Ducati expects to cross the 50,000 unit mark before the end of the year.

The Monster 1200R, which has been dubbed the most powerful naked bike from Ducati yet, was recently revealed at the Frankfurt motor show. The launch came as a relief as the Streetfighter was discontinued earlier. This, however, is not the only surprise that the manufacturer has for its patrons.

Ducati will be launching nine new models in 2016, including the Monster 1200R. The manufacturer has said that it will be unveiling eight other models at the EICMA 2015, which is to be held in November in Milan.

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding said that two of these models will be segment firsts for the Bologna-based manufacturer, and will let it enter market spaces that they have never been present in before.

The Ducati top brass also said that their main aim is not so much the pursuit of increasing volumes, but rather to keep on surprising customers with awe-inspiring bikes. He is confident that the increase in sales is simply a consequence of just how incredibly well-received the products are.

Ducati registered a positive growth trend in the current year, selling 32,600 motorcycles over the first six months, which is a growth of 22 percent. The company hopes to exceed sales of 50,000 units by the end of the year, which will be a landmark in the company’s history.

Courtesy : Autocar

Porsche surprised many as it showcased its new electric sedan – Mission E. The Porsche Mission E is powered by a 600PS all-electric drive motor with a range of 500km while Porsche Turbo Charging recharges 80 per cent of the battery in just 15 minutes!

One of the biggest hurdles faced by electric cars is range but the Porsche Mission E has a solution for it. The car can travel 500km on a full charge which is impressive but further hikes its appeal is the fact that it can be charged with enough energy for around 400 km more driving range in less than 15 minutes! The reason for this stupendous recharge time is the fact that the Porsche Masson E employs a 800-volt technology for the first time instead of conventional 400volts. This system has been christened as Porsche Turbo Charging and the charging time is the fastest for any electric vehicle. The lithium-ion battery runs the entire length of the car, between the front and rear axles and the car boasts a 50:50 weight distribution. To keep the kerb weight low, the Mission E has been crafted from combination of aluminium, steel and carbon fibre reinforced polymer.

The cabin layout is typical of any Porsche production car but with a touch of modernity in terms of design and materials. The lack of a transmission tunnel means that interior space has risen. Another aspect of the interiors is the lack of physical buttons or knobs as they have been replaced by OLED (organic light-emitting diodes) screens. There is also an eye-tracking system that works with a camera to detect which instrument the driver is viewing. If the driver sits lower, higher or leans to one side, the 3D display of the round instruments reacts and moves with the driver. The Porsche Mission E will hit production in the next few years and given the technology it has on tap, the folks at Tesla Motors should be a worried lot. 

Courtesy : Autocar

The Audi e-tron Quattro concept is the precursor to the all-electric Audi Q6 SUV; manufacturer claims a range of over 480km, output up to 496bhp.

Audi has taken the wraps off of the e-tron Quattro concept. The precursor to the company’s upcoming all-electric Q6 SUV, thee-tron Quattro concept combines the rugged elements of a SUV with the sporty styling of a Coupe.

Stylistically the same as seen in the official design sketches, the e-tron Quattro concept uses Audi’s latest development in battery technology, aerodynamics, lightweight construction and electric drive systems to help provide it with performance to challenge the current crop of fast petrol, diesel and electric Audis.

At the heart of Audi’s newest concept sits a trio of electric motors – one powering the front wheels while two power the rear. Base output for the system is set at 429bhp but can be temporarily boosted to up to 496bhp. Torque output is set at 81.57kgm. Power is distributed to all four-wheels a drive-management system while an electronic torque vectoring system is used to apportion power between the rear wheels to help maintain optimum grip. In addition, the e-tron Quattro concept also gets all-wheel steering with the rear wheels moving by as much as five degrees to shorten the turning diameter.

The e-tron Quattro concept uses a floor mounted 95kWh lithium-ion battery located under the passenger compartment to power the trio of electric motors. As per the manufacturer, the battery allows the e-tron Quattro concept a range of over 480km.

The concept also comes equipped with the option of wireless charging. The e-tron Quattro concept comes equipped with a wireless charging system and a piloted parking function that automatically parks the car over a charging plate embedded in the ground to start charging the batteries. The charging deactivates automatically once the batteries car charged and the whole system can be monitored through a smartphone. In addition, the long roof-line of the concept houses solar panels that assist in charging the battery.

The e-tron Quattro concept also features active aerodynamic elements which extend once the vehicle crosses 80kph. The active elements include a roof mounted spoiler than extends by upto 100mm, an extending rear diffuser to speed-up the air-flow rate and extending side sills which smoothen the flow of air over the rear wheels allowing the SUV to have a drag co-efficient of 0.25, the lowest on an SUV and at 4880mm in length, 1930mm in width and 1540mm in height, the e-tron Quattro is sizeable as well.

Inside, the interior seems to draw heavily from the Audi Prologue concept unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show in 2014 with an all-digital interface and a flat-bottomed multi-function steering. The cabin features a four-seat layout with individual seats front and back and a 615-litre boot.

Courtesy : Autocar

Fiat could equip the Linea with same engine as the Abarth Punto – the 143bhp 1.4-litre T-Jet petrol.

Fiat recently revealed the Abarth Punto along with the 595 Competizione at the BIC.

The 143bhp hot hatchback is scheduled to roll into showrooms during the upcoming festive season. The next model to get the Abarth treatment will be the Avventura, but Fiat is also considering a high-performance Abarth version of the Linea.

The company seems to have taken note of the positive feedback that the Abarth Punto has received, and hence the same 143bhp T-Jet turbo petrol engine could be available in the Linea. It is also likely that the other mechanical changes such as rear disc brakes, stiffened suspension and lowered ride height (20mm) will make it to the sedan, if the car gets cleared for production.

Like seen on the Abarth Punto, the Abarth Linea could get certain upgrades to design.

The Linea has struggled to keep up with its segment rivals, and is now beginning to show its age. But with the sedan getting the Abarth badge, Fiat will not only inject some much-needed excitement into the car, but will also allow it to cater to enthusiasts looking for a powerful-yet-affordable mid-size sedan.

Courtesy : Autocar

Ducati dealers in India have started accepting bookings for the Ducati Multistrada 1200 for an amount of Rs 1 lakh

Ducati India has started accepting bookings for an amount of Rs 1 lakh for the Ducati Multistrada 1200.

The Ducati Multistrada 1200 will be available from November 2015 and is expected to start at around Rs 17 lakh ex-showroom. The bike is not available at dealerships and individual units will be imported based on demand and bookings.

The Ducati Multistrada 1200 is powered by the Ducati Testastretta DVT, equipped with Desmodromic Valve Variable Timing (DVT). The 1198cc L-twin DVT makes 160PS of power at 9,500rpm and almost 136Nm of torque at 7,500rpm. Drive is through a wet, slipper-type clutch.

The Multistrada 1200 comes equipped with cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), four-mode Ride-by-Wire and the latest Ducati Skyhook suspension, which is standard on the Multistrada S version. The Multistrada S also features a new full-LED headlight with corner lighting technology. 

Courtesy : Autocar