Tag Archives: surprise

Featured

1-of-50 Richard Mille RM 60-01 Voiles de Saint Barth Watch For Sale

While it’s no surprise that Richard Mille proves to be leading the luxury watch industry alongside household names like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet, the ability to acquire one of their watches poses a difficult task. The passionate horologists at Stephen Silver Fine Jewelers are proud to present the opportunity to own the limited-edition Richard Mille RM 60-01 Voiles de Saint Barth through duPont REGISTRY Discovery. This exceptional timepiece pays homage to the legendary Caribbean regatta, embodying the spirit of nautical adventure in its intricate design.

The special edition Richard Mille RM 60-01 watch features an ultra-light titanium case and an aesthetically pleasing skeletonized dial, showcasing a robust yet comfortable 50mm design. It houses a high-performance automatic movement, featuring functions such as an annual calendar, flyback chronograph, and dual time/GMT. A sapphire crystal back reveals the RM 60-01’s intricate in-house movement, a hallmark of Richard Mille’s ultra-exclusive creations. Its water-resistance and white rubber strap makes it ideal for nautical enthusiasts. Invest in this luxury timepiece and become part of the Richard Mille legacy. Limited to only 50 pieces in the world, this Richard Mille RM 60-01 Voiles de Saint Barth is currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY Discovery by clicking the link below.

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Opinion

Matt Prior: Morgan back in the states, and protecting working SUVs

It’s not surprising to see how great the Morgan Super 3 looks on the beautiful roads of California. What car wouldn’t look good there? But there’s something about the 3’s retro-futuristic appearance that fits the place perfectly. It seems more at home there than in a Cotswold village.

Last week, Morgan announced that its three-wheeled vehicle will be available for sale again in the US. The latest model has been updated to meet US regulations by adding reflectors and moving the headlights inboard, giving it a more spidery look.

Morgan has taken advantage of the fact that trikes are subject to different regulations than four-wheelers. It’s impressive that a small car manufacturer can navigate the complex regulations of multiple markets while staying true to its long-standing values and ethos.

This is not an easy feat for a small-volume manufacturer. Lotus, for example, has faced criticism for not staying true to its values of simplicity and lightness with their new Lotus Eletre SUV, which weighs 2500kg and doesn’t drive like a traditional Lotus.

This is a problem that particularly affects makers of lightweight cars. A Rolls-Royce can weigh 2.9 tonnes and still feel like a Rolls, but a Caterham will have to work harder to maintain its distinct character.

Does the weight of the Eletre matter? If it helps Lotus sell the 150,000 cars a year they aim for by the latter half of the decade, and if it helps fund the development of competitive Norfolk-built sports cars, then perhaps the weight is not a major concern.

Nevertheless, I have a great deal of respect for a manufacturer that can embrace the future while maintaining the qualities that made their cars unique in the first place.

Protecting the working man’s SUV

While driving along the M25 this morning, I noticed a handwritten note taped inside the rear window of an early 2010s Land Rover Defender 110. It read, “Essential Working Vehicle”.

The car had no branding and was clean, but it was an old Defender 110. This means it had its drawbacks, such as being noisy, having limited shoulder room, and taking a long time to cool down or warm up.

Featured

Upping The Coolness Quotient Quite Literally: Cars With Dual Zone Climate Control Under Rs 30 Lakh


Only one of the cars on this list offers this feature as standard, and the brand of the car may surprise you

Cars with dual-zone climate control

Cars have evolved significantly over the past few decades. They are no longer just a means of transportation, but also a place where we spend a significant amount of time. To enhance the in-cabin experience for occupants, carmakers, especially mass-market brands like Mahindra, Maruti, and Kia, have been equipping their cars with premium features, including dual-zone climate control. With the recent addition of dual-zone climate control in the Kia Seltos facelift, we have compiled a list of other cars priced under Rs 30 lakh that offer this luxury feature:

2023 Kia Seltos

The new Kia Seltos will be the first compact SUV in India to come equipped with dual-zone climate control. This luxury feature will be available from the higher-spec HTX variant onwards. The Kia Seltos is expected to be the most affordable car on the market with dual-zone air conditioning, at least until the facelifted Hyundai Creta is launched.

Price: Rs 15 lakh onwards (expected)

Mahindra XUV700

The Mahindra XUV700, launched in mid-2021, caused quite a stir among fans due to its extensive list of premium features that were previously only available in more expensive cars. It was the first Indian midsize SUV to offer integrated dual displays (10.25-inch each), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and dual-zone climate control. Mahindra offers this comfort and convenience feature only on the range-topping AX7 variant of the SUV.

Price: Rs 20.56 lakh onwards

Mahindra Scorpio N

The Mahindra Scorpio N, launched in mid-2022, saw a significant increase in premium features compared to its predecessor. As part of the update, dual-zone climate control from the XUV700 was introduced. However, this feature is only available on the top-spec Z8 variant of the Scorpio N.

Price: Rs 18.05 lakh onwards

Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass, launched in 2017, was one of the earliest models on this list to offer dual-zone climate control. The facelifted Compass now offers dual-zone AC on all variants except for the base-spec Sport. However, the variant lineup has been reduced, with the premium comfort starting from the Longitude variant.

Price: Rs 25.64 lakh onwards

Toyota Innova Hycross

The third-generation Toyota Innova, known as the Innova HyCross, surprised everyone with its unique characteristics and premium feature additions. One of these additions is the dual-zone climate control, which is available in the top-spec ZX and ZX (O) Hybrid variants. Unlike other models that offer dual-zone AC for the front occupants, the Innova Hycross splits the convenience feature between the front and second-row passengers.

Price: Rs 29.62 lakh onwards

Maruti Invicto

The Maruti Invicto, essentially the Toyota Innova Hycross underneath with some cosmetic revisions, offers most of the same premium comforts. This includes dual-zone climate control, which is available only on the range-topping Alpha+ variant. The Invicto marks Maruti’s entry into the premium space with prices starting above Rs 20 lakh.

Price: Rs 28.42 lakh

Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is the only model on this list to come with dual-zone climate control as a standard feature. It is also the most premium offering and, fortunately, the base variant falls within our price limit. Currently, it is the only car in Hyundai India’s lineup to offer this comfort and convenience feature, but we can expect the upcoming 2024 Creta to feature it as well.

Price: Rs 28.63 lakh

Do you consider dual-zone climate control as a valuable comfort in a car? Are there any other features from premium and luxury cars that you would like to see more of in mass-market models? Let us know in the comments.

All prices, ex-showroom Delhi

Motorsport

Ford Unveils Mustang Mach-E Rally at Goodwood with Plans for Sale

Ford surprised attendees at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year with the debut of the Mustang Mach-E Rally. This new model marks the first time in almost 60 years that the Mustang name has been associated with rallying.

The Mustang Mach-E Rally is designed to venture where no Mustang has gone before – off-road, where the asphalt ends and the dirt road begins. It is Ford’s first rally-inspired electric SUV.

Although Ford has not released any specific details about the vehicle yet, several photos have been unveiled. These photos show the Mustang Mach-E Rally adorned with a custom full body wrap featuring “Mach-E Rally” decals on the sides.

A closer look at the images reveals several interesting features, including a rally-style roof spoiler with white Mustang logos on each side, a custom faux grille with additional round lights, a red tow hook at the front, white rally-style wheels with BF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A tires, and mud guards.

The front and rear bumpers appear similar to those on the Mustang Mach-E GT. Inside, the Mach-E Rally closely resembles the Mach-E GT, but with the addition of cream elements on the front seat backs, steering wheel, and dashboard, as well as carbon fiber-like trim on the lower part of the dash.


Motorsport

Corvette E-Ray Behind-The-Scenes Video Reveals Elaborate Photo Shoot

# Corvette E-Ray Behind-The-Scenes Video Reveals Elaborate Photo Shoot

It’s no secret that automakers invest a significant amount of time and effort into capturing the perfect photos of their new cars. While some official launch photos may seem hastily done, in general, the process involves more than just finding a cool spot and snapping some pictures. The official Instagram account for the GM Design studios recently shared a behind-the-scenes look at Chevrolet’s photo shoot for the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, revealing the elaborate setup and attention to detail involved.

One of the locations for the shoot was a winding road through a forest during the day. But simply driving on a dry road wasn’t enough for the E-Ray. A truck was brought in to wet the surface with water, and a smoke machine was used to add atmosphere. The video footage shared on Instagram gives a glimpse into the actual shoot and showcases the resulting official images.

Another location for the shoot was at night, and while it doesn’t appear as elaborate as the daytime shoot, the road is clearly wet, suggesting the use of water to enhance the visuals.

It’s important to note that the Corvette E-Ray is a significant vehicle for Chevrolet. It is the first Corvette to feature an electrified powertrain and all-wheel drive, making it the fastest-accelerating model in the Corvette lineup. Given its significance, it comes as no surprise that extra attention was given to capturing stunning images of the E-Ray.

This behind-the-scenes look at the Corvette E-Ray photo shoot raises curiosity about what the next Corvette trim, rumored to be the ZR1, will bring. Based on aggressive-looking camouflaged prototypes and a leaked report, the ZR1 is expected to be the most powerful and fastest production Corvette to date, with up to 850 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged version of the 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine.

In conclusion, the Corvette E-Ray photo shoot showcased the dedication of the GM Design studios and the meticulous effort put into capturing stunning images of this special Corvette variant. As we await the debut of the next Corvette trim, it’s exciting to anticipate the elaborate photo shoot that will accompany its introduction.