Flywheel, Rocker cover• Transmission components for Automotive & Off-highway• High precision Gears & Shafts• Transfer case• Planetary gear drive

• Double synchro pack

“Where aggregates are concerned, I am seeing more of a domestic market demand. But then I also see that my customer is exporting his products. In the global market, for aggregates, the companies would prefer that their customer is near them in terms of location. We are seeing a lot of potential for exports in the speciality components segment. We are very competitive when it comes to high technology, high complexity component systems and sub systems. The RFQs (Requests for Quotation) I have received for these type of components are enormous and I am forced to say that this is a high growth area. Today 12 to 15pc of revenues come from exports which largely comprises of components. In the next three to four years, it would go up to at least 25 to 30pc and this would primarily be components and sub-systems,”

informs Kadapa. The components manufactured

by Avtec are not limited to only off highway and on highway segments. The company has had an opportunity to work with the Indian Railways which was till recently importing parts from the US; Now Avtec is able to give them an import substitution solution. “Year on year we are getting more orders from them and

newer parts are getting added,” Kadapa says gleefully. . Kadapa is clear of the strategy for the next three years for his company. “We want to grow organically. Inorganic growth could happen after three years. Today the Make in India programme is coming very strongly. It is going to provide a lot of manufacturing in India for hi tech components,” he concludes.

A worker at the Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu

A transmission assembly in progress

Avtec has been a major supplier of engine and transmission aggregates to several OEMs in India. Is it fair to assume that your overall business has grown in India, keeping in mind the launch of several new vehicle models in the country? We at Avtec look at a long term strategy of what we do and how we want to do things. We have a process of creating a strategy document for a three years period. Every year we revisit it. Then we see whether we are there as per this strategy document and decide on the steps we need to take. The company’s growth has been a bit slower in the last two years as compared to the earlier years. But now we are poised for a greater growth. In the year 2012 when we came out with a strategy we were treating Avtec as one company. We came out with an SBU (Strategic Business Unit) structure. We came out with a structure that had Automotive, Off Highway, Components and our overseas division of Assag. We now have four different SBUs. That really helped us to focus on growth and specially the products we decided to get into. Thus, we were able to come out with good product planning. That helped us to move into a faster track with regards to growth.

The commercial vehicle segment has been in the doldrums for the last couple of years. Are you seeing an increase in orders from this segment?This segment has got different product classes when it comes to capacities. The Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment has grown fairly well. In between for a year or two the growth was a bit subdued here. Rather than going to a sub-one tonne segment the market is moving to a one tonne to 3 tonne segment. That gives them more goods carrying capabilities. I see a lot of products coming in this

segment in the future. Probably in the next two years we could witness a good growth in the CV segment. We are also into off-highway transmissions. Two things are happening here, a lot of private mines are coming and a lot of them are being allotted and many more are in the offing. Iron ore mining has also restarted in the country. These two are going to kick start a lot of mining related equipment sales. In this segment, players are moving to higher engine capacity vehicles.

On the engines and transmissions front, is the demand primarily from the domestic market or are exports too an area of growth?Where aggregates are concerned, I am seeing more of a domestic market demand. But then I also see that my customer is exporting his products. In the global market, for aggregates, the companies would prefer that their customer is near them in terms of location. We are seeing a lot of potential for exports in the speciality components segment. We are

very competitive when it comes to high technology, high complexity component systems and sub systems. The RFQs (Requests for Quotation) I have received for these type of components are enormous and I am forced to say that this is a high growth area. Today 12 to 15pc of revenues come from exports which largely comprises of components. In the next three to four years, it would go up to at least 25 to 30pc and this would primarily be components and sub-systems.

What led you to get into specialised components?Actually if you are an aggregate player you do manufacture components for this aggregate. You hold accountability for the quality at the component level as well as the system level. What we have seen is that exporting an engine or gear box of varied sizes is more difficult from the market point of view. The heart of the gear box consists of components. The customers want components to be provided to them built to the print and then they would

be able to assemble it. They want it assembled near to their plant. When we observed this change, we decided we have all the competencies, the machinery and the people who understand this subject very well, why not we become the component manufacturer. Then we started being aggressive in the market. We have acquired lot many customers in the last six months. We are also working with a large number of RFQs and probably in a year or two I would be able to give you more numbers in terms of customers. We are definitely in the right direction.

The Hosur plant manufactures both automatic and power-shift hauling transmission for domestic and global off-highway enterprises. Now is this area showing signs of increased demand, both in the domestic as well as global markets? When I started in 2009-10, this plant was a much smaller plant but with a very large area. It was only into mining and construction equipment gearboxes. The generic

INTERVIEW WITH PRABHAKAR KADAPA

SPECIAL REPORT


AVTEC LTD.

SPECIAL REPORTVARROC ENGINEERING PVT LTD.


Report: P. THARYAN / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

INTERVIEW WITH

President- Technical, Strategy & HR, Varroc Engineering Pvt Ltd.

DR. RAVI DAMODARAN


SPECIAL REPORTAVTEC LTD.

talk was that this plant could only produce batch production, small order production and the people here are content giving their best. During the meeting with employees, we got to know they wanted to learn more, want to produce more products, and the opportunities that lay before them. That made me realise that this plant has the capability to host the other set of products. One of our customers for whom we have been loyal suppliers for 14-15 years, proposed to us whether we could set up a facility in Chennai which would be next door to them. They were going in for a major expansion in India. We told them we would set up a facility in Hosur which is four hours away from Chennai and I would be able to supply all the goods that you talked about. We also told them that simultaneously we would offer them a cost advantage because coming to Chennai would mean that I would have to have a place, have management bandwidth, etc. We told them we have everything ready here in Hosur and it would be like a plug and play facility. They agreed and that was a turning point for us. We set up a capacity of 200,000 units per annum initially. In the meantime our esteemed customer had set up a plant in Western India and gone for an expansion in the country. We have set up an adjoining facility which is another 250,000 units per annum. Put together we are capable of assembling 450,000 transaxles and each transaxle is completely tested as per international standards. That’s a success story there. Built up on that, we set up a component plant here because this part of the region there are a lot youngsters who are professionals. We were thus able to pick the right talent here and train them from quality and price point of view. We were able to offer a value to the customer. That’s where the component park has come. There is no limitation as to the components are to be made only for off highway or on highway. We

have had an opportunity to work with the Indian Railways. Hitherto they were importing parts from the US, now we have been able to give them import substitution solution to them. Year on year we are getting more orders from them and newer parts are getting added.

Since your company is into highly engineered products, how much of emphasis do you give on R&D? Can you give us details on that?Initially we used to have a normal product engineering cell. We were into high tech mechanical engineering super laced with electronics and controlling. We thought this could be in close proximity to Bangalore. We started this tech centre in 2012. We have around 50 engineers working here and in the plant we have around 12 such people. The total strength here is around 62 people. We also have around 10 to 12 very qualified engineers working in Switzerland. In a year’s time we hope to increase this total number to around 100 from the present level of 72. A lot of testing is done in the respective plants. Basically the development, machining and other things like prototype building is all done at the respective plants. The engineers based in Hosur will coordinate with the ones working in other plants. The conceptualisation, design and development are all done here in Hosur.

Your business depends a lot on contract manufacturing, especially when it comes to engines and transmissions. But with OEMs too investing big in this area, what do you think is the scope for this activity in the coming years? Our business model is as follows. We do contract manufacturing. If an OEM has a proven design they want us to manufacture. Our capability of indigenisation, sourcing, assembling and providing the right quality comes into picture. This constitutes around 65pc of the business.

As far as the remaining 35pc is concerned, we develop products, we have IP rights, and we produce the quality product and supply the product. These two are not competing with each other. In fact they are complimentary to each other. When we talk to our customers, they want our early involvement in the development of the product. In fact our design capabilities are also helping us to get an order on the contract manufacturing as well.

When a customer envisages a large volume, they may want to do it in-house. There are exceptions there. Some customers want to outsource engines, some believe in outsourcing transmissions, and some believe that below 50,000 volume, they leave it to a good vendor. The vendor is not just a supplier but a business supplier or a business partner. All in all one requirement which predominantly comes is that we need to be good at design. The days are gone where you just build it to the print. There is huge value addition possible today. We are having the design which promotes our contract manufacturing. A simple manufacturing company is less preferred than a company which has engineering skills coupled with manufacturing skills. For us it is very complimentary to have a design. In other words it is essential to have a design. Our Switzerland based company which essentially designs and prototypes want to transform themselves into a volume producer using Avtec in India as a backend. Thus, we are capable of designing. If a customer has a design, we can even deliver to his print. The USP of the Switzerland based company is that it has got a lot of Intellectual Properties. There is a technology called face gear. We are the global patent holder for this particular gear profiling or gear designing. Hitherto they were only producing customised gear box, using only the technology. The proliferation of this technology is a little slow because the way we were manufacturing cost

competitiveness was little difficult, given their cost structure. So what we decided as part of our strategy is that we are having a big plan to do the manufacturing in India to offer a cost effective solution to the design of Switzerland so that the combined revenue between Avtec and Assag would go up multi-fold. That is one strategy. The second is that they are very competent in creating gear boxes for varieties of applications. That is another area we are working very closely. Third is that supporting Avtec here, a couple of design programmes are given to them so that they design and give it to us and Avtec will do the piloting, validation and testing for the customers. All this will help us to harness their intelligence competency in the design field. All these three put together will support the Avtec growth plan of Rs 3000 crore before 2019-20. We want to grow to a Rs 3000 crore company. They have a larger role to play in product development. For our clients Assag will give design solutions and Avtec will manufacture. As for the customers of Assag, the latter will do the design and we shall manufacture for them. In other words a seamless integration of the parent company and the acquired company.

Will you take an organic or an inorganic route for growth?The strategy for the next three years is very clear. We want to grow organically. Inorganic growth could happen after three years. Today the Make in India programme is coming very strongly. People have already seen it at a distance. But if you see it closely, it is going to provide a lot of manufacturing in India for hi tech components. We are seeing an organic growth in the fields where we are there. We are also seeing a huge business opportunity in the powertrain field in the defence sector. All in all put together I would see that organic is the first strategy of the company. Inorganic comes later on.



Report: P. THARYAN / Photography: MOHD. NASIR

INTERVIEW WITH

President- Technical, Strategy & HR, Varroc Engineering Pvt Ltd.

DR. RAVI DAMODARAN


place although these exist in the passenger car market today. We have developed prototypes of full-fledged security systems with RFID immobilizers, alarms and bike locators for technology demonstrations and have already engaged with major OEMs to spread awareness on the utility of these systems. We would be focusing entirely on the two wheeler segment for this product since on the passenger cars, security is covered generally as part of other systems such as engine management system.

Your company has targetted an ambitious 20,000 crore turnover by 2020...up from around 8,000 crore.....Has the company

zeroed in on any targets for the inorganic route?Our strategy for 2020 in terms of products, geographies we have to expand to are pretty much in place and we have been continuously evaluating targets. The broad areas to expand obviously are in the field of electronics, fuel efficient powertrains and exterior lighting. We have not narrowed down on any targets yet as the field is large and none meet our criteria in totality as of today. The process is slow and we are being cautious and choosy about it. World class technology acquisition in these fields is an element we do not want to compromise with and so we are prepared to wait for the right opportunity to come along.

In the two wheeler space, are you exploring business with the makers of superbikes? If yes, elaborate.We do supply transmission gears to Harley Davidson in India and Ducati in Italy even today. Besides, we supply lighting to superbikes in Italy and are developing lighting solutions for superbikes in India also. So the thought process is very much there in our scheme of things. I talked about future products such as electric vehicles, hybrids, electronically control transmissions and products such


as security systems some of which are at a testing stage with many OEMs. Our penetration strategy for some of these may include superbikes as a natural entry point. This is something we are evaluating as we prefer to be a supplier to the mass market and a niche market entry is not alien to us.

Within your product portfolio, which are the ones where the company will see a lot of action in terms of technological challenges and also increased production?I think the technology challenges are there in both our proprietary as well as the build to print parts such as polymer and metallic products. This is more so because of the aggressive targets we have set for ourselves to build technology capability ahead of market demands. Transitioning

from build to print parts to art to part is a challenge for polymer and metallic products. We have already moved along in air filters where we are not developing our own designs for production programs with major OEMs. Transmission and valvetrain designs are also on the block and these will be much longer lead times. For electric and electronic parts the challenges are driven by the disruption that we expect from the introduction of electric and hybrid vehicles driven by the newly launched FAME initiative. To be an indigenous supplier of control systems and motors to EVs and hybrids is a great opportunity for us, but the building of technology capability is not going to be easy. We are glad that we have started on that journey.

Are you on track to fulfilling the company 2020 vision plan?

Yes. On the revenue front we have grown two and a half times in the past 3 years and we have to repeat that in the next five years. On the financial front we continue to show healthy performance to enable consistent investments in all the regions of the world where we have operations. The major achievement of turning around our VLS operations in Mexico is a tribute to the way our teams handle our business. Having a strategy in place surely helps us prepare. The softer aspects of building the talent pool of skilled workers for automated production systems, engineering talent for building innovation factories and management bandwidth to handle the scale and complexities that come with the growth are something that we have recognized 4 years back and is quite challenging in the Indian businesses.

Automotive lighting products from Varroc

Varroc makes a diversified portfolio of products for the two wheeler industry and is perhaps the largest supplier in the two wheeler industry. Is this portfolio more or less complete or is the company exploring newer products? Varroc has probably the most diverse portfolio of products for the two wheeler industry ranging from plastics to electrical, electronics and metallic products for powertrains. We even make catalytic converters. We are in the process of transforming ourselves from a component supplier to a system supplier and this means two things. There will be a continuous churn of products as well as consolidation of products. For example we make electronic control systems for ignition as well as metallic transmission assemblies. The future belongs to electronically controlled transmissions for IC engines. With our control technologies and knowledge of transmission products, this would be a natural metamorphosis. Besides we are discussing future products based on the market trends and moves and these will add more product lines. Hybrid and electric vehicles will be very disruptive to existing suppliers to IC engine two wheelers and we are preparing for this changeover as well.

The Triom acquisition helped you both in India and overseas. What were the obvious rub-offs, post this acquisition? The impact of Triom acquisition for both our Indian and overseas business has been very slow to take shape since we expect most of


the benefits to impact engineering capabilities in India and addition of Japanese OEM business in Vietnam. Both of these as you know are long lead items and these are taking shape. We should be able to see visible impacts in terms of customer wins or new product launches next year.

What is the current share of the two wheeler business in your total business pie?Two wheeler business is roughly 35pc of our overall business and it has been so for the past two years as we continue to grow both our passenger car

and two wheeler business at the same rates, despite them being in different markets and regions.

In early 2015 you entered into a technical collaboration with Scorpion Automotive. What has been the progress till now, both for the two and four wheeler segments?The technical collaboration with Scorpion Automotive was to develop security systems for the Indian market. As you know the Indian market has seen launches of bike locators by two OEMs

last quarter which is the first step to putting full-fledged security systems in a bike. It is interesting to understand this launch. Bike locators by themselves are of use in crowded parking areas, which is increasingly common in parking lots. These use pretty much the same wireless technologies as in an immobilizer. Normally bike locators are a feature on security systems. Bike thefts on the other hand are a common disease in India and surprisingly OEMs have not put a solution in



place although these exist in the passenger car market today. We have developed prototypes of full-fledged security systems with RFID immobilizers, alarms and bike locators for technology demonstrations and have already engaged with major OEMs to spread awareness on the utility of these systems. We would be focusing entirely on the two wheeler segment for this product since on the passenger cars, security is covered generally as part of other systems such as engine management system.

Your company has targetted an ambitious 20,000 crore turnover by 2020...up from around 8,000 crore.....Has the company

zeroed in on any targets for the inorganic route?Our strategy for 2020 in terms of products, geographies we have to expand to are pretty much in place and we have been continuously evaluating targets. The broad areas to expand obviously are in the field of electronics, fuel efficient powertrains and exterior lighting. We have not narrowed down on any targets yet as the field is large and none meet our criteria in totality as of today. The process is slow and we are being cautious and choosy about it. World class technology acquisition in these fields is an element we do not want to compromise with and so we are prepared to wait for the right opportunity to come along.

In the two wheeler space, are you exploring business with the makers of superbikes? If yes, elaborate.We do supply transmission gears to Harley Davidson in India and Ducati in Italy even today. Besides, we supply lighting to superbikes in Italy and are developing lighting solutions for superbikes in India also. So the thought process is very much there in our scheme of things. I talked about future products such as electric vehicles, hybrids, electronically control transmissions and products such


as security systems some of which are at a testing stage with many OEMs. Our penetration strategy for some of these may include superbikes as a natural entry point. This is something we are evaluating as we prefer to be a supplier to the mass market and a niche market entry is not alien to us.

Within your product portfolio, which are the ones where the company will see a lot of action in terms of technological challenges and also increased production?I think the technology challenges are there in both our proprietary as well as the build to print parts such as polymer and metallic products. This is more so because of the aggressive targets we have set for ourselves to build technology capability ahead of market demands. Transitioning

from build to print parts to art to part is a challenge for polymer and metallic products. We have already moved along in air filters where we are not developing our own designs for production programs with major OEMs. Transmission and valvetrain designs are also on the block and these will be much longer lead times. For electric and electronic parts the challenges are driven by the disruption that we expect from the introduction of electric and hybrid vehicles driven by the newly launched FAME initiative. To be an indigenous supplier of control systems and motors to EVs and hybrids is a great opportunity for us, but the building of technology capability is not going to be easy. We are glad that we have started on that journey.

Are you on track to fulfilling the company 2020 vision plan?

Yes. On the revenue front we have grown two and a half times in the past 3 years and we have to repeat that in the next five years. On the financial front we continue to show healthy performance to enable consistent investments in all the regions of the world where we have operations. The major achievement of turning around our VLS operations in Mexico is a tribute to the way our teams handle our business. Having a strategy in place surely helps us prepare. The softer aspects of building the talent pool of skilled workers for automated production systems, engineering talent for building innovation factories and management bandwidth to handle the scale and complexities that come with the growth are something that we have recognized 4 years back and is quite challenging in the Indian businesses.

Automotive lighting products from Varroc

INDIA NEWS


Only 30,000 for your ten-year-old diesel car? Nah!!!Your ten your old diesel vehicle, whether it is a BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz or a Maruti Suzuki or Hyundai car, could fetch you a financial incentive of maybe up to Rs 30,000 in case you are staying in the National Capital Region (NCR) and are keen to give it up to be shredded and recycled. While the National Green Tribunal is sticking to its decision to ban diesel vehicles that are more than 10 years old in the NCR, the government is working on a proposal to offer financial incentives of up to Rs 30,000 for surrender of diesel cars that are

more than ten years old and Rs 1.5 lakh for old trucks in order to check pollution and address road safety concerns.

This was stated by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping while inaugurating an International Conference and Exhibition on Public Transport Innovation in New Delhi. “A proposal to formulate the new incentive policy for surrendering old vehicles is being worked out and would be soon sent for the finance ministry’s approval,” Gadkari stated. The event was

organised to mark the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Association of State Road Transport Undertaking (ASRTU) which was established on August 13, 1965.

The vehicles that are surrendered would then be shredded at an auto-shredding plant and a certificate of scrappage (COS) would be given to the owner with which he or she can avail excise duty reimbursements, discounts and lower rates of interest on loans. This scheme, according to Motown India experts, is unlikely

to find too many takers because ten your old diesel cars today fetch much more that Rs 30,000 and could run up to several lakhs of rupees, depending on the model and make of car and the kilometres plied. Obviously, people would prefer to sell such cars outside the NCR through agents and brokers.

The Minister also stated that the Government is committed to improve the safety of Indian roads. He said a bill adopting the best practices in the world in road transportation and safety standards will be brought soon.

More states under BS IV emission norms; April 1, 2017 deadline for entire country

Honda Activa crosses 10 million unit sales landmark

Even though Bharat Stage IV (BS IV) emission norms have come into effect in many of the cities and towns of India, the norm will be applicable to all four wheelers across the country only by April 1, 2017. BS IV grade fuel has already been made available in the NCR and the cities of Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chennai, Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad including Secunderabad, Kanpur, Pune, Surat, Agra, Lucknow and Sholapur with effect from April 1, 2010. An additional 20 cities were added from October, 2014 and 30 more cities from April 1, 2015 were added.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has now issued a notification for publication that only BS-IV compliant four wheeler vehicles will be manufactured on and from October 1, 2015 in States of Jammu and Kashmir (except Districts of Leh and Kargil), Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and districts of Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar in the State of Rajasthan and in the districts of Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar,

Bijnaur, Jyotiba Phule Nagar, Rampur, Muradabad, Aligarh, Badaun, Bareilly, Mathura, Mahamayanagar, Etah, Agra, Firozabad, Etawah, Mainpuri, Pilibhit, Shamli, Sambhal, Farrukabad, Kannauj, Auriya and Kasganj in the State of Uttar Pradesh .

From April 1, 2016 this norm will be effective in the States of Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha and the Union territories of Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, districts of Mumbai, Thane and Pune in the State of Maharashtra and districts of Surat, Valsad, Dangs and Tapi in the State of Gujarat.

From April 1, 2017 the mass emission standards for Bharat Stage IV shall come into force all over the country, a release from PIB noted. With this only those newly manufactured four-wheeled vehicles, which are complaint with the BS-IV standards will be allowed to registered and move on roads with effect from the notified dates in the notified areas.

The company that rekindled the scooter mania in the country, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) has set a new record. The company’s iconic Activa has become the first scooter in India to achieve a phenomenal 10 million (1 crore) unit sales landmark.

Since its 2001 debut as the first two-wheeler launched in India by Honda, Activa has reactivated the dying Indian automatic scooter market and redefined convenient mobility for the entire family.

The scooter has features like a four-stroke engine, Honda Eco Technology (which delivers a dream mileage of 60kmpl as per Honda mode which is close to actual riding conditions), V-matic (gearless) transmission, durable all metal body, convenient Lift-up Independent Cover (CLIC) mechanism, tubeless tyres and combi-brake system.

Activa, Honda made the steep climb from 55,000 units in first year (2001) to becoming the market leader in just three years. Since then, Activa has grown to sell over 2.1 million units in FY’2014-15 and Honda 2Wheelers is now the undisputed market leader with

59pc market share in the scooter segment.

Keita Muramatsu – President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “This achievement is more significant since Activa (an automatic scooter) has gained the trust of one crore happy families in India. From reactivating the scooter segment in India in 2001 to leading the Scooterization of industry today, Honda’s iconic Activa has changed the way Indians ride to fulfill their dreams. We thank our valued customers and families who have made Activa the most preferred choice of families for commuting in India.”


Right hand drive Ford Mustangs for UK; India a definite market

Volvo Cars acquires control of its China joint ventures for SEK2.2bn

Almost 2,000 Ford Mustang orders have been taken in the UK since January 2015 as the first right-hand drive cars begin to roll off the production line at Flatrock Assembly Plant in Michigan, North America.

The right-hand drive Mustang is available to order in the UK from £29,995 (EcoBoost) (Rs 31.50 lakh approx.) and £33,995 (V8) (Rs 35.70 lakh) and features a Thatcham Category One alarm as standard.

The Ford Mustang – introduced in the U.S. more than 50 years ago – has excited fans across the globe, but has never been available to order with right-hand drive, until now. The first UK customer deliveries are expected from November 2015, with extra supply secured to meet the greater than expected demand. The car is expected to hit the Indian shores too but the company has made no announcement on the front.

Reliable sources have confirmed that the Mustang is definitely headed for India but when, is the million dollar question. With India’s penchant for fast cars and the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi doing well, it is obvious

Volvo Cars has taken control of its three joint venture operations in China for SEK2.2bn in order to more accurately reflect its growing presence in the world’s largest car market. Volvo Cars now owns 50 per cent of its China joint ventures alongside Geely Holdings. These joint ventures include its car manufacturing facilities in Chengdu and Daqing, its engine manufacturing facility in Zhangjiakou and its research and development centre in Shanghai.

The move allows Volvo to fully consolidate its China joint

ventures, providing a more accurate financial and operational picture of the company as it continues to expand in China. The company’s interim financial results announced on August 19, 2015 are the first to incorporate the China joint ventures.

“The incorporation of the Chinese entities is an important step towards the long term objectives to capture the growth and sourcing potential in China,” said Hakan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive.

Volvo Cars has been under the

ownership of the Zhejiang Geely Holding (Geely Holding) of China since 2010. It formed part of the Swedish Volvo Group until 1999, when the company was bought by Ford Motor Company of the US. In 2010, Volvo Cars was acquired by Geely Holding.

Volvo Cars head office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Cars head office for China is located in Shanghai. The company’s main car production plants are located

in Gothenburg (Sweden), Ghent (Belgium) and Chengdu (China), while engines are manufactured in Skövde (Sweden) and Zhangjiakou (China) and body components in Olofström (Sweden).

GLOBAL NEWS

that the Mustang will have several takers among the Indians. So far, 80 pc of UK customers have opted for the fastback body style over the convertible and 70 pc have specified the 416PS 5.0-litre V8 engine over the more fuel-efficient 317PS 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine. Mustang’s six-speed manual transmission is the slightly more popular choice (55pc) over the six-speed automatic, which comes

with sporty SelectShift paddle control, according to a company press release.

Over half of UK Mustangs have been specified with the Custom Pack which includes satellite navigation, a Shaker Pro 12-speaker audio system, heated and cooled front seats, a rear view camera, Luster Nickel silver alloy wheels and extra chrome detailing on fastback models.

Race Red is the most-popular exterior colour among UK buyers, with 23 per cent of Mustang orders. Magnetic Silver and Shadow Black are joint second choice with 16.1 per cent each and Deep Impact Blue (10.7 per cent) and Triple Yellow (8.6 per cent) complete the top five. Ebony Black is the top pick for interior colour, selected by more than 75 pc of customers.

INDIA NEWS


Only 30,000 for your ten-year-old diesel car? Nah!!!Your ten your old diesel vehicle, whether it is a BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz or a Maruti Suzuki or Hyundai car, could fetch you a financial incentive of maybe up to Rs 30,000 in case you are staying in the National Capital Region (NCR) and are keen to give it up to be shredded and recycled. While the National Green Tribunal is sticking to its decision to ban diesel vehicles that are more than 10 years old in the NCR, the government is working on a proposal to offer financial incentives of up to Rs 30,000 for surrender of diesel cars that are

more than ten years old and Rs 1.5 lakh for old trucks in order to check pollution and address road safety concerns.

This was stated by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping while inaugurating an International Conference and Exhibition on Public Transport Innovation in New Delhi. “A proposal to formulate the new incentive policy for surrendering old vehicles is being worked out and would be soon sent for the finance ministry’s approval,” Gadkari stated. The event was

organised to mark the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Association of State Road Transport Undertaking (ASRTU) which was established on August 13, 1965.

The vehicles that are surrendered would then be shredded at an auto-shredding plant and a certificate of scrappage (COS) would be given to the owner with which he or she can avail excise duty reimbursements, discounts and lower rates of interest on loans. This scheme, according to Motown India experts, is unlikely

to find too many takers because ten your old diesel cars today fetch much more that Rs 30,000 and could run up to several lakhs of rupees, depending on the model and make of car and the kilometres plied. Obviously, people would prefer to sell such cars outside the NCR through agents and brokers.

The Minister also stated that the Government is committed to improve the safety of Indian roads. He said a bill adopting the best practices in the world in road transportation and safety standards will be brought soon.

More states under BS IV emission norms; April 1, 2017 deadline for entire country

Honda Activa crosses 10 million unit sales landmark

Even though Bharat Stage IV (BS IV) emission norms have come into effect in many of the cities and towns of India, the norm will be applicable to all four wheelers across the country only by April 1, 2017. BS IV grade fuel has already been made available in the NCR and the cities of Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chennai, Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad including Secunderabad, Kanpur, Pune, Surat, Agra, Lucknow and Sholapur with effect from April 1, 2010. An additional 20 cities were added from October, 2014 and 30 more cities from April 1, 2015 were added.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has now issued a notification for publication that only BS-IV compliant four wheeler vehicles will be manufactured on and from October 1, 2015 in States of Jammu and Kashmir (except Districts of Leh and Kargil), Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and districts of Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar in the State of Rajasthan and in the districts of Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar,

Bijnaur, Jyotiba Phule Nagar, Rampur, Muradabad, Aligarh, Badaun, Bareilly, Mathura, Mahamayanagar, Etah, Agra, Firozabad, Etawah, Mainpuri, Pilibhit, Shamli, Sambhal, Farrukabad, Kannauj, Auriya and Kasganj in the State of Uttar Pradesh .

From April 1, 2016 this norm will be effective in the States of Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha and the Union territories of Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, districts of Mumbai, Thane and Pune in the State of Maharashtra and districts of Surat, Valsad, Dangs and Tapi in the State of Gujarat.

From April 1, 2017 the mass emission standards for Bharat Stage IV shall come into force all over the country, a release from PIB noted. With this only those newly manufactured four-wheeled vehicles, which are complaint with the BS-IV standards will be allowed to registered and move on roads with effect from the notified dates in the notified areas.

The company that rekindled the scooter mania in the country, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) has set a new record. The company’s iconic Activa has become the first scooter in India to achieve a phenomenal 10 million (1 crore) unit sales landmark.

Since its 2001 debut as the first two-wheeler launched in India by Honda, Activa has reactivated the dying Indian automatic scooter market and redefined convenient mobility for the entire family.

The scooter has features like a four-stroke engine, Honda Eco Technology (which delivers a dream mileage of 60kmpl as per Honda mode which is close to actual riding conditions), V-matic (gearless) transmission, durable all metal body, convenient Lift-up Independent Cover (CLIC) mechanism, tubeless tyres and combi-brake system.

Activa, Honda made the steep climb from 55,000 units in first year (2001) to becoming the market leader in just three years. Since then, Activa has grown to sell over 2.1 million units in FY’2014-15 and Honda 2Wheelers is now the undisputed market leader with

59pc market share in the scooter segment.

Keita Muramatsu – President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “This achievement is more significant since Activa (an automatic scooter) has gained the trust of one crore happy families in India. From reactivating the scooter segment in India in 2001 to leading the Scooterization of industry today, Honda’s iconic Activa has changed the way Indians ride to fulfill their dreams. We thank our valued customers and families who have made Activa the most preferred choice of families for commuting in India.”

INTERVIEW


been on this front? AP: As we went about our journey a number of other things happened. We started off as a chassis manufacturer for a short while. We built up India’s first complete bus company in 2007 as Volvo Buses India Pvt Ltd. We brought in our global manufacturing practices into our plant here where we again invested heavily from 2011 onwards in order to have a much broader role in India. With that one thing was clearly visible. Our customers in the private space as well as those in state and city corporations were fairly vocal about the fact that we like your buses and we have our support when it comes to big premium brands but we would also like you to take the next step and bring something of a higher volume base in the value segment. And that’s where the though process started three to four years back. We got into action and in 2014 we announced we would introduce UD as a local brand in India primarily targeted at the value segment. This means that in large cities there would be an option where you find premium buses running in the centre, we could compliment this with value buses on the outskirts of the city. In B category cities, these value buses could become the main mode of transport. It is with that thinking we started UD. SURESH CHETTIAR (SC): This year we shall put the first UD buses on the road. At this point of time we have decided to start the commercial roll out with some trials with some customers and the first is being done so in Bangalore. The first two buses given to Bangalore have been with them for two months. Given the fact that these are first prototypes, we have so covered an extremely good journey so far. The buses have been appreciated a lot by the passengers. There have been no technical glitches at all. Later this year we shall start the commercial roll out. AP: These buses will be high on

performance and will have high levels of safety and will have environment norms in place. UD does stand for reliability. India has an excellent opportunity, especially in the city segment where the government has been taking of the smart city concept. With the smart city concept coming in, along with Make in India and swachch Bharat, I think we as a company fit in well. With buses already made in India, we have different kind of products both for the city and the long distance segment.

You buses are produced in Hoskote near Bangalore, how many of these buses are made at the plant, what is the current capacity and also what are the levels of capacity utilisation and also the level of localisation? AP: India is an important part of the international business I manage. Prasad (VRV Sriprasad is Managing Director, Volvo Buses India) and team have done a good job with the local operations in India. We have invested heavily in expansion in the last three to four years here. On a single shift basis our capacity for both inter-city and city buses is 1500 units per annum. Then it is always easy to make it a double shift if the requirement comes in. The facility is like any other Volvo facility anywhere in the world. The facility has been built keeping exports in mind and the facility has been exporting in the last could of years. We are in the start up of our export journey. In the last few years we have been exporting to South Africa and the team has also been preparing over the last three-four years which has resulted in us announcing last month that we will, beginning early next year, start exporting buses to Europe. When our buses are exported they are done so as Completely Built Units as we do domestically in India.

The Volvo Electro Mobility Programme is into hybrid and electric buses. Volvo has sold

more than 5000 such buses across 20 odd countries in the last few years. With the Indian government talking the electric and hybrid language, do you hope to see such vehicles in India?AP: The Volvo group in 2007 put in seven different types of technologies over and above the diesel technology like CNG, ethanol, hybrid, electric and so on and so forth. In Europe, going forward we debated what the most efficient mode of transportation is, keeping the operator and the passenger in mind. It came out fairly clearly that electro mobility will be the path forward. While other technologies will prevail, they will have challenges like they had in the last 30 years to scale up. Thousands of hybrid buses are running across the world. They have been very well received. For the last year and half we have started to focus on Asia. We are already bringing in our hybrids to Australia, Singapore etc. We are playing a big role in China. It’s also good to see that while the government is talking about scaling up from Bharat Stage IV to V and VI, they are also looking into electro mobility. Among the top five manufacturers in the world, Volvo probably is the only company which is so well invested in electro mobility. We launched our first electric bus in Gothenburg in Sweden this year. They are running fine and they are zero emission pollution free. Coming to India, the roadmap will very much start from hybrid buses. We are working very closely with regulatory authorities and with FAME coming in the government is offering good subsidies. We see a lot of interest from select state and city corporations which want to go that route. Very soon you will hear from us on the hybrid space.

The buses in India have now to adhere to a new bus code beginning August 2015. For Volvo it must have been easy implementing this code?

SC: To put things in perspective, we started to invest on what would be the next level of inputs into the bus. The fact that there was a good industry and authority engagement in it, also gave us a lead in which direction we need to work. So when the demands on us were to implement the same from April 2015, I think we were the first company to be ready. Many of them we did willingly without waiting for the code to happen. We are extremely proud of the fact that we did the job first.

The buzz words are Make in India and Smart Cities, does Volvo Buses see a mega opportunity and a grand commitment there in India? AP: At the cost of not being humble at this moment for a moment, it was Volvo Group the first western global manufacturer to take that step nearly 17 years back with trucks and 15 years back with buses. We are happy to see that other global manufacturers seeing this success are also following the same route over the last year or two. That builds a kind of combination where we all can together promote and bring more international and latest solution to India. India is second largest in the world by way of population heading very soon to be the largest, from that perspective of you look at the availability of public transport, in comparison to the averages in different countries, India has one of the lowest averages. There is enormous opportunity and the Volvo group is very well invested here to take care of that opportunity. The last two to three years have been challenging on the economic front. We now see both the central and state governments are taking a number of actions. What they are stating and wanting companies to do, Volvo has already done that and I think we are looking forward to see or reap the fruits of this success and very much contribute with different technologies in India.

INTERVIEW


Akash Passey & Suresh ChettiarSenior Vice President – Business Region International, Volvo Bus Corporation / Vice President and Head – Commercial, Volvo Buses India.


Volvo Buses has been in India since 2001 and you are the first company in the CV segment to bring a true bus chassis concept, the low floor city bus concept, the multi-axle coaches, among a host of other technologies & concepts. Can you briefly describe how has this journey been for you company?AKASH PASSEY (AP): First of all I have had the privilege of being the first bus employee in India

way back in 1997. Suresh came around the same time in trucks. Sometime in 2005 he moved on to Volvo Buses. For us it’s been a long journey. When we started out with our first commercialisation on buses in India in 2001 the concept was front engine, built on a truck chassis. Manufacturers would only sell a chassis and you would have had to go to an external body builder to build a body. With Volvo coming in these were the key things that changed. We

bought in rear engines, brought in bus chassis, and we brought in a complete bus concept. The effect of that was very positive in the initial years especially in the long distance segment where we started from and then over a period of time in 2006 we moved to low floor air conditioned city buses. This was a revolution as all city buses were built on a high floor concept where you had to climb three steps to get into a bus and again they were front

engine city buses. To sum up we have around 5000 Volvo buses on the road. In the long distance segment our buses are touching almost every town in India. The city buses we started ten years back we have a presence in over 30 cities in India.

In 2014 you unveiled the UD Buses brand as part of the company’s strategy to foray into the value segment in growth markets. How has progress

Akash Passey (L) & Suresh Chettiar

“In the last few years we have been exporting to South Africa and the team has also been preparing over the last three-four years which has resulted in us announcing last

month that we will, beginning early next year, start exporting buses to Europe.”

INTERVIEW


been on this front? AP: As we went about our journey a number of other things happened. We started off as a chassis manufacturer for a short while. We built up India’s first complete bus company in 2007 as Volvo Buses India Pvt Ltd. We brought in our global manufacturing practices into our plant here where we again invested heavily from 2011 onwards in order to have a much broader role in India. With that one thing was clearly visible. Our customers in the private space as well as those in state and city corporations were fairly vocal about the fact that we like your buses and we have our support when it comes to big premium brands but we would also like you to take the next step and bring something of a higher volume base in the value segment. And that’s where the though process started three to four years back. We got into action and in 2014 we announced we would introduce UD as a local brand in India primarily targeted at the value segment. This means that in large cities there would be an option where you find premium buses running in the centre, we could compliment this with value buses on the outskirts of the city. In B category cities, these value buses could become the main mode of transport. It is with that thinking we started UD. SURESH CHETTIAR (SC): This year we shall put the first UD buses on the road. At this point of time we have decided to start the commercial roll out with some trials with some customers and the first is being done so in Bangalore. The first two buses given to Bangalore have been with them for two months. Given the fact that these are first prototypes, we have so covered an extremely good journey so far. The buses have been appreciated a lot by the passengers. There have been no technical glitches at all. Later this year we shall start the commercial roll out. AP: These buses will be high on

performance and will have high levels of safety and will have environment norms in place. UD does stand for reliability. India has an excellent opportunity, especially in the city segment where the government has been taking of the smart city concept. With the smart city concept coming in, along with Make in India and swachch Bharat, I think we as a company fit in well. With buses already made in India, we have different kind of products both for the city and the long distance segment.

You buses are produced in Hoskote near Bangalore, how many of these buses are made at the plant, what is the current capacity and also what are the levels of capacity utilisation and also the level of localisation? AP: India is an important part of the international business I manage. Prasad (VRV Sriprasad is Managing Director, Volvo Buses India) and team have done a good job with the local operations in India. We have invested heavily in expansion in the last three to four years here. On a single shift basis our capacity for both inter-city and city buses is 1500 units per annum. Then it is always easy to make it a double shift if the requirement comes in. The facility is like any other Volvo facility anywhere in the world. The facility has been built keeping exports in mind and the facility has been exporting in the last could of years. We are in the start up of our export journey. In the last few years we have been exporting to South Africa and the team has also been preparing over the last three-four years which has resulted in us announcing last month that we will, beginning early next year, start exporting buses to Europe. When our buses are exported they are done so as Completely Built Units as we do domestically in India.

The Volvo Electro Mobility Programme is into hybrid and electric buses. Volvo has sold

more than 5000 such buses across 20 odd countries in the last few years. With the Indian government talking the electric and hybrid language, do you hope to see such vehicles in India?AP: The Volvo group in 2007 put in seven different types of technologies over and above the diesel technology like CNG, ethanol, hybrid, electric and so on and so forth. In Europe, going forward we debated what the most efficient mode of transportation is, keeping the operator and the passenger in mind. It came out fairly clearly that electro mobility will be the path forward. While other technologies will prevail, they will have challenges like they had in the last 30 years to scale up. Thousands of hybrid buses are running across the world. They have been very well received. For the last year and half we have started to focus on Asia. We are already bringing in our hybrids to Australia, Singapore etc. We are playing a big role in China. It’s also good to see that while the government is talking about scaling up from Bharat Stage IV to V and VI, they are also looking into electro mobility. Among the top five manufacturers in the world, Volvo probably is the only company which is so well invested in electro mobility. We launched our first electric bus in Gothenburg in Sweden this year. They are running fine and they are zero emission pollution free. Coming to India, the roadmap will very much start from hybrid buses. We are working very closely with regulatory authorities and with FAME coming in the government is offering good subsidies. We see a lot of interest from select state and city corporations which want to go that route. Very soon you will hear from us on the hybrid space.

The buses in India have now to adhere to a new bus code beginning August 2015. For Volvo it must have been easy implementing this code?

SC: To put things in perspective, we started to invest on what would be the next level of inputs into the bus. The fact that there was a good industry and authority engagement in it, also gave us a lead in which direction we need to work. So when the demands on us were to implement the same from April 2015, I think we were the first company to be ready. Many of them we did willingly without waiting for the code to happen. We are extremely proud of the fact that we did the job first.

The buzz words are Make in India and Smart Cities, does Volvo Buses see a mega opportunity and a grand commitment there in India? AP: At the cost of not being humble at this moment for a moment, it was Volvo Group the first western global manufacturer to take that step nearly 17 years back with trucks and 15 years back with buses. We are happy to see that other global manufacturers seeing this success are also following the same route over the last year or two. That builds a kind of combination where we all can together promote and bring more international and latest solution to India. India is second largest in the world by way of population heading very soon to be the largest, from that perspective of you look at the availability of public transport, in comparison to the averages in different countries, India has one of the lowest averages. There is enormous opportunity and the Volvo group is very well invested here to take care of that opportunity. The last two to three years have been challenging on the economic front. We now see both the central and state governments are taking a number of actions. What they are stating and wanting companies to do, Volvo has already done that and I think we are looking forward to see or reap the fruits of this success and very much contribute with different technologies in India.

INTERVIEW


locally. You also assemble ethanol buses. How do you foresee the demand for these ethanol buses coming up?We feel there is a market for ethanol buses in India. As I speak we are participating in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Association of State Road Transport Undertaking (ASRTU) and we had the Transport Minister here and the Minister of Urban Development and they said that India must be decarbonised. The way forward with decarbonisation is by using bio fuels in connection with hybridisation and electrification. That is the way to decarbonise the transport industry. I think the Indian government has really understood that. They are on to the game and are determined to reach the target they have set up. To reach 10pc bio fuel fleet vehicles by 2023. This is a huge challenge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said why not 50pc by 2030. The Indian public, the government transport undertakings and our customers

understand that we need to decarbonise this industry.

Is demand for your haulage and mining trucks seeing an upturn? Are things getting better in the Indian economy, especially the CV segment?The mining industry is picking up in India. This year has been particularly good for the mining industry with the government giving 12 concessions on new mines. It’s been a record of sorts since 2009. This segment will pick up very strongly. We expect another 12 this autumn which means 24 in a year. You have not seen such a thing since the beginning of the 21st century. But also with the infrastructure development and the introduction of the GST, there will be improved flows in India. We travel with a much higher speed than the local products but we are at a disadvantage today because of all these stops at borders and inefficient handling as a result of the existing taxation structure and

bad infrastructure. If this is solved then I see a very bright future for the on road business. The premium segment will definitely grow and once this segment grows the economy will grow.

What’s been the progress with your Metrolink buses? Which are the markets in India where you have been successful with it? Also can you talk about these buses in terms of its quality?The Metrolink is an intercity coach. It is doing its debut in STUs (State Transport Undertakings).We have sold 100 of these buses to private operators. We have sold 35 to KSRTC and 35 to the MSRTC. We are now opening up to the STUs. This bus has been very much appreciated. All our products can run on bio fuels. This is the safest bus in the market fulfilling the rollover demands, and it’s a very modern and safe coach running in a very environmentally friendly way. The feedback we have been

getting from the passengers in the bus is very good. Good quality bio fuel is now available in Gujarat, bio gas and bio ethanol is available in Maharashtra, and now more and more states are understanding the importance of producing bio fuel from waste, either agro waste or household waste or sludge. It is a good thing for India. We say it’s a local waste, to local fuel for local transportation. I think it is a win, win, win! And the bus keeps moving on waste.

Lastly, the Indian government has an ambitious plan to build around 100 smart cities in the country and I am sure companies like Scania would like to be part of this growth story. What is your take on it?I think it means good business for everyone, for Indian companies as well as foreign investments into India. An infrastructure growth demands a lot of cement and other materials for building. Everyone will benefit a lot from Make in India campaign.

Scania buses on display during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Association of State Road Transport Undertaking (ASRTU) in New Delhi

INTERVIEW

Anders GrundstromerManaging Director, Scania Commercial Vehicles India & Senior Vice President, Scania Group



“...And now more and more states are understanding the importance of producing bio fuel from waste, either agro waste or household waste or sludge. It is a good thing for India. We say it’s a local waste, to local fuel for local transportation. I think it is a win,

win, win! And the bus keeps moving on waste.”

In March this year you inaugurated your bus plant in Narasapura near Bangalore. In 2013 you had inaugurated a truck facility at the same place. Will this facility serve as an export hub also? What we do today is that we produce for India. We are rapidly ramping up our production and we are also rapidly ramping up

our indigenisation of our products. We want to indigenise without losing quality. The buses are 100 pc localised but the chassis are roughly 18pc localised in India. The mining trucks are typically 40pc localised in India. Our target on the complete level of localisation is around 60 to 65pc without losing quality. At the moment we cannot export

because India is taking all the volumes.

Are you confident of reaching your 2017 target of 2500 units of buses and 5000 units of trucks? Today we have a capacity of 2500 trucks and 1000 buses. We have to double that by 2017-18. We need that by then. As soon as we reach a peak in India which I hope

will not take many years, then we hope to export also. We are targeting South East Asia, Middle East and Africa out of India. We shall export CBUs as well as knocked down units. But it will be made in India.

The Narasapura facility accommodates a bio gas unit that produces alternative fuels

INTERVIEW


locally. You also assemble ethanol buses. How do you foresee the demand for these ethanol buses coming up?We feel there is a market for ethanol buses in India. As I speak we are participating in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Association of State Road Transport Undertaking (ASRTU) and we had the Transport Minister here and the Minister of Urban Development and they said that India must be decarbonised. The way forward with decarbonisation is by using bio fuels in connection with hybridisation and electrification. That is the way to decarbonise the transport industry. I think the Indian government has really understood that. They are on to the game and are determined to reach the target they have set up. To reach 10pc bio fuel fleet vehicles by 2023. This is a huge challenge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said why not 50pc by 2030. The Indian public, the government transport undertakings and our customers

understand that we need to decarbonise this industry.

Is demand for your haulage and mining trucks seeing an upturn? Are things getting better in the Indian economy, especially the CV segment?The mining industry is picking up in India. This year has been particularly good for the mining industry with the government giving 12 concessions on new mines. It’s been a record of sorts since 2009. This segment will pick up very strongly. We expect another 12 this autumn which means 24 in a year. You have not seen such a thing since the beginning of the 21st century. But also with the infrastructure development and the introduction of the GST, there will be improved flows in India. We travel with a much higher speed than the local products but we are at a disadvantage today because of all these stops at borders and inefficient handling as a result of the existing taxation structure and

bad infrastructure. If this is solved then I see a very bright future for the on road business. The premium segment will definitely grow and once this segment grows the economy will grow.

What’s been the progress with your Metrolink buses? Which are the markets in India where you have been successful with it? Also can you talk about these buses in terms of its quality?The Metrolink is an intercity coach. It is doing its debut in STUs (State Transport Undertakings).We have sold 100 of these buses to private operators. We have sold 35 to KSRTC and 35 to the MSRTC. We are now opening up to the STUs. This bus has been very much appreciated. All our products can run on bio fuels. This is the safest bus in the market fulfilling the rollover demands, and it’s a very modern and safe coach running in a very environmentally friendly way. The feedback we have been

getting from the passengers in the bus is very good. Good quality bio fuel is now available in Gujarat, bio gas and bio ethanol is available in Maharashtra, and now more and more states are understanding the importance of producing bio fuel from waste, either agro waste or household waste or sludge. It is a good thing for India. We say it’s a local waste, to local fuel for local transportation. I think it is a win, win, win! And the bus keeps moving on waste.

Lastly, the Indian government has an ambitious plan to build around 100 smart cities in the country and I am sure companies like Scania would like to be part of this growth story. What is your take on it?I think it means good business for everyone, for Indian companies as well as foreign investments into India. An infrastructure growth demands a lot of cement and other materials for building. Everyone will benefit a lot from Make in India campaign.

Scania buses on display during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Association of State Road Transport Undertaking (ASRTU) in New Delhi

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

PASSENGER VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA

(Total Domestic Sales + Exports for the month of July 2015 = 2,13,741 Units)

UTILITY VEHICLES MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA

(Total Domestic Sales + Exports for the month of July 2015 = 68,843 Units)

TWO WHEELER MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA

(Total Domestic Sales + Exports for the month of July 2015 = 15,38,165 Units)

Maruti Suzuki India (47.84)%

Hyundai Motor India (20.35)%

Honda Cars India (8.48)%

Nissan Motor India (7.16)%

Volkswagen India (5.96)%

Tata Motors (4.09)%

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (3.11)%

OTHERS (1.22)%Skoda Auto India (0.60%)Fiat India Automobiles (0.41%) Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (0.14%) Renault India Pvt. Ltd. (0.07%)

Ford India (1.13)%

General Motors India (0.66)%

Hero MotoCorp (31.69)%

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (25.32)%

Bajaj Auto (18.36)%

TVS Motor Company (13.53)%

India Yamaha Motor (4.89)%

Royal Enfield (2.65)%

Suzuki Motorcycle India (2.35)%

OTHERS (1.21)%Mahindra Two Wheelers (0.98%) Piaggio Vehicles (0.16%)H-D Motor Company India (0.05%)Triumph Motorcycles India (0.01%) Kawasaki India (0.01%)

Maruti Suzuki India (28.27)%

Mahindra & Mahindra (21.75)%

Ford India (15.55)%

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (10.23)%

Hyundai Motor India (10.04)%

Tata Motors (6.16)%

Renault India (2.22)%

Nissan Motor India (1.97)%

General Motors India (1.69)%

Honda Cars India (1.60)%OTHERS (0.52)%Force Motors Ltd (0.27%) Hindustan Motors Finance Corp (0.18%); Isuzu Motors (0.06%); Skoda Auto India Pvt. Ltd (0.01%)

THREE WHEELERS MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA


Bajaj Auto (57.29)%

Piaggio Vehicles (19.09)%

TVS Motor Company (12.32)%


Atul Auto (4.45)%

Scooters India (0.99)%

Force Motors (0.22)%

LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA


MEDIUM & HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS IN INDIA



Tata Motors (39.41)%

Force Motors (6.51)%

Ashok Leyland (6.40)%

VECVs - Eicher (3.74)%

SML Isuzu (1.55)%

Piaggio Vehicles (1.22)%

Isuzu Motors (0.35)%

Tata Motors (52.26)%

Ashok Leyland (34.06)%

VECVs - Eicher (9.11)%


SML Isuzu (1.99)%

AMW Motors (0.35)%

VECVs - Volvo (0.18)%


RNI No DEL ENG/2010/34562

motown india september 2015

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