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MV Agusta Announces Warranty Extension On Motorcycles

The warranty extension will apply to MV Agusta motorcycles with existing warranty on all models covered by the standard 3-year warranty.

View Photos MV Agusta has announced a warranty extension on all bikes by three months Italian motorcycle brand MV Agusta has announced a three months bonus extension of warranty on all its models, and on all its bikes presently covered by warranty. The Italian brand took the decision in view of the worldwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a gesture to MV Agusta owners to make up for the time they were unable to enjoy their bikes because of the lockdown. A statement from MV Agusta says that lockdowns across the globe have been prevented from actually using their bikes, and during this period of time, the warranty coverage has had very little use. Also Read: MV Agusta Prepares To Resume Operations Claudio Quintarelli, head of after sales services MV Agusta Motor S.p.A., commented: "In these particularly difficult times, it is important for MV Agusta to express its attention towards its owners community in some practical and tangible way. With this move, we want to make sure owners don't lose out because of the crisis and are able to fully enjoy their bikes with complete peace of mind once the restrictions are lifted. This warranty extension is of course completely free and applies to all bikes currently covered by our standard 3 years warranty and registered before 30.04.2020." Also Read: MV Agusta Superveloce 800 Serie Oro Production Begins 0 CommentsWith Italy being one of the worst-affected countries in Europe by the coronavirus pandemic, most motorcycle brands closed down operations. Now, with the spread of the highly contagious virus curtailed to some extent, the Italian government has begun to relax the lockdown, with manufacturers like MV Agusta and Ducati beginning to resume operations. MV Agusta has also donated sophisticated testing machinery to support Varese community hospitals in the fight against COVID-19. The Varese-headquartered motorcycle brand is looking to increase its global dealer footprint in the next few years, and also increase its product line-up. For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Czech Car Industry Faces Shaky Relaunch As Skoda Returns To Work

The car industry accounts for a tenth of Czech Republic's economic output, a quarter of exports and 150,000 jobs but looks set to run well below capacity in 2020.

By  Reuters | Updated: 25 minutes ago

View Photos Skoda, part of the VW Group, shuttered its operations in March due to increasing coronavirus cases The Czech Republic's biggest exporter, Skoda Auto, restarted production on Monday but the auto sector faces a shaky relaunch with the coronavirus outbreak hammering demand for cars. The car industry accounts for a tenth of the country's economic output, a quarter of exports and 150,000 jobs but looks set to run well below capacity in 2020. Skoda, part of the Volkswagen Group, shuttered its operations in March as the number of coronavirus cases in Europe began to accelerate but is now restarting as the central European country of 10.7 million loosens some restrictions. On Monday, Czech shops up to 2,500 sqm and places like fitness centres reopened under the government's phased plans. Skoda workers returned wearing masks and were subject to temperature checks, part of 80 new company measures from hand sanitising stations and expanded break areas to extra time for cleaning work stations. Around 90% of Czech automotive firms have shut or limited output since March. Nearly all should resume in the coming weeks, the Automotive Industry Association (AutoSAP) said. A 36% drop in production last month cost carmakers and suppliers 67 billion crowns ($2.68 billion) in revenue, AutoSAP said. Its director, Zdenek Petzl, said almost all April production would be lost before a return to 60% of capacity in May. He estimated sector output would hover at 60-90% of capacity this year. "The beginning of the restart will be pretty shaky," Petzl said. "The biggest fear is... what markets are going to do." Around 4,000 jobs, mostly agency workers, have been lost so far while 42% of firms are considering layoffs, AutoSAP said. Koyo Bearings Czech Republic, part of Japan's JTEKT Corporation, relaunched this month after a two-week outage. Production has run at 10-90% each week since, with 60% of normal capacity planned for this week, company president Petr Novak said. With plans made on a week-to-week basis, the company leaves some of its 500 staff at home under a new state short-term work scheme, similar to the Kurzarbeit system in Germany, and is keen to avoid layoffs. "The expectation is that the restart and return to normal will be very gradual and we will not realise full (production) volumes until maybe 2021," Novak said. A bellwether for an economy set to sink 5.6% according to finance ministry forecasts, Skoda operates the largest of the central European country's three car plants, which produced 1.43 million vehicles in 2019. Skoda will also limit production, the unions' weekly newsletter said. Hyundai Motor Co's factory started running two of three shifts on April 14. TPCA, a joint venture of Toyota Motor Co and Peugeot, is launching on May 4.(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)0 CommentsFor the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Coronavirus Lockdown: What’s An E-Pass And How To Get It

Several individual state websites, as well as police websites, are offering e-passes for the citizens to emergency travel. Here's how you can apply for an e-pass to commute during the COVID pandemic.

View Photos Misusing the e-pass or using after the valid date is a punishable offence As the entire country is facing a lockdown situation due to Coronavirus Pandemic, all the non-essential travels are being barred until the restrictions are lifted. However, the government of India is allowing the citizens to travel too during this pandemic. In order to validate their purpose of travel or emergency, the citizens must obtain an e-pass before taking their cars out. With  the spike in the COVID-19 positive cases across the nation, police, as well as other patrolling bodies, have made an e-pass mandatory to facilitate travel during the lockdown ensuring that no one breaks the curfew and disobeys any such rules. Also Read: Best Racing Games To Play During The Lockdown

All the essential service providers/individuals can apply for e-pass from Maharashtra police department's website.

What is an e-pass?

E-pass is essentially an electronic pass issued online by the state government to facilitate the commute during an emergency or urgent situation. People related to the movement of essential goods and supplies throughout the country will require to get an e-pass. On the other hand, people willing to travel only in case of an emergency should apply for an e-pass which will let them aid their movement during these unprecedented times. And, they will have to display the e-pass wherever asked by the officials. The e-pass consists of important details about the citizen such as name, address, contact number, the validity of the e-pass, purpose of travel and more. The e-pass will be issued to a designated location only for a limited period. The e-pass also mentions the number of passengers that would be accompanying the person. Applying for an e-pass does not mean that it is granted. The local administration authorities will validate all the important details before issuing an e-pass. The citizens can apply for an e-pass through state government's individual website. Also Read: Coronavirus Lockdown: Ashok Leyland Gets Permission To Resume Operations

How To Get An E-Pass?

1. For applying an e-pass, you need to visit the official website of the state or union territory. 2. After selecting the 'apply e-pass' tab, you need to fill up all the important details such as name, address, mobile number, vehicle number, vehicle registration number, government ID, district and town. 3. After filling all these details, you also need to furnish supporting documents for the same. And, now submit the application for an e-pass. 4. You will receive a message from the authority once the e-pass is approved. 5. Carrying the e-pass along with you is mandatory, which can be in a printed form or an e-copy. It should be furnished to the police or any other authority inquiring about the travel. 0 CommentsThe residents of Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan and Telangana can apply for an e-pass through - https://covidpass.egovernments.org/requester-dashboard/register. Several states are also offering e-passes through the state's official website or police department website. The citizens residing in Mumbai can get their e-passes from the website - www.covid19.mhpolice.in. Moreover, the Chennai residents too can apply for an e-pass through Chennai police website. For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Uber Rival Lyft Launches Meal, Grocery Delivery Service In Several U.S. Cities

Ride sharing company Lyft has launched a new on-demand delivery service which will also provide earning opportunities to drivers suffering from a near-total collapse in demand for ride-hailing trips.

By  Reuters | Updated: 19 hours ago

View Photos Lyft also offers drivers an option to transporting passengers with its restaurant food delivery platform Lyft Inc on Wednesday said it has launched a new on-demand delivery service to provide essential goods, including groceries, meals and medical supplies, to people in need during the coronavirus crisis. The U.S. company said the offer will also provide earning opportunities to drivers suffering from a near-total collapse in demand for ride-hailing trips. The company said its drivers could be booked to deliver goods on behalf of government agencies, nonprofit groups, businesses and healthcare organizations. Drivers would be paid in the same way as for ride-hailing trips, based on the distance and time they travel, a Lyft spokeswoman said. But payment for the delivery service comes from a variety of sources, according to the spokeswoman, including from Lyft, the partner organizations themselves and Mastercard Inc, which has partnered with Lyft. Lyft said its initial partners for delivery services included Dole Packaged Foods and a group providing meals to students in need. Lyft's larger rival, Uber Technologies Inc, already offers drivers an alternative to transporting passengers with its restaurant food delivery platform. Lyft said the delivery service would initially be available in Atlanta, Austin, Texas; Dallas; Houston; Indianapolis; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix; San Francisco; San Diego; San Antonio and Seattle, but could expand to more cities if the company finds additional partners. Lyft said some 120,000 drivers from across the United States had signed up for the delivery service since the company advertised the opportunity on March 20. New York City, the largest ride-hailing market in the United States, has hired taxi and app-based drivers to deliver food to those who cannot leave their homes due to health conditions or other concerns during the coronavirus outbreak. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference on Wednesday that the city has hired 11,000 drivers who get paid $15 per hour and receive reimbursements for gas mileage and tolls. The coronavirus crisis has exposed the vulnerable status of independent contract workers that Lyft and other gig economy companies such as Uber, GrubHub Inc, DoorDash Inc and Postmates Inc rely on. Unlike employees, those workers generally do not receive benefits, including health coverage, sick pay, unemployment and minimum pay.(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)0 CommentsFor the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Exclusive: Skoda Karoq Will Be Launched In India Digitally Post COVID-19 Lockdown

Zac Hollis, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India Private Limited has confirmed that the Skoda Karoq SUV will be launched in India digitally once the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted.

View Photos Prices for the Skoda Karoq SUV will be announced once the lockdown lifts The Skoda Karoq SUV has already arrived in India and Skoda Auto India is just waiting for the Coronavirus lockdown to be lifted and for things to get back to normal. Once that happens the cars will be dispatched to all Skoda dealers and the sales will begin. The Skoda Karoq will be launched digitally in India after the COVID-19 lockdown lifts. The bookings for the Skoda Karoq have already begun in India. One can book the SUV for a token amount of ₹ 50,000. Deliveries for the Skoda Karoq SUV will start on May 6, 2020. Also Read: Bookings For Skoda Rapid 1.0 TSI & Skoda Karoq Begin In India

(Skoda Karoq offers superior ride and handling) Zac Hollis, Brand Director, sales, service and marketing, Skoda Auto India confirmed the same while speaking to Siddharth Vinayak Patankar. "As most of the cars have already arrived, we are waiting to be customs cleared. Everything was put on hold, because of the Coronavirus situation and those cars are late, unfortunately. As soon as the lockdown lifts, those cars will be delivered to the dealers and we will have a launch of the cars. We probably won't do a big bang, glitzy launch this time but we will take a digital approach. Because not only do we have to be cognisant to the fact that we don't want to be in big groups together, because of the risk of infection but we also need to be a cost conscious as well in the future environment, so I think we will see much more launches and events being done digitally." Also Read: Skoda Karoq First Drive Review

(Skoda Karoq Sportline also gets a panoramic sunroof and a flat-bottom steering wheel) Under the hood, there is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI petrol motor which will be paired to a seven-speed DSG gearbox. The engine makes 148 bhp at 6,000 rpm while the peak torque output is rated at 250 Nm, coming in from as low as 1,500 rpm. The SUV can clock triple digit speeds in nine seconds while it can reach a top speed of 202 kmph. The Karoq is built on the MQB platform, and it will come to India as a completely built unit (CBU) similar to its upcoming rival, the Volkswagen T-Roc. 0 CommentsIt is a good-looking SUV which is meant to be a replacement for the erstwhile Skoda Yeti that became a cult SUV in India. The design is in-line with all modern days Skoda SUVs, featuring the same familial grille and slim headlamps. The front looks bold and sharp, thanks to the sculpting on the hood and bumper and the profile and rear are almost similar to that of the Kodiaq. The cabin is draped in leather upholstery and we expect it to be loaded with all the standard features like a large touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, virtual cockpit, nine airbags and dual-zone climate control among others. For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Honda Restarts Work In China's Wuhan Plant With Temperature Checks And Masks

The plant, a Honda joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Group was shut in late January when authorities ordered a lockdown in Wuhan in a bid to snuff out the coronavirus, which emerged there late last year.

By  Reuters | Updated: 34 minutes ago

View Photos About 98% of Honda's 12,000 workers are now back and are putting in over-time at the plant Temperature checkpoints and posters telling workers to keep more than a metre apart at Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co's reopened plant in the Chinese city of Wuhan show how the coronavirus has created a new normal on the factory floor. The plant, a Honda joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Group was shut in late January when authorities ordered a lockdown in Wuhan in a bid to snuff out the coronavirus, which emerged there late last year. It reopened on March 11 to resume operations in stages and is now back to pre-virus production levels, Li Shiquan, assistant director of the joint venture's No. 2 final assembly plant, told reporters on Wednesday. Returning workers were asked to report where they had been since the epidemic started and temperature checkpoints were set up, Li said. About 98% of its 12,000 workers were now back and were putting in over-time to make up for lost production, he said.

About 98 per cent of Honda's 12,000 workers in Wuhan are now back and are putting in over-time at the plant The joint venture produced 800,000 cars last year. "We have many customers who are waiting for cars so this week we have arranged for each worker to work 1.5 hours more," he said, adding that a typical shift was eight hours. A sign hanging from the ceiling in the factory said the goal was 1,237 cars that day, 17% higher than the 1,060 it usually produced. Plants at Honda's Guangzhou-based joint venture with GAC are also running extra shifts, GAC's chairman Zeng Qinghong told analysts on its earnings call last week. The central industrial hub of Wuhan started allowing people to leave the city on Wednesday in what is seen as a turning point for China's fight against the coronavirus. RUBBER GLOVES, QR CODES China's factories begun to reopen weeks ago as infection rates in their localities began to drop off. Now other countries such as Italy and United States are trying to curb the spread of the virus by asking workplaces to shut and the public to stay home. Honda has suspended operations in the United States and Canada, its biggest manufacturing hub, until May 1. It has also stopped output at plants in countries ranging from Britain to Thailand, and has announced intermittent stoppages at some of its Japanese plants. The Wuhan plant reopened after the government approved its plan to curb infection risks, Li said. The plant's smoking and rest areas have been shut to stop people from gathering while meetings have to be held on video links. Workers needing a rest from the assembly line are encouraged to sit on red stools spaced out on the factory floor, Li said. Reuters reporters on a visit to the factory saw workers dressed in white overalls, rubber gloves and masks. Posters told them to keep a metre apart at all times, though that was not always adhered to. Pasted on pillars were QR codes, which workers use their mobile phones to scan in order to fill in - once a day - forms asking about any coughing or contacts with unwell people. Li said no coronavirus cases had been found since the plant resumed operations. The plant's more than 500 suppliers in Wuhan had also been allowed to resume operations on March 11, Li said, adding that Dongfeng Honda had provided them with some help but he did not go into details.(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)0 CommentsFor the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Mahindra Starts Testing Its In-House Ventilator

Mahindra has started the testing of its in-house developed respiratory device and the company is yet to finalize an official name for the device. Also, it is awaiting approval for the ventilator.

By  Charanpreet Singh | Updated: 3 hours ago

View Photos Mahindra now has started the testing of its first respiratory device Mahindra joined hands with the Government of India to fight the novel poronavirus pandemic, wherein the company has decided to make ventilators, that will play a crucial role during these unprecedented times. The Mahindra teams from Igatpuri and Mumbai plants decided to come forward by participating for the cause as they prepared the first ventilator prototype within 48 hours. After making the prototype, the company has started the testing of its ventilator and approaches the final stage of completion. Dr Pawan K Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra went ahead to share a video on Twitter appreciating the effort made by the teams to make the in-house affordable respiratory device. Also Read: Fight Against Coronavirus: Mahindra Readies Ventilator Prototype In 48 Hours  Mahindra's in-house effort for affordable respiratory device is near fruition. Video shows a working model. Packaging yet to be done. Testing started. Looking for ideas on what to call it? Will go fo approvals soon ⁦@PMOIndia⁩ ⁦@drharshvardhan⁩ ⁦@MahindraRise⁩ pic.twitter.com/Z2T5fsyDCb — Pawan K Goenka (@GoenkaPk) March 30, 2020 The video shared by Dr Pawan K Goenka shows a working model of a ventilator. He also mentioned in his tweet that the packing of the device is yet to be done. Also, the company is looking for several naming suggestions for the ventilator. He further specified that they are awaiting approval for the affordable respiratory device that Mahindra managed to develop in-house.

Mahindra has commenced the testing of its in-house developed respiratory device  In current circumstances, distancing oneself from the patient is very much necessary. Taking this into consideration, the company has motorised the pressuring operation with all the necessary controls. The key feature of the device is the air pumping rate, which can be controlled by the help of the speed control switch. There is a potentiometer, which controls the rpm of the motor. The speed can be increased or controlled by rotating the knob provided on the machine providing 0 to 30 breathes per minute. Also Read: Coronavirus Threat: Mahindra Begins Assembly Of Face Shields The company has also provided a provision to control the volume of the air being pumped, with the help of two settings on the switch for two different volume levels of air going to the patient. The machine also gets an emergency stop button on the console. There is also an additional handheld device pendant device for the patient, which also gets an emergency stop button. Apart from this, the handheld pendant too gets a 'doctor's call button'. Also Read: Coronavirus Pandemic: Mahindra Assures Customers Of Services During The Lockdown; Extends Warranty Period If in case the device stops due to any reason, the respiratory device will set-off an alarm with the help of an in-built logic, intimating the attendant to attend the patient. In that case, the Ambu bag or bag valve mask (BVM) can be used manually. The company has used all standard official parts for ensuring durability and reliability of the device. 0 CommentsPreviously, the company also revealed that they are also working with two major public sector companies and an existing ventilator manufacturer for assisting them to streamline the design of the respiratory device. For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Coronavirus Lockdown: Best Bollywood Car And Bike Movies To Binge On

Most companies have initiated the 'Work-From-Home' protocol and we thought it would be a good idea to draw up a list of Bollywood movies which have cars and bikes playing a significant role. Let the binge-watch begin!

| Published: 13 hours ago View Photos We list down a few Bollywood movies with cars and bikes which are worth binge watching at home These are trying times! The Coronavirus pandemic has hit us hard and one of the best ways to curb the spread of COVID-19 is to STAY HOME! We cannot emphasise on this part enough! This is not the time to be outdoors. This is when you stay home until and unless you have an emergency. We get it! A self-quarantine is not exactly fun! Plus, one can only do so much work from home! But fear not! If you are an automobile buff and a Bollywood buff, we have drawn up a list of movies which you can binge-watch at home and revisit your love for both automobiles and those typical Bollywood masala potboilers which will make you chuckle and maybe take some of that stress and boredom off.

War

(The movie 'War' promises to be a decent watch and has a solid motorcycle chase sequence as well) In the movie 'War', lead actors Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff are seen facing off each other. And to add to the excitement, two BMW Motorcycles, namely the R nineT Scrambler and the F 750 GS make an appearance in the movie. In one of the sequences, Hrithik is seen tearing the road apart on a beautiful BMW R nineT Scrambler with Tiger Shroff chasing him on a BMW F 750 GS adventure motorcycle. The bike chase sequence is slickly edited and the build-up to this edge-of-the-seat thriller to be further enhanced by the high octane motorcycle chase! Both Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff look ripped and deliver a bucket load of fun. A few years ago, Hrithik had portrayed the role of a spy in 'Bang Bang' and was seen riding a dirt bike and romancing Katrina Kaif on the move! Talk about doing it in style!

Drive

(Well, Drive is not the best option that you have but hey, it doesn't harm to give it a shot) Disclaimer: This movie did not have the best reviews when it was released. It is available on a popular streaming website and features lots of cars in it along with some chase sequences and action scenes. The visual effects are, well, okay, and the modified cars do not look that great either. On the other, the storyline is decent and there are a few twists and turns in the plot. Plus the protagonists of the movie, Sushant Singh and Jacqueline Fernandes dole out a watchable performance. Agreed, it might not be the best movie. But, with almost all of our time spent indoors, it wouldn't hurt to give it a chance!

Dhoom Franchise

(Dhoom has been a very successful movie franchise over the years) Think of high octane action on motorcycles and the first Indian movie that comes to your mind is the 'Dhoom' movie series where a cop is seen chasing bad guys with fast sportbikes over the three movies in the franchise. The first 'Dhoom' movie had the iconic Suzuki Hayabusa and the Suzuki GSX-R600 as the bikes which were ridden by the bad guys. The Suzuki Bandit 1200 was the choice of the cops played by Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra. The second Dhoom movie had Hrithik Roshan playing the villain and was seen riding the GSX-R1000 while Abhishek Bachchan rode the Suzuki GSR-600. The third and the final Dhoom movie had Aamir Khan as the antagonist and was seen riding the muscular BMW K 1300 R while Uday Chopra had the BMW S 1000 RR as his ride. Fast-paced chase sequences, slick editing and a lot of special effects, the Dhoom movie franchise is one of the most iconic automobile-based movies to have come out of Bollywood. Tarzan: The Wonder Car

('Tarzan; The Wonder Car did not have the best story line, but it sure did well at the box office, in 2004) 0 CommentsYep, we had to go there! Sure, the movie wasn't a smashing success but it was DC Design at its best, creating a brand new sportscar for a movie. 'Tarzan' was a car built by the hero at his home garage and somehow it gets supernatural powers which enable it to heal itself, drive itself (yeah, India cracked autonomous driving 15 years ago before it was a thing) and even protect the occupants from crashes and bullets. Not the best storyline but hey, it won't kill you, watching this movie at home. For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Volkswagen T-Roc Launched In India; Priced At Rs. 19.99 Lakh

The Volkswagen T-Roc is priced below the Tiguan AllSpace and till the entry of the Taigun, will remain one of VW's most accessible SUVs in the Indian market.

| Updated: 28 minutes ago Volkswagen India has launched the T-Roc in India and has priced it at ₹ 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom India). This price is of course introductory.. The Volkswagen T-Roc is part of the brand's new product offensive and its second launch this month after the Tiguan AllSpace. The new offering comes to India as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) and is sold in a single, fully-loaded variant. So there will be limited number of units up for grabs. In fact, taking the limited access to this car for Indian customers, Volkswagen India had opened bookings for the T-Roc in February 2020, when it was first showcased ahead of the Auto Expo 2020. Clearly VW India is targeting the young customer base and according to the company it has already received more than 300 bookings for it. Also Read: Exclusive Review Of The T-Roc The Volkswagen T-Roc comes with the 1.5-litre TSI EVO petrol engine tuned to produce 147 bhp and 240 Nm of peak torque. The motor is paired with the 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The SUV can sprint from 0-100 kmph in 8.4 seconds and has a top speed of 205 kmph. Built on the MQB platform, the model promises impressive driving dynamics, while also being efficient with cylinder deactivation technology also being on offer. Also Read: Volkswagen T-Roc Receives 300 Bookings In India

The Volkswagen T-Roc get s a flat bottomed steering wheel and a very sporty looking cabin  The feature list is an exhaustive one and it is filled to the brim with it because there's just one variant on offer. You get LED daytime running lights, projector lens headlamps, a panoramic sunroof, dual-tone alloy wheels, leather upholstery, auto climate control, touchscreen infotainment system, Virtual Cockpit and much more. Visually, the T-Roc carries a very familiar yet sporty design language amidst compact proportions. The car measures 4229 mm in length and has a wheelbase of 2595 mm, which offers good cabin space. Also Read: Volkswagen T-Roc Unveiled At Auto Expo 2020

The Volkswagen T-Roc is the most accessible SUV from Volkswagen in India currently  There will be a host of safety systems in place including six airbags, ABS, ESC, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and more. Volkswagen India plans to offer the T-Roc in six colour options - Curcuma Yellow, Pure White, Ravenna Blue, Energetic Orange, and Indium Grey. Five of the colours will get the dual-tone treatment with a blacked-out roof, while the Deep Black Pearl shade will be a single body-coloured option. 0 CommentsThe Volkswagen T-Roc is priced below the Tiguan AllSpace and till the entry of the Taigun, will remain one of VW's most accessible SUVs in the Indian market. For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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The Apex AP-0 Is An All-Electric Supercar With A Range Of 515 km

The AP-0 gets aerodynamic bodywork, which channels air underneath the car and behind the front wheels, along the body and out below the large rear diffuser.

| Published: 42 minutes ago

View Photos The AP-0 gets aerodynamic bodywork, which channels air underneath the car. Apex, the global sports car brand, has taken the covers off its new all-electric AP-0 sports car. It's the first in-house designed model and features, at its core, an ultra-lightweight carbon fibre tub with modular spaceframes and a centre spine for maximum rigidity. Meanwhile, the carbon fibre body panels wrap tightly around the tub while exposing parts of the central construction. Costing from £150,000 (approximately ₹ 1.36 crore), the AP-0 goes into production in Q4 2022 and will be shipped to customers from its UK manufacturing to customers worldwide.

The flat floor exploits ground effect principles, helping to pin the car to the ground for tremendous cornering ability. The AP-0 gets aerodynamic bodywork, which channels air underneath the car and behind the front wheels, along the body and out below the large rear diffuser. The flat floor exploits ground effect principles, helping to pin the car to the ground for tremendous cornering ability. This is aided by the low centre of gravity provided by the 90kW floor-mounted battery pack. Together, these features enable the AP-0 to achieve a kerb weight of just 1,200kg.

It can clock triple digit speeds in 2.3 seconds. The AP-0 is capable of doing a 0-100kmph sprint in 2.3 seconds before topping out at 306 kmph. The AP-0's powertrain is designed and engineered to be more than simply a high-performance unit with immediate power delivery. Efficiency and a fast charging time are imperative in delivering a luxury, performance electric vehicle for the modern driver. The resultant battery technology at the heart of the vehicle is capable of delivering enough charge to cover up to 515km.

It has a kerb weight of just 1,200kg. 0 CommentsThe AP-0 houses a state-of-the-art, fully electric, lithium-ion battery powertrain. Its 90kWh battery unit weighs 550kg and is able to generate a peak power of 650bhp. With torque available from zero RPM, the vehicle boasts of delivering a maximum torque of 580 Nm For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Bajaj Dominar 250 Launched In India; Priced At Rs. 1.60 Lakh

The baby Dominar is finally here! The Bajaj Pulsar Dominar 250 has been launched in India at a price of Rs. 1.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Dominar 400 has been a successful model for Bajaj in India and with Dominar 250, Bajaj should be looking at yet another successful model.

View Photos The Bajaj Dominar 250 will be sold in just one variant across India The Bajaj Dominar 250 has been launched in India at a price of ₹ 1.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It is the baby Dominar and Bajaj Auto is looking to emulate the same success that it had with the Dominar 400. Bajaj is billing it as a Sport Touring machine, like its elder sibling and is looking to appeal to a larger audience. The Dominar 250 uses an engine based on the KTM 250 Duke. It gets a 248.8 cc single-cylinder engine which makes about 26 bhp at 8,500 rpm and has peak torque output of 23.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The engine of course is BS6 compliant. The engine is paired to a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. The Dominar 250 has a claimed top speed of 132 kmph and has a 0-100 kmph sprint time of 10.5 seconds.

(The Bajaj Dominar 250 uses the same engine as the KTM 250 Duke but is marginally de-tuned) Commenting on the Dominar 250 launch, Sarang Kanade, President - Motorcycles, Bajaj Auto Ltd. said, "The Dominar brand has been able to create a strong following for itself and has become the preferred choice for long distance tourers. Dominar riders have traversed five continents, conquered the Arctic and Antarctica, journeyed thousands of miles and pushed the Dominar 400 bike to its limits. Dominar 250 will be an ideal bike for aspiring riding enthusiasts who wish to get into the world of touring."

(The Bajaj Dominar 250 gets a similar design to the Dominar 400 and definitely looks as sporty) 0 CommentsThe Dominar 250 is built around a beam type perimeter frame and gets 37 mm USDs up front with a travel of 135 mm. At the rear, is an adjustable monoshock with 110 mm travel! There is a 300 mm disc up front and a 230 mm disc at the rear along with a dual-channel ABS. It also gets bungee straps tucked under the seat to help secure gear during long distance rides, a redesigned secondary display on the fuel tank, which shows time, gear position and trip information, and cool-looking inspired tank pad decals. Other features include a full LED headlamp with auto-headlamps on (AHO) feature and a twin-barrel exhaust which adds to the sporty appeal. The Bajaj Dominar 250 will be sold in two colour options which are Canyon Red and Vine Black. There will be just one variant on sale. For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Fiat Chrysler's U.S. Sales Chief Reid Bigland Who Sued Company Steps Down

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' US Sales head Reid Bigland sued the company last year, claiming it withheld 90% of his 2018 compensation because he cooperated with a regulatory probe into its sales practices.

By  Reuters | Updated: 43 minutes ago

View Photos Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' US Sales head Reid Bigland is leaving the company to pursue other interests. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said on Wednesday its U.S. sales chief, Reid Bigland, is leaving the company to pursue other interests. Bigland, who has been with Fiat Chrysler for 22 years, sued the company last year, claiming it withheld 90% of his 2018 compensation because he cooperated with a regulatory probe into its sales practices. Over a five-year period from 2012 to 2016, Fiat Chrysler's U.S. unit used a series of fraudulent moves to falsely report new vehicle sales and tout a "streak" of uninterrupted monthly year-over-year sales growth, when it had actually ended in September 2013. In July 2016, the company revised more than five years of monthly U.S. vehicle sales figures to reflect a new reporting method, amid an investigation by federal authorities including the U.S. Justice Department. Bigland's departure comes amidst Fiat Chrysler's talks with France's Peugeot SA for a $50 billion merger that would create the world's fourth-largest automaker. Fiat Chrysler has plans to meet tighter emissions regulations in Europe with new hybrid gasoline-electric versions of several Jeep models, with plans to shift eventually to more pure-electric models beyond 2025. Bigland will leave the company on April 3, Fiat Chrysler said.(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)0 CommentsFor the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Prince Harry And F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Inaugurate Silverstone Museum

The museum houses cars and bikes from 70 years of racing at Silverstone in central England, with interactive games and replicas for visitors to try.

By  Reuters | Published: 57 minutes ago

View Photos Prince Harry and Formula 1 Champion Lewis Hamilton at the opening ceremony of the museum Prince Harry and Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton opened a new museum on Friday at Britain's Silverstone race circuit, in one of the prince's last public duties before he quits as a working member of the royal family this month. Harry arrived in an electric car driven by six-time world champion Hamilton and was greeted by dignitaries including former world champion driver Damon Hill. The pair also met F1 drivers George Russell and Alex Albon, along with local schoolchildren. Silverstone was an airbase during World War Two and the first British Grand Prix of the modern era was held there in 1948. The museum houses cars and bikes from 70 years of racing at Silverstone in central England, with interactive games and replicas for visitors to try. On Thursday, Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, attended an awards ceremony for wounded service personnel, appearing together for the first time since January's announcement that they would stop their royal duties. Next week, Harry, 35 and Meghan, 38, will carry out what is expected to be their last official appearance alongside other senior royals including the 93-year-old queen, Harry's father and heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, and his brother Prince William at the annual Commonwealth Service at London's Westminster Abbey. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton claimed his sixth Formula 1 world championship title as he finished the United States Grand Prix in second place, behind teammate Valtteri Bottas.(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)0 CommentsFor the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Electric Fiat 500 Unveild Publicly In Milan Despite Coronavirus Scare

Fiat Chrysler defied fears over Italy's coronavirus outbreak to showcase an electric version of its 500 city car on Wednesday, as it strives to catch up with rivals in low-emissions driving while heading into a merger with Peugeot maker PSA. Initially planned for the now-cancelled Geneva Motor Show, the presentation was held at an event in Milan - a rarity as large gatherings have been discouraged by authorities in most of northern Italy, which has seen Europe's worst virus outbreak. With schools, universities and museums closed, and cafes forced to shut early for almost two weeks, the mood in Italy's financial capital is sombre, as it sits just 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the epicentre of the outbreak, where 11 towns are sealed from the outside world. "We're here to show that FCA is close to Milan and to Italy," Olivier Francois, head of the Fiat brand and Fiat Chrysler Automobile's (FCA) Chief Marketing Officer, told a restricted audience of journalists, before a press conference at Milan's design museum, where chairs were placed a metre apart to comply with local authority health requirements. "This car does not look at 2020, but to the next decade," he added.

Olivier Francois, Head of the Fiat Brand and Fiat Chrysler Automobile's (FCA) Chief Marketing Officer with the Electric Fiat 500 After the cancellation of the Geneva show, most companies have turned to virtual events to present their latest models. Italy's government is set to close cinemas and theatres and ban public events across the whole country to try to contain the coronavirus outbreak, according to a draft decree drawn up on Wednesday. The death toll from the virus rose to 79 on Tuesday and total cases in the country topped 2,500. 'CINQUECENTO' The original 500 small car, launched in the late 1950s and known affectionately as the "Cinquecento", quickly become a symbol of Italian urban design. The new electric 500 (BEV), which is part of a plan announced in 2018 to invest 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in Italy up to 2021, is the group's first major step into electric-powered driving. FCA said the selling price for the cabrio launch version would be 37,900 euros in Italy, excluding government environmental incentives, though it added cheaper versions would follow. That compares with a starting price of 16,000 euros for a petrol-engine 500. Competing electric cars include the Mini Cooper SE with a starting price of 33,900 euros in Italy and Peugeot's e-208, starting at 33,600 euros. An early version of the electric 500 has been produced in the United States to comply with local authority rules on zero-emission cars. But in 2014 former CEO Sergio Marchionne asked customers not to buy that car as FCA was losing money on it, and said he hoped to sell the smallest number possible. With a range of 320 kilometres, the new 500 BEV will be a totally different car, six centimetres longer, six centimetres wider and two centimetres taller that the petrol-engine version. It will be produced at FCA's Mirafiori plant in Turin. Sales are expected to start in July, initially in Europe, with FCA hoping to sell 80,000 a year at full capacity. FCA plans to have 12 electrified vehicles in its fleet by 2021. That includes both hybrid and full electric vehicles, new cars and electrified versions of existing ones, and light commercial vehicles. The Italian-American automaker earlier this year started selling hybrid versions of the 500 and of its other small car, the Fiat Panda. Its Jeep brand is also set to start producing hybrid versions of its Renegade and Compass models in the second quarter of this year, while its luxury Maserati brand plans to introduce hybrid and fully electric models this year or next.0 Comments(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Citroen Reveals Ami Electric Car That's Extremely Affordable At Rs. 1500 Per Month

The Citroen Ami - 100% electric car looks extremely cute and classifies as a quadricycle, priced as low as $6000 in France. It can be driven by folks as young as 14-year-olds.

| Published: 52 minutes ago

View Photos The Citroen Ami electric car goes on sale in Europe later this year French automaker Citroen has revealed the Ami - 100% electric car for Europe that costs just about $6000 (around ₹ 4.76 lakh). The Citroen Ami is a small city car and classifies as a "light quadricycle" that means it can be driven by 14-year-olds in France and 16-year-olds across the rest of Europe. The Ami looks cute, can seat two and is just about the right size for congested cities. It is the production version based on the Ami One Concept that was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show last year and will go on sale in France later this year. What also makes it special is that you can drive the Ami at a monthly subscription charge of $22 (about ₹ 1500), or rent one by the minute for as little as 0.26 Euros (around ₹ 20) via Free2Move car-sharing platform.

The Citroen Ami electric looks cute and has compact dimensions. It also comes with a panoramic sunroof Speaking about the Ami, Vincent Cobee, Brand CEO, Citroen, said, "For 100 years, Citroen has always been innovative and creative in democratising freedom of movement. This year, Citroen has come up with a new urban mobility solution accessible to everyone: compact, protective, 100% electric, without driving licence, and affordable. Ami - 100% electric aims to be a real breakthrough in enabling urban mobility, a solution in sync with new modes of consumption. This great idea was a concept one year ago. We are proud that we have made it happen today." The Citroen Ami look extremely cute and its dimensions are puny, to say the least. The model is 2410 mm long, 1390 mm wide, and 1520 mm high. The little electric car rides on the comparatively large 14-inch wheels. The car has a tall stance and the body panels are simple in design to keep costs in check. However, it does get a panoramic sunroof as standard that should bring a sense of space in the cabin while the side windows open by manually tilting upwards, a nod to the Citroen 2 CV.

The interiors offer bare minimum in terms of features, but the driving position is on par with full-sized cars The interior is stripped down and you will have to connect your smartphone to a Bluetooth speaker to meet your acoustic needs. You also get an app to will tracks the charge status, range, and maintenance alerts. It will also tell you where the nearest charging station is located. Citroen says that the Ami offers the same body height and driving position as a full-size car that should make the driver more protected on public roads. The power figures though aren't overwhelming, to say the least. The quadricycle is powered by a 5.5 kWh battery pack and a 6 kW motor that allows for a range of 70 km and a top speed of 45 kmph. The battery pack is similar to an electric two-wheeler and Citroen says the electric car can be fully charged via a standard European 220-volt socket in three hours. 0 Comments For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article

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Formula E: Mahindra Racing & Automobili Pininfarina Further Strengthen Partnership

The partnership between Mahindra Racing and Automobili Pininfarina will extend to simulation and energy use, composites, the powertrain and cooling systems. The firms will also share Mahindra Racing drivers for the development of new vehicles.

| Published: 45 minutes ago

View Photos Mahindra Racing's former driver Nick Heidfeld now works for Pininfarina Mahindra Racing and Automobili Pininfarina have announced that the two companies will be further strengthening their partnership for the development of high-performance electric mobility. Both brands are a part of the Mahindra Group and partnered in 2018 to co-develop technologies for the road and the race track. In a statement, the Mahindra Racing and Pininfarina said that it will be sharing technologies and resources and that includes simulation and energy use, composites, the powertrain and cooling systems. There will be shared resources as well including wind tunnel work, suppliers and personnel. Furthermore, the Mahindra Racing Formula E drivers will also be share by Pininfarina for the development of its new products. Speaking on the partnership, Dilbagh Gill, CEO and Team Principal, Mahindra Racing said, "When we originally started the partnership with Automobili Pininfarina, we looked at us being a technology provider in the sense that we want to transfer the learnings we take from the race track and apply them to the road. We want to leverage the strengths of our organisations; both of us have a pretty strong ecosystem and we want to focus on how to bring these ecosystems together and that's why the partnership is important. For Mahindra & Mahindra, which is the parent company for both of us, it's a case of our two investments coming together to bring something special in terms of excitement, luxury and sustainability to the consumer."

Mahindra Racing secured 28 points in the Mexico ePrix and are now gearing up for the Marrakesh ePrix this weekend Michael Perschke, CEO, Automobili Pininfarina said, "Automobili Pininfarina is on a mission to create electric luxury vehicles the world truly loves, and the role of Mahindra Racing in developing these cars of the future will be an important feature in our anticipated success. Our clients for the Battista pure-electric hypercar have already experienced the pinnacle of EV motorsport through testing Mahindra Racing cars on track. We see many opportunities to develop this relationship on many levels and I am looking forward to Automobili Pininfarina and Mahindra Racing being able to share more details of our exciting and strategic plans in the very near future." Presently, former Mahindra Racing's Formula E driver Nick Heidfeld is currently the development driver at Automobili Pininfarina. With the ties strengthened further, racing drivers Pascal Wehrlein and Jerome d'Ambrosio will also contribute to the development of the electric hyper-cars.

The Pininfarina Battista was revealed in 2019 and can sprint from 0-100 kmph in 2 seconds Automobili Pininfarina revealed its first electric hypercar in 2019 - The Battista - that promises 1900 horses and 2300 Nm of peak torque. The model can sprint from 0-100 kmph in just 2 seconds, which makes it faster than the current Formula 1 car, while 0-300 kmph can be achieved in less than 12 seconds. It's also eco-friendly with a zero-emissions range of 450 km on a single charge. 0 Comments Meanwhile, Mahindra Racing is off to a decent start in the current season of the Formula E Championship. The drivers managed to finish within points in the Mexico e-Prix, and are now gearing up to maintain that momentum in the upcoming Marrakesh e-Prix this week on February 29, 2020. For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarandBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Read the full article