Audi AG, the German luxury car manufacturer, introduced its sporty spearhead Audi RS 7 Sportback yesterday in India. Combining the power of a sportscar with the elegance of a large, five-door coupé, the Audi RS 7 Sportback boasts of being the most powerful Audi in its existing range in India and is priced at Rs 12,856,000 (Ex-Showroom, Mumbai). This powerful biturbo V8 was unveiled by Joe King, Head, Audi India and is available at all Audi dealerships across India, according to a company statement.
“We started the year with the historic achievement of becoming the first-ever luxury car manufacturer to achieve sales of 10,000 units in a year, and now we follow it up with another momentous step – introduction of the most powerful Audi model from our product range – Audi RS 7 Sportback in India. Embodying our philosophy of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’, the Audi RS 7 Sportback is Audi’s superlative illustration of sportiness, progressiveness and sophistication- combining the strengths of a large, five-door coupé and a sportscar. After the overwhelming response to our Audi RS 5 which further boosted our leadership in the luxury sportscar segment in India, we are confident that the Audi RS 7 Sportback with its aesthetic design and impressive sportiness would establish new benchmarks in the performance sportscar segment in India”, King pointed out.
The abbreviation ‘RS’ represents many things: the most powerful engine within a model line, quattro permanent all-wheel drive, the pinnacle of dynamic performance, an understated look and comprehensive everyday practicality. The Audi RS 7 Sportback, the latest model from quattro GmbH, combines the power of a sports car with the elegance of a large, five-door coupé. The sprint from 0 to 100 kmph (62.14 mph) takes just 3.9 seconds; an option enables a top speed of 305 km/h (189.52 mph). Despite the supreme power of the biturbo V8, which produces 412 kW (560 hp), the Audi RS 7 Sportback consumes on average just 9.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (24.00 US mpg).
Specific details on the exterior of the five-door coupé- the distinctively styled bumpers, the partly tinted LED headlights, the high-gloss black honeycomb grill, the add-on parts in matt aluminum and the flared sills, set sporty accents. The inside story of the Audi RS 7 Sportback reveals true and effortless luxury. The salient element is the “wrap-around” – an arched, horizontal line below the windshield. Thanks to Audi’s lightweight construction technology, the RS 7 Sportback sets new standards with its low weight. A hybrid aluminum design, it weighs roughly 15 percent less than a comparable all-steel body. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system gives a decisive advantage in traction and driving safety. At its heart is a newly developed center differential with a high locking rate. The Audi RS 7 Sportback is one of the first RS models from Audi to come standard with a specifically tuned air suspension.
”With LED headlights and rear-lights, RS-specific driver information system with shift light, MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and BOSE sound system standard and numerous innovative assistance systems available as options, Audi RS 7 Sportback will thoroughly delight our customers and auto enthusiasts”, King added. With their powerful engines, the RS models are the dynamic spearhead in the Audi model range. The high-performance vehicles are consistently sporty in character. Apart from RS 7 Sportback, Audi RS 5 Coupé is also available in India.
At a glance: The Audi RS 7 Sportback
Design and body
– Large, five-door coupé with sporty, elegant proportions
– Distinctive, RS-specific design details
– Audi lightweight design: hybrid aluminum body
Engine
– 4.0 TFSI: biturbo V8 displacing 3,993 cc
– Output 412 kW (560 hp), 700 Nm (516.29 lb-ft) of torque from 1,750 to 5,500 rpm
– 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.9 seconds, top speed optionally 305 km/h 189.52 mph)
– Pioneering efficiency technologies such as Audi cylinder on demand (COD)
– ECE cycle fuel consumption just 9.8 liters per 100 kilometers (24.00 US mpg)
Power transmission
– Eight-speed tiptronic with a dynamic character
– quattro permanent all-wheel drive with new center differential and torque vectoring, sport differential as an option
Chassis
– Specifically-tuned RS adaptive air suspension
– RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) as an option
– Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system with dynamic steering as standard
– 20-inch wheels standard, 21-inch wheels as an option
– Brake discs in wave design, ceramic brakes as an option
– Electronic stabilization control (ESC) with Sport mode, can be deactivated
Interior
– Black interior, carbon inlays, many details in aluminum look
– Illuminated doorsill trimstrips, RS 7 logos in the interior
– RS sport seats with integrated head restraints as standard
– Two rear seats with sporty contours
Equipment and trim
– LED headlights and rearlights
– RS-specific driver information system with shift light
– MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and BOSE sound system standard
– Numerous innovative assistance systems available as options
– Tyre pressure monitoring system with air pressure and temperature display
The Audi model range in India includes the Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A7 Sportback, Audi A8L, Audi Q3, Audi Q3 S Edition, Audi Q5, Audi Q7, Audi S4, Audi S6, Audi RS 5 Coupé, RS 7 Sportback, Audi TT Coupé, the super sports car Audi R8, Audi R8 Spyder and the Audi R8 V10 plus available across the country: in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi Central, Delhi South, Delhi West, Goa, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kanpur, Karnal, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Mumbai South, Mumbai West, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Raipur, Surat and Vadodara.
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Tata Safari Storme launched in Nepal for a price of NRS 37,85,000
Tata Motors today launched the new Tata Safari Storme in Nepal. The Tata Safari Storme is a combination of luxury and comfort with raw power and supreme off-roading performance, which this ‘Real SUV’ has been known for, according to a statement issued by Tata Motors.
Gurinder Singh, Country Manager, Nepal and Bhutan, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors, said: “In addition to our current dynamic offerings, we now introduce the Tata Safari Storme to our customers in Nepal. We are sure that customers will be delighted with the look and off road capability of the Real SUV, the Safari Storme”.
Power & Performance
The new Tata Safari Storme is a refined beast delivering a performance of 0 – 100 km/hr in under 15 sec. Its 2.2 L VariCOR engine, turbocharged with VTT (Variable Turbine Technology), delivers 140 PS Power & 320 NM Torque, providing easy driveability, swifter response and lower NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness). The vehicle also features ESOF (electronic shift-on-fly) technology, enabling engagement of the 4×4 or 4X2 mode, on the move. Yet it is highly fuel efficiency at 14kmpl in the 4×2 variant and 13.2kmpl in the 4×4 variant.
Tata Safari Storme’s ladder frame chassis is constructed with advanced hydroformed members, for high load capabilities and robustness. Hydroforming enhances rigidity while reducing weight. The vehicle also has a double wishbone suspension set-up which provides excellent ride comfort.The Safari Storme boasts best-in-class turning circle radius of 5.4 metres, making driving and manuevoring in tight confines absolutely easy. The ground clearance is 200 mm, with 26 degree gradeability. The new rack and pinion steering system offers perfect feel and accuracy, for a confident driving experience, especially at high speeds. Reverse parking system with audible and graphical representation on the antiglare IRVM (Inside Rear-View Mirror), electrically operated power fold ORVM (Outside Rear-View Mirror) with turn signals, enhance the driving experience.
Looks & Style
The Tata Safari Storme has an all new front look grill, side cladding, new projector headlamps and an all new rear look. The bonnet now boasts of a ‘power bulge,’ which gives it a sportier look. Aerodynamically designed spoilers, new pull-type door handles and ergonomically designed side foot-steps, ensure easy entry and exit. The tailgate trim comes in an all new guise of ergonomically designed grab handles and a spare tyre located underneath the vehicle. The new chrome-tipped twin exhausts add to the sporty demeanor of the vehicle, and the newly designed roof-rails add to the muscular look.
Opulence & Comfort
The luxurious, airy and beige interiors endow the Safari Storme with opulence. There is ample leg space and headroom to accommodate the family, and also plenty of luggage space.
The tilt-adjust (collapsible steering column), reclining front bucket seats with fore/aft adjustment position and lumbar support ensure fatigue free long drives. The integrated 12V-gadget charging points are available on first, second and third row seats. The vehicle is equipped with a dual-AC with a separate integrated roof mounted blower for rear passengers.
The Safari Storme integrates In-Mold Graining (IMG) technology, along with hand stitched leather steering, for a real feel of luxury. An ergonomically shaped gear knob with chrome highlights, wooden accents on the dashboard and door trims, a new instrument cluster, chrome-lined speaker grills and inside door handles, all go a long way in enhancing the interior look.
The rigid ladder frame with hydro-formed construction provides structural strength to the vehicle. Crumple zones, side intrusion beams on all four doors, dual SRS airbags and the collapsible steering column keep passengers safe from all sides.
Reassured Safety
The vehicle has vacuum assisted independent hydraulic, ventilated disc brakes on all four- wheels and a 4 channel ABS with EBD, which helps in keeping the vehicle under control, during emergency braking conditions. In addition, there are features like the inertia switch and an auto engine immobilizer. In an exigency, the inertia switch automatically cuts off the fuel supply to the engine, and unlocks all the doors and also switches on the hazard warning light, to warn other road users. The Safari Storme is also fitted with PES headlamps for better illumination and unwanted glare.
The Safari Storme prices start at NRS 37.85 lakhs. The range is available in three variants, LX, VX (4×2 and 4×4), in six vibrant colours – Urban Bronze, Sardinia Red, Pearl White, Pearl Champagne, Astern Black, Arctic Silver. The Safari Storme will be available throughout the large Tata Motors network in Nepal which consists of Sipradi Trading Pvt Ltd., the official distributor and its 12 dealerships. The Tata Safari Storme comes with a warranty of 2 years or 75,000kms, whichever is earlier.
Sipradi a major player in AUTOMOTIVE & ALLIED business and is one of the largest and most prestigious brands in Nepal. 30 years down the line, Sipradi has exceeded $ 150 million annual revenue and is growing rapidly in automotive, energy, lubricant, financial services, and equipment businesses. It has more than 600 employees working to a common goal –to deliver quality products and services while adding synergy to the growth of overall brand value. Sipradi Trading Private Ltd (STPL) has been the exclusive distributor of Tata Motors Ltd in Nepal since 1982. STPL is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company. STPL sells and services the full range of Tata Motors’ commercial and passenger vehicles. The company has the largest sales and service distribution network throughout Nepal with nine sales offices and five regional service centers. It has 15 passenger vehicle showrooms and 12 service centers.
The News Hour India by Kenath Jayashankar Menon 