Latest news with #AnirbanMitra
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Exclusive: Honda Two-Wheeler To Launch EV Every Year; Aims For No 1 Market Share In India
Ahmedabad (Anirban Mitra): Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) is committed to claiming the top position in the domestic market and is investing heavily in facility expansion. The company has globally achieved the 50 crore vehicle production milestone, rolling the landmark unit out of the Vithalapur facility in Gujarat. Minoru Kato, executive officer, of Honda Motor Company, said, "We are aiming for the largest market share in India by creating a production environment that meets the needs of evolving customers. We are investing Rs 920 crore in the expansion of Vithalapur Plant. This will increase HSMI's annual production to 70 lakh units by 2027." The company has four plants across India with a current installed capacity of 61 lakh per annum. Manesar facility in Haryana has an annual production capacity of 3.8 lakh units, while Tapukara in Rajasthan can produce 13 lakh units. The dedicated EV plant in Narsapura in Karnataka can manufacture 25 lakh units per year. Revealing the company's performance, the top official said HMSI sold 53.26 million (excluding EVs) in FY25, recording 28.3 per cent market share. On the back of strong performance of Activa, Shine and other mass market products, HMSI could narrow its gap from Hero MotoCorp. Karo sounded bullish on India's instrumental role in Honda's aim to touch 6 crore-sales figure annually in the global two-wheeler market by 2030. Electric Vehicles: HMSI launched Activa e: and QC1 in India earlier in 2025. The QC1 comes with a fixed battery while the Activa e: comes with two swappable batteries which can't be charged externally at residence or workplace. Honda Power has installed e: Swap stations in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR as part of phase 1 where customers can replace the drained-out batteries with fresh ones. Also Read: Honda CB1000 Hornet SP, CB750 Hornet Launched, Check Details The top Honda official was confident the model would be accepted by the consumer in the long run, as the battery deterioration would not be a concern. Kato said, "The battery health in electric vehicles degenerates over the years of usage. We believe customers will accept the swapping model as Honda is responsible for charging and warranty of the batteries." Honda two-wheeler's Kato said the company plans to launch at least one electric model globally every year and India's Narsapura plant can become an EV export hub. HMSI will construct a dedicated EV plant within premises of its third plant in Karnataka which will be fully operational by 2028. Honda unveiled two electric motorcycle concepts, 'EV Fun' and 'EV Urban', at the EICMA last year. The commercialisation and sales of these sporty offerings will commence in Europe in the second half of 2025. Honda is late to join the EV party in India, but Tsutsumu Otani as president, CEO and MD, HMSI showed clear intent to rise to the apex EV motorcycle market. "The electric two-wheeler market in India is gradually growing. Around 12 lakh electric two-wheelers were sold in India in FY25. We aim for the number 1 position in the EV two-wheeler segment in coming years." On the EV front, Honda is working on multiple models by standardising and combining modules, which will contribute to cost reduction. India will act as an export hub for Honda, and Otani said the modularised models will be produced at the Narsapura facility from 2028.
NDTV
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Kia Carens Clavis Review: Blending Practicality Of MPV With Feel Of SUV
Bangalore (Anirban Mitra): Kia India's SUV-focused strategy has been paying dividends for the company with strong sales growth, beating the industry trends. The changes in the new Carens Clavis are in sync with market demand. The three-row MPV has been redesigned to appear more like an SUV and is bestowed with features that every family looks for these days. Kia Carens Clavis: Price, Positioning The Clavis and older Carens will co-exist. Kia India has kept the entry-level trim of Carens on sale, and will mostly be bringing in the CNG kit with the same in months to come. The Carens Clavis, on the other hand, will operate in the premium end of the spectrum, offering several powertrain options. Kia Carens Clavis will be launched by the end of May, and its electric version will make its way in a couple of months. We expect the Clavis to command a Rs 1.5 lakh premium over the corresponding Carens trims. Kia Carens Clavis: Design It's an evolutionary design update to the Kia Carens Clavis. The fascia reminds us of Syros and partly Kia's global EV portfolios. The grille is upright than before with sleek DRLs wrapping the triangular LED headlamp cluster. The face is flush, and the lower half has got new satin-finished skid plate. Key highlight on the side has to be the new 17-inch alloy wheels, which appear to be more EV-centric in design. A strong shoulder line across the length, roof rails and contrast-colour plastic cladding increase the SUV-stance. The rear is also new now. A connected tail LED strip, skid plate and vertically-positioned tail lamp complete the revised look. Kia Carens Clavis: Interior Layout Carens Clavis maintains the upmarket appeal in the cabin. There are plenty of new features and aesthetic changes to look forward to. It continues to 6- and 7-seater options. The captain seats are limited to range-topping trim. Starting with the dashboard, there is a new 26.6-inch, free-standing, dual-screen setup, which is bigger than the Seltos. The seat fabric is new, and the driver's perch is electrically-adjusting, albeit the height fix is manual. The touch-operated AC panel is new, and a switch to music control at the touch of a button. The central well is redesigned with a decent amount of storage space. Expect features like wireless charger, panoramic sun roof, Bose speakers, and front seat ventilation in the top-end variants. No mechanical changes were made to Carens Clavis, and hence the wheelbase stands at 2,760 mm. The second row seats are moderately large and supportive, and offer adequate leg room. Passengers can throw the co-driver seat forward using the boss mode function. When seated in the second row, the passengers can use the foldable table, USB charging points, a cooled bottle holder and curtains for privacy. We expected multi-zone AC and rear seat ventilation in the Carens Clavis. The third row seating is tight and best suited for short journeys. Third row seats come with bottle holders, AC vents and USB charging points. The boot space with all three rows up is 216 litres, making way for two medium-sized bags. Kia Carens Clavis: Engine, Gearbox options Kia India is offering three powertrain choices with the Clavis. The 115 hp, naturally-aspirated petrol engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 116 hp, diesel engine is paired with a 6-speed manual and torque converter automatic gearbox. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine offers most choices. The most powerful engine of the trio, generating 160 horsepower, comes with a 6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions. Kia Carens Clavis: Drive Experience We could sample the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with a dual-clutch gearbox and not much changed at the driving seat. There is a good mid-range performance, ensuring sailing on the highways is a breeze. The straight-off-the-line acceleration is decent, and the pull from the engine is strong. The DCT allows the driver to take control using paddle shifters. Flooring the pedal and holding a gear turns the engine noisy, and often overtaking in city traffic can be unpleasant in the cabin. For the most part, the gear shifts are smooth and seamless. There are three drive modes, which alter the engine mapping, throttle and steering response. Carens Clavis, however, misses out on traction modes, which Seltos has. Triple-digit highway speeds are effortless. The view from the driver's seat is more commanding than before. With high seating, the driver can view the edges of the bonnet. The steering wheel is a new unit - one that's shared with the Syros. It's chunky and premium to hold. The handling is largely neutral. City manoeuvres are light and predictable. There is decent body roll in the corners, and the seats lack support when driven spiritedly. Carens Clavis comes with all-disc brakes, and they instil confidence in anchoring. Level 2 ADAS (advanced driving assistance system) is also introduced with the Carens Clavis now, which improves the overall safety aspect.
NDTV
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
MG Windsor EV Pro Review: The Range Factor
Guwahati/Shillong (Anirban Mitra): On a drizzly morning, we set out towards the picturesque Umiam Lake in Shillong in the MG Windsor EV Pro. Guwahati and its outskirts had a bit of traffic. As we drove up and out of the city, the lush green hills and constantly changing clouds chased us. Our goal was simple. Soak in the serenity of the hills and drive the Pro variant in a 200-kilometre return trip to Guwahati to find out the range. MG Windsor EV Pro: What's Changed? The standard battery pack variant continues to exist, and the Pro slots in as a range-topping trim with 52.9 kWh of energy. The claimed range has shot up to 449 kilometres on a single charge. The bigger battery pack also takes a longer time to charge using a 7.4 kw AC wall box charger, filling it up in 9.5 hours. Another important update in vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-vehicle technology in the Pro variant, enabling powering of external gadgets and topping up other EVs using the Windsor EV Pro as a source. MG Windsor EV Pro: Feature Updates The Pro looks identical to the standard variant, barring a few cosmetic enhancements. There are three new colourways exclusive to the Windsor EV Pro. It also rides on bigger 18-inch wheels with their design looking more like an ICE-counterpart than an EV. Level-2 advanced driver assistance system (L2 ADAS) also features in the Windsor EV Pro, which is supposed to improve the safety factor of the MPV. The standard Windsor EV was always a handsomely packed vehicle with conveniences like panoramic sun roof, massive touchscreen, digital driver's display, wireless charging and quilted seats. The Pro variant carries forward all of those, however, the fabric colour of the seats are tweaked. Beige seats make the cabin appear more spacious and airy. MG Windsor EV Pro: Drive Dynamics and Real Range There are no changes to the powertrain. The Pro variant continues with a single motor setup, generating 136 horsepower and 200 Nm. The response from the motor is predictable, and the acceleration is gradual. The Pro variant is likely to be slower than the standard variants due to a bigger and heavier battery pack. The driver may choose to shift between the drive modes to alter the performance somewhat. There are three levels of regeneration as well; but strangely can't be shut off entirely. The Windsor EV Pro handles like a people mover. It's best suited for city commutes with occasional highway trips. On the twisted corners, the body roll was visible, and when driven spiritedly, throws the passengers to the edge of their seats. The ride quality is supple, and crossing road undulations are slow speed in comfortable. We drove the MG Windsor EV Pro for nearly 200 kilometres. The momentum during the downhill drive to Guwahati consumed lesser energy than the onward journey. We achieved an energy consumption of 6.6 km/kWh. Realistically speaking, the 52.9 kWh battery pack should offer you up to 360 kilometres in real world. MG Windsor EV Pro: Price and Verdict The Pro variant commands a Rs 1.5 lakh premium over the top-end standard variant, offering ADAS features and more range. MG Windsor EV Pro is priced at Rs 17.50 lakh (ex-showroom) and may witness a price hike in the near future. Also available under Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), the price for Windsor EV Pro starts at Rs 12.50 lakh (ex-showroom) with Rs 4.5 per kilometre as subscription charges. The Windsor EV Pro emerges as a sensible and comfortable electric choice in the segment, offering a good value-for-money factor for buyers.
Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Capturing history that's off-limits for public: Anirban Mitra on his latest photo collection of Bengal's colonial mansions
Over the last two decades, Anirban Mitra has gone about capturing the grand and the artistic within the interiors of over 50 mansions, stately homes as well as palaces. The Calcutta-born photographer has always been intrigued by what lay behind the tall walls of these grand houses; his motive being to narrate the story of the grandeur through the power of his lens. His latest photographic publication, 'Echoes of Grandeur: The Government Houses and Estates of Benga l', focuses on the British mansions in Bengal, more specifically those that were seats of colonial power, later repurposed as centres of political significance in Independent India. Mitra's idea was to capture and bring to life those parts of Bengal's colonial history that are off-limits for the general public. His coffee-table book containing close to 75 photographs, published by Vikram Solar, offer a glimpse into the formidable, yet secretive worlds of four large colonial mansions in the state: The Raj Bhavan, the erstwhile residence of the governors-general and the seat of British power in India; the Belvedere Estate, which is the former residence of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal; Barrackpore; and the Darjeeling Government House. The visual narrative has its roots in 2006 when Mitra first conducted several prestigious exhibitions of his work. Designed by Amitava Kumar, the photographic display in the book is accompanied by textual narratives written by Gouri Basu who works with the Ministry of Culture. In an interview with Mitra spoke at length about the history of these colonial mansions and why their allure has remained intact years after Independence. Excerpts from the interview: What drew you to the Government Houses and Estates of Bengal? Well, my photography has always focused on narratives: a certain thematic approach to tell a story with imaging and compositions. I have worked extensively on Calcutta's history, a city which I have always believed has rich, shared heritage, especially with Britain and Europe…and I say that Calcutta has a mixed parentage of a British father and a Bengali mother! When (founder of Calcutta) Job Charnock landed here, there were three swampy villages – Sutanuti, Govindpur and Calcutta. And the series of events that unfolded, eventually led to the city of Calcutta, as it came to be known. So my intention was to show these two parallel narratives through my photographs – the history of the native Bengali and the footprints of the British in Bengal; both being an integral part of our history and heritage. The Barrackpore Flag Staff House (Reproduced with permission from Anirban Mitra) One of my previous books (Calcutta: Stately Homes and Palaces) captures the quintessence of the Bangali bonedi baris (traditional houses) published by the Ministry of Culture. And the current edition covers the first-residences and some of the most important mansions of the Raj Era and their importance post-1947. What made you narrow down on these four estates of Bengal? Well, within Bengal, these were the palatial residences and estates of the chiefs of Imperial rule in India… The very seat of power. And these continue to have constitutional and national identity of immense importance. It's a journey in time. Secondly, I wanted to be an explorer and visual-chronicler of the premises which are off-limits to the general public. These are places where one cannot really visit without special permission. In that sense, these spaces are also a point of great intrigue for people. The Raj Bhavan, for instance, is an overwhelmingly huge and magnificent building where the Governor of West Bengal resides, and it is his office. One wonders about its interiors and the spaces, the embellishments. So, my photographs were impressions of a curious visitor with the camera: my awe and emotions in visual form, you can say. Likewise, Belvedere was the then Lt Governor of Bengal's residence, now The National Library, Barrackpore was the weekend retreat, Darjeeling the summer refuge, and like that. What about Raj Bhavan struck you the most? It will not be an overstatement to say that the Raj Bhavan (the erstwhile Government House) of Calcutta was the most important building in British India till the capital moved to Delhi in 1911. It was the seat of Imperial power and has a rich and chequered history, interwoven with India for more than a couple of centuries. Raj Bhawan was the most important building in British India. (Reproduced with permission from Anirban Mitra) Its sheer scale and grandeur are quite unmatched. It is a classic case of Imperial extravaganza, for which, in fact, Lord Wellesley, the then Governor-General of India, who had commissioned the house, was criticised by his superiors in England. So, the monumentality of the architecture and the spaces it holds within and around, I found evocative and interesting to portray in photographic compositions… That was the idea – a sort of photo-biography of the building, you can say! Among the four estates that you have captured, which one fascinated you the most? The four estates have their own unique appeal, yes. If you go to Belvedere Estate in Alipore, for instance, it has its roots in the 1760s when Mir Jafar was in Calcutta, being deposed from Murshidabad, and he took refuge in Alipore and built several buildings there, the Belvedere House being one of them, which (some say) he later gifted to Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General. So the estate has very old roots and a fascinating story of ownership, events and tales of poignancy and rivalry – of romances and gunshots of duels being fought on its grounds. The building played host to several important men and Lt Governors of Bengal. It was a favourite residence of Hastings, and there are historical accounts and letters written by him to his wife, brooding in the solitude of Belvedere amid vast expanses of lush greenery and a garden of great beauty. As an estate, in a sense, Belvedere was more scenic than the Government House, which is certainly more formidable, though. The latter gives a sense of authority, but it is more 'at home' at Belvedere! Quite an oasis of an English country house, away from the hustle of Calcutta and reminiscent of tales of haunting and fond overtones and of pathos. The Belvedere House was gifted by Mir Jafar to governor-general Warren Hastings (Reproduced with permission from Anirban Mitra) Barrackpore, the British often referred to it as 'Little England', is a beautiful scenic place alongside the river Hooghly, dotted with a Government House, bungalows, gardens, cathedrals, commemorative monuments, statues and more. The governors-general would spend stretches of their time at Barrackpore, especially during weekends and repose. There are beautiful watercolours and writings of Lady Charlotte Canning, depicting her affection and leisure days at last, but not least, the Darjeeling Government House, a sort of oasis located at one of the prettiest places in Darjeeling amid the shrubbery near the Observatory Hill. The premise gives a true sense of the unspoilt beauty of Darjeeling as the Queen of Hills and what it was in the bygone era, before it was bitten by the uncontrolled urbanisation we now unfortunately see. So, in summary, the aforesaid mansions and estates overall paint a picture of life in British India, the continuing exclusivity of elite spaces and the silent stories they embody within their constructs and the light and shade playing therein. Now, that was the essence of my interest and subject for photography. Did you observe any Indian architectural influence in these buildings? It will be better for a professional to answer the technical aspects. However, I do observe that these buildings are great examples of colonial architecture with mixed influences derived from Western designs and suited to functionalities in tune with the Indian weather and context. Especially if you consider the height of the ceilings and the size of the windows – I think they were made to have the wind and light play better within the interiors.
