Category: Luxury

Posted on

BMW XM – Specs, Price, Colors in India | Automotivekeeda

By Javed Ali Khan

BMW India has launched the very first ever BMW XM which is priced at Rs.2.6 cr, ex-showroom and comes in a completely Built-Up Unit. The bookings for the car are open and will be available for delivery from May 2023 onwards. BMW XM is totally a new product and developed fully independently with no conceptual baseline to be found in the BMW model range.

As per Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India, “Driven by Motorsport, the BMW M automobiles have lived up to the highest standard of agility, dynamics and power. A new era is beginning, an era of emotion, electrification and powerful technologies.”

The car comes with two years standard warranty for unlimited kilometers and the high-voltage battery is covered by a warranty valid for 8 years or up to 1,20,000 kilometers. The car has eye catching front – illuminated BMW Kidney grills with sleek twin LED headlights and large air intakes. The BMW XM is the most powerful SUV ever from the German company which boasts of a plug-in hybrid powertrain, BMW M Twin-Power Turbo V-8 engine, paired with a high-performance electric motor, delivering a power of 653 hp (480 kw) and 800 Nm torque.

The SUV has BMW’s intelligent M xDrive system, fourth generation 8 – speed M steptronic transmission, BMW ConnectedDrive, BMW Curved display, BMW Heads up display, 6 airbags, Antilock Braking System, M Dynamic Mode, Attentiveness Assistance, M Sport differential networked with dynamic stability control, Cornering brake control, Dynamic brake control, Active Roll Stabilization to name a few.

 

 

 

Posted on

Mercedes Benz 230SL and Feroz Khan’s love for cars

By: Javed Ali Khan

Pictures: Faisal Khan & Screenshots from movie Dharmatma

Recently we came across a red Mercedes Benz 230SL which we saw in Mumbai city. This made us to dig deep and see if by any chance the beauty on wheels had any link with Indian film industry. The car was based on the Mercedes-Benz W111, a chassis code given to a range of Mercedes’ vehicles produced between 1959 and 1971 which included 4 door sedans (1959-1968) and 2 door coupés and cabriolets (1961 to 1971).

Our research resulted in some good outcomes not only about the make of the car but also the link it had with the Bollywood. Let’s talk about the Bollywood connection first. There is no denying of the fact that among all the actors we have seen in the Indian film industry, it was always Feroz Khan who used cars as a ‘Character’ in his movies. Instead of cars/bikes just being a part of movies for the sake of it, Feroz Khan used vehicles in his movies as a living character. Yes, there were actors like Rajesh Khanna, Dilip Kumar and few more who used cars as part of the movies integral story line but it was Feroz Khan who took the risk of bringing in expensive cars and then destroying them or using them for chase scenes in his movies.

The red beauty, a 230SL from Mercedes Benz, whose production started in June 1963 and lasted till 1967 had an option of either 4 speed manual transmission or a very responsive fluid couple 4 speed automatic transmission which was linked to a 2308cc, M127 inline 6 engine with a power of 148 horses and 196 NM torque. The 230SL with Mumbai registration was used by Feroz Khan in the super hit movie Dharmatma. The car was in Golden Champagne colour then and was used in one of the chase scenes for which a helicopter was also used.

Feroz Khan is also known for the very famous scene of 1980 movie Qurbani where a 50 paisa bet is placed by him on whether he can drive a Mercedes Benz 220 or not and ends up in destroying a brand-new Mercedes Benz. There were many chases sequence in the movie which involved car and motorcycles being crashed and this resulted in making it one of the most expensive movies, budgets wise, of the year 1980.

We hope you loved reading our article and the pictures we clicked. Please comment to let us know what you think and  share our article as it would encourage us to come out with more articles like these. We are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.

Posted on

The Name is Harrier, Tata Harrier

By Admin

Pictures: Tata Motors

 Tata motors had already impressed everyone during the course of 2018 Auto Expo by giving a glimpse of their SUV code named H5X concept. And by naming this SUV as ‘Harrier’, which sounds quite impressive, Tata has indeed taken the right step towards making a connect with the prospective buyers. With the success of their recent products starting from Tiago to Hexa, Tata is riding high and is leaving no stone unturned for keeping the momentum in their favour.

 

As per the posts made by Tata Motors on various social media platform, the #Tata Harrier will be launched in the first quarter of the next year. The SUV, as per the company, is based on ‘IMPACT Design 2.0’ philosophy and offers extraordinary exterior design, thoughtfully and intelligently designed plush interiors, future ready connectivity and best-in-class infotainment.

The monocoque SUV is being called as Born of Pedigree as it is engineered on ‘Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advance’ architecture which is derived from Land Rover D8 architecture. Mr. Mayank Pareek stated that – ‘Tata Harrier’, yet another game changer, to offer our customers a product, that is not only exciting but that which will take our brand value to the next level.

 

The company defines the word Harrier as ‘A dominant beast imbued with endless stamina and strength. Gifted with unwavering instinct. Effortlessly conquers every challenge thrown its way’ and is going quite strong with its marketing. Its now to be seen how Tata Motors would price the SUV so as it helps the company to achieve the desirable targets.

Posted on

Mahindra U321 named ‘Marazzo’, to launched before Diwali, 2018

By Admin

Pictures: Mahindra Automotive

A re-tweet from Mr. Anand Mahindra on 28th July was more than enough for everyone to sit back and be ready for what was called as ‘Name-Revealing’ event or should we say ‘NamKaran’ of to be launched MPV which was code named U321. As per the tweet the event was to be held on 31st of July and it happened as planned.

Mahindra Automotive revealed the name of its soon-to-be-launched MPV which in Basque – a sub language of Spanish – means Shark. Scorpio, Bolero, Quanto Verito etc. all of them have letter ‘O’ as the end except Thar. So, it was expected that Mahindra would come up with a name which has ‘O’ at the last letter of the name and that has happened here too. Mahindra has named U321 as ‘MARAZZO’.

The name means shark and the similarity between car and shark is not upto the name but many design aspects of Marazzo are ‘Shark Inspired’. Mahindra while developing Marazzo has involved The Mahindra Design Studio and Italian design house Pininfarina. The ‘Shark Inspired’ Marazzo has a very aggressive but distinctive front frill which reflects the teeth of Shark. This makes the MPV very aggressive but in a beautiful manner. The tail light completely looks like the tail of a shark and that small antenna literally resembles a sharks fin.

The engine is new and will be efficient, robust and most importantly affordable to maintain. It is nothing what we have seen in the past in other Mahindra products. We expect it to be a 1500cc diesel engine initially. Also, the air-conditioning at the rear is not only ‘first in the segment’ but also ‘first in the industry’ which is based on ‘Surround Cool Technology’.

The interior, though an outline was shared, looks smooth and clean. The dashboard, the instrument cluster, the seats and design completely reflect the work which went behind the MPV by Mahindra Design Studio and Pininfarina. The expected date of launch is before Diwali this year i.e. 2018.  Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, M&M Ltd. said, ‘Marazzo is a brand new platform and is not a carry over from any existing product, Marazzo will not replace any of the existing product and it will fit into the current market very feasibly.

As per Mr. Goenka, 3 cars will be launched this year out of which 2 will launch before Diwali and one after Diwali. Also, the product to be launched after Diwali will be a premium product, namely G4 Rexton, which will be based and will be in direct competition with types of  Maruti Suzuki Nexa premium outlets.

Posted on

Mini Urban Drive in India

By Admin

Pictures: Mini India

Mini, the brand which is owned by BMW, started its very own ‘Mini Urban Drive’ platform in India, which promotes and provides ‘Go-Kart’ like feeling among its users. The very first drive was held in August in Bengalauru where products like New Mini Hatch, New Mini Convertible, The All New Mini Countryman and the flagship Mini Clubman were present. The event will be organised throughout India in 7 major cities which are Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Chandigarh and Delhi and will over by October, 2018. The idea behind the event is to promote and showcase the safety and performance hidden in the various models of Mini.

This is what Mr. Vikram Pawah, Chairman, BMW Group India said, “The MINI Urban Drive provides a perfect opportunity for auto enthusiasts to be inspired by MINI’s ultimate combination of driving fun, top-notch quality and unique style. It offers participants not only the legendary driving experience of a MINI, but also significantly increasing safety at the wheel- whether in everyday traffic, performing rapid overtaking manoeuvres or at full –throttle on the racetrack. With MINI Urban Drive, we continue to extend the MINI lifestyle to more customers and look forward to welcoming more members to the MINI way of life.

Through out the event trained Mini Sales consultants will be present to assist users in a professional manner and provide details related to the products available for the drive. This would help customers to identify the Mini matching their lifestyle. Not only this, Mini India is accepting the booking of its products during the course of event.

Posted on

BMW support for flood-affected customers in Kerala

By Admin

Picture: BMW India

Kerala recently faced one of the worst floods in its history. Keeping in mind the issues to be faced by car owners, BMW India has decided to extend special service support for flood-affected customers in the State. A special task force has been deployed at various service points to assist the customers in best possible manner and bring vehicles back on roads. Spare parts availability is being prioritized and arrangements are being made to satisfy the demand arising out of flood affected vehicles.

 

BMW has increased the team size of technicians and service advisors for faster repairs and deliveries of affected vehicles. They have also come up with complimentary Road Side Assistance for towing of vehicles. The customers are being provided ‘On-site insurance support’ and surveyors for swift and fast insurance claims. Chairman of BMW Group India, Mr. Vikram Pawah, said, “Continuous heavy rainfall in Kerala region and flooding of low lying areas across the state is a cause of great concern. We stand with our customers in meeting any challenges they might have to face due to inclement weather conditions. BMW India has taken special measures to ensure that its customers receive prompt response to their service and insurance requirements.”

 

The support with regards to insurance claims involves daily visits of surveyors – Both, BMW partnered and Non-BMW collaborated insurance companies – for fast assessment and processing of insurance claims. Also, BMW India has requested that customers should not attempt to re-start the engine of a stalled vehicle as it may damage the engine. The owners of the vehicles getting affected by the flood can call BMW Roadside Assistance at 18001032211 for assistance.