Smartbuy issue dated July 20, 2011

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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

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L U X U R Y

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Alien Tech Coming your way, sooner than you think Page 2

Reviews:

HTC Flyer BMW 650i

TECH trends

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cience fiction writers and Hollywood have long promised a brave new world where all the huge possibilities of tech are manifest.

But unfortunately, issues like bureaucracy and cash flow always seem to get in the way of new inventions. However, this does not stop us from whipping up a trajectory of what technology is going to bring into our homes in a couple of decades. Here’s a glimpse.

Robots in the home What’s the big idea?

By the middle of this century our inexorably ageing population will mean that one in four people will be over the age of 65, compared with one in six today.

Some researchers believe that we’ll have no choice but to turn to synthetic hands when it comes to looking after the frail and infirm. It’s not just the elderly who could benefit, though: schoolchildren could be taught by teacher-droids, while the lonely could get their kicks from a burgeoning market for partner-bots.

What’s happening right now?

The uprising has begun. The Roomba vacuum cleaner has entered more than six million homes worldwide, a robot pharmacist that sorts drug prescriptions in UK hospitals has cut the time it takes to dispense drugs to waiting patients in half and bots have been designed to help autistic children understand emotions and to keep the elderly company.

A crucial body of research is also looking at how robots can interact safely with us.

Alexander Lenz works at the Bristol Robotics Lab on a project CHRIS (Cooperative Human Robot Interaction Systems).

He has this to say: “Making the transition from robots that are kept separate from us because they are big and powerful to

those that operate alongside us is not easy. There are many issues in terms of behaviour. For example, one of our problems at the moment is eye gaze. If I talk to a robot and say, ‘I like that,’ is the robot able to follow my gaze and realise what I’m referring to?”

What’s the hold up?

Autonomy is fiddly. Lenz and other roboticists have a thousand little things to perfect before we see anything approaching C-3PO. “Visual recognition is still a problem,” says Lenz, by way of example. “How do we make robots recognise that an object sat on a table is separate from the table, and that it’s something you can touch and move?” There’s also a question of economic practicality. “Let’s say I have a household robot that serves me my food and tidies up my kitchen. That robot would probably only be used for two hours a day, but it’s going to cost me about as much as a car.” In other words, you may have to continue to load the dishwasher yourself.

When could we see it?

Robots designed for specific functions, such as surgery, are rolling out now. “I think we will see robots in more structured environments, assisting on a building site or serving food to patients in a

hospital,” Lenz says.

Your all-singing, all-dancing mechanised house servant won’t be ready for decades yet, though. Sorry…

Holodeck simulations What’s the big idea?

Imagine combining the technology in Xbox Kinect, Second Life and 3D TVs. That’s virtual reality. It’s so close you could almost reach out and touch it.

What’s happening right now?

Researchers are already hacking Xbox Kinect and using it in lab-based VR. “Recently we did a virtual reality demonstration for a theatre rehearsal,” says Mel Slater, professor of virtual environments at University College London. “One actor was in London, the other was in Barcelona.” Elsewhere, the Parachute Training School at RAF Brize Norton recently opened a training simulator in which crewmen wearing VR goggles practise jumps from the safety of a suspended harness. In the near future, you could be feeding a ball through to Lionel Messi on a virtual pitch or ducking bullets in a first-person shooter. Beyond gaming, there are opportunities for virtual tourism and advanced video conferencing.

What’s the hold up?

There isn’t one, really, although the first virtual reality “caves” are not likely to be much like the holodeck from Star Trek. “The biggest hurdle left is haptics (being

Close encounters with future tech

PREDICTIONS FOR THE NEAR FUTURE able to ‘feel’ what’s going on),” says Professor Slater. “Right now in VR you can get some kind of haptic feedback on your fingertips or you can wear a special suit or accessory, but it’s not very compelling. If you’re in a virtual space and your elbow accidentally brushes against something, you will feel nothing.” That lack of feeling can destroy the overall illusion of virtual reality.

When could we see it?

With investment, the first immersive VR destinations will be accepting visitors in three to five years. Doing it with feeling will take decades more.

Invisibility cloaks What’s the big idea?

In a world where everyone has something to hide, the ability to make something disappear from sight is too good to pass up. Scientists are playing with ways of bending rays of light around an object using materials that change the speed and direction light travels at when it hits them. Watching closely are, of course, the military, who could use the materials as high-tech camouflage.

What’s happening right now?

Cloaking devices already exist. It’s just that up until recently they have only worked on objects about a tenth of the width of a human hair – you wouldn’t see that anyway. But this year, research led by scientists at the University of Birmingham made a paperclip vanish using a prism made from a naturally occurring crystal called calcite.

“The cloak is designed in such a way that it ends light around a bump on the surface without being scattered by it,” lead researcher Dr Shuang Zhang attempts to explain. “So anything hidden underneath it cannot be seen.”

2011

2011

2012

iPad 3

HTC spectacular X

Android Gamer Pro

Near field communication has long promised to turn your phone into a payment or travel card, but HTC could be the brand to make this actually work later this year (NB: that may not be its real name).

Tegra 2 chips have put games on top of Android’s agenda.

Gaming-specific Android devices should be with us by early 2012; could Sony combine its gaming and Android tablet lines to killer effect?

Potentially out late 2011, Apple’s new tab could be quadcore, with a carbon fibre case, Retina Display, maximum storage doubled to 128GB and a clock counting down to iPad 4 in about 12 months time.

2012 Samsung Kinect Changing channels with a simple swipe of the hand has been trialled, but we reckon someone like Samsung will be utilising Microsoft’s motion sensing tech in its Smart TVs by late 2012.

What’s the hold up?

The crystal cloak currently has to be about 20 times larger than the object it’s concealing, although calcite crystals do exist that are big enough to hide a human body. “Metamaterials [artificial materials designed to have properties notfound in nature] could be used to design a much more compact invisibility cloak, relative to the size of the object being concealed,” Zhang says. Currently, however, most of the technology has used wavelengths of light outside the spectrum visible to humans.

When could we see it (or not see it , in this case)?

Metamaterials that are able to work with visible light should be created within the next five years. Scaling it up to the size of a Harry Potter-esque cloak will take somewhat longer, though.

This material is translated or reproduced from T3 magazine and is the copyright of or licensed to Future Publishing Limited, a Future plc group company, UK 2011. Used under license. All rights reserved

TABLET review

HTC’s maiden scores a ton Ketaki Bhojnagarwala ith a steady flow of Honeycomb tablets being launched in the market, there are now plenty of contenders to take on the iPad 2. Affordable prices, more connectivity options and better compatibility are just some of the reasons why people are choosing Android tabs over Apple.

So when HTC launched its maiden tablet, the HTC Flyer, there was a lot of speculation over why the company had decided to market an outdated Gingerbread device, that too at a price that makes the iPad look like value for money.

Don’t be put off just yet though, because this little tab has a few surprises up its sleeve.

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First impressions The HTC Flyer isn’t anorexic, neither does it claim to be.

It’s pretty chunky, and its tri-colour exterior consisting of a black bezel, aluminium back panel and white inserts don’t add to its glam appeal. Despite this, the finish is great. It feels reassuring sturdy in my hands, and the weight isn’t a put off. The aluminium body reminds me of the iPad, but I wouldn’t really call it a clone. An intriguing feature of the Flyer is that it supports pen input. I’m not talking about antiquated resistive touch screens, because

the pen isn’t a stylus. I’ll come to the pen later though. For now, you’ll be pleased to know that the Flyer ships with an elegant white carrying case which provides protection for your tablet. A magnetic cover flap makes it easy to use and there’s even a slot for the Magic pen.

Our review unit was a Wi-Fi+3G one, which comes with 32GB of internal storage. This can be expanded by another 32GB via micro SD card. There’s also a Wi-Fi only unit, which comes with 16GB of storage. The top cover can be prised open to reveal the SIM and micro SD card slot. Our unit gave us some trouble with this though, and I was not happy nursing my broken fingernail!

The tablet features touch sensitive Android buttons for Home, Menu and Return. There’s also a button which brings up the pen menu. A nice touch is that when you shift orientation to landscape mode, the left side of the bezel has the same selection of buttons, so you can operate the tablet completely from either angle. Of course the downside to this is that orientation doesn’t work in all four directions.

User Interface Ok, so I know most of you will ask why HTC would choose Gingerbread instead of Honeycomb. Honeycomb is adapt-

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ed especially for Android tablets, but there’s still a glitch – you don’t get access to all the apps in the Android Market.

With Gingerbread, this isn’t the case, and with the added benefit of HTC Sense, the tablet provides a fairly decent user experience. HTC has talked about an upgrade to Honeycomb in the near future, so we’ll keep you posted on that.

If you’ve used HTC phones in the past, you’ll be familiar with the Sense skin that merges quite beautifully with Android. The screen can be unlocked by dragging the lock ‘ring’ upwards. There are a bunch of applications above the ring, which you can drag into it to start working. For example, dragging the Internet icon into the ring will immediately open the browser.

The tablet has eight easily customisable home screens, to which you can add various widgets and icons. I particularly liked the Gmail widget, which displays your inbox at a quick glance. Also convenient is HTC’s social networking app, Friend Stream, which integrates your Twitter and Facebook feed.

The Flyer comes with its ebook app, ‘Reader’. Our unit came preloaded with a bunch of books, including interesting reads like Jack London’s ‘White Fang’. There’s a really nice scroll tool which lets you scroll page wise

through the book, giving you chapter details as you skim through.

I really liked the overview feature on the Flyer. For example, if you’re using the browser, you can see an overview of all your tabs on top of the screen simply by clicking the tab icon. Similarly, for Twitter, if you tap on a post in your feed, it divides the screen into two and displays the entire post on one side. If the post contains a link, it will also open up the webpage so you can view content at a glance. The same goes for Gallery and Calendar apps. However, this split view only works in landscape mode.

The Android keyboard was a pleasure to type on, both in landscape and portrait mode. It was quick and responsive, and HTC’s word prediction software is spot on.

Entertainment One of the main considerations of many tablet buyers is understandably the screen. So far, the best screens I’ve seen on any tablets are in the iPad and the Blackberry Playbook. The Flyer’s capacitive screen with a 1024x600 resolution doesn’t disappoint. Navigating the tablet was really easy, and video playback revealed good colour reproduction, decently sharp images and no stutter between frames. At 7-inches, there’s plenty of screen real estate for more than a couple of people to watch a movie comfortably. The stereo speakers at the rear are loud, to say the least. You can activate surround sound by tapping the icon at the bottom of the screen, but it’s only when you put on a pair of headphones that you see how effective it really is.

The music player app has some neat equaliser settings too.

The Flyer has two cameras, a rear 5-megapixel one and a front facing 1.3-meg camera. The main camera gave us some decent results – nothing as good as the Playbook, but definitely better than the iPad 2. There are a bunch of interesting effects to choose from. I actually enjoyed the front camera more, mostly because of HTC’s Snapbooth app. All the effects that you get on the main camera are available here, and it’s a fun way to get together with friends and create a fun Facebook (or Google+) album.

The Flyer does ship with HTC Watch and OnLive, which are the company’s movie download and gaming service, but these aren’t available in India as of now.

Magic Pen Having read this review so far, you might wonder where exactly the magic pen fits in. I’ve already mentioned that the pen isn’t a stylus, so what is its USP exactly? The pen basically converts the entire tablet into a scribble pad.

Once the tablet is unlocked, you can either take a screenshot or open the Notes app simply by tapping the pen on the Scribe icon. After that, the tablet becomes your personal canvas. You can choose from a variety of pen types, colours and nib sizes.

Of course, the purpose of the pen isn’t for creativity alone. You can take a screenshot of an interesting website and highlight a paragraph, and send the image across to your friends via email, social networks or Bluetooth. If you’re a student, the pen works to underline important sections in a chapter, or make notes by the side of the page.

The Reader app allows you to view all your notes at a glance, which is really convenient. Or you can even attempt what I tried, and draw moustaches on friend’s photos and upload them on Facebook.

Performance The Flyer is powered by a 1.5 GHz processor, Adreno 205 graphics and 1GB RAM.

Photos: S.S. Kumar

We ran a couple of benchmark tests on the Flyer. On Quadrant, we got an average score of 1,857, and on Linpack, we got a result of 54 MFLOPS. To give you an idea, Moto Xoom scores an average of about 2,283 on Quadrant after an update, and 42 MFLOPS on Linpack.

I didn’t face any issues with the tablet freezing, but it wasn’t really what I would call snappy. Simple things like changing orientation and opening apps took a while longer than most tablets, but it’s not really something to be concerned about.

Battery life was outstanding – it’s the only tablet I’ve seen so far that can equal the iPad’s 9-hour mark. We used it continuously, with Wi-Fi on and Gmail and Friend Stream running in the background. We even managed to catch a couple of hours of Angry Birds Rio, web browsing and video watching. Basically, it can keep you entertained

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on a long haul flight.

Our Verdict The HTC Flyer does come with its set of compromises – an unabashedly steep price tag, outdated Android Gingerbread operating system and a chubby form factor. However, I think that the company should win brownie points for originality. It’s the first tablet after the iPad that’s actually brought something different to the table, and if you think 7-inches is more your type, then it’s the best droid tab to go for right now.

Love: Magic pen, good battery life Hate: Outdated OS Rs 39,890 ketaki@thehindu.co.in

COMMUNICATION devices

The missing Lync Plantronics Calisto 825

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fter years of specialising in headsets, mostly wireless and ultra-lightweight, Plantronics has recently launched a series of speakerphones. These combine multi-device hands-free connectivity, and are based on an intuitive visual call management, the 800 series. The most high-end of the series is the Calisto 825 which is a two-way speakerphone for the PC and mobile phone.

Optimised for use with Microsoft Lync 2010, the Calisto 825 is designed for individuals and home office users who depend on multiple communication devices to collaborate effectively. The brand new unified communication client, Lync, features instant messaging, meetings, and voice calls.

With an updated user interface, Lync

>>> Also consider Jabra PRO 9450

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features a dashboard that makes it easy to find and use common functions such as the dial pad, visual voicemail, the contact list, and the list of active conversations.

Setting up the Calisto 825 was a simple enough affair.

Once you hook in the USB to a laptop, the device powers up and runs you through a setup guide. You can choose to configure and add any number of Bluetooth devices to the device and make calls from those. This model comes with a wireless lapel microphone which is easy to use. You can activate it with a long press of the Call icon on its rubberised body and link it with the Calisto 825. The device can be connected to any other Bluetooth or corded headset by plugging it into the headphone jack on one side of the device. It also allows for group call conferences. The voice on both sides was loud and clear when we tried conducting voice calls on the device.

The Calisto 825 simplifies PC and mobile phone call management through its intuitive visual display. The interface on the 2.4-inch touch-sensitive display includes a Dial Pad, Call, Volume, Headset, Mute and scroll buttons. The unit features wideband audio coupled with advanced noise cancellation technology.

Rs 10,000

he Jabra PRO 9450 dual connectivity headset is a userfriendly, no-frills device which provides office staff with a straightforward interface to handle calls from both desk phones and UC softphones. The Jabra PRO 9450 headset’s base has a display with touch buttons for call handling in a simple layout making it easy even for first time headset users. It lets you answer calls in four different ways - when you are away from your desk through the headset; at your desk by using the touchpad, using the Jabra Call Manager software on your PC/laptop or using a customised keyboard shortcut. And with a range of up to 450 feet, the Jabra PRO 9450 frees users up to a new productive, untethered work style. With a new state-of-the-art audio reproduction technology, Jabra PRO 9450 delivers crystal clear sound. A noise-cancelling microphone ensures that the user’s voice is heard clearly, the wideband quality makes the incoming sound free from any distortion.

Jabra PRO 9450 also has a unique feature designed for a quiet workplace – a built-in ringer which makes it possible to hear calls, even when not wearing the headset.

The system comes with free mass deployment software via Jabra PC Suite to facilitate installation and can be updated easily with drivers for new phones and new features as the technology evolves. The Jabra PRO 9450 is optimised for Microsoft Lync.

AUTO focus

Opening up to the skies, despite the monsoon Driving the 650i in wet, wet Mumbai and rediscovering the joys of a topless Bimmer

S. Muralidhar t’s the season for convertibles to go into hibernation. While it is summer in Europe and drivers are going top down, unfortunately we have to contend with putting our cars through water-wadding tests on our roads.

But, there I was sitting inside the new BMW 650i, arguably one of the sexiest new four-seater convertibles there is, and sulking about the clouds letting loose their load. With the fabric-top roof up, the rising crescendo of the rain beating down was drowning out the peppy ABBA number that was belting out of the radio. I was in Mumbai to test drive the 650i and was yo-yoing between despair and joy, experiencing open wet roads and gingerly crossing flooded streets in the new car.

Mumbai during the rains can be fun, but can also quickly become messy. It hadn’t gotten messy yet. Thankfully, the second day was bright and sunny for the most part and I managed to fully exploit the conditions.

In a manner of speaking, though, the 650i was in its element – water – after all, BMW’s punchline for the car is ‘Inspiration Flows’. The new 650i is part of a modification and refresh program for the 6 series done a few years ago.

Endowed with a new 4.4-litre V8 engine, the 650i has redefined the performance levels for a car in this segment and has become more of a driver’s car than ever before.

The 2011 model year changes to the 6 series coupe and convertible has carried forward the overall squat, sharknosed design of the predecessor. There are far fewer design flourishes, in the 650i. The design is now more simplistic, yet, there is a certain agility and flowy-ness.

The new design also seems to give the 6 series convertible a tauter, sportier proportion.

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Styling the curves There is a lot of interplay between surfaces and (what BMW calls) power lines, which manages to take the monotony out of what could potentially be a rather boring, overall flat four-seater convertible design. The 650i’s design also manages an interesting duality with the convertible’s waistline providing a cocoon effect when it is in top-down mode and at the same time merging with the fabric fin-roof giving it a distinct coupe-like profile when the roof is extended and closed.

Bi-xenon headlights, the trademark kidney grille positioned low and slightly forward to flow with the sharknose profile, the LED fog lamps and the signature LED rings of the daytime running lights are other highlights of the exterior design. The roof retracts and folds neatly into the rear or opens out and locks into the front A-pillar at the

touch of a button in about 20-odd seconds.

A peek inside Inside the new 650i, the cabin sports a young and inviting ambience. A lot of inspiration seems to have flowed in the choice of layout and materials for the cabin. Soft, nonreflective plastic, leather trim with contrast stitching and piano-lacquered wood inserts give the 650i’s interiors a very plush and sporty feel. My test unit came with a Black and Red colour theme.

The Red perforated seats are comfy and guaranteed to grab attention. However, although it is a four-seater and entry and exit is relatively easy, the rear seats will be a real squeeze for… the rear! If you are going to be heading out to the hills with adults in the rear seats, they are bound to complain of sore backsides and chaffed knees.

The driver and front passenger will, however, have a more memorable experience. The knobs and keys are all angled and positioned on the centre console within easy reach, there are steering wheel mounted controls, F1-style paddle shifters if you choose to drive in manual mode, and the large centrally mounted information display paired with the easy-to-use iDrive controller gives the driver quick access to all the key controls.

A package consisting of High beam assistant, a Head-up display and BMW Night Vision is also available as an optional addition. Other premium functions that are found in BMW’s flagship 7-Series such as soft closing doors, Adaptive Drive, Voice control, leather finished instrument panel etc are also optional additions.

Brute force To focus attention on the 650i’s performance, BMW has chosen a more powerful V8 engine than the predecessor.

Offering 407 horses on tap, the peak power is delivered by the 4,395cc engine within a narrow, but easily reached 5,500 to 6,400 rpm range. The engine is supercharged using a twin turbo system that helps it generate more power than the larger engine that was used in the previous model.

For a petrol engine, its peak torque of 600 Nm that is available from a low 1,750 rpm to 4,500 rpm is quite amazing. No wonder, right from when I step on the gas, the 650i simply leaves the rest of the traffic behind. There is ample power and torque available right through the rpm band.

Of course, it also helps that the engine has been mated to an 8-speed, quick shifting sports automatic transmission.

There are enough gears to go through even at high speeds and in triptronic or manual mode the engine holds the

chosen slot all the way to the redline at 7,000 rpm, so you can choose between relaxed automatic or an engaging manual mode of driving.

The powertrain is classic BMW, very refined, very quiet and well packed into the bonnet. The NVH packaging and possibly the wind deflector ensures that there is very little audible evidence of the engine idling or revving in the bonnet even when you have the top down. But the note you will want to hear, of course, is the burbling exhaust that rises and falls as you change gears.

For a large convertible, the 650i’s driving dynamics is quite an eye-opener. As I discovered in some of the hilly sections of the old Mumbai-Pune route, this car can be great fun to drive. From the outside the 650i looks big, step in and take the wheel and it seems to collapse into you. A host of BMW technologies for safety and dynamics are at work like automatic stability control, cornering brake control, dynamic traction control and dynamic brake control.

The Drive Dynamic Control option offers three drive modes – Normal, Sport and Sport+. Choosing one of the modes other than the default Normal dynamically changes the settings for the gear shift, speeding it up in Sport and Sport+ modes, and also leads to a stiffening of the steering and engine response characteristics. You have the option of switching off traction control, though the auto traction continues to hover in the background and kicks in during uncontrollable wheel slippage.

The electric power steering with Servotronic is agile and precise, providing the right amount of assistance during slow driving within the city and offering the right amount of feedback in dynamic driving conditions. The 650i convertible also features BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies including brake energy regeneration all aimed at improving the fuel efficiency of the car.

However, the 650i is not really capable of producing a miracle in the mileage department. A full tank of about 70 litres can only go on for a maximum of 600 kilometres and that is in ideal driving conditions. You are more likely to get about 5-6 kmpl, given the natural urge to be ‘fast and furious’ in a convertible.

The 650i is offered with a manual transmission too in other markets like the US. Wonder if the buyer here might want to look for that level of engagement with his convertible. Clearly, the 650i is targeted at owner-drivers and with a price tag of over one crore rupees, it is slap-bang in the middle of super sports car territory like the Porsche.

The 650i is still a great package overall and has its own strengths to woo buyers who are looking for some postmonsoon top-down action. muraliswami@thehindu.co.in

Photos: S. Muralidhar

Chevy’s ‘Beat’er avatar S. Muralidhar rocery prices are up, interest rates are up, weekly fuel price hikes cease to surprise you and your monthly expense statement plotted on a graph looks like the power delivery curve of a F1 car.

So, what will you lay your hands on for saving a few paise everyday? Invariably, most heads of family will first attempt to prune the cost of their daily commute. And, since the addiction to personal mobility is difficult to give up, the only option is to try and choose the most practical option that will bring down per kilometre costs.

The increase in popularity for diesel cars is a trend that will only get pronounced in given this kind of inflationary scenario and as long as the Government dilly-dallies with the possibility of imposing a special levy on cars that run on the fuel. Now that Jairam is out, everyone pro-diesel will probably be heaving a sigh of relief.

The big hope for paise-pinching heads of family (which basically includes every small car buyer) is to get an easyto-drive and easy-to-maintain, small-engined diesel small car. Coming up with a small engine is the tough part in that package. There are a number of car makers whose small diesel engines are in various stages of development.

G

rolet Beat Diesel – a hatch that will neatly fit that frugal diesel need amongst buyers.

What you get in the new Beat Diesel is essentially the same car with some minor trim changes and just a discreet TCDi badging at the rear that gives away its fuel choice and engine. Shoehorned in the tight, narrow space under the bonnet is the new one-litre diesel burner that GM calls the 1.0 XSDE Smartech engine.

The 996cc, three-cylinder engine has been developed from GM’s SDE 4-cylinder version that won the International Engine of the Year 2005 award. The three-cylinder version has been developed specially for India by GM

Technical Centre India and GM Power-train Europe. The engine has been loaded with a quite a few new technologies to squeeze every bit of efficiency from it. One of the results of that entire tech being bolted on is an amazing level refinement and driveability that the new engine offers in this compact size segment.

Crank the engine and there is none of the clatter that even some of the more modern common rail diesel engines have. The Beat’s is a tall-boy, cab-forward design and the thin rectangular patch of space available under the hood seems rather tight for a diesel engine. But, the entire package including a fixed geometry turbocharger (FGT) has been packed neatly into the bay.

The FGT, which features a vacuum operated waste gate, ensures a simple effective way of offering additional power delivery for this new DOHC, 12-valve diesel engine.

Being the first such in its category, the performance numbers of the 1.0 XSDE Smartech can’t be termed as a new benchmark, but they are quite impressive. Generating a peak torque of about 160.3 Nm and a peak power of 62.5 PS, the new engine doesn’t look so diminutive when you look at these numbers. But, does the new engine feel as impressive on the road.

Good things come in small packages

Under the Goan sun

The first to roll out a one-litre diesel engine in its car will be GM India, when later this month it launches the Chev-

I drove the new Beat Diesel a couple of weeks ago in Goa, enjoying the duel between the sun and clouds, the classic

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Goan-style weather. One thing is for sure, there are a lot of refinement benefits that the new engine has derived from the various tech bits it has been endowed with.

The electrically controlled throttle body that reduces the engine shut-off shake, the BOSCH common rail injection that operates at a high 1,600 bar injection pressure, the hydraulic valve lash adjusters, the light weight pistons with graphite coated skirts, the torsional vibration dampers and balancer gears in the crankshaft assembly and the optimised cylinder block are all contributors to the high refinement levels of the new engine.

For an engine this small and a three-cylinder unit at that, the new Beat diesel is fairly quiet and refined. Inside the cabin, the engine noise and vibration has been fairly well contained, though under hard acceleration the noise level does start to get a bit intrusive. Vibration at the steering wheel or door panels is negligible and during relaxed cruising it is almost indistinguishable from its petrol sibling.

But, when it comes to sheer acceleration, despite the new engine’s high torque availability at low engine rpm levels and despite the other tech features like the electronic clutch switch and the plastic intake manifold that are meant to optimise torque delivery, the new Beat diesel tends to suffer on occasion, especially when there is a need to pull away quickly.

The issue seems to be with the way the engine has been designed to perform. Almost all the torque is loaded in to the low rpm range and so it starts to taper-off rapidly past the 3,000 rpm level.

The amount of power available seems to follow a similar curve. It is also possible that some of the blame should rest with the gear ratios that have been chosen.

For example, a taller second gear could have offset some of the problem I faced particularly during overtaking manoeuvres, where I actually had to shift up into the third halfway through the overtake move to tap into more power. Essentially, a bit more mid-range torque availability will give the Beat diesel more grunt to tackle quick overtakes and steep hill climbs with greater ease.

On the contrary, like it did with panache inside crowded streets of Goa, the Beat diesel will likely be a boon when driven within city limits. There is so much low-end torque, you’ll barely need to shift gears in stop and go traffic. The same five-speed gearbox has been carried forward from the petrol. Though there is not much of a chance that you’ll get anywhere close to the claimed 24 kmpl as fuel efficiency, you will certainly get at least a 20 per cent hike in mileage from the Beat diesel compared to similar sized petrols.

The new Beat diesel has been tested extensively abroad and in various conditions in India. It shows in the suspension tuning, which features what GM engineers call a gas charged rebound suspension. Accommodating the slightly higher weight of the engine and soaking up speed breakers and potholes effectively, the suspension should delight back benchers and the driver alike.

The new Beat diesel will be available in three variants and is likely to be priced between Rs 4-5 lakh.

Photos: S.Muralidhar

muraliswami@thehindu.co.in

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HOTEL review

A chic cocoon in Chennai’s backyard T

here’s nothing like sipping a Sauvignon Blanc with Borsolino for company. Mild and fresh, the young cheese has just the right hints of garlic, lemon and spring onion and is the perfect accompaniment to the sparkling white. What made my wine and cheese platter even better were the quaint and elegant settings at Vintage Bank, a wine and cheese bar at the newly opened Hilton, in Chennai. The seating was plush and tables were like treasure chests. Hilton does take its restaurants seriously, and it shows.

Apart from offering travellers to the city and food enthusiasts interesting dining options, Hilton is one of the earlier entrants participating in Chennai’s sudden spurt in hotel properties. With a slew of luxury and business fivestar properties on the anvil, will Hilton Chennai grab a meaty share of the traveller’s pie?

Hilton’s new property in Chennai impresses with its modish décor and swift service, says ANUSHYA MAMTORA. She discovers the hotel’s culinary and service secrets, even as the Met Department’s predictions come true, for a change, outside

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Heart of the city

What works in its favour for Hilton is its location. One of the closest to the international and domestic airports, its proximity to tech parks, business districts and other parts of the city make these the prime target groups. While we have always done travel reviews in other cities, reviewing Hilton’s new property was like going for a day off in our own backyard. I battled my share of morning traffic to reach the hotel, which stands tall in a busy junction with Metro Rail construction adding to the chaos outside. Not the best of views to boast of, but fortunately, the sounds of the city disappear as you step into the hotel and it cocoons its guests in a comfortable, contemporary and chic set up.

Ten floors and 204 rooms revolve around interesting designs that pay homage to the Mid-Century Modern aesthetics that Hilton Hotels earlier revelled in.

The first look Stepping in, the lobby is a welcome zone, the highlight being the lovely blue and pink shaded crystal chandelier and the golden metal moveable ‘Jaali’ screen that wraps around the circular lobby.

As one walks around discovering the place, the décor props up elegant surprises like traditional and exotic stones, luscious silks, pretty water bodies, interesting doors, elegant fabric murals and panels and lots more.

Hilton Chennai also has its traditional local touches in the form of stone inlay work in the lobby floor, rich textiles from the state that double up as wall panels in the rooms and photo frames of temple architecture. The addition of the traditional ‘bharani’ or stone containers, granite mortar and ‘pestal’ found in South Indian homes and local spices in the restaurant’s ‘Madras Table’, add to the Chennai flavour.

Gourmet options Adding some notable restaurants to the city’s food scene, Hilton Chennai has opened three venues to treat the palate. The all day dining place, Vasco, was bright and cheery with an extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet to choose from. The open interactive kitchen lets you experiment with your cuisines and my personal favourites were the thyme infused mushroom and olives, a strawberry and yoghurt dessert and the Blueberry Brulé, to which the chef added a thin caramel crust just before he served it on the table. There is also an elevated private dining space with a bird’s eye view of the restaurant for an exclusive gathering.

Next door to Vasco is the Vintage Bank that is inviting in its Indian safari motifs and warm in its use of wood and golden brown colours. Wine and cheese being the specialty, here, you can choose from a range of international as well as locally made cheeses and pair them with some exotic wine. The cheese list includes Camembert France, Chevre Log France, Gorgonzola La Ferme, Manchego Spain, Borsolino, Farmers and Provolone. If you want to play the connoisseur, opt for a cheese platter that the chef will put together with some delish breads, stewed apples and jams, and of course, your favourite wine.

The coffee shop Est is ideal for that midnight snack, with a yummy bakers spread. On the anvil is the hotel’s Indian restaurant, Ayla. But what ‘Chennaiites’ will really look forward to is the rooftop Q Bar, a poolside bar and grill under the starlit Chennai sky.

Till then, the scenic gazebos with little water niches right outside the restaurants are the perfect hangout spots. With the gentle breeze bringing in some cool rain drops, a book in hand or that special someone for company, the city dins and sights fade away.

What: Hilton Chennai Where: Guindy, Near Kathipara clover-leaf flyover, 15 minutes from the international and domestic airports Why: For a brisk business trip, a fun-filled holiday or a break from the city How much: The hotel has four categories of rooms – Hilton Guest Room, Executive Room, Junior Suites and Executive Suites. Tariff begins at about Rs 10,000 per night anushya@thehindu.co.in

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GOURMET encounters

Savouring sushi at the Gateway of India Michael Swamy o walk into Wasabi by Morimoto at The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, which opened its doors to Mumbai’s public in 2009, is like soaking in some true blue Japanese flavour in the heart of India. Gliding through the Bayview bar up a flight of red steps, guests are ushered into a magnificent high-ceiling room on the first floor of the Old Wing of the Taj. Exquisitely decorated with fine tapestry and wood-work, the restaurant is divided into three sections. You can choose to sit at the sushi bar on high chairs and watch your food cut, diced and cooked before you, or relax by the windows and watch the world go by. The sea, the resplendent Gateway of India and its perennial winged visitors always make for an interesting view.

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Authentic Japanese, Western twist Who is Morimoto one might ask? In the culinary world, he ranks amongst the top Asian chefs. With his expertise in sushi and traditional Kaiseki cuisine, his food is strongly influenced by Western styles, serving up modern Japanese fare. Headed

by Sadik Khan and his echelon of chefs, Wasabi follows his style with a delightful menu.

Rice and fish are the basis of Japanese food. Over centuries, the culture and economies of Asia have been sculpted around rice. Perhaps the most famous contribution from the island country to the world’s best

menus is sushi and sake. Sushi essentially consists of rice cakes, rolls or cubes, combined with a variety of ingredients - raw fish or vegetables flavoured with rice vinegar. The sushi and sashimi at Wasabi is the highlight of the menu. One can select from the choicest of seafood that is flown in from across the globe –take your pick from snow crab, eel, salmon or yellowtail. Sashimi, which is raw cuts of fish or meats like fatty tuna, sea urchin or sweet shrimp, all of which are best eaten with a set of chopsticks, is considered one of the healthiest dishes. It is also considered a form of art due to the careful selection of ingredients and meticulous preparation.

To accompany the sushi and sashimi is wasabi (the restaurant derives it name from this condiment/ accompaniment) or Japanese horseradish, a pungent hot root from the ginger family. It was a treat to have it freshly grated at the table, working

its magic by enhancing the flavours of the sushi.

Tempura is another famous Japanese preparation. It’s hard not to love. The crisp texture of the fermented rice flour batter which coats vegetables or prawns makes for an excellent starter to a meal.

The spread At Wasabi, although fresh, the flavours of the various fishes was missing, and the platter of Sushi at Rs 2,600 just did not ‘make it’ for me. The manager Akshay did take our order for a white fish carpaccio, the hottest selling item on the menu. Unfortunately, the dish seemed to have lost its flavours during the transit from the kitchen to the table. Miso, a Japanese soup, is quite delightful and can be had by itself as an appetiser or as an entree. For those who like to experiment, one can opt for ishi yaki “buri bop” - a yellowtail fish dish cooked

and sliced on a slab of stone at one’s table.

Wasabi also serves beef and pork done in various Japanese sauces like teriyaki or miso.

The restaurant is also well known for its Chilean sea bass, which is cooked in black bean sauce and served with Japanese fried rice. Whilst the Japanese are not known for vegetarian food, the menu at wasabi does offer a variety of vegetarian fare and for those who love their desserts, the wasabi crème brûlée, tofu cheesecake and a green tea tiramisu are a must try.

The restaurant does serve a lunch meal for a fixed price of Rs 2,600 per person, excluding taxes. A meal for two is about Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000, which is a bit expensive, but understandable considering the authenticity of ingredients. So the question most of you will ask will undoubtedly be: Was sake on the menu?

Yes. Sake is a rice wine that was first produced sometime after the introduction of wet rice cultivation in the third century B.C. The first written record of sake being drunk in Japan, dates from about 300 A.D. and Wasabi has some of the best sake on display. An afternoon would be the best time for a relaxed meal.

What: Wasabi by Morimoto Where: The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai Cuisine: Japanese, with a Western twist How much: Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 for a meal for two (The author is a Cordon Bleu Chef & Food Stylist)