BMW has announced that it will be the world’s first mass-market carmaker to introduce wireless charging for its new 530e iPerformance sedan.

The system will first be introduced on the hybrid 5-series due next year and is based on the BMW i8 safety car that is used in the Formula E racing series.

The German manufacturer claims that the wireless charging system can charge the 530e’s lithium-ion battery in 3.5 hours, which is about an hour and a half slower than the fastest current wallbox plug that is offered with the model.

The 530e’s wireless system uses resonant magnetic inductive coupling technology to create an electromagnetic field, just like the one the BMW i8 safety car used in Formula E possesses. The 9.2kWh battery can be charged at a rate of up to 3.2kW via this field.

Charging begins automatically as soon as the 530e is parked on the floor charge pad with its engine switched off. Guiding lines displayed on the infotainment system will guide driver’s onto the pad, which can be placed indoors or outdoors.

While BMW has only confirmed wireless charging for the plug-in hybrid 5-series, it will surely be offered with other BMW EVs such as the facelifted i8, which will be equipped with a larger, 10kWh battery as used by the uprated Formula E safety car.

BMW has recently launched the new 5-series in India with three diesel trims and the 530i petrol variant. The range-topping 600hp, AWD M5 that was showcased at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show will also come to India next year.

Courtesy : Autocar

Quickest Porsche Panamera estate gets turbocharged V8 paired to electric motor, delivering a combined 680hp; does 0-100kph in 3.4sec.

Porsche has taken the wraps off the fastest Panamera Sport Turismo model yet, the Turbo S E-Hybrid.

It is powered by the 550hp turbocharged V8 motor found in the Panamera but is paired with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that features a 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor producing 136hp. The total output of the Panamera Sport Turismo Turbo S E-Hybrid is 680hp and 850Nm of peak torque from just 1,400rpm.

The combined output is sent to all-four-wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission that helps the estate to hit 100kph from standstill in a claimed 3.4sec, which is 1.4sec quicker than the regular E-Hybrid Panamera. Porsche further claims a 0-198kph time of 11.9sec, a top speed of 310kph and a fuel efficiency of 33.33kpl.

The 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery can be recharged in 2.4 to six hours depending on the power outlet. The range-topping Panamera hybrid also has a 49km pure-electric range and a top speed limited to 140kph.

The addition of the battery back has seen boot space shrink by 95 litres with total boot space at 425 litres, which can be expanded to 1,295 litres thanks to the rear seatbacks that can be folded electrically in a 40:20:40 split.

As standard, the Sport Turismo Turbo S E-Hybrid comes with 21-inch alloy wheels, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control and torque vectoring. There’s also a rear, limited-slip differential and ceramic composite brakes, as well as adaptive three-chamber air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management.

The Turbo S E-Hybrid is the new range-topping Panamera variant and will rival the likes of the Audi RS6 Performance and Mercedes-AMG CLS 63 Shooting Brake in international markets.

Courtesy : Autocar

Harley-Davidson India has inaugurated its first concept store in India. Called Warrior Harley-Davidson, located in Kolhapur, the store is part of the bike maker’s sales and service network expansion plan across India. Warrior Harley-Davidson, which houses all Harley-Davidson Customer Experience concepts in small forms, is a platform for the brand to reach out to existing customer base in Tier 3 cities that do not have a retail presence. The concept store is designed to improve accessibility for sales and service requirements of Harley-Davidson customers residing in the city and the outskirts and ensure that they get an opportunity to be part of H.O.G. events. 

Commenting on the launch, Marc McAllister, ‎VP and MD, (International Markets) at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, said: “Our focus has always been on developing the culture of leisure motorcycling in India. We expect the next level of our growth to come in from Tier 2 and 3 cities and expansion to these markets is an important part of our strategy. Our  concept store is a step in the same direction by taking the brand closer to enthusiasts and giving them an opportunity to experience the lifestyle.” Harley-Davidson commenced its operations in India in August 2009 and appointed its first dealership in July 2010. The company offers 14 models in its India line-up, in addition to a full range of genuine parts, accessories, and general merchandise, available through authorised dealerships. The company has an assembly unit at Bawal, Haryana.  

After ten years, Honda’s CB1000R is finally due for replacement.

Naked bikes are fast eating into the sales of supersport machines overseas. Having an up-to-date, modern naked on sale alongside a litre-class flagship goes without saying. For the past ten years, Honda have persevered with the current CB1000R, a sweet and friendly naked bike but one that ultimately looks and feels a little tired next to its newer rivals.

Reports suggest that Honda could have a brand spanking new version of the naked 1,000cc machine at the EICMA show in November. Some international renderings give the bike a retro design theme, but with the presence of the retro, air-cooled CB1100 family, we expect the new CB1000R will carry a sleek, modern theme based on the handsome new Fireblade.

As with most naked litre-class bikes, the next-gen CB1000R should use an engine based off the current CBR1000RR Fireblade, but in a lower state of tune. Given that the current 1000R makes just 125hp, we expect a significant boost in power to somewhere around the 150hp mark, bringing it up to spec with rivals. It’s fair to expect a raft of new electronic assists from the new Fireblade as well as ride-by wire throttle.

The current crop of litre-class nakeds are effectively split into two sections, with bikes like the Kawasaki Z1000 and Suzuki GSX-S1000 occupying the more cost effective spectrum while the Aprilia Tuono 1100, BMW S1000R, KTM 1290 Super Duke R are more powerful, feature higher levels of kit and come at a higher price point. Where Honda will position the new CB1000R remains to be seen and we wouldn't be surprised to see it straddle both sides of the segment like Yamaha’s new MT-10.

Courtesy : Autocar

Refreshed S-Cross likely to continue with same set of engines.

Maruti launched the S-Cross, its flagship crossover for India, in mid-2015. The model is now due for a mid-cycle refresh for our market. The carmaker has begun road-testing for the updated S-Cross in India. 

Speaking to us at the 2017 new Maruti Suzuki Dzire launch, C.V. Raman, executive director - research and development, Maruti Suzuki India, confirmed that “the S-Cross will get refreshed and launch will take place around Diwali”.

Suzuki showcased the updated S-Cross for international markets last year at the Paris motor show 2016. The India-spec model is likely to get similar styling updates too. As reported earlier, the front end of the car features an all-new upright grille with vertical slats, a redesigned bumper with a larger radiator grille and new projector headlamps.

Globally, Suzuki sells the S-Cross with the options of a 1.6-litre petrol and a diesel engine. The updated car also gets Suzuki’s 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engine that powers the Vitara which is sold overseas. However, closer home, the facelifted S-Cross is likely to be sold with the same 1.3-litre and the 1.6-litre diesel engines currently used in the crossover. Along with the S-Cross, the carmaker is readying additional new car launches for our market. 

The S-Cross will continue to be sold via Maruti’s Nexa premium dealership channel which also sells models like the Ciaz, Ignis, the Baleno and the sporty Baleno RS. 

Courtesy : Autocar