The automaker got Ranbir Singh onboard as its new brand ambassador for Renault Kwid

Renault has roped in Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor to promote its cars in India. The carmaker had unveiled its small entry-level car, the Renault Kwid, earlier last month. Renault’s move of bringing in Ranbir Singh onboard emphasises the fact that the company is leaving no stone unturned to appeal to the masses.

Renault is celebrating its fourth anniversary in India this July. The company states that its association with Ranbir Kapoor will leverage the versatility and legacy of the brand.

Ranbir Kapoor was earlier the brand ambassador for Nissan Micra. However, the dull sales of Micra only made sense that the popularity of the actor could be basked in to promote the vehicles from Renault’s stable. Renault is in a strategic alliance with Nissan and hence Ranbir’s transition on the former’s platform could have been smoothly possible.

The new Renault Kwid shares its platform with Datsun Redigo which is being developed with alliance partner Nissan. It is the first car from the alliance on the CMF-A platform and will have close to 98 percent localisation level. It will be powered by an 800cc petrol engine that Renault says will return best in class fuel economy. The engine is an all new 3-cylinder 4-valve unit mated to a newly developed 5-speed manual gearbox specifically for the Kwid and its derivatives. The fuel efficiency claims could well be true as the car weighs just 678kg, lighter than the Alto and Eon.

Reports also suggest that a few months into the launch, the Kwid will also be introduced with a larger 1.0-litre engine. To keeps things fresh over time, an AMT transmission Kwid might also be on cards but will only be launched in the first half of 2016.

Renault will bring in the Kwid at an introductory price of around Rs 3-4 lakh. When it gets launched, it will take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Alto and the Hyundai Eon.

Courtesy : Zigwheels.

JK Tyre launches Ranger series multi-terrain tyres for the local as well as export markets

With the aim of making it presence in the popular Sport Utility Vehicle segment, JK Tyre recently launched its Range Series of UV tyres in Panaji, Goa. These tyres have been purpose built for extreme conditions and to suit the needs of an SUV.

The Ranger tyres will be made available in two variants – AT and HT. Both these variants have been built keeping in mind their specialised applications. The AT tyres, as the name abbreviates is for All-Terrain application while the HT range has been designed for tarmac application. Both these tyres sport superior dual tread compound that is claimed to give maximum grip and control. The Ranger series tyres have been launched in 10 sizes and will therefore suit quite a few SUVs on sale in India including the Audi Q series, the Land Rover Freelander, Toyota Fortuner, Nissan X-trail, Mitsubishi Pajero, Renault Duster, Ford EcoSport and more.

Sharing his views on the launch, Mr. Vivek Kamra, President – India Operations, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd said, “Aspiring to augment our presence in each and every product segment, Ranger Series is yet another marvel from our state of the art R&D facilities. Being a customer centric company, this product reiterates our commitment to identify new and emerging customer needs and proactively introduce technologically advanced products to keep pace with changing market scenario.”

Before finally offering the JK Tyre Ranger to its customers, these tyres have been rigorously tested by in-house professional race drivers. JK Tyre claims that the Ranger AT series comes to a standstill from 100kmph within 4 seconds on dry roads while on wet roads it comes to a halt from 80kmph in the same time.

In addition to India, JK Tyre will also sell its Ranger series in all its international markets. Currently JK Tyre has its presence in over 100 countries with a total of 9 plants in India and Mexico.

Courtesy : Zigwheels.

Internally known as Last Mile Surfer, the three-wheeled scooter weighs 11kg and has a near 20km range.

Volkswagen has revealed its new foldable three-wheeled electric scooter. Known internally as the Last Mile Surfer, the production version of the scooter is also likely to carry this name.

The scooter has been developed to be carried in a car's boot. This will enable motorists to park their cars outside crowded city spaces and use the scooter for the final phase of their journey, instead of relying on public transport.

The auto giant claims the Last Mile Surfer weighs around 11kg and comes with a range of nearly 20km. Volkswagen's three-wheeler will be powered by a lithium-ion battery.

According to Volkswagen chairman Martin Winterkorn, the Last Mile Surfer will go on sale in 2016 for less than 1000 euros (approximately Rs 70,000). He suggested that it could be offered in the UK at around £700 (around Rs 50,000).

Courtesy : Autocar

An exclusive ride was arranged for all 100 Benelli motorcycle owners to celebrate the positive response.

DSK Motowheels and Benelli has achieved a milestone in motorcycle sales once again. After the quick sales recorded in the Bengaluru showroom, the brand has now registered sales of 100 motorcycles in Pune as well. To celebrate the event, all 100 motorcycle owners partook in a ride to Khandala and back.

This exclusive ride featured all Benelli-made motorcycles, from the TNT 300, the TNT 600i, the TNT GT, TNT 899, and the one we recently reviewed, Benelli’s flagship for India, the TNT R.

Shirish Kulkarni, Chairman, DSK Motowheels said, “Since the launch of our exclusive showroom for DSK Benelli superbikes, we have received an overwhelming positive response. The remarkable feat of achieving 100 superbike sales in Pune, not only highlights the brand value and customer patronage of DSK Benelli, but also demonstrates the growing market for superbikes in India.”

Shirish also handed over the key of the 100th Benelli motorcycle sold to its owner on this day.

Courtesy : Autocar.

According to the 'Sunday Times', JLR executives have been weighing up bids from Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Turkey for the factory, which will make about 200,000 cars a year.

LONDON: Tata Motors owned luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is planning to set up a new plant to make about 200,000 cars annually in eastern Europe and is zeroing in on Poland.

According to the 'Sunday Times', JLR executives have been weighing up bids from Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Turkey for the factory, which will make about 200,000 cars a year.

Senior industry sources told the newspaper that Poland had offered "huge" incentives.

Jaguar produced about 450,000 vehicles last year, but plans to expand to 1 million. The huge expansion drive has seen its three British factories in Solihull, Castle Bromwich and Halewood pushed to capacity.

The company opened a factory in China last year and another is under construction in Brazil. A decision on Poland could be announced within weeks, although sources said Slovakia remained an outside possibility.

Local reports suggested the plant could be built in Krakow at a cost of about 1.2 billion pounds. Next on the list is expected to be a factory in the US or Mexico.

The overseas drive reflects Jaguar's desire to increase production while keeping a tight lid on costs, the newspaper said. Poland offers a source of skilled but affordable labour, a ready-made supply chain and a government prepared to offer significant launch aid.

A JLR statement said "Jaguar Land Rover continues to evaluate opportunities around the world. Europe is just one of the places under consideration. No decisions have been taken".

Courtesy : ET Auto