Trendlyne Launches Starfolio, A Free Baskets Investing Product

* Starfolio By Trendlyne Helps Investors Make Their Own Baskets For Stocks & ETFs, And Buy Superstar Portfolios

Trendlyne, India’s leading analytics platform for investors and traders launches Starfolio, a basket-investing product now available to investors and brokerages for free. With Starfolio, investors can buy featured Starfolio baskets or create their own baskets. They can add and remove stocks or ETFs in the basket, and also set stop loss and rebalancing reminders. Investors can buy and sell baskets via six connected brokers - IIFL, 5Paisa, Fyers, Motilal Oswal, Zerodha and Angel One.. 

Starfolio is also available for businesses as a widget and API plugins.   

Trendlyne, India’s analytics platform for investors and traders, has seen rapid growth in the past year, with over 300 million page/screen views over 12 months on its website and mobile app. It is now among the top 50 websites in India in the investing space; the Trendlyne Markets app, which launched recently on the Google Play store, already has high ratings and over half a million downloads.

Trendlyne’s B2B business counts India’s major brokerages among its customers, including ICICI Securities, Kotak Securities, HDFC Securities, 5Paisa, Motilal Oswal, IIFL, Fyers, SBI Capital, Edelweiss,  and several others. Trendlyne serves over 500 million APIs and page views every month to its B2B customers.

Amber Pabreja, the CEO and co-founder of Trendlyne said, “We launched Starfolio to complete the product loop from analytics to transactions for investors, so that they can manage their portfolios more easily on Trendlyne. Investors can now log onto Trendlyne and easily buy and sell their screeners, watchlists or lists of stocks, using their preferred brokers.”

Starfolio enables theme-based investing, management of different portfolios within a family, and management of portfolios on different broker accounts. For instance, a user may be investing in a theme like the auto sector. To do this, investors can create a basket of auto stocks from scratch, or export the watchlist of auto stocks they have created on Trendlyne into a Starfolio basket.

Once they have saved and invested in the basket, the analytics for these stocks is separately available from their overall portfolio. Tracking and comparison becomes a lot easier.

Tendlyne is a profitable company and the goal from the start has been to market-test products to build a sustainable business. Trendlyne has built cutting edge products in the stock market and mutual funds space, encompassing stock scores, screeners, backtesting, Alpha Alerts (real time alerts across structured and unstructured data), stock insights, as well as forward-looking products in consensus estimates and analyst calls.

Starfolio is the latest new product launch on the platform.

https://starfolio.trendlyne.com/

About Trendlyne:  

Launched in 2017 with the idea of democratizing stock market data for investors and traders, Trendlyne has gained a strong foothold in India in a short span of time and simplifies investing in the stock, derivatives, and mutual fund markets. These markets, awash as they are with news, ‘stock tips’, and management commentary, often prove confusing for investors. Trendlyne’s stock analysis platform offers unique and innovative products, many of which are first in the market. Trendlyne has built over 20+ data feeds of its own, which makes analysis possible on unstructured information like pdf filings and research reports. This gives them an edge over competitors and flexibility in building products.

https://trendlyne.com

IIT Kanpur And Lohum Tie Up For Academic R&D Partnership To Advance Sustainability Of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Under the partnership, Lohum will additionally sponsor R&D labs at IIT Kanpur, provide a research fellowship to Ph.D. students, support the IITK Motorsports team, and help IITK commercialize its research outcomes

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and Lohum Cleantech, one of India's largest producers of sustainable energy transition materials, have announced a strategic partnership for R&D collaboration in sustainability and other core areas. Under the partnership, Professor Kanwar Singh Nalwa from the Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering at IIT Kanpur, will lead the team to work together with Lohum on projects focused on advancing Lithium-ion battery testing technology and techniques for battery raw material quality evaluation.

The projects, under the partnership, will help develop technologies important for ensuring the safety and longevity of batteries. Lohum will also help IITK commercialize its research outcomes in other areas.

In addition to the research collaboration, Lohum will provide fellowship to select Ph.D. students from IIT Kanpur to aid them in their research. It will also support the IITK Motorsports team, which won the Class I electric category of Formula Bharat 2023.

Lohum Cleantech's Founder & CEO, Rajat Verma, is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur. He visited his alma mater recently to meet IIT Kanpur’s Deputy Director Prof. S. Ganesh, Dean, R&D, Prof. A.R. Harish; and Dean, Resources & Alumni, Prof. Kantesh Balani. They discussed collaboration avenues and future steps that can be mutually beneficial.

Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur says, “The partnership with Lohum Cleantech is expected to help us advance the sustainability of Lithium-ion batteries through collective research and development initiatives. This adds up to IIT Kanpur’s relentless efforts in creating an R&D ecosystem aligned more towards a sustainable future. The partnership also bears testimony to a flourishing academia-industry partnership in attaining shared goals.”

"We are delighted to announce our collaboration with IIT Kanpur, which is one of the leading institutions in the country in the field of engineering and technology. The collaboration will help us develop innovative and sustainable solutions for the battery industry, which is critical to the growth of EVs in the country," says Rajat Verma, CEO of Lohum Cleantech.

Professor Kanwar Singh Nalwa from the Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering, IIT Kanpur says, “The collaboration between Lohum Cleantech and IIT Kanpur is a significant step towards promoting sustainable energy and circular economy in India. It also strengthens the eco-system of industry-academia partnerships that the Government of India has been trying to foster.”

Both the entities are looking to achieve shared goals of reducing the carbon footprint of EV batteries, and accelerating the energy transition currently underway in India, through the partnership. The scope of the engagement is expected to grow further with time as both Lohum and IITK will explore possibilities to collaborate on other big projects, including government projects.

About IIT Kanpur:

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur was established on 2nd November 1959 by an Act of Parliament. The institute has a sprawling campus spread over 1055 acres with large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 22 centres, and 3 Interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with 540 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students. In addition to formal undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the institute has been active in research and development in areas of value to both industry and government. For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.

About Lohum:

Lohum Cleantech is India's largest producer of sustainable energy transition materials through recycling, repurposing, and low-carbon refining, and the only integrated battery recycling and reuse company in the world. Recognized as 'The Most Innovative Company of the Year 2022' by The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Lohum is committed to making battery materials last forever. An engine of innovation, Lohum’s R&D focus is driving sustainable climate technology. Lohum’s NEETM™ Lithium-ion battery material recycling and extraction technology yields top-quality materials and produces zero waste. Its DETX™ battery price index makes it easy to determine accurate prices of battery materials and provides ‘future’ buyback prices. Lohum is slated to prevent over 4 Million Tons of CO2e by 2026.

IIFL Finance Offers Upto Rs 10 Lakh Business Loan On Whatsapp

* IIFL Finance’s Business Loan On WhatsApp Is The First-Of-Its Kind Initiative In MSME Lending Industry

* IIFL business loan on WhatsApp is a 100% digital process

IIFL Finance offers up to Rs.10 lakh business loan to customers on WhatsApp with quick approval. IIFL Finance’s business loan on WhatsApp is the first-of-its kind initiative in MSME lending industry, where 100% of the loan application-to-disbursal happens digitally. Over 450 million users of WhatsApp in India can avail a 24x7 end-to-end digital loan facility from IIFL Finance.

IIFL Finance is one of India’s largest retail-focussed NBFCs with over 10 million customers, mostly unbanked and underbanked. IIFL Finance is the preferred loan destination for small entrepreneurs across India, where its present through branches and multiple digital platforms.

IIFL Finance’s WhatsApp loan product is supported by a powerful AI-bot that matches the users’ inputs to the loan offer, and facilitates the application. WhatsApp users can avail loan from IIFL Finance through WhatsApp by sending a “Hi” to 9019702184, complete the necessary paperless process quickly and receive funds in account. 

Bharat Aggarwal, Business Head, Unsecured Lending at IIFL Finance said, “IIFL Finance has simplified the complex journey of a loan application and disbursal through easy paperless offerings over WhatsApp.  With focus on small entrepreneurs we have innovated this instant business loan on WhatsApp product.” 

IIFL Finance is currently able to service 1 lac MSME credit queries through its WhatsApp loan channel.

In today’s omnichannel world of texts, chats, and tweets, merchants want to interact with businesses the same way they connect with their family and friends. Indians love to chat on WhatsApp which is easy and convenient.

About IIFL Finance

IIFL Finance Ltd is one of the leading retail-focused diversified NBFC in India, engaged in the business of loans and mortgages along with its subsidiaries - IIFL Home Finance Limited and Samasta Microfinance Limited. IIFL Finance, through its subsidiaries, offers a wide spectrum of products such as Home loan, Gold loan, Business loan, Microfinance, Capital Market finance and Developer & Construction finance to a vast customer base of over 8 million customers. IIFL Finance has widened its pan-India reach through extensive network of branches spread across the country and various digital channels.

Exclusive Primary Listing Of Green Bonds Of USD 750 Million Of REC Limited At GIFT IFSC Stock Exchanges

REC Limited has undertaken an exclusive listing of its recently issued Green bonds of USD 750 million raised under its Global Medium Term Programme of USD 7 billion  at GIFT IFSC Stock Exchanges in a primary listing ceremony held in GIFT IFSC, Gandhinagar on May 3, 2023.

The listing ceremony was graced by Mr. Injeti Srinivas, Chairman, International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) as the Chief Guest in the presence of Mr. Vivek Kumar Dewangan, IAS, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), REC and Mr. Ajoy Choudhury, Director (Finance), REC and the officials of India INX and NSE IFSC.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Vivek Kumar Dewangan, IAS, CMD, REC Limited, said, “We have consciously decided on the exclusive listing of REC’s recently issued Green Bonds on IFSC Stock exchanges, which have come a long way in their acceptability amongst the global investors. This Green Bond issuance reinforces REC’s status as one of the most accomplished and frequent issuers in the international capital markets and is poised to contribute in India meeting its Amrit Kaal commitments towards climate action plan and energy transition with focus on green projects.” This is the largest ever senior USD tranche by an Indian NBFC (largest ever senior Green Bond Tranche by a South & South-East Asian issuer) and first Green Bond issuance by an Indian Company post India’s G20 Presidency.

Mr. Injeti Srinivas, Chairperson, IFSCA, said, “We are pleased that REC Limited, a Maharatna Company, has listed their USD 750 million green bonds exclusively on the IFSC Exchanges. With this listing, the cumulative ESG labelled bonds listed on IFSC Exchanges has crossed USD 10 billion. GIFT IFSC is emerging as a gateway to facilitate raising of foreign capital into sustainable projects in India, thereby contributing towards achieving our climate change commitments and SDG goals.” The issue saw an over-subscription of approximately 3.5 times from 161 investors with active participation from quality accounts. Investors from across the globe participated in the issue with Asia Pacific (APAC) 42%, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) 26% and the US 32%.

Mr. V. Balasubramaniam, MD and CEO, NSE International Exchange, said, “We are extremely delighted that REC has done an exclusive listing of their green bonds of USD 750 million in NSE International Exchange and India INX at GIFT IFSC, taking their total listing to USD 4.75 billion under USD 7 billion Global Medium – Term Note Programme.  I am sure other issuers from India and the region will consider International listing on IFSC Exchanges. Our aim is to make GIFT IFSC  as a sustainable finance global hub.  This takes total bond issuance on IFSC exchanges to USD 51.7 billion plus with the total medium-term notes worth over USD 73 billion.” Over 87% of the transactions in the issue has been allocated to Fund Managers, Asset Managers and Insurance Companies.

BharatPe Launches PAYBACK India In A New Avatar: Rebrands It As ‘Zillion’

*  The new brand with the tagline ‘Aha Everywhere’ aims to deliver customer delight

*  Zillion promises a plethora of new opportunities for customers to earn and redeem coins at multiple partners

BharatPe Group, one of India’s leading names in the fintech industry, today announced that it will be rebranding PAYBACK India, the country’s largest multi-brand loyalty program to Zillion. This new brand identity is in line with the company’s vision to make Zillion ubiquitous to loyalty and rewards across the country. The new brand identity aims to target customers across age groups and add a new dimension to their overall shopping experience, across categories and brands.

Zillion will offer a wide range of options for customers to earn and redeem at a wide range of partners across the country. The customers will be able to earn  ‘Zillion coins’ for their routine spends, that will in turn add a moment of delight in their life. The Zillion logo incorporates this, signifying experiencing joy of spark and finding ‘aha’ moments everywhere. Customers will be able to earn Zillion coins across the network of offline and online partners, including groceries, fuel, entertainment, travel, apparel and more. The new web address for Zillion is https://zillionrewards.in/.

Speaking on the rebranding, Mr. Rijish Raghavan, Chief Executive Officer - Zillion said, “It has been a long and satisfying journey for us, building PAYBACK over the years as India’s largest loyalty program with over 130 million customers. Today marks a landmark day as we begin a new era in our journey - as Zillion. The new brand identity marks a transformational shift in our strategy from being a niche loyalty program to one with an extensive range of partners, across categories. The new name and identity will also help us connect better with a wider range of customers - including Gen Z and Millennials. Our objective is to make Zillion a de facto customer delight tool for retailers across the country. I am confident that Zillion will emerge as the preferred loyalty program for millions of customers in the coming months.”

Added Parth Joshi, Chief Marketing Officer, BharatPe, “Zillion has been created keeping in mind the customers of today - it is young, bold and energetic and aims to add a spark of joy in the customers’ lives, every day. We are confident that this new version of the brand will appeal to a wider customer base and will be able to deliver more aha moments and make every day special for the customers. We will be launching marketing campaigns in the coming months to build awareness about Zillion and drive consumer engagement.”

Download the Zillion app,

1- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.loyalty.android

2- iOS: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/zillion/id6447864577

Zillion (erstwhile PAYBACK India) is a unique multi-brand loyalty program, designed to engage with customers and reward them for their purchases with loyalty coins that can be redeemed later. Currently, its members can earn coins at 50+ brands – instore & online and redeem them at  select partners or for products and vouchers from leading brands. The partners of Zillion include renowned brands from multiple industries including retail, fuel, banking, payments, entertainment, hospitality and travel. Some of its key partners include HPCL, BookMyShow, American Express, Amazon, Flipkart and many more. 

About BharatPe Group

BharatPe was founded in 2018 to make financial inclusion a reality for Indian merchants. In 2018, BharatPe launched India’s first UPI interoperable QR code, the first zero MDR payment acceptance service. In 2020, post-Covid, BharatPe also launched a card acceptance terminal – BharatSwipe. Currently serving 1 crore merchants across 400+ cities, the company is a leader in UPI offline transactions, processing 30 crores+ UPI transactions per month (annualized Transaction Processed Value of over US$ 24 Bn in payments). The company has already facilitated the disbursement of loans totaling close to ?8000 crores. BharatPe’s POS business processes payments of over US$ 3.5 bn annually on its machines. BharatPe has raised over US$ 583 million in equity till date. The company’s list of marquee investors includes Tiger Global, Dragoneer Investment Group, Steadfast Capital, Coatue Management, Ribbit Capital, Insight Partners, Steadview Capital, Beenext, Amplo, and Sequoia Capital. In June 2021, the company announced the acquisition of PAYBACK India, the country’s largest multi-brand loyalty program company with 100 million+ members. In October 2021, the consortium of Centrum Financial Services Limited (Centrum) and BharatPe, was issued a Small Finance Bank (SFB) license by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). BharatPe also entered the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) segment with the launch of postpe in October 2021. postpe has over 8 million downloads and an annualized TPV of close to Rs. 5000 crores. Recently, BharatPe Group received an in-principle nod from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online payment aggregator.

UPL And Republic of Guyana Join Hands To Establish A ‘Millets Model Farm’ In Guyana

* UPL will provide technical expertise and agriculture inputs to grow millets. 

* The Republic of Guyana will provide land parcels of 200 acres and local workers for farming activities.

UPL, a leading provider of Sustainable Agriculture Solutions, announced a collaboration with the Republic of Guyana to establish a 200 acre ‘Millets Model Farm’.  Mr. Jai Shroff, Group CEO of UPL group and Mr. Zulfikar Mustafa, Hon. Agriculture Minister of the Republic of Guyana, signed an MOU on 21st April, 2023 in Georgetown, Guyana with an aim to assess the adaptation of various millet varieties for growing and consuming in Guyana.  The signing of the MoU coincided with the visit of an Indian delegation to Guyana led by Mr. S. Jaishankar, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs of India.

In this partnership, UPL will supply technical expertise and selected agriculture inputs, while the Republic of Guyana will provide suitable land parcel of 200 acres in Guyana, local farm operation will be done by Republic of Guyana. 

Millets, also known as super food, are climate smart, sustainable, rich in heritage, and highly nutritious food resource. In comparison with rice, millet production requires half of the water per acre as compared with rice, making it a water conservation crop that can also withstand other climatic conditions like droughts, floods, heat stress, erratic rainfalls, etc., than other crops, saving food loss, enhancing small farmers resilience. 

According to the FAO, millets encompass a diverse group of cereals including pearl, proso, foxtail, barnyard, little, kodo, browntop, finger and Guinea millets, as well as fonio, sorghum (or great millet) and teff. They are an important source of nourishment for millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. They are deeply rooted in Indigenous Peoples’ culture and traditions and help guarantee food security in areas where they are culturally relevant. Millets are also very nutritious because they consist of antioxidants, minerals, and protein. As whole grains, each millet variety contains a particular type and amount of fibre, which aids in the regulation of intestinal function, blood sugar, and lipids.

Mr. Sagar Kaushik, President, Global Corporate & Industry Affairs from UPL, said, "We are delighted to partner with the Republic of Guyana as the first country in Latin America to explore millet cultivation potential in Guyana, which will also benefit Small Holding Farmers.”

Explaining the initiatives further, Mr. Kaushik Said, said, "UPL is paving the path for millet cultivation and making important strides toward its vision of a food-secure world through this collaboration. This is a win-win situation for both Guyana and UPL. UPL's expertise and technical know-how will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of this initiative, which can provide a sustainable livelihood to smallholding farmers globally. We are excited about the potential of this collaboration and look forward to working with the Republic of Guyana to achieve our shared goal of promoting sustainable agriculture practices."

Xceed: The All-New BMW X1 Drive18i M Sport Launched In India

‘* M Sport’ flair lifts the excitement once again in a petrol guise.

* Inspired by Motorsport: M-specific Front and Rear Bumper, exclusive M logo inscriptions, M Leather Steering Wheel and sporty interior.

* Host of attractive features: BMW Curved Display with BMW ConnectedDrive, Adaptive LED Headlights with High Beam Assistant, Active Seats, Comfort Access with Digital Key Plus, Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi System, Reversing Assistant.

* Sheer Driving Pleasure of highly efficient and powerful BMW petrol engine.

Gurugram. The popular ‘M Sport’ variant of the all-new BMW X1 sports activity vehicle (SAV) has been introduced today in India in a petrol version as well - BMW X1 sDrive18i M Sport. Locally produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai, the car is available for bookings at BMW dealership network and through Shop.bmw.in. Deliveries will commence from June.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “The all-new BMW X1 has really caught the imagination of customers who were waiting for a luxury SAV that’s an all-rounder in the true sense. In overwhelming demand since its launch three months ago, X1 has upheld its dominating position within the segment thanks to its commanding presence, highly efficient and dynamic performance and class-leading tech features. Our ‘M Sport’ style variant always receives special attention due to its dynamic M design and luxurious interiors inspired by high-performance motorsport genes. Looking at the high customer interest, we are glad to introduce the M Sport variant in petrol as well - BMW X1 sDrive18i M Sport. With this, we add more thrill to the range and a new dimension of joy.”

The car can be booked at attractive ex-showroom prices as follows –

The all-new BMW X1 sDrive18i M Sport (petrol)              :                       INR 48,90,000

Price prevailing at the time of invoicing will be applicable. Ex-showroom prices inclusive of GST (incl. compensation cess) as applicable but exclude Road Tax, Tax Collected at Source (TCS), RTO statutory taxes/fees, other local tax cess levies and insurance. Price / options are subject to change without prior notice.  For further information, contact an authorised BMW dealer. 

BMW X1 M Sport is available in Alpine White non-metallic paint and Space Silver, Black Sapphire, Storm Bay and M Portimao Blue metallic paintworks. The choice of upholstery includes Sensatec Perforated Mocha and Sensatec Perforated Oyster.

The M Sport variant has a host of attractive features, many of which are either best-in-class or a segment-first. Among the highlights are - Adaptive LED Headlights with High Beam Assistant, BMW Live Cockpit Plus with BMW Curved Display, My BMW App with Remote Functions, Comfort Access with Digital Key Plus, Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant, Active Seats, Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi system and a lot more.

With its robust appearance and functional versatility, the all-new BMW X1 embodies both the freedom in day-to-day city driving as well as the fun of sheer driving pleasure. The interior’s progressive design and sophisticated ambience and the much broader selection of standard equipment compared to the outgoing model, serve to underline its deeply embedded premium character.

Service Inclusive and Service Inclusive Plus are optionally available for all BMW cars. These service packages cover Condition Based Service (CBS) and maintenance work. They begin from 3 years / 40,000 kilometres and can be extended up to 10 years / 2,00,000 kilometres, starting at an attractive pricing of INR 1.31 per kilometre for the all-new BMW X1. The optional BMW Repair Inclusive extends warranty benefits from third year of operation to maximum fifth year, after the completion of the standard two-year warranty period. Together, these packages provide complete peace of mind and freedom to enjoy unlimited driving pleasure.

Thanks to BMW India Financial Services, customized and flexible financial solutions are designed as per individual requirements. Customers of the all-new BMW X1 can enjoy complete peace of mind with the most comprehensive financial plan in the segment being offered by BMW 360? Finance Plan. It includes attractive monthly instalments starting from INR 49,999*, assured buy-back option up to five years and flexible term-end opportunities among other benefits.

The all-new BMW X1.

The all-new BMW X1 has bigger proportions than the predecessor, looking more powerful and expressive. The monolithic design, surface treatment, lines and classy exterior display its SAV identity more clearly than ever. The upright front end has a much greater presence with slim LED headlights and a large, almost square BMW kidney grille. Segment best Adaptive LED headlights with high beam assistant and rear LED taillights are available as standard. Almost square wheel arch contours and a long roofline are the distinguishing features of the dynamically stretched silhouette. The flat roof rails serve as a striking design element and can be used as multifunction mounts. When viewed from rear, the slim tailgate window, horizontal lines and 3D taillights produce the wide, typical ‘X’ SAV stance.

The all-new BMW X1 sDrive18i M Sport attracts with its dynamic exterior elements that set the model apart. The front and rear bumper panels have an M-specific design and come in vehicle colour with inserts in black high-gloss. Aluminium inserts with 'M' inscription on the entry sills evoke the M legacy as one enters the car. The model sports 18-inch lmight-alloy wheels in double-spoke style.

The interior takes a big leap forward, now featuring an even higher level of premiumness and digitalisation. The first element to catch attention is the new digital BMW Curved Display which is harmoniously unified into the cockpit area. The typical BMW driver-orientation, clear reduced design along with an interplay of eye-catching graphics, modern colours and futuristic textures create an immersive visual appearance. The new Instrument Panel Luxury in Sensatec elevates the interior’s aesthetics. Decorative strips including ambient lighting in instrument panel and front doors as well as accent trim strips in Pearl Chrome enhance the premium character of the cabin. The seemingly floating armrest with storage also ergonomically integrates the control cluster. Harman Kardon Surround Sound Hi-Fi loudspeaker system with 12 speakers and digital amplifier offers magnificent sound quality, even at low volumes. 

The interior of BMW X1 sDrive18i M Sport is also clearly inspired by M. The M Leather steering wheel and pedal covers in stainless-steel are a sporty delight for the person in driving seat. The cabin’s ambience is taken a notch higher with Individual Roof Lining Anthracite and Trim with Aluminium Mesheffect.

The BMW M Sport variant has a high degree of individual comfort with unique in the segment Active Seats for both driver and front passenger. These have multiple massage programs with variable intensities and speeds that help in reducing stress over long distances. Even the rear seat passengers have the freedom of increasing the legroom by mechanically adjusting the seats forward or backward by up to 130 mm.

The all-new BMW X1 welcomes passengers in style with Welcome Light Staging. Ambient Lighting with six dimmable light designs creates an atmosphere for every mood while Automatic 2 zone A/C maintains the perfect temperature. Adding to the sense of space is the large glass sunroof. The big 540 litre luggage compartment can be enlarged to 1,600 litres with the useful functionality of the optional 40:20:40 split backrest. At the same time, comfort access contactless operation of the boot lid provides greater flexibility for loading / unloading. The wireless charging tray available provides NFC interface to charge via the “Qi” charging standard.

The innovative petrol engines from the BMW EfficientDynamics family offer considerably more spirited power delivery as well as spontaneous responsiveness even at low engine speeds. Thanks to their unrivalled BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, they meld maximum power with exemplary efficiency. BMW X1 sDrive 18i M Sport is powered by 1,499 cc three-cylinder petrol engine which produces 134 hp and 230 Nm of maximum torque. The car sprints from 0 to 100 km/hr in 9.2 seconds.

The seven-speed steptronic dual-clutch transmission performs smooth almost imperceptible gearshifts. Paddle shifters enable extremely rapid manual gear changes and with Sport Boost mode all the powertrain and chassis settings are primed to maximise sporting responses. At any time, in any gear, the transmission collaborates perfectly with the engine, enabling it to develop its full power and efficiency.

BMW ConnectedDrive technology breaks the innovation barrier and turns the car into an interconnected digital device. It includes BMW ID, MyBMW App with Remote Services, Digital Key Plus, Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices among others.

BMW Live Cockpit Plus includes the BMW Curved Display with a 10.25-inch digital information display behind the steering wheel and a 10.7-inch Control Display. The latest BMW iDrive with Operating System 8 offers all the possibilities for interaction with the vehicle. Occupants can operate numerous car functions simply by speaking to their BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Wireless smartphone integration provides access to numerous functions and apps. Regular Remote Software Upgrades ensure that the car is always up to date. The vertical smartphone holder with indirect illumination is integrated into the centre console and allows inductive Wireless Charging and provides an NFC interface. Updated Navigation is now with real-time traffic information.

My BMW App functions remotely to keep an eye on the current vehicle status at all times. BMW Digital Key Plus with Comfort Access sets a new standard in convenience for customers by turning their compatible smartphone and smartwatch into a vehicle key, in addition to the NFC cards provided. It enables customers to automatically open, close and start the vehicle. A stylish welcome scenario commences with orchestrated lighting effect including a light carpet. Customer can share the digital key with up to 5 users.

BMW Efficient Dynamics includes features such as reduced aerodynamic drag, Auto Start-Stop, Electronic Power Steering and My Modes in Driving Experience Control.

The driver enjoys effective assistance in parking manoeuvres that increases comfort and safety. Standard equipment includes functions like Active Park Distance Control with sensors at front and rear, Rear View Camera including Panorama rear view, Parking Assistant, Reversing Assistant and Attentiveness Assistant. Reversing Assistant remembers the last 50 meters covered and automatically reverses the car along exactly the same route. Attentiveness Assistant monitors potential hazards, supporting drivers to react in time.

BMW Safety technologies includes extensive Driver Assistance Systems such as Lane Departure Warning with Steering Intervention, Dynamic Cruise Control with Braking Function, Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian/Cyclist Protection. Other standard safety features are six airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensors, Tubeless Tyres with Tyre Pressure Indicator, ISOFIX child seat mounting and integrated emergency spare wheel.