After an exciting start to the season with the Afriquia Merzouga Rally in April this year, Hero MotoSports Team Rally is all set for its next expedition at the Atacama Rally 2018. The Atacama Rally, to be held in Chile’s Atacama region from August 12-18 will be the Team’s second international rally of the year.

Spread over 1,200 kms and five special stages, the 2018 edition of the Atacama Rally will present the competitors with a uniquely challenging and thrilling experience with a combination of mountain, valley and coastal terrains. The race will run exclusively within the Atacama Region, in the city of Copiapo this year. The Rally will witness participation of all the top contenders of the Dakar, including many of the top 15 riders of the Dakar 2018.

Marking its first appearance at the Atacama Rally, Hero MotoSports Team Rally will enter the field with two riders – Joaquim Rodrigues and Oriol Mena.

While Joaquim Rodrigues – or ‘JRod’ as he is popularly known – will make a much-anticipated comeback to rally racing following an unfortunate crash at the Dakar rally in January 2018, his co-rider Oriol Mena, will aim to build on his impressive streak after finishing in top 15 at the Afriquia Merzouga Rally 2018 and top 10 at the Dakar 2018.

A test mule of Tata Motors’ 45X based hatchback was recently spotted during test runs. Thanks to the person behind the wheel who was driving the test mule with all the windows down, the spy photographer managed to click an image of the dashboard of the vehicle. While the complete dashboard isn’t visible in the images, the spy photograph does reveal a floating infotainment system, twin-pod instrument console and the trapezoidal air-con vents. The interiors on the test mule were all black although the production spec model may sport a different colour scheme.

Showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo in the concept form, the 45X based hatchback will use the new Alpha platform and will feature Tata Motors’ Impact 2.0 design philosophy. The 45X based production spec hatchback is likely to receive a retuned version of the 1.2-litre, three cylinder petrol motor that is currently seen on the Tiago under its hood. A few other engine options could include a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol unit sourced from the Nexon and a 1.05-litre diesel engine.

While the premium hatchback is still some time away, check out a walkaround video of the 45X concept below:

The 45X premium hatchback, as reported earlier, will be launched in India in H2, 2019. The vehicle will compete against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai’s Elite i20.

We’ll keep you posted with more updates as and when they’re available. Stay tuned.

Spy Image Source: Autocar India

Continuing with the Triumph tradition of getting riders together for a good cause to commemorate the 72nd Indian Independence Day, Triumph Motorcycles India is gearing up for the ‘Ride for Freedom’ on August 15 across 16 cities in India. Triumph Motorcycles India and Smile Foundation have come together to support the cause of Girl Child Education. The “#SheCanFly” Campaign ride will be flagged off and end at Triumph dealerships across cities.

The iconic British brand is reaching out to its 5,000-strong customer base and beyond to get participants to donate towards Smile Foundation’s contribution in the area of primary education. In the past, Triumph has successfully sponsored the education of more than 200 girl children across communities.

Spearheading India operations Shoeb Farooq, General Manager, Triumph Motorcycles India, will be flagging off the ride from New Delhi.

Farooq said, “It is a proud moment as an Indian to be a part of this Freedom Ride for such a noble cause. In a country like ours, where the female population has limited access to education, it is imperative we create opportunities for growing girl children to learn, grow and evolve. Through these rides, our objective is to create awareness and help children receive quality education, I am certain that this year too, like every year, Triumph enthusiasts will support this cause wholeheartedly.”

The 2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2, Ninja H2 Carbon, and Ninja H2R are ready to raise the bar even higher as the engine updates make these supercharged hypersport machines the most powerful H2 motorcycles to date. Key components to the increase in power include a new air filter, intake chamber and spark plugs.

In addition to the increased performance for the Ninja H2, Kawasaki has added Brembo’s latest high-spec calipers. In the cockpit, a new TFT (thin-film transistor) color instrumentation display with four selectable display modes, as well as Smartphone Connectivity which enables riders to connect to their motorcycle wirelessly. Bringing all this power and technology to the pavement are new Bridgestone RS11 tires.

The 2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2 and Ninja H2 Carbon feature new LED turn signals and an LED license plate lamp, meaning all lighting equipment (headlamp, position lamps, taillight, turn signals, and license plate lamp) are now brighter and more efficient LED technology. New for 2019 is the addition of the Brembo Stylema front calipers, a redesigned supercharged emblem, and Kawasaki’s Highly Durable Paint.

The motorcycles share technologically advanced components, including the 998cc inline four-cylinder engine, proprietary supercharger, lightweight trellis frame, compact superbike dimensions, aerodynamic bodywork, and a strong single-sided swingarm. The 2019 Ninja H2 is available in Mirror Coated Spark Black, while the 2019 Ninja H2 Carbon is offered in Mirror Coated Matte Spark Black / Golden Blazed Green with its clear coated raw carbon fiber fairing on display.

A new “Supercharged” emblem emphasizes the increase in performance offered by the supercharged engine of the Ninja H2. Red color accents express the uniqueness of this high performance engine, while graphics depicting high-velocity intake air being spun around convey a sense of speed. Also new for 2019 are wheel pinstripes.

Also new is Kawasaki’s Highly Durable Paint (used on all non-carbon bodywork parts). The new paint features a special top coat that allows certain types of scratches to repair themselves, enabling the paint to maintain its high quality finish through normal wear and tear.

Highlights of the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Carbon and Ninja H2 hypersports:

• NEW Most powerful H2 engine to date while maintaining the same fuel efficiency
• NEW Brembo Stylema monobloc brake calipers
• NEW Bridgestone Battlax RS11 sport tires
• NEW TFT full color instrument display with four selectable modes
• NEW Smartphone connectivity
• NEW All LED lighting
• NEW Highly Durable Paint with “self repairing” top coat on high touch areas

The information that can be viewed on the connected smartphone through the proprietary app are:

• Vehicle information including fuel level, odometer, trip meter, maintenance schedule, battery condition, etc.
• Riding record including GPS route information, speed, rpm, gear position, fuel mileage and more
• Telephone notices: when a call, text or mail is received by the smartphone, this is indicated on the vehicle’s instrument display
• Vehicle settings: general instrument display settings (such as power or riding modes and ride support aids, such as Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS,) can be adjusted via the smartphone as well as by manual switch

After making a debut at the 2018 Auto Expo in Delhi, the Suzuki Burgman Street 125 was launched in India for a premium price tag of INR 68,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). We recently got a chance to take the scooter out for a test ride where we analysed its performance, features, comfort, and mileage. We also used the opportunity to make a quick comparison with its closest rivals to help you make a better buying decision.

Watch a detailed test ride report on the new Suzuki Burgman Street 125 below:

Launched in India on July 20, 2018, the Suzuki Burgman Street 125 has been placed in the premium scooter segment. The scooter packs loads of features such as full LED headlight, a full digital instrument console, tubeless tyres, disc brake at the front, CBS as standard, a spacious footboard and a 21.5 litre under-seat storage. The scooter features flexible foot-position to reduce fatigue and is claimed to offer best in class riding experience.

In terms of specs, the scooter is powered by a 124cc, single cylinder, SOHC 2-valve engine. The peak power output is 8.7PS@7000 rpm and 10.2rpm@5000 rpm.

Click here to read a detailed report on the new Suzuki Burgman Street 125

Check out more images of the new Suzuki Burgman Street 125 below

Update: Mahindra continues to test its upcoming new MPV, the Marazzo as new spy images continue to emerge. The latest image of the Mahindra Marazzo was shared by Siddharth Ghugare (@sidray999) via Twitter. The new spy image reveals the projector headlights and the trademark Mahindra grille. The fog lamp surrounds are reveal their shape from behind the camouflage. The test mule also reveals the new alloy wheels that the upcoming MPV will receive.

The MPV will arrive ahead of the festive season along with the Mahindra badged SsangYong Rexton (codename Y400). Mahindra recently unveiled the image of the Marazzo’s dashboard and you can read all about it here.

Mahindra have announced the name of their highly anticipated premium MUV, as the Marazzo. The seven / eight seater people mover which is said to be one of the biggest (quite literally) products from the Mahindra stable in some years, is a global project. If Mahindra and Mahindra is to be believed, it has put in all its resources to try and make it a well-designed, reliable, refined, spacious, comfortable, feature and reasonably fun to drive vehicle. The Mahindra Marazzo will be launched some time before Diwali, hopely in the next 4-5 weeks’ time. Here’s everything we know about the Mahindra Marazzo, based on the images we have with us, and what we were told at the name reveal event.

Mahindra Marazzo – engine and drivetrain

The engine on the Marazzo will be brand new, and will create new benchmarks for the maker in terms of specific output, refinement and weight savings. The new engine is expected to be a 1.5 litre, four pot, turbo diesel unit with 121 hp of peak power and 300 Nm of torque. Those are very healthy numbers for a vehicle this size. For reference’s sake you can look at the Duster, which has a smaller size, but with similar output numbers, offers robust performance. The engine will be mated to a six speed transmission and may also be offered with an automatic option.

The fuel efficiency of the engine, as told to one of our readers by a test driver is going to be in the range 16kmpl when your drive it at 100-120 km/h. With an even lighter foot, the car is capable of nudging 18-19 kmpl.

Mahindra Marazzo – the name and the concept

The name Marazzo means shark, and has been modified from the original name Marrazzo. The name has been taken from Basque language. As the name suggests, the car is meant to reflect a shark’s qualities such as a streamlined, aerodynamic body, its agility, aggressive stance, quietness, certain features such as fins used in exterior highlights and its speed and efficiency.

Mahindra Marazzo – Exterior design features

As mentioned before, the car draws a lot of its design inspiration from a shark’s streamlined body. However, before we get to that, the sheer dimensions of the car also need to be discussed. The Marazzo will be the largest mahindra car ever, with the longest wheelbase and widest track. This will open up enormous space inside the cabin, which Mahindra is highlight as a big quality of the MUV. It’s apparantly going to be the most spacious Mahindra car to date. The customer also wanted the car to be sleek, agile, driveable and modern.

The car is apparently very aerodynamically efficient with the elements on the radiator grille mimicking the sharp teeth of the shark and its face. The headlights also draw inspiration from the intimidating eyes of a shark. The front was meant to look very aerodynamic, yet intimidating. Other elements taking inspiration from a shark include a shark fin antenna, shark fin inspired beltline and a tail lamp which strikingly mimics a shark fin.

From what we see and what we understand, the new Mahindra Marazzo is meant to be an MPV which is premium and very well proportioned to look at. It’s not supposed to be another of those drab looking people movers, but an attractive car which would appeal to a wide spectrum of users.

Mahindra Marazzo, interio and features

The biggest takeaway from the name announcement event was the unique rood mounted AC vents which is capable to circulating air in the cabin in both direct and diffused manner. Another highlight revealed are the hues of blue and purple which are a nod to the colours associated with a shark. Mahindra claims that the interior of the Marazzo with be absolutely fresh, high quality and very feature rich. We have some images of the interior with us here for you to have a look at, and based on these images, following are the features one should expected on the new MUV which will be presented in both seven and eight seat configurations.

• A very horizontally laid out, simple, yet clean dashboard design, which is not very high-set even at the instrument console area. This would facilitate very good visibility for the driver.
• While we’re not sure, that flat surface may easy be recessed to crate trays to make space for anything from documents to keys, to wallets to phones. We wuite like the fuss-free design of the dash.
• Almost the entire area on the dash, on the left of the centre console is done in piano black. The shape of the trapezoidal central and angular side AC vents is also very clearly visible.
• There is a massive screen on the centre console, and we are more than sure this is going to be touch enabled with a whole bunch of features. We believe that the new screen would be richer, more pixel dense and have better designed UI and controls than the XUV500’s touch screen unit.
• The knobs for the AC controls, are also clearly visible. The knobs get chrome bezels and look rather nice.
• There’s a three spoke steering on the car which seems to be all new for Mahindra cars
• There are twin, separate armrests for both front driver and passenger.
• Gear shifter is rather high-set with a long throw – doesn’t seem to be designed in a very car-like fashion, though perfectly in place for an MUV.
• Fabric beige upholstery on the test vehicle. There may be more premium options available upon launch.
• Subtle, tasteful use of chrome in several places is very clearly visible – including inner door pulls, AC vents’ outline, gear knob etc.

Mahindra Marazzo Price, positioning and launch date

Mahindra wants to position the Marazzo as a premium product. They say that its NVH levels, quality, drive feel, handling and reliability with match or surpass global standards. Very coyly, a few Mahindra officials want us to portray the Marazzo as a true competitor to the Innova Crysta, although they won’t openly admit it. For public, the Marazzo is meant to create a sub-category for itself in the MPV segment. What that means is that while the Marazzo has been benchmarked against the innova in terms of features, space and comfort, it will obviously sell for a discount as compared to the big-selling Toyota. It will however, be sold for a premium over the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

The launch of the car will happen in Q2 2018 according to the official statement. Since July is already over, it’s safe to assume that the Marazzo will be launched in September, most likely in 2nd or 3rd week of the month.

The price of the Mahindra Marazzo is expected to range between 10 and 14 lakh in our opinion

Also Read: VIDEO: Get A Glimpse Of Action From The 149th Mahindra Great Escape

Here’s an image gallery of the Mahindra Marazzo 

Tata Motors SOUL (SUV Owners United League) enthralled its SUV enthusiasts for the second time this year with its ‘Iconic Ladakh Drive, Mountain Trail, August 2018’. The trail drove through the landscapes of Himachal Pradesh starting from Chandigarh to the Land of the mystic Lamas – Ladakh. The drive to Leh was designed to give the Safari and Hexa owners an experience of a lifetime, where these adventure seekers got a chance to drive through a 1300 kilometer stretch across plains and rugged snow-capped mountains.

Post its commencement on August 3 from Chandigarh, the SOUL convoy of 12 Tata SUVs and 32 people traversed through few of the highest mountain passes in the country like the Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Ladakh, the Baralachha pass which is at an altitude of 16,000 ft, Nakee La at 16,500 ft, and Lachungla at 16,600ft. This 10 day drive journey concluded at Khardung La, a pass situated at 18,380 ft above the sea level.

This expedition was curated to provide Tata SOUL members with an opportunity to rekindle their spirit of adventure, in the company of like-minded people and cover some of the toughest terrains in the country. The members also enjoyed the unparalleled beauty of Pangong Tso and a camping night under the stars in the Himalayas. To make the experience even more enriching, there were activities like white water rafting in the Zanskar river and cooking lessons of the local culinary delicacies.

SOUL is a special program from Tata Motors that brings together the Tata Motors SUV owners through adventurous drives traversing across some of the most breath-taking landscapes. Since its inception in 2012, the community has grown to more than 10,000 members. The SOUL program also provides exclusive offers to customers on Tata Motors Genuine Accessories, extended warranty and insurance, which enhances the ownership experience of their Tata SUV.

TVS Racing has announced a 6-rider squad for India Baja 2018. This will be the third consecutive time that TVS Racing will participate in India Baja – it is scheduled to commence on 17th August and conclude on 19th August 2018 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The squad includes:

• Lorenzo Santolino (Spain)
• R Nataraj (India)
• Abdul Wahid Tanveer (India)
• Harith Noah (India)
• Imran Pasha (India)
• Rajendra RE (India)

Spanish racer Lorenzo Santolino comes on board with vast experience in the international racing circuit. Santolino participated in the Desert Storm earlier this year and bagged a podium finish in the Rally. Nataraj has been an 8-time National Champion while Abdul Wahid has three National Championships in Rally and Supercross to his name.

The 7-time National Champion Harith Noah who recently undergone advanced Rally riding training in Spain is participating in India Baja for the first time while Rajendra RE who has 6 National Championships under his belt is participating for the second time. Imran Pasha is new to the team with one National Championship win to his credit.

India Baja is the official Indian franchise Rally of Dakar – which is globally acknowledged as the toughest motorsport event. The Cross Country Rally will comprise of 400 km of extremely harsh Special Stages in addition to over 150 km of Transport Stages. High temperatures, treacherous dune crossings and fast technical gravel straights will pose an exciting challenge to the competitors.

TVS Motor Company has contributed INR 1 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF), in lieu of the distressing flood situation in Kerala. The cheque was handed over to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by Swaran Singh, CEO, Srinivasan Services Trust (SST)- the social arm of TVS Motor Company in Thiruvananthapuram.

Swaran Singh, CEO, Srinivasan Services Trust (SST) handing over the cheque to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram

Commenting on the contribution, Swaran Singh, CEO, Srinivasan Services Trust, said that TVS Motor believes in supporting the communities around, in difficult times. The Company’s contribution is a step towards this. He also added that the Company’s prayers are with the people of Kerala and they sincerely hope that the situation will improve.

Over the past years, SST and TVS Motor Company have been actively involved in providing relief to victims of natural calamities across the country.

This owner of the Ducati Multistrada Enduro does not let his panniers stay at home during weekend rides. He uses them to carry poisonous snakes! Yes, real snakes! In this video uploaded by “Bulu Biker” we see him talk to an amazing biker and an amazing person, Mr. Sunil who rescues and relocates snakes in his Ducati Multistrada.

In the video, Mr. Sunil describes how he faced a snake problem after relocating to a new place in the city of Bangalore. With the number of construction sites raising day by day it’s a noble thought to take some responsibility towards the relocation of animals, the original inhabitants of the land. While most of us are simply too afraid to even see a snake from a safe distance, we see Mr. Sunil picking them up with a stick. He then loads them up in his panniers and takes them out for a ride. Later he releases them at the edge of the city where they will be able to hunt and eat on their own.

Also Read: All 13 Ducati Panigale V4 S Models From ‘Race Of Champions’ Auctioned

The aluminium panniers of the Ducati are easy to wash and can be locked which makes them safe enough to carry venomous snakes like the Cobra and the Russels Viper. When asked if he is afraid of snakes, Mr. Sunil states he takes the danger very lightly and has no fear of snakes left after riding with them for so long. Below is the video uploaded by Bulu Biker on his YouTube channel, where he talks more about his ideas which include a 2 wheeler ambulance.

Building on the 10th-generation Civic lineup, the refreshed 2019 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe include updated styling, a new Sport trim for both body styles and standard Honda Sensing technology on all trims.

The 10th-generation Civic lineup includes the European-inspired Hatchback, the performance-focused Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan and the world’s fastest front-wheel-drive car, the Civic Type R. Mechanical specifications include 1.5-liter Dual VTC Turbo and 2.0-liter i-VTEC engines.

2019 Honda Civic Coupe Sport

Visually, the 2019 Sedan and Coupe turn the design up a notch with new styling updates on the front and rear. Changes at the front further accentuate the model’s low and wide athletic stance and sporty looks with a new piano black upper fascia “wing,” restyled lower fascia, bumper and lower grille, a full-width front splitter, chrome side pod accents, and updated halogen or LED headlights. A chrome accent on the lower rear bumper of the Sedan and new wheel designs for both models – including larger 18-inch rims on the Touring trim – round out the exterior styling updates on the returning trims.

The new Civic Sport trim is positioned between the LX and EX. Civic Sport’s increased attitude comes from a piano black lower front fascia, side pod accents and, for Sedan, an added rear decklid spoiler, plus a splitter-style rear lower bumper incorporating a chrome polygonal exhaust finisher similar to Civic Si. Larger 18-inch (+1 inch) 10-spoke alloy wheels with Berlina Black finish complete the Sport’s more aggressive look. The Sport trim features a high-revving 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC engine mated to either a smooth and efficient CVT with G-Shift Control or a slick-shifting 6-speed manual. Adding more tech to the Sport, the new trim receives the updated 7-inch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and volume button.

2019 Honda Civic Coupe Sport

Advancing Honda’s commitment to make Honda Sensing standard equipment on all vehicles by the 2022 model year, all trims of the 2019 Civic Sedan and Coupe from LX to Touring feature Honda Sensing technology, which includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning; Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) incorporating Lane Departure Warning (LDW); Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS); and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). For the 2019 model year, Honda Sensing is standard or available equipment on all Honda car and light truck nameplates.

A test mule of the Bajaj Platina was recently spotted with a 125 badge and a front disc brake. The motorcycle, spotted with absolutely no camouflage, seems to be ready to roll out of the manufacturing plant and into the dealerships. Bajaj currently offers in just the 102cc engine option. Apart from the added 125 badge and the disc brake at the front (most likely an optional add-on), there aren’t many changes from the 100cc variant.

The hardware list continues to feature a halogen headlight with a LED DRL, alloy wheels, conventional telescopic suspension at the front and twin sided shock-absorbers at the rear.

Mechanical specifications on the new motorcycle will most likely include the same engine as the Discover 125. So expect to see the 124.5cc single cylinder, 4 stroke, air cooled single cylinder, SOHC, DTS-i engine on the new Platina 125 which will most likely be tuned to deliver 11 PS of power @ 7500 rpm and 11 Nm of torque @ 5500 rpm.

The motorcycle, as aforementioned, did not don any camouflage. While there’s no official timeline about the India launch of the Bajaj Platina 125, expect to see the motorcycle arrive in the showrooms ahead of the festive season. We’ll keep you posted with all the latest updates as and when they’re available. Stay tuned.

Source: Shifting Gears

TVS Motors had sent out invites ‘Block Your Date’ invites for an event scheduled in Chennai on August 23, 2018. Apart from the date and the location of the event, TVS Motors remained tight-lipped on any further details. Now, rumours are doing rounds that TVS will unveil a hybrid scooter, the iQube on the aforementioned date. In fact, the Company has already filed the trademark for the scooter.

If launched, the iQube, which made its debut in concept form at the 2010 Auto Expo, will come with a 110cc internal combustion, single-cylinder engine and an electric motor which will work together to deliver better fuel economy.  The battery options include 150 Wh and 500 Wh units. Together, the engines are expected to deliver a fuel economy of upto 70 kmpl.

The scooter is also expected to carry a lot of premium features. If you remember, the concept used a projector headlight. The production spec model is expected to feature a full LED headlight (probably a projector setup that is seen on the Apache RR310), telescopic front suspension and a disc brake (most likely optional).

We’ll probably hear some more details as the unveiling date (August 23, 2018) comes closer. We’ll keep you posted with all the latest updates. Stay tuned.

The MG Motor India company has announced the appointment of Gaurav Gupta as Chief Commercial Officer – Customer Experience and Marketing (CEM). bringing in 23 years of experience, Gaurav joins from Bridgestone Tire Indonesia where he was serving as the President Director. With an experience of handling the sales, marketing and after-sales functions across automotive companies in various countries including India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore and China, Gaurav has a huge responsibility riding on him.

Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director of MG motor India, said, “It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Gaurav as head of the CEM function to drive customer focus in the company. Gaurav brings rich industry experience in customer-facing areas, which are critically important for success in India. With the aggressive product line-up backed up with a core CEM team in place, it makes us confident that his experience and leadership will add immense value to the MG brand in the coming years”

MG Motor India, a fully-owned subsidiary of China’s largest carmaker SAIC Motor Corporation, announced the formation of a customer experience and marketing functioning unit. This step shows the commitment of the brand to enter Indian soil. We see them getting quite aggressive with their sales and aftersales setup ahead of their launch in the India. They have brought in Rakesh Sidana, former AVP and Operations Head at Honda Cars India, as their National Sales Head. Also joining them is Rajesh Mehrotra as their National Service Head and Dimple Mehta as the Head of their newly created Customer Care and Customer Delight function.

Also read:  India’s First Porsche 911 GT2 RS Delivered In Bengaluru…

Founded in 1924, MG Motor vehicles were known for their roadsters, sports cars and cabriolet series. Their cars were owned by quite a few celebrities including the British Prime Ministers and even the British Royal Family, for their styling, elegance, and spirited performance. Having survived for 94 years, they are ready for their entry to the Indian market with a manufacturing plant being set up at Halol in the state of Gujarat. The cars would be out in the market by the second quarter of 2019.

Mercedes-Benz continues its contribution to the government’s ‘Skill India’ initiative by signing an MoU with Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, for conducting its Advanced Diploma in Automotive Mechatronics (ADAM) program. Mercedes-Benz’s inks it’s first-ever association with an all-women’s college to commence the one-year Advanced Diploma in Automotive Mechatronics course.

Advanced Diploma in Automotive Mechatronics (ADAM) program is the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative by Mercedes-Benz India which was propagated among students with the help of educational institutions.

To address this requirement, the parent company Daimler AG, Germany along with Mercedes-Benz India and the Mercedes-Benz India dealership network joined hands to start the program and train students to address the requirements of Mercedes-Benz technology and innovation.

Only 20 students qualify to take the course every year. Since its inception, over 540 students have successfully completed the program and have been placed within various organizations in India. The Mechatronics program also provides support to Mercedes-Benz India’s state-of-the-art operations at Chakan, Pune.

The company is planning to strategically expand its network reach in a sustained manner and the Mechatronics program will offer qualified manpower to consistently deliver the superlative service which is associated with brand Mercedes-Benz. The total Investment for ADAM course across all institutions through CSR is INR 5.5 Crores including cars given to the institutes.

The ADAM course will be offered under the Mechatronics Discipline in Cummins College of Engineering for women. The initial plan is to start the course with a single batch of 20 students and the selection of candidates will be strictly as per merit via an Entrance Test conducted by the college under the supervision of Mercedes-Benz. Engineering Degree/Diploma holders are eligible to appear for the entrance test. Certificates for the successful students shall be jointly issued by the authorities of the college and the company.

The India bookings for the new Maruti Suzuki Ciaz facelift have commenced, ahead of its launch scheduled on August 20, 2018. The New Ciaz can be booked with an initial payment of INR 11,000 at any of the 319 NEXA showrooms. The sedan, in its latest iteration, will feature visual upgrades and will be available in 11 variants and 7 colour options.

Spy images of the upcoming new Maruti Suzuki Ciaz facelift revealed the revised fascia, featuring a new front bumper, redesigned headlamps with chrome inserts, new chrome grille, and chrome accents surrounding the fog lamps. The only evident update to the side is the new alloy wheel design while the rear gets refreshed tail lamps, and new rear bumper with chrome inserts.

Image Source: Autoportal

Inside, the dashboard will feature faux wood inlays, and an updated steering wheel which will come equipped with a cruise control button. The new instrument console also gets minor revisions, with the fuel indicator now placed right below the speedometer.

Mechanical specifications will include an all new 1.5-litre petrol engine that will replace the 1.4-litre unit in its predecessor. Also on offer will be the 1.3-litre diesel unit, which will eventually be replaced by a new 1.5-litre diesel motor.

As aforementioned, the new Maruti Suzuki Ciaz facelift will be launched on August 20, 2018. We’ll bring you all the latest updates from the launch event so don’t forget to tune into Motoroids on August 20.

Us Mumbaikars have a very unique lifestyle. We take all the stuff the city has to throw at us and digest it all in. We have always lived in a state of compromise, be it our small houses, our crowded trains or even our poor drainage system. We have adapted ourselves to ignore these small nuances and move on in life and make money. Talking about money, Maharashtra happens to be the top tax paying state of the country. Mumbai also is one the top 5 tax paying cities of the Country. We are the financial capital of the country, The capital city of the state of Maharashtra. Are good roads too much to ask for? I guess not.

This article found in Mumbai Mirror showcases a Mumbaikars mission to shame the authorities. Navin Lade took an initiative last month and wants to make sure a record is registered. After facing rejection from the Guinness world records, who wanted to stay clear of any political issues, Navin approached Limca Book of records. The national book of records feels his is a social initiative which has been accepted for the next edition.

With the help of an IT professional, Rajesh Soni, Navin has created a website www.mumbaipotholes.com which verifies a pothole and uses geo-tagging which ensures no pothole is repeated. So far the website has registered more than 500 potholes out of the 20,000 they need to register a record.

Also Read: Potholes Claim Another Life; Woman Crushed Under Speeding Bus After Falling Off A Motorcycle

Talking about statistics, in the year of 2017 there have been 726 deaths due to accident caused due to potholes. Even though one must take care while riding or driving on such pathetic roads, the deaths can not be blamed only on the person driving. The Government must be awaken by such initiatives. We have reached a point where we say enough is enough and ask the officials to bring some change.

This isn’t the first time somebody has taken an initiative to raise a voice against the dreadful conditions of the roads. Not much time ago RJ Malishka posted a spoof video describing the inconvenience experienced by us citizens during the monsoons. We really hope initiatives like these wake up the authorities and we see a change on our roads.

A slippery mud track, four ATVs and a bunch of off-roading enthusiasts was the perfect recipe for the inauguration of the new Polaris Experience Zone (PEZ). The off-road adventure track was opened in Pune and was inaugurated by Pankaj Dubey, MD & Country Head, Polaris India, Sunny Nimhan and Vinayak Nimhan, Owners, Sunny’s World. The Tiger’s Eye Adventure in Sunny’s World is the 83rd PEZ in India.

We got a chance to test ride the Polaris Phoenix 200 which is a 196cc, 4 stroke, single cylinder, air cooled, carb engine powered quad-bike that uses a shaft driven automatic transmission with F/N/R gears mated to a 2WD system.

A 100 acre playground for motorheads, the Tiger’s Eye Adventure in Sunny’s World is India’s largest adventure resort with more than 100+ adventure activities. Besides being a perfect spot to hang out with fellow off-roading enthusiasts, astride Polaris vehicles, the resort is also an apt place for families looking to spend quality time with adventure. Almost everyone can participate in the fun-filled itinerary as the resort has something to offer to all age groups.

The Tiger’s Eye Adventure in Sunny’s World is equipped with artificially created undulated tracks with slush pits. Going off-road for the first time? Don’t worry, you won’t have to spend the night learning off-roading tips on YouTube before going to the resort. Skilled trainers are present at the facility to make sure that the rider gets a chance to experience the Polaris Off-Road Vehicles and feel the adrenaline rush within a safe environment. These trainers not only ensure complete safety of the riders but also help them in honing their ATV riding skills.

Apart from the newly launched PEZ in Pune, Polaris India also has 82 other such PEZ spread all over the county to reach out to more people and in turn give the participants a chance to experience the off road racing experience within their city. The track in Pune is located in Sr. No. 217, Pashan Sus Road, Susgaon.

Every year, around this time, a plethora of brands ride on invoking patriotism as August 15 nears. Many of them are about how and what to celebrate on this day of national pride and importance for every Indian. Bajaj Avenger’s new Independence Day digital film, however, touches on a highly relevant issue, indiscriminate use of plastic.

The agency behind the campaign, Mullen Lintas – Mumbai, has consciously steered away from clichéd content seen around 15th August. Last year the brand had shown us a glimpse of a utopian India – where women of the nation are truly free and liberated. This year it draws the attention to the unpleasant reality currently plaguing the nation.

The film opens on an Avenger rider heading out of the city. The shot is followed by a few relatable situations where hawkers try to sell the national flag to the rider. Curiosity is piqued when he refuses to buy a single flag in spite of several attempts to persuade him, leading one to question his sense of patriotism.

But all of this is laid to rest in the final sequence, with ‘Saare Jahaan Se Achha’ playing in the background, as he walks into an area where an Independence Day celebration has ended, leaving behind used plastic cups, plates and scores of flags scattered all around. He then proceeds to pick them all up, carefully segregating the flags from the other plastic junk.

In essence, this film sends out a dual message – a warning about the overuse of plastic that threatens our environment as well as a counterpoint to the increasing trend of tokenism that has crept into the celebrations during Independence Day.

Standing in support of the authorities in this time of crisis Mercedes-Benz India and its dealer partners have made a donation of INR 30 Lakhs towards the Chief Minister Relief Fund. Taking up this social responsibility as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative, Mercedes Benz India made a voluntary contribution of INR 25 Lac. Another INR 5 Lakhs was contributed by Rajasree Motors and Bridgeway Motors, dealer partners of Mercedes-Benz India.

Mercedes-Benz India also has announced immediate customer service for the cars affected by the floods. In order to have the affected cars back on the road as soon as possible, the company will ensure earliest recovery, through Allianz Global. Cars recovered through Allianz Global will also be waived off of any towing charge if applicable. A special discount would be given on spare parts. Special parts imported from Germany and Singapore will not attract any shipping charges. Dealer partners also have sought the help of trained manpower from neighbouring dealers while teams would be dedicated to flood affected areas for a quicker turnaround time. The company will also assign Technical experts to supervise the dealers and offer consultation to the customers. A faster processing of MB insurance claims will also be done.

Roland Folger, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “It is a moment of grief as the unprecedented floods in Kerala has led to sudden loss of lives and property. Mercedes-Benz stands with the authorities at this moment of crisis and wants to contribute to the relief works as a responsible corporate citizen and support the authorities in its own small way. Towards this, Mercedes-Benz India and its dealer partners are voluntarily contributing INR 30 Lakhs collectively to the CM Relief Fund to support the relief activities. We sincerely hope the situation normalizes soon. Also, as a customer oriented brand, we want to support our customers and our dealer partners in Kochi, Thrissur, Trivandrum and Calicut immediately in the areas pertaining to customer service. This support would entail undertaking essential repairs like replacement of parts, service and also insurance claims. It remains our key priority now to get the affected vehicles back on the road, at the earliest and bring some relief to our patrons. Towards this, a cross functional task force has already been formed at Mercedes-Benz India, who are working at a literal war footing towards ensuring that we take care of the customers’ needs towards their vehicles, when they need it the most.”

Also Read: Mercedes-Benz To Start An All-Women Mechatronics Course In India

“Additionally, Mercedes-Benz India has also decided to procure some of the critical parts from Germany and Singapore, at no extra shipping cost to the customers. We intend to support our valued customers in Kerala with all our resources available. It has been Mercedes-Benz’s aim to provide complete peace of mind to the customers round the clock with our benchmark service standards and service network expanse. We stand by that customer commitment and promise.” Mr. Folger added. Standing in support of the people for their loss in the natural calamity, Mercedes-Benz-India dealers of Kerala will not celebrate Onam.