Taycan facelift now Porsche’s most powerful road car

Porsche has facelifted the Taycan for the first time since it went into production in 2019, but unlike most facelifts where updates are largely cosmetic, in true Porsche fashion, the Taycan gets a ton of electrical upgrades – it's more powerful, gets better electric hardware, is more efficient, and naturally, has better performance as well. Porsche hasn’t revealed the detailed specs of all the variants, but says every single model in the line-up is now more powerful, and faster. The most significant updates are to the rear axle motor, which now produces up to 109hp more than before, depending on the model. All motors are lighter, and get revised internals for better efficiency and more power. In its top-rung Turbo S guise, the Taycan now produces 952hp when using launch control – up from 761hp of the outgoing model. This now makes the Taycan the most powerful Porsche ever, taking over from the 887hp 918 Spyder hypercar. 0-100kph sprint time has also resultingly come down from 2.8 seconds to just 2.4 seconds, again making it the fastest accelerating Porsche ever. However, it’s the base rear-wheel drive model that sees the biggest jump in off-the-line performance, accelerating from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds – up 0.6 seconds from the outgoing version. The base now produces 483hp, up from 326hp of the outgoing model. Additionally, variants equipped with the Sport Chrono package get a ‘push to pass’ button that offers a temporary boost of 95hp for a maximum of 10 seconds at a time. Sheer performance aside, Porsche has also improved the battery and range, especially since the range has never been a strong suit of the outgoing Taycan. There’s a new battery with revised cell chemistry, gross capacity for the larger Performance Battery Plus has gone up from 93.4kWh to 105kWh, and the 800V architecture will now be able to recuperate energy at up to 320kW, up by 50. Meanwhile, base models get their battery upgraded to 89kWh, up from 79.2kWh.  

Car and SUV users in Bengaluru and Pune took over 27 minutes to travel 10km in CY2023

Traffic remains a challenge worldwide as life returns to pre-pandemic levels. Four Indian cities are among the 80 cities in the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index study, which found that drivers took more than 20 minutes to complete a 10-kilometre trip. The findings of the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index are out and four Indian cities – Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi and Mumbai – are among the 387 cities in 55 countries on six continents surveyed for their traffic trends. The latest and 13th edition of the global study covers metrics such as congestion, average travel time, the impact of rush-hour traffic on vehicle users and the environmental impact. What’s more, it also tracks the cost of driving which, in a world impacted by inflation, is eating into motorists’ income. Bengaluru and Pune, ranked No. 6 and No. 7 respectively have the dubious distinction to be among the Top 10 cities with the slowest traffic globally. The average travel time for a typical 10km-long-journey in Bengaluru in CY2023 was 28 minutes and 10 seconds, one minute less than it did in CY2022 – if that is of any solace to motorists in that city. As per the TomTom Traffic Index for 2023, London continues to be the world’s slowest city – average travel time for a 10km drive there was 37 minutes and 20 seconds. That’s a minute more than in 2022 and nearly two minutes more than in 2021, which indicates a gradual return to the pre-Covid-19 trend of consistently increasing traffic. It’s the same in the four Indian cities named in this survey.Dublin (Ireland), Toronto (Canada), Milan (Italy) and Lima (Peru) are ranked second, third, fourth and fifth respectively, just above Bengaluru and Pune. Meanwhile, motorists in New Delhi (ranked No. 44) took 21 minutes and 40 seconds to cover the same distance, clocking 24kph average speed in rush-hour and losing a cumulative 81 hours last year. Compared to 2022, Delhi car users saved 30 seconds on each trip. Compared to 2022, Delhi car users saved 30 seconds on each trip, owing to the rapid improvement in the national capital’s road infrastructure that is now brimming with flyovers, roundabouts, and now tunnels that aim to eliminate long snarls. New Delhi is also benefiting from other traffic-smoothening initiatives. As part of the Zero Fatality Corridor (ZFC) initiative in New Delhi, the SaveLIFE Foundation tests temporary urban design interventions through Tactical Urbanism Trials. An essential component of these trials is road space redistribution to ensure modal equity, road geometrics modification, traffic channelisation, vehicular speed reduction, and addition of pedestrian and cyclist safety infrastructure. India’s financial capital Mumbai, which has an estimated vehicle population of 4.5 million units and over 1.3 million privately owned passenger vehicles, remains traffic gridlocked. The slow-traffic scenario is also exacerbated by the major road construction work underway across different parts of the city which is seeing multiple projects being implemented to reduce traffic intensity in the near future.  

Maruti Grand Vitara gets up to Rs 75,000 off on MY2023 stocks

Maruti Suzuki is offering attractive discounts and benefits on Nexa models such as the Grand Vitara, Jimny, Baleno and Ignis this February. These can be availed in the form of cash discounts and exchange offers and is available on both MY2023 and MY2024 production units. The only models not listed with any offers are the XL6 and Invicto MPVs. MY2023 units of the Grand Vitara hybrid can be had with benefits of up to Rs 75,000 which includes cash discounts and exchange offers. Meanwhile, the MY2024 units are listed with benefits of Rs 50,000 which just includes an exchange offer. Regular petrol variants of the Grand Vitara are listed with benefits of up to Rs 45,000 and Rs 30,000 for MY2023 and MY2024, respectively. This is the highest benefit the Grand Vitara has been available with in a while. The highest benefit from the Nexa lineup this February is on the Jimny. It continues to be offered with Rs 1.50 lakh cash discount on the top-spec Alpha trim while the lower Zeta trim gets Rs 50,000 off. These are, however, only applicable on MY2023 units. MY2024 units of the Jimny are not listed with any benefits currently. While the SUV is capable off-road, the high sticker price has resulted in sluggish sales. The SUV has since received multiple discounts, including a Rs 2.3 lakh discount in December. 2023 model year of the Maruti Suzuki Ignis manual get discounts of up to Rs 55,000, while automatic variants get up to Rs 50,000 off. For 2024 models, the discounts are marginally less but still substantial. Manual transmission variants made in 2024 get benefits of up to Rs 45,000, while automatic variants get discounts of up to Rs 40,000. The Ignis is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that puts out 83hp and 113Nm. It’s available with the choice of a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno has been a strong performer for the Nexa brand and is available with petrol and CNG powertrains. Petrol models manufactured in 2023 are available with benefits of up to Rs 35,000 that’s inclusive of cash discount and exchange bonuses, while CNG variants get up to Rs 15,000 off as an exchange bonus. 2024 models get benefits of up to Rs 30,000 and Rs 35,000 on petrol and CNG, respectively.  The Baleno is offered with a 1.2-litre engine that produces 90hp, 113Nm and can be mated to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. While using CNG, the engine output drops to 78hp and 98.5Nm, and it is only available with the 5-speed manual gearbox. Ciaz models manufactured in 2023 are offered with benefits of up to Rs 45,000, while models manufactured in 2024 get benefits of up to Rs 25,000 in the form of cash discount and exchange offers. The Ciaz is powered by a 105hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine and is available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Its interiors are dated and the petrol engine is unexciting, but its spacious cabin and smart pricing make it a level-headed buy  

Citroen to add more safety features, plans to come with six airbags

French automobile company Citroen has recently announced adding six airbags as a standard to raise the safety standards of its offerings in India. The French carmaker is not going to produce the updated cars right away. They are going to update the safety feature in the second half of the year, i.e., from July 2024.Citroen currently has four models in India, i.e., ë-C3, C3 Aircross SUV, C3 and C5 Aircross. The six-airbag system will come with front airbags, side airbags, and curtain airbags, which provide extra protection in the event of a collision. This will provide a safe mobility solution for its customers.Citroen cars will also come with ISOFIX seat anchorage and rear seatbelt reminder as standard fitment. Citroen has recently introduced an automatic transmission option for the C3 Aircross. The compact SUV is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that comes with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque-converted automatic.Power output is identical at 109bhp for both versions, but torque output stands at 190 Nm and 205Nm, respectively. Aditya Jairaj, MD & CEO at Stellantis India, recently said that customers are now more evolved to understand safety as an equally important requirement for driving comfort and features. Citroen is trying to continuously evaluate and meet the evolving needs of consumer requirements.This year, Citroen is planning to introduce a crossover with sedan in India. Namely, the C3X which will share its platform with C3 and C3 Aircross. C3X will get an all-electric version, similar to the C3 hatchback. The images of India-spec C3X also surfaced over the internet.    

Tata Motors unveils striking upgrades in Curvv SUV at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024: All details

Tata Motors has unveiled its upcoming Curvv SUV at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024. The event started on February 1, showcased the SUV in its near-production form, giving attendees a glimpse of what to expect, reported HT Auto. The Curvv presented in both its traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) version and its electric variant.Reportedly, the Curvv SUV displayed at the expo features significant updates compared to its previous version showcased at the Auto Expo last year. Notable changes include LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and a lightbar inspired by Tata's latest design language seen in models like Nexon, Punch, Harrier, and Safari. The grille, bumper, and headlight units have undergone revisions, with repositioned air vents and a lower-placed air intake on the bumper. Additionally, Tata has incorporated a skid plate at the front for added protection. While the overall profile of the Curvv remains largely similar to its predecessor, it boasts new alloy designs, larger wheel arches with black claddings, and flush door handles. The rear features modified connected LED taillights, bringing it closer to its final production look.Despite sharing similarities with the Nexon SUV's silhouette, the Curvv is larger in dimensions. It measures 4,308 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width, 1,630 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,560 mm. The SUV offers ample boot space, capable of accommodating 422 liters of luggage.Under the hood, the Curvv SUV will be powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, capable of producing 113 bhp of power and 260 Nm of peak torque. The engine will be paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Although Tata had showcased the Curvv with a 1.2-liter petrol engine at the previous Auto Expo, its inclusion in the production version remains unconfirmed. With these updates and specifications, Tata Motors aims to make a significant mark in the SUV segment, catering to both conventional and electric vehicle enthusiasts. The Curvv SUV's debut at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 signals Tata's commitment to innovation and advancement in the automotive industry.    

Maruti Suzuki reports 15.5% rise in January vehicle sales

Maruti Suzuki India's total vehicle sales, including exports, increased 15.54 per cent at 1,99,364 units in January from 1,72,535 units in the same month last year, the company said in a statement on Thursday.This was the highest-ever monthly sales volume for the Gurugram-based car maker, as per the statement.The total domestic sales grew 13 per cent at 1,70,214 vehicles as against 1,51,367 units in the month a year ago, it said.MSI also sold 23,921 vehicles in the overseas markets in the previous month, as per the statement. Total passenger vehicle domestic sales in the previous month were recorded at 1,66,802 units, growing 13.20 per cent over 1,47,348 vehicles sold in January 2023, the company said.    

More than 200 planes are delayed due to fog in Delhi.

By seven in the morning, three planes were diverted to Jaipur, one to Ahmedabad, and one to Mumbai, according to an airport official. Over 200 aircraft at Delhi airport were delayed as a result of the decreased visibility.Most of the aircraft used for the flight diversions were not flown by pilots with CAT-III certification. In aviation, an advanced instrument landing system (ILS) approach that makes landings in extremely low visibility situations (due to fog, rain, or snow) is referred to as Category III, or CAT III. Even in situations when runway visibility is as low as 50 feet (15 meters) and the visual range is between 50 and 200 meters, a CAT III system enables a precise approach and landing.Nevertheless, aviation operations under low visibility are additionally hampered by the airport's limited capacity for CAT-III compliant runways. The airport's oldest runway, 9/27, is not CAT-III compatible, despite having three other runways that are.Runway 28/10's operationalization, which is presently re-carpeting, has been delayed until the middle of February while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation completes its investigation. On one end, Runway 29R-11L complies with CAT-III standards, and by the end of the next month, authorities hope to certify it for CAT-III landings from both ends. Consequently, the primary runway for CAT-III flight operations at this time is runway 29L-11R.The airport official said that more flight disruptions could occur due to the rainy circumstances on Wednesday. The biggest airline in India, IndiGo, has alerted customers to possible travel disruptions owing to unfavorable weather conditions in Delhi, Srinagar, and Chandigarh.All departures/arrivals and the flights that follow may be impacted by the anticipated low visibility in Delhi (DEL), Varanasi (VNS), Patna (PAT), Ayodhya (AYJ), Bagdogra (IXB), and Darbhanga (DBR), light rain in Dharamshala (DHM), and snow in Srinagar (SXR) and Leh (IXL). "We kindly ask that passengers monitor the status of their flights," SpiceJet posted on social media site X.  

Tata Curvv final design revealed via patent image

The Curvv SUV will be Tata Motors' first all-new model launch in 2024 and will be the brand's answer to the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in India. While the Curvv SUV was shown to the general public in concept and close to production form earlier, its final design has now been revealed, thanks to a patent image that has surfaced online. The patent image confirms that the Curvv SUV’s final design will be almost similar to the concept shown at last year’s Auto Expo in New Delhi. It gets a tall bumper with a wide air dam; the inserts on the air dam and grille are quite similar to the ones seen on the Harrier and Safari facelifts. The vertical headlight placement on the Curvv is also similar to these two SUVs, which will not only give it a familiar look but will also help in using common parts. The Curvv concept’s stylish alloy wheel design also seems to be making it to the production model as seen on the patent image. The SUV will get flush door handles, which have been seen not just on the concept but also on various test mules. This feature is already seen on the Mahindra XUV700 but will be a first for Tata. At the back, the Curvv maintains its coupe-link silhouette and will be the first SUV coupe to enter the midsize SUV space in India.As we've reported earlier, the Curvv EV will be the first to go on sale in the coming months, with the diesel and turbo-petrol variants – in that order – launching in the second half of this year.Tata Curvv EV series production will commence around April this year at Tata Motors’ Ranjangaon plant near Pune. Tata Motors has set an annual sales target of around 48,000 units for the Curvv SUV, with 12,000 units expected from the Curvv EV.    

Hero Xoom lineup to expand

Hero launched the Xoom 110 just last year, but now the Xoom lineup is slated to grow with the arrival of two new scooters – the Xoom 125R and the Xoom 160. Both broke cover first at EICMA 2023, and made their India debut at the recently concluded Hero World event. Let's start with the Xoom 160 as that is something that we rarely see in this category. With a mixture of both maxi-scooter and ADV styling elements, the Xoom 160’s design is sure to stand out of the crowd. It's also a feature-rich machine with keyless ignition and remote seat opening, and also has Hero’s patented i3s stop-start technology. The big talking point here is that it is powered by a liquid-cooled, 156cc, single-cylinder engine that puts out 14hp at 8,000rpm and 13.7Nm at 6,500rpm. When it does launch, the Xoom 160 will be one of only two scooters available in this category to feature a liquid-cooled engine. Underpinnings are fairly run-of-the-mill with a telescopic fork and twin shock absorbers. With its 14-inch wheels and a 141kg kerb weight, the Xoom 160 will likely be a size larger than most scooters out there in its class and its closest rival upon launch will be the Yamaha Aerox 155 (Rs 1.47 lakh). The Xoom 125R is a fairly conventional 125cc scooter, apart from the fact that it runs on 14-inch wheels. Its styling is an evolution of the Xoom 110’s design, although it does get some premium touches like sequential LED indicators (rarely seen on a scooter) and a fully-digital dash. The dash features Bluetooth connectivity thus enabling turn-by-turn navigation, call and SMS alerts.Powering the Xoom 125R is an air-cooled, 124.6cc, single-cylinder engine making 9.5hp and 10.14Nm. In the competitive 125cc scooter space, the Xoom 125R will rival the TVS NTorq (Rs 84,636-1.05 lakh), Suzuki Avenis (Rs 92,800) and Honda Dio 125 (Rs 83,400- 91,300) at launch.  

What the travel, real estate, fintech, electric vehicle, and other industries need from FM

Live Updates on Budget 2024 Expectations: The last Budget of the current Narendra Modi government is scheduled to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2024. This budget is anticipated to be an interim budget or a vote on account because it is being released ahead of the Lok Sabha elections year. The crucial query is: Will Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announce major tax payer and salaried individual relief measures? There are many conjectures about possible changes to the income tax slab rates for FY 2025, which could affect both the current and the proposed income tax regimes.Will there be initiatives to make the new income tax system more enticing to taxpayers? The new income tax regime, which is currently the default tax structure, saw significant adjustments implemented by FM Sitharaman in the previous year's Budget. In addition, an unprecedented capital investment was declared in order to promote economic expansion. For real-time coverage of Budget 2024 expectations across multiple industries, subscribe to Mint Online.Live Budget 2024 Expectations: The fintech industry anticipates statements regarding rules, license procedures, and tax breaks. "Digital adoption and innovation in India are contingent upon a robust Fintech ecosystem." In the next budget, we would like to see policy initiatives related to regulations, licensing process simplification, and providing tax advantages for Fintech businesses. ToneTag CEO and founder Kumar Abhishek stated, "This will create a dynamic environment where cutting-edge solutions like AI and Voice can flourish and propel India's digital transformation. "Expectations for the Budget in 2024 Live: According to Rupyy CFO, expect clearly defined action plans to advance digital payments and improve digital infrastructure. "We anticipate more detailed action plans to fortify digital infrastructure and encourage digital payments for greater financial inclusion from the interim budget. Stronger, longer-lasting, and more precisely defined incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles will also contribute to the expansion of the auto finance industry. It will be beneficial to include EV finance as a priority sector loan, which will reduce costs and boost uptake. Fintech companies are often looking for a GST subsidy in order to improve government benefits and financial services accessibility. We see development potential in the fintech market, which is predicted to reach INR 11.36 Trn by FY 2028.  

Opinion: Colin Chapman Would be Turning in his Grave

Simplify, then add lightness,’ was his philosophy. This ethos was manically implemented, both in his Grand Prix-winning machines, as well as his iconic road cars. He believed that a racecar should practically fall apart once it crosses the finish line. If it didn’t, it was clearly overbuilt.hapman pushed design and engineering to its very limit. Every bolt was examined, drilled, shaved, and optimized for lightness. As a result, his F1 cars were the quickest, but they were also the deadliest – the driver, after all, was the crumple zone. And don’t forget, this was a time when Formula 1 was notorious for being perilous. When Chapman died in ‘82, the glory years of Lotus were behind him. But, while the company struggled for stability, it never strayed far from its roots. Present day Lotus has access to deeper pockets than ever before, as it’s owned by Chinese automotive giant Geely – which also owns Volvo Cars – but the car you see on the cover of this issue is unlike anything that’s come before from this British brand.The Eletre is an ultra-high-performance electric SUV that produces in excess of 900 horses and sprints to 100km/h in under 3 seconds. But it also weighs upwards of three tons – four times more than the Lotus Elise that I drove at the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit over two decades ago. But this is not to take away from the fact that Lotus still makes some very evocative and ‘lightweight’ sports cars. The Emira is not only one of the most desirable new cars on sale today (albeit not in India), but also one of the last few sports cars that can still be had with a manual transmission. So, clearly, what Lotus is doing is using its access to prodigious reserves of Renminbi and the latest EV tech from China to ensure that it becomes much more than just a niche sport car maker and emerges as a force to reckon with amongst the likes of Porsche, Lamborghini, and the like. So, no matter what you think of the Eletre, what’s at play here is a clever strategy that’s worked for the aforementioned brands – both of whom have used SUVs to dramatically expand their footprint and are now hoping that EVs will help do the same once again.Also Read: High voltage EVs are Coming Thick & Fast...This is also another reminder, not that one was needed, that the Chinese auto industry has stolen a march when it comes to EV development. If any other proof was needed, you need only look at the fact that BYD has overtaken Tesla as the number one electric car brand in the world. In fact, BYDs proprietary blade batteries are already powering some Tesla models.So, this brand-new Lotus is not just emblematic of the resurrection of another storied marque from the past, but also of the Chinese automotive industry cementing its position as a world leader and market mover going forward.  

Range Rover Evoque facelift launched in India at Rs 67.90 lakh

JLR India has launched the Range Rover Evoque facelift at a starting price of Rs 67.90 lakh (ex-showroom). Available in Dynamic SE trim only, the SUV comes with a moderate exterior update, while the interior has been tweaked significantly. The powertrain options remain same. The Range Rover Evoque facelift gets new headlamps and LED DRLs. The latest family grille design now provides a unified look across the Range Rover brand. The SUV has a coupe-like silhouette, floating roof, flush deployable door handles, and new alloy wheels. Among the exterior colour options are Tribeca Blue, Corinthian Bronze, Narvik Black and Corinthian Bronze. The new Range Rover Evoque comes with the latest-generation Pivi Pro infotainment technology, which can be accessed by a fresh 11.4-inch curved glass touchscreen. Pivi Pro supports smartphone connectivity with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is a wireless charging option as well. The climate, seating and audio volume controls are visible via new sidebars, featuring multi-functional sliding controls on either side. While starting a journey, drivers are presented with a pre-drive panel for fast access to commonly used features, such as window demisters, and heated and cooled seats.The Range Rover facelift is also claimed to offer one of the most sophisticated suites of camera technologies in its class with a 3D surround view, clearsight ground view and clearsight interior rearview.  There is a fresh centre console design with a new gear shifter. Additionally, there is new detailing, including Moonlight chrome on the steering wheel, centre console trim and air vents. Like before, there is a panoramic sunroof. The new Range Rover Evoque gets Cabin Air Purification Plus tech, featuring PM 2.5 filtration and carbon dioxide management. The SUV has a couple of engine options -- 2.0-litre petrol (247hp and 365Nm) and 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel (201kW and 430Nm). Both engines, with mild-hybrid electric tech, come mated with a 9-speed automatic transmission.