BMW i8 India launch on February 18, 2015

BMW has announced that it will be launching the i8 in India on February 18. The i8, a hybrid sportscar from the Bavarian carmaker, was first revealed in production form at the Frankfurt motor show 2013. In India, however, BMW showcased the car at the Delhi Auto Expo 2014, and had also confirmed that it will be launching the car here.

The i8 has an almost-extraterrestrial look. Its low slung, coupe-like structure, draped in the silver shade, with blue accents, give it a slick look like no other car around. The heart of the i8 is a petrol engine and an electric motor. Both work individually or in tandem, to give the i8 its sportscar-like drivability.

The petrol engine is a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged unit that makes 228bhp, while the electric motor makes 129bhp. The combined output stands at 357bhp. BMW claims that the i8 can sprint from 0-100 in 4.4 seconds, while managing an electronically-limited top whack of 250kph. What adds to the i8’s performance, is that the car is built primarily out of carbon fibre and even though it has a large battery pack, the i8 weighs just 1,490kg.

This will be the first of the ‘i’ branded cars from BMW, to be launched in India. It will be followed by the smaller i3. The car will be brought in as a CBU, and we don't expect too many units to make their way here. The i8 is a halo car in the German manufacturer’s portfolio, so prices are likely to be on the higher side.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R special edition launched

Kawasaki has introduced a new member for its India sportsbike line up, this time it’s a special edition ZX-10R, celebrating 30 years of providing high-performance motorcycles to the world. The special edition was launched around the globe about nine months ago in 2014.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R 30^th Anniversary Edition comes with an attractive, multi-colour white and green paint scheme. Also, special 30^th anniversary logos make discreet way here, placed alongside each headlight. This special edition does not gain any extra power over the standard version, and is still equipped with a 998cc, four-stroke and liquid-cooled engine. It develops 209.9bhp at 13,000rpm and 11.42kgm of torque at 11,500rpm. The ZX-10R superbike weighs just 201kg and is equipped with ABS brakes.

Kawasaki had launched its first motorcycle to be sold under the now famous ‘Ninja’ brand, called the Kawasaki Ninja GPZ900R. It took Kawasaki six years to develop the GPZ and that resulted in benchmark performance delivered. The motorcycle is equipped with a 908cc, four-stroke, in-line four cylinder engine that even made use of four valves per cylinder and was liquid-cooled.

The GPZ900R was also the first road-legal motorcycle that could achieve 240kph in its stock condition. Kawasaki celebrates the last thirty years of success with its patrons by launching the new anniversary edition.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R 30^th Anniversary Edition costs Rs 15.90 lakh, and the standard Ninja ZX-10R costs Rs 15.70 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune). 

Maruti Ciaz Z+ launched at Rs 9.08 lakh

Ever since the Maruti Ciaz’ launch in October 2014, the mid-size sedan has been acknowledged as a spacious, well-equipped and frugal car, which also boasts decent drivability and the brand’s solid aftersales support. It is available in petrol and diesel guise, and when launched, was available in four trims – V, V+, Z and Z (O).

Maruti has launched the top trim of the Ciaz. The Ciaz Z+ replaces the Ciaz Z (O) trim and comes with a voice-command equipped 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system called SmartPlay that includes navigation and doubles up as a display for the reverse camera.

The Maruti Ciaz ZXi+ is priced at Rs 9.08 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), while the ZDi+ costs Rs 10.37 lakh. For perspective, the Honda City V and VX trims come with a five-inch display for their audio system and cost Rs 9.37 lakh and Rs 10.34 lakh respectively (for petrol), and the diesel V and VX trims cost Rs 10.55 lakh and Rs 11.53 lakh respectively.

 

McLaren 650S Le Mans revealed

A McLaren 650S Le Mans has been revealed by the Special Operations wing of the sportscar manufacturer. As the name suggests, the limited-edition 650S is a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the McLaren F1 GTR’s victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only 50 examples will be made in coupé form with deliveries in international markets, commencing in the middle of the year.

Power comes from the same 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 motor found in the standard McLaren 650S, producing 641bhp and 69.12kgm of torque. This helps the 650S Le Mans achieve the 0-100kph sprint in a claimed 3 seconds, while going on to a top speed of 333kph.

In terms of design, the 650S Le Mans is collaboration between McLaren Special Operations (MSO) and Peter Stevens, the designer of the McLaren F1 supercar. A number of styling cues are taken from the iconic 1995 Le Mans-winning racer, including a roof-mounted air intake. The paint shade used is also reminiscent of the race-winning F1 GTR. The 650S Le Mans gets a carbonfibre front splitter and rear bumper, an MSO-developed rear diffuser and side blades, and lightweight ‘Le Mans Edition’ 19-inch alloys. Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard.

Inside, the 650S Le Mans is furnished with black leather and Alcantara, while the sports seats are wrapped in black with contrasting orange Alcantara. The anniversary edition gains Le Mans logos on the headrests and on the floor mats.

Jaguar XF R-Sport Black revealed

Jaguar has introduced a new XF R-Sport Black to the XF lineup in international markets. The other trim levels have also been given certain upgrades. The revisions come ahead of the overseas launch of an all-new XF, which will be unveiled at the New York motor show in April 2015.

The R-Sport Black comes with 20-inch Black Kalimnos alloys, a 770W Meridian Surround Sound system, full leather upholstery, sports seats with memory function and a choice of five paint shades. The model is powered by Jaguar’s 197bhp 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine.

All models in the XF range will now come with the heated seats and windscreen, front parking sensors and a rear-view camera. Portfolio, Diesel S Portfolio, XFR and XFR-S models get Blind Spot Monitor as standard, and most of these models also get upgraded alloys.

Lamborghini Huracán GT3 unveiled

Lamborghini has taken the wraps off the new Huracán GT3 at their headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy. It is set to compete in the Blancpain Endurance Series later this year.

The Huracán GT3 is built on an aluminium-carbon chassis, and has a composite body with aerodynamic additions like an adjustable rear spoiler, side skirts, adjustable front diffuser, carbonfibre air intakes and a redesigned hood. It also gets ventilated front fenders, a rear diffuser and dual exhaust system. The front and rear subframe has been tweaked, there are high-performance brakes with ABS, and the GT3 car comes with a roll-cage and a roof-hatch that can be opened up at times of emergency.

Even on the inside, it gets a new multifunction steering wheel, racing seats with racing seatbelts and a fire extinguishing system. Overall, the Huracán GT3 has been modified inside and out, with the track in mind.

Power to the rear-wheel drive Huracán GT3 comes from a tweaked version of the standard car’s 602bhp 5.2-litre V10 engine that is connected to a six-speed sequential gearbox with a three-disc racing clutch.

The Lamborghini Huracán GT3 has already been through development tests on racetracks, and will line up in five venues during the European leg of the Blancpain Endurance Series 2015.