About Sameer Contractor
Sameer ContractorConnect with this authorWith an unquenchable thirst for everything automotive, Sameer has always been the go to auto guy that his friends needed. So, it isnt exactly surprising that he chooses to do what he does. A Batman fanatic, Sameers wants to go roof-scaping on the Tumbler, while the Bat motorcycle is certainly on the cards and he plans to build one himself. An avid foodie, he has a road trip in order that will be taking him across the world in search for the best roads and the best cuisines. While his stress buster involves taking aimless motorcycle rides, do not get offended by his sarcasm.
Articles of Sameer Contractor
2018 Paris Motor Show: Peugeot e-Legend Concept Combines Retro Styling With Autonomous Driving Tech
The ongoing 2018 Paris Motor Show has seen some very exciting new launches, but the European auto show also has a very interesting concept from Peugeot that is garnering all the drools from auto enthusiasts. French carmaker Peugeot has pulled the wraps off the e-Legend Concept, an all-electric sports car that brings the future of autonomous technology combined with old-school design language to the exhibition floors. The Peugeot e-Legend Concept takes its design inspiration from the 1968 Peugeot 504 Coupe. The concept comes 50 years after the 504 was on sale.
Read More →
2018 Paris Motor Show: Seventh Generation BMW 3 Series Officially Revealed
The 2019 BMW 3 Series has been officially revealed at the ongoing Paris Motor Show, a day after images of the new sedan were leaked online. The seventh generation 3 Series is completely new in every possible way and the model comes with plenty of changes over its predecessor a it will take on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Jaguar XE and the Volvo S60. With the new generation, the 2019 BMW 3 Series is all set to take the top spot against its rivals in the in the premium sedan segment. The new generation BMW 3 Series sports an evolutionary design, much in-line with the new 5 and 7 Series models, which is both functional and aesthetic.
Read More →
2018 Paris Motor Show: 2019 Mercedes-AMG A35 Debuts With 302 Bhp
The 2019 Mercedes-AMG A35 has made its public debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. The new performance hatchback was unveiled last month online, and this is the first time the car is being seen in flesh. The new Mercedes-AMG A35 is positioned between the range-topping A45 and the standard A-Class, as the more tamed AMG, if that can ever be said. It's will also be slightly more affordable over the A45 AMG without necessarily compromising on fun.
Read More →
Skoda Vision RS Concept Hybrid Hot Hatch Revealed
Following the reveal of the 240 bhp Kodiaq RS, Skoda has also lifted the veils of the Vision RS concept ahead of the 2018 Paris Motor Show. Both models will make their public debut at the French motor show. The Skoda Vision RS concept hybrid is a sharp looking five-door hatchback and previews a host of future models from the automaker including the next generation Rapid and possibly a hot hatch as well, to take on the Ford Focus, Hyundai i30N and the Volkswagen Golf. The Vision RS is also likely to spawn a performance version in the future with the RS badge similar to VW's GTI badge.
Read More →
Datsun GO And GO+ Facelift Revealed; Pre-Bookings Open
Ahead of its launch later this month, Datsun India has revealed the GO and GO+ facelifted models. The Datsun GO facelift and the GO+ facelift receive cosmetic upgrades to the styling, while the feature list is likely to get a major update as well. For now, Datsun has only revealed the exterior of the updated GO models, with the cabin still under wraps. Pre-bookings, meanwhile, officially commence from today across the company's dealerships for a token amount of Rs. 11,000, while deliveries will begin on the launch day of October 10, 2018.
Read More →
F1: Hamilton Wins Russian GP As Mercedes Orders Bottas To Move Aside
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton took a flawless win in the 2018 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix, extending his lead for the championship title. The Briton started second on the grid and managed won the race ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas by a margin of 2.545s. Hamilton's victory though comes amidst Mercedes' team orders asking Bottas to move aside. The latter started on pole and was running for the race lead behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen when the Bottas was asked to let Hamilton as the Briton had Sebastian Vettel on his tail.
Read More →
Elon Musk Steps Down As Tesla Chairman
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has agreed to step down as the chairman of Tesla. Musk has been also asked to pay a $20 million fine in a deal to settle charges that were brought on him by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier this week. The settlement, which requires court approval, has determined that Musk will continue to stay at the CEO of the electric car company but must leave the role as chairman of the board within 45 days. He won't be able to seek re-election for three years either, as per the court filings
Read More →
F1: Daniil Kvyat To Return To Torro Rosso In 2019
Nicknamed "the Torpedo", Daniil Kvyat will be making a comeback to Torro Rosso in 2019 and steps in for Pierre Gasly who has been promoted to Red Bull Racing.
Read More →
Datsun GO And GO+ Facelift To Be Launched Next Month
Nissan's entry-level brand Datsun is all set to introduce the GO and GO+ facelifts next month in the country. While we told you weeks ago that the company was eyeing an early October launch, the automaker has earmarked October 9, 2018, as the launch date for the updated models. It's interesting to note that the new generation Hyundai Santro (AH2) will also be officially unveiled on the same day, and will be a direct rival to the the Datsun offerings. The Datsun GO was first introduced in 2013, while the GO Plus arrived in 2015 as a seven-seater version. This will be the major upgrade to the GO range ever since the models have been on sale. The facelifted avatars were revealed in Indonesia earlier this year, and the Indian version will be identical.
Read More →
Royal Enfield Interceptor And Continental GT 650 Prices Announced For The US
We finally rode the much awaited Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 and the Interceptor 650, but what's equally awaited is the pricing on both these motorcycles. Marking the global launch of the 650 Twins, Royal Enfield has announced prices of the new motorcycles for the US market with the MSRP (max selling retail price) for the Interceptor starting at $5799 (about Rs. 4.21 lakh), while that in the Continental GT 650 starts at $5999 (about Rs. 4.36 lakh). Prices vary in the US depending on the colour scheme and can go as high as $6749 (about Rs. 4.90 lakh) for the chrome edition.
Read More →
2019 Aston Martin Vantage Launched In India; Priced At Rs. 2.95 Crore
The British car maker's most affordable offering currently, the 2019 Aston Martin Vantage has been officially launched in India with prices starting at Rs. 2.95 crore (ex-showroom). This is the base price on the new Vantage coupe, with a host of optional extras available at a premium. The new Aston Martin Vantage gets a complete overhaul over its predecessor and shares its underpinnings with the DB11, albeit with 70 per cent new components in place. Compared to the last generation version, the 2019 Vantage carries nothing forward barring the door handle. Bookings for the Vantage commence today pan India, while deliveries for the GT will begin in the next two to four months.
Read More →
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Limited Edition Launched In India
Following up with the limited edition versions of the Ignis and Swift, Maruti Suzuki has silently introduced the Baleno limited edition in the country as well. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno joins the other hatchbacks for the festive season and comes with cosmetic upgrades and feature upgrades over the standard version. Maruti Suzuki has not revealed the prices on the limited edition Baleno, but the model is expected to see a price hike of Rs. 35,000 over the present model. The standard Baleno range is priced between Rs. 5.39 lakh, going up to Rs. 8.50 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi).
Read More →
Ducati 959 Panigale Corse Launched In India; Priced At Rs. 15.20 Lakh
Bringing a special edition version this festive season, Ducati India has introduced the 959 Panigale Corse in the country priced at Rs. 15.20 lakh (ex-showroom). The special edition Ducati 959 Panigale Corse gets a dedicated livery inspired by the Ducati Corse MotoGP colours that graces the Desmosedici GP 18 bikes ridden by Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo. The special edition version also comes with contrast finished black wheels to complement the new paint scheme. Bookings for the Ducati 959 Panigale Corse open today and is about Rs. 67,000 more expensive than the standard version.
Read More →
Toyota Likely To Introduce Android Auto On Its Range Soon
It was only this year that the company introduced Apple CarPlay on some its models globally, and it now looks like the automaker is warming up to Android Auto as well.
Read More →
Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain Launch Details Revealed
Mercedes-Benz will be introducing the E-Class All-Terrain in India on September 28, 2018. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain made its global debut last year as the rugged version based on the E-Class station wagon and was showcased at the Auto Expo in February this year. The E-Class All-Terrain stands unique as the company's first station wagon for the Indian market but does face competition from the Volvo V90 Cross Country that was launched in the country last year. With the E-Class All-Terrain, Mercedes-Benz India will be retailing three versions of the E-Class including the long wheelbase sedan, standard wheelbase AMG E 63 and now the station wagon.
Read More →
Ford Aspire Facelift Bookings Open Ahead Of Launch Next Month
Ford India has announced that bookings are open for the Aspire facelift subcompact sedan ahead of the official launch slated on October 4, 2018. The 2018 Ford Aspire facelift brings comprehensive upgrades to the subcompact sedan including revised styling and new features. The car will also get the newly developed 1.2-litre Dragon series petrol engine that made its debut on the Freestyle crossover. Order books are open for the new Aspire facelift across Ford dealerships across the country for a token amount of Rs. 11,000.
Read More →
Google Maps Now Run On Apple CarPlay With iOS 12 Update
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have in ways revolutionalised the in-car infotainment system interface on modern-day cars. While Android Auto clearly offered a lot of compatible options with the car's infotainment unit right from the start, Apple has taken its time to make CarPlay more accessible in terms of features. With the iOS 12 update, the tech giant has resolved a major concern with Apple CarPlay by making Google maps now accessible. With the update, users will no longer have be forced to use Apple Maps for navigation.
Read More →
MotoGP: Marquez Duels Dovizioso To Win Aragon GP As Lorenzo Crashes
Honda's Marc Marquez extended his championship lead in the 2018 MotoGP championship taking an absolutely fantastic win in the Aragon Grand Prix. The Honda rider battled race leader Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati to take the win, as pole-sitter Jorge Lorenzo crashed out of contention early on. The race also ended on a brilliant note for Suzuki's Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins as they clenched third and fourth spots respectively. With a brilliant win, Marquez is now 72 points ahead of Dovi, while Yamaha's Valentino Rossi sits third after finishing at P8 in the race.
Read More →
Hyundai Santro Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary
While we all know that 2018 marks 20 years for the Hyundai brand in India, today is a day very special not only for the manufacturer but for several of its customers as well. Today marks the 20th anniversary of the very special small car that came to be known as the Hyundai Santro. The automaker's first-ever offering in India, the Santro was launched in the country on September 23, 1998, kick-starting Hyundai's rise and rise in the Indian market. The Santro was a direct rival to the Maruti Zen, one of the most popular entry-level cars of its time, but the latter brought freshness to the segment making sure the competition had to step up its game as well.
Read More →
MotoGP: Lorenzo Beats Dovizioso To Pole In Aragon GP
The 2018 MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix will see Ducati's Jorge Lorenzo start on pole after a smashing qualifying session. The Spaniard lead the Aragon GP qualifying on Saturday by 0.014s over teammate Andrea Dovizioso, while Honda's Marc Marquez could only set the third fastest lap time, managing a front row start. Both Lorenzo and Dovizioso set their fastest laps times on their last runs in Q2. For Yamaha's Valentino Rossi, this was his worst qualifying session for the year after being eliminated in Q1 itself.
Read More →
