Ex-Jordan Boss says Aston Martin Choosing Vettel a Mistake, Should have Gone for Perez #SebastianVettel

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January 17, 2021

“Aston Martin made a mistake when signing him”- Former Formula 1 team boss Eddie Jordan said sticking with Sergio Perez was better. in comparison to Vettel. Sebastian Vettel in 2020 was a key aspect of the Formula 1 paddock shuffle, as he left Ferrari and ended up in Aston Martin, leading to Carlos Sainz replacing him at Ferrari, moving Daniel Ricciardo to Mclaren, Sergio Perez to Red Bul and Alex Albon to the reserved seat/DTM.

Former Formula 1 team Jordan’s boss Eddie Jordan says however that it is a mistake to hire Vettel in place of Perez, who gave incredible performances throughout the 2020 season.

“ I love that he went there, but Aston Martin made a mistake signing him. Vettel’s last two seasons against Leclerc have been a bit bad. I don’t know why it seemed to go so bad, since he won four world titles before.” said Jordan to F1-Insider.com. “I think he is in the descending phase of his career. In any case, I would have stayed with Pérez earlier” he added.

Talking about his teammate Lance Stroll, the former F1 boss said: “Lance is anyone’s guess, you never know how he’s going to go. Sometimes he drives well and sometimes he drives very badly. It is far from constant.”

Commenting on the reason for this statement, he was heard saying: “With Pérez they have gotten a first-rate driver. Nobody thinks he will be as fast as Verstappen, but he is a great driver who, especially in the race, will do what the team asks of him, which is to be close enough to Max to be able to put pressure on Mercedes with two cars.”

What are your thoughts regarding the statements? Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Charles Leclerc tests Covid-19 positive

Dacia Bigster Concept Revealed, Might be Renault’s Replacement for Duster #BigsterConcept

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January 16, 2021

Dacia took the wraps off its Bigster concept car and it’s a preview for what is projected to be the successor for the Renault Duster. This time around in a possible three-row configuration.

The company has not revealed any official details of the car apart from the images and the fact that it is 4.6-metres, a full 300mm more than the current generation car, which is a good size increase, considering the car might be a seven-seater.

One can clearly see the unmistakable lines of the Duster lineage whichever way one is to look at the car. This is most evident in the profile view thanks to large wheel arches, alloy wheel design as well as the roofline.

Another point of particular notice is the face which has brawny looking LED lights and a curved X like logo in the middle which might be hints of what the future Dacia logo might look like.

This concept is quite important in the context of the Indian market. It’s a foray into the European C-segment of cars which in India is known a the D-segment, populated by the XUV 500, Tata Safari amongst other options.

The introduction of this car could mean great success for the company since a proper contender for the segment is yet to be seen from Renault.

What are your thoughts regarding this concept? Let us know in the comments below? Also, let us know as to whether you would buy the Bigster if it ends up looking like the non-production model.

Also Read: Skoda Superb 2021 launched in India

Skoda Superb (2021) launched in India for Rs 31.99 lakh #SkodaSuperb

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January 16, 2021

The updated Skoda Superb has been launched in India priced at Rs 31.99 lakh for the Sportline and Rs 34.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India) for the Laurin and Klement (L&K). The revised pricing makes the updated Superb between Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh more expensive than the previous-gen model.

Most of the changes to the 2021 Superb are in relation to the equipment list with the only notable cosmetic change being a new steering wheel, with the L&K getting a two-spoke unit while the Sportline gets a 3-spoke, flat steering wheel.

A significant inclusion to the equipment list is the addition of adaptive LED headlamps with integrated daytime running lamps. As for the cabin, the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster is now standard and the 8.0-inch Amundsen touchscreen infotainment system now runs an updated user interface and supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

To add to this, the cubby hole ahead of the gear lever now houses a wireless charging pad. Moving to a more variant-specific kit, the fully-loaded Superb L&K now comes equipped with a 360-degree camera and a hands-free parking function.

As for the engine, there is no change to the engine line-up on the updated Superb with the sole 190hp 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit carrying forward unchanged. Like the previous-gen model, the unit is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

As for the competition. the Superb is a direct competitor to the Toyota Camry Hybrid which is priced at Rs 39.41 lakh, giving the Superb a massive price difference of approximately Rs 4 lakh.

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

Mister Mercedes has Passed Away, leaving Daimler Grief Stricken #RIPMrMercedes

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January 15, 2021

Daimler and it’s Board of Management along with all of it’s workforce, with great sadness on Friday received the news of the death of former Board of Management member Professor Juergen Hubbert. Known lovingly as Mr Mercedes, he passed away on January 12, 2021, at the age of 81 in Sindelfingen.

For those unaware, during his tenure at Mercedes, he continued with great success to develop the Mercedes-Benz brand and the car business in the luxury and premium segment with groundbreaking innovations, new models and a global orientation.

Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG talking about this sudden passing said: “Juergen Hubbert was Mister Mercedes. With integrity, innovative spirit and great success, he shaped the company forever. Under his responsibility, a historic product offensive was launched with groundbreaking vehicles such as the A- and M-Class.”

“As a leader, he was able to integrate and motivate his teams with a passion for technology and the highest standards for himself. He is forever assured of the appreciation of the entire Mercedes family. In gratitude for his many years of good work, we will honour his memory. On behalf of the entire Board of Management of Daimler AG, I send our condolences to his family and relatives. We mourn a great personality and a great person.”

Juergen Hubbert had joined the Daimler-Benz AG as a mechanical engineer in 1965. Following various management positions at the company, he became in charge of the car business from the early 1990s onwards and expanded the model portfolio to include the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the Mercedes-Benz CLK to name a few cars that the legend made into a reality.

In addition to his work as an executive, he was also involved in a variety of activities outside the company and, from the beginning of the 1990s, he also held a teaching position in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Karlsruhe.

Back In 2015, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology awarded him the honorary academic citizenship.

What are your thoughts regarding this sudden passing? Will you miss Mr Mercedes? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Maybach S 580 to be Made in India

Ferrari’s Formula One Driver Charles Leclerc Self-Isolating after Testing Positive for COVID-19 #CharlesLeclerc

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January 15, 2021

Ferrari’s Formula One driver Charles Leclerc announced back on Thursday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was self-isolating at his home in Monaco with mild symptoms. The 23-year-old stated that he was feeling ok.

“I am regularly checked according to my team’s protocols. Unfortunately, I learned that I have been in contact with a positive case and immediately went into self-isolation, notifying anyone I had contact with,” he said on Instagram. “A subsequent test I took has come back positive,” he added. “I will remain in isolation in my home in Monaco in compliance with the regulations set by the local health authorities.”

Do note, Leclerc did not say where he might have contracted the virus but was back in Dubai earlier this month. For those unaware, he is the fifth F1 driver known to have tested positive for COVID-19 after Sergio Perez, Canadian Lance Stroll, Britain’s seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris.

Out of all of them, McLaren’s Lando Norris was the most recent, testing positive while on holiday in Dubai earlier this month before a winter training camp. The 2021 Formula One season is due to start in Bahrain on March 28 after the usual Australian opener was postponed due to the pandemic.

In 2020, Leclerc finished eighth overall as Ferrari endured their worst campaign in 40 years. For the 2021 season, he is joined by Spaniard Carlos Sainz from McLaren in place of four times world champion Sebastian Vettel who has shifted to Aston Martin.

What are your thoughts regarding this sad development? Do you think he will be racing the first race of this season? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Daniel Ricciardo talks about Renault F1 shift

Mercedes’ Maybach S 580 Will be Assembled at Chakan Plant #Maybach

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January 15, 2021

Mercedes-Benz India is soon going to introduce the S 580 Maybach to its India line-up. For those unaware, the company’s Maybach S-Class (Z223) is set to follow the latest S-Class (V223), which will be coming later in 2021, to the Indian market and to a showroom near you.

As has been reported earlier, the Maybach S-Class is going to be assembled in India, like the regular S-Class. It will be put together at the Chakan plant near Pune, on the same line as the new S-Class. A replacement for the previous-gen S-Class 560, this new one will get a more powerful 500hp twin-turbo V8, with the addition of 48-volt hybrid tech plus a four-wheel-drive system.

As for the engine, the Maybach S 680, which is an enhanced version of the 580 that will be imported from outside will get a 612hp engine and will also come with 48-volt tech and 4Matic four-wheel drive. The S 680 will be imported as a CBU. Prices for the Maybach range are likely to start at around Rs 2.2 crore for the assembled S 580, with the imported S 680 likely to retail for upwards of Rs 2.7 crore.

Towards the front, the new Maybach S-Class gets a new grille similar to that on the 1930s Maybach Zeppelin, with the latter named after the famous German airships that used Maybach engines.

Chrome has been used on the lower parts of the front bumper too. Interestingly, while the Mercedes star is present on the bonnet, the name Maybach is printed on the grille below, which gives the car a different look. One can also get a two-tone paint job with a hand-painted pinstripe that runs the length of the car, should one need it, for an extra cost.

As for the interior, the new Maybach gets the second-gen MBUX infotainment system, a 12.8-inch tablet-style OLED infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument display and up to three screens for rear-seat passengers.

There is a noise compensation function which employs the Burmester sound system, an active ambient lighting system and an Interior Assist function, which makes use of cameras to track movements of the car’s occupants and trigger functions like the lights or the rear seat’s automatic seatbelt extender when the passenger is reaching for the belt.

What are your thoughts regarding the new S-Class? Are you excited about the fact that it will be made in India? Let us know in the comments below.

2021 Tata Safari Revealed Ahead of Upcoming Launch #TataSafari

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January 14, 2021

The 2021 Tata Safari has been revealed in its final, road-version, with the production of the 7-seat SUV underway ahead of its launch in the coming weeks. Tata Motors announced that it has opted to revive the iconic Safari name with its new flagship SUV, which was previously known to Indian audiences as the Gravitas, having debuted at Auto Expo 2020.

A few official images of the 2021 Tata Safari confirm that while it is quite same as the Gravitas we saw nearly a year ago, it does sport some minor changes on the outside. It’s rocking the Harbour Blue paint shade, coupled with a redesigned front grille, complete with Tata’s signature tri-arrow motifs finished in chrome.

There’s more chrome encasing the split headlight clusters and on the door handles. The alloys of the new Safari, are identical to those seen on the Harrier, with the new Safari also gets a panoramic sunroof.

The new Safari gets roof rails (with silver inserts bearing the Safari inscription), a full rear-quarter glass, a stepped roof and a more upright rear section complete with a new tail-light. To add to this, the Tata Safari is about 63mm longer and 80mm taller than the Harrier, which was needed to allow the Safari to be a seven-seater.

While pictures of the 2021 Tata Safari’s interior are yet to be shared, Tata has confirmed it will have an Oyster White interior theme, and ash wood inserts for the dashboard. In terms of the layout, the Safari’s interior is expected to mirror the Harrier’s, with a floating touchscreen infotainment system taking pride of place on the dash.

In terms of the engine, the new Tata Safari will borrow the 170hp, 2.0-litre Kryotec turbo-diesel engine from the Harrier, as well as its six-speed manual and six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox options. The company has also stated that the Land Rover-derived Omega architecture, which is the basis of the Tata Safari, is designed to incorporate a four-wheel-drive system and even electrification solutions, with chances of a 4×4 variant in the future.

With production already underway, bookings for the 2021 Tata Safari will commence later this month, and the launch is expected to take place in February.

When it does arrive, we expect the 2021 Tata Safari’s price to be a fair bit higher than that of the Harrier, which currently retails from Rs 13.84-20.30 lakh (ex-showroom). In terms of competition, it will have to face the MG Hector as well as the XUV 500.

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

Also Read: Tata Altroz iTurbo announced in India

Ford India Helps Shape a Better Future, Donates an Ecosport to TPT College #FordIndia

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January 14, 2021

On Friday, Ford India made a very helpful donation to the Thiagarjar Polytechnic College (TPT), Salem. As per a Facebook post made by the college, Ford donated a 2020 Ecosport with the latest tech equipped in the same to help students learning through a rather hands-on approach to the teaching.

The TPT college also states that this initiative will no doubt surely be fruitful in giving real exposure in the concerned field. To add to this, in the post that is linked above, they say “We thank our Management and Principal Dr V.Karthikeyan for leading such great initiatives and bringing in a world-class learning environment to the students”

Some key features of the Ford Ecosport 2020 include a factory-fitted cloud-connected device that lets you initiate several operations of the vehicle such remotely starting or stopping the engine, locking or unlocking the doors, etc.

Through the FordPass app on your smartphone. Other features highlights of the new model include cruise control, push start/stop button and a touchscreen infotainment system with inbuilt navigation.

In terms of the engine, the Ecosport 2020 (AT) comes with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol motor. This comes mated to a 6-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and sends power to the front wheels. The engine outputs a maximum power of 122PS and a peak torque of 149Nm. In order to enhance the overall driving experience, the Ford EcoSport also comes with steering-mounted paddle shifters.

What are your thoughts regarding this welcome donation to the college? Are you happy that Ford is looking after a better future? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Renault teases Alpine F1 livery

Renault Teases Fans with Alpine F1 ‘Interim Weather’ Livery, Proper Launch in February 2021 #AlpineF1

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January 14, 2021

Renault has finally revealed the new look of their Formula 1 team after releasing the first images of an Alpine F1 livery ahead of the 2021 rebrand. The design, predominantly black while also featuring a large ‘A’ Alpine emblem as well as a nod to the French flag, is described as a ‘temporary winter livery’ with the full A521 car launch taking place in February.

For those unaware, Renault’s F1 team has been rebranded this year, with the name Alpine, focusing on Renault’s performance division. To add to this, the season will mark the return of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who returns to the world of F1 after a brief retirement, to race for Alpine in 2021, do note however that Cyril Abiteboul will not lead the team, since he recently announced that he leaving Renault.

Alpine’s CEO is Laurent Rossi, but a new team principal has yet to be confirmed. “The livery presented today is the first evocation of the Alpine F1 team’s new identity,” said Antony Villain, Alpine’s design director. Renault has raced in yellow since returning to the F1 grid in 2016, and the black colour of the interim AF21 livery is a tribute to the A500 F1 prototype.

Some other comments from Alpine include: “Some of the structural graphic elements will remain on the racing livery while others will change,” added Villain about the first renders of the Alpine livery. “The ‘oversized’ emblem in a tricolour graphics system is the first clear-cut symbol of the brand’s identity in motorsport. The blue, white and red refer to the colours of the French and British flags, which is very important to us. Numerous variations on all the motorsport assets are still to come.”

In some non-formula, one but Renault related news, the F1 team, Renault Sport Racing and Renault Sport Cars will all come under the ‘Avant-Garde’ Alpine brand. Renault also announced that Alpine will be developing a new electric sports car as part of a new collaboration with British manufacturer Lotus.

What are your thoughts regarding this new Alpine livery? Let us know in the comments below.

Mercedes Holds Press Conference, Reveals Sales Figures Amongst Other Information #Mercedes

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January 14, 2021

German auto major Mercedes Benz on Wednesday during a press conference reported a 43 per cent decline in sales at 7,893 units in India in 2020, impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, which had led to the temporary shutdown of business but maintained its leadership position in the luxury car segment. The company, which had sold 13,786 units in 2019, said its sales in the fourth quarter of 2020 grew 40 per cent over the previous quarter, continuing the strong sales recovery trend as India recovered from the COVID-19.

To add to this, the company has announced a Rs 400 crore investment last year on local manufacturing of products, plans to introduce 15 fresh products, including new models and facelifts of existing models, this year, beginning Q2.

“2020 remained an unprecedented year for the industry, and we are glad to make a strong sales recovery for us and our dealers. We are particularly satisfied with the strong Q4 performance registering a 40 per cent growth over Q3, and continuing the sales momentum from the preceding quarters,” Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and CEO (chief executive officer) Martin Schwenk told reporters in a virtual conference.

Despite facing multiple covid induced issues, Mercedes-Benz pursued its product strategy, having introduced 10 new products that received overwhelming customer response, he said, adding the company also accomplished significant milestones in the form of introducing the first-ever luxury electric vehicle in India, the EQC, and rolling out the GLC 43 Coupe, which is the first ‘Made in India AMG’,

On the outlook for the ongoing year, Martin said, “We remain cautiously optimistic and are confident of continuing the sales momentum gained, despite facing pandemic triggered market upheavals.

” Mercedes-Benz India is cautiously optimistic, and we back it up with 15 new or renewed products and innovations in doing business. 2021 will be a product packed year, which we are confident will translate into excitement for customers and our dealer partners.” Schwenk said the company expects its growth in India to be 40 per cent over the next two years.

In the first quarter of 2020, the company had sold 2,386 units which later fell to 563 units in the second quarter due to the lockdown. It sold 2,058 units in the third quarter and in the fourth quarter clocked 2,886 units, a growth of 40 per cent as compared to the preceding quarter.

“The Q4 sales performance continued the sales recovery witnessed since Q3 2020, buoyed by the availability of new products, strong festive season and an overall positive customer sentiment, influenced by the gradual unlocking of the markets and stabilisation of businesses,” said Mercedes about the same.

What are your thoughts regarding the statements and numbers showcased by Mercedes? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Daniel Ricciardo talks about Renault stint