Latest news with #Rolls-RoyceSpectreBlackBadge
NDTV
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Maruti Suzuki Swift Turns 20 In India, Surpasses 30 Lakh Sales Milestone
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) is celebrating 20 years of its beloved hatchback, the Swift, in the Indian market. The car was first launched in the country in May 2005 and has now become one of the brand's long-standing models. Along with this, the car has evolved through four generations to get multiple updates to fit consumer preferences. This helped the car to become a favourite among buyers. Since its introduction, the Swift has attracted over 30 lakh customers in India, establishing itself as one of the country's most favored and lasting nameplates. At present, it holds a remarkable 31 per cent market share in its category and accounts for more than 10 per cent of MSIL's total sales. The company claims that nearly 25 per cent of Swift purchasers have returned to buy another Swift. Also Read: Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge To Launch In India Tomorrow Over the past two decades, the Swift has experienced four significant generational updates, each reinforcing its fundamental characteristics of being a fun, stylish hatchback. The first-generation Swift (2005) brought a fresh design language to the Indian market. The second generation debuted in 2011, offering enhancements in weight and maneuverability. The third generation, which launched in 2018, introduced advanced features and technology to meet changing consumer preferences. Presently, the Maruti Suzuki Swift is in its fourth generation and comes at a starting price of Rs 6.49 lakh (ex-showroom). In this avatar, it is powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Z-series petrol engine, which produces 80 hp of power and 117 Nm of peak torque. Transmission options include automatic and manual. The consumers also get a CNG version of the hatchback. Commenting on the occasion, Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, 'The Swift is an icon in its own right. Celebrated by over 3 million customers in India alone, the Swift is an expression of fun and freedom. The Swift has set new benchmarks over the years with every new model, improving on the inherent 'fun-to-drive' DNA. This ever so special nature of the Swift has ensured that nearly one out of every four Swift owners come back to buy another Swift. Today, it enjoys an admirable 31% market share in its segment, contributing to over 10% of MSIL sales. On this special 20-year anniversary, we would like to thank all our customers for their unwavering love for brand Swift.'
NDTV
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge To Launch In India Tomorrow
The Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge, a high-performance version of the ultra-luxurious car, made its global debut earlier this year. The British manufacturer is now ready to introduce the car to the Indian market. This event marks a significant occasion for both the Indian market and the brand, as the Spectre is the first electric vehicle ever produced with an RR badge. Moreover, the changes accompanied by the Black Badge make it the most powerful EV from the automaker. Starting with the specs, the Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge gets the same 102 kWh battery pack used in the standard version. With the special version, the power has been kicked up to 659 hp and 1075 Nm, which is transferred to all four wheels. This is an extra 82 hp and 175 Nm unlocked using a new Infinity Mode. Using this power, the car can go from a standstill to 100 kmph in 4.1 seconds. Even with this performance, the range stands between 493 to 530 km on a single charge. To accommodate the performance, the brand has revised the chassis, increased the steering weight, and roll stabilisation system for better handling while also offering the ride comfort expected of a Rolls-Royce. The brand has also adjusted the dampers to prevent squatting under heavy acceleration. These parameters are changed when using different drive modes to optimise the handling and performance of the vehicle. Just like any other Rolls-Royce, it maintains the Spirit of Ecstasy and comes with the Pantheon grille surrounded by a Polished Black layer. The same mirror-polished black layer covers the side window surrounds and the door handles. At the time of its debut, the Spectre Black Badge had a new Vapour Violet paint. But of course, the consumers will get to choose from 44,000 colour options. This comes paired with 23-inch five-spoke forged wheels. On the inside, the Spectre Black Badge gets a 'starlit' cabin consisting of 5,500 stars forming something what the automaker calls illuminated fascia. This is complemented by five themes for the instrument cluster, including Vivid Grellow, Neon Nights, Cyan Fire, Ultraviolet, and Synth Wave. Meanwhile, the other bits of the cabin can also be customised as per the driver's taste.
The National
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge review: The 'best car in the world' gets better
Ever driven a Rolls-Royce on a racetrack? Let me guess – your answer is probably 'no' followed by 'why would I'? And asking why is reasonable, considering the 120-year history of the luxury motoring brand. For most of that time, these were cars to be driven by a professional chauffeur. But over the past 20 years, things have changed. Now, most owners prefer to be behind the wheel for, perhaps, the smoothest drive to be found anywhere. The brand itself calls it the 'magic carpet ride'. While the Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge , the newest vehicle in its line-up, still offers the signature magic carpet ride, it is also the most powerful car that the brand has produced. A high-performance version of the all-electric Spectre released in 2023, this is a car begging to be pushed to its limits – complete with two new power-train features that allow drivers to utilise the car's full capabilities. The car produces 659hp and 1075Nm of torque, an upgrade from the Spectre's 576hp and 900Nm. The new Infinity mode allows access to the full power and throttle response, and Spirited mode enables acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. To accommodate those demands, Rolls-Royce has resigned the chassis, given the car a heavier steering feel and enhanced roll stabilisation – with dampers added to enhance body control. As I drive the car on a racetrack outside of Barcelona, it's immediately clear that the accomplished engineering can keep up with the brand's boasts. While this will never be confused with a car built for the track – it's far too heavy to ever feel natural to that environment – it holds its own, while never losing the road feel that the brand is known for. The main question is my mind, however, was not whether the car could live up to its performance claims. I was concerned, rather, that it would have the same neck-snapping acceleration feel of many performance EVs that boast instant torque delivery. Cars such as the Tesla Model S Plaid and Lucid Air Sapphire can go from 0 to 100km/h in 2.07 seconds. And that kind of acceleration isn't just uncomfortable – it's apparently dangerous, with Autoevolution reporting that it could even result in mild concussions. But even in Infinity and Spirited modes – I pushed the acceleration from 0 to 165km/h on the straight – the car preserved the thrilling, joyous feel of a V12 engine. Even as I dodged traffic cones in an obstacle course at 50km/h, the car adapted, slowing to a comfortable speed the more I pushed it back and forth. Rolls-Royce has always been a brand built on feel. The primary concern has been to make the ride as serene as possible. While it is built to last – an estimated 75 per cent of the Rolls-Royce vehicles ever produced are still on the road today – this brand has also been continuously refined to keep up with the times. The brand's first two electric vehicles feel like a natural evolution rather than a significant departure, which is an impressive engineering accomplishment. Even the performance modes in the Spectre Black Badge are in line with the brand's heritage. They are inspired by the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine found in the Spitfire fighter planes of Second World War, which offered modes that allowed pilots to engage extra thrust in life-and-death situations. While the loud roar of a combustion engine is so thoroughly missed in other leading luxury brands that have produced electric vehicles, the whisper-quiet Rolls-Royce is built for the EV era. That's why the brand plans to make all its fleet electric by 2030. The Rolls-Royce Spectre has passed the first test with flying colours – with some car reviewers even labelling it the best car in the world. The performance-minded Spectre Black Badge is arguably the bigger test and, even at its limits, it measures up. I suppose that makes this the new champion – and a sign that the electric future is probably brighter than some sceptics, myself included, believe it to be. Pre-orders for Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge are open now, with deliveries expected this year.
