11. TURBOCHARGED Nov'21_issue

www.turbocharged.in SKODA SLAVIA PROTOTYPE INDIA'S YOUNGEST AUTOMOTIVE PUBLICATION `150 • NOVEMBER 2021 #PUSLSTARRN2E50E&TF2F50IGHTERDUCATI VOLKSWAGEN TAIGUN 1.0WBEALCCOKMTINOGBTAHESIRCIDSINWGISTEHASTOHNEONALAL2-0N8PESWPRBOAJEJCATJILE, ON ONE WHEEL!V4 S R E T R O R A C I N GGROT-YRA6L50ENRFIDIEDLEDN'SOCNOTNRTAINCEKNTAL BSUMTAALLSEMRUHCEHARFTU,N TO DRIVE!







[ EDITOR'S NOTE ] I couldn’t have Riding season is here! chosen anything better than the A two-wheeler special issue to stay true Ducati Streetfighter to my roots V4 S to welcome the riding season Back in September 2005, I bought my first motorcycle at the age of 20. It was a red Bajaj Pulsar 180 and in many ways, it is the machine that has helped me get where I am today. The seeds of motorcycling were sown a couple of years before that though. A college friend of mine was generous enough to let me try wheelies on his Hero Honda Passion. That’s when I knew I wanted to learn to make motorcycles dance on one wheel. And one reason why I chose to buy a Bajaj Pulsar 180 was it being portrayed as a naked streetfighter and stunt machine in the television ads! Remember the commercial on TV when the first Pulsar DTS-i was launched? After buying my bike I joined the RSA (Rubber Smoking Angels), a Pune-based biking group. We would meet up on Sundays, head to a secluded road and practice wheelies and stoppies. In fact, it’s interesting to note that just like me, a whole bunch of us RSA members are established motoring journalists today! Well, that’s what motorcycling and in a way the Pulsars did to us! Over the past two decades the Pulsars have introduced legions of youngsters to affordable performance motorcycling for the matter. And finally, we have the first set of all-new Pulsars. The Pulsar N250 and F250 thus have a lot riding on their shoulders and for starters, Bajaj does seem to have got things right by keeping them simple and focusing on bits that make them fun. For that matter, riding season is here and this issue is a two-wheeler special. And I couldn’t have chosen anything better than the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S to welcome it! It’s one of the most bonkers motorcycles I have ridden and the most powerful motorcycle we have tested at TURBOCHARGED till date! A 208PS naked streetbike is not for the faint hearted and it is a machine that commands serious respect. We’ve also ridden the new Ducati Monster and Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special, besides swinging a leg over a very special race bike, the Royal Enfield Continental GT-R650 that the manufacturer is returning to motorcycle racing with. But no, we haven’t forgotten our cars! We drove a prototype of the Skoda Slavia and put pedal to metal in a 500PS Skoda Octavia and also got behind the wheel of a Maruti SS80 that was a game changer in its own right. We also went overlanding in a purpose-built Mahindra Thar and Isuzu D-Max V-Cross. In short, this issue is packed to the gills. Read on! Abhay Verma [email protected] | @abhay_v November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 5

[ COLOPHON ] FOR ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS www.turbocharged.in [email protected] Volume #01 | Issue #11 FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS @turbochargedmag [email protected] CO-FOUNDER, EDITOR & PUBLISHER PUBLISHED & DISTRIBUTED BY Abhay Verma Supercharged Publishing LLP FOUNDER & CEO 304, Shaileshwar Apartments, Opp Fatima Convent, Fatimanagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India - 411013. Tel. +91 7020196361 Sangram Pawar The publisher and editors make every effort to ensure accuracy of the content. However, EXECUTIVE EDITOR no responsibility can be taken for any effect from errors or omissions and for any decisions taken on the basis of the information provided. The publisher also does not take Halley Prabhakar responsibility for any claims made in the advertisements carried. ROAD TEST EDITOR All material published in this magazine is copyright protected and unauthorised reproduction is prohibited without written permission of the editor. Benjamin Gracias Printed and published by Abhay Verma on behalf of Supercharged Publishing LLP. 304, PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENT Shaileshwar Apartments Fatima Nagar, Pune - 411013. All rights reserved. Ishan Lee Editor: Abhay Verma. Printed at Thomson Press India Limited 18.35, Delhi-Mathura Road, Faridabad - 121007, Haryana. Reproduction in whole or part CONTRIBUTORS without written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices are correct at the time of going to press but are subject to change. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Yash Somaiya competent courts and forums in Pune only. Shashank Singh This magazine contains 132 pages. Cover price: `150 CREATIVE DIRECTOR & IMAGE EDITOR Jitendra Chillal PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEO EDITOR Gaurav Chandrashekar PHOTOGRAPHER Roshni Manghani VIDEO EDITOR Anvay Mahajan ILLUSTRATIONS Shweta Pasarkar JUNIOR DESIGNER Yashika Hayaran MARKETING Hem Chandra Suyal 6 www.turbocharged.in November 2021



CONTENTS VOLUME 01 | ISSUE #11 68 PLAYING WITH MADNESS The Ducati Streetfighter V4 S is not your average backyard brawler. Can this 208PS supernaked be tamed? 8 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

SPEEDSHIFTING 13 Mercedes-Benz answers the SL encore, It is an English special with the fifth-generation Range Rover's global debut and the London Taxi's coming in India. Skoda releases sketches of it upcoming Slavia while premium tyremaker Vredestein enters India REVIEWS 24 What's it like to drive the Skoda Slavia prototype, Ed talks! 1.0-litre turbo petrol Volkswagen Taigun, friend or family? FEATURES 32 Halley drives a sleeper Skoda Octavia RS that eats supercars for breakfast. Ishan and Roshni spend a nomadic weekend with two very capable overland SUVs. The iconic first-generation Maruti 800 SS80 is our gamechanger this month. Ed goes hunting apexes with the Hyundai i20 N Line and heads to Coimbatore to meet veteran racer and industrialist J Anand. TAKE TWO 59 Bajaj hits the reset button with the Pulsars, come out with the Pulsar N250 and F250. Ducati unveils its scorching hot Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak and two new Scramblers. Ishan relives nostalgia with the new Pulsars. Ben gets used to the large Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special while Ishan rips up the track with the new KTM RC 200. We have also ridden the Ducati Monster, all-new TVS Jupiter 125 and Hero Maestro Edge 125. Ed gets a taste of retro racing in the Royal Enfield Continental GT cup race bike TAIL ENDERS 115 The Nissan Magnite gets well-deserved TLC during Dusshera. The Royal Enfield Himalayan heads to Konkan while Roshni gets to grips with the Aprilia SXR 160. Our product watch page features the new Apple MacBooks, Google Pixel 6 smartphone, special-edition Royal Enfield helmets and Royal Enfield-TCX range of riding boots. Ishan reviews a set of Rynox riding gear while Ed breaks in his new Forma Ice Pro Flow boots. He also tries out Royal Enfield's new 'Make it Yours' configurator. November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 9

{COLUMN} EL PRESIDENTE Illustrations by: Shweta Pasarkar (@whiffler_whims) VIR A Harley-Davidson on the rooftop of the world! NAKAI Traveller and I ’ll bet you haven’t missed the Harley-Davidson Pan America in the dust co-founder of bowls of Sarchu on the previous pages. In case you haven’t figured, the Helmet Stories rider in the image is moi and that’s what last month looked like for me! ‘The plan’ hatched a few years ago when Vijay Thomas from Harley- virnakai Davidson India and I were in Portland, enjoying a cold brew after an amazing day riding the Livewire. He said “Vir, I have never ridden to I CAN’T WAIT Ladakh. I have been waiting patiently for Harley to make an ADV and now TO SEE FUTURE it’s around the corner. I can’t wait.” And last month I got a call, “I’m putting ITERATIONS, a crew together to head to Ladakh before winter sets in. You in?” Hell yeah! BECAUSE THE PAN This crew was, Vijay Parmar (no introduction needed), Amar Sandhu (Raid AMERICA IS HERE De Himalaya winner and H-D dealer for Chandigarh and Ludhiana), Regional HOG Director, collector of Harleys, other motorcycles and first Pan America TO STAY customer in India Ankush Gulati, besides Ravi Avalur, Head, Harley-Davidson Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp and Vijay Thomas, Lead, Brand Marketing and Customer Experience and little old me. Oh, and a Pan America for each of us! The idea was to climb the newly opened Key La pass, at 18,603 feet. Vijay Parmar was to lead us and he takes putting you and a bike into tough spots very seriously. Day after day he would throw obstacles for the bike and rider. Like the day in the More plains, when we climbed straight up on one of the mountains flanking the plains. The run up required us to drop tyre pressures, change to Off-Road mode and turn traction control off. We then had to ride sandy plains to the mountain base and find a trail up the steep, sandy side. We also had to dodge marmot holes and ruts till the top, where the sand became rocks and small pieces of loose slate, to end at a rocky outcrop overlooking Tso Moriri. It was worth the climb but going up seemed tame in comparison to going back down. I went from looking at the sky to the More plains below with a steep descend in between. All the bits that seemed hard on the climb became 100 times tougher on the descent! And after living with the Pan America for over 10 days in the higher Himalayan ranges – and not because I am the boy in their poster – I have to applaud Harley-Davidson because the bones of this motorcycle are solid. What’s most surprising is it’s from a crew that has never ventured into this space, making it even more brilliant! There are loads of things I would change on the bike but they are cosmetic or frivolous extras. As I said, the bones and heart are excellent and I can’t wait to see future iterations, because the Pan America is here to stay. And I have been given permission to throw down the gauntlet and say: Send us a list of places you’d like to see the Pan America and we shall make it happen. I shall sit patiently by my email and wait. 10 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

{COLUMN} THE VISOR VIEW Illustrations by: Shweta Pasarkar (@whiffler_whims) HARSH Clear your mind before getting onto a motorcycle! MAN RAI O n every ride, before I get on the motorcycle I take a deep breath Ex-journo and and take stock of how I am feeling – gentle feelers to my psyche to co-founder of get my mind in the present and remind myself to focus on riding. Helmet Stories It takes a few seconds but it’s somewhat like Djokovic bouncing the harshmanrai ball innumerable times, feeling for the tempo, the rhythm and the decisive moment to toss it high up in the air for a devastating serve. BEFORE I GET ON Last week on a cold, single-digit temperature morning in THE MOTORCYCLE, Himachal I did this same little routine. My mind was not focused though – still bitterly disappointed about a much-anticipated, much- I TAKE A DEEP planned ride on the Harley-Davidson Pan America through Zanskar that BREATH AND TAKE didn’t happen ostensibly due to the weather and well, gremlins, let’s just say, STOCK OF HOW I AM the upcoming travel to see my daughter and how long I could procrastinate before writing this column. I was asking myself how I felt but not paying FEELING attention to the answer. I made my mind focus momentarily on riding but it was all over the place within 20 seconds of forward motion. And why does all this matter? There are major road works in various states of completion in Himachal. It had rained, so there were nasty patches of slush and mud. No big deal, just take it easy with smooth inputs, keep the bike upright and feel our way through – Bruce Lee shit. No big deal, right? As my mind was filled with other stuff I didn’t notice the tell-tale glint of thin slurry on the road that was still frozen from the overnight cold snap. Nor did I stop to think that the slick new pavement and cold tyres may not be the best of buddies. Or maybe there was some debris I didn’t notice because my mind was busy thinking about things other than riding. That was a mistake. A motorcycle looks sad when it is lying on its side. It just looks like it hurts to be there. I went down fast and… I don’t know what happened – oil, mud, debris – I don’t know, as I wasn’t paying attention. Actually, it was more like I was thrown to the ground landing on my left knee and the rest of me following. Nothing hard, but I was immediately thankful for my knee braces and my cocoon of safety gear. I stood up, looked for oncoming traffic while my riding buddies picked up the bike, took an inventory (all was OK except my ego hurt a little). I realised I had not been looking and interpreting the road. Then it dawned on me that I hadn’t been paying attention – to break through the mental clutter – to be in the right frame of mind when I went through my little routine that morning. I righted the bike, turned it around the right way. I walked around to survey the road looking for clues to my fall. I saw the mud, debris, and new pavement and realised it was my state of mind at fault. Thankfully, I had a ‘no-cost’ reminder to pay attention to my state of mind before riding. I’m sure I WILL pay attention the next time I sit on the saddle. November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 11

{COLUMN} HANDBRAKE Illustrations by: Shweta Pasarkar (@whiffler_whims) HALLEY My Pulsar story PRABHAKAR T he Bajaj Pulsar is not just an affordable performance motorcycle, but Executive a cult machine that has helped in elevating Indian motorcycling to a Editor different scale altogether. It’s been 20 years since the first generation Pulsar rolled out and since then over 1.2 crore Pulsars have been sold @halley.27 in more than 65 countries, a huge feat indeed. Rajiv Bajaj himself feels that everything Bajaj Auto has learnt and is today is because of the A LOT OF WHAT I AM brand Pulsar. Today, the all-new Pulsars are here and the 250F and TODAY IS BECAUSE 250N look set to carry forward that legacy. The Pulsar has always been a game-changer and in fact, I owned one myself. My Pulsar played an OF THE TIME I important role in my life and just like Abhay, the first motorcycle registered in SPENT WITH MY my name was a 2005 Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTSi too! PULSAR BACK THEN My tryst with four-stroke motorcycles happened thanks to Dad’s Pulsar 150. He always wanted the less powerful version and it was a lovely feeling to ride the newer generation four-strokes back then, but the 180 is what I wanted for myself. The Hero Honda CBZ was in a way responsible for kickstarting performance motorcycling in the country but was still a 150 and while the Karizma was certainly aspirational, it was out of reach, so I am glad I had a Pulsar 180. A lot of what I am today is because of the time I spent with my Pulsar back then. It was one of the quickest accelerating motorcycles at the time and truly helped me acquaint myself with performance motorcycling. It even allowed me to be part of one of Bangalore’s first riding clubs, introduced me to touring and thanks to my Pulsar I was able to explore South India like I had never seen before. Back then not many in Bangalore were into motorcycle stunts but I learnt to pull stoppies thanks to my Pulsar. It wasn’t the best handling motorcycle but was the one to beat on the streets and even hill climb events. It taught me how to extract more power out of a four stroke engine by slapping on a performance air filter, jetting the carburettor and working with various sprocket combinations. Bangalore hosted a lot of drag events back then and I even took part in some on my Pulsar. I remember getting thrilled on being able to beat a couple of two-stroke machines and even the more powerful Karizma! In fact, it’s difficult to imagine the biking scene in India today the way it is, without the Bajaj Pulsar. And my Pulsar was a very unique, sapphire blue colour that was a rare sight in 2005. This led to me loving the hue so much that almost all of my motorcycles today are of the same shade. I wish I hadn’t sold it – I still cherish the moments with it and I am sure a lot of you too share great memories with your Pulsars too. Share them with us and if you still own one, keep it, it’s a Pulsar after all. 12 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

SPEED SHIFTING ALL ABOUT FOUR WHEELS The fifth-generation Range Rover makes its global debut, Mercedes- Benz brings back the SL, The London Taxi is coming to India, Vredestein brings its premium range of tyres to India. This month, we have driven the Skoda Slavia prototype and the more approachable 1.0-litre Volkswagen Taigun November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 13

[ SPOOLING UP ] WORDS BENJAMIN GRACIAS POLISHED RANGIE The fifth-generation Range Rover is more polished than before. Is it still as capable? The year was 1970. The Range Rover was The boxy design has evolved and grown 75mm introduced to the world and brought with it the longer than before with the sharp edges making way concept of a luxurious go-anywhere overlander. for rounded ones and even being influenced by other Since then, the Range Rover has been one of vehicles in the Land Rover stable especially the Velar, Land Rover’s best-selling models worldwide with its smooth, slab-sided bodywork, flush-fitting and a staple of presidential motorcades, football pop-out door handles and new and larger 23-inch players and movie stars. Five generations later, the wheels. The front end features a recognisable and formula hasn’t really changed. Utmost luxury with cleaner look with the new grille and flush-fitting go-anywhere capability remains the underlying headlamps and bumper. mantra for the fifth-generation Range Rover as well. Perhaps the most striking design update is the 14 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

tail section with its invisible tail lamps, wraparound Range Rover generations rear-quarter glass and split tailgate. The tailgate even gets hidden cushions and cubby holes so that you can 50 years later, the boxy Range Rover enjoy your picnic at the top of the hill or the lakeside. styling remains largerly unchanged and over the years, has evolved into a The SV versions get upto 14 new colours and larger and luxurious SUV. ceramic badges besides subtle tweaks to the FIRST-GENERATION: 1970 bodywork and different styled alloy wheels. SECOND-GENERATION: 1994 Inside, it gets a clean-looking dashboard with 13.7-inch and 13.1-inch floating panels featuring Pivi THIRD-GENERATION: 2001 Pro infotainment system and a new steering wheel. The cabin is 25 percent quieter thanks to active and FOURTH-GENERATION: 2012 passive voice cancellation measures. Choice of powertrains will include 3.0-litre straight- six mild-hybrid petrol and diesel powerplants and petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powerplants. There will be a performance V8 on offer while an all-electric powertrain will be offered in 2024. The new ML-Flex body architecture is now 50 percent stiffer than before. Besides a new five- link rear suspension, its 48-volt anti-roll system can now generate 900Nm of counter thrust in 200 milliseconds! Despite the large bodywork, the turning circle is less than 11-metres thanks to rear- wheel steering. The new Range Rover is expected to come to India sometime next year. November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 15

ICON LIVING ONE STOP REFUEL The Mercedes-AMG SL makes a comeback and R eliance Industries and BP have partnered to set up multiple Dis more luxurious than ever fuel mobility stations across id you know the most powerful Mercedes-AMG SL ever made the country. Under the JV, the was the 2008 SL 65 AMG Black Series. Its six-litre bi-turbo V12 first Jio-bp branded mobility powerplant developed 670PS and a massive 1,000Nm and did station has been launched at Navde, 0-100kmph time in 3.8 seconds! Compare that to the first SL, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. The the 1954 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ which was the fastest production mobility station will offer travellers car of its time, you begin to understand the SL’s singular focus additivised fuels, EV charging, food on performance. and refreshments. In the future, these stations will also offer low-carbon The new Mercedes AMG SL then points towards a wider spectrum alternative fuels and include express covering performance and luxury. The 2+2 roadster format makes oil change outlets in partnership with a comeback with more focus on tech. It gets digital screens with Castrol. second-generation MBUX infotainment system. Plans are afoot to convert the There are two variants on offer – the SL 55 delivering 476PS and existing network of over 1,400 700Nm and SL 63 that pushes out 585PS and 800Nm. Both get a Reliance petrol pumps into Jio-bp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with a nine-speed gearbox and 4MATIC+ all- mobility stations over the coming wheel-drive besides an active rear-axle steering. months. It should come to India next year under Mercedes-Benz’s Retail Of The mobility stations will offer The Future business model that commenced this month. It allows the additivised fuels instead of regular customer to buy a Mercedes-Benz directly from the manufacturer. fuels. These fuels contain additives Mercedes-Benz dealerships will continue to operate but in a passive that claim to enhance engine role by offering test drives and taking care of deliveries. performance. The additivised fuels will be offered at the same price as regular fuels. Jio-bp will also set up a network of EV charging stations and battery swap stations, at its Mobility Stations and other standalone locations which will be called Mobility Points. 16 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

LONDON CALLING SAFETY FIRST The London Taxi is coming With a GNCAP five-star safety score of 16.45, the Tata Punch to India and in that too is India’s safest vehicle in and range-extender electric form! Called the The Tata Punch sub-compact SUV has received a five-star TX, the latest generation rating for adult occupant protection and a four-star rating of the London Taxi is for child occupant protection from Global NCAP. It is the manufactured by London third Tata vehicle to receive five stars after the Nexon Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) in 2018 and Altroz in 2020. Even more impressive is the based in Coventry, UK. It has GNCAP score of 16.45 out of 17.00 score for adult occupant partnered with Delhi-based protection, the highest for a vehicle sold in India. Exclusive Motors to import the TX to India. Tata Motors also entered into an agreement with TPG Rise Climate to expand its passenger electric vehicle business. US The TX carries the iconic private equity firm TPG Rise Climate Fund and co-investor Abu London Taxi design but sits on Dhabi based holding company ADQ will invest ` 7,500 crore for a modern electric platform. It an 11 percent to 15 percent stake in this new subsidiary. features suicide-style rear doors that swivel upto 90 degrees and The new subsidiary will develop 10 new electric vehicles over can seat six passengers. the next five years and with association with Tata Power, set up charging infrastructure across India. The TX features a 110kW electric drivetrain and a 33kWh battery pack that is recharged via a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. With the engine, the standard 110km range (in electric mode) can be extended to 510km. November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 17

ONE PLANET EASY OWNERSHIP J eep India’s new CSR initiative ‘Mission One Earth’ aims at bringing together Jeep owners and the local community V olkswagen India has extended of the Ladakh region together to clear 1,500 kilograms its subscription-based of waste strewn alongside the roads of the Himalayan ownership to the Taigun. The region. The Mission One initiative was clubbed together subscription based model was with Jeep India’s annual Legendary Jeep Trail that saw previously available for the customers in 20 Jeep SUVs clean up the 2,000km stretch of Polo, Vento and T-Roc. highway from Shimla to Srinagar via Leh. Jeep also placed reverse vending machines along the high altitude passes in the A subscription plan allows you Himalayas. Tourists feeding the machines with plastic waste to own a vehicle instead of buying receive a coupon redeemable for environment-friendly Jeep it, by paying a monthly fee. This fee merchandise like t-shirts made by the collected plastic waste. covers ownership costs like periodic maintenance, insurance and resale BRINGING SEXY BACK which in this case is handled by Volkswagens partner and car leasing S koda has revealed design sketches of its upcoming company Orix. Slavia sedan before the world premiere on November 18th. The silhouette looks typically Škoda with a blend This ownership model covers the of sporty and elegant lines and curves. It will be based Dynamic Line and GT Plus variant of on the new MQB A0 IN platform that also underpins the the Taigun with the monthly rental Skoda Kushaq. The upcoming sedan is expected to share the starting at ` 28,000. The Taigun can petrol-only 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre powertrains with the Kushaq. be had with 100 percent financing Dimension-wise, the Slavia is larger than the Skoda Rapid and and can be subscribed up to a is expected to share its features with the Kushaq. The new period of 24, 36 or 48 months. The sedan is expected to launch here by early next year. subscription plan covers periodic maintenance and insurance costs 18 while allowing the customers to upgrade or return the car as per their convenience, according to Volkswagen. The subscription plan is currently available in 30 Volkswagen dealerships across Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.



[ SPOOLING UP ] NEW SHOES! Apollo Tyres officially launches its premium tyre brand Vredestein in India I ndian tyre major Apollo Tyres acquired Benz, Jaguar-Land Rover and Volvo, while the Ultrac Vredestein, a premium tyre maker from Europe range will include tyres for sedans and premium in 2009 and has finally launched a rang of its tyres hatchbacks. Motorcycle tyres will be offered primarily in India. Besides premium car tyres, Vredestein for motorcycles displacing upwards of 600cc and will will also offer two-wheeler tyres in India. In be offered in two models, Centauro NS and Centauro fact, India is the first country in the world to get ST. The NS series will cater to supersport motorcycles Vredestein’s high performance motorcycle tyres. while ST, as the name implies, will cater to sports touring motorcycles. Car tyres will be offered in two models for rim sizes ranging from 15-inches to 20-inches. The Ultrac Apollo will be manufacturing Vredestein-branded Vorti range will cater to high-performance and luxury tyres right here in India now and will be offering them cars, largely from brands like Audi, BMW, Mercedes- via its extensive dealer network across the country. 20 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

WORDS BENJAMIN GRACIAS TYRE TALKS In conversation with Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Apollo Tyres Ltd Vredestein is huge in Europe but India is still new segment. And as mentioned earlier we would be to the brand. How do you plan on competing making these tyres in India itself. with established brands here? Vredestein is a 110 year old brand and has been Are there plans to get into any partnerships with the successfully competing with global tyre makers OEMs present in India? in Europe and US. Independent tests by automotive We are starting with the replacement market. magazines have placed Vredestein in podium Simultaneously we are speaking with global OEMs to positions. We are looking at leveraging that lineage partner with them for both passenger car tyres and along with customisations for Indian road conditions two-wheeler tyres. to gain traction in the premium luxury segment. We also have the advantage of the signature touch of Will the new range of premium car and motorcycle Giugiaro Design and Frascoli Design on Vredestein’s tyres be manufactured here or also be imported passenger car and two-wheeler tyres respectively. from Vredestein Europe? The entire Vredestein range for the Indian market The country is facing a shortage when it comes to would be manufactured in our state-of-the-art imported premium tyres and the increased demand facilities in India. has only led to high pricing. How does Vredestein plan to take on this situation? Where does India stand in terms of market size We are producing tyres in India and definitely have and opportunity when compared to other Asian the pricing advantage. Our prices will be far more markets? competitive in the premium luxury segment. The Indian market has a diverse set of requirements. While we would be the largest in the world in terms Is Vredestein looking to produce larger size tyres of the mass market segments, we would be at par meant for premium motorcycles? with other Asian markets in the premium luxury We are targeting the superbike and sports touring segment.

[ LAUNCHES ] TATA PUNCH VOLKSWAGEN POLO GT MATT EDITION ` 5.49 lakh - ` 9.39 lakh ` 9.99 lakh As a sub-compact SUV the Punch slots below other traditional compact SUVs, so The new matt grey colour scheme does hatchbacks customers now have a viable well with the gloss black door handles, alternative. It wears the urban SUV badge mirrors and spoiler. That said, the Polo GT is long overdue for a refresh. It rather well and is surprisingly capable still impresses with its 1.0-litre 110PS when it comes to the rough stuff. Sadly, no powerplant and sporty dynamics. turbocharged powertrains on offer though. BMW 3 SERIES GRAN LIMOUSINE KIA SONET ICONIC EDITION ANNIVERSARY EDITION ` 53.50 lakh - ` 54.90 lakh ` 10.79 lakh - ` 11.89 lakh Besides an illuminated Kidney grille, the For ` 40,000 extra, you get rugged- special edition 3 Series Gran Limousine looking silver-finished front and rear gets a crystal gearshift lever, the rear skid plates and side skirts with orange passengers get Vernasca leather seating, headrest cushions, coat hangers and accents and ‘Anniversary edition’ puddle lamps for all doors. badging. No mechanical updates or feature additions though. (All prices ex-showroom, New Delhi) 22 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

JAGUAR XF VOLVO S90 MILD-HYBRID ` 71.60 lakh - ` 76.00 lakh ` 61.90 lakh The updates for 2021 are quite subtle with Besides a midlife facelift, the S90 now gets new bumpers, headlamps and alloy wheels. a 2.0-litre petrol powertrain with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that boosts torque and The biggest change is inside the cabin helps improve fuel efficiency. Inside, it gets though with a new dashboard with a 12.3- an Android-based infotainment system inch digital instrument cluster and larger with Google services, a PM 2.5 air cleaner 11.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and blind-spot detection system. running the latest Pivi Pro software. TOYOTA FORTUNER LEGENDER 4X4 LEXUS ES 300h ` 42.33 lakh ` 56.65 lakh - ` 61.85 lakh The Legender variant now comes with The updated luxury sedan gets sharper 4X4 that with the hefty 500Nm delivered headlamps, an updated grille and new alloy from the 2.8-litre powerplant gives wheels along with two new colours. Inside, you a luxurious SUV with go-anywhere the new black and Walnut Brown interiors capabilities. Exclusive to the 4X4 variant is an 11-speaker JBL sound system as well. feature a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that now supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay November 2021 www.turbocharged.in

{ REVIEW } WORDS ABHAY VERMA SKODA SLAVIA PROTOTYPE Driving a test mule isn’t something we get to do often and a European sedan at that! 24 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

“ We are going to bring sexy back” more engaging to drive, especially European ones. Gurpratap Boparai, Skoda Auto For the matter, Skoda is known more for its sedans, Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd boss despite its SUVs being excellent products (and good stated in his booming voice, telling driver’s cars too!). It’s 20 years now since the Czech us about the Slavia. And I couldn’t carmaker entered India with the Octavia, by far the help but smile. I was glad to see a most popular Skoda in the country. Of course, the manufacturer use the word liberally Rapid and Superb have done their bit in adding to to describe a car! It’s a word most Skoda’s fame too. And the Slavia that will replace enthusiasts use, but only in candid the Rapid eventually is expected to continue the conversations. Especially sedans. That’s because tradition. As part of the build-up to its launch, Skoda sedans look cool and are a lot more attractive than invited us to test drive a camouflaged prototype of SUVs. I’m not saying modern-day SUVs don’t look the Slavia. good or don’t drive well, but most SUVs are just not as cool as sedans. There’s always something enticing The Slavia will be the second product under Skoda’s about lowering yourself into a sedan to get behind India 2.0 strategy after the Kushaq and will also be the wheel and enjoy the sportier dynamics! based on the India-specific MQB-A0 IN platform. It The world may have moved towards SUVs, but that will also boast up to 95 percent localisation just like will probably never change the fact that sedans are the Kushaq, hinting at the manufacturer’s strong focus on India. The Slavia will be longer and wider November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 25

{ REVIEW } than the first generation Octavia in fact, which and 178Nm and 150PS and 250Nm respectively. Just makes things very interesting. We didn’t get to ‘see’ like the Kushaq the 1.0 TSI will also be offered with the car as all units were camouflaged, so I can’t really either a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed tell you about the design. What can I confirm though torque converter while the 1.5 TSI will be offered is that the grille looks just like the new Octavia’s and with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG. My I even expect the Slavia to look like a scaled-down personal favourite is the 1.5 TSI mated to the DSG, Octi. as the engine-gearbox combination truly personifies a Skoda sedan. It feels effortless in terms of I like the silhouette, as the Slavia is a little low performance and the DSG, coupled with its paddle slung as you’d expect a three-box sedan to be. shifters makes the Slavia an excellent car to drive. Interestingly, Skoda India ran a contest for budding Ratios for all transmissions will be revised though, designers to design a camouflage for the Slavia so expect sportier performance. and received over 200 entries. The winner, Shreyas Karambelkar designed what you see on the car and The 1.0 TSI feels impressive too, feeling like a will travel to Prague to meet Skoda’s design head at 1.2-litre or 1.4-litre engine and is very sprightly. the global HQ – how cool is that! Coming back to While the manual gearbox feels engaging with its the car, the interiors were fully covered too though short throws, the torque converter is quick to swap Skoda India has revealed a design sketch that gives ratios too. The 1.0 TSI versions felt a tad noisier us an idea of what to expect. I certainly like the round inside as compared to the 1.5 TSI versions, probably air-conditioning vents and standalone infotainment down to the fact that it is a three-pot motor. But display. both engines are very high on refinement and feel smooth. Another highlight is the fact that with 150PS The Slavia will borrow the Kushaq’s three- on tap from the 1.5 TSI, the Slavia will be the most cylinder, 1.0-litre TSI and four-cylinder, 1.5 TSI powerful car in the segment. The 1.5 TSI will also get engines, in the same state of tune, putting out 115PS 26 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING ENTICING ABOUT LOWERING YOURSELF INTO A SEDAN TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL cylinder deactivation that shuts two cylinders under the 1.5 TSI, though this being a prototype, NVH light loads and effectively help the powerful motor levels are still being worked on and the production sip fuel rather than guzzle on highway stints. car should be even quieter. We got limited seat time but the Slavia was quick The Slavia is slated to be launched by February to convey that it will be an excellent driver’s car and 2022 which is still some time away. But what’s very live up to the expectations from the Skoda badge on clear is that Skoda is betting big on the Slavia for its hood. I like the seating position as you sit low but India and it is a very strategic car for the brand. also get a good view of the road. Dynamics are what First impressions are certainly good – we’ve always you expect from a European sedan, specifically, a liked Skoda’s sedans for their driving feel and the Skoda. The suspension offers a balance between prototype version of the Slavia was in line with ride and handling, though we’re told the setup is what I expected it to offer. It’s got fantastic engines yet to be fine tuned. That said the prototype felt under the hood and the right ingredients to make very impressive with its firm feel, offering lots of it a great driver’s car and one that’s also spacious confidence around bends and a planted feel at and generously equipped, which will help it carve a highway speeds. Cabin quietness is impressive in niche in its segment really quick. November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 27

[ REVIEW ] WORDS BENJAMIN GRACIAS PHOTOGRAPHY ROSHNI MANGHANI V O L K S WAG E N TAIGUN 1.0 TSI Is the future bright with downsized turbo petrol mills? The Taigun makes us believe so VOLKSWAGEN TAIGUN TOPLINE 1.0 TSI MT Powertrain: 999cc, three-cylinder, turbocharged-petrol Power: 115PS @ 5,000rpm - 5,500rpm Torque: 178Nm @ 1,750rpm - 4,500rpm Gearbox: Six-speed manual Weight: 1,650kg Price: ` 14.57 lakh ex-showroom 28 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

Predicting the automotive future is quite carmakers given its ability to balance performance a subjective topic nowadays. The ever- and emissions. tightening emission norms ring in the death knell for high-capacity internal It is an important powertrain for Volkswagen too combustion engines and compel as a majority of Taigun buyers are going to opt for manufacturers to look towards hybrids and the smaller engine instead of the 1.5-litre format. electric powertrains. For the enthusiast, Having driven the hot 1.5-litre variant, was I setting that paints a bleak future. Hybrids though myself up for disappointment? are still some time away from taking over, electrics even further so. In the meantime, I reckon a part of the answer lies in the spec manufacturers are looking into downsized engines. sheet. The Taigun here gets a 999cc three-cylinder How do you eke out performance from a small powerplant and delivers 115PS and 178Nm. These engine? The answer lies in our magazine’s name are healthy numbers but then the powertrain has to (shameless plug alert). Turbocharging is the in-thing contend with a slightly higher 1,650kg kerb weight. now. Suddenly, the future does not seem as bleak no? On the road, the 1.0-litre Taigun does not meet The week we got the Taigun 1.0 TSI for review, the 1.5-litre’s performance benchmark but is fun- we had a compact SUV and a hot hatch in the to-drive in its own way. The engine loves to be TURBOCHARGED stable as well. The common revved hard and once you get the turbo spooled denominator between these three vehicles was up, gets upto 80kmph in surprisingly quick time. a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol powertrain. This Surprising because power delivery is quite linear engine format has become the de-facto choice of and the smooth motor masks speed well. Even more impressive is the driveability which I feel, is better than its larger cousin. Leave it in third gear and you November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 29

[ REVIEW ] TOP: The 10-inch touchscreen unit has a premium can potter around in town all day long in a quite relaxed and intuitive layout. ABOVE: Six-speed gearbox manner. The six-speed manual gearbox impresses with its has short throws and is a joy to use. BELOW: The short throws and light clutch action. Taigun’s cabin offers a rich ambience Three-cylinder motors arent hailed for refinement but the Taigun’s unit impresses with its smoothness. It purrs along even at highway speeds and it is only close to the redline that the uneven thrum of the motor betrays its three-pot roots. The additional well-spaced sixth gear ensures that the motor remains unstressed even at highway speeds that besides displaying a commendable 15kmpl fuel efficiency on the trip computer, allows you to sit back and enjoy the well-appointed cabin and the quality of materials inside. There is a sense of solidity in German cars which endear them a dedicated fan following. From the satisfying thunk when you close the door to the tactile touch of the switchgear, the Taigun is a special place to be in. Adding to the premium experience is the plethora of features. It gets a cool-looking digital instrument console and a touch screen infotainment unit that’s quite intuitive. It also gets the latest tech like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, apps and wireless charging. More endearing is the India specific touches like cooled front seats and lots of clever storage spaces like a slot behind the gear lever to park your smartphone. The other Germanic trait I really liked about the Taigun is its fine balance between ride and handling. The ride quality is pretty impressive and the Taigun tackles bad roads with aplomb. It is only on the really bad potholes 30

EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE IS THE DRIVEABILITY WHICH I FEEL, IS BETTER THAN ITS LARGER 1.5 TSI COUSIN TOP: The tail unit on the tailgate isn’t a dummy and unmarked speed breakers that you can hear the unit and has a cool LED strip running across. suspension protest yet you remain well insulated. In the BELOW: Eight-inch digital colour screen looks city, the light steering is a boon. As speeds rise, it weighs premium and allows you to choose between in nicely. In corners, bodyroll is well contained and the multiple display screens Taigun holds its line well. That said, I feel that at the limit, the 1.5-litre Taigun offers better front end grip owing to the larger engine’s extra weight over the front tyres. Having spent a few days with the Taigun, I find the mid-size SUV to be quite endearing. First off, it looks like a scaled-down Tiguan with distinctive European styling. Then there is the 1.0-litre TSI powertrain. While the 1.5-litre motor seems to singularly focus on performance, the 1.0-litre is multi-faceted. It offers fun and driveability in equal measure while the fuel efficiency shouldn’t make a big dent in your wallet. With prices starting at ` 10.49 lakh, the Taigun 1.0 TSI MT is way more approachable than the 1.5 TSI MT which costs ` 14.99 lakh (prices, ex-showroom). Simply put, the Taigun 1.5 TSI is like your hot-shot friend that you party with on the weekends but the Taigun 1.0 TSI is the friend you end up spending most evenings with. November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 31

{ FEATURE } WORDS HALLEY PRABHAKAR PHOTOGRAPHY GAURAV CHANDRASHEKAR RED ROCKET A 500PS Octavia vRS? Yes, we ain’t kidding! 32 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

As petrol heads, we all enjoy driving, The RS245 is very quick in stock trim itself but even if just a hatchback. But driving a also holds immense tuning potential. This red tuner car, especially one that’s powered Octavia belongs to Karthik, a petrol head and father. by a turbocharged petrol engine is He chose the RS as it is a comfortable four-door always extra special. And that’s one sedan with plenty of space for his family, while also reason why we always try to feature offering sportscar-like performance. Of course, some of the best tuner cars - we are Karthik wanted to extract more performance from TURBOCHARGED after all! And the the capable EA888 motor and headed to Harmonixx beauty of turbocharging is that it can Tuning, who specialise in tuning the Octavia RS. turn even a 1.0-litre engine into something really quick and fun to drive. For the matter, the Skoda We have driven many tuned iterations of the Octavia has been a favourite with tuners for really Octavia RS but this car is special, as it is a stage 3 long. And the car you see here might look like your build and one that we had been waiting to get our average Octavia vRS, but it isn’t. It’s an RS245, yes, hands on. And when I drove it, I almost couldn’t but there’s 500 horses lurking under that hood! believe what I was experiencing, as it is quite literally a sportscar eater! Peak outputs are rated at November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 33

[ FEATURE ] 500PS and 626Nm - at the wheel! At the crank, the the ideal four door family sedan. I asked Karthik if numbers go up to 527PS and 648Nm. This makes it really is his daily driver to which he replied, “I it the most powerful RS in the country and it is a drive the car in town and on trips with family and proper ‘sleeper’ with no exterior changes except for that’s why the suspension is stock and it hasn’t been the wheels. But how does the 2.0 TSI engine churn lowered.’’ I’m still trying to believe him! out over twice the power than the stock car? Other changes include APR ignition coil packs The stock turbo can take in a lot more boost, that offer a greater energy output for a stronger but a stage 3 tune necessitates a turbo upgrade and and consistent spark. Then there’s an APR oil catch Kathik’s car is no exception. An EQT (Equilibrium can that helps in preventing excessive crankcase Tuning) Vortex XL Hybrid IS38 turbo was chosen. oil vapours and gunk from entering the engine The XL version of the Vortex line uses an even and intercooler piping, for lesser carbon build-up. larger turbine housing that allows for more top end The transmission and subframe also get upgraded flow. In fact, it can hold up to 35PSI until it hits the mounts and inserts by APR and 034 motorsport. redline, making it one of the best spooling units These changes are small but very effective to help available. It’s an ideal match for the motor and firm up the driveline for better power transmission actually holds a world record for any bolt-on turbo and improved shifts. This is a much needed change made for the MQB platform. All this boost needs when car’s power output is increased significantly, to be controlled and a lot more that had to be done kudos to Rahul at Harmonixx for the same! for the 500 horses to be put down better. The ECU gets a stage 3 tune too while the TCU tune is from On the road this beast begins accelerating like a APR. Fueling and the intake needed to be upgraded Stage 2 build but once the larger turbo spools this too so the car got APR 980cc injectors and an R600 Octavia RS can take on some of the best sportscars intake system. The intercooler and hoses were also sold in the country. It also sounds sweet, especially upgraded. The experience is only rewarding, as between shifts, thanks to Trackslag De-cat routed every part has been engineered to extract maximum to a Remus Valvetronic exhaust. The redline is at power while keeping the car reliable enough to be 7,000rpm (high for a turbocharged car) and by a daily driver. then not a lot of cars can keep up given the linear delivery. Karthik says a few litre-class superbikes The fact that this is the most powerful Octavia have found it hard to catch him, especially beyond in the country and is daily-driven proves this is 200kmph! It’s amazing how confident the car feels BELOW LEFT: With great power comes great breathing and that’s the reason this red rocket gets some serious add-ons like APR 980cc injectors and R600 cold air intake system. BELOW RIGHT: That’s the APR oil catch can, a clever part that traps excessive oil vapours and gunk from entering the motor when it’s under load 34 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

ONCE THE LARGER TURBO SPOOLS UP THIS OCTAVIA RS CAN TAKE ON SOME OF THE BEST SPORTSCARS SOLD IN THE COUNTRY at speeds and stock dynamics are good enough despite the massive boost. Roll-on figures are super impressive too. For instance, 100-200kmph comes up in a recorded 7.29 seconds, making it arguably one of the the quickest timing for an FWD car in India. A stock Mercedes AMG GT R costing about ` 3 crore does it in 7.3s! I witnessed these runs and it wasn’t a dream! This RS also stays planted from the time you step on the gas, all the way to redline. To make sure the car grips well it runs on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres as the regular PS 4 tyres couldn’t handle the power. Every time I drive a tuned Octavia it makes me wonder how a FWD, four door car can be so bloody fast. This RS has definitely set the bar really high. Will there be an Octavia RS that can go faster? Maybe, but until then, this one is the benchmark as a fast, capable FWD performance car! November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 35

{ FEATURE } WORDS ISHAN LEE AND ROSHNI MANGHANI PHOTOGRAPHY ROSHNI MANGHANI LIVING THE NOMADIC LIFE Asked a couple of wandering soul, what they really own in life? They said, let us show you... 36 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

R aw experiences make the best stories. trips at least twice a month. Their SUVs are fully I believe that’s the essence of overland equipped with easy-to-deploy tents, an integrated adventures. The power to fully commit kitchen setup, and a 270-degree awning. For them, and venture into the unknown comes setting up camp anywhere is a sub-ten-minute job. with the ability to improvise and The number of days spent on the road and the survive. Seasons have changed, the difficulty of the terrain usually determines the time rains have receded and the adventure- spent in supply planning. For a quick weekend seeking community is resurfacing, getaway like ours though, a few phone calls and exploring. For this story, I join a few a brief supply run on the outskirts of town was friends who have used their time during the sufficient. With the cars now loaded with meat for lockdown to improve their lifestyle SUVs, making the barbeque and beers for the bonfire, it was time them self-sufficient overland-ready mobile homes. to hit the road. Sandesh, the owner of a first-gen Mahindra Thar The overland community isn’t as large as, and Akshay who recently invested in a new Isuzu say, the average weekend road trip lover. It’s D-Max V-Cross, undertake multi-day overland a growing scene and Overlanding demands as November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 37

{ FEATURE } TOP: The ladder helps keep crawlies out of your much commitment towards knowing your car as it shoes. ABOVE: The Thar features a foldaway does with being self-sufficient on the road. However, kitchen counter SUVs like the Mahindra Thar and the Isuzu V-Cross are proving to be more than capable vehicles for improvising a hardy overland outfit. During my time as an international 4x4 adventure guide, I met many Indians who undertook overland road trips from India to England. Their trips were usually planned with a start and end date in mind. Hence, they chose cars that were built to endure the distance. However, this format of Overlanding offers more flexibility to the driver, especially when they aren’t in a rush to ‘get there’. Hence, their vehicles need to not only last the distance, but also the long duration of these trips. Sandesh says his Thar saw a year-long development phase, ensuring his SUV was as personalised as his Subway sandwich. Considering that his approach was more DIY, testing the drive and handling post every major upgrade, is necessary. His family sees it as a convenient excuse to hit the road more! My Humans of Motoring had chosen the grasslands of the Western Ghats as this weekend’s getaway destination. Flanked by broad-chested hills and lush fields of tall ageing grass, our campsite looked like something out of Jurrasic Park. These aren’t designated campsites available on Google Maps, these locations are constantly being discovered by them either on their enduro motorcycle rides or Overlanding scouting trips. However, before setting up camp they

THE POWER TO FULLY COMMIT AND VENTURE INTO THE UNKNOWN COMES WITH THE ABILITY TO IMPROVISE AND SURVIVE always ensure that all necessary permissions are in. This was her first camping trip after all! As an taken from the nearest village authorities. As city automotive photographer and journalist, varied dwellers, we are obligated to treat their land just as forms of travel is part of her job description now, clean as we would our own. Hence, to keep these but this was new, and this is what she had to say... locations from becoming overtly commercial, their geo-coordinates are usually kept on the down-low. When Ishan and I were asked to cover a story Ask any nature lover and they will tell you, there on Overlanding and people who camp out almost is no substitute for a clean and tranquil campsite. every second weekend in their cars, I was intrigued. But, the thought of living in tents mounted on top With our Decathlon camping chairs out and a of the SUV with sparse human establishments small fire lit, the evening beer cans started to roll around, some real questions started bubbling up. out. Camping has always been a great place for Right from the ‘how-to’ of driving into the wild, conversations for me. From philosophy to some cooking in the wild, shooting in the wild, sleeping light banter about our latest adventures, camping in the wild, and of course nature’s call in the wild. offers a very relaxed environment. However, while most of us weren’t new to camping, we were It wasn’t just another motoring adventure. This rather curious to know how Roshni was settling time, we were not just driving these vehicles but also staying in them! Tall grass, painted skies, clean November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 39

{ FEATURE } SUVS LIKE THE THAR AND THE V-CROSS ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE VEHICLES FOR IMPROVISING A HARDY OVERLANDING OUTFIT

cold air, good conversations, the sound of silence ABOVE: You meet the most interesting people in nature were the perfect element to shoot this on overlanding trips. BELOW: This V-Cross story. The excitement for a weekend in October got wouldn’t look out of place even in the African higher than ever, a different Sunday from the usual Savannah. FACING PAGE BELOW: With these, lazing around. setting up camp is a sub-ten minute job The Thar has always been an eye-catcher for me, I was excited to know a first-gen Thar was going to be a companion with the growingly popular Japanese pick-up truck, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross. Trust me they were two Pandoras boxes to shoot, but were equipped with almost everything, comfortable and practical. And I feel, it’s the practical stuff that really impressed me. For instance, when shooting more than one vehicle in a moving environment, coordination can become a real task. However, with both cars connected with walkies, coordinating my shots and our overall movement was so much simpler on the road. Ishan had warned me that the time would pass slow, I didn’t believe him until the end of the trip. Away from the city, you experience the illusion of time slowing down, giving you the space to do things at your own pace. It definitely felt like an adventure that got over a little too soon, but, it was an introduction to a completely different world of its own. November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 41

{ SPECIAL FEATURE } A perfect playmate With its performance-oriented tweaks, the Hyundai i20 N Line lets you enjoy driving without compromising peace of mind! PHOTOGRAPHY GAURAV CHANDRASHEKAR 42 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

H ill climbs are often the next best thing to driving at a racetrack, as they let you explore the dynamic abilities of your car. Of course, this means you need to have a car that is sporty and fun to drive. Like the Hyundai i20 N Line. Hyundai has been making serious strides in motorsport and even has two WRC titles under its belt. And its choice of weapon in the WRC is a rally-prepped version of the i20. So the i20 N Line launched in India traces its design roots back to Hyundai’s WRC winning rally car – a lineage not many cars can boast of! But more importantly, it is the clever packaging that stands out. Tuners and enthusiasts try to swap stock parts for aftermarket ones to improve a car’s performance and handling, like the suspension, exhaust, engine modifications and more. But these will result in voiding November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 43

{ SPECIAL FEATURE } your warranty and this is where the Hyundai i20 N Line has a few aces up its sleeve! Besides its well-engineered chassis, the i20 N Line is also equipped with sportier tuned suspension and steering. It also gets an exhaust that not only looks sporty but also sounds very good. Aftermarket exhausts are loud (and hence not strictly legal!) and could damage the engine in the long run, besides voiding warranty. But the i20 N Line’s exhaust is a factory fit and sounds sporty but is not loud, so it ticks all the right boxes to appeal to enthusiasts. And it’s this focus on being sporty and fun to drive that makes the i20 N Line a cut above the rest. It is very sharp looking and its motorsport-inspired looks accentuate the sportiness of the overall design. The face looks aggressive but more importantly, the i20 N Line gets an exclusive, chequered flag inspired front grille with the N Line badge. It runs on R16 diamond cut alloy wheels with TOP TO BOTTOM: Fully digital instrument console with large tachometer and speedometer add to raciness. Dual exhaust tips and diffuser complete the sportiness of the exterior design. N Line floor mats enhance the cabin's vibe 44 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

ENTHUSIASTS WANT A CAR TO SOUND GOOD AND THE I20 N LINE’S EXHAUST COMPLIMENTS ITS POSITIONING WITH A SOUND THAT IS SURE TO MAKE THEM SMILE the N logo that add to its sportiness. Red highlights add ABOVE: The N Line gear knob adds to the racy to the motorsport-inspired design. At the rear the twin, feel while driving, while iMT ensures you can chrome-finished exhaust tips and faux diffuser clear the focus better on driving and using the brake and air about this being a sporty hatchback. throttle, as there is no clutch lever to operate One of the biggest highlights though has to be the engine. It is a 1.0-litre Turbo GDi petrol engine producing 88.3kW (120PS) / 6,000rpm and 172Nm (17.5kgm) / 1,500- 4,000rpm and makes the i20 N Line the most powerful hatchback in the country currently. The engine is mated to either a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (7 DCT) or iMT, a manual gearbox that has eliminated the cumbersomeness of a clutch lever. And to explore the car’s potential as a sporty hatchback we took it to one of our favourite playgrounds, a hill climb leading to a hill station called Lavasa. Pune, TURBOCHARGED’s base, is geographically blessed with hill roads and the one leading up to Lavasa is popular with enthusiasts. A powerful and sporty hatchback like the i20 N Line was the perfect bet to enjoy the drive! Power delivery from the 1.0-litre engine is linear while the iMT adds November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 45

{ SPECIAL FEATURE } TOP: With a 0-100kmph time of 9.9 seconds the to the joy of driving by letting you focus better on the i20 N Line is one of the quickest accelerating brake and throttle as there is no clutch lever. The hill hatchbacks in India. ABOVE: The i20 N Line's climb is peppered with over a dozen corners, many of black leather upholstery with red accents is a nod which are hairpins. The gradients and banking change to the car's motorsport heritage constantly, adding to the joy of driving the i20 N Line uphill. The crisp throttle response helps in offering an 46 www.turbocharged.in November 2021 excellent judgement of how much power you need to feed. Of course, acceleration is quick as the i20 N Line can accelerate from 0 to 100kmph in just 9.9 seconds! Then there’s the sporty exhaust. Enthusiasts want a car to sound good and the i20 N Line’s exhaust compliments its positioning with a sound that is sure to make them smile. It is not very loud but sounds sporty and pleases the senses. A good driver’s car also needs good dynamics and the i20 N Line boasts a suspension setup fine tuned using inputs from Hyundai’s motorsport division. The current i20 has been a confident handler and the i20 N Line takes things a notch higher. Its sportier suspension and steering enhance dynamics, letting you enjoy your time behind its wheel better. The suspension makes it more confident around fast corners, while not sacrificing ride quality. Effectively, you get an even better balance between ride and handling in the i20 N Line. The steering feedback offers more confidence to attack corners with enthusiasm. In fact the combination

of its well-tuned suspension and communicative steering ensure the car stays composed and holds its intended line very well. Driving up to Lavasa was a breeze as the i20 N Line offered lots of confidence with its surefooted handling given the combination of the chassis, suspension and steering. All this, coupled with the responsive and powerful 1.0-litre Turbo GDi petrol engine producing 88.3kW (120PS) / 6,000rpm and 172Nm (17.5kgm) / 1,500-4,000rpm engine! But if you thought the i20 N Line is just about motorsport-inspired sportiness, that isn’t the case. The cabin looks well-finished courtesy the sporty black interiors with athletic red inserts and exciting red ambient lights, red and black seat upholstery with N Line badging and also N Line floor mats. The instrument console is a Digital Custer with TFT display housing a sporty looking tachometer and speedometer, along with a large multi-information display. A 26.03cm (10.25\") HD touchscreen infotainment and navigation system ensures co-passengers will have a good time while you enjoy your time driving. The i20 N Line is also equipped with Hyundai’s latest in connected technology, Bluelink. This means you get the entire bouquet of Hyundai’s class leading connected features via the Bluelink app. Clearly Hyundai has not skimped on comfort, features and connected tech despite the positioning of the i20 N Line as a performance hatchback. Besides all this, the Hyundai i20 N Line is also equipped with six airbags and has disc brakes on all four wheels making for excellent occupant safety. Overall, the i20 N Line is a perfect mix of sporty design, premium interiors, class-leading features and a powerful engine coupled with motorsport inspired design. So if you like driving, the i20 N Line will ensure you have a good time, with great peace of mind! TOP: The responsive steering and tuned suspension help the i20 N Line cut through corners like a rally car. ABOVE: A hill climb up one of our favourite driving roads helped us explore the i20 N Line's dynamics really well November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 47

{ FEATURE } WORDS ABHAY VERMA PHOTOGRAPHY GAURAV CHANDRASHEKAR, J ANAND ARCHIVES HEROES OF TURBOCHARGED J ANAND The man who’s built some of the best racecars in the country! 48 www.turbocharged.in November 2021

M ore often than not, conversations on fact, when you meet him for the first time it’s hard motorsport are centered around racers to believe Anand is the guy who built the Tata Indica and not as much about their engineers. Silhouette, a 330PS version of the Indica powered by a But come to think of it, for race drivers 3.5-litre V6 engine. Or a 230PS Tata Nano, dubbed the to do well, they need a racecar that’s Super Nano and powered by the Suzuki Hayabusa’s a cut above the rest. And this time, 1,300cc, inline four cylinder engine! we’re featuring one such engineer who wasn’t just a racer himself but is also These aren’t even close to being his best creations the man responsible for building some though. He has built some world-class race cars of the best and fastest race cars in the country. and arguably, one of his best builds has to be the MRF F2000. The car is powered by an inline four My first rendezvous with J Anand was over a cylinder, 2.0-litre engine putting out 230PS and uses decade ago at one of the race weekends at the MMRT, a carbon fibre chassis made by Dallara, Italy. The car Chennai. As a junior correspondent I was all excited is the equivalent of an F3 car and the MRF Racing to meet him and couldn’t resist walking up to him Championship the car is used in has seen some of and introduced myself. He seemed a bit busy and the best F1 probables compete in the car including had just gotten off a phone call. He was about to walk Mick Schumacher, Conor Daly, Harrison Newey off in a hurry but heard me patiently and smiled as (son of Adrian Newey) and more! J Anand has been I told him I was a fan, answered my questions and working closely with automotive manufacturers too, just disappeared hurriedly. Those who know him especially Tata Motors. will vouch for his cool demeanour and simplicity. In I’m sure you remember the Tata Tiago JTP and November 2021 www.turbocharged.in 49

{ FEATURE } CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: A 2.8-litre diesel engine built by J Anand's grandfather! J Anand racing at the MMRT, Chennai. Piloting a Maruti 800 race car. One of his first outings in the F3 race car Tigor JTP, the go-faster versions of the hatchback and compact sedan. It was J Anand who built the cars under his company Jayem Automotive, as part of his vision to make performance cars affordable. For the matter, J Anand comes from a family that has a very long lineage in motor racing and automobiles. He gravitated towards racing in the early 1980s, an era when in order to be competitive not only did you need to be a very good driver, but also needed to know your car inside-out. J Anand cut his teeth in Autocross events with his grandfather’s Fiat 125 that ran a swapped overhead cam diesel engine that his father B Jayachandran manufactured as conversion units for Fiats and Ambassadors. J Anand mated the Fiat 125’s original twin-cam cylinder head with the diesel bottom end that used an aluminium block. This set him on the path to ANAND IS THE GUY WHO BUILT THE TATA INDICA SILHOUETTE, A 330PS VERSION OF THE INDICA POWERED BY A 3.5-LITRE V6 ENGINE 50 www.turbocharged.in September 2021