Karlmann king is the world's most expensive SUV
Imagine that you have really deep pockets and have a liking for SUVs. But you are looking for something exclusive, something in the league of the Lamborghini Urus or even beyond! Well, then your quest should end at the Karlmann King, the world's most expensive SUV ever! It has been designed by a Chinese company called IAT and was built by a European team which comprises of over 1,800 people. The company says that it will build precisely 12 units of the Karlmann King but we do not know if all the models have already been booked or sold. It was first displayed at the Dubai International Motor Show in 2017.
The SUV is built on a Ford F-550 platform and weighs a portly 4,500 kg. Should you want your SUV to be bullet-proof; the weight can go up to a massive 6,000 kg. It is almost six metres in length. Under the hood is a massive 6.8-litre V10, from the Ford F-550 itself. The engine churns out close to 400 bhp, a little less for something that weighs 4.5 tonnes. This explains the lowly top speed of just 140 kmph!
As far as features go, the Karlmann King gets Hi-Fi sound, ultra HD 4K television set, private safebox, phone projection system and optional satellite TV along with optional satellite phone. Whoa! That's some luxury right there. Plus you have additional features such as a coffee machine, electric table, independent AC at the front and rear, indoor neon light control and so on. All the creature comfort features can be controlled via a smartphone app. The wheelbase of the car is a massive 3691 mm, which means there is more than enough room for a tea party inside. The edgy exterior has been built in carbon-fibre and steel.
Coming to the price of the Karlmann King, the prices start at 1.56 million pound sterling, which roughly translates to ₹ 14.33 crore. At that price, there are only a handful of people who could afford the Karmann King. Are you one of them? If yes, get in touch with IAT now.
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Deepika Kumari leads Indian recurve archery team to dramatic World Cup gold
Shanghai (PTI): The Indian trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and teenager Kumkum Mohod held their nerve in a tense shoot-off to beat home favourites China and clinch the women's recurve team gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 here on Sunday.
In a final marked by fluctuating fortunes, India edged past the home side 5-4 (28-26) in the shoot-off after the four-set regulation ended 4-4.
The victory was especially sweeter as India had earlier stunned record 10-time Olympic champions South Korea in the semifinals en route to their first World Cup women's team gold since 2021.
Deepika, who was also part of India's World Cup-winning teams in Guatemala City and Paris in 2021, now has seven World Cup team gold medals to her name since 2010.
It was also the Indian women recurve team's first World Cup medal in three years, its previous podium finish coming in Stage 4 in Paris in 2023 where Ankita was a member of the winning team.
India's campaign in Shanghai has thus already yielded two medals after compound archer Sahil Jadhav opened the country's account, securing a bronze on Saturday.
India also remained in contention for another podium finish later in the day with recurve archer Simranjeet Kaur set to compete in the semifinals. She is a win away from her maiden individual World Cup medal.
Travelling without a full-time national coach amid the continuing impasse over appointments, it was the vastly experienced Deepika who led from the front, constantly motivating her teammates during breaks and changeovers.
Prafull Dange, who was the designated women's recurve coach after his ward Kumkum topped the national trials, largely remained in the background as Deepika guided the side through the pressure moments against a hostile home crowd and vocal Chinese support staff.
Against a young Chinese side comprising Zhu Jingyi, Huang Yuwei and teenage archer Yu Qi, who all made their World Cup debuts only last year, India looked in control initially but nearly let the match slip after taking the opening set (54-53).
Shooting last in the Indian order, Deepika set the tone with successive 10s as India edged the first set despite Ankita (8-8) and 17-year-old Kumkum (10-8) putting up an inconsistent show.
Deepika continued her fine rhythm in the second set with another perfect 10 as India briefly held a one-point advantage (28-27) midway through the end. But China responded strongly with two 9s and a 10 in their final three arrows of the second set to post 55.
Ankita replied with a 9, but Kumkum managed only an 8, leaving Deepika needing a 10 to level the set.
The four-time Olympian, however, slipped to a 7 as India lost the set 52-55 and China drew level at 2-2.
The hosts then moved ahead in the third set. The teams were initially tied at 56, but a review upgraded China's final arrow from 8 to 9, handing them the set 57-56 and a 4-2 lead.
India appeared on the verge of defeat in the fourth set despite Deepika rediscovering her touch with two 10s. Kumkum's final arrow landed in the 7-ring as India posted a modest 54.
China required two 10s and a 9 from their last three arrows to seal the match.
Zhu and Huang delivered perfect 10s, leaving 18-year-old Yu Qi needing a 9 for victory in front of the home crowd.
But the youngster shot an 8, allowing India a dramatic escape and forcing a shoot-off.
The Indians peaked at the right moment in the decider. Ankita opened with a 9, Kumkum followed with a superb 10, and Deepika calmly delivered a 9 when only an 8 was needed to seal the title.
