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
ZF Demonstrates World’s First Pre-Crash External Side Airbag System
German auto components maker ZF has developed the world's first pre-crash occupant safety system with an external side airbag. The manufacturer gave a live demonstration of the new safety technology in Memmingen, Germany, which saw an external side airbag being deployed just milliseconds before a collision. The company says that the new technology provides an additional lateral crumple zone, which can help save lives and reduce occupant injury by over 40 per cent. To make the system work, ZF has networked the airbags to the vehicle's sensor systems and has developed algorithms that are capable of determining if a crash is imminent and then decide to deploy the airbag.
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Ather 450 Electric Scooter Road Test Review
We sample the Ather 450 electric scooter out of its home and comfort zone in the production-spec avatar.
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Kia Seltos Is The Name Of The Production Spec SP Concept
Kia Motor India's first offering in the country will be a compact SUV and the automaker has finally revealed the production name of the offering - Seltos. The Kia Seltos is slated for an unveil on June 20, 2019, and is the production version of the Kia SP Concept that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. The official nameplate has been announced just days after leaked images revealed the SUV completely while wearing the new badge. Interestingly, Kia Motor India had asked the masses to select a name for its upcoming offering with monikers like the Tusker and Trailster being ones that were shortlisted.
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MotoGP: Petrucci Beats Marquez To Win Italian GP; Bags Maiden Victory
Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci crossed the chequered flag to claim his maiden MotoGP victory, after a climactic battle with reigning world champion Marc Marquez. Petrucci secured his first-ever win at his home ground in Mugello, after a few near finishes earlier in the season. The last laps of the Italian Grand Prix formed most of the excitement as Petrucci led to victory by a gap of just 0.043s over Marquez. Coming in third was Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso taking the last place on the podium.
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22Motors Patents Hill Assist Feature For Two-Wheelers; A World First
In a world first, Gurugram-based 22Motors has secured a patent for a Hill Assist Control feature on two-wheelers. The electric mobility solutions start-up applied for the patent on February 7, 2019 and the same was granted to the company on May 9 this year. 22Motors describes the feat as an example of intelligent engineering, which will add to the customer safety. While the feature has been available on cars for a while, this is for the first time that a two-wheeler will get the same. 22Motors is yet to start the sale of its electric scooters though, having showcased it at the Auto Expo last year.
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2020 BMW 1 Series Breaks Cover
The BMW 1 Series has been one of the most fun to drive hatchbacks over the previous generations and the automaker has now released the all-new generation of the model. The 2020 BMW 1 Series is quite literally all-new, having been built from ground up and shares little details with its predecessor. The biggest change by far comes with the front-wheel drive (FWD) set-up on the third generation that replaces the rear-wheel drive architecture, which made it such a hoot to drive in the first place. The new 1 Series also comes with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) on the top trims. As a result, the new BMW 1 joins the automaker's smaller set of FWD cars including the X1, 2 Series and the 1 Series sedan.
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F1: Hamilton Beats Verstappen To Win Dramatic Monaco GP
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has won the 2019 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix in a climatic last set of laps. The reigning world champion dedicated his win to three-time world champion Niki Lauda, who passed away earlier this week. Coming in second was Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing but received a 5-second penalty and has been pushed down to P4. As a result, Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari is now promoted to P2 followed by Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas at P3. The Monaco GP also marked the 300th Grand Prix start for veteran driver Kimi Raikkonen of Alfa Romeo who finished 17th.
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Formula E: Lucas di Grassi Wins Berlin e-Prix; Single Point For Mahindra
Audi Abt's Lucas di Grassi was crowned the winner of the 2019 Formula E Berlin e-Prix, his second win of the season. The driver took moved into the lead quite early in the race and retained the position till the end denying the win to pole-sitter Sebastien Buemi of Nissan e.Dams. Championship leader Jean Eric-Vergne of Techeetah finished third after starting eighth on the grid and making his way back up. It was however, a disappointing day for Mahindra Racing as it salvaged the day to pick up a single point, at the circuit where the team picked up its first-ever win the series.
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National Karting Championship Gets Bigger For 2019; JK Tyre Back As Sponsor
JK Tyre will once again back the National Karting Championship in 2019 after a hiatus of two years. For the 2019 season though, the Karting Championship is all set to become bigger than ever with more rounds and categories added as part of a complete transformation. JK says the entry-level series will be more affordable and accessible to young motorsport enthusiasts with promoters and organisers Meco Motorsports having repackaged and upgraded the championship to mak the drivers future ready. The National Karting Championship has been a stepping stone for several racers in the country including Armaan Ebrahim, Aditya Patel, Arjun Maini, Karun Chandhok and more.
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Niki Lauda: Calculative, Resilient, Three-Time World Champion
The week started on a sombre note with the death of three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda. The legendary F1 driver left for the heavenly abode leaving behind stories of inspiration for an entire generation, some of which may seem downright fiction. The most famous of which is the crash at the Nurburgring in 1976 that almost killed him. He was all of 27 years then, and was given his last rites on the hospital bed while being treated for severe burns. But, racer that he was not only emerged from that accident but was back in the racing seat in six weeks against the advice of his doctors. Stubborn, arrogant but extremely resilient!
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Harley-Davidson To Enter 250-500 cc Motorcycle Segment In 2020
American motorcycle maker, Harley-Davidson has an expansive plan to enter newer segments in the years to come, one of which will be the entry-level 250-500 cc space that will arrive as early as next year. While the manufacturer has already shared plans of an adventure motorcycle, electric bike and other offerings, the latest development confirms that the company is also eyeing the entry-level premium motorcycle segment, which will give it a boost in emerging markets across the globe. The announcement comes Harley's President & CEO - Matt Levatich, who confirmed the development as part of the "More Roads to Harley-Davidson" growth plan. The new small capacity motorcycles will cater to several high growth markets including India.
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Three Time F1 World Champion Niki Lauda Dies Aged 70
It's a sad day for the world of motorsport that has lost one of its most iconic figures. Former Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda has died at the age of 70. The three-time world champion passed away overnight, his family confirmed after battling a number of health issues over a year. Lauda had received a lung transplant eight months ago that required him to stay in the hospital for over two months, while he was also admitted in the hospital once again earlier this year due to a flu infection. It's also been reported that Lauda was undergoing kidney dialysis at his home in Switzerland prior to his demise.
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2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF Launched In India; Priced at Rs. 1.09 Lakh
Making its debut alongside its new older sibling, Suzuki Motorcycle India has introduced the 2019 Gixxer SF in the country. The 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF is priced at Rs. 1.09 lakh (ex-showroom) and brings comprehensive upgrades to the 155 cc motorcycle. This is the first major update to the bike in its total production run and includes cosmetic changes and new features on offer. The mechanicals though remain the same on the motorcycle. The 2019 Gixxer SF is also likely to make way for an updated Gixxer street-fighter for MY2019 and is likely to hit the market later in the year.
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MotoGP: Marquez Wins Dramatic French GP; Hard Fought 2nd For Dovizioso
Reigning world champion Marc Marquez of Honda secured another win this season after a dominant run in the 2019 MotoGP French Grand Prix at Le Mans. The Japanese factory team secured its 300th premier class win, 53 years after taking Jim Redman took its first-ever at Hockenheim. While Marquez made a strong run right from the opening lap, it was Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso who showed immense grit through the race to finish at P2, despite some close competition with teammate Danilo Petrucci in the final stages. Dovizioso fended off Petrucci by 0.158s to take second, while Pramac Ducati's Jack Miller and Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi rounded up the top five.
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Hero Maestro Edge 125 First Ride Review
The new Hero Maestro Edge 125 is the sportier, or rather, edgier offering from the Indian two-wheeler maker and intends to cater to a younger and more vibrant customer base. Does it hold to the promise? We find out.
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Volkswagen Expands Network With First City & Pop-up Stores In India
German auto giant has inaugurated its first city and pop-up stores in India, in a bid to expand its presence and touchpoints in the country. The manufacturer opened its first City store at Richmond Road in Bengaluru, while the Pop-up store opened in Tumkur. The automaker says that the initiative aims to prepare the brand to be 'fit for the future', while being innovative. Volkswagen plans to introduce 30 new pop-up and city stores across the country over the next one year.
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Yamaha Crosses 10 Million Production Landmark In India
Japanese two-wheeler giant, Yamaha Motor has announced a production milestone of 10 million units in India. The company achieved the landmark production figure in 34 years of its presence in the country, having begun operations in 1985. The production number is a result of Yamaha's three manufacturing facilities locatd in Surajpur, Faridabad and Chennai that have contributed to the achievement. The 10 millionth vehicle to roll-out at the ceremony was the Yamaha FZS-FI V3.0 at the Chennai plant - a popular seller for the company that was launched in January this year. The production volumes have not only catered to the domestic demand but for exports as well.
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Hero Pleasure Plus 110 Launched In India; Priced At Rs. 47,300
Hero MotoCorp's second launch for the day is the all-new Pleasure Plus scooter. The new Hero Pleasure 110 is priced at Rs. 47,300 (ex-wife, Delhi) and gets comprehensive upgrades over the outgoing version with a revised design, new colours and more features on offer. It still remains one of the most affordable scooters on sale and will be attracting a number of first time female buyers. Bookings for the new Pleasure commence from today across the two-wheeler maker's dealerships pan India, while deliveries will begin by the end of this month.
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Hero Maestro Edge 125 Launched In India: Prices Start At Rs. 58,500
Hero MotoCorp has finally launched the new Maestro Edge 125 scooter with prices starting at Rs. 58,500(Ex-showroom, Delhi). The all-new Hero Maestro Edge 125 joins the Destini 125 as the company's second offering in the 125 cc scooter segment, and is targeted at a younger set of customers unlike the Destini which is family oriented scooter. The Maestro Edge 125 was first showcased at the Auto Expo last year and the final production version is nearly identical to the model we first saw. With two offerings catering to a diverse buyer group, Hero aims to capture a larger share in the scooter space.
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F1: Hamilton Wins Spanish GP In Another 1-2 Finish For Mercedes; Verstappen Bags 3rd
Mercedes continues to dominate the 2019 F1 season and took its fifth straight 1-2 finish in the Spanish Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton secured the win beating teammate Valtteri Bottas to the top position, while Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen secured the last place on the podium, his second this season. With the latest win, Hamilton moves into the points lead in the driver standings and is seven points clear of Bottas for the world championship.
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