Daniel Ricciardo Opens up about Renault F1 Shift and his Success with the Team #McLarenF1

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January 14, 2021

Australian Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo believes Renault has eradicated many of its self-doubts since the Aussie joined the team in 2019. This happened after a successful five-year stint with Red Bull when Ricciardo shocked the world of Formula One by signing a two-year deal with Renault in late 2018.

However, his maiden season with the French team was less than ideal, prompting the driver to look elsewhere, announcing during the coronavirus lockdown he would be joining McLaren in 2021. Ricciardo’s second season with Renault was considerably more rewarding, earning two podiums and finishing fifth overall on the Drivers’ Standings.

The 31-year-old says he sensed more confidence among team members at Enstone during 2020 compared to when he first joined Renault, which is understandable considering the team’s minimal success since returning to F1 with a works operation in 2016. “I saw a lot more confidence in the team, just as far as personnel,” Ricciardo said, as reported by Motorsport.com.

“There was that feeling now that, ‘Yeah, we can do it’, where I felt like I walked into a bit more of a timid environment early on. “It’s not criticism. It’s just the team wasn’t used to it. They hadn’t been successful in quite a few years, so everyone can start to have some self-doubts.” Ricciardo has not won an F1 race since he represented Red Bull in 2018, but still considered his two-year stint at Renault a “success”.

“I guess there’s levels of success,” Ricciardo said. “Real success would be winning a title in the two years, but definitely stepping on the podium a couple of times made it feel like a success. “It’s not like we fluked some good results. I really believe we were there and we persisted. There were so many fourth places, and we finally made it happen.

“But I think the turnaround as well, to see the step from last year to this year, shows that the work that was done last year, the building blocks definitely came to fruition, and we got a lot of use out of that learning from 2019.

“I’m not obviously claiming it all, but the feedback I was giving and trying to help out and everyone was trying to move forward. “So I see it as a success from that point of view.”

What are your thoughts regarding Daniel’s statements on his Renault stint? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Tesla registers office in Banglore.

Tesla Registers New Office in Bengaluru, making it the First Tesla Office in India. #TeslaIndia

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January 13, 2021

American electric automaker Tesla, which has been instrumental in making EVs mainstream in international markets, has made its first move in the Indian market by registering its office in Bengaluru, Karnataka. This comes a few years after rumours and reports of the company making its debut in the Indian auto scene. It seems the company is finally going to launch it’s Model 3 in India this year.

In an RoC (Registration of Company) document accessed by Autocar Professional, Tesla has registered its office in Bengaluru. The company, registered as Tesla Motors India & Energy Pvt Ltd, also named three directors as part of its team in India, with the members being Vaibhav Taneja, Venkatrangam Sreeram and David Jon Feinstein.

The company is registered with a capital of Rs 15 lakh and paid-up capital of Rs 1 lakh. It would be interesting to see if the company would set up its manufacturing base in Karnataka, or will continue to keep up the suspense and be wooed away by some other state since that particular aspect is under wraps.

Welcoming the announcement, the chief minister of Karnataka, BS Yediyurappa tweeted:“Karnataka will lead India’s journey towards Green Mobility. Electric Vehicle Manufacturer Tesla will soon start its operations in India with an R&D unit in Bengaluru. I welcome @elonmusk to India & Karnataka and wish him all the very best. @PMOIndia @nitin_gadkari @Tesla”. The tweet, however, was later deleted

For those unaware, this is Tesla’s first move in India, which comes five years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tesla Motors’ plant in San Jose where he met Elon Musk. Around 10 months later, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways & Shipping, also visited the Telsa manufacturing plant where the EV maker was urged to make India a manufacturing hub.

What are your thoughts regarding Tesla’s entry in the Indian market? Let us know in the comments below.

Tata Announces Altroz iTurbo, Launch on 22nd January #AltroziTurbo

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January 13, 2021

The Tata Altroz iTurbo was revealed on Wednesday in India as the latest addition to the premium hatchback’s range. The bookings for the Altroz iTurbo opens tomorrow for an amount of Rs 11,000, while prices will be announced on January 22, with deliveries to follow thereafter. The much-anticipated model brings with it a new engine and a new variant of the car.

The noteworthy change to the Altroz iTurbo over the standard model is the engine. The powertrain is a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol unit producing 110hp and 140Nm. This is essentially a marginally de-tuned version of the engine offered in the NexonSUV (where it makes 120hp and 170Nm). Tata only offers this engine with a five-speed manual gearbox. However, as has been reported for quite some time, Tata, for the first time, will offer a DCT automatic with the Altroz, in the near future.

In terms of raw speed, Tata claims a 0-100kph time of under 12 seconds for the Altroz iTurbo and, for the economy, the company claims an 18.13kpl efficiency figure. The iTurbo also comes with different drive modes, the modes being City and Sport, with Eco being removed.

Tata today also introduced a new top-spec XZ+ variant to the Altroz’s line-up, which will be offered with all powertrain options. This trim gets an eight-speaker Harman sound system (four speakers, four tweeters), leather seats, an Xpress cool function, a Doodle feature for touchscreen wallpaper customisation, and Tata’s Intelligent Real-time Assistant connected car technology with voice commands amongst other features. These are in addition to features like a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, ambient lighting.

The Altroz iTurbo will be available in three out of six variants – XT, XZ and XZ+. For those wondering, there are no major design changes that have been made to the Altroz iTurbo, Tata has added a new Harbour blue paint shade to the range, which looks quite good.

Tata aims to pit this car against the new i20 from Hyundai and Volkswagen’s Polo TSI. They also state that this should help increase sales by 10%.

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

Also Read: Swift facelift to launch in February 2021

Odysse’s E2Go and E2Go Lite electric scooters Launched in India #Electric

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January 13, 2021

Odysse Electric Vehicles has announced the launch of its new e-scooter, E2Go for the Indian scooter market. The new vehicle will be offered in two variants – E2go (lead-acid) and E2Go Lite (lithium-ion). The E2go and the E2Go Lite have been priced at Rs 52,999 and Rs 63,999, respectively (ex-showroom Ahmedabad).

The scooters will be offered in five colour options – Azure Blue, Scarlet Red, Teal Green, Midnight Black, and Matte Black. When asked about the new products, Nemin Vora, Chief Executive Officer of Odysse Electric Vehicles, said that the E2Go is targeted towards the urban women and young buyers.

In terms of the engine, the E2Go is powered by a 250 Watt, 60V BLDC electric motor. This motor is also waterproof, meaning one does not need to worry when out on a ride during rains. As mentioned above, the e-scooter is available with two battery options – 1.26 kWh lithium-ion battery or 28Ah lead-acid battery. The electric scooter can achieve a top speed of 25kmph with the range is rated at 60km. The charging time is set at 3.5 to 4 hours.

The features include telescopic front forks, dual spring hydraulic rear shock reverse gear function, 3- drive modes, an LED speedometer, anti-theft motor locking, keyless entry, and USB charging. The lithium battery is portable and comes with a warranty of three years. For those unaware, the company has nine dealerships operational across the country. Odysse plans to have 10 new outlets by March 2021 and have a presence in more than 25 cities by the end of this year.

What are your thoughts regarding these two E-scooters? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Hyundai commences exports to Nepal

Claire Williams Opens up About Decision to Sell the Williams F1 Team #WilliamsF1

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January 13, 2021

Claire Williams (GBR) Williams Deputy Team Principal in Williams FW41 at Formula One World Championship, Rd10, British Grand Prix, Preparations, Silverstone, England, Thursday 5 July 2018.

The Italian Grand Prix marked the end of the Williams Team being owned by the Williams family. The race, in Monza, saw Claire Williams lead the team for one final time, as the team had been on the slippery slope in recent years. The COVID-19 was the landslide which led Claire to sell the team to American company Dorilton Capital this year in a deal with the family and the company.

“When corona hit there was the bigger picture to think about, how we were going to go racing again and keep our business afloat during the lockdown,” explained Claire Williams in an interview with the New York Times, “It was like, ‘Right, we’re really scraping about here on what we’ve got.’ Then the decision came that we had to seek investment or sell. We didn’t have a choice. We’d literally done everything.”

“The first was saving the team,” she said. “When I say saving the team, I mean ensuring the people had the security of their job, that the team existed or survived for their benefit. “I also wanted to make sure my dad came out of it with money to show for his work, not that he would have cared. My dad’s never taken a penny out of the team over the years.”

“I wanted to ensure he had something to show for his legacy. That was really important to me as well. I felt that quite keenly considering the position the team had been in for many years. “I didn’t think it was right to keep going so the Williams family stayed in the sport. That would have culminated in the team going into administration and just coming away with nothing.”

Talking about the Company and the decision to sell, They’ve got deep pockets,” said Williams. “I was fed up with the team, and all the people in it, scrabbling around not being able to do their job properly because we didn’t have the money to allow them to do it.

“For many years, I always found that quite deeply frustrating and upsetting. I knew Dorliton were willing to put money into the team to take the team back to the front of the grid. I could sense a real passion for doing that, very similar to our family’s passion.

“They had a huge amount of respect for the heritage and the legacy of Williams, huge respect for what my dad’s achieved, and they didn’t want to rip that up. “They wanted to build around that, and why they wanted to keep the name is important to me. I just felt that they were the right fit for Williams and the people.”

What are your thoughts in regards to the interview by Claire? Are you upset that the leadership has seen a massive overhaul? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Kevin Magnussen opens up about dreams and expectations in F1

Suzuki Swift facelift to be Launched in Feb 2021 #Swift2021

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January 12, 2021

According to a media report, Maruti Suzuki is gearing up to launch the Swift Facelift in India next month, as in February 2021. For those unaware, the latest update to Maruti’s popular mid-size hatchback will come with cosmetic changes to keep it fresh, but the most notable upgrade will be a 90hp petrol engine. Read on to know what to expect from the 2021 Swift.

The updated Swift will get a few design tweaks including a redesigned grille and some other minor changes. Towards the inside, apart from new upholstery, no major changes are expected in the new version. The top variant will come equipped with automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, 15-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment head-unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity feature, to add to the list of the car’s many features.

However, the most important update comes in the form of a new engine. The updated Swift will feature a new engine, with the car getting a new K12N DualJet petrol engine that also powers the Baleno and Dzire.

It replaces the old K12M, 1.2-litre unit. The K12N petrol engine produces 89 BHP and 113 Nm and comes with idle start-stop support, which is quite useful. Transmission options will remain unchanged with a 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT on offer.

Reports suggest that the Swift facelift will be offered in a new shade of orange and a black roof option, which should look pretty good. WhenMaruti updated the Dzire with a new engine and cosmetic tweaks, prices rose by about Rs 6,000- Rs 22,000, depending on the variant.

We Expect a similar hike for the Swift since the current model is priced between Rs 5.19- Rs 8.02 lakh, with dealer sources confirming the price increase for the Swift will be to the tune of Rs 15,000- Rs 20,000. This would mean the new Swift would compete with the likes of the Ford Figo and Tata Altroz.

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

Also Read: Aston Martin DBX announced in India

Kevin Magnussen Opens up about F1 Expectations and Dreams #KevinMagnussen

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January 12, 2021

Kevin Magnussen has revealed that he had expectations to challenge ‘Sir’ Lewis Hamilton for the world championship in his first season in Formula One. For those unaware, Magnussen is currently without a team after leaving Haas at the end of last season. During an interview, the Dane has reflected on his career in the sport and the dreams and expectations he had during his debut season in F1.

Magnussen started with McLaren in 2014 and had immediate success. The reason for this statement is the fact that he finished third in his first-ever race at the Australian Grand Prix, after which he was later promoted to second, making hin the first debutant since Hamilton in 2007 to get a podium finish. As a 22-year-old, Magnussen says he expected to challenge Hamilton for the title after the success he had in Australia.

However, that remains the only time the 28-year-old has finished in the top three, which is not what he expected in his F1 career. “It’s hard to know how things are going to go,” Magnussen told Autosport. “When I started my F1 career in Melbourne 2014, I had pretty high expectations.

“I thought I was going to be fighting for the championship in my first year after that first race. “You can’t ever predict how things are going to go in Formula 1. You’ve just got to do the best, and enjoy it while it lasts.”

But after just one season at Renault, he moved to Haas for the next four seasons, Magnussen says he has lived his dream despite not being able to challenge the top drivers as much as he wanted and hoped for. “I can’t complain, I’m thankful for the opportunity McLaren gave me as a rookie,” he added.

“I can’t really say that I regret anything. I thought I was going to get into Formula 1 with Force India back then. That was almost a done deal, that was my expectation, and what McLaren was telling me, that they would place me in Force India. “At the last minute, it changed, and they put me in McLaren. It was also a very hectic time around my debut, but at the end of the day, I’m happy with how things turned out.

“You can always look back and find things that I would have done differently if I could do it again, and decisions I would have done differently if I could do it again. “But at the end of the day, I got a career in Formula 1. Not many people get to do that. As a young kid dreaming of Formula 1, it’s a pretty difficult dream to realise. “I did that, and I’m thankful for that, and pleased that I got the opportunity.”

What are your thoughts in relation to what Magnussen has to say? Are you upset about what happened? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Aston Martin DBX launched in India.

AlphaTauri Chief Believes RedBull would Fight for a Successful Gasly #PierreGasly

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January 12, 2021

AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost thinks Red Bull would not wish to release Pierre Gasly without a fight if other teams came calling, since Gasly is currently quite successful and to lose him would not be a welcome move for RedBull. Tost believes that if Gasly is to fulfil his potential and become a World Champion, Red Bull will want it to be with them rather than a rival.

This statement is a bit odd, considering RedBull is currently focused on Max Verstappen, believing he is their great hope for the present and future. Gasly, who raced for RedBull for a brief period was replaced by Alex Albon in a short time period. He however re-established his reputation as a rising star last year with a series of strong results for AlphaTauri, paired with an emotional first F1 victory during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

some speculation has linked Gasly with a future move to Renault’s rebranded Alpine team, paddock whispers having suggested a fight or disagreement between the driver and Red Bull bigwig Dr Helmut Marko, who is a major part of the brand. But, Tost has predicted that if the 24-year-old continues his fine form, Red Bull will not want him to go elsewhere while he can deliver victories and even a Championship.

“If a driver is competitive like Pierre then yes, of course, other teams will ask about the contractual details,” Tost told Autosport. “They will want to know eventually when a driver is available. “But he has a Red Bull contract and I don’t think Red Bull will give him free at such an early stage.

“They invested a lot of money to build him up and sooner or later, they want to get his fruits back and good results with him – win races and also Championships. We’ll see.” “He is now an experienced driver and a successful driver as well,” Tost said of Gasly. “Any team always is oriented and concentrated on a successful driver.

“What does this mean? The team listens to the technical feedback of the driver and of course as a result of this, the new design of the car [is influenced]. “Let me say it this way – the designers and engineers, they keep the consideration of all technical feedback from such a good driver that they make next year’s car even better, Tost added. “This car then fits with the driving style of this driver and to make the car simply faster. That’s the normal way.”

What are your thoughts regarding these statements? Do you think, if the situation were to happen, RedBull would let Gasly go? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Hyundai Exports Indian cars to Nepal

Hyundai Commences Exports of Indian Cars, Sends Units to Nepal via Train. #HyundaiIndia

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January 12, 2021

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is the largest exporter of passenger cars in the country and to consolidate its commitment to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, the company announced that the shipping of its new generation i20 premium hatchback to external markets commenced last week. The third-gen Hyundai i20 has already gained prominence in the domestic market, with the car being a bestseller for the brand for a long time.

The i20 name is quite well known and the latest generation was first introduced in the European continent before arriving to other markets including India. The five-seater has been responsible for 5.16 lakh exports till November 2020 since it was first launched in 2007. The first batch of the new Hyundai i20 constitutes 180 cars which are to be exported to South Africa, Chile and Peru.

Today, to add to the company’s efforts in relation to this brave effort, the company shared images and notified reporters of the fact that it’s made in India cars are being exported, for the first time, via train to Nepal. These cars are being shipped via train. The cars will travel from Wallajabad railway terminal near Chennai to Nepal, marking a major landmark for the brand when it comes to exports.

The consignment will take 5-6 days to reach Nepal, which is a bit slow, but considering how the cars are being shipped via rail, we ought not complain and, as we know, good things take time, which is the case here. This deal will generate revenue of Rs. 18.27 lakh for railways, helping both the Make in India campaign and supporting the Indian Railways at the time of a global pandemic.

What are your thoughts in regards to this welcome development? Are you happy that the Make-in-India campaign is reaching higher heights? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Aston Martin DBX launched in India

Aston Martin DBX Introduced in India, Set to be First SUV from the Auto Maker #DBXIndia

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January 12, 2021

The brand new Aston Martin DBX is now available in India, making the car the auto maker’s first SUV to be a part of it’s India portfolio. The pricing for the same is set at Rs 3.82 crores (Ex-Showroom, Delhi)

The first-ever SUV from the brand is now available in India. Bookings for the SuperSport UV have opened following a preview that was recently held in New Delhi. The Aston Martin DBX aims to deliver sports car performance when desired and all-road capability when the challenge gets tougher. This didn’t make thing’s very easy for Aston Martin since, finding a perfect middle point between the two is quite tough, but, after a lot of testing and evaluation, the new model is here and out in the public.

The Aston Martin DBX is quite a large car. It measures over five metres long, two metres wide and a 1.7 metres high. The weight of 2,245 kg isn’t much of a worry, since the engine is more than capable to handle the SUV’s needs. The 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine is made for the Aston Martin DBX by Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach. The output is a whopping 550 hp at 6,000 rpm with a peak 700 Nm of torque available between 1,900 and 4,000 rpm.

As for the transmission, a nine-speed automatic transmission powers a four-wheel-drive system with intelligent drive distribution which ensures maximum traction and control with maximum acceleration whenever one needs it.

A five-seater SUV, the Aston Martin DBX offers plush seating for four people, plus one, with a cargo volume of 632 litres. The interior is modern and well-equipped with, a particular focus on connectivity. A 91-litre fuel tank makes for more than adequate range, meaning range anxiety is not a major issue.

The DBX can be individually configured to multiple versions and is made available by order. The base ex-showroom price is Rs 3.82 crore. That pits the car directly in the way of the 650-hp Lamborghini Urus in terms of pricing.

What are your thoughts related to the new Aston Martin DBX? Let us know in the comments below.