Bernhard Gobmeier General Manager Ducati Corse

Bernhard Gobmeier is no stranger to motorcycles or speed. Having started out as the race engineer for various BMW M programmes, he moved to BMW Motorrad as the Head of Chassis Development and finally as the Director, BMW Motorrad Motorsport World Superbike Project.

He is now entrusted with the task of closing the gap to Ducati’s competitors on track. “The challenge that lies ahead is a big one and everybody is curious as to what we are going to do to close the gap to our rivals. We must work in a lot of different areas where we can make the difference. We have already made some positive changes to the team structure, and we have some ideas for the development of the bike.” he said at the unveiling of the GP13 at Wrooom 2013 Madonna di Campiglio.

Ducati Desmosedici GP13 Unveiled 02

Ducati Desmosedici GP13 Unveiled 08Ducati Desmosedici GP13 Unveiled 03

On the grid will be four riders this season on Desmosedici GP13s. Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso will race for the factory Ducati Team while Ben Spies and Andrea Iannone will race for the Pramac Racing Team which now has been bestowed upon the status of a Ducati factory supported team.

Ducati Desmosedici GP13 Unveiled 09Ducati Desmosedici GP13 Unveiled 07Ducati Desmosedici GP13 Unveiled 06Ducati Desmosedici GP13 Unveiled 04

Gobmeier has also confirmed that the team “..will not copy a Yamaha, and will stick with the Ducati philosophy.” Rossi’s unsuccessful attempts at taming the carbon fibre trellis frame Desmosedici was a colossal disaster and under pressure from Rossi and his crew chief Jeremy Burgess, Ducati switched to the much more easily manipulated Twin Spar frame. While Ducati will continue to use the Twin Spar frame, there are no plans to lose the V-Twin configuration or the Desmodromic valves.

“And the bike should be rideable for everyone. It should not just be a motorcycle that Casey Stoner can win on. ” adds Gobmeier.

Ducati Desmosedici GP13 Unveiled 05Ducati Desmosedici GP13 Unveiled 01

Casey Stoner, Repsol Honda Team 2012 MotoGP Grand Prix Of Portugal At Estoril 02

Australia’s love for the V8s in their Fords and Holdens is no secret. While Stoner has vehemently denied any plans of returning to MotoGP, he has not yet shut the window on four wheeler racing. The Dunlop V8 Supercar Series is the ‘Level Two’ V8 championship serving as the breeding grounds for the Level One championship that is ‘International V8 Supercars Championship’.

Stoner has tested with team Triple Eight Racing in a Holden Commodore, and reports say that he will race in the Clipsal 500 this February. Crash.net also reports that Stoner will retain No.27!

However Stoner has recently tweeted that while the V8 Supercar championship is on the cards, he hasn’t yet decided what he wants to do. Currently the ex-MotoGP World Champion seems to be spending quality time with his family.

On a side note, Casey also tweeted about this beauty, the HSV 25th Anniversary GTS Limited Edition, which is based on the Holden Commodore.

HSV 25th Anniversary GTS on loan to Casey Stoner

Ben Spies GP13, Pramac Racing Team 01

In a move that was a knee buckling surprise to fans of the sport world over, Ben Spies wore Pramac Racing colors at the Wrooom 2013, Madonna di Campiglio where the Ducati Desmosedici GP13 was unveiled. The satellite team hasn’t won a podium since 2008 but having recently attained the status of a Ducati factory-supported team, and with Audi on board, Ben Spies hopes to bring the GP13 back to the top.

“I am excited to be a part of the Ducati family. This is something I’ve wanted from the beginning of my racing career. My team and I have our work cut out for us, and new goals to meet, but we’ll benefit from factory support and Audi coming on board. Ducati has four strong riders with different styles, which should improve the Desmosedici and bring it back up to the top where it belongs.”

Spies’ GP13 features livery of new sponsor Ignite Asset Management, while that of rookie Andrea Iannone has the logo of Energy T.I. gas & power.

Ben Spies Andrea Andrea Iannone Pramac Racing Team at Wrooom '13

Mazda MX-5 Roadster 01

Alfa Romeo has big goals for 2016, and achieving those goals isn’t going to be cheap. Fiat SpA’s chief executive, Sergio Marchionne has decided to cut down on development costs for the new Alfa Romeo roadster by signing an agreement with Mazda to share their next generation MX-5 platform for Alfa’s new ‘open-top two-seater sports car’.

The agreement states that Mazda will produce an open-top two-seater sports car for Fiat’s Alfa Romeo brand at its
Hiroshima, Japan, plant starting from 2015. The rear wheel drive platform will be shared albeit with different powertrains unique to each brand. While we can expect the SKYACTIV range of engines to power the MX-5, expect the Alfa Romeo roadster to borrow a mill from probably the Giulietta.

Pininfarina 2uettontanta 01

While it would be wishful thinking to hope for the new roadster to resemble Pininfarina’s 2uettontanta, we think it is safe to assume the new open top will be a modern yet elegant take on the Alfa Romeo Spider of 2010 which was based on the Brera.

Alfa Romeo Spider 01

Matthias Müller, President and CEO, Porsche AG

Porsche’s former importer in India, Precision Motors India Pvt. Ltd., was recently in the spotlight having filed criminal proceedings against Matthias Müller, President and Chief Executive Officer, Porsche AG and eight (or six, according to WSJ) other members of the board (Bernhard Maier, Lutz Meschke, Thomas Edig, Wolfgang Hatz, Wolfgang Leimgruber and Deesch Papke, George Wills and Angela Kreitz). Mr. Ashish Chordia who heads the Shreyan’s Group, whose sister concern is Precision Cars filed a petition in June accusing the Porsche officials of cheating, intimidation and criminal conspiracy against his firm. He also said that his company was not informed of the decision to change importers. The warrants were issued by a magistrate in Jaipur.

Porsche has now given an official statement regarding the issue. Porsche says the bailable warrants are ‘effectively a form of summons which provides the named individuals with the chance to answer the allegations made in front of the court’. Following the civil litigation procedure initiated by Mr. Chordia after the termination of the contract in 2011, the Trial Court and the High Court of Rajasthan at Jaipur had delivered judgement in favour of Porsche India and a subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court was dismissed.

Porsche says this is a last resort option by Precision Cars to open an ‘inherently frivolous’ lawsuit.

Press Release

The allegations in the criminal proceeding in which the Court in Jaipur/India has issued the bailable warrants are in the view of Porsche baseless and without any material substance. This case is based on a purely civil dispute brought to court by the former importer of Porsche AG following the ordinary termination of its importer contract by Porsche in 2011.

Both the learned Trial Court and the Honourable High Court of Rajasthan at Jaipur have upheld Porsche’s termination of the importer agreement and a subsequent appeal by the former importer to the Honourable Supreme Court of India was also dismissed. With one exception the former importer has exhausted all rights of appeal and the civil litigation is now at an end.

The filing of criminal proceeding is an afterthought and just an attempt by the former importer to open a new – in the view of Porsche’s local lawyers inherently frivolous – proceeding against Porsche. According to Porsche’s local lawyers said bailable warrants are effectively a form of summons which provides the named individuals with the chance to answer the allegations made in front of the court.

Porsche has the highest regards for the Indian judiciary and is going to – represented by its local lawyers and is taking steps to have the warrants and criminal proceedings quashed within the applicable periods. Porsche’s lawyers are confident to be able to demonstrate that the complaint is completely frivolous.

Mahindra 2 Wheelers Pantero 01

We reviewed the Mahindra Pantero recently and the pricing was as yet unannounced. Mahindra 2 Wheelers has now launched the Pantero in Chennai today at a price of Rs 44,190* for the base variant of the Pantero, the T4 which comes with spoke wheels and an analog console, without the self start.

The equivalent variant of the Hero MotoCorp Splendor Pro retails at Rs. 45,035* while the Honda Dream Yuga retails for Rs. 47,871* and the CB Twister at Rs. 48,391*

The other variants available are the T1 with Self Start/ Cast Alloy Wheels/ Digital Console, T2 with Self Start/ Cast Alloy Wheels/ Analog Console, T3 with Kick Start/ Cast Alloy Wheels/ Analog Console.

Prices of the other variants are yet to announced, keep watching this space for updates.

*All prices ex-showroom Chennai

Audi RS 7 Sportback 01

This monstrous 5 door coupe is powered by a twin-turbo V8 that displaces 3,993 cc and develops 560 hp available between 5,700 and 6,700 rpm. A constant 750 Nm of torque available between 1,750 and 5,500 rpm helps the RS 7 move worlds. Unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show (2013 NAIAS) this Audi had the media at loss for words!
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Audi RS 7 Sportback 10
Audi RS 7 Sportback 09
Audi RS 7 Sportback 08
Audi RS 7 Sportback 07
Audi RS 7 Sportback 06

Audi RS 7 Sportback 02

Distinct design elements of the RS 7 Sportback include the unique bumpers and high-gloss black protective grille with honeycomb structure at the front of the car as well as a couple of parts finished in matt aluminum. A power extending spoiler takes its place at the rear, while the diffuser and the two large, elliptical tailpipe trims of the exhaust system draw attention on their own. New shades on the Audi RS 7 Sportback include Nardo gray and the exclusive matt Daytona gray. Two styling are available : matt aluminum and carbon. As is obvious from the pictures above, the front center air inlet seats the iconic quattro badge.

There 4.0 L TFSI mill propels the Audi RS 7 from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds, and the upon deactivating the speed limiter, a top speed of up to 305 km/h is expected. The Audi also consumes an astonishing 9.8 litres of fuel per 100 km ( around 10.42 kpl). The 4.0 TFSI mill develops all this power real quick thanks to a number of nifty features. The two twin-scroll turbochargers produce up to 1.2 bars of relative boost pressure and are located in close proximity of the intercooler in the inside V of the cylinder banks. This leads to reduced time for the gases to cover the distance and thus the response is very good says Audi. Switchable flaps in the exhaust system make the engine sound even more wild by activating the flaps through a push button or under strong acceleration.

Audi RS 7 Sportback 03

The phenomenal fuel efficiency is courtesy of Audi’s Cylinder on Demand (COD) technology where cylinders 2,3,5 and 8 are deactivated at low speeds by closing the valves using electromechanical actuators. This improves fuel efficiency by around 5 to 10%. The Audi RS 7 Sportback comes standard with quattro, Audi’s famed permanent all-wheel drive system. The centre differential splits power 60:40 between the rear and the front. Audi’s eight-speed tiptronic transmission is standard.

The Audi RS 7 gets adaptive air suspension which can lower the body by 20 mm. Adaptive damping also available on the RS 7 adjusts the suspension’s response to the condition of the road. If air suspension is not your cup of tea, then Audi also offers the choice of taut sport suspension plus with dynamic ride control (DRC) where steel springs and three-stage adjustable dampers that are connected to one another via diagonal oil lines and a central valve handle the suspension.

Audi RS 7 Sportback 04

The sporty theme continues into the interior. The dial instruments have black faces, white scales and red needles. Drawing your attention is the three dimensional RS 7 logo in the tachometer. RS badges are also present on the key, the flat-bottomed, three-spoke leather steering wheel and the illuminated door entry sills. In addition to the shift light that tells you its time to shift up, displays for boost pressure and oil temperature plus a lap timer make up the RS 7 specific menu.

Audi RS 7 Sportback 05

Carbon inlays are standard while you can instead opt for four additional materials. RS sport seats with side bolsters, integrated head restraints and RS 7 logos covered in a combination of black Alcantara and leather are standard. The above image shows the center sections with diamond quilting. The seats can also be covered alternatively in high-grade, honeycomb-quilted Valcona leather in either black or lunar silver. Luggage capacity ranges from 535 to 1,390 liters depending on the position of the rear seat backs.

There’s of course a host of active safety systems that complete the package. The Audi RS 7 looks promising, very.

2013 Maruti Suzuki New Wagon R 01

Maruti Suzuki has launched the refreshed Wagon R at a price starting from Rs 3.58 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. Maruti Suzuki claims that the fuel efficiency has improved by 8% thanks to reduced friction, enhanced engine breathing and improved combustion. Use of low viscosity transmission oil helps in smoother gear shift and lowers maintenance costs for the new Wagon R. Otherwise the Wagon R is mechanically identical to the last generation model.

On the introduction of the new Wagon R, Manohar Bhat, Vice President (Marketing) Maruti Suzuki India said, “Wagon R is not just a bestseller for us but is also among top five models of the industry. The changes introduced on the New Wagon R are in line with the customer feedback received through our regular customer engagement programmes. The new Wagon R is over 8% more fuel efficient, sportier, OBD-II compliant, contemporary in design and laced with utility features. We are confident that customers will appreciate the refreshments in the new Wagon R and we it would help to strengthen brand Wagon R.”

New colours for the Wagon R include Passion Red and Ecru Beige. The Wagon R gets chrome accentuated front grille in LXi and VXi trims. A dual tone interior is new to the Wagon R. The VXi trim has fully beige seats while the Lx and Lxi trims have beige and black combination. The VXi trim comes packed with new eagle wings audio system with integrated USB and AUX-in ports.

There’s also a new storage box in the upper Instrument Panel that can accommodate small items. The new Wagon R also comes with a day/night inside rear view mirror.

Prices (Ex Showroom Delhi)

New Wagon R Lx 3.58 lakh
New Wagon R LXi 3.88 lakh
New Wagon R LXi (CNG) 4.42 lakh
New Wagon R VXi 4.13 lakh

Hero MotoCorp LEAP - a Hybrid Scooter : Front 3/4

Hero MotoCorp’s LEAP Hybrid scooter : Probably not going into production, but still a cool Hero

Hero MotoCorp Ltd has begun the construction of its fourth manufacturing plant and a new Global Parts Centre (GPC) at Neemrana, Rajasthan. Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Hero MotoCorp who laid the foundation stone for these facilities said “The commencement of work on the new plant is clearly indicative of our intention and strategy for the future. Thanks to overwhelming demand for our products, we have been consistently clocking in excess of five lakh unit monthly sales on an average. We foresee a revival in market sentiments sooner than later, and when it happens, we will be ready to meet the upsurge in demand. At the same time, we will be setting-up a state-of-the-art Global Parts Centre spread over 35 acres at Neemrana. The highly-mechanised, technologically-superior GPC will be a new industry benchmark once it becomes fully-operational”.

Hero MotoCorp will be investing Rs. 550 Crore in setting up the Neemrana plant spread over 47 acres. The plant alone is expected to provide direct employment to over 1000 people, and have an installed capacity of 750,000 units per annum once it starts functioning in Q3 of FY 2013-14.

The GPC will initially employ 400 personnel. Hero MotoCorp says the state-of-the-art GPC will have automated storage and retrieval system, automated packaging and sorting system, on-line tracking of parts through Warehouse Management System (WMS), lean manufacturing systems and employ Green Building Concepts.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz will unveil the new CLA-Class just ahead of the 2013 NAIAS at Detroit, a four door coupe following in the steps of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe. The most aerodynamic car in the Mercedes-Benz range as well as among other production vehicles, it has a world leading drag coefficient of 0.22 The CLA will also have optional 4MATIC all‑wheel drive. Frameless doors make it to production from the design of the Concept Style Coupé. Mercedes-Benz boasts of a radar-based braking system (COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST) available as standard on the CLA-Class. Riot Engine takes a look at the styling and tech of the CLA Class in this Design & Tech article.

Styling

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 03Previewed to us as the Concept Style Coupe, most of the design features have made into the production CLA-Class. The muscular bonnet and the diamong grille we’ve seen on the A-Class previously combined with the now legendary coupe profile of this Merc define the CLA-Class.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class : Profile, three defining lines can be seen in this angle

There are three signature lines that can be viewed on the profile of the CLA. The first line starts from the front fender and drops gracefully towards the rear. A second line ‘spans the shoulder muscle’ from the rear towards the centre of the car while the last feature line extends in a sweeping curve from the front wheel towards the rear. Mercedes-Benz says that together these lines lend depth and dynamism to the side profile.

While we’ve seen a recent trend in the design language of the three big German brands which is to emphasize the width of the car using plain horizontal design elements at the rear, the CLA has to do the same with signature CLS lines which are anything but horizontal. The gently sloping roof contour and the strong curvature of the rear window provide the CLA with a coupé-style character from the rear. The tail lights are framed by the muscular lines of the shoulders which extend into the rear end. Mercedes-Benz says the horizontal orientation of the lights are used to impress upon the rear’s powerful and aesthetic breadth.

The cool sunroof is optional and consists of a fixed polycarbonate cover at the front, a moving element made of mineral crystal and side trims to match the glass look.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 08
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class : Rear
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class : Front
Mercedes Benz CLA Class : Rear 3/4

Interiors

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Mercedes Benz CLA Class Interior 09
Mercedes Benz CLA Class Interior 08As you would expect, a selection of high-quality materials take their place in the interiors of the CLA-Class. All trim surfaces are galvanised, resulting in a metallic finish. The instrument panel incorporates five round vents. First seen on the SLS AMG, the round vents have a high-quality electroplated finish on their outer rings. The free-standing display screen features a black piano-lacquer-look front panel and a flush-fitting silver frame. A fibre-optic cable can be had in the opening between head restraint and backrest as part of the ambient lighting.

Aerodynamics

As mentioned earlier, the CLA-Class is the world’s most aerodynamically efficient production vehicle. The CLA currently has a drag coefficient of 0.23 and a drag area of 0.51m2 and with the CLA 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Edition to be launched in June, the numbers drop to 0.22 and 0.49m2! Mercedes-Benz says these magic numbers are courtesy of the new low A-pillar shoulder, aerodynamic outside rear view mirrors and serrated wheel spoilers on the front and rear wheel arches. Whew. Extensive underbody panelling, additional panelling in the middle area of the rear axle and an aerodynamically optimised rear silencer and a diffuser improve the flow of air under the underbody.

Chassis & Powertrain

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

In addition to the usual McPherson front axle and an independent multilink rear suspension, the CLA also has flexible decoupling of the rear axle carrier which improves ride quality. Wheel carriers and spring links are made of aluminium to reduce unprusng mass. Standard is the comfort suspension and you also have optional sports suspension which lowers body by 20 mm up front and 15mm at the rear.

Powertrain options

Model   CLA 180 CLA 180 BE Edition *** CLA 200 CLA 250 CLA 220 CDI
  Petrol, direct injection Diesel, direct injection
Displacement cc 1595 1595 1595 1991 2143
Transmission 6-speed 6-speed 6-speed 7G-DCT 7G-DCT
Output kW (hp) 90 (122) 90 (122) 115 (156) 155 (211) 125 (170)
max. Torque Nm 200 200 250 350 350
Fuel consumption combined l/100 km 5.4 – 5.6 5.0 5.5 – 5.7 6.1 – 6.2 4.2 – 4.5
CO2-emissions* g/km 126 – 130 118 127 – 131 142 – 144 109 – 117
Acceleration 0-100 km/h s 9.3 9.9 8.6 6.7 8.2
max. Speed km/h 210 190**** 230 240 230
Price** Euro 28,977 28,977 31,862 38,675 37,991

* combined, ** sales price in Germany, incl. 19 percent VAT, *** BE = BlueEFFICIENCY,
**** electronically limited

In addition to the CLA 220 CDI mentioned in the table above, there’s also a C200 CDI which completes the diesel range in the CLA Class. The C200 CDI makes 136hp with maximum torque of 300 Nm. The CLA 220 CDI with its 2.2 litre engine makes around 170 hp and 350 Nm of torque, emitting only 109 g CO2 per kilometre.

Petrol engine options include the 1.6 and 2.0 litre engines. The CLA 180 makes 122hp, CLA 200 makes 156 hp and finally the CLA 250 makes 211 hp. Also available on the CLA is the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system featuring fully variable torque distribution.

All the engines feature the ECO start/stop function as standard. The engines are combined with a six-speed manual transmission or with the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission. Worthy of a mention is the fact that all these engines meet Euro 6 standards, which are yet to be introduced in 2014.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

The new CLA is available for ordering with immediate effect and will be delivered to dealerships in April. The CLA C200 CDI variant is alone available only from the 3rd quarter of 2013.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class