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Casio India launches EDIFICE line of Watches, made in collaboration with AlphaTauriF1 #Casio

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Casio India, a leading watch brand on Wednesday launched it’s new EDIFICE line of high-performance metal chronographs in collaboration with the F1 Scuderia AlphaTauri team, winner of the 2020 Italian GP. A true testimony of ‘Speed and Intelligence,’ the limited-edition watch ECB-20AT is a marriage of technological innovation and the passionate pursuit of the speed of both EDIFICE and Formula One circuit.

For those wondering, Casio has been an official partner of the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula One team since 2016. The ECB-20AT collaboration model is the first since the team changed its name from Scuderia Toro Rosso.

Navy-blue case and band, inscribed with the team logo on the dial, case back, and band, part of a design infused with the world view of Scuderia AlphaTauri, is sure to cast a spell on the sporty men out there.

The ECB-20AT is based on ECB-20 model and is equipped with a Schedule Timer and leather band inscribed with the team logo. The face is made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, tough enough for team mechanics to use in the paddock and pits.

The watch also automatically adjusts the time when paired with a smartphone using a dedicated app. ECB-20AT is a true companion of team members who travel around the world and need to schedule things down to the minute.

For those of you unaware, Scuderia AlphaTauri is a racing team whose roster is filled with up-and-coming young drivers. The team marks a new start in the 2020 season, having changed its name from Scuderia Toro Rosso to Scuderia AlphaTauri.

With team driver, Pierre Gasly’s Italian Grand Prix win in September 2020, the Scuderia AlphaTauri Formula One team is gaining even more attention.

The team brings its youthful energy, racing cars powered by outstanding technological innovation, and the passionate pursuit of speed to the Formula One circuit.

Believing these qualities perfectly match the EDIFICE brand concept, Casio has been an official team partner since 2016. Casio and EDIFICE logos will appear on drivers’ racing suits, as well as on the nose sections of the team’s race cars, for the 2020–2021 seasons.

Also Read: Nissan to become Fully Carbon Neutral by 2050

Nissan Commits to Fully carbon neutral Goal for 2050 #NissangoesCarbonNeutral

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Nissan Motor Co Ltd. in a press release stated that it had set the goal to achieve carbon neutrality across the company’s operations and the life cycle of its products by 2050. As part of this effort, by the early 2030s, every all-new Nissan vehicle offering in key markets will be electrified.

To add to this, Nissan will pursue further innovations in electrification and manufacturing technology to make progress on the company’s carbon neutrality goal in the following strategic areas

  1. Battery innovations including solid-state and related technologies to develop cost-competitive and more efficient electric vehicles;
  2. Further development of Nissan’s e-POWER electrified powertrains to achieve greater energy efficiency;
  3. Development of a battery ecosystem to support decentralized, onsite power generation for buildings with renewable energy sources. Nissan anticipates increased collaboration with the energy sector to support the decarbonization of power grids;
  4. Manufacturing process innovations to support higher productivity in vehicle assembly, starting with the Nissan Intelligent Factory initiative. The company will also strive for greater energy and material efficiencies to support longer-term carbon neutrality ambitions.

Commenting on this, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida said: “We’re determined to help create a carbon-neutral society and accelerate the global effort against climate change,”

“Our offering in electrified vehicles will continue to expand around the world, and this will make a major contribution to Nissan becoming carbon neutral. We will continue to drive innovation that enriches people’s lives as we pursue a sustainable future for all.”

With 100% of all-new vehicle offerings to be electrified in the key markets of Japan, China, the U.S. and Europe by the early 2030s, Nissan will also be among the leaders in driving the adoption of electric vehicle technology.

What are your thoughts on the goals set by Nissan? Will you miss gas-powered cars? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Tata Safari announced, launch in Feb

Tata Safari Officially Unveiled, Launch in February #2021TataSafari

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News Desk
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Tata Motors on Tuesday revealed the new 2021 Safari SUV in India. The automaker also said that it had begun production of the SUV, ahead of the official launch, with sales starting in early February.

The new Safari is based on the company’s Impact 2.0 design language. The car was previously known as the Gravitas, with it having been part of the Auto Expo 2020.

The 2021 Safari use Tata’s renowned OMEGARC platform which is inspired by the Land Rover’s D8 platform. It is the second product based on the OMEGARC platform after the Harrier SUV and now sits as the flagship product of the ‘New Forever’ range of Tata Motors.

The car is equipped with the Land Rover based D8 front suspension design for maximum stability and performance. As for the wheels, there are large 18-inch wheels which look massive and provide a more stable drive.

Under the hood, the Safari opts for a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine which delivers 170 PS and 350 Nm of peak torque. The transmission options include the 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

There are also three driving modes available, dubbed Eco, City, and Sports. In addition, the car also receives ESP based Terrain Response mode for greater control.

There are six variants on offer, from the base XE to the top of the line XZ+. The variants are as follows: XE, XM, XT, XT+, XZ and XZ+.

Towards the interior, the 2021 Safari gets a brand new Ashwood dashboard, Oyster white colour theme, and three-row seating. It will be made available in six, as well as seven-seat layouts. To add to this, the car also gets the widest panoramic sunroof in its segment and a ‘Boss mode’ which enabled extended space in the second row.

The SUV has been introduced in three colour options, Royal Blue, White and Grey. More colours will be showcased on a later date.

Also Read: Skoda Kushaq to premiere in March, Specifications Revealed

Max Verstappen Says Gasly’s Tactics cost him RedBull Seat #PierreGasly

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Pierre Gasly’s desire to “adjust” everything to suit Red Bull rather than sit back and learn is what cost him his race seat, stated Max Verstappen.

For those wondering, Gasly moved to Red Bull’s senior team at the start of the 2019 championship, called up a year earlier than team boss Christian Horner had wanted since Daniel Ricciardo’s shocking shift. 12 races into his season, though, he was dropped back to Toro Rosso, now racing as AlphaTauri, after failing to match Verstappen’s results.

He was replaced by Alex Albon, who after two seasons has suffered the same fate as Gasly. But while Albon has been dropped to a reserve driver role, Gasly was put to Alpha Tauri, wherein he shone and showcased his talent.

The driver bagged his first F1 podium at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix and followed that up with a maiden win at Monza, which shocked the F1 World, showcasing his talent.

This success, however, raises questions as to why Gasly failed at RedBull. His former teammate Max Verstappen seems to have the answer.

“It was true that Pierre wanted to adjust to everything with us immediately instead of first taking the time to learn everything,” Racingnews365 quotes him as having told Ziggo Sport. “That tactic just didn’t work.

“As a result, many things went wrong and the pressure on his shoulders was also very great. “The fact that he crashed during the winter tests did not make it any easier.” Commenting on his quick recovery and race win, Verstappen said: “That was great for him,” “Many others can learn a bit from the way he managed to recover.”

In other news, Max is going to partner Sergio Perez this season, with the driver having signed to RedBull after departing from Racing Point. Max stated the following when asked about how the next season would be and the competition he will have with Checo.

“The goal is to get him too, I want to be in front of him,” Verstappen said. “That is that we compete more often, as was the case with Ricciardo.”

What are your thoughts regarding Verstappen’s comments? Do you think he’s right? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Wolff believes RedBull will be a much stronger opponent with Checo

Toto Wolff Believes Red Bull is a much Stronger Opponent with Perez #Checo

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2020 Turkish Grand Prix, Sunday - LAT Images

Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff is expecting Red Bull to be a “much stronger opponent” in 2021 post-signing Sergio Perez to partner Max Verstappen. Red Bull announced Perez’s signing last month after opting to drop Alexander Albon following a lacklustre second season in F1.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton said that he thought Perez “deserved” the Red Bull seat. This would make the team more of a threat in the constructors’ championship.

Wolff agreed with Hamilton’statement, feeling Red Bull poses a greater challenge to Mercedes in 2021 thanks to the new team lineup and Honda’s efforts in the engine department.

“Definitely, I think Red Bull, with Perez, will be a much stronger opponent in terms of the constructors’ championship,” Wolff said in an interview with Austrian TV channel ORF. “I reckon Sergio will be very strong. It will also be interesting to see how Perez holds up against Verstappen. It’s a new opponent.

“Otherwise, it’s a season with the same cars as last year. I think Honda will really step on the gas to compete for the championship in their last year as a manufacturer. “That’s why it will be quite interesting.”

Furthermore, in case you are unaware, Red Bull Chief Christian Horner made some statements regarding George Russell’s performance and how it confirms his beliefs regarding Verstappen.

To this, Wolff said that Horner’s “teasing” was “part of the game” in F1 and that it would only be possible to truly compare drivers in evenly-matched cars.

“You can only judge the best if you let them race against each other,” Wolff said. “We haven’t seen that yet. We haven’t seen Verstappen against Hamilton, we haven’t seen Russell against Hamilton, we haven’t seen [Charles] Leclerc in a top car.

“But the future belongs to the young. At some point, they will race against each other with the same equipment and then we will see who is the best.”

What are your thoughts regarding Wolff’s statements? Do you think RedBull might beat Mercedes this time? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Netflix is working on a F1 Movie, featuring Robert De Niro and John Boyega

Netflix working on a F1 Movie, featuring Robert De Niro and Boyega #TheFormula

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News Desk
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Mercedes AMG F1 being filmed by the Netflix production 'Drive to Survive'. German Grand Prix, Sunday 28th July 2019. Hockenheim, Germany.

Netflix is working on a fictional crime film set in the world of Formula 1, which will feature the Hollywood legend Robert De Niro and Star Wars actor John Boyega. Dubbed The Formula, the film focuses on an American F1 driver who becomes involved with the mafia and is forced to serve as a getaway driver to save his family.

It is to be written, directed and produced by Gerard McMurray, whose notable work consists of Burning Sands and 2018’s The First Purge.

His recently formed Buppie Productions company says that it “develops and produces entertaining stories featuring black characters for a mainstream film and television audience.

“Our company is constantly reinventing itself while charting a path to influence popular culture, it adds. “We are the heroes and the villains, the good guys, bad guys, femme Fatales and girls next door.

As for other notable names, the producers include Berry Welsh and Jane Rosenthal, whose long list of credits includes Bohemian Rhapsody, About a Boy, Wag the Dog and the De Niro comedy Meet the Parents. The Formula is part of a larger deal that Welsh and Rosenthal have with Netflix.

McMurray gave an outline of the plot in an Instagram post on Monday. “Feels amazing to see this idea in my head finally come to life that I’m writing, directing, and producing,” he wrote.

“My new production company Buppie Productions is teaming up with Tribeca Films and Netflix to bring to you a dope original film coming soon called The Formula starring two of my favourite actors, John Boyega and Robert De Niro.

“It’s the story of a young man from Detroit who becomes an international racing star in the world of Formula 1 under the tutelage of his mentor with old mob ties.”

Are you excited about the Formula? Let us know if you would like to see more movies based on Formula One. 

Also Read: Skoda Kushaq Premiere to take place in March, Key Specs revealed

Skoda Kushaq World Premiere to take place in March, Specifications Revealed #SkodaKushaq

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News Desk
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The Skoda Kushaq, which has been part of the headlines for quite some time will make its world premiere in March 2021, ahead of its launch in India. Deliveries of the car are expected to begin by mid-2021.

The SUV is most probably going to be launched in June or July. The production version of the Skoda Kushaq also marks the debut of brand’s heavily localised MQB AO IN platform, which will also underpin the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun.

Another point to note in regards to the Kushaq is the fact that it will be the company’s first made-in-India model. Skoda states that the car is 93 per cent localised, which is a major upgrade, considering that the VW Group hasn’t managed to localise more than 76% of its cars for a long time.

In terms of the engine, there will be 2 engine options on offer for the Kushaq,  a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol. Reports put out estimates that 1.0L engine could produce around 120PS and 200Nm of torque. The turbocharged petrol engine might produce 147bhp of power and 250Nm of torque.

What we do know is the transmission on offer, with the car being available in two gearbox options. a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The larger engine will be offered with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox, which is separated for the top of the table variant.

Key features that have surfaced include a standard sunroof, meaning a panoramic is most probably going to be absent. To add to this, the Kushaq will come with several security features such as Electronic Stability Control,  Six airbags, hill hold control, ISOFIX for rear seats and a tyre pressure monitoring sensor, which is quite useful.

Moving to the inside, the SUV is expected to come with a massive12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. It will also receive connected car technology. Other features might include a digital instrument console, dual-zone climate control, multi-functional steering wheel and more.

Also Read: Nissan delivers over 720 Magnites across India on Republic Day

US President Joe Biden Promises to replace Government Fleet with Electric Vehicles #USFleet

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President Joe Biden on Monday vowed to replace the US government’s fleet of roughly 650,000 vehicles with electric models as the new administration shifts its focus toward cleaner energy,

“The federal government also owns an enormous fleet of vehicles, which we’re going to replace with clean electric vehicles made right here in America made by American workers,” Biden said Monday.

The president criticized existing rules that allow vehicles to be considered US made when purchased by the US government even if they have significant non-American made components. He said that he would close “loopholes” that allow key parts like engines, steel and glass to be manufactured abroad for vehicles considered U.S. made

The White House did not immediately answer questions about over what period Biden planned to replace current vehicles. It could cost the US $20 billion or more to replace the fleet.  The President’s  “Buy America” executive order signed on Monday does not direct the purchase of electric vehicles.

As of 2019, the US government-owned 645,000 vehicles that were driven 4.5 billion miles consuming 375 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel, according to the General Services Administration (GSA). The US government spent a whopping $4.4 billion on federal vehicle costs in 2019, the GSA said.

Just 3,215 of the Official government cars were electric vehicles as of July 2020, GSA said. During his election campaign, Biden vowed to “make a major federal commitment to purchase clean vehicles for federal, state, tribal, postal, and local fleets.”

Biden also vowed to build 550,000 EV charging stations and spend more in clean energy research.

What are your thoughts regarding the vows? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Nissan delivers over 720 Magnites in India

Nissan has Delivered Over 720 Magnites across India to celebrate 72nd Republic Day #NissanMagnite

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News Desk
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Nissan India is celebrating the country’s 72nd Republic Day in automotive fashion, by announcing that it had delivered over 720 units of its Magnite SUV. The car has been a good seller for the car maker since its launch in December of 2020 and, while there is a waiting period for it, Nissan has assured that it is working overtime to ensure that demand is met in a timely fashion.

Nissan launched Magnite with lots of hype and expectations. One can say that it was seen as a make-or-break model for the company which has struggled to gain much foothold in the Indian auto industry.

While the looks and drive capabilities are the car’s primary selling point, with the feature list being an added benefit, it is the extremely competitive pricing that has helped the SUV grab attention.

“On the joyous celebration of India’s 72nd Republic Day, the Nissan India family commemorated this special occasion with 720+ deliveries of the all-new Nissan Magnite,” announced Rakesh Srivastava, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India.  We thank our customers for their overwhelming response, our dealer partners for their immense support & congratulate every Indian on this special day.”

The Magnite has been able to take the fight to its rivals like the Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and the recently-launched Kia Sonet.

Nissan says it is also working on improving its post-sales network in the country to ensure that customers can keep their vehicles running perfectly.

Powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine which is available in both naturally aspirated as well as turbocharged versions, Magnite also gets a five-speed manual as well as an X-TRONIC CVT gearbox.

What are your thoughts regarding these delivery numbers? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Kia crosses 200,000 sales in just 17 Months

Kia India becomes Fastest Auto Maker to reach 200,000 sales in the market #KiaMotorsIndia

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News Desk
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Kia Motors made its India debut back in August of 2019 and since then, has become a well known brand, with just three products on offer. The Seltos SUV was its first offering here, followed by Carnival luxury MPV and the Sonet sub-compact SUV launched in October of 2020.  The Korean carmaker announced on Monday that it has achieved 200,000 units of wholesale domestic sales.

The company says that more than 60 per cent of its sales have come through the top variants of the three cars. This includes the GTX range for the Sonet as well as Seltos and the Limousine for the Carnival.

More than one lakh cars sold by Kia India have got the connected vehicle technology in them, which is a unique feature of the  cars. These account to around 53 per cent of the brand’s sales.

In a very interesting statistic, one out of every two Kia cars sold in India has the connected car feature, which also means that the feature is a sought after aspect of Kia cars.

In terms of raw numbers, 149,428 units of the Kia Seltos have been sold so far in the Indian market. 45,195 Kia Sonet cars have also been sold since the model was launched in September 2020. The luxurious and pricey Kia Carnival has got 5,409 units on the Indian roads. The Carnival was launched at last year’s Auto Expo.

To cope with this increasing demand for the cars in India, the company has decided to increase its production. with a three-shift operation being planned at the Anantapur facility.

Kookhyun Shim, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer,  said, “In just over a year of sales operations, Kia has emerged as India’s youngest automobile disruptor and one of the best-selling automobile brands in the country.

We are grateful for the response that the Kia brand has received, and we will continue to set new benchmarks in the Indian automobile industry with path-breaking design innovation, cutting-edge technology and unique customer experiences.”

What are your thoughts regarding these amazing sales numbers? Are you excited for what Kia has in store for 2021? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Carlos Sainz hopes to replicate Carlando like Relation at Ferrari

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