Volkswagen commences Pre-launch bookings for the historic Beetle in India for Rs 1 lakh

Volkswagen, Europe’s leading car manufacturer has announced the commencement of bookings for the much awaited historic, 21st Century Beetle starting from today. Prospective customers will have an option of booking the new Beetle either through select Volkswagen showrooms across India or at the official website, www.bookmybeetle.in

On this occasion, Mr. Michael Mayer, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said, "Beetle is an icon of automotive history and its launch in the latest avatar is a moment of celebration for Volkswagen in India. Beetle reflects the fundamental attitude of its owner. So we have made its booking opportunity also as a special experience for the Beetle enthusiasts. The combination of performance, design, equipment and exclusive availability will ensure that the 21st century Beetle is all set to write its next historic chapter in India."

The new Beetle is a perfect blend of power, safety and convenience; it comes with a 1.4l TSI (150 PS) petrol engine mated to a 7-speed DSG gear box, 6-airbags, ESP & ABS as standard equipment. Further, it is endowed with features like panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon headlamps, leather interiors and chrome packages for interior & exterior.
With the official launch of the 21st Century Beetle just around the corner, customers can now avail the opportunity to become the exclusive owners of the Beetle. The Car is available in 4 body color options, Habanero Orange, Oryx White, Tornado Red and Blue Silk

CEAT Tyres inks 3 year endorsement deal with Indian Star batsman Rohit Sharma

CEAT Ltd. has announced its association with one of India’s most prolific batsmen, Rohit Sharma for a 3-year bat endorsement deal. 

Speaking of the star batsman, Rohit Sharma holds the record for being the first ever player to score two double-hundreds in ODI history. Rohit Sharma will now be seen playing with a bat displaying CEAT insignia in all formats of the game. 

In the year 2014, Rohit scored his career best 264, the first to be achieved by a batsman in an ODI. With 16 sixes,he created cricketing history by recording maximum sixes in an ODI. He also has been a captain of the Mumbai IPL team and under his captaincy Mumbai Indians (MI) have won the IPL in 2013 and 2015. He has also led MI towards victory in the Champions League T20 in 2013. 

Commenting on the partnership, Anant Goenka, MD, CEAT Ltd said, "We are proud to announce Rohit Sharma as the latest Indian cricketer to join CEAT’s family. Rohitis not only an extremely talented batsman, but also a great leader and an inspiration to young aspiring cricketers. We believe that his dynamic personality combined with his performance and dependability on the field represents the values that CEAT believes in."

On beginning his new association, Rohit Sharma said, "This is definitely an exciting association for me. Partnering with CEAT, who’ve played a significant role in boosting cricket in our country is indeed an honour. I look forward to playing a long innings with CEAT!"

Aditya Patel wins at Shanghai in the Audi R8 LMS Cup

Aditya Patel made India proud by winning the final race in the Audi R8 LMS cup at Shanghai on Sunday This was the support race for FIA World Endurance Championship.

Aditya Patel, the lone Indian racer went into the final race sixth in the driver’s standings and still had a slim chance of clinching the title. 

Race one did not go as per the plan. After the team worked to fix engine problems, Patel qualified second, alongside Alex Yoong. However, his joy was short-lived. The stewards took a decision to penalize Patel for a minor technical infringement, thereby putting him 17th on the grid for the first race of the weekend. He put in a stellar performance to move up to ninth place and set the fastest lap of the race which put him on pole position for race two.

Being a standing start, Aditya Patel quickly built a comfortable gap over championship rivals Yoong, Franky Cheng and Marchy Lee. From there on, Patel kept his calm and crossed the chequered flag in spectacular fashion to win the final race of the season ahead of Lee and Cheng. Former Formula one driver, Yoong was crowned Champion of the Audi R8 LMS Cup. Patel ended the championship fourth overall.

"It’s been a crazy year and there’s no better way than to top it off with a pole to flag victory in the final race. The team did a fantastic job to get the car ready for qualifying. The penalty after qualifying meant a change in strategy, and it turned out to be perfect," said an ecstatic Aditya after the race. 

Gautam Hari Singhania bags 2nd position in overall standings at the Ferrari Challenge Series EU 2015

Gautam Hari Singhania, Founder Chairman of Super Car Club made India proud by securing 4th position in the final race of the Ferrari Championship Series 2015. The finale held at Mugello, Italy, is a culmination of a series of 14 races throughout the year spread across 7 rounds, which saw the best drivers battling for the title of ‘Ferrari World Champion 2015’. 

Mr. Singhania raced for the Coppa Shell category for the entire Ferrari Challenge Europe Championship 2015 and secured 2nd position in the overall standing in the Coppa Shell category with 171 points. His personal best lap in the world finals today was 1:56:119.

  
Mr. Singhania represented India and was endorsed by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI). The entire season comprised of 15 races which was spread over six weekends mainly at Monza (ITALY), Imola (ITALY), Mugello (ITALY), Le Castellet (FRANCE), Valencia (SPAIN) and Budapest (HUNGARY).

Commenting on the finish, Gautam Hari Singhania said,"I am thrilled and overjoyed to finish the World Finals in this leading position. A power packed year with all the hard work has finally culminated into one of the most memorable racing achievements and I am glad with my overall performance by securing 2nd position in the overall standings at my maiden full season. Ferrari World Championship 2015 has been an eventful experience! I look forward to more competitive racing next year."

Gautam Hari Singhania raced with the renowned Swiss Team named Kessel Racing and former F1 driver and current GT driver Andrea Motermini has been his coach for the entire season.

CEAT Launches a New SCV tyre in Premium Mile XL Range

Indian tyre manufacturer CEAT introduced the 155 D12 size tyre in the new Mile XL series. 
The company claims that the 155 D12 Mile XL Rib has stiffer sidewalls and higher mileage performance in overload conditions. 

With its sturdier crown and ETC (Equal Tension Casing) Technology, Mile XL Rib tyres ensure cooler running at high speeds, offering high load capacity. The 155 D12 Mile Xl Rib tyres are designed for front fitment for vehicles like TATA Ace and Mahindra Maxximo.

Commenting on the launch, Nitish Bajaj, VP, Marketing, CEAT Limited said, "With all its advanced features, we are confident that 155 D12 Mile XL Rib will cater to the requirementsof our customers operating their business through small commercial vehicles. Our commitment is to ensure that our premium offering is made available to customers pan India through all leading CEAT dealerships."

The 155 D12 Mile XL Rib is available with all leading CEAT dealers pan India.

Felipe Massa Drives Bond Villain’s JAGUAR C-X75 In Mexico

Ahead of the Formula 1 race this weekend at Mexico, Formula 1 Williams Driver Felipe Massa drove the Jaguar’s C-X75 supercar which is featured in the new Bond adventure, SPECTRE. This activity celebrates the Americas movie premiere, taking place in Mexico City on 2nd November, and the Formula One Gran Premio de Mexico. 

Williams Martini Racing driver Felipe Massa, said: "It was a thrill to take the wheel of a real stunt car used in a Bond movie.  Jaguar partnered with Williams Advanced Engineering on the production of these stunning supercars, so it was great to experience some of what my colleagues have developed outside of F1.  It was so much fun, and very exciting to be driving the Jaguar on a SPECTRE filming location here in Mexico City."

SPECTRE is the 24th James Bond film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, sees the Jaguar C-X75 driven by latest Bond nemesis Hinx. Driven by actor and former WWE champion Dave Bautista, who plays Hinx in the movie, the C-X75 supercar, named the most advanced Jaguar ever created, was provided by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) in collaboration with development partner Williams Advanced Engineering. The two Williams Martini Racing FW37s will also be seen carring the 007 SPECTRE logos at this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix to promote the release of the film.

Do check out the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59tzOQqGIl4&feature=youtu.be

Picture Gallery: Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220, Street 220 & Street 150

Bajaj unveils three new models of Avengers in India

Bajaj Auto unleashed the new range of Avenger bikes at an event in Mumbai. This includes, the Avenger 220 Cruise, 220 Street and 150 Street. Bajaj has launched these models at the right time, with the main festival Diwali round the corner. 

Mr. Eric Vas, President - Motorcycles Business, Bajaj Auto Ltd launches the new range of Avengers 

The new Avenger 220 Cruise has the classic cruiser looks and is designed for easy city riding. It comes with a liberal dose of chrome highlights thanks to a new radiator, redesigned side grabs, stylized silencer and an all new handlebar. The Avenger 220 Cruise comes with comfortable padded backrest and an optional wind-shield for easy cruising on highways.

Mr. Eric Vas, President - Motorcycles Business, Bajaj Auto Ltd launches the new range of Avengers 

The Avenger 220 Street has a matte black and brushed silver finish and comes in midnight blue. Combined with the muscular alloy wheels, the Avenger Street looks sporty. The Avenger Street has a lower and flatter handle bar for better manoeuvrability in city riding. The new Avengers come with a brand new insignia, new graphics and styling cues, improved rear suspension, bright white light headlamps, clear lens indicators and low slung seats with thicker dual density foam for superior riding comfort. 

The Avenger 220's come with Bajaj’s 220 cc DTSi engine, 19 PS power with torque of 17.5 Nm. The bikes come with an oil cooler to help this hi-performance engine maintain engine oil temperature. The Avenger 150 Street’s engine is a 150 cc DTSi, which has been completely revised for this bike: it delivers 14.5 PS of power and a torque of 12.5 Nm which is enhanced at low rpms.

Commenting on the launch Mr. Eric Vas, President – Motorcycles Business, Bajaj Auto Ltd, said "The genuine cruiser segment has steadily grown over the years with  the Avenger as the torch bearer. We expect that by bringing in an additional style variant such as the Street, and by offering the popular 150 cc capacity, we will significantly  expand the cruiser segment. With the new Avenger models joining the immensely successful Pulsar range, Bajaj Auto shall strengthen our offerings to discerning customers in the Indian market, and reinforce Bajaj Auto’s leadership in the premium motorcycle segment."

The Avenger range will be manufactured at the motorcycle plant at Chakan near Pune. The Adventure Cruise 220 and the Street 220 both will be priced at Rs 84,000 and Street 150 at Rs. 75,000 (all Ex-Showroom Delhi). Well, we love the pricing Bajaj is offering especially for the Cruise 220 and the Street 220. Let us know your views too. 

Aditya Patel positive ahead of Shanghai Showdown

Indian rising star and GT specialist, Aditya Patel, heads to Shanghai for the final Round of the Audi R8 LMS Cup this weekend. The Chennai driver is one among the six drivers who stands a Chance of clinching the championship title this weekend.

Aditya Patel, who is backed by Audi India, JK Tyres and Jubilant Motorworks, had a good run at the halfway mark of the series and was leading the championship table. 
Unfortunately the second half of the season has been marred by unfortunate incidents which saw Patel come away with only 12 points, after scoring an impressive eighty points in the first half. 

The lone Indian in the field, however, feels confident of a good showing in the final race of what has been the closest championship in the history of the cup so far. Alex Yoong, Frankie Cheng, Marchy Lee, Rahel Frey and Thomas Fjordbach are the other drivers fighting for the title in what is expected to be an epic finale.

"It’s been a mixed year. After starting off so well, things didn’t really go as per plan in the second half of the season. But that’s racing. I still have the slimmest chance of fighting for the championship and the goal for this weekend is to win a race and score as many points as I can!", said Aditya on his thoughts of the weekend to come and the season so far. 

Alex and Frankie are tied with 127 points and Aditya has 92 to its credit. It could end up as a close content. Aditya clearly has the potential to turn the circumstances around and pull out a stunner. The while nation's looking forward to it. We wish Aditya good luck..!!!!

General Motors India Launches Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV at Rs. 26,40,000

General Motors India has launched the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV priced at Rs. 26,40,000 (ex-showroom, New Delhi) for the two-wheel-drive, top-end LTZ version with an automatic transmission. The Trailblazer will initially be available in three exterior colors: Summit White, Black Sapphire and Switchblade Silver.

Arvind Saxena (R), President &  Managing Director and Jack Uppal, Vice President, Marketing & Customer Experience, at the launch of the Chevrolet Trailblazer  SUV at Rs 26.40 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi)

The Chevrolet Trailblazer is equipped with a 200 PS engine that produces 500 Nm of torque. The Trailblazer offers unique features, including first-in-segment projector headlamps, ceiling-mounted rear air-conditioning controls with four vents for the second- and third-row seats, a six-speed automatic transmission, a 7-inch touchscreen, the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system and Siri Eyes Free for Apple users.

In terms of Safety features, it includes dual air bags, electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), cornering brake control (CBC), hill start assist (HSA), hill descent control (HDC), traction control system (TCS), panic brake assist (PBA) and hydraulic brake assist (HBA).

The Chevrolet Trailblazer measures 4,878 mm in length, 2132 mm in width and 1,851 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,845 mm. Interior details include second-row 60/40 split seats with single latch forward gravity tumble, fold-flat capability, and six-degree seat-back reclining with integrated folding armrests incorporated with cup holders. Third-row 50/50 split seats with center console storage provide fold-flat capability and flat floor storage from the front row rearward when all seats are folded to provide extreme load capability.

The vehicle also has 32 storage compartments located throughout the interior, including a covered center bin for the concealment of valuable items and a large dual glove box.The New Chevrolet Trailblazer introduces the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system in India. It features a 7-inch color touch-screen with a premium six-speaker system along with Bluetooth hands-free calling functions and music streaming apart from the Aux-in and USB functions.Once connected, options such as Audio, Pictures and Movies, Telephone, Smartphone Link and Settings are projected onto the Trailblazer's touch-screen. The infotainment system also comes with Siri Eyes Free for Apple users, allowing users to play music, receive messages, read and write important messages, and make calls from their phone book. 

Powering the Trailblazer is the proven second-generation Duramax four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. The 2.8L variant provides 200 PS (147kW) at 3,600 rpm and 500 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. The 2.8L variant is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. The rear-wheel-drive Trailblazer provides fuel economy of 11.45 kilometers per litre as per CMVR Rule 115. To extend the life of the engine and variable-geometry turbocharger, the 2.8L variant has added water cooling to its turbocharger and turbine housing, reducing operational heat – especially at high speeds.