Skoda Slavia unveil in India LIVE updates: World premiere of Skoda’s new City rival begins

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Skoda Slavia unveil in India LIVE updates: World premiere of Skoda’s new City rival begins

blognet   Thursday, November 18, 2021   Comment  

14:20 (IST)

Skoda Slavia: Features

The top-spec Slavia will feature ventilated front seats, the Kushaq's touchscreen infotainment system as well as a full-digital instruments display, which is missing from the Kushaq. 

14:18 (IST)

Skoda Slavia: Dimensions

The Slavia is larger than the Gen 1 Octavia, and Skoda claims will be the widest sedan in its segment. Here's a quick look at some of its dimensions.

14:10 (IST)

Skoda Slavia: A glimpse before the unveil

Here's a clearer look at the Skoda Slavia - Gurpratap Boparai reveals a design sketch of the sedan minutes before its full unveiling. 

14:07 (IST)

Slavia vital for Skoda globally

Thomas Schafer adds the Slavia will be instrumental in helping Skoda become the leading European carmaker in India, and will help the company breach the target of 1.5 million vehicle sales globally.

14:05 (IST)

Skoda Slavia: World premiere event begins

Kicking off the unveil event of the Skoda Slavia is Skoda Auto CEO Thomas Schafer, who says 2020 and 2021 have been incredibly challenging years, but the company has achieved up to 95 percent localisation levels for its MQB A0 IN models.

13:54 (IST)

Skoda Slavia unveiling: Watch it LIVE

You can follow the live stream of the Skoda Slavia's world premiere right here.

13:46 (IST)

Skoda Slavia to spawn Volkswagen alternative

Just like the Kushaq preceded the Taigun, the Slavia will precede Volkswagen's brand-new midsize sedan, understood to be based on the Virtus facelift. It will be almost identical in terms of size and will have the same mechanicals, but will look significantly different inside and out. Today, however, is all about the Slavia, the unveil of which begins in less than 15 minutes from now!

13:33 (IST)

Skoda Slavia: The origins

The Skoda Slavia will be the third model to use the Volkswagen Group’s tailored-for-India MQB A0 IN platform – the first two being the Skoda Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun midsize SUVs, which were launched just a few months ago.

13:15 (IST)

Skoda Slavia world premiere: The countdown begins

Hello and welcome, folks, to Tech2's live coverage of the world premiere of Skoda's new midsize sedan - the Skoda Slavia. The unveil gets underway at 2 pm IST, so sit back as we bring you all the updates LIVE from the event!

Today is the day – the Skoda Slavia is about to make its world premiere right here in India, and the unveil event is set to begin at 2 pm IST. The Skoda Slavia will be the third model to use the Volkswagen Group’s tailored-for-India MQB A0 IN platform – the first two being the Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun midsize SUVs – and is likely to be launched early in 2022. A few days ago, Skoda revealed the Slavia will measure 4,541 mm in length, 1,752 mm in width and 1,487 mm in height, making it one of the biggest sedans in its class. The Slavia’s 2,651 mm wheelbase is also among the largest in the midsize sedan segment.

The Slavia name, says Skoda, has been chosen as an ode to its past, as company founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement had marketed their own bicycles under the same name in 1896. While the company has refrained from giving too much away at this point, it says its new ‘notchback’ will be ‘an elegant, powerful and safe saloon car’ that will follow in the footsteps of the bigger, more powerful and more luxurious Skoda Octavia and Skoda Superb sedans. Tech2 understands that with the Slavia, Skoda will focus equally on driving pleasure as well as rear seat comfort, with space for rear passengers being among the top priorities for the company.

Expect to see an interior similar to that of the Kushaq with several elements – such as the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system two-spoke steering wheel, a touch-sensitive climate control panel and vital control switches – to be carried over from the midsize SUV, but Skoda is likely to add some more feel-good features to the Slavia.

Just like the Kushaq, the Skoda Slavia, too, will be offered will be two turbo-petrol engine options – a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI that makes 110 hp and 175 Nm of torque, and a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI producing 150 hp and 250 Nm of torque. A six-speed manual will be available with both engines; the 1.0 TSI will have the option of a six-speed torque convertor automatic, while the 1.5 TSI – aimed at driving enthusiasts – will be available with a seven-speed DSG automatic (with paddle shifters). There will be no diesel engine on offer, but the 1.5-litre TSI will feature active cylinder deactivation tech, which will help boost fuel efficiency.

Expect Skoda Slavia prices to range from Rs 10-17 lakh (ex-showroom), which will enable it to go head-on against the fifth-generation Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Toyota Belta. It will also compete against its cousin from Volkswagen, which will be based on the same platform, and will be launched a little after the Slavia.

source https://www.firstpost.com/tech/auto-tech/skoda-slavia-unveil-in-india-live-updates-world-premiere-of-skodas-new-city-rival-begins-10146141.html

Hyundai Ioniq Seven electric SUV concept debuts in LA with sofa-style third row, 77-inch roof display

Hyundai Ioniq Seven electric SUV concept debuts in LA with sofa-style third row, 77-inch roof display

blognet   Wednesday, November 17, 2021   Comment  

It’s not just Kia that has unveiled a new electric SUV concept at the LA Auto Show 2021 – parent company Hyundai has also taken the wraps off its brand-new electric vehicle (EV) concept, and it’s named the Hyundai Ioniq Seven. Billed a ‘category-bending’ proposition, the Hyundai Ioniq Seven is pretty radical even by concept standards, and while it looks like it’s far away from being production ready at this point, it does provide a glimpse of Hyundai’s future flagship electric SUV – or SUEV, as Hyundai is calling it.

Unlike the Kia EV9 (which it shares its mechanicals with), the Hyundai Ioniq Seven adopts a notably different design language. While the EV9 is all angular and sharp-edged, the Ioniq Seven is softer and more rounded, without compromising on visual muscle. At around five metres in length, two metres in width and 1.8 metres in height, the Ioniq Seven is bigger than Hyundai’s biggest combustion engine SUV at present – the Hyundai Palisade – so it is an imposing SUV and will have plenty of presence. Its wheelbase (3,200 mm) is substantially longer than the Palisade's, and is almost identical to that of the long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Exterior highlights include the ‘Parametric Pixel’ lights up front, chunky five-spoke alloys with integrated ‘Active Air’ flaps, which deploy or retract for brake cooling and low-drag purposes respectively, retracting cameras that replace wing mirrors, beefy wheel arches, pillarless coach doors, a sloping roofline and an almost-bread van-like tail section, which ends with an all-glass tailgate encased by pixel-like tail-lights. All in, the Ioniq Seven looks quite interesting on the outside.

It's on the inside where the Ioniq Seven is truly pathbreaking – and even more concept-like, which is to say that most of these elements are unlikely to make it to the production model. While it is a three-row SUV, Hyundai has chosen to break away from the established seating layout and equipped the SUV with swivelling lounge-style chairs for the driver and front passenger (which can also be moved fore and aft), a dedicated footrest housing a 27-inch screen as well as a ‘shoe care’ shelf and a curved sofa-style seat that stretches from the third row to the second row.

There is no steering wheel inside the Ioniq Seven – it’s replaced by a joystick that stows away into the driver’s seat when not needed, and the space liberated on the dashboard is used for a full-length infotainment display as well as a storage shelf. Also part of the package is a giant, 77-inch ceiling display for entertainment purposes, a built-in refrigerator, tube-type ambient lighting lamps placed in the doors, aircraft-style interior ventilation (with horizontal and vertical air flow controls to prevent cross-contamination between vehicle occupants), a panoramic air purifier as well as UVC lighting, which engages once passengers step out, to sterilise the vehicle’s interior.

To lend it more of a home interior feel, Hyundai has used materials such as copper, bamboo wood, mineral plaster and recycled fabric, and also included shelves to store odds and ends. It’s safe to say that while a lot of these elements are promising and forward-looking, safety regulations may prevent them from carrying over into production.

Based on the scalable E-GMP architecture that also underpins the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and the EV9 Concept, the Hyundai Ioniq Seven concept is also said to have a range of over 480 kilometres on a full charge, and thanks to its 800-volt architecture, the Seven is said to go from 10 to 80 percent charge in just 20 minutes when plugged into a 350 kW DC fast charger. The production version of the Ioniq Seven is likely to get a large battery (close to 80 kWh capacity) and a dual-motor setup with varying power outputs, depending on the variant.

It remains to be seen if the production-spec Ioniq Seven – expected to debut in 2023 – will replace any of Hyundai’s existing combustion engine SUVs, or if it will be offered as a standalone model under the Ioniq sub-brand. At present, the only Hyundai EV on sale in India is the Kona Electric, and while there’s no official communication on the same, the production Ioniq Seven may just end up being introduced in India after its global launch, as it would be the perfect halo model for Hyundai’s SUV portfolio.

source https://www.firstpost.com/tech/auto-tech/hyundai-ioniq-seven-electric-suv-concept-debuts-in-la-with-sofa-style-third-row-77-inch-roof-display-10145721.html

LA Auto Show 2021: Kia EV9 Concept previews incoming flagship electric SUV, has a range of up to 480 km

LA Auto Show 2021: Kia EV9 Concept previews incoming flagship electric SUV, has a range of up to 480 km

blognet   Wednesday, November 17, 2021   Comment  

Kia has taken the wraps off its latest electric vehicle (EV) concept – the Kia EV9 SUV. Previewed in hazy teasers a few days ago, the Kia EV9 has made its global debut at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show alongside its mechanical cousin, the Hyundai Seven SUV concept, and while the two share underpinnings, the EV9 is a pretty distinct take on what Kia thinks a flagship electric SUV should look like. While it is clearly a concept at this point, the EV9 previews Kia’s upcoming range-topping electric SUV.

Inspired by the ‘contrasts of nature’, the EV9, with its upright proportions, squared-off front-end and block-like body is in the mould of some iconic, burly SUVs and will appeal to fans of this body style. Measuring in at 4,930 mm in length, 2,055 mm in width and 1,790mm in height, the Kia EV9 is taller and wider than Kia’s biggest combustion engine SUV, the Kia Telluride, and also has a substantially longer 3,100 mm wheelbase. In fact, the EV9 is closer in size to the new Range Rover, which will also be available as an all-electric SUV in the time to come.

Design highlights of the EV9 comprise what Kia calls the ‘Digital Tiger Face’, which brings features slim, L-shaped LED lights up front, each flanked by a set of six circular daytime running lights that light up perforations in the otherwise sealed-off front-end. The EV9 has muscular wheel arches, blacked-out pillars (with a triangular shape for the D-pillar), a large glass roof, rear-hinged doors and slender LED tail-lights.

The new air vent design up front is said to reduce the frontal mass of the vehicle and greatly improve aerodynamics, and the hood vent duct area houses a solar panel that helps replenish the battery in sunny conditions. To further refine aerodynamics, the EV9 is equipped with 22-inch aero-focused triangular alloy wheels, retractable roof rails that can be tucked away when not needed, and ditches wing mirrors for cameras.

Inside, the Kia EV9 Concept has a funky pop-up steering wheel and a 27-inch ultra-wide screen that combines the digital driver display and the touchscreen infotainment system a standout in an otherwise minimalistic interior. Recycled fish nets have been used for the EV9’s flooring, and its seat fabrics utilise recycled plastic bottles and wool fibres. The EV9 will only have vegan leather on the inside, and the company is working to phase out the use of leather in its vehicles going forward.

There are three interior ‘modes’ Kia has outlined for the EV9 – ‘Active’, where all seats face forward when the SUV is moving; ‘Pause’, where the front row seats swivel to face passengers seated in the third row, with the second row folding to become a table, and ‘Enjoy’, where all three rows turn around and the tailgate opens to provide a clear view of the surroundings. Pause and Enjoy modes can only be engaged when the SUV is stationary.

Based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP architecture, the production-spec Kia EV9 – in range-topping form – is expected to get a 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery and a dual-motor setup, which would bless it with a combined peak output of close to 580 hp. Kia says the EV9 has a range of up to 480 kilometres on a full charge, and with a 350 kW DC fast charger, can go from 10 percent to 80 percent charge in less than 30 minutes.

The production version of the Kia EV9 is expected to debut sometime in 2023, and while many of the concept car elements are likely to be dropped, expect the SUV’s design to remain more or less unchanged when it hits the road. Kia has previously revealed its desire to bring electric vehicles to India in the coming years, and while there’s no official communication about it, the EV9 could well serve as a halo product for the Korean carmaker in the Indian market. If it does make its way here, expect the Kia EV9 to be a range-topping offering, possibly brought in as a full import and commanding a fitting premium.

source https://www.firstpost.com/tech/auto-tech/la-auto-show-2021-kia-ev9-concept-previews-incoming-flagship-electric-suv-has-a-range-of-up-to-480-km-10145311.html

Microsoft Surface Go 3 launched in India: Check the price, features and specifications here

Microsoft Surface Go 3 launched in India: Check the price, features and specifications here

blognet   Wednesday, November 17, 2021   Comment  

US-based tech giant Microsoft’s Surface Go 3 two-in-one laptop that was introduced globally in September, is now available in India. The Surface Go 3 is said to deliver 60 percent faster performance thanks to the 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, which is an upgraded version of the processor that powers the older Surface Go 2.

Microsoft Surface Go 3: Features and specifications

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 two-in-one device comes with a 10.5-inch, 1080p display with touch support, a 5 MP front camera and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The device can also be had with either the 10th-Gen Intel Core i3-10100Y processor or the dual-core Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y processor.

It comes preloaded with Windows 11, and other highlights include Bluetooth 5.0, up to 11 hours of battery with typical use and Wi-Fi 6. Not to forget, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 further comprises a Surface Connect port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a USB-C port and a MicroSDXC card reader.

As for the price, the Surface Go 3 that features the 10th-generation Intel Pentium Gold processor, 128 GB SSD and 8 GB of RAM is currently available to pre-book on Amazon for Rs 57,999. Sale will commence from 23 November.

Interested customers can also pick the base model that ships with the Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y processor. Furthermore, the device is available in a Platinum finish, while those pre-ordering it will receive a complimentary Surface Pen worth Rs 9,699.

Additionally, Business customers in India can avail the Surface Go 3 notebook at a starting price of Rs 42,999, with the Intel Pentium Gold processor paired with a 64GB eMMC and 4GB RAM. In addition, there is also another option with 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC and the 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, which is priced at Rs 47,999.

The top-of-the-line variant will cost Rs 62,999, and will pack 8 GB RAM, a 128GB SSD and the 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor. The much-awaited commercial SKUs will be available from December through authorised resellers.

source https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/microsoft-surface-go-3-launched-in-india-check-the-price-features-and-specifications-here-10144771.html

Instagram reportedly asking users to submit video selfie for account verification in a bid to weed out bots

Instagram reportedly asking users to submit video selfie for account verification in a bid to weed out bots

blognet   Wednesday, November 17, 2021   Comment  

Some users have reportedly been asked by Instagram to provide a video selfie taken from multiple angles to verify their account. According to XDADevelopers, several users have said they were asked to take a video selfie to verify their current accounts.

For the uninitiated, the social platform began testing the feature last year, but stopped midway because of technical issues. Instagram has struggled with the issue of bot accounts for a long time, and such accounts usually send spam messages, harass other users and artificially inflate followers. This is the reason why the app is looking to curb the prevalence of bots on the platform.

Instagram's public relations team on Twitter stated that accounts with suspicious behaviour could be asked to submit a video selfie. The company reiterated the feature doesn’t use facial recognition, adding that its teams review the videos to establish if "there's a real person behind the account".

Meanwhile, as per a screenshot posted by a social media consultant Matt Navarra on Twitter, he informed that the photo sharing app is confirming the identity of users by video selfies while “Meta promises not to collect biometric data.”

Instagram is now using video selfies to confirm users identity

Meta promises not to collect biometric data. pic.twitter.com/FNT2AdW8H2

— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) November 15, 2021

Another user shared a screenshot of the help screen requesting the user to submit a video selfie. The image showed that on opening the feature, the app asks for a video showing all angles of one's face to prove that they are a real person. Furthermore, it also shows the verification screen for multiple people.

Account users will have to submit the video, after it has been recorded, to the platform for confirmation of identity. Additionally, Instagram promises the video will not be visible on the platform and will be deleted within 30 days from the company's servers.

So far, it is unclear whether this feature is still being tested or being gradually rolled out. But it's clear that through this process, Meta is looking to reduce the number of fake or spam accounts on the platform. However, Meta has not commented on whether everyone would eventually have to submit a video selfie.

The company is also testing its 'Take A Break' feature, which will remind users to close the app after they have been on it for a specified duration.

source https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/instagram-reportedly-asking-users-to-submit-video-selfie-for-account-verification-in-a-bid-to-weed-out-bots-10143781.html

Honda Navi launched in the US, becomes first developed-in-India Honda 2W to be sold in the States

Honda Navi launched in the US, becomes first developed-in-India Honda 2W to be sold in the States

blognet   Wednesday, November 17, 2021   Comment  

The Honda Navi has gone on sale once again, but this time, in the United States. Yes, the diminutive moto-scooter – which was conceived and developed by Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India – has found its latest market in the States, where it has been introduced as the smallest, most accessible and most affordable two-wheeler from Honda, with a base price of $1,807 – or Rs 1.34 lakh, nearly three times the price tag it sported in India.

The Navi is the first Honda two-wheeler developed by the manufacturer’s Indian arm to go on sale in the US, which will certainly serve to flatter the HMSI team responsible for its creation. There is no official statement on the same, but it’s more than likely that the Honda Navi being sold in the US is also made in India, as the plucky moto-scooter is manufactured only at HMSI’s plant in Tapukara, Rajasthan, for export markets.

Launched in India back in 2016, the Honda Navi – a repurposed Honda Activa under the skin – certainly got two-wheeler buyers curious with its funky appearance, peppy performance and even witnessed surprisingly strong demand initially, crossing the one lakh unit sales milestone in August 2018.

However, its small dimensions and quirky looks didn’t go down too well with the Indian audience, with many terming it as comical and possibly even a misfit for the masses. Honda eventually decided to stop selling the Navi in India ahead of the BS6 emission norms coming into effect, but continues to manufacture it for other markets, where it continues to do surprisingly well.

Compared to what we saw, the US-spec Navi remains largely identical, with the only changes being new turn indicators and a mildly modified instrument cluster that now includes MPH markings for the speedometer.

It is a novel offering for budding riders in the US in the way that it is considerably cheaper than the most affordable Honda two-wheeler available in the States, is carburetted in the age of fuel injection, has the Activa’s trusty 110 cc engine and CVT combination, rides on a 12-inch front wheel (10-inch at the rear), has drum brakes at both ends, lacks ABS, weighs just 107 kg and offers a mileage of 110 mpg – or around 47 kpl. The Navi will be available in the US from January 2022 onwards.

HMSI is now developing more two-wheelers specifically for the Indian market, and if the Navi is well received by US buyers, it will be interesting to see if Honda chooses to ship more developed-in-India models to the States. In recent times, Honda’s Indian arm has rolled out motorcycles such as the Honda H’ness CB 350, Honda CB 350 RS and Honda CB200X specifically for the domestic market, with more midsize offerings in the pipeline, and some of those could be ideal candidates for markets overseas, including the US.

source https://www.firstpost.com/tech/auto-tech/honda-navi-launched-in-the-us-becomes-first-developed-in-india-honda-2w-to-be-sold-in-the-states-10143251.html