The Fiat Punto has been a very recognisable car over the past few decades and spanned across 3 generations globally. It was in production for a total of 25 years before being discontinued in India and some global markets. The popular Punto nameplate hasnβt been completely phased out yet and is still pretty well known. Hence, it makes sense to reuse that stance for a fresh product.
A news media report claims that FCA has started working on a new-generation Fiat Punto. Olivier Francois, executive director of Fiat global confirmed that the new Punto has been delayed a few times, but the hatchback is now under development.
The new Punto project is in a very early stage of development. So, no camouflaged prototypes have been spotted testing.
Render
The next-gen Punto could be based on PSAβs common modular platform (CMP) as the 2 groups – FCA & PSA joined hands last year to develop new products, platforms, etc. The CMP also underpins the new Peugeot 208. Similar to the Peugeot e-208 and the Opel Corsa, the new Punto is based on the CMP, so, it would make sense to speculate an electric offering from the Italian automaker. Something more affordable in their electric car range, priced below the 500e.
With the new Punto, Fiat is planning to re-enter the local B-segment in Europe which has been filled up with successful products like the Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, Volkswagen Polo and the Ford Fiesta.
Unfortunately, the new Punto wonβt be coming to India and Brazil (as per sources). The brand was discontinued in the Indian market while Fiat is still selling its cars in Brazil. So, it makes sense to count out India but chances are that Fiat may return in the future as Mr.Partha Datta, President and Managing Director of FCA India on being asked about Fiat leaving India answers by saying that the brand has not exited the Indian market & they could consider a comeback when the time is right. He also adds that they are currently focusing on the βJeepβ brand as SUVs are in demand at the moment.
Fiat Grande Punto
Grande – Interior
Fiat Punto Evo
Evo – Interior
Credits : Wikipedia Commons
In my opinion, relaunching a car which has been pretty well-known is a great decision by Fiat. The only thing is that the new car has to live up to the expectations of the previous car. The render’s design language doesn’t really shout “I am an Italian car” to me but I think they will get around it and end up creating a pulchritudinous car in the end. Being a Fiat-fanatic and an owner of Fiat cars for more than a decade, I am totally hyped hearing about the Punto. Maybe this will be the next big thing for Fiat. Who knows?
What do you think about the idea of rejuvenating the Punto and do you think the car would live up to its expectations? Let me know in the comments.
The Government made FASTags mandatory from 15th December 2019 and so far, 1.68 crore FASTags have been issued across the country (as of May 2020).Β
The Government is now stressing on people to use FASTags more than ever because of the pandemic, as they minimize the contact between the toll payer and collector. There are many benefits of using the tag – it saves fuel and time as the person doesn’t have to stop at toll plazas, it also increases transparency in the system as variables are reduced, etc. FASTags have absolutely no downsides and are a great way to deal with some of the major problems at Toll Plazas.
Previously, people were made to pay twice the fee applicable if their vehicle didn’t carry a FASTag and entered a dedicated FASTag lane. This was done to encourage people to start using FASTags, switching from the traditional way of paying at toll plazas.Β
However, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notice GSR 298 E, dated 15th May 2020 for an amendment in the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. This alteration added another condition to the double fee payment rule at tolls. Now, if a vehicle without a valid or functional FASTag enters the dedicated lane, the user has to pay double the fee just like someone without a FASTag. This amendment will help deal with violators who were not renewing their FASTags earlier.
The moral of the story is that you must have a valid and active FASTag for your vehicle at all times. What are your thoughts on this amendment and would this be enough to stop the violators? Let me know in the comments.
The pandemic has played demonic tricks on the economy, all the sectors have been hit badly. It’s like the industry just lost 50 percent of its health bar fighting this final level boss. The automotive industry has taken some serious damage and who knows how much time it may take to get it back on the road.
The Formula One team owner and supercar manufacturer β ‘McLaren’ has seen sales and advertising revenue take a hit due to the pandemic. Also, their request for a 150-million-pound loan was recently rejected.
Looking at the situation, McLaren wanted to raise up to 275 million pounds by borrowing money against its Woking headquarters and classic car collection. Cars on show at McLaren’s Surrey HQ include F1 winners from the ’80s, ’90s, and Le Mans competitors. The loans would be repaid as car sales pick up and the F1 season starts running according to schedule.
“Like many other British businesses McLaren has been severely affected by the current pandemic and we are therefore exploring a variety of different funding options to help navigate these short-term business interruptions,” the spokesman said.
The McLaren group consists of three major divisions β the supercar operation, the F1 racing team, and the technology research arm. The groups’ revenues were up by 18% last year.
The group employs a total of 3,700 people, out of which 850 are working for the F1 team. The group was also the first to furlough staff in April. The groups’ aid request to the government was rejected because not enough fund-raising options were inspected by the company.
McLaren’s shareholders include Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund and businessman Mansour Ojjeh.
What do you think? Would McLaren be able to stay afloat with Paul Walsh who recently took over as the chairman? Is mortgaging the cars and headquarters a good idea?
A ton of questions encompass us as we read about McLaren’s condition. Although, it is pretty clear that McLaren would do whatever necessary to stay out of debt.
I am no horologist, but I do now that crafting an excellent luxury watch takes precision, passion, and patience. An imbalance between any of the three fundamentals can have a devastating effect on the craft’s ecosystem. Those were some words of wisdom to enlighten you on how crucial the work of time-keeping is.
The watches I am going to mention are by Bremont, a British watchmaker, manufacturing watches in Henley-on-Thames (England). The brand has come to be known in watchmaking by sticking to their original principles of β ‘Aviation and Military, British Engineering and Adventure’.
Let’s lay our eyes on the two words β ‘British Engineering and Motoring’, if you knew anything about motoring you would’ve guessed it by now β ‘Old Jaguars’ (or should I say Jaaags). Classic Jaguar racecars are a work of art in themselves. These classics gained their respect by performing stupendously at some of the main motoring events in history!
A bit more background on Jaguar
In 1955 Jaguar planned to build 100 D-Types but only 75 were made. Working to fulfil the original ambition, Jaguar classic recently re-started production of the iconic D-type race car, 64 years after the first examples were built! The D-Type was third on Jaguar’s bucket list for completion; they had already crossed out six missing lightweight E-Types (2014-15) and nine XKSSs (2017-18).
The Jaguar D-Type was a threefold Le Mans 24-hour winner between the years 1955 and 1957. Le Mans is considered to be the most crucial race for any car as it must be capable enough to last a complete 24-hours racing down the racetrack. Even a tiny mistake by the driver or the engineers could result in a colossal pay.
Jaguar D-Type
The Jaguar E-type too had its own share of victory. The legend was born in 1963 and was intended to have eighteen siblings. In the end, only twelve E-Types were built. The E-Type too took part in an endurance race β ‘the 12-hours of Sebring’. Two lightweight E-Types led the field in the GT4 class, but it was the number 23, in Old English White, with its bold red and blue stripes, that was to cross the finish line first.
Jaguar E-Type
Victories by them are still celebrated decades later! These iconic cars deserved a timepiece to match, and Bremont took up the opportunity to celebrate this British racing icon by making watches inspired by them. Bremont released the Jaguar D-Type watch last year, extending its collaboration with Jaguar (the first of which dates back to 2014). Now, let’s talk about the watches themselves.
Watch Talk
Who doesn’t like a classy chronograph? Especially when it is inspired by an old Jaguar and has a series of events linked to it. It is like having a souvenir of the events which made history. Bremont has two watches that have been inspired by the characteristics of the two cars to commemorate a piece of motoring history into something you could wear on your wrist!
Jaguar D-Type
This one has to be the more special one of the bunch as Bremont has limited this timepiece to only 300. Why that number? You ask. Well, the original D-Type was classified as a 300 hp car, they took the number from the power figures. The watch is a bi-compax chronograph dashed up with a taste of very specific colours and details which have been inspired by the Jaguar Race Team. The inspiration is evident by looking at the blue dial, brushed nickel sub-dials and a tachymeter dial ring with its chronometer rated movement housed in a 43mm satin-finished three-piece Trip-Tick case.
The true excellence of any watch lies in its internals which completely hypnotizes the person as he decides to flip the watch, provided the watch has a sapphire case back like this one. The case showcases the mechanical BE-50AE movement and a miniaturized D-Type steering wheel rotor.
D-Type Watch
Every little bit has some Easter eggs, including the crown of the watch which has the original Dunlop tire tread etched into it, and the heritage Jaguar logo finished beautifully in enamel. If all that wasn’t enough to get a wow out of you, the watch is set on a blue racing calf-skin strap and Jaguars Director of Design β ‘Mr. Ian Callum’ would individually sign the leather packaging for this exclusive watch!
This Limited Edition perfectly captures the D-Type’s mechanical beauty and subtly nods to the cars’ performance β a true driver’s companion indeed.
MK-II White
The MK-II has to be my personal favourite even though it isn’t as exclusive as the D-Type. The watch has been inspired by the lightweight E-Type and bears a clear resemblance to it. The dial of the watch mirrors the dials of the car, and it’s like a trip back into the past, a trip into the cockpit of the original race car. I fancy the ‘red line’ quadrant styling of the E-Type’s dashboard dials which are mimicked perfectly onto the watch face. Similar to the D-Type watch, you can appreciate the 28-jewels and blued screws by flipping over the watch (I might as well wear it upside-down lol). The Easter eggs for this watch are mostly shared with the D-Type watch, like the Dunlop tire tread and Classic Jaguar etchings, etc.
MK-II (E-Type Watch)
Conclusion
Both chronographs are unique in their way and sublimely transport the wearer back to the golden era of motorsport. I would be linking a few videos by Bremont below to draw a clearer image between the car and the watch. The videos are pretty entertaining, and visual representation is always better.
The best part about the watches is that they have been decently priced for their exclusiveness and craftsmanship. I beget good news for all watch guys; the limited-edition D-Type watch is still up for grabs on Bremond’s website. I would be linking both the watches below if someone would like to pick them up.
I have noticed that we have a lot of common watch-car guys. So, what are your opinions on this piece of art and would you buy one?
A thousand things and questions would have flashed across your mind as you read the title of this article. Then you re-read the title, proceeding ahead into the body for answers. You are curious, inquisitive just like a child who has just been opened to a whole new world where things like sarcasm, puns, and taunts exist. We are not here for the touches of sarcasm or taunts but puns do make me feel like an intellectual. Poor and McLaren are the two words you wouldnβt expect to be used together yet here we are.
Driving through floods is like a gamble, you never know whether you will make it to the other side or not. I would have loved to share an anecdote here but I would like to cut to the chase and just brief the incident that took place with me. I gambled my car, and yes, I regret it. I and her were on a wonderful night drive just before the lockdown set in and I messed up. ‘Her’ here refers to my beautiful Italian stallion β ‘The Fiat Punto Evo’ and not my girlfriend LOL. I drove through a flooded road using Jeremy’s ideology – “SPPPEEDDD & POOOWWEERRR!” and guess what? It went as it always does for him. I crossed the short patch which was flooded and “pooff⦔ smoke came from the engine and she started to struggle. I am no car mechanic but that just didn’t feel right. I was able to start her up after myriads of tries by me and my friend whom I had called to help me. And trust me, you do not want to gamble when you are piloting a supercar!
First, letβs talk about the car and the place where it happened. The car is definitely a McLaren but which one? I am pretty bad at guessing supercars but this looks like a 600LT but Motor1 claims it is a 570S. Though, I am pretty sure itβs a 600LT. Whatever model may it be, it still is a McLaren which costs around $2,50,000. The footage shows a McLaren owner driving through the flooded roads amidst heavy rain in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. The people who recorded the tragedy are discussing stuff in the video but the funny part is when the girl asks “what is it?” and the guy responds by saying that maybe it is a βLamborghiniβ. Damn, arenβt McLarens popular already?
What exactly seems to be happening is that the driver was following the traffic in front of him and till the time he realized that he wasnβt going to make it, it was already too late. The car was going pretty smoothly through the water, humming a pulchritudinous exhaust note, until the intersection (where the water level appears to be higher). Other heavy vehicles seemed to have gone through without breaking a sweat but the McLaren was swept away due to its light carbon-fiber chassis. The car hit the roadside embankment and came to a stop. The driver was left with nothing that he could do and decided to turn on his hazard lights. According to the twitter user who posted this video, the car eventually floated out and was obviously in a pretty bad state but for the driver, he was looking alright.
The lesson here is simple β βDo not take your expensive track car for river crossing!β
The McLaren 600LT is in no way a boat and taking a low ride-height, rear-wheel drive, 592 hp track car out on a flooded road is a thrill which can affect the pocket by quite a margin.
What do you think the owner was thinking while going through the affected area? And have you ever gotten yourself in trouble by driving your car through a flooded road? Let me know in the comments below.
Make sure to check out my Instagram motoring page – @revv_reviews. If you are interested in quick car news snippets Follow my new page @revv_news.
Audi has just revealed the second generation of the Audi A3 and what can I say, it looks striking! It has grown 40mm longer, 20mm wider and 10mm taller compared to the previous generation. Letβs get a bit more in-depth on the subject.
Audi
Design
The very first thing one notices in a new car is the design β both inside-out. The car has gone from being sober to well not-so-sober. It looks like a child who has just hit his prime during puberty, undergoing dramatic changes whilst trying to blend in with his family members. The new A3 has got it just right, blending in with his father (A6) and grand-father (A8) in the Audi family. It has gone from being pushed around by the CLA earlier to bullying the new A-class limousine.
Memes
Upfront, the new A3 has a big hexagonal mouth and some fake air vents on the sides. The top model boasts of matrix LED technology and new DRLs (daytime running lights) consisting of 15 LED segments! The side profile is balanced for a short-saloon car. The cuts and lines running throughout the bodywork make it look sporty yet it manages to retain that Audi subtleness. The design theme – ‘sleekness’ continues to the arse of the car and oh bless me god for Audi not putting fake exhaust tips. Personally, I really like the car’s design language.
Matrix LEDs
Interior
Audi has been a sneaky bugger and copied some stuff off some cars. Copying isnβt necessarily cheating if the end product looks something like this. Itβs like they took inspiration from some cars. Audi said something about the surfacing on the doors being inspired by the Lamborghini Countach, I actually don’t get what they are trying to claim here but okay. Audi has also claimed that they took inspiration from another Lamborghini (Urus) for the interior. This can actually be seen clearly around the AC vents near the steering wheel. Lastly, the gear selector for the AT transmission is just like that of a Porsche 911.
Similar AC vents (near the steering wheel) to the Urus
Lamborghini Urus
Lamborghini Countach
Porsche 911 gear selector
It is an up-market car with upmarket interiors. Quality is expected to be exceptional just like all other Audis. The S-line version is expected to get interior ambient lighting, Alcantara and of course S-line badging. The new interior is leaps ahead of the previous generation.
Previous generation A3 – Interior
Talking Numbers
The car is to be offered with 2 TFSI and 1 TDI engine options. Power outputs for the following engine options are as follows-
1.0L 3-cyl (Petrol) = 110hp
1.5L 4-cyl (Petrol) = 150hp
2.0L (Diesel) = 116hp
2.0L (Diesel) = 150hp
A diesel would only be offered in Europe. The 1.5L petrol also gets a mild-hybrid system but only for the AT option. This would be capable of providing a short boost of 50Nm.
Oh! I almost forgot to tell you that you can get shifty too as the car would offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox (for the petrol). Can’t confirm the MT for the Indian market though. Also, the A3 has a luggage capacity of 425L (if you are interested in that).
Drag
The vehicle’s drag coefficient has also reduced from 0.29cd to 0.25cd (for all you wonder heads, this means that the car has become more slippery through the air). This has been achieved by – the slats in the grille being able to close when the engine doesn’t need cooling (like in the 3-series), special air vents feeding air into the wheel arches to reduce turbulence caused due to the spinning wheels and lastly, Audi has put some flat underfloor cladding to help airflow.
No pricing has been announced officially but you may expect it to be priced around $30,000 for the entry-level car and $43,000 for the top of the line. Prices may go up a bit for the Indian market, thanks to taxes and stuff. The car is expected to hit showrooms in Europe later this year. American and Indian markets would have to wait until 2021 for the car.
Features
Audi has always been known for its clever car tech. The A3 too packs a punch with some cool features like the connected car functionality, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple Car-Play and Android Auto, HUD, a fully digital cockpit, adaptive cruise control, frontal crash prevention, CAR2X (This feature enables your car to analyze the environment around it. E.g. Recognising traffic lights – it can inform you when it is about to go green or red), adaptive dampers, etc.
Simply, the A3 is as modern as anything else rolling on the streets.
I am very well aware of the fact that almost 100 people have already written upon this topic, but I am here to be the best not first. This article would clear virtually all your concerns on the ins-and-outs of the new Swift Sport spotting in India. Happy Reading!
Introduction
“Bbuuzzzzβ¦bbbbzzz..bzz⦔ β what’s that you ask? That’s how the news of the Swift Sports sighting in India has buzzed around. The Hyundai i30 too has been spotted (but as a test car) and has generated some hype, but the Swift Sport has just stirred up the community like a whisk whisking an egg after it has been cracked open into a bowl. (I really need to start using better similes for describing stuff lol)
Hyundai i30 spotted
We all have loved Maruti for something or the other. Maybe your first car was a Maruti, or you just loved their old N/A (naturally aspirated) engines, whatever may the reason be, we can all agree for a fact that now Maruti is not the cool car guy in the market. There was a time when we had real gems by MS (Maruti Suzuki) going around revving their nuts out on the streets. Gone are those days, but what if they are coming back with a punch.
(I had previously written an article on Maruti Suzuki’s untold story, you can check it out later by clicking here)
‘Punch’ β What comes to your mind when you hear the word? A boxer? or a teenager who has just fought with his mate? Definitely, a teenager comes to mindβan angry, youthful creature with all the power and agility. The Swift Sport is no different. Just don’t expect it to go “burppp..ppp.buur..ppp” like some JDMs.Β
The current Swift Sport (Europe version) packs in a Fiat-sourced 1.4L turbo-petrol motor (K14D) producing a combined 140PS of power and 230Nm of torque, mated to a 6-Speed stick shift (MT). The 1.4L Booster Jet motor delivers 129PS of power, while the 48V electric motor delivers 13.6PS and 53Nm. Yes, it is a hybrid, and we are expecting good fuel efficiency under normal driving conditions.
All this translates to a 0-100 kmph time of just 8.1 seconds (claimed) and a top speed of 210 km/h (claimed)!
Swift Sport
Speculations
In my opinion and a few others, the car that was spotted wasn’t a test car. Either it was a personal import or a car to be used for development or some internal work. It is highly unlikely that it is a personal import; hence, it is safe to rule out that speculation.
Even if Maruti decides to bring the hot hatch to Indian shores, it has to go through a few hurdles.
Firstly, the mentality of a general buyer isn’t towards performance but pleasure. This was seen as Maruti tried to experiment with the Pseudo-Hot Hatch, the Baleno RS, which has now been discontinued because of the BS6 norms and sales figures. The Baleno RS was neither a mass-market consumer car nor a proper hot-hatch. It produced a mere 100hp from its 1.0L 3-cylinder Booster Jet. That is not even Luke-warm for the segment it was competing in. This incident would surely play a role in determining the Swift Sport’s future announcement in India. This could turn out two ways, either they completely ignore the hot-hatch segment or learn from their mistakes by bringing the Swift Sport to India with all the beans we wanted in the first place.
Secondly, the price factor plays a huge role along with people’s mentality for selling a product. A good product with a bad price tag (like the VW GTI) isn’t generally considered as a consumer magnet. Even though, the VW GTI turns many heads but actually buying one from your own pocket is a no-no situation. On the other hand, a good product with a good price tag sells like hotcakes! The Swift Sport in that matter costs a whooping Β£18,000 (acc. to Carwow) i.e. βΉ17,27,000! And that’s the price w/o including import duties and other miscellaneous costs. It is seriously a not-so-great deal if we consider that the Abarth Punto was available at around βΉ10,00,000.
And now to my final point, the Swift Sport uses a Fiat-sourced engine which is the same as that in the Abarth Punto i.e. the 1.4L T-Jet (The T-Jet produces a bit more power in the Abarth though). This engine hasn’t been upgraded to comply with the BS6 norms and has been discontinued. Bringing the Swift Sport would result in reviving the engine but at a cost. Is MS ready to put in those extra bucks and efforts?
VW GTI
Saw this question at some forum. What mentality is this?
Abarth Punto
Baleno RS
VW GTI interior
Is there any hope at all?
It’s not all cloudy as a few things are going for MS, which might encourage them to launch the Swift Sport in India.
With the exit of the Baleno RS the company no longer has a hot-hatch to purr in its portfolio. This empty position might pave the way for the Swift Sport. Also, almost all the manufacturers have dished their performance cars due to sales figures and BS6 norms. This means that there isn’t going to be a fierce rivalry in the segment if the spicy new Swift is launched at the moment!
Adding to this, the government has allowed OEMs to import 2,500 units a month without homologation.
In 2018, a similar form of hype was generated by rumours surrounding the launch of the Swift Sport and the Jimny in India. The idea was soon trashed as Maruti confirmed that they had no plans to launch either of the two vehicles because there wasn’t enough demand in the market for them.
Jump to the 2020 Auto Expo, and we are surprised to find the Jimny at the show. Maruti Suzuki wanted to analyze the market and see the publics’ reaction to the quirky little off-roader. The Jimny sure did bring many wandering eyes to automakers’ pavilion. Hence, we are going to receive a 5-door Suzuki Jimny by 2021 instead of the 3-door Jimny Sierra which was on display. Well, somethings better than nothing at least.
My guess is that just like the Jimny has been re-thought for the Indian market; similarly, the Swift Sport could also be considered shortly.
5-door version
Jimny at the Auto Expo 2020
Conclusion/Solutions
If MS actually considers launching the car then, it must be launched either along or around the time of the Jimny’s launch in 2021 because 2022 would just be too late for the Swift Sport.
The Suzuki Swift Sport costs βΉ17 lakhs already and bringing it in as a CBU would only increase the price. What MS could do is use the Swift we get here as standard instead of using the Euro-Spec car. The Euro-spec car costs a lot more than the standard one because it has some very up-market features like collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, weaving alert, high beam assist, and adaptive cruise control. All this would be considered a gimmick for such a small car at this price and would most probably be removed to keep the cost around βΉ10 lakhs.
If MS is able to pull this off, then, it would be safe to say that the legend has returned!
Do note; all this is pure speculations as we have absolutely no clue whether MS is actually planning something like this or not. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. #make_maruti_great_again
Meme
These were my speculations on the Swift Sport. What do you think about the car and do you think MS would actually consider its launch? Why or Why not? Let me know in the comments.
Maruti Suzuki, a car brand that is known to many. You would hardly find someone not knowing about Maruti in India. Car-owner or not, it is a brand well-known to all. A brand as widespread as the black death in Europe during the 1300s. I get it, maybe it was not the best way to describe the popularity of the brand in India (let’s not get bogged down by the fact, instead let’s head straight into it).
I had written a short rant on Maruti’s fake marketing tactics to sell cars in the name of performance. You can check it out by clicking here.
History Lesson
We must know about the past before making any comments on the present.
Maruti Udyog Limited was founded by the Government of India in 1981. It merged with Suzuki, a Japanese automobile company in October 1982. This merger lead to the formation of the Maruti Suzuki brand we now know today.
(I would not bore you with any more history about the affiliation. If it really interests you, then you can read more about it on Google later on)
Creating a market
If you are someone from the 80s and 90s, you would remember owning a Maruti car in which you and your family would go out on jolly drives. If you didn’t own one at the time, you surely did dream to have one. Many old Maruti car models made it to the 2000s receiving updates from time to time; some even got close to the 2020s mark!
Many of the cars sold by Maruti during the period were a hit; these cars have now come to be known as ‘Blasts from the past’. The Maruti 800 was a success; it was the first love for many growing up in those times. Maruti soon brought new models for the growing market, the Maruti 1000 was introduced in 1989 and was India’s first contemporary sedan! In 1993, the Zen was introduced, and in 1994 the 1.3L Esteem was showcased. Maruti produced its one-millionth vehicle in 1994, almost ten years since they started their venture in India. Things were looking good for Maruti Suzuki as if they were destined to succeed.
Wikipedia
In 1998, the Maruti 800 received its first change in design since its launch. Zen D, a 1527 cc diesel hatchback, and Maruti’s first diesel vehicle, and a redesigned Omni were also introduced. In 1999, the 1.6 litre Maruti Baleno three-box saloon and Wagon R were added to the automakers’ portfolio.
Many more cars like the legendary Gypsy, Grand Vitara were introduced in the Indian market in this period (1980s-2000s).
Baleno
Zen
1000
Gypsy
Grand Vitara
Esteem
Marketing and Services
After setting a sure foot into the Indian market with new releases, Maruti set to doing what it does the best today. The company worked on its marketing and services. In 2000, Maruti became the first car company in India to launch a call centre for customer services. Then in 2001, Maruti True Value (selling and buying used cars) was launched. In 2002 Maruti Suzuki launched Maruti Insurance to provide vehicle insurance to its customers with the help of some insurance companies. To promote its bottom-line growth, Maruti Suzuki also launched Maruti Finance in January 2002. Maruti Accessories and Maruti Driving school too were set up in the years to come.
All this contributed to a market share of more than 45% (as per July 2014)! Maruti Suzuki had 3598 sales outlets and 3,792 service stations across 1,861 cities in India (Data before 2020).
Now, with the BS6 emission norms, Maruti has decided to phase out the production of its diesel cars which accounted for almost 23% of its sales. Chairman R.C. Bhargava stated, “We have taken this decision so that in 2022 we can meet the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency norms and a higher share of CNG vehicles will help us comply with the norms. I hope the union government’s policies will help grow the market for CNG vehicles.”
The Present and the Argument
That was the past when Maruti cars were highly appreciated; it is safe to say that our mentality towards the brand has changed over time. The Indian automotive industry is very dynamic and keeps on changing from time to time. Hindustan Motors, Chevrolet, Fiat, etc. failed to understand this market and faced consequences which we are quite aware of. The thing we must realize is that Maruti has survived all these years whilst staying on top of the hierarchy (in terms of sales). Maruti comprised 53% of the Indian passenger car market as of July 2018! Things seem to be getting competitive for brands like Hyundai, Toyota, etc. with the entry of new brands such as Kia, MG, Haval, etc. into the market while Maruti seems to sail smoothly through this.
Why is Maruti successful? (Target Market)
You may say Maruti is crap, makes bad quality cars, etc. That is true, but the statistics showcase a different scenario. Not everyone in India is a petrol head with an itchy right foot; not everyone has the money to afford the upkeep of cars from brands like Ε koda and VW. Maruti hasn’t ignored its premium consumer base and launched Nexa in 2015. With the Nexa brand, Maruti Suzuki sought out to address its premium consumer base, which resented buying Maruti cars earlier due to obvious showroom and car-related issues. Nexa was a success; Maruti was able to capture a new market.
Team BHP
The Baleno RS has been mocked upon by many, even by me as I wrote a rant on it earlier.
But the thing is Maruti tried to ignite a flare for all the car enthusiasts in the Indian market (those who wanted high resale and service). The Baleno RS wasn’t a bad car; it tried its best to draw the attention of the general public towards hot-hatches in India. It was a disaster in its segment though and was mocked for being a Pseudo-hot hatch when compared to its competition like the Figo S, JTP, the German Polo GT, and the beasty 145hp Abarth.
The S-Presso or the Ass-Presso as some of you like to call it, isn’t a bad car at all. It is meant to target a market for those entry-level car buyers. It is for someone who wants to buy a cheap, easy to maintain 4-wheeler. The Kwid might look fancier in this segment, but the S-Presso is just more practical. Practicality, affordability, resale is something the people buying entry-level cars look out for, and the S-Presso manages to check all the boxes just right.
Conclusion
Being a car journalist, you cannot have a biased opinion for a particular car or a car brand. No car is bad; it is just targeting a market you are not interested in. In my opinion, Maruti does deserve its success. I can already see comments coming up cussing at me for saying something like this, but yes, it is true. As much you may hate Maruti, always remember that you might not even know what a luxurious car felt or looked like if Maruti had not started back in the 1980s. They basically changed the game by announcing policies and schemes which made other brands follow up. They propelled the Indian Automotive Industry forward! They made it happen!
You should consider yourself to be fortunate enough to joke on Maruti because if you think about the people who are earning just Rs.50,000 a month and wish to own a car, they have no other go-to brand but Maruti. Even statistics show that most of Maruti’s consumer base comprises of first-time owners.
One cannot look at only one side of the story and completely ignore the other. Hence, I sat down to pen this article. Maruti might be known as “Maru-tin” right now, but times are changing, they are improving their quality standards. Maruti has embraced change as “Change is the only constant” and for this Maruti is an absolute prodigy in its game. The company has my hate as a car enthusiast and my RESPECT as a journalist and an Indian.
(Their flaws do lead to pretty great memes though, and you would be lying if you said that you didn’t enjoy automotive memes on them).
The world – “Oooh the Coronavirus is a pandemic! What should we do! How can I contribute?”
Car manufacturers – “Observe. We spread awareness in the coolest way possible!”
Here I have compiled a list of some of the best awareness videos by car manufacturers. I have given a link for most videos but failed to find the link for a few. Do not worry though as I have uploaded them to the article itself. So, sit back, stretch your legs, relax and enjoy quarantine!
Starting off with the German Giants (no specific order related to numbering)
Before you ask, yes BMW has changed its legendary logo. It’s part-transparent now instead of being a solid black ring. This video is calming, the background audio, everything is so well composed and balanced like many of their cars too. The best part according to me was – “Today we drive forward without driving at all”.
This one has to be the classiest of the bunch. Well, Mercedes is a brand of class and their video depicts no different. The wordings appear “Another Mercedes that stands for safety” and then a smooth underline on ‘stands’, this really clears out the message easily. A neighbourhood dog bark and subtle static as the background just fits in the situation. In the end all the thank you messages come. It is safe to say that *No brain-cells were harmed in the understanding of this video.
A short crisp video. Delivered fantastically. A clear message to socially distance while staying together. Great use of the 4-ringed logo to be honest. An underdog in the video too just like in real life, (Audi) does everything basic and cleanly while people prefer more shouty stuff.
4) Volkswagen-
Just like the Audis, simple and basic. A pretty long and wordy video though. The upbeat background music sets the beat just right. No non-sense video.
Now onto the Italian guy in the bunch
5) Fiat (FCA)-
Not English but I get the emotion and speech (thanks to subtitles). Knowing what Italy is going through right now makes me super sad and their representation on the matter is just amazing, considering it is under a minute! A feeling of pride and hope has been lit up by this video. The hashtag at the end is great “#NOICISIAMO” which means “All of us. Together”. This video gives me the goosebumps.
It’s a Jaaaaggg! A short and simple one. Nothing else to say on it lol.
That was my list on some of the best videos by car manufacturers to spread awareness. Which one did you like the most? And did I forget to add a video by some company that you think was equally good? Let me know in the comments below.
Let me summarise this article for you β βFLABBERGASTING MACHINEβ. A true spectacle to behold. Now thatβs that, moving on with the article.
With the Geneva motor show being canceled so did the launch of many new cars (canceled because of COVID-19). Alfa then decided to go for plan-B and launched the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and GTAm online. Sorry to start this article off with some bad news but the rumored circa-600bhp version of the Giulia Quadrifoglio hasnβt been made. It is not all dark though as we see the new Giulia GTA and GTAm return as poster boys bringing back the GTA badge which standsΒ forΒ Gran Turismo Alleggerita or “Grand Touring Lightened” in English. Also, Alfa celebrated its 110thΒ birthday! (whoa thatβs old)
Are you not a mainstream car kinda guy? Do you want a track toy? And most importantly do you have what it takes to maintain the character (of breaking down) of an Alfa? Finally, we have a car for you my friend. A car which will give you all the problems your wife would too but the thing is you will still love it as if it were new each day.
Letβs talk styling and I will use just one word to describe it β βItalianβ. The Giulia in all eyes and angles is a beauty. Complete car p**n if I should say so.
Fuel consumption? Ahh! Who cares? If you do please click away right now lol.
What has changed?
The car has lost some weight not because it has been on a diet but due to the extensive use of carbon fiber. The Giulia GTA has carbon components for the hood, roof, front bumper, and fenders which helps it shed 221 pounds (100 kilograms) off in comparison to the existing Quadrifoglio. All this brings the curb weight to around 1,520 kg. If you’re looking for more (oh sorry I meant less), the company also has the GTAm with just two seats, six-point harnesses, and a roll bar, while remaining fully street legal. Hence, saving even more weight.
Alfa has also improved the GTA’s handling by widening the front and rear track by 50 millimeters. Broader fenders cover the additional width. New springs, shocks, and bushings update the suspension and add to an already sharp car.
On the exterior, the car features an active front splitter that comes from the brand’s relationship with Sauber Engineering. At the back, there is a large diffuser and a big wang *cough cough Civic owners. The combustion gases leave the vehicle through an AkrapoviΔ titanium exhaust with a pair of circular outlets at the center of the revised rear bumper. The hood has also been raised slightly. The sedan rides on 20-inch wheels which bear resemblance to a clover. The GTAm gets a few special pieces (on the exterior) like a sizable front splitter and a carbon fiber rear wing.
The interior layout is the same as that of the Giulia but there is quite an addition over the regular to make you feel even more special driving around in a super sedan. Alfa has covered the GTA’s cabin in Alcantara, including the dashboard, door panels, pillars, and center of the seats. The GTAm takes things to the next level by using carbon fiber seats and covering the empty space in the back with Alcantara. It also has Lexan polycarbonate windows replacing the side and rear glass to reduce weight even further!Β
What about the heart and soul? (Engine and Performance)
The car is powered by an updated version of the Ferrari-derived 2.9 liter 90-degree twin-turbo V6 that now produces 533 horsepower! Thatβs a 28 hp gain over the Quadrifoglio which has 505 hp. That does not seem like a lot of gain but it is enough considering the fact that the car is 100 kilograms lighter than before. Both the cars will do a 0-100 kmph (0-62 mph) sprint in just 3.6 seconds! The car was already agile to begin with and this performance boost is all it needed for the extra icing on the top of the cake. BMW fanboys where ya at?
Bookings and other information
Alfa Romeo has already started advanced bookings and will close them as soon as the 500th unit has been reserved. Yes, you heard me correct – Only 500 of these will be made β It won’t be long until the bookings close because the car seems to generate quite a lot of hype in the market. The first 500 people to place an order for the GTA or the GTAm will get a personalized experience package kit which will include a Bell helmet in a GTA livery, a full racing outfit from Alpinestars (gloves, shoes and race suit) and a personalized Goodwool car cover to keep your special Alfa away and safe from prying eyes when you are not there to protect it. The owners will get to use this gear at a course devised by the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy.
Bell Helmet with GTA livery
Alfa is yet to reveal a price for the new GTA and GTAm. Although, we can expect it to be BMW M3 CS levels and not as whacky as the Jaguar XE Project-8. This info about the GTA and GTAm only applies to the European market, currently. It’s not clear whether the company intends to offer these models elsewhere.
You can also check out their teaser video here-
Do you think that Alfa is all set to get back into the game? Also are you interested to book one? And how do you think it compares to the competition? Let me know in the comments.
Mercedes is AMG but Alfa is OMG. Get the joke. eh? (sorry I had to include it π)
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