The 8-series is expected to be available in 2020; will rival the Mercedes S-class coupé and Bentley Continental GT.

BMW will revive its 8-series badge with a new flagship model that is expected in 2020. The original car, built between 1989 and 1999, went on to become one of the modern classics on automotive design. The resurrected model will rival its long-time adversary, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupé, and the Bentley Continental GT.

The car will make use of mechanicals, and tech from the sixth-generation 7-series that was recently launched in India at the 2016 Auto Expo. According to sources, the model will be built at BMW’s Dingolfing factory in Germany.

Insiders at BMW’s R&D centre in Munich suggest that two differing layouts are being considered – a four-door layout, said to be similar in concept to the BMW 6- series Gran Coupe, albeit bigger, and more luxurious, and alternate body styles which may include a two-door coupé, and a cabriolet.
 
Harald Krueger, chairman, BMW, is personally driving plans to extend the line-up to include additional luxury models. He is eager to push the BMW flagship higher given the continued success and profitability of the Mercedes-Benz S-class and its various derivatives in key markets such as the USA and China.

“With the decision to bring back the 8-series, Krueger is looking at a potentially lucrative revenue stream with high profitability on a per unit basis,” a BMW senior manager revealed to our sister publication, Autocar UK.

BMW is expected to officially showcase the 8-series concept in 2018.

Courtesy :  Autocar

Partners to launch RapidE in 2018; range of next-gen e-vehicles to follow before 2020-end.

Aston Martin has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with technology company LeEco to develop a production version of the Aston Martin RapidE electric vehicle concept. Both the companies have previously worked together, in particular on the new Rapide S model, incorporating the Letv (former name of LeEco) Internet of the Vehicle (IOV) system.

Originally revealed in October last year, the RapidE concept was developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering. At the time, Aston Martin had revealed plans to partner with ChinaEquity on taking the model to production.

Since the creation of this concept, Aston Martin and Letv have been advancing the work on production feasibility, including the identification of technology solutions for battery systems and powertrains.

LeEco founder Jia Yueting also owns Faraday Future, which showcased its own concept car, the FFZero1, at last month's Consumer Electronics Show  in Las Vegas. The partnership indicates the potential to add a range of next-generation connected electric vehicles on behalf of Aston Martin, LeEco and Faraday Future.

Additionally, Aston Martin and LeEco have announced plans to develop a range of new vehicles before the end of the decade. Both the companies are currently focused on utilising the best technologies from the companies’ portfolios and bringing the RapidE to market in 2018.

Courtesy : Autocar

Bluetooth-enabled digital virtual key can be downloaded into a smartphone app that will be available on iOS, Android and Windows devices.

Volvo has confirmed that it plans to replace the traditional car key by introducing virtual-key technology, which uses mobile phone technology, to its car range in 2017. According to Volvo, the move will offer more flexibility to its customers.

The Bluetooth-enabled digital virtual key can be downloaded into a smartphone app that will be available on iOS, Android and Windows devices. The app replicates typical key functions such as locking, unlocking and boot release, while also enabling drivers to start the car’s engine remotely.

Additionally, multiple virtual keys can be stored on a single device, allowing easier access to a number of Volvo cars. In order to protect the car from potential hackers, Volvo will use its current security systems in which both, the car and the key, hold part of an encrypted key combination. However, if the car's battery goes flat and cannot recognise the key, drivers must call for roadside assistance.

The new technology could also be used for car rental and car-sharing schemes, where a key can be downloaded with your rental agreement. Physical keys will still be offered to the customers who want them. Trials of the new virtual-key technology will be carried out later this year with car-sharing firm Sunfleet, which is based in Sweden.

Courtesy : Autocar

The new V15 motorcycle from Bajaj will be launched towards the end of March; likely to be priced close to Rs 70,000.

Even before they were revealed, Bajaj’s new 'V' family of motorcycles gained instant appreciation and fame for having been made from the metal of the scrapped warship, INS Vikrant. The video that teased the 'V' family gave us only a glimpse of the new motorcycle, or motorcycles, that were to come. Now Bajaj has taken the wraps off the new V range and here’s when we come to know just how exciting the motorcycles are.

Cruiser? Or, Café racer

The new V is more café-racer albeit with a hint of cruiser. This is down to the stance because of the 18-inch front and 16-inch rear tyres. The V15’s wheelbase is also 10mm longer than the discover, giving it the solid stance. The 780mm seat height also highlights the low stance of the motorcycle, making the saddle some 15mm lower than that of the Discover! Its contemporary design mixes sporty and muscular bringing a new flavour to the commuter space. Bajaj has taken many cracks at the commuter space and this family of motorcycles looks set to live alongside their successful and more simple-looking Discover range. From the wind deflector on the headlamp to the boat-tail rear, and the swoopy design in between, there’s a lot to like on the V. The chrome dual shock absorbers at the rear, the white contrast stitching on the seat, the removable cowl for the rear seat and the smart instrument cluster, all make it very appealing. The instrument cluster features a fuel gauge that switches from green to red as the fuel level dips really low. Chunky tyres give it a stronger stance and the smart, slim ten-spoke alloy wheels are hung off telescopic forks with blacked-out siders.

Underneath it all…

When it comes to the chassis the V has a fairly conventional setup that is aimed to provide durability and reliability. The chassis is a dual-cradle setup and uses stouter than usual 33mm diameter telescopic forks at the front and twin shock absorbers at the rear. The engine is an air-cooled DTS-i 150cc two-valve, four-stroke motor. This engine makes 11.8bhp of power. That puts the V about 2bhp down on power compared to its 150cc siblings in the Discover family.

The V also boasts of 1.3kgm of torque. Due to its two-valve head, it offers a solid 1.2kgm of torque from 3,000rpm, while peak torque is available at 5,500rpm. While this should also result in good fuel efficiency, the company hasn’t disclosed the ARAI test figures yet. Bajaj Auto. Eric Vaz, said that the V15 will offer a real word fuel economy figure of about 60kpl with pillion on board. He also stressed, that the V15 isn’t a motorcycle for high speed cruising but will offer hassle-free performance requiring minimal gear-changes. 

In keeping with its commuter oriented positioning, the V15’s chunky tyres are Eurogrips that should offer good longevity as well. Also, the gear shifter has a heel shifter as well. Lastly, the footpegs and brake pedal are large and wrapped in soft rubber again pointing at convenience and hassle free use.

Production will commence on February 5, 2016, with the  launch scheduled to take place towards the end of March. The V15 will be offered in one variant that comes packed with electric start and disc brakes as standard. Prices will be revealed closer to delivery date, and are expected to be somewhere close to Rs 70,000.  Dealers all over India have started accepting bookings for the Bajaj V. 

Courtesy : Autocar

The proceeds from the sale of the DB10 will go to 'Doctors without Borders'.

The Aston Martin DB10 driven by Daniel Craig in the James Bond film Spectre was sold at an auction for £2,434,500 (Rs 23.96 crore). The DB10, one of two remaining out of the 10 examples made exclusively for use during the filming, was donated by Aston Martin for the charity auction at Christie's in London. It is the only one of the remaining cars that will ever be put on sale by the Gaydon-based car company.

An anonymous buyer paid £2,100,000 (Rs 20.67 crore) for the car, well above the £1.5 million estimate that had been placed on it ahead of the auction. With buyer's fees taken into account, the final sum came up to £2,434,500, although this fee will also go to charity once the auction house's costs have been taken into account. Proceeds from the sale will go to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). MSF, or ‘Doctors without Borders’, is a global humanitarian-aid organisation that provides medical care and support to victims of armed conflict, epidemics and other disasters.

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said: “The DB10 is one of the rarest cars ever created. Only 10 will ever be made and this is the only one that will be made available for sale. It’s great to see this DB10 raising vital funds for Médecins Sans Frontières. It is a fantastic charity that we are delighted to support”. The DB10 was the star lot out of 10 Bond-related items being auctioned for charity.

The second-most expensive item was the Day of the Dead costume worn by Craig in the movie. It went for £98,500 (Rs 96.95 lakh). In total, the 10 lots raised £2,785,500 (Rs 27.41 crore) for MSF and other charitable causes. 

Courtesy : Autocar