– TASS Report –
Russia starts series production of Aurus luxury cars
- The minimum price of Aurus Senat cars will be $245,000
31 May, Elabuga, Russia (TASS) – Production of the luxury Aurus Senat car has been launched at the Ford Sollers plant in Elabuga, Tatarstan, TASS reports on Monday. President Vladimir Putin took part in the opening ceremony by videoconference.
The minimum price of Aurus Senat cars will be 18 mln rubles ($245,000). As earlier reported, the first batch of cars from the production line will come with a high level of options and a price of 22 mln rubles ($300,000).
Shipments are planned to start in June, the Kremlin says. The majority of Aurus vehicles are planned to be sold on the international markets, mainly in the Middle East.
The Elabuga plant is also planning to produce the Aurus Komendant SUV.
Aurus is the first Russian luxury car brand created from scratch by specialists from the NAMI design institute. Aurus is owned by NAMI (63.5%), UAE’s Tawazun (36%), and Sollers (0.5%).
Luxury cars to be exported
The Kremlin’s press service also noticed that “the greater portion of Russian luxury car brand Aurus will be exported”.
“A significant portion of produced Aurus cars is planned for sale on international markets, in countries of the Middle East in the first instance. The penetration of Chinese and Western European markers is planned in a longer term,” the press service says.
Aurus is the first Russian luxury car brand created from scratch by NAMI design institute specialists. Aurus shareholders are NAMI (63.5%), UAE’s Tawazun (36%) and Sollers (0.5%).
300-350 Aurus cars to be produced in 2021 — Russian Industry Minister
- In the future, the production is planned to be increased to 5,000 vehicles per year
31 May, Elabuga, Republic of Tatarstan (TASS) – 300-350 Aurus premium brand cars will be produced by the end of this year, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said on Monday.
“As far as this year is concerned, we expect to supply about 300-350 produced cars in a different configuration,” the Minister said.
The car output is planned to be increased in the future to 5,000 vehicles per year, Manturov added.
Aurus is the first Russian luxury car brand created from scratch by NAMI design institute specialists. Aurus shareholders are NAMI (63.5%), UAE’s Tawazun (36%), and Sollers (0.5%).
Face-lifted for the better in 2018, the EcoSport ditched a somewhat ungainly stacked grille for the much cleaner, more charismatic current fascia, and its almost playfully aggressive interpretation of larger Fords’ contemporary design language. With big and broad twin-slat and slotted grill flanked by squinting and browed lights, the EcoSport’s feisty flavour is complemented with an eager stance implied by its rising waistline, jutting tailgate spoiler and high-set rear lights. Prominent wheel-arches and lower black cladding meanwhile play up its SUV-inspired aesthetic, and good off-road angles deliver genuine dirt road ability.
Progressive in delivery and happily revving to redline, the EcoSport’s engine is responsive at low-end and flexible in mid-range for a compact non-turbo unit, and is estimated to propel its 1,212kg mass through 0-100km/h in 13-seconds and onto around 175km/h. Driving the front wheels, the EcoSport’s engine would ideally be mated to a manual gearbox, as available in its domestic Indian market. However, the regionally-available 6-speed automatic is smooth, slick and intuitive shifting, with well-judged ratios, but only offers two selectable driving options, and not manually individual and sequential gear selection.
Tidily eager into corners with quick steering, lightweight engine and short wheelbase, the EcoSport turns on a proverbial dime yet well controls body lean for a tall comfortable riding crossover. Easy to precisely place on road with its compact dimensions, good front visibility and nuanced and intimate steering feel and feedback, the EcoSport makes swift point-to-point progress with little need to dial back momentum through twist and turns. Fun and fast cross country, the EcoSport’s suspension is meanwhile supple yet settled, and its brakes intuitive in pedal travel and response.
Well packaged inside in terms of space efficiency, the EcoSport offers genuinely good rear headroom and adequate rear legroom. With its spare tyre located externally on its side-swinging tailgate, the EcoSport has a spacious vertically-oriented cargo area with additional underfloor storage, and allows useful access in low roof garages. The downside of the external spare tyre is that one needs to be careful it doesn’t bump into walls or other cars when opening the tailgate in narrow parking spaces. Easy to maneuver in such confines, the EcoSport meanwhile features rear parking sensors and camera.
A sportily agile and responsive drive in most circumstance and for most drivers’ demands, given it is a high riding crossover with generous 196mm ground clearance, the Coolray turns into corners in a tidy fashion, with nimble weight transfer when driving in a reasonably brisk fashion. Its light and quick steering meanwhile weights up nicely and becomes more nuanced when picking up speed through sprawling switchbacks. Driving over road imperfections, the Coolray seems more settled than many rivals on rebound and in its vertical control, but would benefit from stiffer damper rates.
Specifications: Geely Coolray 1.5T GF Sport
Powered by an upgraded and presumably better breathing DOHC version of its predecessor’s naturally-aspirated variable timing 16-valve 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine, the new City’s performance figures are nearly identical, but with a single horsepower gain and 300rpm earlier torque peak. That said, the new City seems livelier, with more flexible lower and mid-range delivery. Given improved engine performance despite a marginal weight penalty, one estimates little changed 0-100km/h acceleration in 11.5-seconds or so, and 190km/h top speed. Fuel efficiency however is slightly improved, at a claimed and frugal 4.74l/100km.
With high revving engine and weighing just 1,126kg in DX specification, as driven, the Honda City is something that is becoming less common, in that it is a practical and uncomplicated yet fun to drive compact saloon. Stable and refined on motorways, and maneuverable in town, the City is nonetheless light on its feet and agile through twisting roads. Turning in responsively and eager to change direction with its light and quick steering, the City’s light weight is easily kept in control by MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension.
Specifications: Honda City 1.5 DX
Showcasing an undeniably bold and eye-catching exterior styling, the Cyberster features classic round MG headlights, coupled with a slim grille design, along with interactive ‘Magic Eye’ headlights that open when switched on. Other striking details include a ‘laser belt’ LED strip down the side of the car and the outline of the door, which follows the direction of the LED strip.
Tom Lee, Managing Director of MG Motor’s Middle East operations, commented: “With the release of the Cyberster, the brand is adamant on bridging and strengthening its British heritage with its current high-tech and state-of-the-art products. MG has always been known for its sports cars and we will always be keen to offer customers exclusive masterpieces that are truly unique”.
Interesting facts & figures
Ready to be commissioned for production, the Chieftain Xtreme is built on a modified Range Rover chassis with independent double wishbone suspension at all four corners for enhanced ride comfort and driving dynamics. Under the bonnet, it is powered by muscular General Motors supercharged small block LT4 V8 engine. Driving all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic gearbox, the Chieftain Xtreme is projected to develop 700BHP and about the same lb/ft of torque.
The Accord’s most assertive design aspect is its jutting shark-nose with the near obligatorily wide and full length grille and slim squinting headlights, recessed deep beneath a full-width decorative chrome bar. Sculpted surfacing includes a scalloped clamshell bonnet, and gently arcing waistline crease. Meanwhile, the Accord’s rakish fastback-like roofline and its rising and prominent sill line are set on converging trajectories and a tapered, somewhat sportily low bootlid with integrated spoiler. Athletic yet elegant, the Accord’s stance seems both dignified, yet eager to pounce. Its rear meanwhile features integrated dual exhaust ports and boomerang-like lights.
Smooth and muscular with generous mid-range pull and a distant guttural snarl at higher revs, the Accord’s compact but punchy engine delivers its best at relatively low revs, but is nevertheless eager and perky to its rev limit, with good throttle control and lift-off precision. Its CVT is meanwhile seamless through ratios and while there are no simulated fixed ratios to manually select, it is however responsive to throttle input and allows the engine to rev freely, and helps return modest 7.2l/100km fuel efficiency. Observed consumption during demanding test drive conditions was meanwhile unexpectedly low.
Grippy and committed through fast sweepers, snaking lanes and even hairpin hill climbs, the Accord is nothing short of a joy to drive across sprawling countryside roads. However it is at its best being pushed close to but not quite at its dynamic limits to avoid the expected understeer when being driven too hard and tight into lower traction corners. That said, and despite its front-drive architecture’s front weight bias, the accord can also be nudged out at the rear before stability controls quickly step in.
Supple and settled with good cabin refinement, the Accord delivers a relaxed yet alert and focused driving environment. Seated in comfortable, supportive and well-adjustable seats, the Accord’s driving position and suspension vertical control work to keep the driver feeling in control and at the heart of proceedings. Controls are meanwhile user-friendly and within easy reach, and include clear digital instrumentation, driver-oriented gear lever and chunky contoured steering wheel. Cabin room is generous in front, while rear seating provides good legroom, and decent headroom, even with the low slung roofline and optional sunroof.
Specifications: Honda Accord 1.5T EX-L
Sculpted to Perfection
Passion for Performance
Hyper aggressive in design for a middle of the road, eco-oriented family car, the K5 Hybrid may not be a performance saloon, but packs a good punch when both combustion engine and electric motor are operating in unison. Developing 153BHP at 6,000rpm and 140lb/ft 5,000rpm from its naturally-aspirated 2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine and 51BHP at 1,770-2,000rpm and 151lb/ft at 0-1,770rpm from its parallel electric motor, the K5 Hybrid can call upon a meaningfully effective combined output of 192BHP at 6,000rpm and perhaps up to 270lb/ft as low as 1,770rpm.
A comfortable, quiet and stable highway cruiser or town car, the K5 Hybrid is a natural long distance companion that smoothly irons out most road imperfections, if slightly on the firm side in its primary reaction to particularly jagged lumps and bumps owing to its sportily low profile 215/55R17 tyres. Easy to maneuver with its light steering and rear view camera and parking sensors, which make up for its low roofline’s visibility, the K5 Hybrid is meanwhile refined inside with a comfortably adjustable driving position and driver-oriented dash and console.
Specifications: Kia K5 Hybrid
Kia’s first car after licensed Fiat 124 production, the Brisa was in fact a Korean built version of the Mazda Familia / 1000. A compact rear-drive saloon with independent front and live axle leaf spring suspension and a 1-litre engine, the Brisa saloon was known as the S-1000 and accounted for nearly half of the model’s production at 30,000 units. It was however the modified Brisa pick-up that sold over half, and became Kia’s first export, with 31 units shipped to Qatar in 1975.
The new Golf GTI has also become lower, more elongated and dynamic. The new exterior of the vehicle features an array of traditional and new GTI features. The infamous GTI strip has been redefined by a parallel LED crossbar and LED high taillights. The GTI has a turbocharged engine that generates 180 kW (245 HP) in terms of performance and the agility and sportiness has been perfected with the new, networked Vehicle Dynamics Manager.
Sitting under its muscular bonnet, the Grandland X’s turbocharged direct injection 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine powers the front wheels through a slick-shifting and responsive 6-speed automatic gearbox, as driven and available in Jordan. Offered elsewhere with other engine options including a more powerful 1.6-litre, new 8-speed automatic gearbox, and optional front-biased four-wheel-drive, the Grandland X 1.6T is however served perfectly well with front-wheel-drive, which imbues it a perky, playful and almost hatchback-like driving character and keeps weight and fuel consumption comparatively low at around 1.4-tonnes and 7l/100km on the combined cycle, respectively.
Stable from sudden unintended inputs on the straight ahead, the Grandland X’s steering is however direct, quick and accurate, if somewhat clinical rather than layered with textured feel and nuance. Turning tidily and gripping taut into corners, the Grandland X proved surprisingly nimble and agile for a moderately high riding crossover. Eager into and through corners, its rear follows through just as willingly and seems like it would be quite adjustable and eager should the occasion arise. That said, the Grandland X feel committed through corners, while body lean was well controlled.
Specifications: Opel Grandland X 1.6T
Powered by a broad range of petrol and diesel 4-cylinder and V6 engines ranging between 2.0- to 3.5-litres, the first generation Frontera ‘A’ 5-door version also included an Opel-developed 2.4-litre borrowed from the Opel Manta coupe. Never a quick vehicle by any measure in any guise, the Frontera was however a capable off-road and towing machine, with a low-revving torque-biased delivery. The Frontera 2.4L’s 8-valve SOHC engine developed 123BHP at just 4,800rpm and 143lb/ft at 2,400rpm, and in 5-door guise was capable of 0-100km/h in an estimated 18.6-seconds and a top speed of 153km/h.
Engine: 2.4-litre, 8-valve SOHC, in-line 4-cylinders
Not only is it the most powerful, but the Vantage F1 Edition benefits from unique and significant chassis and aerodynamic improvements developed by Aston Martin’s hugely experienced engineering team. While the luxury brand’s Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One team was busy preparing a return to the grid, the engineering team behind the infamous road cars were too, creating the ultimate Aston Martin Vantage which could take on the role of an Official Safety Car of Formula 1. Set to work by Chief Executive Officer, Tobias Moers, the task was to develop significant performance enhancements, driven by improved lap time performance in order to successfully carry out its role on the F1 track, but without compromising its on-road capabilities. Notably, it would do so without the fitment of aggressively track-optimised tyres. Following the success of these enhancements, Moers instructed the integration of these into the production car, ultimately developing the new Vantage F1 Edition. The most sporting Vantage in the production range and in essence, a replica of the Vantage Official Safety Car of Formula 1. An exciting proposition for Aston Martin customers.
Moving to the chassis, the team’s focus centered on the suspension and steering, with further detailed underbody modifications to increase front structural stiffness for a further improvement in steering feel and response. Reworked damper internals have increased the dampers’ effective force range. This increase in bandwidth brings a noticeable improvement in vertical body control – both through high speed compressions and over crests – without any deterioration in low-speed compliance.
Completing the Vantage F1 Edition’s performance enhancements is a comprehensive aero kit, bringing improvements that can be felt from the driver’s seat and measured against the clock. Designed to deliver positive front and rear downforce, totaling 200kg more downforce than Vantage at top speed – as well as optimising the overall balance of the car, the aerodynamic changes comprise a full-width front splitter, front dive planes, underbody turning vanes, and – most obviously – the new rear wing. The rear diffuser remains unchanged but is still a core feature in the delivery of the aerodynamic performance working in tandem with the new aerodynamic features
The Vantage F1 Edition – available as Coupe and Roadster – is further distinguished by its vaned grille as standard, 2×2 Twill Carbon Fibre exterior detailing, unique graphics, quad exhausts and a new design of Satin Black Diamond Turned 21” alloy wheel.
Powered by a Mitsubishi-derived 2-litre turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder engine driving the front wheels through a slick shifting ZF-sourced 6-speed automated dual-clutch gearbox, the Zotye T700 develops 228BHP at a somewhat low-revving 5,000-5,300rpm plateau and a mighty 258lb/ft torque throughout a broad 2,500-4,000rpm band. Expected to be capable of up to 200km/h, the T700 is meanwhile no slouch in the acceleration department, and is loosely estimated to propel its approximate 1,875kg mass through the 0-100km/h benchmark in 9-seconds or less. Meanwhile, combined cycle fuel efficiency is estimated at 9-litres/100km.
During a brief test drive, the T700 proved to be a comfortable cruiser and well refined in terms of noise, vibration and harshness isolation, but with its sporty low profile 235/55R19 tyres, it did feel slightly on the firm side over sudden jagged bumps, lumps and imperfections. On the few opportunities to push hard through corners to explore its handling and dynamic traits, the T700 did seem unexpectedly composed, committed and eager, with quick, tidy turn-in and a willingness for sudden directional change, while body roll seemed well-controlled and grip levels reassuring.
Established in 2005, Zotye’s first model was introduced the following year. Named the RX6400 and later Nomad, it was a licensed version of Daihatsu’s tiny Terios SUV. Powered by a longitudinal 1.3-litre engine developing 87BHP and 85lb/ft, the Nomad was capable of 140km/h and 0-100km/h in 22-seconds. Export models were only available in rear-drive guise under the 2008 nameplate, in honour of the Beijing Olympics.
14 March 2021, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Jaguar Classic has unveiled its first matched pair of E-type 60 Collection cars, and revealed full specification details for the 12 expertly restored and sympathetically uprated 3.8-litre E-types built to celebrate 60 years of the iconic sports car.
The E-type 60 Collection cars, which are sold as a pair (one E-type 60 Edition coupé, one E-type 60 Edition roadster) are finished in exclusive Flat Out Grey and Drop Everything Green paint colours respectively. These colour formulations are inspired by the original 1961 colours and won’t be used on any other Jaguar.
Dan Pink, Director, Jaguar Classic, said: “Sixty years after its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961, the talented team at Jaguar Classic are releasing the ultimate birthday present to the E-type: The E-type 60 Collection. The attention to detail demonstrates how this project has been a labour of love for our designers, engineers, craftspeople and partners. Exquisite detailing combined with enhanced usability ensure these E-types will be coveted and enjoyed for decades to come by their discerning owners, starting with a once-in-a-lifetime Coventry to Geneva pilgrimage for our six customers and their guests in Summer 2022.
Restored and refined by the experts at Jaguar Classic in Coventry, the E-type 60 Collection cars combine flawless quality and exceptional engineering know-how.
The highlight of the visual enhancements is a unique piece of metal engraving created by prominent artist and world-leading engraver, King Nerd. Johnny ‘King Nerd’ Dowell has inscribed the stainless steel centre consoles of the 12 cars with a bespoke etching relevant to each E-type 60 Edition.
Johnny Dowell, artist and designer ‘King Nerd’, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to design and engrave the stories of two epic drives by two Jaguar legends in these iconic and special cars. A permanent reminder of the anniversary, everywhere these E-types go, the memory of Bob Berry and Norman Dewis will travel with them.”
This experience is enlivened by a modern suite of leading-edge features that firmly establish the Sorento as Kia’s most high-tech car ever. The vehicle’s progressive connectivity, driver assistance and infotainment technologies immerse drivers in a connected world of ease. Along with the advanced graphics of its user-friendly twin digital displays, new telematics and smartphone connectivity, these features making travelling safer and less stressful, providing complete peace of mind.
“The new Sorento flies the flag for Kia and our reinvigorated line-up of SUVs. It represents the very best of contemporary car-making, sitting on the shoulders of its predecessors to reach new heights of engineering excellence.”
The STARIA name combines ‘star’ and ‘ria’, in reference to the vehicle’s future-oriented product values and streamlined design characteristics defined by one curve gesture silhouettes as well as clean and pure body volume.
STARIA offers a strikingly futuristic and mysterious exterior, resembling a spaceship. The front is highlighted by a long, horizontal daytime running light and headlamps positioned underneath. The spaceship vibe is echoed by its expansive panoramic windows and lower belt lines, underscoring the openness of the interior. The height of the cabin is also optimized for premium comfort and convenience, making it ideal for both business and family use.
STARIA Premium, which will be available in select markets, takes mobility to the next level, sporting premium features and variant-exclusive finishes for a more luxurious look and feel.
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