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TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Why there's lots to like about the VW Golf 1.4 TSI Life Plus
I think the last time I drove a new Volkswagen Golf powered by a 1.4 l turbocharged petrol engine was in 2009. Social media was in its infancy, the world still reeling from the effects of the global financial crisis and crossover SUVs the exception rather than the rule. What a time to be alive. Skip forward 15 years and the once de rigueur hatchback is now on the endangered species list, with a dwindling array of options to choose from should you want to lose the herd and not look like everyone else in the shopping mall car park. Fortunately, the eighth-generation Golf is still alive and kicking and in 1.4 TSI guise offers you a semi-attainable antidote to automotive conformity. I recently had the mid-tier Life Plus model on test and it made a fine first impression with its cool Moonstone Gray paintwork and optional 18" 'Catania' alloy wheels. Though I'd probably be happy with the standard 16" alloys, these bigger ones fill the arches a little better and, shod with 225/40 profile rubber, provide a little extra traction through the bends. Finished off with squinty LED headlamps, a sneering front air intake, creased bonnet lines and a stubby roof spoiler, Volkswagen's drawing board skills have delivered a good-looking machine that oozes the sort of quiet confidence only a Golf can. Sporty without being showy, premium without being pretentious, its classless design aesthetic means this hatchback is as at home swallowing a few bags of compost from Builders Express as it is delivering you to a big-shot business meeting at the country club. From the moment it was launched the Golf Mk8 fielded a considerable amount of motoring media flak about its interior quality or, should we say, lack thereof when compared with the outgoing Mk7.5. Though VW has tried its best to address this criticism in this facelifted version, it still doesn't quite match the tactile delights of its forbear with some of the cabin plastics feeling like they'd be more at home in a Polo Vivo. That said, I must give credit to the excellent art-velours sports comfort seats. Fitted as standard equipment on the Life Plus variant, they merge long-distance driving comfort with plenty of lateral support with their handsomely sculpted side bolsters. The driving position is equally praiseworthy thanks to a steering column that adjusts generously for rake and reach. Now on the tech side of things I am happy to report VW has gone to great measures to re-engineer the awful infotainment system that characterised the first-generation Mk8 models. While software lag is now a thing of the past, the carmaker has also reinstated physical buttons on the multifunction steering wheel, replacing those diabolical haptic monstrosities that haunted the previous iteration. I'd still prefer a panel of switches for adjusting the HVAC system (these have been baked into the 10.3" touchscreen to save money) but on the whole the general operating experience is now far more agreeable with few — if any — expletives being spat at the dashboard during my weeklong test tenure. Standard features are plentiful and include an inductive charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay, cruise control, a 10" digital instrument cluster, 30 colour ambient lighting, a reverse camera and VW's Driver Profile Selection that lets you toggle through an array of preset drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual). Some of the options fitted to my test car included a R25,500 Discover Navigation System — sort of pointless if you use Waze or Google Maps — a R19,000 panoramic sunroof — nice to have but not necessary — and an IQ. Drive Assistance Package that adds additional driver assist features I don't have any interest in. Especially not at R27,500. Nope, the only extra I'd consider splicing into my Golf would be the stupendous Harman Kardon audio system. It retails for R14,500 and will soon see you swapping podcasts for forgotten Apple Music playlists — it's that good. Out on the road the Life Plus proved a stellar performer. No, it's not a GTI in the all-out acceleration stakes but that doesn't mean it can't bomb along lonely Karoo roads at jail-baiting velocities without breaking sweat. Eighth gear is about as leggy as they come and as such you will be surprised how quickly and effortlessly this car can cruise from point A to point B. The turbocharged four-pot motor is about as characterless as the Sandton skyline but it makes up for this with strong mid-range torque. Peak power is also made at a relatively lowly 5,000rpm so if you're after something that likes to rev then you've come to the wrong place — it soon loses interest after eclipsing that point on the tachometer. Cog-swapping duties are handled by VW's Tiptronic transmission. Some might lament the omission of DSG but they're wrong — this gearbox is better in every meaningful metric. It's smoother, less jerky and in Sport mode just as quick to dance between the ratios. It's also far less complex and infinitely more reliable than its troublesome dual-clutch cousin. The ride is nicely damped and absorbs road ruts and undulations with aplomb even with those 18" alloys fitted. Despite VW calibrating this car for everyday driving comfort, it still puts up a good fight when you take it by the scruff of the neck and steer it along a twisting Western Cape mountain. I did two spirited runs of the Tradouw Pass and both times the Life Plus exhibited exemplary body control, a glut of mechanical grip and predictable, neutral handling. A wobbly shopping trolley it is not. Understeer is contained and you have to go super hot into a corner to get those front tyres squealing in protest. The steering is light on feel, especially on initial turn in, but it's direct and fast to react. It's not a particularly exciting car to drive, I'll be honest, but it's plenty capable and can carry a surprising amount of pace through the curvy bits for what it is and what it's designed to do. Also — and unlike a GTI — its comparative lack of power means you can punt it along at 10 tenths, explore its limit without every worrying about getting yourself into too much trouble. As you can tell, I quite enjoyed my time with the Golf 1.4 TSI Life Plus. Like its predecessor did more than a decade ago, this smaller capacity model won me over with its broad skill set and ability to do almost everything well. Whether chugging through Cape Town traffic, smashing a long-distance jaunt or simply letting off steam across your favourite driving road, Volkswagen's littlest Golf is happy to oblige and eager to please. Crucially, it's not just another humdrum crossover SUV yet still offers similar levels of practicality in a less conformist body shape. What a win. Fast facts: 2025 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI Life Plus
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Tech index bucks market trend, national semiconductor strategy attracts RM63bil in investments
KUALA LUMPUR: The Bursa Malaysia Technology Index inched up 0.04 of a point to 52.36 while most of the other sectoral indices remained in negative territory. This may be due to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement yesterday that the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), launched in May 2024, has attracted RM63 billion in investments, comprising RM58 billion in foreign direct investments and RM5.2 billion in domestic direct investments. "Malaysia's transition from a back-end assembly base to a design-to-packaging semiconductor hub remains a work in progress. "However, we are encouraged to see that the NSS is gaining investor traction, institutional support, and regional momentum. With RM63 billion in committed investments, an increase in local champions, and stronger ASEAN alignment, Malaysia is positioning itself as a neutral, indispensable node in the global chip supply chain,' it added. CIMB affirmed that this is one of the key advantages in ensuring Malaysia remains an attractive destination for semiconductor manufacturing globally. At lunch break, Vitrox shares went up 20 sen to RM3.99, Infomina was 11 sen better at RM1.07 and SMRT was 6.5 sen higher at 90.5 sen. - Bernama Trading ideas: MMAG, Keyfield, KAB, Rimbunan Sawit, Jentayu, AYS, Country Heights, Metronic, Nestle, ViTrox, Oriental Interest, KIP REIT, Luxchem, Betamek
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
INEOS Automotive CEO on navigating evolving tariff landscape
Tariff uncertainty is hitting just as INEOS Automotive gains traction in the US market with its Grenadier and Quartermaster models. Lynn Calder, INEOS Automotive CEO, joins Market Catalysts with Julie Hyman to discuss how the company is navigating trade tensions, pricing caps, and plans to expand its lineup with a hybrid range extender. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Catalysts here.
News18
22-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Paytm Soars 122% In A Year, Still Lags IPO Price By 53%; Will Q1 Results Push Paytm Higher?
Last Updated: Shares of One97 Communications, which operates Paytm, have surged over 122% in the past year; Whill it rally further? Paytm Q1 Results Today: Shares of One97 Communications, which operates digital payments platform Paytm, have surged over 122% in the past year. Despite the sharp recovery, the stock remains 53% below its IPO issue price of Rs 2,150. All eyes are now on the company's June quarter (Q1FY26) results, due on July 22, which analysts say could determine the stock's next big move. Paytm made its market debut in November 2021 with much anticipation but witnessed a steep fall of 27% on the listing day. After hitting a record low of Rs 438.35 in November 2022, the stock has staged a steady comeback and now trades around Rs 1,016. While the rally has lifted investor sentiment, analysts believe that for the stock to return to its IPO levels, Paytm must demonstrate consistent earnings growth and improved operational performance. Currently hovering around Rs 1,018, the stock has shown signs of a technical breakout, supported by a consistent pattern of higher highs and higher lows (HH–HL) on the charts. Technical analysts believe the upcoming June quarter results, due today, July 22, could be a key trigger for further upside. 'The stock has shown significant recovery and is forming a higher-high, higher-low structure on the weekly charts, which is a bullish signal," said Rajesh Bhosale, Technical Analyst at Angel One. He noted that a decisive close above Rs 1,100 could open the path towards Rs 1,250 and potentially Rs 1,400. The company has been focusing on profitability, reporting an EBITDA before ESOP cost of Rs 153 crore in Q4 FY24, a notable turnaround from a Rs 234 crore loss in the same period the previous year. Management has also pointed to improved contribution margins across business segments. In a recent investor update, Paytm highlighted robust growth in merchant payments, lending, advertising, and financial services. Its lending arm, in particular, showed strong traction. With Q1 earnings just around the corner, analysts say that continued profitability and margin improvement will be critical to sustain investor interest and determine the stock's future trajectory. Paytm Result Q1 Expectations Paytm is expected to post a net profit of Rs 18.9 crore for the quarter ended June 2025 (Q1FY26), a sharp turnaround from a net loss of Rs 839.6 crore in the year-ago period, according to estimates by JM Financial. In the previous quarter (Q4FY25), the company had reported a net loss of Rs 544.6 crore. Motilal Oswal Financial Services (MOFSL) also projects a net profit for the quarter, albeit at a more modest Rs 2 crore. On a consolidated basis, Paytm's revenue in Q1FY26 is projected to rise 27% year-on-year to Rs 1,910.9 crore, from Rs 1,501 crore in Q1FY25, primarily supported by strong traction in its payments and financial services verticals, JM Financial noted. However, sequential revenue growth is likely to remain flat. The contribution margin is estimated to decline by 67 basis points quarter-on-quarter due to a growing share of financial services—particularly from merchant loans via the Default Loss Guarantee (DLG) model, which carries higher take rates. Still, better operating leverage, especially lower employee costs, is expected to keep the company Adjusted EBITDA positive, with an estimated margin of 1.1%, according to JM Financial. Analysts at Yes Securities anticipate Paytm's revenue from Payment Services (excluding UPI incentives) to grow 6% quarter-on-quarter and 21% year-on-year. The Financial Services and Others segment is expected to see a 10% QoQ revenue increase. Loan disbursals during the quarter are likely to grow 8% sequentially and 23% annually, led primarily by merchant loans, with a notably reduced share of DLG-backed loans. Meanwhile, personal loan disbursements are expected to remain tepid due to tightened norms around unsecured lending. Key Triggers to Watch Stock Performance Paytm shares have seen strong gains recently. The stock has rallied 19% in the past month, 17% in three months, and 23% over six months. On a year-to-date basis, it is up 5%, and over the past year, it has delivered multibagger returns of 122%. At 11:40 AM on Monday, Paytm shares were trading 2.92% higher at Rs 1,048 on the BSE. tags : paytm view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 22, 2025, 12:26 IST News business » markets Paytm Soars 122% In A Year, Still Lags IPO Price By 53%; Will Q1 Results Push Paytm Higher? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Pink Villa
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Why are BTS' Jin and BLACKPINK's Jisoo being ‘shipped' by fans? Delulu mode gets activated with alleged proof
BTS' Jin and BLACKPINK's Jisoo have recently become the center of an unexpected fan-driven buzz. A 'shipping' video featuring the two idols gained major traction on TikTok. The trend didn't stem from any actual interaction between the two stars, but rather from a simple coincidence: their choice of outfits. Both Jin and Jisoo have long been regarded as visual icons in the K-pop world. So when fans noticed them sporting remarkably similar plaid shirts around the same time, imaginations ran wild. Social media quickly exploded with light-hearted theories. Jin and Jisoo's matching checked shirts Jin is currently in the middle of his solo RUNSEOKJIN_EP. TOUR. During one of his recent shows, Jin appeared on stage in a casual but eye-catching outfit. He wore a checkered shirt paired with a straw hat. Around the same time, Jisoo shared a carousel of off-stage snapshots from BLACKPINK's ongoing DEADLINE world tour. Among the photos, fans couldn't help but notice her laid-back checked shirt. Though not identical to Jin's, it looked strikingly similar in pattern and vibe. That's all it took! A side-by-side comparison made its way onto TikTok, and from there, the shipping storm began. Matching plaid outfits spark fan-made Jin-Jisoo dating theories The TikTok video quickly gained views, showing clips of Jin and Jisoo in their respective plaid outfits with captions jokingly implying a hidden connection. Fans flooded the comments with jokes and exaggerated 'investigative' takes, pretending to connect imaginary dots between the two idols. One fan jokingly urged fellow "delulus" to rise, playfully declaring that they had found a perfect match. Others tagged their friends, laughing over how K-pop fans can turn even the smallest details into a full-blown fantasy narrative. Some even joked that 'K-pop detectives' needed to get involved. No real Jin-Jisoo romance, just fans being 'delulu' Despite the sudden surge in chatter, there's no truth to any actual dating rumors between Jin and Jisoo. Fans know it's all just for fun. It's a light-hearted way to engage with their favorite idols through harmless fan content and imagination. In fact, many commenters acknowledged the absurdity of it all, calling out their own 'delulu' behavior. In fandoms, 'delulu' is a tongue-in-cheek term used to describe moments when fans dream up romantic or dramatic scenarios involving their favorite stars. They do so fully aware that it's all fictional.
