Yamaha MT-15 A Japanese Katana Slicing through Indian Bread.

From the land of the rising sun!

Naked streetfighting machines have always adorned the Indian roads and have had a sweet spot in my heart. So when Yamaha first launched the MT-15 in India, expectations were outraged because it was almost the same motorcycle as the R15 underneath, but with less weight to carry around and an extra-terrestrial fascia that could even make an alien contemplate its existence. The Yamaha R15 might have been a raging success but the same couldn’t be said about its street counterpart.

However, Yamaha has now equipped the MT-15 with enough ammunition to go all-guns-blazing on its competition. The prime weapon of choice has to be the inclusion of golden USD forks and a few other key upgrades, but would these updates suffice in making the MT-15 2.0 better than its predecessor?

The Japanese connection

Now that the R15 V4 is finally bestowed with the addition of golden USD forks, it was child’s play to assume that the MT-15 would receive the same upgrades. And it has! The USD forks have certainly added a lot of drama in the front, apart from lending the MT-15 with sharper riding dynamics. The MT-15 has never been lethargic when it came to maneuvering it, but the second generation has kicked up the handling characteristics by several notches. The front end is now more reactive and the rider now feels a lot more connected to the tarmac than before. This particularly makes the MT-15 2.0 a perfect motorcycle for shuttling around in city traffic where you can just slice through the moving traffic like a Japanese Katana. A cast aluminum swingarm has now replaced the box-section unit of the previous motorcycle. This addition has affected its stability by a fair margin and the MT-15 2.0 now feels a lot more pliant on the road than before. Be it highway straights or leaning bends and corners, the MT-15 for sure feels like a Yamaha in all its glory.

This hooliganism and reactive handling is further accentuated by its comfortable ergonomics. Its riding stance is like that of a true-blue streetfighter with a low-set flat handlebar and rear-set footpegs which provide a more comfortable posture than the R15. But the downside to the suspension front is that it feels way too stiffer on city road potholes and over the undulations of the road.

Ninja technique

Yamaha has also slightly tweaked the engine, the official spec sheet reveals that the overall power output from this 155cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine is down by 0.1PS but the torque has gone up by 0.2NM. These mild revisions have made the MT-15 a lot more tractable than before as it can chug along as low as 25kmph in the sixth gear which is a formidable feat for an engine that is renowned for its high-revving nature. This 155cc motor is an absolute gem, no wonder Yamaha has milked the cows out of this engine by deploying it in a variety of products. All thanks to the magic woven by the VVA tech, the MT-15 2.0 is a lively machine but in particular power bands. From a standstill, it gets off nicely, taking all the assistance from the VVA but the actual feast commences when you breeze past the 6000 rpm mark on the tachometer. At around 7000 rpm, the VVA kicks in yet again, breathing a new life into this engine. After that, it keeps pulling ahead like its tail’s on fire and keeps pulling with a feisty force till it hits its redline. This is exactly what makes the MT-15 2.0 a joy to blast around. Keep the throttle pinned in every gear and it delivers in spades. The ideal cruising speed is around 100kmph with the engine humming happily at 8000 clicks.

The simplistic LCD instrument cluster is now a goner and has paved way for a Bluetooth-enabled unit that displays Call, E-mail, and SMS Alerts along with Smartphone battery status available through the Bluetooth-Enabled Y-Connect App.

It is now time to shed some light on its dark side.

As rude as pointing a finger at a Japanese!

Life is like a perennial barter deal as you have to trade something to receive something in exchange for it. Those glitzy golden USD forks might have made the MT-15 2.0 sharper than before but the stiff ride quality comes out as major trade-off. Since the front end now chatters a lot more than before, you can feel everything that is happening on the road. The braking feels adequate at best but more feedback and bite would have rounded off the rough edges. We still cannot wrap our heads around the fact that it still misses out on dual-channel ABS.

The cramped proportions of the MT-15 become even more pronounced when you invite someone to ride as a pillion. The pillion seat is borderline non-existent because even the number plate holder at the back is longer than the pillion seat. It might make the MT-15 look uber-cool but be prepared to get hurled with curses if you take someone along with you on a long ride.

We might adore the 155cc mill to death but it has its own set of shortcomings. Although the top-end performance of the MT-15 is to die for, the mid-range is rather bleak. There’s absolutely no juice in the mid-range so you are left with no other option than to wring it through all the gear ratios. Moreover, mild vibrations start spoiling the fun at around 7000 rpm and they keep get surfacing higher up in the rev range.

The MT-15 2.0 definitely looks more radical than its competition, thanks to that unique fascia. But it sort of comes out as a missed opportunity that Yamaha didn’t play around with the aesthetics of the MT-15. A revamped overall design inspired by the bigger MTs would have justified this generational upgrade even more.

Usually, we save the best bits for the last but this time around, we are sliding away from the regime to pinpoint the most irritating ergonomic feedback of the MT-15 2.0. The horn is placed usually where we find the indicator toggle and vice versa. Its more of an intuitional defect than an ergonomic one. I mean, why Yamaha? I had the MT-15 with me for a week and even after riding it for a considerable amount of time, I found myself cursing at this placement every single time I reached out to operate either the horn or the indicator. I could have dug deep in the thesaurus to find a better word than ‘irritating’ but it fits the bill perfectly. It actually is irritating. It also loses out on turn-by-turn navigation which could have proved to be a lot more useful than SMS and call alerts.

Yes Yamaha ! Why Yamaha ?

The new MT-15 2.0 has seen a price bump of INR 12,000-13,000 as it now retails at INR 1.60 Lakh. The pricing might sound a little steep but when you factor in the R15 V4 and KTM 125 Duke into the equation, it starts making sense. It looks dope! Even criminal in some sense! Handles like it is supposed to and being an urban commuter, its top-end performance will make your urban ex-girlfriend curse you more. But the MT-15 2.0 could have been so much more! It lacks the mid-range grunt we usually associate with streetfighters and the lack of dual-channel ABS is still not quite understandable. Overall, the Yamaha MT-15 2.0 might be a better bike than before but it still needs another generational upgrade to evolve to be the best version of it.

Top 5 Honda Divisions & A Few Interesting Facts About Honda

Honda established itself as one of the topmost manufacturers of automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment globally. The Japanese company also manufactures garden equipment, marine engines, personal watercraft, power generators, robots and mountain bikes. Let’s take a look at the top 5 Honda divisions.

Honda Motorcycles

Honda has come a long way from manufacturing noisy scooters to making the finest cars on the planet, but people will always remember the company for its motorcycle division. Since 1955, Honda has been the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Japan and one of the topmost motorcycle manufacturers globally. Honda started venturing outside the Japanese motorcycle market in the ’60s and began exporting their motorcycles to the United States.

Along with Robert Emmenegger, creative director, Grey Advertising, the company created an innovative 12-year-long advertising campaign, “You meet the nicest people on a Honda”, and it became hugely successful, helping the company to sell over 90,000 motorcycles. The campaign marked the inception of the decay of domestic and British motorcycle brands in the US market and helped Honda to rise as a top motorcycle manufacturer.

Honda Automobiles

After Honda Motorcycles, a large sum of the company’s annual sales came from Honda Automobiles, which the company began manufacturing in 1963. The first car from Honda was the S500 sports car, which had chain-driven rear wheels. Over the next few decades, the company expanded their range of vehicles and exported its automobiles to the United States and other parts of the world.

In 1986, the company ventured into the luxury car segment and became the first Japanese automobile manufacturer to release a dedicated luxury brand- Acura. Soon, the company released the wildly successful Acura brand to the American market to gain ground in the luxury vehicle market. Since its inception, Honda has produced several prosperous cars, including the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Honda City.

Honda Engines

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is the world’s largest engine manufacturer that sets the standard for reliable and hard-working engines. When it comes to making engines, Honda focuses on better fuel efficiency, higher power output, superior and quieter performance. Honda engines are built with high-quality elements designed for optimum performance in the harshest environments. Honda engines are renowned for being easy to start but, despite being known as an engine company, Honda has never built a V8 for passenger vehicles. Honda engines powered the entire 33-car starting field of the 94th Indianapolis 500, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, in 2010.

Honda Robots

Being a motorcycle and automobile manufacturing expert, Honda has always shown interest in Robotics. Since 1986, the company has been involved with artificial intelligence/robotics research. The Japanese company developed its first humanoid robot in 1986 and named it the Honda E series. The E series was a collection of experimental humanoid robots made by Honda between 1986 and 1993.

The series later evolved into the Honda P series and helped Honda gather the knowledge and expertise necessary to create Honda’s advanced humanoid robot: ASIMO, which the company released in 2000. ASIMO was the world’s most advanced humanoid robot of its time, and even today, it is the world’s only humanoid robot able to ascend and descend stairs independently.

Honda Aircraft Company

Honda Aircraft Company is an aircraft manufacturing company founded as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Company in August 2006. The aircraft division of Honda has pioneered new technology in its HA-420 HondaJet and is responsible for producing the HondaJet family of aircraft. Honda Aircraft Company builds aircraft with the latest innovations in aviation to change the way we travel.

The company has introduced several innovations and cutting edge technology in general aviation aircraft, including an over-wing engine mount, carbon composite fuselage and natural laminar flow wings. In late 2003, an experimental HondaJet equipped with Honda HF118 engines completed its initial flight test, and in 2005, the aircraft division made its world debut for the public. Since 2017, the HondaJet has been the most delivered aircraft in its class, earning the accomplishment for the fourth consecutive year.

Did You Know?

As of October 2021, Honda’s market capitalization was valued at over $52 billion.
The Honda Accord was the first foreign vehicle manufactured in the United States.
Honda has its airport.
The Honda Gold Wing motorcycle has been in production for over 40 years.
The Honda Civic was Honda’s answer to the ’70s Fuel Crisis; the car is still one of the best value and fuel-efficient options on the market.
Honda made the first four-wheel-drive car, the 1987 Honda Prelude.
Honda’s logo is the most conservative one as it has remained unchanged in its entire history.
Every Honda CR-V manufactured from 1997 to 2006 had a picnic table under the cargo area.

Explore The Future Of Cities With Hyundai!

Nature has always inspired technology, and there is no denying that all our advancements are shameless mimics of Natural aspects. Nevertheless, “imitation is the best form of flattery,” and copying Nature is all too beneficial for humanity. To achieve a balance between technological advancements and our innate connection to nature, many automobile manufacturers worldwide are researching ways to blend natural processes with technology. Among them is Hyundai Motor Group, which recently announced a research collaboration Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). It explores new relationships between advanced technologies, public environments and personal experiences.

These interactions are defined as “adaptive ecologies”: the technological interfaces that exist between beings (such as living organisms and machines) and their surroundings (the vast spatial and material structures of nature). The joint study examines how artists and designers can use technology to build connections and shared experiences, covering topics ranging from community design and biomimicry, cellular life and biosensing to natural resource systems and infrastructures. Through RISD’s Research & Strategic Partnerships program, the partnership with Hyundai elevates the expertise of faculty and the experimental creativity of students to conceive of future realities.

“This collaboration aligns with Hyundai Motor Group’s vision of becoming a future-shaping innovator via open innovation. Last year, we collaborated with RISD to apply the school’s biomimicry solutions to the question of future mobility, and this year, we expanded our scope to the future city and pursued Group-wide collaboration with the participation of both Hyundai Motor and Kia’s global design centers. Our plan is to explore solutions developed from the outcomes of this partnership and apply them to tangible opportunities such as innovative vehicle design and smart city development,” said Dr Youngcho Chi, President and Chief Innovation Officer of Hyundai Motor Group.

This joint research project builds upon the new collaborative research platform created by RISD solely for Hyundai in 2020. In this second year of partnership, five faculty members at the world-renowned design school leveraged their expertise to explore study areas supported by 32 students. Students were selected through a highly competitive process involving 16 departments at RISD. The ten departments ultimately represented in the cohort include Architecture, Global Arts and Cultures, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture, Jewelry + Metalsmithing, Liberal Arts, Painting and Textiles. This year, a Hyundai task force created to support the students’ research included Hyundai Motor and Kia’s global design centres.

“Studying sustainability and taking responsibility for future generations is now a universal task. To keep a fundamentally new approach from the ground up through the Collaborative Research with RISD, the process of studying nature adapting and surviving changes allows us to draw a new optimal blueprint for our future,” said Mr Sangyup Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai & Genesis Global Design Center.

“Cooperating and working with the brilliant staff and students at RISD is not only a mutual inspiration. We hope it can be the beginning of a new way of looking at design in general and integrating the lessons learned from nature in our industrial processes,” said Mr Karim A. Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center.

Offering different perspectives and technological tools, four distinct areas of “adaptive ecologies” were examined: surfaces, societies, futures and textile research.

Adaptive Ecologies: Bio-Interactive Surfaces

Faculty lead: Katia Zolotovsky, Digital + Media

This group examined the applications of programmable living cell technology and biosensing. Designs include interactive surfaces to facilitate communication between humans and their surroundings for a healthier and sustainable future. Researchers experimented with various material systems to host biochemical interactions, such as microfluidics, biomaterials and fabrics—interactive surfaces range from responsive textiles to urban displays.

Adaptive Ecologies: Technologies, Natures, Societies

Faculty leads Soojung Ham, Industrial Design and Ryan McCaffery, Architecture.

In studying the reciprocal relationships between natural ecosystems and the infrastructures of our built environments, this group worked with models and scenario-based planning, examining how designs can transform these technologically mediated environments into new experiences and forms of social value.

Adaptive Ecologies: Envisioning Futures

Faculty lead: Rafael Attias, Illustration

This group explored how to visualise complex information by developing multidimensional concepts, exploring new modes for narrative through simulation, crossover experimentation, collaborative processes and connective environments. Student researchers used the visual expression, interactive media, sound, animation and spatial concepts.

Adaptive Ecologies: Fabric Connections

Faculty lead: Joy Ko, Textiles

This study is a personal, critical exploration of the interactions between information technology and aspects of everyday life: our bodies, the textiles in which we envelop ourselves, communities in physical and networked mediated space. This group looked at analysing and understanding human behaviour through tracking, sensing and mapping tools to guide the generation of “fabric” in its broadest sense ranging from textiles that empower personal data to community design in virtual reality.

At RISD’s Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab, staff worked with Hyundai and RISD faculty and students on design topics, including biomimicry, biomaterials, and biosystems applications. Additional support in research activities came from Co-Works, RISD’s interdisciplinary research lab focused on emerging technologies.

This summer, 18 researchers who have previously participated in the Hyundai Research Collaborative will spend eight weeks of intensive, continued activity on expanding Future of Cities research from spring 2021 through collaboration with the design team at Hyundai Motor and Kia. An exhibition is tentatively planned for fall 2021 to share the results of these collaborations.

Lamborghini SC20: Race the roads, roofless!

Lamborghini Squadra Corse presents the SC20, a unique specimen of an open-top track car type-approved for road use. The SC20 is the second one-off engineered by the motorsport department and designed by Centro Stile in Sant’Agata Bolognese: the car was created following the customer’s wishes, who was involved in the project from the very first drawings by Lamborghini’s designers.

The common goal was to build a unique vehicle, extreme in its design and performance, and able to combine aerodynamic solutions taken from racing Lamborghinis incorporating unprecedented lines and exclusive details. “Two years after the SC18 Alston, the SC20 was a new, intriguing challenge. The chief sources of inspiration were the Diablo VT Roadster, Aventador J, Veneno Roadster and Concept S, and the result is a dramatic combination of creativity and racing attitude,” commented Mitja Borkert, Head of Design Lamborghini Centro Stile.

The carbon fibre body was polished and slicked down by hand by the Lamborghini aerodynamic engineers to deliver optimal airflow for both performance and the cockpit’s occupants, ensuring comfortable open-air driving even at high speeds. Two fins frame the pronounced front splitter, and the air intakes on the front hood are inspired by those of the Huracán GT3 EVO, while the sculpted body sides reflect the solutions adopted on the Essenza SCV12. The muscular rear is topped by a large carbon fibre wing that can be set in three different positions: Low, Medium and High Load.

The SC20 features exclusive details starting from the body colours on a Bianco Fu (white) base, created for the customer, on which the Blu Cepheus (blue) livery stands out. The same shade is found in the interior, alternating with Nero Cosmus (black) and Bianco Leda (white). The most significant element of the passenger compartment is the visible carbon fibre used for the dashboard cover, rear wall, door panels, centre console and steering wheel trim, in addition to the monocoque. ‘

Carbon fibre is also used for the shells of the seats upholstered in Alcantara and leather. The door handles, on the other hand, are machined from solid aluminium. Lastly, the air vents are created using 3D printing technology at the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory.

Maurizio Reggiani, Chief Technical Officer of Automobili Lamborghini, stated, “The SC20 is a combination of sophisticated engineering, Italian craftsmanship, sportiness and advanced design. It is also an example of applying our V12 engine and carbon fibre to a radical open-top vehicle that unmistakably carries the Lamborghini DNA.”

Its engine is based on Lamborghini’s flagship V12: the 6,498 cc, naturally aspirated twelve-cylinder that delivers 760 bhp at 8,500 rpm and develops 720 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm. It is managed through the optimized seven-speed Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) gearbox. The power is discharged to the ground by the four-wheel-drive system with central electronic differential, and the Pirelli PZero Corsa tires are mounted on single-nut aluminium rims, 20 inches in front and 21 inches at the rear.

Giorgio Sanna, Head of Lamborghini Motorsport, commented, “The SC20 is one more technical and styling exercise that associates Squadra Corse experience with Lamborghini design, masterfully interpreted by our Centro Stile based on the customer’s wishes, which was the focus of the project during the entire vehicle development and construction process.”

Lexus launches new guest experience in Hyderabad

Lexus India today announced the launch of its new Guest Experience Centre (GEC) in Hyderabad, making this the fourth Lexus landmark in India. Post its successful launches in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, Lexus is all set to further strengthen its footprint in the Southern market.

Situated in the luxe greenery of Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad and spanning over 7,000 Sq. ft., the Guest Experience Centre is a space where design and technology coalesce with sustainability and luxury. Lexus Hyderabad combines the Japanese philosophy of Omotenashi with the Indian spirit of “Athithi Devo Bhava” which takes guests on a journey of the senses. The exterior of the GEC is inspired by the flowing lines of Lexus’ signature spindle grille and the ‘L’ finesse design language is subtly incorporated into different aspects of the architecture.

The interior is an expression of modern, conscious luxury with sophisticated wooden interiors and hints of lush greenery set the tone of the space. As you enter, you hear the sounds of nature complemented with the scent of local flowers. Discerning guests can relax and indulge in the Lexus experience at the lifestyle café lounge. The Guest Experience Centre is intended to make guests feel the comfort and luxury of home.

Commenting on the launch, Mr P.B. Venugopal, President, Lexus India said “We are constantly trying to bring the Lexus experience closer to our guests across the nation and are committed to building lifetime relationships. The overwhelming response we received from Hyderabad to our self-charging hybrid electric portfolio is what prompted us to bring the Lexus Guest Experience Centre here. To mark this special occasion, the Lexus flagship luxury coupe LC 500h is also on display at the GEC. We look forward to welcoming more guests to the Lexus carbon-neutral family and embarking on a journey of amazing experiences together.”

Lexus offers a portfolio that is the choice of new-age conscious luxury consumers consisting of LC 500h the luxury coupe that instantly drew industry attention for its elevated design and unmatched performance, LS 500h the flagship sedan that rocked the luxury vehicle market and led to numerous breakthroughs and refinements, LX 570 the flagship SUV that exudes urban sophistication, RX 450hL the SUV that has made history as the first in the luxury segment to offer a self-charging hybrid powertrain, NX 300h a game-changing urban-focused SUV that fuses agility with dynamic individuality, and ES 300h luxury sedan that was created to anticipate every move and provide a heightened drive experience.

Lexus continues its commitment to the Indian market as announced in January 2020 during the launch of the ‘Made in India ES 300h’ & LC 500h and will continue their strategic network expansion to new Guest Experience Centers in Kochi, Chandigarh and Chennai. The expansion showcases the brand’s dedication to bringing amazing experiences to guests across India.

Lamborghini Huracán STO: Bringing the racetrack to the road

The purest concentration of Squadra Corse’s motorsports prowess, drawn from Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO and GT3 EVO racecars, in a street-homologated super sports car.
Unique Lamborghini lightweight solution with superior aerodynamics and race car engineering.

Power of 640BHP and 565 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, weight to power ratio of 2.09 kg/hp, acceleration from 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds, braking 100 km/h-0 in 30.0 meters, 200 km/h-0 in 110.0 meters, with the dynamic pace and handling to deliver lap records.

Automobili Lamborghini presents the Lamborghini Huracán STO – Super Trofeo Omologata: a road-homologated super sports car inspired by the racing heritage of Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s one-make race series with Huracán Super Trofeo EVO, as well as its three-time 24 Hours of Daytona-winning and two-time 12 Hours of Sebring winning Huracán GT3 EVO.

With its V10 naturally aspirated 640 hp (470 kW) power plant producing 565 Nm at 6,500 rpm, the rear-wheel-drive Huracán STO delivers exhilarating acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. However, its heart beats with the exhilaration and emotion of a racecar. Superior aerodynamic efficiency, extensive use of lightweight materials, unfettered steering and first-class braking performance, ensure the Huracán STO delivers the emotion of a track experience on every road drive.

“The Huracán STO is the purest incarnation of Lamborghini Squadra Corse heritage, directly transferring technologies from the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO and drawing on the Huracán GT3 EVO’s unique accomplishment of winning three consecutive times in the Daytona 24 hours,” said Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and CEO, Stefano Domenicali. Maurizio Reggiani, Chief Technical Officer added: “The Huracán STO delivers all the excitement of a beautifully balanced, lightweight and aerodynamically superior super sports car, mirroring the driving feeling and exhilaration of Super Trofeo, and perfectly set up for the world’s most demanding tracks but created for the road. The extensive technical solutions and intelligence gained from both our Super Trofeo and GT3 programs have been refined and embodied in the Huracán STO, allowing the pilot to experience the emotions of a racing driver, daily, in a road-legal Lamborghini super sports car able to take lap records.”

Aerodynamic and lightweight superiority in super sports car design

The Huracán STO sports an entirely new exterior design, revising its inimitable Lamborghini profile to optimize airflow. Mitja Borkert, Head of Design, says: “Racing cars are always a strong inspiration for our design. The Huracán STO exquisitely reflects the technology transfer from our successful Huracán race cars, displayed in every aesthetic detail.”

The front bonnet, fenders and the front bumper are comprised of one single component: the ‘cofango’ created by Lamborghini engineers combines the ‘cofano’ (hood) and ‘parafango’ (fender) including the front bumper, inspired by the Lamborghini Miura and more recent Sesto Elemento. It is not only lightweight but also a timesaving access feature in motorsports.

New air ducts on the front bonnet increase the airflow through the central radiator to improve engine cooling as well as helping generate downforce. The cofango also incorporates a new front splitter, directing airflow to the newly designed underbody of the car and to the rear diffuser. The cofango is shaped to push the airflow on top of the front fenders, which incorporate louvres to maximize airflow exiting from the wheelhouse, reducing pressure inside and increasing the front downforce. The side profile of the cofango directs airflow around the front wheels, reducing drag.

A new rear fender derived from the Super Trofeo EVO achieves both reduction of the front area of the car and consequently the drag while increasing rear downforce and the car’s overall aerodynamic efficiency. A NACA air intake integrated into the STO’s rear fender serves as an engine air intake, with the shortened duct allowing a 30% decrease in static pressure losses. The revised rear hood design features an integrated air scoop to improve air-cooling at the rear underhood. Dedicated air deflectors, integrated into the rear bonnet’s frame, manage the significant incoming airflow from the snorkel according to the temperature regulation needs of the engine and exhaust out. An integrated ‘shark fin’ on the rear bonnet improves the dynamic abilities of the STO, particularly when cornering.

A manual, easily adjusted aero set-up of the new rear wing optimizes aerodynamic balance and drag resistance according to track characteristics. A single slotted wing with double airfoil allows the front part of the airfoil to rotate into three positions to enhance rear downforce. By reducing the gap between the front and rear airfoil, compression is increased on the upper side, upping the suction intensity and extension on the bottom of the front airfoil. The aero balance of the car can thus fluctuate by 13%, adapting the STO to different driving styles and conditions.

The Huracán STO incorporates a windscreen 20% lighter than the Huracán Performante, and features magnesium rims for the highest strength-to-weight ratio, saving further weight over aluminium alloys with the same load factor. The magnesium rims are fitted with bespoke Bridgestone Potenza tires, available in two versions: one road-focused, the other more track-oriented.

Three new driving modes exemplify the Huracán STO’s racing spirit, focused on high performance driving environments: STO, Trofeo and Pioggia. The default STO mode is for road driving and fun on curving roads. Every aspect of the Lamborghini Veicolo Dinamica Integrata (LDVI) vehicle dynamics system is optimized for all road conditions and coupled with a road-oriented suspension setting. The fully active ESC can be switched off for maximum driving fun while still supporting the driver.

The Huracán STO interior – designed for a purpose

The interior of the Huracán STO reflects the lightweight persona of the exterior: extensive use of carbon fibre features throughout the cockpit, including sports seats in full carbon fibre; an Alcantara interior with Lamborghini’s Carbon skin; carpets removed and replaced by floor mats in carbon fibre; and the full-carbon fibre lightweight door panels with a door latch as an opener. A rear arch with four-point seatbelts and a newly designed front trunk for helmet storage, underline the Huracán STO’s racing DNA.

New Human Machine Interface (HMI) graphics feature on the Huracán’s touch screen, which manages the car’s functions including drive mode indicator, the LDVI system, tire pressures and brake temperatures. A fully connected telemetry system allows pilots driving their Huracán STO on racetracks to monitor and record their performance and to analyze the data via the Lamborghini UNICA app.

Owners of the Huracán STO can fully personalize both the exterior and interior of their race car on-the-road via a rich Ad Personam personalization program, with limitless paint and trim combinations as well as race-style vinyl. The concept of a personalized livery is inherent in the design of the Huracán STO, just as Huracán Super Trofeo race cars line up in their unique colours and designs on the starting grid. The launch livery of Blu Laufey and Arancio California exemplifies the Huracán STO’s young and sporty racing spirit.

The first customers will take delivery of the new Lamborghini Huracán STO in spring 2021 and Lamborghini is expected to reveal prices around that time.

Lamborghini hits the 10th ton!

Italian supercar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini has set yet another benchmark in the automobile industry. In nine years, the company’s Sant’Agata Bolognese factory has produced 10,000 Aventadors. The car with chassis number 10,000 is an Aventador SVJ Roadster in Grigio Acheso (grey) color with Rosso Mimir (red) livery and Ad Personam interior in Rosso Alala (red) and black. The car is destined for the Thai market.

Among its long list of features and technological marvels, its highlight is its “single shell” carbon fiber monocoque produced in the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory. It combines the cockpit, floor, and roof of the car in a single structure, ensuring extremely high structural rigidity and thus the maximum performance in terms of dynamic behavior and passive safety. How can we forget the iconic upward-opening doors, similar to those of the legendary Countach and the V12 models that followed it?

A new high-performance V12 engine was developed for the Aventador LP 700-4: with 700 HP (515 kW) of power at 8,250 rpm, it set a new benchmark in the world of super sports cars at the time of its introduction, enabling exceptional acceleration of 2.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a top speed of 350 km/h.

This mammoth engine is mated to an ISR robotized transmission that guarantees thrilling ultra-fast shifts, while the push-rod suspension system offers driving precision comparable to that of racing cars.

The Aventador range debuted in 2011 in the coupé version as Aventador LP 700-4. Thanks to the new technological solutions introduced, it immediately became a new point of reference in the world of super sports cars.

In 2019, a one-off Aventador S by Skyler Grey was unveiled, a symbol of the fusion of two concepts of art. On one hand, there is Lamborghini’s automotive art, where the unique design of the forms, always characterized by taut lines, three-dimensional volumes, geometries, and stylistic elements of the past, is joined with pioneering technological solutions. On the other hand, Skyler Grey used the main techniques of street art – airbrushing, spray guns, rollers, and stencils – to personalize the car body in his typical Pop style in orange and yellow. The car was painted in three weeks in Lamborghini’s new paint shop. Despite the high level of complexity of the work, the artist, with the support of the team, brought to life the first street-legal work of art on four wheels.

ŠKODA opens pre bookings for the new Rapid Automatic!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wished Spy Kids was real? Meet the Audi AI: RACE.

We were barely breaking in our teens when we were introduced to the Spy Kids franchise. The cool, futuristic setting of the movies was only complemented by the fast and furious vehicles in the movie. Perhaps taking inspiration from them or out of sheer automotive genius, German automobile manufacturer Audi has created the AI: RACE.

First introduced in 2018, the car is a symbol of futuristic technology, as it supports wireless charging that can juice up the battery in just 15 minutes! It is expected to be offered with a solid-state 95kWh capacity battery that will give the AI: RACE a range of 500 kilometres. It also offers a segment-first transforming cockpit.

No, the car does not transform into a talking robot, unfortunately. However, the cockpit can be adjusted to suit the racetrack or the road. This is possible as the driver’s seat and the cockpit are integrated into an inner monocoque shell that can be slid laterally. This allows the driver to position the steering wheel in the centre of the car- a perfect setup for the racetrack. Naturally, the pedals can be shifted as well, while all of this is made possible by the by-wire design that eliminates the need of a mechanical connection.

Gael Buzyn is Head of the Audi Design Loft in Malibu – where the Audi AI:RACE was born. He describes the most important item in the specifications: “We want to offer the driver an experience that is otherwise available only in a racing car like the Audi R18. That’s why we developed the interior around the ideal driver’s position in the center. Nevertheless, our aim was to also give the AI:RACE a high degree of everyday usability, not just for the driver, but also for a potential passenger.”

The AI:RACE is 4.53 meters long, 2 meters wide and just 1.15 meters tall (14.5 x 6.4 x 4.6 ft). These dimensions alone speak of a classical sports car. The wheelbase is 2.70 meters (8.9 ft) and the overhangs are compact. Wide and flat light units with integrated digital matrix technology and laser high-beam headlights complete the face of the AI:RACE.

Powering the futuristic concept are three electric motors – one in the front and two at the back. Audi, sticking to its quattro roots, divides the output of the AI: RACE accordingly. Though the maximum power output stands at 500kW, the driver can temporarily churn out an additional 70kW with boosting. The AI: RACE makes a combined peak torque of 830Nm, that propels the car from a standstill to 100kmph in barely more than 2 seconds.

As mentioned earlier, the AI: RACE supports wireless charging and is designed to charge with 800 volts. The Audi Wireless Charging (AWC) works by placing a charging pad with integral coil on the floor where the car is to be parked, and connecting it to the power supply. The alternating magnetic field induces an alternating voltage in the secondary coil fitted in the floor of the car, across the air gap.

The German luxury carmaker will be manufacturing the AI: RACE in a limited production run. There are 50 units expected to be produced in total and will be sold to exclusive customers.