A full used car buyer’s guide on the Toyota Auris covering the Auris Mk2 (2012-date)

The latest Toyota Auris isn’t the most inspiring choice in the family hatch market , but it actually does a very good job.

, but it actually does a very good job. It’s offered in petrol, diesel and hybrid forms – making it unique in this class – plus it’s reliable, cheap to run and practical. But the anonymous styling and so-so driving experience mean you’ll rarely hear an Auris owner getting excited by their car. Still, if you’re after affordable and dependable transport with an easy ownership experience, look no further.

Models covered

The Toyota Auris was launched in 2006 as a replacement for the Toyota Corolla. The Mk1 was then replaced by the Mk2 in 2012, and it’s this model that we’re concentrating on here.

Toyota Auris Mk2 (2012-date) - Dependable family hatch is a solid second-hand choice
Toyota Auris Mk2

Prices from £7,000

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History

The second-generation Auris reached UK showrooms in January 2013 with a choice of 1.33 or 1.6-litre petrol engines, alongside a 1.4-litre diesel and 1.8-litre Hybrid model. At first, there was a five-door hatchback bodystyle only, but from spring 2013, a Touring Sports estate joined the range.

From June 2014, the Icon Plus replaced the Sport, with privacy glass and heated front sport seats. A revised Auris hit showrooms in July 2015. Alongside an overhauled 1.4-litre diesel engine was a new 1.2 turbo petrol unit and a 1.6-litre diesel. Interior and exterior designs were also refreshed, refinement was improved plus the steering and suspension were revised, too. At the same time, the cabin was fitted with higher-quality materials.

Toyota Auris Mk2 reviews
Which one should I buy?

If you do a lot of motorway journeys, the diesel model is the best bet, as it will munch up the miles happily. Otherwise, the petrol engines are fine, if not especially zesty, while the automatic gearbox is loved and loathed in equal measure by owners.

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Entry-level Active trim features climate control, electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors and powered front windows. The Icon adds 16-inch alloys, DAB radio, touchscreen multimedia, Bluetooth, a parking camera and powered rear windows.

Sport spec comes with 17-inch wheels, sports seats and privacy glass, while the range-topping Excel has dual-zone climate control, cruise control, automatic lights and wipers plus heated front seats.

Alternatives to the Toyota Auris Mk2

The Volkswagen Golfis hugely popular thanks to its wide range of engines, trims and bodystyles, plus it has a strong image – which is why values tend to be high, despite the company’s recent woes. More fun to drive and better value is the Ford Focus, which is also very well equipped.

The Vauxhall Astrais cheaper to buy than the Toyota, and while it isn’t generally as reliable, it’s still a great-value family car. The Renault Megane, Citroen C4and Peugeot 308are all more affordable than the Auris, but none typically offers the same incredible levels of dependability.

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If this is top of your list of requirements, the Hyundai i30, Kia Cee’dand Honda Civicare all well worth a look, along with the hugely underrated Mazda 3.

What to look for:
Economy

The Auris Hybrid claims 74mpg, but in the real world it’s often closer to 50mpg. In really cold conditions, economy can drop closer to 45mpg.

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Doors

It’s not unusual to hear a grinding noise when opening or closing the front doors. The door stays need to be greased well to prevent the annoying din.

Leaks

The seals for the rear light clusters and tailgate can fail, allowing water to get into the boot. This then leads to the windows misting up.

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Spare wheel

There’s no spare wheel fitted to the Auris, although some owners have paid extra for a space-saver. The wheel has to be stored in the boot, though.

Interior

The dash is easy enough to use, but some of the interior materials don’t look or feel very upmarket and the design is rather functional. There’s plenty of rear seat space, though, and the 350-litre boot expands to 1,200 litres with the back seats folded – these figures apply to Hybrid editions, too.

Running costs

All Auris Mk2s need to be serviced every 10,000 miles or 12 months. There are minor, intermediate and major schedules; or in Toyota speak it’s Intermediate, Full and Full+. For petrol and diesel versions, these are priced at £145, £205 and £275 respectively, while for Hybrids, the costs are pegged at £169, £219 and £279.

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All Auris engines are chain-driven, so there’s no cambelt to replace, but the brake fluid should be renewed every two years at a cost of £39. The coolant has to be changed every 10 years or 100,000 miles – expect to pay around £65 to have this work done.

Recalls

There have been two recalls affecting the Mk2 Auris so far. The first was issued in January 2015 and was aimed at diesel cars built up to September 2013. These could suffer from oil collecting inside the turbocharger then getting into the cylinders and damaging the powerplant.

The most recent recall was in August 2015. Affecting Auris Hybrids manufactured between May 2013 and May 2014, the issue centred on the powertrain’s inverter overheating, leading to the car going into limp mode.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The Auris came 45th in our Driver Power 2015satisfaction survey, with lots of mid-range category rankings – like 46th for running costs and 49th for ease of driving. Reliability is the highlight (28th), while 136th for performance dragged the overall score down. It finished 64th for build quality and 77th for seat comfort.

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Verdict

When you’ve got rivals such as the well rounded Volkswagen Golf or dynamically excellent Ford Focus, why should you settle for something that doesn’t sparkle more than the Auris does? The simple answer is that the car isn’t bad in any one particular area, and it’s usually as impressive as you’d expect a Toyota to be in terms of dependability and running costs.

That’s as much as some motorists want out of a car, and when you consider that the Auris is reasonably priced – if not the cheapest choice in its class – it’s well worth a closer look. If you can afford it, go for a facelifted model (launched in July 2015), as these are better to drive.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro at Delhi Auto Expo Showcased!

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro at Delhi Auto Expo marks the first appearance of the latest iteration of Chevy’s popular sports car here in India.

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro at Delhi Auto Expo marks the first appearance of the latest iteration of Chevy’s popular sports car here in India. Chevy’s popular Camaro sports car made its appearance along with the Corvette Stingray.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro at Delhi Auto Expo wore a white paint job.

The current generation Chevrolet Camaro, with its sleek headlamps, toned body, aerodynamic profile and automatic gearbox marks a decidedly significant departure from conventional muscle car characteristics. However, the Chevy sports car remains iconic in its most significant bits: the high capacity V8 under the bonnet, quad exhaust tips and a bulging hood.

Although the latest iteration of the iconic Camaro sports car has shed a bit of its muscle car image, it still houses a large V8 motor under the hood and distinctly muscle car characteristics such as the quad exhaust tips and bulging bonnet

The interior of the Camaro is a sporty mix of red and black leather and aluminium accents. The center console features the central air vents, controls for the climate control system and a large 8 inch touchscreen infotainment system. Despite the beautifully crafted interiors, the sporty Chevy features a few glaring ergonomic flaws such as the misplaced central air vents,  awkwardly angled display and small door pockets. The multi function steering wheel comes with controls to navigate through the infotainment system, receive/end calls, cruise control etc.

The interiors of the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is a sporty combination of rich leather and aluminium

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro sits atop the Alpha platform, the very same architecture that underpins Cadillac’s ATS and CTS models. Chevy’s choice of architecture allowed the Camaro to shed a few kgs further enhancing the oomph produced by the massive 6.2 l small block V8 under the hood. With all of the 455 horses coming in at 6000 RPM and a peak torque of 616 Nm hitting at 4400 RPM, the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro encourages driving at less than frugal levels. Chevy’s biggest competitors in this segment are the upcoming Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro at Delhi Auto Expo may be a strategic move to overtake Ford in the still nascent muscle car segment of the Indian auto industry.

Mahindra XUV Aero Concept Revealed at 2016 Delhi Auto Expo

Mahindra unveiled its two door XUV500 concept at this year’s Delhi Auto Expo.

Mahindra unveiled its two door XUV500 concept at this year’s Delhi Auto Expo. Dubbed the XUV Aero, Mahindra’s latest concept is the manufacturer’s take on the still niche coupe crossover segment.

Front view of the new Mahindra XUV Aero showcases the LED headlights, aggressive front bumpers and vertically stacked LED DRLs.

Mahindra’s pavilion at this year’s Delhi Auto Expo played host to the most multi-faceted range from any manufacturer. With models ranging from electric smart scooters to souped up Thar models, Mahindra showcased the full scope of its technological prowess this year. One of the most striking and tantalizing models showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo remains the XUV Aero Concept.

The sloping roofline of the new Aero Concept is a defining characteristics of the coupe crossover segment.

The Mahindra XUV Aero Concept is a two door coupe crossover concept based off the current generation XUV500. The two door SUV drops its muscular profile for a sportier profile. The current generation XUV500’s aggressively styled front end dons an even meaner persona with an all LED headlight construct and a sleek chrome grille. Mahindra has also swapped out conventional fog lamps for LED DRLs and the front bumper dons a few more cuts and arches adding to the strong SUV character that the XUV500 exudes. The sharp roofline has been ditched for a coupe style sloping roof that melds seamlessly into the rear of the SUV. Mahindra’s XUV Aero also features a rear diffuser with integrated exhaust tips.

The suicide doors found on the new Mahindra concept is typical of ultra luxury vehicles

Passengers are greeted by suicide doors, a feature seen only on more upmarket ultra-luxury cars such as the Rolls Royce Ghost or Phantom. The cabin features a Tesla like vertically mounted large touchscreen tablet that is used to control various aspects of the car.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Gets A Manual Gearbox

Aston Martin will be giving the V12 Vantage S a manual gearbox to keep the purists happy, along with the existing Sportshift III automated manual transmission.

Aston Martin will be giving the V12 Vantage S a manual gearbox to keep the purists happy, along with the existing Sportshift III automated manual transmission. The manual transmission will be offered to customers with no additional cost.

Director of Product Development, Ian Minards said: “We’re all enthusiasts here at Aston Martin. Building cars that offer something exceptional is what we do. Technology drives us forward, but we understand the importance of tradition. The true purist will always hanker for the tactility and connection offered by a manual transmission, so it has been a real pleasure to offer just that in our fastest and most focused model. At a time when manual transmissions have almost entirely disappeared in high performance cars, this makes the manual V12 Vantage S a very special car indeed”.

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S gets a manual transmission for the first time

Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “Broadening the scope of the V12 Vantage S with a manual transmission option is an indication of our desire to offer the keenest drivers a more analogue and immersive machine to enjoy. I’d like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the manual gearbox remains an integral part of our product plans and will do for many years to come.”

The manual transmission is a 7-speed unit which comes with a dog-leg first gear. This make sure that the other gears, which are used frequently are easy to access in the traditional double-H configuration, just like a 6-speed manual gearbox. The gearbox comes with AMSHIFT, which offers the the capability of full-throttle upshifts for minimal interruption in upshifts and offers maximum smoothness.

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S comes with a new Sport-Plus Pack option which allows the customers to choose between five body paint finishes. Accent colours can be applied to the front grille lipstick, side sills, mirror caps and rear diffuser blades. The car rides on 10-spoke lightweight alloy wheels with a graphite finish. The interior can be had with black or grey upholstery with stripes and contrast stitching. The other upgrade is the new AMi III infotainment system which offers improvement over the old system and comes with a new integrated Satellite Navigation system.

The sports car also gets some exterior and interior upgrades

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S is powered by a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 563 bhp at 6,750 rpm and 620 Nm at 5,750 rpm. The engine is paired to a 7-speed ‘Sportshift III’ automated manual transmission or a 7-speed manual transmission. The two-door, two-seater coupe accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 3.9 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 330 kmph. The sports car returns 6.80 kms to a litre of fuel.

Aston Martin does not sell the V12 Vantage S Coupe in India. Only the regular V12 Vantage is on sale and it has been priced at INR 3.50 crores (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The Vantage range starts at INR 1.86 crores (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and goes up to INR 3.50 crores (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

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Vauxhall gives us the tour of its new Astra hatch - set to go on sale in November 2015, priced from £15,295

It's been a bumper year for Vauxhall .

. A new Corsa, a hot Corsa VXRthe Adam S, and an all-new Vivacity car have all gone on sale but the best is yet to come. The all-new Vauxhall Astra has made its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Showbut we've already been treated to a sneak preview to see whether it can finally rival the Volkswagen Golfand Peugeot 308for kit, quality and design.

First impressions are good. While it’s still unmistakably Astra, it’s been transformed from a mundane family hatchback into a desirable and stylish compact exec. The new car gets a redesigned front-end, new LED matrix headlamps and sportier profile. Those LED lamps are a Vauxhall first, and constantly adapt to every traffic situation using a front-mounted camera to adjust the beam for other vehicles or pedestrians.

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With 2.9 million Astras sold in the UK in since 1979, this seventh-generation model has a lot to live up to. Down the side, designers have incorporated the distinctive blade-like crease in the body work, while behind the rear window all cars get a Jaguar XJ-style gloss black C-pillar – giving the illusion of a floating roofline, and further emphasising the Astra’s sporting aspirations.

At the rear you’ll find a bold bend connecting the redesigned taillamps and a standard fit rear spoiler. L-shaped LED lights are optional, and give the car a truly distinctive look at night.

Listen: exclusive interview with GM CEO Mary Barra
Next Vauxhall Astra: engine details

The 2015 Astra will debut with a range of new powertrains of varying power outputs. There will be a new, naturally aspirated entry-level 1.4, three turbocharged petrols; a sub-100g/km three-cylinder 1.0-litre, a powerful 1.6, and an all-new 1.4-litre ECOTEC turbo unit offering up to 250Nm of torque. It weighs 10kg less than the current 1.4-litre turbo, thanks to a new aluminium block, and can return 52.3mpg on the combined cycle.

The new 1.6-litre 'Whisper' diesel is the sole oil-burning choice, with no powerful 2.0 available from launch. That said, it’s available in three power outputs ranging from 108bhp to 158bhp, so there should be an engine to suit all tastes. The most economical ecoFLEX model will return a staggering 91.2mpg and emit just 82g/km of CO2 providing you spec the smallest 16-inch alloy wheels.

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It won’t have escaped Vauxhall’s attention that a Ford Focus RSis about to go on sale, and all signs point to an even more powerful Astra VXR landing in due course. However, a conversation with Astra product manager, Adam Collins, revealed we’ll need to wait for the new GTC three-door, which won't arrive for at least another year or so.

In the shorter term, the most powerful Astra you’ll be able to buy will be the 197bhp 1.6 Turbo. That said, Vauxhall is also set to revive the Astra GSibrand in the not to distant future, hinting at a rival for the Ford Focus ST. The model will sit below the VXR with around 250bhp on tap.

Vauxhall Astra 2015 interior

Bucking the 'bigger is better' trend in family hatchbacks, Vauxhall has actually reduced the size of the new Astra yet improved passenger space. It's 49mm shorter and 26mm lower than the outgoing car, which Vauxhall says reduces weight and improves aerodynamics. In fact, the seventh-generation Astra is actually up to 200kg lighter than before thanks to a tough new high-strength steel body cell construction. All cars boast a drag coefficient below 0.30cd, helping reduce fuel consumption and boost CO2.

Inside, you’d think the shorter wheelbase would adversely affect legroom, but rear passengers get 35mm more space to stretch out than before. Having sat in the back of our studio car, it’s clear to see Vauxhall’s engineers have put a lot of time into making the new Astra feel bigger and more accommodating. The black headlining in our mid-spec SRi did make things feel a little more claustrophobic, but there’s more than enough space for a six-foot adult to sit behind a similarly-sized driver.

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The boot is bigger too. Up from 351 litres to 370 litres, it’s almost as large as the 380-litre boot you’ll find in a Volkswagen Golf. It’s deep and wide, though we’re warned the capacity will drop if you go for the space saver spare wheel. There’s a big ridge if you fold the seats, down too, which could prove tricky if you regularly slide things into the back.

Up front, the standard fit seven-inch central touchscreen sits flush with the sloping top of the dash and above a less cluttered and more premium-looking centre console. It’s really nicely finished, actually, and is more than a match for Peugeot’s classy 308 and falls only slightly short of the class-leading VW Golf.

Vauxhall Astra OnStar, CarPlay and other new tech

New tech debuts, such as Vauxhall's 'OnStar'road assistance connectivity, also feature on the Astra. They system is able to automatically contact Vauxhall if an airbag is deployed, and alerts the emergency services if it can’t communicate with the driver. Owners will also be able to use OnStar as a kind of concierge service, and use Vauxhall’s team of dedicated representatives to search the web and wirelessly input destinations into the car’s sat-nav. We tried it in the studio – and despite still being in its infancy, actually worked really well.

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The new Astra is also a 4G mobile data hotspot, allowing up to seven smartphones to be connected at once. The Intellilink infotainment system, which debuted in primitive form in the Corsa, is now compatible with Apple Carplayand Android Auto. Apps such as Google Maps, Skype, Whatsapp and Spotify can be controlled through the car's interface, working using the car’s voice recognition.

Lane Keep Assist, Advanced park assist, forward collision alert, autobraking and traffic sign assist all debut on the Astra. Top spec cars will get an 18-way adjustable drivers seat with massaging function, and the rear seats can even be heated on top-spec Elite cars.

Vauxhall Astra 2015: prices and specs

The new Cheshire-built Astra's range is a little more straightforward than before, with five main trim levels and two additional ‘Nav’ models. Just over £15k will get you in the entry-level Design spec with a naturally-aspirated 1.4-litre petrol engine, while a range-topping Elite Nav with 1.6 CDTi BiTurbo starts from £22,815.

Standard kit includes 16-inch alloys, LED running lights, air-con, cruise control, Bluetooth, electric windows all-round and Vauxhall's seven-inch infotainment touchscreen with 'Intellilink' smartphone connection.

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For just £805 more you can have the 103bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol that debuted on the new Corsa. It gets 10bhp less than the Corsa, but is capable of up to 65.7mpg and slips under the 100g/km CO2 barrier (with the 16-inch alloys). A further £805 gets you Tech Line spec, which adds the bigger eight-inch touchscreen with voice recognition, as well as a leather steering wheel and front armrest.

Energy spec kicks off from £17,285 and brings along 17-inch alloys, as well as a heated steering wheel and front seats. The SRi is £600 more, with a different wheel design, a Driving Assistance pack with front-view camera, auto headlamps and wipers and sports seats. It also gets the innovative new OnStar tech.

Top-spec Elite trim adds electric leather seats with the rear outer chairs heated, climate control, power-fold mirrors and two USB sockets for rear passengers. Both Elite and SRI spec can be further upgraded with a Nav pack featuring the eight-inch touchscreen sat-nav system.

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Vauxhall claims those prices offer better value than the previous Astra, being anywhere from £150 to £2,200 cheaper spec-for-spec than the old model. The only catch in that is that there’s no longer a more basic Expression trim, which previously meant you could pick up an Astra for just £12,995.

We drive facelifted Kia Cee'd hatch with seven-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic

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Kia’s updated Cee’d is late to the three-cylinder engine party, but has it caught up with Vauxhall’s new Astra and Citroen’s C4?

In the past, small-capacity three-cylinder turbo petrol engines would normally have been associated with some rather quirky little Japanese cars.

In the past, small-capacity three-cylinder turbo petrol engines would normally have been associated with some rather quirky little Japanese cars. But to meet ever-lower emissions targets, car makers are turning to them to boost efficiency without sacrificing performance. And Kiahas just joined the fray.

It has introduced a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo unit with the updated Cee’drange. It comes in two outputs, and it’s the more potent 118bhp version we test here in GT-Line trim.

For this first test, we’ve lined up two very different three-cylinder rivals. The new Vauxhall Astrais our current compact hatch champ, and is now offered with the three-cylinder turbo that debuted in the Corsalast year. A revised pricing structure means the top-spec Elite Nav model is closely matched to the Cee’d GT Line on price.

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A car that beats both for value is the Citroen C4. It comes with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder, and the top-spec Flair model is well equipped.

So, does adding a small-capacity turbo to the Cee’d make sense? And more importantly, does it have the measure of its rivals here?

Head to head
Assistance

Vauxhall’s OnStar system puts you in touch with a call centre to assist you. It can unlock your car if you manage to trap your keys inside, and can automatically call the emergency services if you’re involved in an accident.

Citroen’s SOS system adds an emergency button that you can press to send your car’s location to the emergency services.

Wipers

Both the Astra and C4 have clapperboard-style wipers that sweep from the base of the windscreen and up to either side.

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But the Citroen’s leave a large strip of the screen unswept on the driver’s side, which limits visibility. It’s a small niggle, but can be frustrating on wet days.

Emissions

The Cee’d emits 115g/km, compared to 107g/km for the C4 and 102g/km for the Astra. Emissions only drop to 113g/km in the less powerful Cee’d.

For free road tax, go for the 1.6 CRDi Cee’d, which emits 94 or 99g/km, depending on model.

Verdict
First place: Vauxhall Astra

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It’s another victory for our class favourite, the Vauxhall Astra. The 1.0 turbo isn’t the fastest engine around, but it’s quick enough, and the lack of a six-speed gearbox isn’t a hindrance to its performance. The Astra handles tidily, is well equipped and is comfortable, too, while Vauxhall’s new pricing strategy pushes the newcomer to the top of the class.

Second place: Kia Cee’d

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Kia’s first small-capacity turbo engine is a good effort, and its rev-happy nature suits the sporty character of this GT-Line model well. This version looks smart, is well equipped and is enjoyable to drive in most situations. However, Kia needs to do a bit more to reduce the car’s emissions and engine noise to put this three-cylinder model at the front of the compact hatch pack.

Third place: Citroen C4

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The C4 is being left behind by newer and more accomplished rivals, even within Citroen’s own ranks. While the C4 is comfortable, fast and decent value, the driving experience falls well short of the other cars here. Add in poor economy and steep depreciation, and it makes the C4 hard to recommend to even the most dedicated Citroen fan. We’d have a C4 Cactusevery time.

Other options in this category…
SEAT Leon1.2 TSI SE Technology Pack

Price: £18,785
Engine: 1.2-litre 4cyl, 108bhp

SEAT’s Leon is still a class favourite, thanks to its sharp looks, practicality and handling. Its 1.2 four-cylinder is smoother than its rivals here, while the Tech Pack adds LED headlights and sat-nav for £1,200 less than the Astra.

Ford Focus1.0T EcoBoost (100) Titanium

Price: £20,095
Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 98bhp

The lower-powered EcoBoost engine makes do with a five-speed gearbox, but emissions of 105g/km mean the Focus is a better company car choice than the Cee’d. Titanium spec adds lots of kit, and it’s more fun to drive than the Kia.

Figures Vauxhall Astra 1.0T (105) Elite Nav Kia Cee’d 1.0T (118) GT-Line Citroen C4 1.2 PureTech (130) Flair On-the-road price/total as tested £20,015/£20,015 £20,220/£20,220 £18,245/£20,945 Residual value (after 3yrs/30,000) £8,707/43.5% £7,320/36.2% £5,346/29.3% Depreciation £11,308 £12,900 £12,899 Annual tax liability std/higher rate £599/£1,198 £726/£1,452 £582/£1,164 Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) £1,397/£2,328 £1,384/£2,306 £1,740/£2,900 Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost 13/£438/B/£20 11/£431/C/£30 19/£537/B/£20 Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service £569 (3yrs) £329 (3yrs) £400 (3yrs/35k) Length/wheelbase 4,370/2,662mm 4,310/2,650mm 4,329/2,608mm Height/width 1,485/1,809mm 1,470/1,780mm 1,489/1,789mm Engine 3cyl in-line/999cc 3cyl in-line/998cc 3cyl in-line/1,199cc Peak power 104/5,500 bhp/rpm 118/6,000 bhp/rpm 128/5,500 bhp/rpm Peak torque 170/1,800 Nm/rpm 171/4,000 Nm/rpm 230/1,750 Nm/rpm Transmission 5-spd man/fwd 6-spd man/fwd 6-spd man/fwd Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel 48 litres/£95 53 litres/space saver 60 litres/£75 Boot capacity (seats up/down) 370/1,210 litres 362/1,300 litres 408/1,183 litres Kerbweight/payload/towing weight 1,188/592/1,220kg 1,279/541/1,200kg 1,205/585/1,550kg Turning circle/drag coefficient 11.1 metres 10.6 metres 10.7 metres Basic warranty (miles)/recovery 3yrs (60,000)/1yr 7yrs (100,000)/1yr 3yrs (60,000)/1yr Service intervals/UK dealers 20,000 miles (1yr)/404 10,000 miles (1yr)/170 16,000 miles (1yr)/196 Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. 30th/19th 19th/14th 20th/9th Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./points 86/84/83/5 (2015) 89/88/61/5 (2012) 90/85/43/5 (2010) 0-60/30-70mph 10.7/10.4 secs 10.1/9.7 secs 9.0/8.5 secs 30-50mph in 3rd/4th 5.1/7.7 secs 4.9/6.9 secs 4.0/5.9 secs 50-70mph in 5th/6th 11.7 secs/N/A 10.7/14.5 secs 8.1/10.5 secs Top speed/rpm at 70mph 124mph/2,600rpm 118mph/2,400rpm 124mph/2,250rpm Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 44.9/32.7/9.6m 44.9/31.6/9.7m 46.3/32.5/10.3m Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range 42.1/9.3/445 miles 42.5/9.3/495 miles 33.8/7.4/446 miles Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 54.3/72.4/64.2mpg 45.6/67.3/57.6mpg 47.9/67.1/58.9mpg Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 11.9/15.9/14.1mpl 10.0/14.8/12.7mpl 10.5/14.8/13.0mpl Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket 155/102g/km/15% 154/115g/km/18% 193/107g/km/16% Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera Six/yes/£450/£595* Six/yes/yes/yes Six/yes/rear/no Auto gearbox/stability/cruise control No/yes/yes No/yes/yes £1,200/yes/yes Climate control/leather/heated seats Yes/yes/yes Yes/no/no Yes/no/no Met paint/LED headlights/keyless go £545/£1,560/£395 £510/no/yes £525/no/£300 Sat-nav/CD changer/MP3 connectivity Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes £950/yes/yes/yes Sunroof/automatic lights/wipers £500/yes/yes No/yes/yes £490/yes/yes

Caroline Holland from Shropshire won our Kia car in a million prize!

The winner of our Kia car in a million competition – back in issue 1,376 - has picked up the keys to her new car at her local dealer.

Caroline Holland was presented with her new Fusion White 1.4-litre SR7 Pro_cee’d last week by Sean Cosgrove, sales manager at Ken Jervis Kia in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

Auto Express had teamed up with Kia to give the car away after helping build the 1,000,001st Cee’d at the factory in Slovakia. This was part of the brand’s celebrations after the Cee’d hit the production landmark; the first car rolled off the line in 2006.

A delighted Caroline, from Hodnet, Shrops, added: “It was a total surprise and a very nice surprise, too, as it is an amazing prize. We’ve had a Kia in the past, but this was wonderful.”

Audi A3 Facelift Revealed; Gets More Equipment And Three Cylinder Engines

The cheapest Audi in India, the A3 has received a facelift.

The cheapest Audi in India, the A3 has received a facelift. It now gets more equipment and driver assistance systems along with new engines.

The compact sedan gets a new grille and new headlights to make it look sportier. The headlights are xenon units as standard but you can get the new matrix LED headlights as an option. This is the first time that the matrix LED headlights are being offered on the Audi A3. The car comes with five new paint finishes. They are Ara blue, Cosmic blue, Nano gray, Tango red and Vegas yellow. Daytona gray is reserved for the optional S line exterior package.

On the inside, the new A3 gets Audi’s virtual cockpit for the first time. It displays relevant information on a 12.3-inch high resolution TFT screen. The MMI system is also updated and can be accessed via a 7-inch screen. MMI navigation and MMI navigation plus with MMI touch along with Audi connect module is available as an optional extra. The system comes with Google Earth and Google Street View traffic information in real time along with information on parking, destinations, news or the weather.

Powering the Audi A3 are three petrol engine and two diesel engine including two new engines. For the first time in the sedan, Audi is offering a 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol engine producing 115 bhp and 200 Nm of torque. The other new engine is a 2.0-litre petrol engine 190 bhp and 320 Nm of torque. The third petrol engine is a 1.4-litre unit producing 150 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. The base diesel is a new 1.6-litre unit producing 110 bhp. The 2.0-litre diesel engine is available in two states of tune – 150 bhp and 340 Nm of torque or 184 bhp and 380 Nm of torque. The transmission options available are a 6-speed manual gearbox and a new 7-speed dual clutch S tronic automatic gearbox.

The car rides on 16-inch alloy wheels with 17-inch, 18-inch and 19-inch wheels available in the options list. The options list also include the S line sports suspension, which reduces the ride height and the S line electrically powered progressive steering system.

The new Audi A3 comes with new driver assistance and safety systems. It gets Audi active lane assist and Audi pre sense front with predictive pedestrian protection as standard. As optional, you can choose traffic jam assist which works with the Audi adaptive cruise control (ACC) and the Stop&Go feature. You can also choose the Emergency Assist and the rear cross-traffic assist.

The Audi S3 gets 10 bhp and 20 Nm of torque more than the outgoing car. The 2.0-litre petrol engine now puts out 310 bhp and 400 Nm of torque.

The new Audi A3 will go on sale in May with deliveries beginning in summer. It will come to India later.

Audi A3 sedan facelift image gallery
Audi A3 Cabriolet facelift image gallery

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Can the updated Ford Focus see off the Nissan Pulsar and SEAT Leon in its first test?

The Ford Focus has been a front-runner in the compact hatch class since it first arrived in 1998, and while the third-generation model has held its own, a wave of talented new rivals has given Ford the impetus to update the car with fresh looks and a revised interior.

To put this latest Focus through its paces, we’ve lined up an all-new contender in the shape of the Nissan Pulsar. It marks the maker’s first entry in the class since the Almera was dropped in favour of the Qashqaiin 2006, and it brings some of the crossover’s style and practicality to the sector.

Both newcomers face a strong challenge from our current class favourite – the SEAT Leon. The Spanish hatch has seen off all-comers since its launch, thanks to its winning blend of quality, kit, performance and running costs.

Has the Focus been given the edge it needs in order to reclaim its compact hatchback crown? Can the new Nissancause an upset on its debut? Or is the SEATstill top of the class?

Read individual reviews by clicking the links above, and scroll down for the verdict of this family hatch showdown!

Head-to-head
Running costs

Image 11 of 36

The SEAT Leon has a lower list price than its rivals, and the savings continue behind the wheel. We managed 41mpg on test, which was slightly ahead of the other cars here, although the Forddoes have a better claimed economy figure.

Fixed-price servicing of £480 over three years is better value than for either competitor, while business users face smaller tax bills in the SEAT, with higher-rate earners saving nearly £100 a year.

Rear space

Image 35 of 36

If you often carry rear passengers, the Pulsar holds a slight advantage as it has the biggest back doors. It offers the same space as the Leon, although the middle seat occupant has the benefit of extra foot room .

Access to the Focus is easy and its seats are comfortable, but legroom trails the other models’.

What about the VW Golf?

Image 24 of 36

The Focus is similarly priced to the VW Golf, with our £18,795 Zetec only £155 more than a Golf 1.2 TSI S – although the Ford has more kit. Spend another £200, and the Pulsar 1.2 DIG-T n-tec adds everything from LED lights to sat-nav; it just lacks the VW’s premium feel and grown-up driving experience.

Verdict
1st place: SEAT Leon

Image 25 of 36

The Leon has seen off two more challengers to retain its crown as king of the compact hatchbacks. While the Focus comes close to its combination of style, quality, everyday performance and usability, the SEAT has the upper hand thanks to its great-value price , especially when you add the free Tech Pack upgrade. Our only minor niggle is the slightly firm ride, but it’s no deal-breaker.

2nd place: Ford Focus

Image 2 of 36

The updates to the Focus are a change for the better, because it looks a lot smarter on the outside and is more user-friendly inside. Build quality is as good as ever, while the driving experience delivers a great balance between comfort and handling, too. The running costs are low, but the Focus has to settle for second place in this test due to its higher list price.

3rd place: Nissan Pulsar

Image 14 of 36

The Pulsar has its good points, but it lacks that last degree of cabin quality and driving sparkle that would make it a real contender here. It’s well built and rear passenger space is good, but the hard plastics are a letdown and the awkward driving position takes some getting used to. It’s a disappointing performer on the road, too, while running costs could be better.

Ford Focus vs rivals: key specs SEAT Leon 1.2 TSI (110) SE Ford Focus 1.0T (125) Zetec Nissan Pulsar 1.2 DIG-T (115) Acenta On the road price/total as tested £17,235/£18,330 £18,795/£18,795 £17,645/£17,645 Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) £7,859/45.6% TBC £6,352/36.0% Depreciation £9,376 TBC £11,293 Annual tax liability std/higher rate £515/£1,031 £525/£1,049 £563/£1,126 Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) £1,662/£2,770 £1,682/£2,804 £1,674/£2,790 Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost 13/£304/C/£30 14/£314/B/£20 10/£430/C/£30 Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service £480 (3yrs/30k) £350 (2yrs/25k) £149/£219/£149 Length/wheelbase 4,263/2,636mm 4,358/2,648mm 4,385/2,700mm Height/width 1,459/1,816mm 1,484/1,823mm 1,520/1,768mm Engine 4cyl in-line/1,197cc 3cyl in-line/998cc 4cyl in-line/1,197cc Peak power/revs 108/4,600 bhp/rpm 123/6,000 bhp/rpm 113/4,500 bhp/rpm Peak torque/revs 175/1,400 Nm/rpm 170/1,400 Nm/rpm 190/2,000 Nm/rpm Transmission 6-spd man/fwd 6-spd man/fwd 6-spd man/fwd Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel 50 litres/repair kit 53 litres/repair kit 46 litres/repair kit Boot capacity 380/1,210 litres 363/1,148 litres 385/1,395 litres Kerbweight/payload/towing weight 1,198/502/1,300kg 1,306/594/1,200kg 1,258/492/1,200kg Turning circle 10.1 metres 11.0 metres 10.2 metres Basic warranty (miles)/recovery 3yrs (60,000)/1yr 3yrs (60,000)/1yr 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs Service intervals/UK dealers Variable/128 12,500 (1yr)/781 12,500 (1yr)/225 Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. 25th/32nd 25th/27th 22nd/25th NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars 94/92/70/71/5 N/A N/A 0-60/30-70mph 10.1/9.7 secs 10.7/10.6 secs 10.3/10.1 secs 30-50mph in 3rd/4th 4.9/6.3 secs 5.6/7.5 secs 4.8/6.9 secs 50-70mph in 5th/6th 9.9/13.1 secs 10.3/11.5 secs 10.2/14.1 secs Top speed/rpm at 70mph 121mph/2,400rpm 121mph/2,400rpm 118mph/2,250rpm Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 53.7/39.0/11.0m (wet) 52.2/38.6/9.5m (damp) 55.8/41.2/10.3m (wet) Noise outside/idle/30/70mph 63/41/59/64dB 65/42/59/69dB 63/42/61/65dB Auto Express econ. (mpg/mpl)/range 41.0/9.0/451 miles 40.5/8.9/472 miles 40.7/9.0/412 miles Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 46.3/67.3/57.6mpg 49.6/68.9/60.1mpg 44.8/65.7/56.5mpg Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 10.2/14.8/12.7mpl 10.9/15.2/13.2mpl 9.9/14.5/12.4mpl Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket 159/114g/km/15% 161/108g/km/14% 160/117g/km/16% Airbags/Isofix/parking sensors/camera Seven/yes/£270/no Six/yes/£225/£165 Six/yes/no/no Automatic box/stability/cruise control £1,250/yes/yes No/yes/£250 £1,350/yes/yes Climate control/leather/heated seats £355/£1,520/£355* No/no/no Yes/no/no Metallic paint/LED lights/keyless go £530/£1,000/no £525/no/no £550/no/yes Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth £1,525/yes/£405*/yes £500/yes/yes/yes No/yes/no/yes

New Bentley Continental GT Speed And Black Edition Launched

Bentley has launched an updated version of the Continental GT Speed and they have added a Black Edition to the line-up.

Bentley has launched an updated version of the Continental GT Speed and they have added a Black Edition to the line-up. The Continental GT Speed is now the fastest Bentley ever built.

Powering the Bentley Continental GT is an upgraded version of the 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine. It now produces 633 bhp, up from 626 bhp and 840 Nm of torque between 2,000 rpm and 5,000 rpm, up from 820 Nm. Just like in the old car, the engine will be mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The vehicle will now accelerate from a stand still to a 100 kmph in 4.1 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 331 kmph, making it the fastest Bentley ever.

Along with the new Continental GT Speed, the British company also launched the Black Edition, which is available as a coupe and as a convertible. It is finished in a high gloss black finish with the front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser available in contrasting colours. The colours available are Hallmark, Beluga, St James’ Red and a new shade, Cyber Yellow. The car rides on 21-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels and the brake calipers are finished in black or red.

On the inside, carbon fibre is abundant and the black and contrast colour theme continues on the seats and centre console. The leather seats get contrast stitching. The same contrast colours can be chosen to match the exterior of the car.

Paul Jones, Product Line Director for Continental GT, comments: “We have developed the GT Speed Black Edition to meet demand from customers for a model in the Continental line that offers both increased sporting capabilities and instantly recognisable styling cues. The Black Edition has a subtle but purposeful look that is backed up by exceptional performance.”

Bookings for the new Bentley Continental GT Speed and the Bentley Continental GT Speed Black Edition has begun and deliveries will start this summer.

2016 Bentley Continental GT Speed and Continental GT Speed Black Edition

Petrol version of new Volkswagen Polo 2014 has impressed. Now we try 83mpg diesel

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More expensive CVT automatic gearbox in new Honda Jazz doesn’t justify price

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2016 Volvo Polestar S60 and V60 Vehicles Updated; Get More Power And Coming To India

The updated versions of the Volvo Polestar S60 sedan and V60 estate for the 2016 model year.

The updated versions of the Volvo Polestar S60 sedan and V60 estate for the 2016 model year. The cars now get upgrades that improve their performance.

“All changes made to the car are about improving drivability and efficiency. The base of the new engine carries motorsport technology with solutions like the combination of turbo and supercharger, lightweight materials and more. This works hand-in-hand with our core philosophy and has enabled us to evolve the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar,” said Henrik Fries, Vice President R&D, Polestar.

The cars get an upgraded powertrain with more power to improve their performance

Powering the new Polestar vehicles are the same 2.0-litre, four cylinder Drive-E engines but they now get a bigger turbo, a supercharger and some more upgrades. The power output has gone up to 367 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 470 Nm of torque between 3,100 and 5,100 rpm. The engine is mated to an 8-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox and power is sent to all four wheels. Polestar has also worked on reducing the weight of these cars. The S60 Polestar accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 4.7 seconds while the V60 Polestar does the same sprint in 4.8 seconds. Both the car have an electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph. The S60 returns 12.82 kms to a litre of fuel while V60 returns 12.34 kms.

The cars ride on new 20-inch wheels and stopping power is provided by new brakes. The other equipments included are sports seats and an optional sunroof.

The Volvo S60 Polestar will be coming to India later this year

Volvo Polestar has announced that they will be expanding from 13 markets to 47 and production will double from the current 750 units annually to 1500 units. The Volvo S60 Polestar will be coming to India later this year.

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New 7-seat model and a more mainstream Yeti will spearhead Skoda's further expansion into the SUV market

Skoda has shed more light on its future plans to make it big in the SUV and crossover sectors, giving Auto Express a sneak peek at the cars that will help it grow sales by 50% to 1.5 million in the next five years.

The brand is planning what could be as many as four new SUVs: a more mainstream Yeti, a large seven-seater, a BMW X4-style five-seater coupeand a sub-Yeti Jukerival.

All of the new models are based on the versatile Volkswagen Group MQB platform, but while the others are earmarked for Europe, it's possible that the coupe SUV may only be sold in China.

First to arrive will be the seven seater, which we’ll see next year and will probably be on sale in the UK in 2017. At 4.7m it’s long, with Skoda promising it’s usual blend of space and value – meaning a likely start price of just under £30,000. At this stage seats six and seven are said to be optional, but they could be standard fit for the UK.

The long length of the rear door gives a big clue to the amount of space inside, with Skoda saying that there’s enough space for adults in the rearmost row. A middle row that can slide back and forward by 18cm will help balance the space inside.

The look of the new SUV follows the sleek look of the new Superbwith Skoda designer Jozef Kaban, concentrating on some of the finer design details of the car.

There’s a clamshell bonnet, set to become a Skoda SUV feature, with a sharp crease running around the whole car from the front lights all the way around to the boot. Another crease sits lower down in the doors, above the sills, which can be had in contrasting dark colours, while the squared-off wheel arches will become another Skoda SUV design feature.

Beautifully detailed, slim LED headlights, similar to those on the new Superb, merge into the now-familiar Skoda grille with its upright slats, while the smaller driving lights that are normally below bumper level have been lifted up just underneath the main headlights in a new four light feature, set to become another Skoda design cue.

The coupé shares its wheelbase with the seven-seater, but with a long, sloping roofline that flows into a shallow rear window and high-set rear end. Both cars rear ends’ feature fewer lines than the Yeti, while the coupé shows its exhausts in a rear diffuser and gets chrome tips on its front grille slats. The coupé also features slimmer rear lights, although both cars feature a development of Skoda’s C-shaped rear light signature.

There’s also a slightly deeper air intake below the front bumper in the coupé, another air intake below the front grille and a vent on the side just behind the front wheel arch.

Skoda says that it’s ‘around 80% likely’ that the coupé would be built for China and ‘around 30% likely’ that it’ll come to Europe. However, much will depend on the reaction to its seven-seat sister car – if that turns out to be a success, then it’s more likely to get the go-ahead in Europe.

Both SUV’s MQB platform is said to be plug-in hybrid ready, although that could depend on price – top end versions are likely to push the price close to £50,000 before the expensive plug-in tech is added, and that could be too much for a Skoda.

Front- and four-wheel drive versions will be offered, but there’ll be no extra off-roading hardware – Skoda says that the large SUV will need to go no further off-road than a Yeti.

Instead it’ll concentrate on offering different looks, with Scout trim likely to offer a beefier style with extra body cladding, while Sportline will be a more refined and sporty look. Engine and gearbox options will follow the rest of the VW family with smaller capacity turbo petrol and diesel options, plus manual and DSG automatic gearboxes.

Skoda is still deciding on the right name for its large SUVs, but it did confirm that Snowman was definitely not in the running.

At the other end of Skoda’s SUV line-up could be a small Juke-rivalling model, again based on the MQB platform. Although Auto Express was only shown sketches of this potential model, it follows the style of both the new large SUVs and the new Yeti with sharp creases along the side of the bodywork and nicely detailed Superb-style headlights.

While the large five-seat SUV is said to be 80% likely to be built, the future for the smallest Skoda SUV depends on whether the global SUV market continues to grow.

What do you think of Skoda's plans to up its SUV quota? Let us know in the comments section below...

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Volvo S60 Cross Country Launched At INR 38.9 Lakhs

The Volvo S60 Cross Country has been launched in India at INR 38.9 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Based on the top-end variant of the S60 sedan, it is a crossover sedan which made its global debut at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show and comes with all-wheel drive as standard and a ground clearance of 201 mm, which is 65 mm more than the standard car. Powering the vehicle is a detuned version of the same engine that powers the regular car. The 2.4-litre, five-cylinder diesel engine produces 189 bhp and 420 Nm of torque. It is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission and power is sent to all four wheels.

The Volvo S60 Cross Country is based on the S60 sedan and it has a higher ground clearance

This being the top end model, it comes loaded with equipment. It gets electric front seats, satellite navigation, Interior Movement Sensor (IMS), personal car communicator with keyless drive, Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), home safe lighting and water repellent front side windows. On the safety front, it gets ABS, EBD, EBA (Electronic Brake Assist), front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, front, side and curtain airbags, DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control), Advanced Stability Control, a laser assisted autonomous braking from speeds up to 50kph, hill descent control, hill start assist and whiplash protection for the front seats.

Just like any Volvo, the car gets the latest in safety features

The Volvo S60 Cross Country is offered in five colours – Rich Java, Osmium Grey, Crystal White, Bright Silver and Onyx Black. In India, it does not have any direct competition. Globally, it competes with the Audi A6 Allroad Quattro, which was showcased at the Auto Expo in Delhi last month. The Volvo S60 sedan competes with the Audi A6, Jaguar XF, BMW 5-series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

It is powered by a 2.4-litre, five-cylinder diesel engine and comes with AWD

Image source – Indian Autos Blog

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New 1.5-litre TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines will replace existing 1.4 and 1.6 motors in cars like the VW Golf and Skoda Octavia

Volkswagen will roll out a new line-up of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines over the next couple of years, replacing the existing 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre motors with 1.5-litre units across the range.

The new, more efficient engines are designed to comply with even stricter emissions regulations due to be introduced in 2020. The 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol will replace the turbocharged 1.4 TSI that’s used in cars like the VW Golfand Skoda Octavia; it will make its first appearance in the facelifted version of the Mk7 Golf, due before the end of this year.

The diesel replaces the VW Group’s venerable 1.6 motor - although its introduction will be phased in around a year after the petrol’s. It will make its debut in the facelifted Audi A3, but close to the end of that car’s life, in late 2017. It is unlikely to appear in the Mk7 Golf; it’ll be phased into the Mk8 instead.

“The installation of the engine in cars like the Golf and A3 is very straightforward,” said a high-level VW source. “The engines are all new but their dimensions are very similar to what we currently use, so they can slot into existing cars or facelifts.”

The Golf Mk8 won’t appear until 2018 but along with the new 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines, we can also expect the hatchback to shed between 35kg and 70kg of weight while at the same time being lower and wider than the outgoing model.

What do you think about Volkswagen's plans? Let us know in the comments!

2017 Chevrolet Camaro 50th Anniversary Edition Revealed

Back in 1966, on 26th September, Chevrolet launched the first generation of the Camaro muscle car to take on the mighty Mustang and the legendary rivalry began.

Back in 1966, on 26th September, Chevrolet launched the first generation of the Camaro muscle car to take on the mighty Mustang and the legendary rivalry began. Nearly 50 years on, the rivalry continues and to commemorate this achievement, the American company has launched a special edition called the Chevrolet Camaro 50th Anniversary Edition.

The special edition car gets only cosmetic changes

The special edition car is available as a coupe and as a convertible and is finished in a grey shade called Nightfall Gray Metallic. The convertible gets a black roof. Contrasting the dark colour, the muscle car comes with thin orange stripes on the hood, orange brake calipers and satin chrome accents on the front splitter. It gets a few new “Fifty” badges and new centre wheel caps. The vehicle rides on 20-inch wheels. On the inside, the muscle car gets an all-black leather interior with orange stitching and 50th Anniversary logos on the instrument panel, seat backs, steering wheel, and illuminated sill plates.

No mechanical changes are expected to the special edition Camaro. It will go on sale this summer and prices will be announced at a later date.

Powering the Chevrolet Camaro is a 6.2-litre V8 engine producing 455 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 616 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. It is mated to a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 8-speed automatic transmission. It accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in around 4.2 seconds. A four cylinder engine and a V6 engine is also available.

The sixth generation of the Camaro was recently launched in Detroit, Michigan. It is based on the GM Alpha platform that also underpins the Cadillac ATS. It comes equipped with a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, heated seats, interior lighting, HID headlamps with LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, a 9-speaker Bose premium sound system, smartphone integration, Heads-Up display, voice activated controls, wireless phone charging and an inbuilt 4G LTE Wifi connection.

The safety features include rear parking camera with rear parking assist, Electronic Stability Control system, Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and 8 airbags.

The muscle car competes against the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and the Dodge Charger. The car was displayedat the Auto Expo in Delhi last month.

2017 Chevrolet Camaro 50th Anniversary Edition Image Gallery
2016 Chevrolet Camaro at the Auto Expo (Image Gallery)

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro made its big Indian debut at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo.
Although the latest iteration of the iconic Camaro sports car has shed a bit of its muscle car image, it still houses a large V8 motor under the hood and distinctly muscle car characteristics such as the quad exhaust tips and bulging bonnet


The interiors of the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is a sporty combination of rich leather and aluminium
Chevy’s biggest competitors in this segment are the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger

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New Kia Optima Estate is likely to take name from Sportspace Geneva concept

The pictures show that the car won't be as sleek as the Sportspace concept from the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, but Auto Express understands that the road car will share a name with the concept.

Kia is looking to flesh out its Optimarange, with a new estate version spotted for the first time here in heavy camouflage.

Kia's Sportspace will be the largest estate the brand has ever built, and it should feature the same large grille & headlights and the angled taillights from the. Of course, being an estate, there will be a much larger boot and this prototype is fitted with roof rails.

The addition of an estate will be part of Kia's plan to expand the Optima line-up, and within 18 months we should see a four-strong set: a saloon, estate, plug-in hybrid and finally a hot GT model. It'll feature a 2.0-litre petrol engine and could get over 250bhp.

Image 2 of 8

Inside, we expect the Sportspace to get the same interior as the new saloon, with two 'zones' - the upper section being for display functions and the lower section for the controls. An 8-inch touchscreen will provide the car's sat-nav and infotainment features.

Equipment is likely to include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection emergency braking tech and rear-cross traffic alert, just like the saloon.

The Sportspace will most likely be available with a 1.7-litre diesel with 139bhp from launch. In the saloon version this engine emits 110g/km, but there should be a slight increase due to the estate's extra weight. Although a petrol version could be offered internationally, we're unlikely to see it in the UK.

Now read more about the new Kia Optima saloon, revealed earlier this year.

The only verdict you need as we finally get behind the wheel of a Jaguar XE prototype with a 2.0-litre diesel engine

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New-look family hatch goes big on comfort, but loses the bold styling that marked out previous model

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Bajaj CT 100B Launches in India at Rs. 30,990/-, Claims 99.1Km/L

Bajaj Auto Limited has launched a new commuter motorcycle called the CT 100B in India at a price of Rs.

Bajaj Auto Limited has launched a new commuter motorcycle called the CT 100B in India at a price of Rs. 30,990/-. The bike claims to offer a mileage of 99.1Km/L under standard testing conditions. It is being offered with an 2 year warranty which is excellent for its class.

Bajaj CT 100B

The Bajaj CT 100B retains the engine of the CT100 with improvements. It comes with a large round headlamp, thick comfortable seat and a large powder coated rear grab handle. Commenting on the launch of the CT 100B, Mr. Eric Vas, President, Motorcycles Business, Bajaj Auto Ltd said, “With the CT100B, Customers can enjoy the pleasure of owning a new bike rather than compromise by searching for a second hand bike.” He further added, “The CT100 is one of the most successful entry level 100cc bikes in India selling over 5 lakh bikes in the 12 months since its launch last February. We are confident of attracting more customers to the CT100 family.” CT 100B comes in four colours and is now available across dealerships in India.

The company also launched an all new bike the V15 on February 1st that is made out of the metal of India’s first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. It is powered by a 150cc DTS-i engine that develops a maximum torque of 13Nm at 5500RPM and a peak power of 12PS power at 7500RPM. It comes with large 33 dia front fork and rear shock absorbers and a double cradle frame design that offers higher rigidity and strength. The V comes with a stylised removable rear seat cowl, which can be instantly detached to seat the pillion. The new speedometer cluster with a dual colour LED fuel level indicator and an elegant LED tail lamp round off the equipment’s list. The Bajaj V will be launching soon in the Indian market.

Suspension and steering changes make the 1.6 diesel the best handling Honda Civic in the range

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Vettel not sure about beating Mercedes at the Australian GP

The first race of 2016 Formula 1 season is slightly over a month away with the first test scheduled for end of February.

The first race of 2016 Formula 1 season is slightly over a month away with the first test scheduled for end of February. The teams are yet to figure out where the stack up in terms of sheer pace but already Sebastian Vettel is sure if Ferrari will be able to close the gap on the reigning world champion Mercedes, come the season opener in Melbourne.

“It’s natural that we all want to win – the team is quite big, there’s a lot of people and if you ask everyone, I think [they all agree] our target is to win,” Vettel said during the Pirelli wet-weather tyre test at Paul Ricard. But we know it’s very ambitious, we know that the gap has been quite big last year. I think we did a good job over the season to come closer. This year we have some changes and we will have to see – obviously the testing is crucial to start on the right foot and then we go from there. But Australia is one race from 21. If you win there, it’s great, if not – you try to finish as close as possible to the top step and collect as many points. And after that it’s a long year.”

Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne had said, ” The world championship is decided in the winter when the car is prepared for the new season. When we get to Melbourne, we will understand if we have done a good job or if there was someone that was better. If I can give some advice to all those who work at Maranello – it is to be terrified by the arrival of spring. We must suffer the unknown of what Mercedes will do in these months, and then we will see on track in February.”

The Australian GP will be held at Albert Part in Melbourne on 20th March.

McLaren’s 2016 Formula 1 car to be ready before the first pre-season test

McLaren has had some serious problems last year in the Formula 1 season with the team trying desperately to overcome its engine woes.

McLaren has had some serious problems last year in the Formula 1 season with the team trying desperately to overcome its engine woes. The company wants to make a fresh start this season and has worked through Christmas to bring McLaren’s 2016 Formula 1 car to the first pre-season test in Barcelona. McLaren’s operations director Simon Roberts told his team’s website: “Our entire build programme wasn’t lined up for that. So we knew we had a problem to solve.

2015 Honda powered MP4-30 car

“In terms of our design and engineering capacity, it’s a relatively straightforward re-planning exercise – there’s less time to get the work done, so everyone works a bit harder. But the build schedule is on a critical path – it needs to pass all the FIA safety tests and be ready for the first test, which was also brought forward. In that situation, you can’t just re-plan, you need to do something different.”

Roberts said that the only solution to sort the matter out was making up the time through getting production staff working over the Christmas break.

“In simple terms, we put about eight shifts of work back into the programme over a five-day period – a fantastic effort,” he said. In total, there were about 110 people involved and we looked after our Christmas workers with a competitive package. We had a really good response, and people seemed to enjoy it too – it was a bit weird, not having all the time off, but there was a good spirit in the place. Everyone knew why they were doing it, and it really cleared the decks. Most pleasingly, it meant that, once we came back in the New Year, we were back on schedule – and it felt like the programme had always been phased that way. It was an incredible effort.”

Their new car will be launched online on 21st January. The team will continue with the same line-up from last year – Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button

Tesla Model 3 launch in March; Price $35,000

Tesla will be affordable finally!! Many people wanted to buy a Tesla but couldn’t because of its price tag of $70,000 will now be able to buy a Tesla.

Tesla will be affordable finally!! Many people wanted to buy a Tesla but couldn’t because of its price tag of $70,000 will now be able to buy a Tesla. The company is gearing up for the launch of its first mass-market car, the Tesla Model 3 beginning at $35,000. According to reports, the car will be launched on March 31st.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors

Tesla Model 3 will be receiving a subsidy from the government after which it should cost around $25,000. The company has faced several issues with the production bottlenecks, but its Gigafactory in Nevada is finally up and running. The company plans to roll out around 1000 Model X  per week to reduce the demand-supply gap. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors has suggested that they will be selling the fancier versions of the car first in order to recoup the initial investment costs.

“Our default plan as we’ve done in the past is that the initial sales are relatively highly optioned versions of the car, because we’ve got to pay back the investment of the tooling and everything, so it makes sense to have the higher optioned versions first. That’s what we did with the S and obviously again with the X.”

Tesla Model X

The company currently sells Model S which is a sedan and Model X which is a sports utility vehicle (SUV). Model X  90D All-Wheel Drive is powered by a 259 hp motor at the front and a 259 bhp motor at the rear. The SUV accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 4.9 seconds and it goes on to a top speed of 250 kmph. The estimated range of the vehicle is 414 kms.

Tesla cars, even though powered by electricity are extremely fast and already have an auto-pilot mode which is arguably the most advanced autonomous driving technology currently seen on cars.

American Electric Car Maker Tesla Has Released All of its Electric Vehicle Patents To Hasten The Arrival of The Electric Car Generation

Tesla Model S based electric GT series to begin next year

Tesla Model S based Electric GT series to be held globally from next year onwards.

Red Tesla model S

Series organizer Augustin Payá has said that there will be 10 teams with 20 drivers racing in Tesla Models S P85+ with modifications like better brakes, roll cage and aerodynamic tweaks for increased downforce at high speeds. Weight reductions will be possible by stripping down the interior to bare minimum, and teams will be allowed to modify the suspension, braking, cooling, and steering. Teams will be barred from fiddling with the battery pack, electric motor, power electronics, and all the software programming.

“We chose the Tesla model S simply because it is one of the best cars ever made, and certainly one of the best 100 per cent electric cars,” said Agustin Paya, Technical Director for Electric GT Holdings, owner and promoter of the championship. We are convinced that sharing its impressive circuit racing potential will help to inspire many people towards sustainable transport.

“Although it is a luxurious super tourer it seems to be made for racing. Its weight distribution and astonishing low centre of gravity, despite its considerable mass – more than two tons unmodified – allows unbelievable cornering speed, not forgetting its unending torque, which all add up to a great racing car.

The organisers are not ruling out other electric gars in the future seasons but the first season will be a one make series.

The organisers are negotiating to use the following racing circuits for the global electric GT series: Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain), Donnington Park (England), Mugello, Nürburgring (Germany), Assen (The Netherlands), Estoril (Portugal), and Madrid Jarama (Spain). Payá’s partner in the new race series is Scottish software engineer Mark Gemmell, whose title is co-founder and CEO of Electric GT Holdings.

Far fetched? Online petition surfaces to award Elon Musk Nobel Prize

1000 people have signed the petition on Change.org requesting the Swedish Nobel Committee, to award Mr.

Swedish Nobel Committee, to award Mr. Elon Musk, a Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.

Edward Tanas of Calgary, Canada has filed a petition to award Elon Musk Nobel Prize in the category of Economic Sciences as “Mr. Musk has spent most of his life helping not only to help the economics of transportation flourish with technological breakthroughs but has done so in a manner that addresses climate change.”

The petition further adds that his company, Tesla Motorshas received 253,000 orders for its affordable electric car Model 3which “has helped to reduce the impact on the environment by replacing internal combustion engine vehicles.”

Tesla Model 3

We completely agree that Elon Musk has changed the world how electric cars are perceived but the reality as of now is far from what is being put forth as the reason. The company has till date sold give or take 50,000 cars, all of which are expensive. In a world where tens of millions of cars are sold a year, this is a drop in the ocean. It could be a start of something genuinely great but technological and manufacturing hurdles Tesla have kept the company going for large scale production. It is going to be a real test of Elon Musk and team to deliver all the orders beginning late 2017 as promised, going by the history it doesn’t look great.

Other projects initiated by Elon Musk are taking baby steps and have not changed the world. Sure, Musk should be credited for doing the implausible time and again with SpaceX and Hyperloopand many others. I declare myself an Elon Musk fanboy but at this point in time, merely on the basis of the orders racked up by Model 3, a Nobel Prize seems bit of a stretch. But then hey!! If Malala can get a Nobel peace prize at 17 then surely Elon has done mind boggling things in his 44 years of existence on planet earth.

If you want to sign up, click here

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Honda Navi Concept : In pictures and video

Honda 2 wheelers launched the 2016 Honda Navi in India at Rs 39,500/- at the Delhi Auto Expo.

The first bike to be developed from scratch in India, for India, the Navi has been styled like never before. The polarising styling apart, it comes with a 110cc  air cooled engine 5.84 kW of power at 7,000 rpm and 8.96 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. Looks like a bike, but surprisingly it is mated to an automatic transmission and claims to have a top speed of 81 kph. The bike weighs in at 101 kg and has rather odd positioning in the market trying to create a segment for itself. Here is the bike in pictures and various concepts.

Honda Navi Concept

Honda Navi production version which can be bought off the shelf at the launch in Delhi

You can choose if you want a holdin compartment or not as seen in the hollow section of Honda Navi in red.

2016 Honda Navi: Side profile

The unique looking Honda Navi starts at Rs 39,500 ex-showroom

Concept forms of Honda Navi:

All set to go touring with this camouflaged Honda Navi? Equipped with pannier to hold your luggage!!

LED turn indicators on this Honda Navi Concept here!!

Ok!!! The fuel tank has swapped places. Voila!! It is a moto scooter now.

This is how the front apron looks on the scooter version looks like.

Another concept form of Navi

The many concept forms of Honda Navi are surely intriguing but it needs to be seen what people perceive of the unorthodox styling. The Navi is available in 5 different colours: Red, White, Black, Green and Orange and it needs to be seen if this new segment takes off.

Take a video tour of the Honda Navi at the Honda Pavilion at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo.

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Tesla Model 3 and the genius called Elon Musk

This week the automotive industry witnessed an eternal moment which could shake up the basics of this elephantine industry forever.

This week the automotive industry witnessed an eternal moment which could shake up the basics of this elephantine industry forever. There has never been a moment in the automotive market where customers have cued up outside the dealerships for products never seen before. Everything changed on the 31 stof March 2016.

Tesla Model 3

What transpired across the globe on 31 stof March 2016 could place the genius of Elon Musk could be mentioned in the same breath as Dr. Albert Einstein changed the world of physics with his ‘Theory of Relativity’, as Steve Jobs changed the world of personal computing with Apple Inc. Elon Musk is the founder of Tesla Motors who showcased their most affordable car, Tesla Model 3 to the world on that day, and this car could single-handedly change the way the world perceives the car.

As of the latest update, while penning this article, Musk has confirmed that the company has received 253,000 orders across the globe for this electric car in less than 60 hours. That is an eye-popping number, to say the least. Hell, what’s baffling is that even before the car was shown to the public, there were already 118,000 orders. Now that is what you call ‘trust in the genius of a man’.

Talking about Tesla  Model 3, this is the most affordable car at $35,000 a pop for the company which was started in 2003 with a single aim to commercialize electric vehicles. Model 3 has the gorgeous design which is synonymous with Tesla with hints of Porsche Panamera(Nothing to complain about here). It can seat 5 adults ‘comfortably’ as stressed out by Musk at the unveiling and go about 350 kilometres on a single charge. The interior features clean design lines and for the first time sees a landscape styled 15-inch screen rather than a 17-inch portrait capacitive touchscreen seen on all models launched by Tesla. The car can reach 0-96 kmph in under 60 seconds with faster variants to be offered closer to the actual deliveries beginning in late 2017, which Musk is fairly confident about. It has got a large storage space, both at the front (benefit of not having an engine) and at the rear which according to the company could hold a full-size surf board which measures 7 feet.

Elon Musk

The cars when compared to their petrol powered enemies, nothing seems exceptional at first. There are cars that go faster, seat more people, can take more luggage than Model 3 but at what cost is the question. Tesla Model 3 seems to be the perfect sweet spot for everything that a normal customer wants from his/her car. Model 3 looks beautiful, yes; is economical, of course; goes fast, absolutely. Until now affordable electric cars were seen as drab commuters mostly driven by oldies and tree-huggers. And therein lies the secret. Musk made electric cars cool!!

Tesla Model S

Elon and his team of wizards made this change with their vision and engineering; made owning an electric car look cool. And this did not happen overnight but over a period of 10 years where the genius had outlined the future of Tesla Motors in a blog post. They made the Tesla Roadster, the first of a kind electric sportscar which could deliver performance on par with the petrol powered ones. The hype about the company was building up. Then came the Model S. A sexy electric sedan which could seat 5, at times 7 with child seats in the boot with performance and range ever improving, but all this came at a cost; $70,000 for the basic variants. Add to it the car could take off like a missile with its ‘Insane’ mode which made even the seasoned motoring journalists gasp for breath with its acceleration. Everyone fell in love with it, but couldn’t afford it. Then came the Model X SUV with its falcon doors and ‘Ludicrous’ mode. Tesla announced the Auto Pilot feature for the cars; hell the updates were over the air, similar to the OS update we receive on our phones. After the update, the cars started driving themselves, well almost. But this was pure genius and I still can’t fathom the fact that something of this sort could have happened with cars. With electronics, yeah fine.. but cars!!! Come on.. you gotta be kidding me!! Musk made you fall in love with electric cars gradually.

Tesla Model X

All this resulted in hundreds of people waiting in lines outside Tesla stores way before the bookings began to reserve their Model 3 which was again a never seen before thing in the auto universe. The orders kept pouring in and beat even the wildest expectations of everyone keeping a track of the Tesla story. For a company that has sold about 50,000 cars in around 10 years, it is going to be tough to deliver on 250,000 (and counting) in next 2-3 years. It could see a few hiccups on the way to achieving the impossible but Tesla Motors with its Model 3 is well and truly on the way to make electric cars mainstream in the near future driving Elon Musk into history books.

Honda Brio Gets A Facelift

The facelifted Honda Brio hatchback has been unveiled in Indonesia.

The updated car gets a new front end with a new bumper and a new grille. The car looks a lot like the Mobilio MPVnow. The rear remains almost the same with a new tail lamp design. The hatchback now rides on 14-inch wheels which come as standard.

The interior also gets updates which puts it in tune with the Amaze faceliftand the Mobilio facelift. The centre console is very similar to the one found on the Honda City. The new Honda Brio gets rectangular air vents, rather than the circular ones found on the old model. It also gets a new 2-DIN JVC audio system while the top-end variant will get a 6.2-inch touchscreen system. The top-end RS variant comes with an all-black interior with orange contrast stitching while the lower models will make do with a dual tone dash.

Honda has added a sportier Brio RS trim just like what is available on the Mobilio. The RS trim sees the addition of power-folding wing mirrors with LED turn signals, side skirts and projector headlamps with LED guide lights just like what you get on the Mobilio RS. The sporty looking hatchback now rides on 15-inch dual tone wheels.

Mechanically, there will be only one change to the Honda Brio hatchback. It will continue to be powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 87 bhp and 109 Nm of torque. The 5-speed manual transmission will continue to be offered while the 5-speed automatic transmission will be replaced by a CVT transmission. The car returns 18.9 kms to a litre of fuel.

The current Honda Brio starts at INR 4.38 lakhs (ex-showroom, new Delhi) and goes up to INR 6.97 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It competes with the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Tata Tiago and the Hyundai Grand i10.

Source – Autonetmagz

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Jaguar Land Rover rides high on the back of Jaguar XE and Discovery Sport

Jaguar Land Rover India reported a 45 percent growth for January- March 2016 quarter , clocking sales of over 1000 units.

Jaguar XE

The company said the increase in sales can largely be attributed to the launch of models like Jaguar XE and Land Rover Discovery Sport. New Discovery Sport is the affordable SUV in the Indian market from Land Rover starting at INR 47.59 Lacs while the Jaguar XE starts at INR 39.90 which was launched at the auto expo in February this year.

Mr. Rohit Suri, President, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd (JLRIL), said,“The Jaguar and Land Rover brands are now firmly established in India. The All-New Jaguar XE, which we introduced in the Indian market in February 2016 in petrol derivatives, has received a tremendous response. Also, the demand for Model Year 2016 Jaguar XJ, Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport continues to be extremely robust. We thank our esteemed customers for choosing Jaguar Land Rover and making this strong growth possible.”

Currently the XE is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine in two states of tune – 197 bhp and 320 Nm of torque and 237 bhp and 340 Nm of torque both mated to an 8-speed transmission. The British carmakeer has recently imported two units of the XE dieselinto the country for homologation purposes which means diesel option is coming soon. The diesel is a 2.0-litre engine from the new Ingenium range will be avalable in two trims 160 bhp and 380 Nm of torque and  178 bhp and 430 Nm of torque.

The Jaguar range in India also includes F–TYPE , locally manufactured XF , locally manufactured XJ (starting at INR 99.99 Lacs) and locally manufactured All-New XE while the Land Rover line-up consists of  the flagship Range Rover, Range Rover Sport , Discovery 4, New Discovery Sport and Model Year 16 New Range Rover Evoque.

Read our Land Rover Discovery Sport Review here

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Are Maruti Suzuki’s Optional Variants with Safety Kit Just a Marketing Gimmick?

In Indian automobile market, till now, the situation has been like where customer was preferring to spend money on fitting aftermarket accessories rather than spending money on buying a safer car.

In Indian automobile market, till now, the situation has been like where customer was preferring to spend money on fitting aftermarket accessories rather than spending money on buying a safer car. But the recent past has seen manufacturers offering safety kit as either standard offering or as an option at least. Earlier only top spec cars used to get safety features, indirectly limiting safety to people who can afford. Things started to change with rising awareness and government hinted towards building a framework to ensure safe commuting to everyone. Toyotaand Volkswagen made ABS and airbags standard across the variants long ago and recently Maruti Suzuki made it optional across all variants of almost all of its models.

We appreciate the manufacturers like Volkswagen, Ford and Toyota who made basic safety kit standard across its range. But the manufacturers who are offering it as an option, are they really delivering what they have committed? One of the hot threads at Team-BHPhas many people telling the ground reality about these ‘Optionally’ safer cars. Majority of the forum contributors are complaining about Maruti Suzukidealers deliberately diverting customers away from these ‘O’ variants. Either the customers won’t be offered with discounts or freebies, which are available on standard car, or they are made to wait for months. In majority of the cases, customer naturally opts for the standard car.

There could be two aspects to this. The situation could be like, Maruti Suzuki is trying to get fair idea of the demand for such ‘O’ variants and then decide to produce them as a routine practice. Before they get the clear picture, production of these cars might have been kept limited to ‘Made to order’ – that explains the waiting period. Regarding discounts, those are governed by stocks piled up in the inventory of a dealer or company. Usually normal variants of any car are ordered in advance and some of which are left behind in stock due to lesser demand for specific color or variant. Such cars command high discount and dealer always prefer to push them out. This explains cost benefits associated with already available regular car versus Made to Order ‘O’ cars.

On the other hand, let’s see what are the advantages associated with offering cars with such Optional safety kit equipped variant. As the government is preparing the ground for taking strong steps towards ensuring safer roads for every single car and car owner, it is expected that manufacturers will reflect the same. Taking the lead earns you extra bonus points which can be seen as quick wins in improving the brand’s image. It’s strange but it’s the fact that by making safety features optional many manufacturers suddenly start claiming that our cars are safest now. Even though the reality is that no safety feature like airbag can save you, if the structure itself is week and prone to collapsing.

We don’t intend to criticize any brand, instead we appreciate that Maruti Suzuki is not only leading on sales front but also willing to promote safety. Today almost all brands are offering every car in their portfolio with ABS and airbags, either as an option or standard fitment. Their might be several techno-commercial constraints which might be holding back some manufacturers from diving down into this completely and offer it across the range as a standard fitment itself. We appeal to every single customer out there that please understand the importance of safety and not only value your life but understand the value of other’s lives. Remember that if demand exists, supply will follow for sure. Ride safe, drive safe!

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Jaguar XE Diesel Imported For Homologation

Jaguar has imported two units of the XE diesel into the country for homologation.

Jaguar has imported two units of the XE diesel into the country for homologation. The compact sedan is the cheapest car on sale by the British company.

The Jaguar XE is available only with a petrol engine

Back in February, at the Auto Expo held in Delhi, the British company launchedthe XE with a petrol engine. The engines are from the new Ingenium range. Currently the XE is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine in two states of tune – 197 bhp and 320 Nm of torque and 237 bhp and 340 Nm of torque. The engines are paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and power is sent to the rear wheels.

The diesel is a 2.0-litre engine from the new Ingenium range. It is available in two states of tune – 160 bhp and 380 Nm of torque and  178 bhp and 430 Nm of torque. The transmission options available are a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic. The manual gearbox will not be offered here. With the Jaguar XE diesel, the Tata owned British company will finally be able to sell diesel cars in the national capital.

The Jaguar XE comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen system with satellite navigation, smartphone connectivity, pre-heating and a heads-up display. The safety features include airbags, Traction Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Closing Vehicle Sensing,  and the Reverse Traffic Detection.

A diesel engine will soon join the lineup

The petrol engined Jaguar XE starts at INR 39.90 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and goes up to INR 46.50 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It competes with the Audi A4, Volvo S60, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the BMW 3-series. We expect the diesel engined car to launch soon.

Jaguar XE at the Auto Expo image gallery

Source – Zauba

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Mercedes Benz India extends its golden run; Ends FY16 with best figures

Mercedes Benz India is reaping the benefits of the offensive strategy giving customers multiple options across the spectrum.

Mercedes Benz India announced the sales figures for the last financial year, passing the test with flying colors. The German company managed to sell 13,558 units, best quarter 3,622 units for the January-March quarter and best monthly sales ever for March 2016.

The Y-o-Y growth was 21% compared to April 2014 to March 2015 where Mercedes Benz managed to sell 11,213 units.

Roland Folger, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes­Benz India, commented “It is a significant achievement for us, as we have maintained our growth momentum in Q1 2016, despite facing multiple market challenges. We have been able to compensate the negative sales impact in the Delhi and NCR market, with a strong double-digit growth achieved in most other markets across the country. This strongly underlines the fact that luxury car buyers increasingly prefer Mercedes­Benz. It underpins as well that the loyalty of our discerning patrons is with the brand. Our product drive across the spectrum, the tailor made finance programmes, the unique service initiatives have all been well appreciated, resulting in our historic sales success. Pursuing our ‘go to customer’ strategy we presented world­class retail facilities to our patrons in both new and existing markets. We also remained the luxury car brand with the most comprehensive retail network. This network drive enhanced our growth story even further with new customers opting for a Mercedes­Benz.”

The company has a very wide range of portfolio with the likes of  Mercedes-Maybach S 500, S-­Class, E-­Class, C-­Class, CLA sedansand the GLA, GLE and the GL­C  SUVs. Completely Built imported cars portfolio includes the A­Class, B­Class, CLS, SLK, E­Class Cabriolet, S­Class Coupé, and the S 600 Guard. The product portfolio also comprises the iconic off­roader Mercedes-AMG G 63.

The Mercedes AMG range consists of AMG CLA 45, AMG C 63 S, AMG E 63, AMG SLK 55, AMG S 63 Coupe, AMG GL 63, AMG ML 63, AMG S 63, AMG GLA 45, GLE 450 AMG Coupeand AMG GT S.

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Bengaluru Cops Will Now Get Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Cars

Bangalore cops will be getting 220 new fully-loaded Maruti Suzuki Ertiga’s to replace the aging fleet of Mahindra Boleros.

Bangalore cops will be getting 220 new fully-loaded Maruti Suzuki Ertiga’s to replace the aging fleet of Mahindra Boleros. Most of the fleet are very old and are in poor condition and they will be scrapped. The newer cars will be retained.

Currently, the Bengaluru police have 184 Hoysala patrol vehicles. An increase in the number of vehicles will help increase patrolling and will have more number of cars ready at key areas of emergencies. The cars will come fitted with surveillance camera, Global Positioning System (GPS) with real-time mapping, loudspeaker, navigator, first aid kit and walkie-talkie. Every police station will get one car but stations with bigger jurisdictions will get two cars.

Bengaluru Police had earlier considered India’s most popular MPV, the Toyota Innova. But the Innova turned out to be too expensive thanks to its high price tag. For now, the Ertiga has been chosen because it is a more affordable option and it is more spacious but that might change if the department finds a more suitable vehicle.

“It’s a long-pending demand. We are discussing it. Most police stations complain that old vehicles need frequent repair. The vehicles break down midway and patrolling policemen have nothing but to wait,” an officer said. “So, we requested the government to give us new vehicles.”

Mumbai Police are currently using Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPVs as patrol vehicles.

The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is available with a 1.4-litre petrol engine producing 94 bhp and 130 Nm of torque or a 1.-litre diesel engine with Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki (SHVS) system and it produces 89 bhp and 200 Nm of torque. The transmission options available are a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 4-speed automatic gearbox.

The MPV starts at INR 6.18 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and goes up to INR 9.28 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It competes with the Honda Mobilio and the Renault Lodgy.

Source – Deccan Herald

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Tata Tiago Launched at Mouthwatering Pricetag of INR 3.20 Lakhs

Tata Tiago launched in both – petrol and diesel variants.

Tata Tiago launched in both – petrol and diesel variants. Claims segment leading fuel efficiency figures: 23.84 kmpl for petrol and 27.28 kmpl for diesel.

The latest offering from Tata Motorscomes with a petrol as well as diesel mill. The Revotron (Petrol) is powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder motor producing 85 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 114 Nm at 3500 rpm. The diesel motor is a 1.05-litre 3 pot motor generating 70 PS @ 4,000 rpm and 140 Nm @ 1,800 – 3,000 rpm.  Both the engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Prices: (Ex-showroom, Delhi. In INR Lakhs)

Tata Tiago (1.2 L Revotron Petrol)

XE:3.59
XM: 3.89
XT: 4.19
XZ; 4.75

Tata Tiago (1.2 L Revotorq Diesel)

XB: 3.94
XE: 4.29
XM: 4.69
XT: 4.99
XZ; 5.54

The interiors are the best ever offered by Tata and the finish levels are better than ever. The hatchback comes equipped with an HARMAN infotainment system which includes smartphone connectivity and it can stream music wirelessly.  MapMyIndia offers a unique GPS system that does not use internet data from your smartphone. The car is offered with ABS and dual airbags on the top variants and comes with a dual path semi-independent suspension setup at the rear. EBD, Corner Stability Control (CSC) are also on offer on the upper trims.

Read Tata Tiago Review here

Tata Tiagomeasures 3746 mm in length, 1674 mm in width and 1535 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2400 mm with a ground clearance of 170 mm. Tiago weighs just over a ton at 1012 Kg for petrol variant and 1080 Kg for diesel version. It has a total boot space of 242 liters.

The car will compete with the likes of Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Maruti Suzuki WagonR, Honda Brio and the Hyundai Grand i10.

Specifications:

Dimensions:
Length: 3746 mm
Width: 1674 mm
Height: 1535 mm
Wheelbase: 2400 mm
Ground Clearance: 170 mm
Weight: 1012 Kg (P) / 1080 Kg (D)
Bootspace: 242 liters.

Engines:

REVOTRON (Petrol)

Displacement: 1199 cc.
Cylinders: 3
Power: 85 PS @ 6,000 rpm.
Torque: 114 Nm @ 3,500 rpm.

REVOTORQ  (Diesel)

Displacement: 1047 cc.
Cylinders: 3
Power: 70 PS @ 4,000 rpm.
Torque: 140 Nm @ 1,800 – 3,000 rpm.

The Price list of Tata Tiago for all trims (Ex-Showroom Mumbai)

Tata Tiago Image Gallery

Tata Zica Side Tata Zica Side
Tata Zica Side Tata Zica Revotron Fuel Filler Tata Zica Revotron Engine Bay
Tata Zica Revotron Engine Bay Tata Zica Revotron Badge Tata Zica Revotron Badge
Tata Zica Revotorq Fuel Filler Tata Zica Revotorq Engine Bay Tata Zica Revotorq Engine Bay
Tata Zica Revotorq Badge Tata Zica Rear Three Quarter Tata Zica Rear Three Quarter
Tata Zica Rear Three Quarter Tata Zica Rear Three Quarter Tata Zica Rear Three Quarter
Tata Zica Rear Spoiler Tata Zica Rear Spoiler Tata Zica Rear
Tata Zica ORVM Tata Zica Interior Steering Wheel Tata Zica Interior Steering Wheel
Tata Zica Interior Tweeter Tata Zica Key Tata Zica Interior Steering Wheel
Tata Zica Interior Rear Seat Tata Zica Interior Instrument Cluster Tata Zica Interior Infotainment System
Tata Zica Interior Front Seat
Tata Zica Interior Dashboard HVAC
Tata Zica Interior Dashboard Tata Zica Interior Dashboard Tata Zica Interior Dashboard
Tata Zica Interior AC Vent Tata Zica Interior AC Vent Tata Zica Headlight
Tata Zica Headlight
Tata Zica Front Three Quarter Tata Zica Front Three Quarter Tata Zica Headlight
Tata Zica Front Three Quarter Tata Zica Front Three Quarter

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Tata Tiago Launched at Mouthwatering Pricetag of INR 3.20 Lakhs

Tata Tiago launched in both – petrol and diesel variants.

Tata Tiago launched in both – petrol and diesel variants. Claims segment leading fuel efficiency figures: 23.84 kmpl for petrol and 27.28 kmpl for diesel.

The latest offering from Tata Motorscomes with a petrol as well as diesel mill. The Revotron (Petrol) is powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder motor producing 85 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 114 Nm at 3500 rpm. The diesel motor is a 1.05-litre 3 pot motor generating 70 PS @ 4,000 rpm and 140 Nm @ 1,800 – 3,000 rpm.  Both the engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Prices: (Ex-showroom, Delhi. In INR Lakhs)

Tata Tiago (1.2 L Revotron Petrol)

XE:3.59
XM: 3.89
XT: 4.19
XZ; 4.75

Tata Tiago (1.2 L Revotorq Diesel)

XB: 3.94
XE: 4.29
XM: 4.69
XT: 4.99
XZ; 5.54

The interiors are the best ever offered by Tata and the finish levels are better than ever. The hatchback comes equipped with an HARMAN infotainment system which includes smartphone connectivity and it can stream music wirelessly.  MapMyIndia offers a unique GPS system that does not use internet data from your smartphone. The car is offered with ABS and dual airbags on the top variants and comes with a dual path semi-independent suspension setup at the rear. EBD, Corner Stability Control (CSC) are also on offer on the upper trims.

Read Tata Tiago Review here

Tata Tiagomeasures 3746 mm in length, 1674 mm in width and 1535 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2400 mm with a ground clearance of 170 mm. Tiago weighs just over a ton at 1012 Kg for petrol variant and 1080 Kg for diesel version. It has a total boot space of 242 liters.

The car will compete with the likes of Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Maruti Suzuki WagonR, Honda Brio and the Hyundai Grand i10.

Specifications:

Dimensions:
Length: 3746 mm
Width: 1674 mm
Height: 1535 mm
Wheelbase: 2400 mm
Ground Clearance: 170 mm
Weight: 1012 Kg (P) / 1080 Kg (D)
Bootspace: 242 liters.

Engines:

REVOTRON (Petrol)

Displacement: 1199 cc.
Cylinders: 3
Power: 85 PS @ 6,000 rpm.
Torque: 114 Nm @ 3,500 rpm.

REVOTORQ  (Diesel)

Displacement: 1047 cc.
Cylinders: 3
Power: 70 PS @ 4,000 rpm.
Torque: 140 Nm @ 1,800 – 3,000 rpm.

The Price list of Tata Tiago for all trims (Ex-Showroom Mumbai)

Tata Tiago Image Gallery

Tata Zica Side Tata Zica Side
Tata Zica Side Tata Zica Revotron Fuel Filler Tata Zica Revotron Engine Bay
Tata Zica Revotron Engine Bay Tata Zica Revotron Badge Tata Zica Revotron Badge
Tata Zica Revotorq Fuel Filler Tata Zica Revotorq Engine Bay Tata Zica Revotorq Engine Bay
Tata Zica Revotorq Badge Tata Zica Rear Three Quarter Tata Zica Rear Three Quarter
Tata Zica Rear Three Quarter Tata Zica Rear Three Quarter Tata Zica Rear Three Quarter
Tata Zica Rear Spoiler Tata Zica Rear Spoiler Tata Zica Rear
Tata Zica ORVM Tata Zica Interior Steering Wheel Tata Zica Interior Steering Wheel
Tata Zica Interior Tweeter Tata Zica Key Tata Zica Interior Steering Wheel
Tata Zica Interior Rear Seat Tata Zica Interior Instrument Cluster Tata Zica Interior Infotainment System
Tata Zica Interior Front Seat
Tata Zica Interior Dashboard HVAC
Tata Zica Interior Dashboard Tata Zica Interior Dashboard Tata Zica Interior Dashboard
Tata Zica Interior AC Vent Tata Zica Interior AC Vent Tata Zica Headlight
Tata Zica Headlight
Tata Zica Front Three Quarter Tata Zica Front Three Quarter Tata Zica Headlight
Tata Zica Front Three Quarter Tata Zica Front Three Quarter

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TVS bike service app launched

TVS Motor Company launched a smartphone app for its customers today, helping them facilitate on service needs, mileage, performance, convenience and safety of the TVS 2-wheelers.

TVS bike service app screen grab

Key features of this APP :

Service Schedules: Customers will have first-hand information on the recommended service interval with respect to Time and Kilometer for their vehicles.

Specifications: It will enable current and future customers to know more about vehicle details related to Engine, Electrical, Chassis, Capacities, Tyres, Brakes and Dimensions and take an informed decision.

Service Booking: Customers can book their services appointment online with their preferred dealership for a hassle free service initiation at the dealership on their arrival. This facility can be availed through the official website of TVS Motor Company also. Currently, service booking facility is available at selected 120 dealerships across India.

Warranty: Customers can know more about their vehicle warranty terms and conditions at ease.

News & Updates: This feature provides the latest information and updates related to TVS Motor.

Service History: These features presents customers with first-hand knowledge on their vehicle service history. Customers can also rate their last service experience with TVS Motor.

Locate Dealer: With this feature, TVS Motor Company’s dealerships can be located by the customer using their current location through GPS. The dealerships can also be searched based on state and city with addresses and contact details.

Tips: Useful tips are available for customers for getting better mileage from their vehicle and vital safety riding tips.

Fuel Records: Customers can manage their fuel expenses with this unique feature. They can also calculate the vehicle’s mileage with the help of this feature.

Contact us: Contact details of TVS Motor are provided for customer support. This APP is available in India, on Google Play store for current and prospective TVS Motor Company’s two wheeler customers. It will be upgraded from time to time with new features based on users feedback.

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