1. First Drive: The New Ford Figo 1.5 Ti-VCT Has a Split Personality
We’ve barely ever had an affordable automatic hatchback in India until recently. So, when Ford launched the Figo 1.5 Ti-VCT with 6-speed PowerShift at under Rs 7 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi), it got our full attention. And quite rightly so – ‘coz this little beauty has proven to be quite the package.
The Figo hatch descends straight from the philosophy of the Figo Aspire sedan which was launched just a few months ago as well. But thanks to the weight it has shed at the back, it’s about 20kg lighter than its sedan sibling.
With 112PS and 136Nm on tap from its 1.5-litre petrol mill, the Figo hatch combined with the 6-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission has all the ingredients for the making of an epic success.
But will buyers bite?
Read the first drive by Muntaser Mirkar the Co-Founder of MotorScribes on The Quint here.
2. Watch: Why Audi RS 7 Sportback is a Badass Luxury Performance Car
Key Highlights: Audi RS7 Sportback
- Engine: 4.0 TFSI,V8 Engine
- Power: 560 BHP
- TorQue: 700 NM
- 0- 100 Km/h: 3.9 sec
- Top Speed: 250 Km/h | 285 Km/h | 305 Km/h
- Transmission: 8 Speed Multitronic Automatic
- Quattro: Permanent All Wheel Drive
- Matrix LED Headlamps
- Carbon Fiber Inlays
- Sports Adaptive Air Suspension
- Price: Rs 1.4 crore (Ex-Showroom Delhi)
3. What’s the Big Deal About Two-stroke Bikes? – Part 2: The Purchase
Every biker who loves to ride shares a secret, unspoken connection with their machine – a bond that’s unique and makes their bikes special, different from every other of their kind.
This connection keeps them going through good times, and bad.
Some compare it to falling in love – the excitement, the stolen glances at one’s machine, the frustration when all’s not well with it.
After riding Ashok’s Yamaha RX 135 I was sold immediately. As I made my way back to his shop, I found Ashok smugly waiting for me. He knew what I had experienced, and was ready to handle my new-found love and bucket loads of questions. That day I realised he knew me better than I thought I knew myself.
And he definitely understood my love for bikes.
Read Part 2 of Rahul Sharma’s story about his love for two stroke bikes here.
4. Volkswagen Probes if Indian Emission Norms Flouted
The Volkswagen group, which has been rocked by an emission scandal worldwide, has launched an internal investigation in India to check how many diesel models and variants of its brands – Audi, VW and Skoda – may have possibly been impacted by the engines that cheated emission tests in the US and other markets across Europe, sources told The Times of India.
The probe is intended to assess if the company needs to recall some models that the group has sold in the market and, importantly, whether there is a need to even halt the sale of certain variants, the sources said.
It is a dynamic situation at the moment and we are trying to confirm the details. There is no clarity at all on the issues. It is very complicated and very technical and it is being centrally investigated by a team in Germany.
— Source
Some of the group’s models that may have the spiked engines include Audi’s A3 and A4 sedans and Q3 and Q5 SUVs, VW’s Jetta; Skoda’s Superb sedan, Yeti SUV and Laura mid-size (now discontinued).
5. This Rocket Car Runs at a Speed of 1,000 Miles Per Hour
This is a rocket car capable of travelling 1,000 miles (1,606 Kilometres) per hour – breaking the world land speed record.
It’s a colossal engineering feat which requires a vehicle capable of producing 135,000 horsepower – over six times the power of all Formula1 cars on a starting grid put together.
According to the mechanical engineer of the Bloodhound project, the most difficult challenge was constructing wheels that will not self-destruct under extreme pressures, while traversing on high-speeds.
While it was originally intended to be a purely rocket-powered vehicle, the decision was made to combine both jet and rocket technology to achieve the required power and control.