New Maserati dealership in Mumbai is located in the Taj Santacruz hotel; is the third dealership in India.

Maserati opened its third dealership in India, in Mumbai. The Mumbai showroom, the first one for the western India region, has been opened in partnership with Group Planet Petal. It is located in the new TajSantacruz hotel.

The showroom will showcase all of Maserati’s India offerings – the Quattroporte, the Ghibli, the GranTurismo and the GranCabrio. The showroom will be supported by a workshop located in Marol, Andheri, which Maserati claims “houses 6 work bays, a parts warehouse and is equipped with all high-tech tools and equipment required for servicing the entire Maserati range of cars.”

Group Planet Petal also owns Nissan, Hyundai, Yamaha, Suzuki (two-wheelers) and Ashok Leyland (light commercial vehicles) dealerships, and operates exclusively in western India. 

Courtesy : Autocar

The Levante is expected to be powered by a choice of two petrol and one diesel engine; could get a hybrid model.

Maserati has released official images of its first-ever SUV model, the Levante, prior to its public debut at the Geneva motor show 2016.

The images reveal that the SUV features a dramatically sculpted bonnet with a bold interpretation of Maserti's front grille, a new design of tapered headlights split into two elements and large front air intakes. The SUV also features the company’s signature three air vents on the front wings, and other styling cues like frameless door windows, a trapezoidal C-pillar featuring the 'Saetta' logo seen on the Ghibli and other Maseratis, a roof-mounted spoiler and four exhausts.

There are also a few styling elements seen earlier on the 2011 Kubang concept car, which first signalled Maserati's intent to enter the SUV market.

Though no official interior images were released, leaked images of the new car's interior show that the model gets steering-wheel mounted paddles for the automatic transmission and a large central infotainment screen.

Mechanically, the SUV will share its engines with the Ghibli and Quattroporte and though not officially confirmed, reports state that the Levante will be using the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 from the Ghibli and Quattroporte in two states of tune along with the 3.0-litre V6 diesel. Power will be channelled to all-four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and Maserati’s ‘Q4’ all-wheel-drive system.

As per the report, the petrol models are to be badged as 'Levante 350' and 'Levante 430' as per their engine outputs. The 350 is claimed to sprint from 0-100kph in 6.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 243kph while the more powerful 430 is claimed to do the sprint in 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 264kph. The diesel is claimed to complete the sprint in 6.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 230kph.

The Levante is also expected to get the V8 powerplant from the Quattroporte as a range-topping performance model. A hybrid model is also being planned.

The Levante is part of Maserati’s plan to improve its annual sales to around 70,000 units by 2018, internationally. The SUV will rival the likes of the Mercedes GLE, BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne.

Courtesy : Autocar

On display at the India Bike Week 2016, the new Ducati Panigale will be priced at Rs 14,04,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi NCR).

Ducati has unveiled its new superbike, the 959 Panigale at the India Bike Week (IBW). The new middle-weight 959 Panigale is the successor of the Ducati 899 Panigale.

According to the company, the Panigale 959 will be available in showrooms from July 2016, at a price of Rs 14,04,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi NCR). The model is powered by a new 955cc, L-twin Superquadro motor that meets Euro-IV emissions standard, which Ducati claims has resulted in an increase in power and torque. The middle-weight superbike shares its styling with the 1299 Panigale.

“We are very excited to bring the new super-mid Ducati Superbike to India. The Ducati 959 Panigale is the perfect balance between impressive design and breath-taking performance and it embodies Ducati’s premium sportbike culture," said Ravi Avalur, managing director, Ducati India.

Bookings for the new 959 Panigale are open and can be made at Ducati dealerships located in Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

The bike maker also has plans to open a new dealership in India, underlining the company’s plans to expand its network in 2016.

Courtesy : Autocar

The upgraded model is powered by Bentley's 521bhp twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine; gets variable displacement technology

Bentley has revealed the new Flying Spur V8 S ahead of its public debut scheduled for next month at the Geneva Motor Show.

The new V8 S sits between the V8 and the W12 flagship model and is powered by Bentley’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine which is tuned to produce 521bhp and 69.40kgm of torque. The luxury saloon has a top speed of 305.77kph and can go from 0-100kph in 4.6 seconds.

Power is delivered via an all-wheel-drive system with a 40/60 rear-biased torque split. The ‘S’ mode is said to provide a sharper throttle response and additional engine braking from the transmission. Bentley has also revised the suspension, damping and electronic stability control to improve handling.

The V8 S also gets variable displacement technology, which shuts down four of the eight cylinders when cruising, thus reducing fuel consumption.

When it comes to the exterior, the new luxury saloon gets a number of sporty features, including a black radiator grille, rear diffuser, V8 S badging, bespoke tread plates and a choice of 20-inch alloy wheels. Additional sporty elements such as dark-tinted headlights and tail-lights, black gloss ORVM covers and unique black 21-inch Mulliner six-spoke alloy wheels are also available.

The interiors feature piano black wood veneers and a three-spoke sports steering wheel as standard. Customers can control the car’s climate and infotainment systems from the comfort of the rear seats through a touchscreen remote control which can be deployed from the veneered rear centre console at the touch of a button. The model also gets Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity.

When launched, the V8 S is expected to cost more than the regular car.

Courtesy :  Autocar

Expected to be launched later this year, the Ducati 959 Panigale will make its India debut at the India Bike Week 2016

The bike was first unveiled at the Milan Motor Show 2015 or EICMA as it is largely known and will now replace the 899 Panigale. Ducati had to make the change to ensure that the Panigale adhered to the Euro 4 emission norms. As a result of the same, the Panigale now displaces 57cc more and churns additional power of 9.1PS bringing the figure up to 157PS and 8.4Nm which brings it up to 107.4Nm. 

The changes aren’t just restricted to the engine. The front of the 959 Panigale is wider than its predecessor and it now comes with larger air intakes. But the most noticeable change on the new Panigale is the dual side exhausts mufflers that make the bike 7kg heavier than the outgoing model. The seat unit has also been reshaped along with the side fairing panels. 

The suspension duties up front are performed by upside down forks by Showa. At the back it gets monoshock from Sachs. The wheels and the tyres though have been carried forward from the 899 Panigale. The Ducati 959 Panigale comes equipped with ABS, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Quick Shift, Engine Braking Control and Ride by Wire. 

While Ducati has already stopped taking bookings of the 899 Panigale last year, the new 959 Panigale will make it to India later this year. Enthusiasts will be able to get a preview of the bike at the India Bike Week 2016 in Goa on 19-20 February.

Courtesy : Zigwheels