WION Drive

01/03/2024

Now this is a million-dollar supercar you do not get to see every day, especially in this guise! This Mercedes-McLaren SLR HDK, specially prepped by the folks at McLaren Special Operations (MSO) for the is a sure-fire head-turner with immaculate attention to detail!

Over 1,000 hand-painted ‘rivets’, a worn aluminium finish, and the signature ‘shark mouth’ are perfect reminders of a battle-worn P-51 Mustang fighter plane.

📸 -

29/02/2024

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has pulled the covers off the Arcadia, the third Droptail commission for a private (and undisclosed) client in Singapore. Here are its key highlights:

🔸The coachbuilt commission takes its name from the mythical realm of Arcadia, a place depicted in Ancient Greek mythology as ‘Heaven on Earth.’
🔸It features the most complex clock face in Rolls-Royce history. Its assembly alone took five months, preceded by more than two years of development.
🔸All the wood pieces and protective coating required more than 8,000 hours of development.
🔸It's a result of the client and Rolls-Royce working together for about four years!

29/02/2024

Hyundai has opened bookings for the Creta N Line for a token amount of INR 25,000. The engine specifications are under the wraps till March 11 but we now know that the new Creta will run on 18-inch N-spec alloy wheels.

27/02/2024

Breaking 🚨

Skoda Auto India has confirmed its plans to launch a sub-compact SUV in 2025. It will measure under 4 metres in length and go against the likes of the Tata Nexon and Hyundai Venue.

Head over to WION Drive to know more about the upcoming Czech SUV.

25/02/2024

The inaugural season of the saw some edge-of-the-seat action, global motorsport stars riding alongside rising Indian talent, interesting team dynamics and much more.

As the first season concluded, cliched the championship crown.

-Matt Moss won the 450cc international category
-Reid Taylor clinched the 250cc international category
-Thanarat Penjan won the 250cc Indian Asia mix category

21/02/2024

Our review of the Hero Mavrick 440 is live! It's the brand's latest flagship product based on the Harley-Davidson X440. It's also the largest displacement and the most premium Hero motorcycle to date. So, has Hero managed to hit the bulls-eye in the first go? We find out.

Review link in stories.

21/02/2024

"It’s safe to say that Hero has done a better job with the visual appeal of the Mavrick than Harley with the X440...the former looks a lot more pleasing and butch at the same time." - Divyank Kushagra Bansal


Hero MotoCorp

The Mavrick 440 is the largest displacement and the most premium Hero motorcycle to date. So, has Hero managed to hit the bulls-eye with it?

20/02/2024

Cupra has given its all electric Born hatchback a sporty treatment and it has gained ‘VZ’ suffix that in English translates to fast, which it surely is: 0-100kmph in 5.7 seconds.

Head over to WION Drive to know more details.

20/02/2024

Volvo has announced a slew of updates for its models. Here’s a look:

🔸The fully-electric XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models get a new name. They’ve been rebadged to EX40 and EC40, respectively. These models now fit into Volvo’s new nomenclature for its fully electric models like the EX30, EX90, and the EM90. The XC40 name remains for internal combustion-powered variants of the model.

🔸The ‘Recharge’ badging will also be removed from Volvo’s plug-in hybrid models. They will now be denoted simply by the T6 or T8 suffix indicating different levels of power output.

🔸A new Performance software pack has been announced for the EX40 and EC40 Twin Motor variants: It increases the power output by 25kW, includes unique pedal mapping for quicker accelerator response and a ‘Performance’ drive mode to unlock the full 325kW.

🔸A special ‘Black Edition’ announced for the EX40, EC40, and XC40 models: Comes with Onyx Black paint, high-gloss black badging, 20-inch five-spoke alloys in high-gloss black, and the choice between microtech or textile charcoal interiors.

19/02/2024

"The preparation, it’s not just one year before the Dakar, it’s all the years!" - Harith Noah

Straight from the horse's mouth👇

TVS Racing Dakar Rally

We chat with Sherco TVS Rally Factory rider Harith Noah, who created history by becoming the first Indian to win the Rally 2 class in Dakar.

14/02/2024

Skoda has globally unveiled the 2024 Octavia facelift and it looks absolutely rad in the vRS guise.

Changes include a new design for the LED headlights and tail lights, lowered sports suspension and more powerful TSI engine. Its 2.0L four-banger now pits out 265PS of power and 370Nm of torque, which is channelled to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The interior also sees an introduction of the larger 13-inch infotainment system, carbon fibre inlays and Suedia artificial leather all around the cabin.

14/02/2024

Hero Motocorp has launched the new Mavrick 440 motorcycle at INR 2 lakh ex-showroom. Sharing its engine and underpinnings with the Harley Davidson X440, it manages to undercut its stablemate while carrying the highest price tag for any Hero motorcycle to date.

Its prices range from INR 2 lakh and 2.24 lakh ex-showroom. Customers get to choose from 3 variants and 5 colour options. Bookings are open ahead of deliveries, which are slated in April 2024.

Head over to WION Drive to know more!

14/02/2024

Narain Karthikeyan is India's first F1 driver and is known for his presence on the race track. But what about beyond that?

From his favourite track to cherished racing memories, hear it all from the man himself! Plus, discover what drives him beyond motorsports and his exciting plans for the future.

DriveX
36m

13/02/2024

Tata Motors has slashed prices of select EV models by up to ₹1.20 lakh, owing to reduced battery cell prices. The models include the Nexon EV and the Tiago EV. Swipe through to find out the revised starting prices.

Speaking about this price reduction, Vivek Srivatsa, CCO – Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEM), said, “Battery costs constitute a substantial part of the overall cost of an EV. With battery cell prices having softened in the recent past and considering their potential reduction in the foreseeable future, we have chosen to proactively pass on the resulting benefits directly to customers.”

12/02/2024

The Protection returns to India after a hiatus of nearly ten years! We got a chance to attend an exclusive preview of the armoured vehicle. Here are the key highlights:

It's claimed to be the world’s first-ever protection sedan with an all-electric version (the i7 Protection is currently undergoing testing and will be available exclusively in Europe).

At 4,600kg, it weighs 200kg lighter than its predecessor.

The Protection model looks pretty much identical to a standard 7 Series with the M Sport Package – which allows security teams to have decoy cars in VIP motorcades for extra security.

It offers VR9-level protection, as per Germany’s Vereinigung der Prüfstellen für Angriffshemmende Materialien und Konstruktionen (Association of Test Laboratories for Attack-Resistant Materials and Constructions – VPAM, for short) BRV 2009 testing standards.

VR9 protection means the car’s body can protect against 7.62x51 mm Armour Piercing (AP) rounds hit at a speed of 820m/s. The one-inch thick glass even protects against fire from calibre 7.62x54 R ammunition — a threat from the highest civilian resistance class (VPAM 10).

The car is built around the BMW Protection Core – a self-supporting protective cell made from 10mm thick armour steel – combined with protection-spec doors, and roof & underbody armouring.

It gets a self-sealing fuel tank with a special casing that enables it to seal itself after being hit by a bullet to prevent any loss of fuel.

Motorised assistance for opening and closing the doors is standard. All doors can be closed at the touch of a button – important when each door weighs over 200kg! It also gets the emergency exit feature for all doors.

The list of optional safety features includes offerings like a fresh-air supply system, a fire extinguisher with automatic & manual discharge, flashing lights, radio transceivers and flag poles.

Fitted with 20-inch wheels (same design as the standard 7 Series), shod with bespoke 255-740 R 510 Michelin PAX tyres. The special run-flats can be driven at up to 80km/h even in the event of a total loss of pressure for up to 30km.

4.4-litre V8 | xDrive | 523bhp, 750Nm | 210km/h | 0-100km/h in 6.6s

12/02/2024

Aston Martin has pulled the curtains on the 2025 Vantage, which brings a plethora of performance and design enhancements over the outgoing model.

Head over to WION Drive to know more!

07/02/2024

Kinetic Green has launched the all-electric E-Luna in India at an introductory price tag of INR 69,990 ex-showroom. The E-Luna is said to cost under INR 2,500/month for its customers, making it one of the most-affordable electric moped on sale.

07/02/2024

When the new-generation Mini Cooper 3-Door was unveiled last year, it was shown only in its electric E and SE variants. The brand has now revealed the petrol-powered Cooper C and Cooper S variants. Here’s a quick lowdown:

The Cooper S gets a 201bhp/300Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds.

The less potent Cooper C is powered by a 154bhp/230Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine and accelerates the vehicle from 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds.

Both variants will be available in Essential, Classic, Favoured, and JCW trims to expand customisation options. Depending on the trim, the MINI Cooper C and Cooper S will have different body paint finishes and interior trims.

07/02/2024

Porsche has updated the 2024 Taycan with a slew of updates, making it faster and more feature loaded than before.

Take a look at its key highlights:

• 15 kg lighter than before
• Adaptive air suspension now standard
• 35% more range
• DC fast charging of up to 320kW
• 10-80% charge in under 18 minutes
• Updated headlights, tail lights and bumpers
• New user interface across operating screens

Head over to WION Drive to know more!

07/02/2024

BMW has pulled the wraps off the new 5 Series Touring alongside its first-ever all-electric counterpart, the i5 Touring. Here’s a quick lowdown:

🔸Launch in Europe and Japan will begin in May 2024, with other markets to follow in June 2024.

🔸It’s available with petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains.

🔸Compared to its predecessor, the new BMW 5 Series Touring is 97mm longer, 32mm wider, and 17mm higher, and has a 20mm longer wheelbase (claimed to be the longest wheelbase in its class).

🔸Irrespective of the powertrain, all variants of the 5 Series Touring offer 570 litres of boot capacity, expandable up to 1,700 litres.

🔸The all-electric i5 Touring will be available in two variants – the 593bhp/820Nm dual-motor i5 M60 xDrive Touring and the 335bhp/430Nm single-motor i5 eDrive40 Touring.

07/02/2024

The Mini Clubman has gone out of production after 17 years. The last one rolled off the production line at Mini’s Oxford facility in Cowley, UK. In its current form, the Clubman made its debut in 2007, although the original Clubman model’s debut dates back to 1969, when designer Roy Haynes was tasked with combining British Motor Corporation’s (owner of Mini at the time) Austin Seven Countryman and Morris Mini Traveller into one model. One of the most iconic and distinguishing design features of the Clubman was its vertically-split-opening tailgate.

With this, the Mini Oxford plat is now gearing up to produce its indirect electric successor, the Aceman, alongside the updated Cooper line-up.

06/02/2024

Skoda has revealed exterior design sketches and the global debut date of the Octavia facelift. Here’s some additional info released about the car so far:

Headlamps will be second-generation LED Matrix units with a new light signature.

The refreshed series will include Sportline and vRS versions.

06/02/2024

Talk about thinking ‘inside’ the box. Toyota’s come up with a rather interesting idea to make the beds of their pickup trucks more usable when not filled up to capacity. Patent number US 11,858,408 B1 has revealed, in essence, an air mattress stuck to the bottom of a pickup bed cover that inflates and deflates at the flick of a switch. When inflated, it moves downward into the bed and forms a cushion surrounding any loose item, holding it neatly in place. It works via an air compressor installed in the bed between the inner wall and outer sheet metal.

On the flip side, how will this air cushion work against sharp objects?

06/02/2024

New for 2024? Well, not quite. The Haas F1 team revealed a series of digital renders of the VF-24, their race machine for the 2024 F1 season. As it turns out, the VF-24 dons an evolution of last year’s predominantly black livery with accompanying red and white accents. The changes are fairly hard to figure out.

Nonetheless, Haas will head into the new season with crucial personnel changes. The team will be led by new Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, who replaces Guenther Steiner, and a new Technical Director Andrea De Zordo, who replaced Simone Resta. While Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen remain Haas’s full-time drivers, IndyCar racer Pietro Fittipaldi and F2 star Oliver Bearman join the team as reserve drivers.

06/02/2024

Audi has taken the wraps off the new RS6 Avant GT, which takes the super wagon recipe to a new level. Powering the RS6 Avant GT is a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine, which belts out 630PS and 850Nm. The RS6 Avant GT is limited to just 660 units worldwide!

Head over to WION Drive to know more!

06/02/2024

Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber has unveiled its C44 challenger for the upcoming 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The car is not just new on the outside – it features significant changes under the skin too. It will be piloted by Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu for the third successive season. Here are some of the top highlights:

The new fluorescent green and black livery marks the departure of Sauber’s long-time partnership with former Italian title sponsor Alfa Romeo.

One of the most significant tweaks is a move from push-rod to pull-rod suspension. Changes also include revised side pods & engine cover and a new floor.

While the previous Sauber liveries have been one of the most understated ones on the grid, this year, the Stake F1 outfit is likely to be one of the most distinct ones out there!

06/02/2024

This is what the Williams Racing FW46 car will look like in the upcoming 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. It will be driven by Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant. Here are the key highlights:

The ‘striking blue’ livery features a transition from Heritage Navy Blue to ‘New Era Williams’. The red and white pinstripe, inspired by historic cars from the 1985 FW10 driven by Nigel Mansell and Keke Rosberg to the 1997 Championship-winning FW19 piloted by Jacques Villeneuve, has been meticulously integrated.

Williams Racing also announced a new multi-year Principal Partnership with Komatsu. Komatsu enjoyed a successful partnership with Williams in the 1980s and 1990s, which included supplying gearbox components for the title-winning 1996 and 1997 cars.

05/02/2024

Ford has revealed the 2025 Explorer, which brings a plethora of updates to the best-selling family SUV in America.

Take a look at its key highlights:

• Updated 13.2-inch infotainment
• Native app support like Spotify, YouTube
• Updated front fascia with larger grille, slimmer lights
• ST with 405PS V6 engine, sportier interior and rear-wheel-drive

Head over to WION Drive website to know more!

02/02/2024

At the ongoing Bharat Mobility Expo 2024, Ola Electric's much talked-about motorcycle concepts are on display. Though the bikes have been previously shown to the public at events like MotoGP Bharat, this time, potential customers can have a much closer look.

Called the Roadster, Diamondhead, and the Adventure, the first and third are most likely to enter production by the end of this year. The Diamondhead is likely to be a one-off, due to its extremely Sci-Fi-inspired design, even though Ola Electric has filed a name patent for it. Plus, we expect the production-spec bikes to be toned-down a notch in terms of their visuals and ergonomics.

02/02/2024

The upcoming Tata Curvv spotted @ Bharat Mobility Expo 2024. In terms of styling alone, is it a hit or a miss? What do you think?