TVS XL launched in Maharashtra at INR 28,843

The new TVS XL 100 is powered by a 99.7cc four stroke engine which delivers  4.2PS power and a top speed of 60kmph.

The new TVS XL 100 is powered by a 99.7cc four stroke engine which delivers  4.2PS power and a top speed of 60kmph.  TVS XL 100 returns a mileage of 67 kmpl (among all auto-geared two wheelers) under simulated test conditions as per TVS Motor standards. Detachable rear seat with a robust rear flatbed platform to enable carrying of loads.  Other features include an easy kick-start, bold style muffler, bigger tank and stainless steel brake cable for effective braking. TVS XL 100 comes in five colours of black, red, green, blue and grey. Along with TVS XL Super and TVS XL Super Heavy Duty, TVS XL 100 is currently available across all TVS dealerships in Maharashtra.

TVS has provided XL with a detachable rear seat with a rear flatbed platform for carrying of loads.  Other features include an easy kick-start, bold style muffler, bigger tank and stainless steel brake cable for effective braking. TVS XL 100 comes in five colours of black, red, green, blue and grey.According to the company, ‘easy centre stand, (patent pending), which makes parking the vehicle easier and improves stability while the vehicle is on stand.’

Commenting on the launch, J S Srinivasan, Vice President Sales and Service, TVS Motor Company said, “This launch reiterates our commitment to deliver high quality, customer centric products and also underlines our commitment to continually establish a strong brand connect with our customers. The all-new four stroke moped TVS XL 100 has been designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s customer and is one of the most affordable, reliable, easy to ride, powerful multi-utility two-wheelers in the market. We are confident that TVS XL 100 will garner high levels of customer satisfaction and will be well received in the market place.”

Along with TVS XL Super and TVS XL Super Heavy Duty, TVS XL 100 is currently available across all TVS dealerships in Maharashtra.

Abarth 124 Spider Officially Revealed

Design changes over the regular car includes a slightly redesigned front bumper, a new rear bumper, a small rear spoiler, a few air vents and new alloy wheels.

After unveiling the Fiat 124 Spider, the Italian companyhas showed us its performance variant, called the Abarth 124 Spider.

Design changes over the regular car includes a slightly redesigned front bumper, a new rear bumper, a small rear spoiler, a few air vents and new alloy wheels. The car also gets a dual tone paint scheme. It looks much more sporty and aggressive now. The car is available in White, Grey, Blue, Red and Black. On the inside, it gets leather seats, aluminium pedals, small-diameter steering wheel and a new instrument panel with a centrally mounted large rev counter with a red background.

The car comes with manual climate control system, stereo with four speakers, MP3 player and USB port, cruise control, adjustable and electrically-folded door mirrors as standard. Optionally, you can also get an infotainment system with a 7-inch colour display, satellite navigation system, DAB digital tuner, two USB ports, AUX input and Bluetooth connectivity. A 9-speaker Bose premium sound system is also available.

Powering the small sports car is a four cylinder, 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo engine producing 170 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or an automatic Sequenziale Sportivo transmission and power is sent to the rear wheels. The car accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 6.8 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 230 kmph. The car weighs 1,060 kgs.

To improve the handling of the vehicle, the Abarth 124 Spider gets a perfect 50-50 weight distribution, a mechanical limited-slip differential, Abarth-tuned dampers by Bilstein and stiffened anti-roll bars. Stopping power is provided by Brembo brakes. The vehicle comes with a Record Monza exhaust system as standard.

The safety features include ABS, EBD, ERM and ESC. Along with these, it also gets a 3-point seat belt with Constant-Force Retractors (CFR) and LED headlights. Optionally, the car can be had with rear parking camera and LED headlights with rain sensor and dusk sensor.

The Abarth124 Spider will go on sale in September and prices will start at 40,000 euros.

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India 4×4 week to be held in Goa

Goa will be the host of first ever India 4×4 Week (IXW) to coincide with the initial days of the Rain Forrest Challenge India 2016 from 22nd July to 24th July 2016.

The event will have displays with participation expected from leading 4X4 vehicle manufacturers, off-road equipment manufacturers, and distributors.The event will see manufacturers’ test tracks, a number of off-road tracks and trails will be created for visitors to drive their own 4WD vehicles on. Since the event is coinciding with the Rain Forrest Challenge held at the same venue, participants and visitors will be able to witness the offroaders battling it out in the 12 Prologue special stages of RFC 2016.  Another important element of the convention will be the knowledge, training & certification sessions on off-road driving, vehicle preparation, restoration and many other intriguing aspects of 4WD vehicles for which the registrations will begin shortly on the India4x4week website.

As per Cougar Motorsport’s Founder & Director Mr. Ashish Gupta,”The Indian 4X4 community has seen an exponential growth over the last few years. The fact that all auto majors have been aggressively launching and marketing vehicles with 4WD capabilities is a testimony of this. With the launch of RFC India three years ago, we have successfully brought to the country an international level off-road motorsport event which brings hundreds of off-roaders to Goa annually to compete in and witness the event. However, till date there is no established national platform for manufacturers of vehicles with 4WD capability, their owners and everyone with an interest in such vehicles to interact. Hence, with IXW, we plan to bridge this gap and establish a credible annual convention for 4X4 and off-roading enthusiasts and industry.”

IXW is being organised in association with some of India’s most prominent 4X4 clubs and institutions including BODA Offroaders Bengaluru, Charminar Off Road Adventure Club Hyderabad, DOT Goa, Gerrari Offroaders Chandigarh, Northern India Offroad Club and Pune Pathfinders.

Mahindra NuvoSport to replace Quanto; Price 7.35 lakh

Mahindra NuvoSport launched in India today at a price of 7.35 lakh(ex-showroom Thane)
This is the first car after Bolero not to end with’O’ at the end as seen with Scorpio, XUV 500, TUV 300, KUV 100, Quanto Gusto, Duro etc.

This is the first car after Bolero not to end with’O’ at the end as seen with Scorpio, XUV 500, TUV 300, KUV 100, Quanto Gusto, Duro etc. The sub compact SUV will be an addition to the TUV 300 which already operates in the segment.

Under the hood is Mahindra’s new three-cylinder 1.5-litre diesel engine called the mHAWK 100.There is 25 percent increase in engine output when compared to the same engine powering the TUV 300 which means NuvoSport engine produces 100 PS of power compared to 80 PS on TUV 300. Torque rating is 240Nm which Mahindra claims is best in class. The higher N6 and N8 come with the choice of either the same 5-speed manual gearbox as the N4 or a 5-speed AMT. The engine comes equipped with two drive modes – Power and Economy.

The interior of the Mahindra NuvoSport has two highlights: a 6.5-inch touchscreen navigation and infotainment display and the second is steering mounted controls. The design language on the interior is similar to other makes from Mahindra. It comes with a 5+2 seating but the last two are jump seats which would be best suited for children on short journeys.

The SUV is available in 6 different trims, starting from 7.35 lakh going up to 9.76 lakh for the fulled loaded version for the N8 AMT variant. The top end model will get leather upholstery, front dual airbags, ABS and cruise control. The customers opting for lower variants can buy the safety of airbags at an additional cost.

Mahindra Nuvosport will be available in six color options: Molten Red, Rust Orange, Diamond White, Regal Blue, Mist Silver and Fiery Black. The car will replace Mahindra Quanto in the market and will face competition in the form of Ford EcoSport, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Mahindra’s very own TUV 300.

N4 Rs 7.35 Lakh N4+ Rs 7.65 Lakh N6 Rs 8.36 Lakh N6+ Rs 9.0 Lakh N8 Rs 9.12 Lakh N8+ Rs9.76 Lakh

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Preorders For The Tesla Model 3 Come To $7.5 Billion On Day 1

The Tesla Model 3 has broken all predictions set for it once bookings for the car opened.

has broken all predictions set for it once bookings for the car opened. Tesla’s founder tweeted that on day 1, the American company took 1,80,000 preorders for the car, which came up to USD 7.5 billion. 10 hours later, they gathered 2,32,000 orders, which comes up to USD 9.5 billion.

Tesla has seen huge crowds at their stores worldwide for booking the car

“Model 3 orders at 180,000 in 24 hours. Selling price w avg option mix prob $42k, so ~$7.5B in a day. Future of electric cars looking bright!”, Elon Musk tweeted on April 1st at 9:41 PM. Elon Musk also announced that they would definitely have to rethink their plans for production. Currently, Tesla sells around 50,000 cars every year but with more powerful versions of the Model 3 coming, they could soon be producing a million units of the model. They would also have to grow their Supercharger network.

This is the American company’s cheapest car

The Model 3 was launched a few days back and it is the cheapest car on sale by the American company. Starting at USD 35,000 the electric car will accelerate from a standstill to a 100 kmph in less than 6 seconds. The car has a range of 350 kms. Tesla stores around the world are reporting huge crowds and long queues outside the showroom for booking the vehicle. For the first time, Tesla has opened bookings in Indiaas well. The booking amount for the car is USD 1000. The Tesla Model 3 competes with the Audi A4, Jaguar XE, Volvo S60, BMW 3-series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The Model 3 gathered 2,32,000 bookings in just 34 hours worth USD 9.5 billion

Along with the Model 3 sedan, Tesla also sells the Model S sedan and the Model Y SUV.

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Skoda Snowman launched in the European market

The ŠKODA Snowman is a spectacular newcomer for high-alpine terrain with outstanding off-road qualities, especially in winter.

Skoda Snowman

The ŠKODA Snowman is 9.13 metres long (with snowplough and snowblower) and 2.50 metres wide without tracks (5.26 m with snowplough). The design is aesthetic and functional at the same time; visually, the lines create extraordinary width. Sharp lines surround sculpturally carved-out surface, crystalline elements characterise the brand logo, the vertical struts in the trapeze-shaped grille and the four narrow, wedge-shaped headlights. The company states, ” ŠKODA’s great values, such as above-average space, functionality and excellent value for money, have been key for the development.”

The ŠKODA Snowman is the first ŠKODA production model with plug-in hybrid drive. It has a power output of 295 kW (400 PS), torque of 650 Nm. Downhill, the highly efficient drive recuperates energy and feeds it to the lithium-ion battery. The power is transferred to the two caterpillar tracks via a transfer case. The ŠKODA Snowman has a top speed of 20 km/h, can climb gradients of up to 100 per cent and can also turn on its own axis. The average fuel consumption is approximately 14 litres per hour.

ŠKODA is even adopting a new approach with regards to the operating and display concept. The steering wheel is shaped like a control stick, which the driver uses to control all functions. The connectivity concept is also purely high-tech: the ŠKODA Snowman is wirelessly connected to the mountain station.

The generously sized glass cabin offers space for up to three people, the air-suspended driver’s seat can be heated. The ‘Simply Clever’ features typical for ŠKODA include a magnetic snow shovel holder, a heated cup holder for a Thermos flask and a multi-function box for snow boots and avalanche transceiver. A climate-controlled storage compartment for keeping sunglasses fog-free and for drying hats and gloves is available as an optional extra. The ashtray features an automatic fire extinguishing system that uses snow from the surrounding air.

With the Snowman, ŠKODA is now entering into completely new business and customer segments. The ŠKODA Snowman will be launched in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and other important European markets in December 2016. The starting price is 280,000 euros.

Honda 2 Wheelers closes FY 2016 on a high

Honda 2 Wheelers sales for the fiscal 2016 stood at 4,483,459 two-wheelers while domestic sales closed at 4,283,345 units.

Honda posted 15th year of sustained growth, breaching 4 million sales for 2 ndyear in a row this year. The Honda’s total sales stood at 44.83 lac unit sales in FY’15-16

On the export front, Honda crossed the 2 lac milestone for the first time in the history of Honda 2Wheelers India

The company’s d omestic market share is at 26 percent, while the domestic plus export market combined share is 24 percent ending FY’16

Elaborating on the strategy for FY’2016-17, Mr. Keita Muramatsu, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “2016-17 is going to be Honda’s most definitive year in India. I am excited that with the new 4 thplant, we will be able to delight more than 5 million new customers in one year for the first time in Indian operations. Our priorities will be strengthening the fun connect of Wing mark with Indian youth, make all our models BS-IV compliant at the earliest for added customer convenience while continue to aggressively make inroads into rural India. As World’s largest two-wheeler company, Honda will not only lead from the front with its strong double-digit growth in fiscal year 2016-17 but also re-define and revolutionize the way young Indians ride a two-wheeler.”

Speaking on the highlights of Honda’s performance in FY’15-16, Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “From a strategic perspective, FY’2015-16 was like a base camp for Honda and now we are fully armed for the steep climb in FY’2016-17. As part of our future preparedness, Honda aggressively invested in innovative promotion. Digital marketing activities and created top-of-the-mind recall in customers minds. All this, reinforced the differentiated Wing mark identity of Honda 2Wheelers in India.”

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Mini Cars Now Come With Scissor Doors

Mini has added Lamborghini type scissor doors to the options list for all its cars.

Mini has added Lamborghini type scissor doors to the options list for all its cars. As of now, it is available with the Mini 3-door, Mini Paceman and the new Mini Convertible. Soon, it will be added to the Mini 5-door, Mini Clubman and the Mini Countryman.

This could be more of a marketing strategy by Mini to increase the style quotiesnt of their cars

Mini say that they have given their vehicles vertically opening doors to help park the car in the tightest of spaces and get out easily. They say that the width required to park a car reduces by about 30%. The door can be opened with a remote control or with the help of a button on the door handle. The British company is working towards opening it through an app on the owner’s smartphone.

Dalf Rietmann, Head of Special Equipment Management with MINI says, “the doors can be opened and closed as standard via remote control. In conjunction with Comfort Access, which is subject to an additional charge, the MINI can be opened and closed by means of a button on the door handle without having to use the remote control. It is sufficient for the ignition key to be in the user’s trouser pocket, for example. In the future, the idea is to enable opening and closing of the car via smartphone using the MINI Excitement App.”

In India, Mini sells the Cooper S, Cooper 3-door, Cooper 5-door, Cooper Convertible and the Mini Countryman. The range starts at INR 28.50 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and goes up to INR 36.50 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Mini Cooper Sicissor doors image gallery

Royal Enfield back at again with strong sales for FY 2016 !!

Royal Enfield continues its new-found love affair with the India audience.

Royal Enfield managed to clock an impressive fifty-two percent growth for the financial year 2015-16 with sales of 589293 units compared to 386872 3 units in the previous year. The growth has been promising when it comes to exports as well with a growth of 37 percent.

Vehicle sales MARCH YTD – MARCH 2016 2015 Growth Jan’15- Mar’16 Jan’14- Mar’15 Growth DOMESTIC 50059 32854 52% 589293 386872 52% EXPORTS 1261 825 53% 11705 8565 37% TOTAL BUSINESS 51320 33679 52% 600998 395437 52%

Speaking on the achievement Mr. Rudratej (Rudy) Singh, President Royal Enfield said “Reaching sales of over fifty thousand motorcycles in a single month is a significant milestone for Royal Enfield. We approximately manufactured a similar number of motorcycles in 2010 that goes on to show our focus and hard work that we have put in all these years. Royal Enfield also has been expanding its production commensurately to meet its customer’s expectations to own and ride our motorcycles at the soonest. Royal Enfield’s simple yet evocative motorcycles have been aspirational yet accessible that provides a pure motorcycling experience to our customers. This experience has created strong demand for our motorcycles that continues to grow our order books ”

The company also announced the Royal Enfield Tour of Nepal 23 rdApril to 9 thMay 2016 for riding enthusiasts. The riders will ride through the panoramic view of the Himalayas from Lucknow through Bhairhawa, Pokhra, Kalopani, Muktinath, Tatopani and, Kathmandu, Kodari, Nagarkot, Chitwana and finally back to Lucknow.

Royal Enfield is pinning its hope on all new Himalayan for the next step in the growth story. All new motorcycle is powered by 410 cc engine and is specifically made for the off-roading enthusiast who wants a functional purpose built bike.

Royal Enfield Himalayan is available in Mumbai for Rs. 178,872 (on-road), Bangalore for Rs. 184,316 (on-road), in Kolkata for Rs. 181,517 (on-road), in Chennai for Rs. 175,840 (on-road), in Hyderabad for Rs. 176,580 (on-road), in Pune for Rs. 170,362 (on-road).

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Auto Expo 2016 India – Aston Martin, Maserati, Bentley to Debut

The Indian Auto Expo 2016, slated to be held in February 2016 could mark the debut of global brands like Aston Martin, Maserati and Bentley.

The Indian Auto Expo 2016, slated to be held in February 2016 could mark the debut of global brands like Aston Martin, Maserati and Bentley. According to reports in the industry circles, the luxury car makers are looking forward to a spot in the mega event which is conducted bi-annually in the capital of India. With the sales figures of the luxury segment growing every year, the move can be considered as a part of possible future expansion plans of the firms. The sports luxury segment has also been reporting improved sales every year however, the numbers aren’t high as of now.

The 13th Indian Auto Expo might have Bentley, Maserati and Aston Martin as the newcomers.

The Fiat group owned Italian luxury car maker Maserati currently has no dealer in India and a debut next year could help the firm to improve its presence in the country, at least could serve as a starter. Later, it might always plan to get its share in the evolving luxury car market of India. Things should not be very difficult for Maserati as its parent firm, Fiat already has its presence across the nation.

Reports have suggested that executives from Fiat were in India to hone in on potential dealers

Aston Martin and Bentley are relatively better equipped as far as presence in the Indian market is concerned. Both of them have their separate dealerships in Delhi and Mumbai. However, the major numbers are clocked by the 3 big German players, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Bentley currently has 2 dealers in India.

The Auto Expo is organized by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), CII and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). Implementing learnings from the previous events, the 2016 edition of the expo will be held in two separate venues (similar to the 2014 event).

Aston Martin will like to make its mark in the luxury and sports luxury segments of the Indian automotive market.

The motor show will be conducted at the India Expo Mart at Greater Noida and the component show will be held in Pragati Maidan. Most probably, like last year, the first two days will be exclusively reserved for media and from 5th till 9th, the expo will be open for the public. The previous event accounted for 70 unveilings, of which 26 were global models; the number is expected to be surpassed this year.

Source : Economic Times

2014 Tata Aria Launched At Rs 9.95 Lakh

The Tata Aria was the first model to popularize the use of the word crossover.

The Tata Aria was the first model to popularize the use of the word crossover. Tata promoted this vehicle extensively and went all out to get itself a great global image. They even carried out an online contest where if you answered some 30 odd questions right you stood a chance to drive home in an Aria. However, despite all this the crossover’s ambitious pricing didn’t bode well with the Tata badge and the sales never managed to pick up. In a bid to revive this name, Tata has just launched the 2014 Tata Aria.

Tata Aria front

Priced at Rs 9.95 lakh the all new Aria gets side body decals, dual barrel headlights with projector lights, clear lens for the tail light clusters and a black bezel for the headlamp cluster (available only on the top-end model which is priced at Rs 14.74 lakh). Under the hood of the Aria is the same 2.2-litre diesel power plant, but it has been re-tuned for improved performance. The engine now produces 150 ps/148 hp of power (10 more than the outgoing model) at 4000 rpm, while the peak torque of 320 Nm kicks in at a lowly 1500-3000 rpm.

The new Aria has 3 variants

An integral part of the Aria is the fact that Tata offers features and niceties by the bucket-load. In the base Pure LX 4×2 (Price Rs 9.95 lakh ex-Delhi), the Aria comes equipped with features like anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD). The mid range, Pleasure 4×2 (Price Rs 12 Lakh Ex-Delhi) comes with steering mounted controls, rear wash wipe, rear defogger, reverse parking sensors and front airbags additionally. The range topping Prestige 4×4 (Price Rs 14.74 lakh Ex-Delhi) gets black and plum leather upholstery, sat-nav, reverse camera, 360 watt Harman infotainment system with Blue 5 Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, climate control, electric folding ORVMs, side and curtain airbags Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and traction control along with the features of the mid range variant.

Tata Aria profile

In terms of pricing the Aria is at a good stand-point and is close to the Innova, but even with more features on tap, beating the Innova is difficult. With the rising popularity of crossovers, the Aria can no longer target just the Innova. The car by itself is quite a wholesome package, but the Tata badge and the fact that it has been called a “Bloated Indica” always ruins the reputation of an otherwise great vehicle.

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Tata Aria 4X2 launched in India at a price of INR 11.61 Lakhs ex-showroom Delhi

What had to happen a year ago has finally happened, as Tata Motors Limited has finally unwrapped the Tata Aria Crossover 4X2 cut price version, even as the Mahindra W201 World SUV and the Force One SUV launches are just around the corner.

Tata Aria 4X2 Crossover

has finally happened, as Tata Motors Limited has finally unwrapped the Tata Aria Crossover 4X2 cut price version, even as the Mahindra W201 World SUV and the Force One SUV launches are just around the corner. Team ICB was the first automotive publication in India to confirm the news of a 4X2 version of the Ariaunder development, after we spotted a workshop manual of the Tata Aria featuring details about how to service a 4X2 version of the Aria Crossover.

The dismal sales of the Tata Aria Crossover, could be one reason why Tata has come up with the 4X2 version at a very competitive price tag beginning from INR 11.61 Lakhs. Tata has launched an all new variant of the Aria 4X2 called the Pure, which will now be the entry level Aria, at INR 11.61 Lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. Two more variants called the Pleasure and Prestige sit above the Pure variant, at INR 12.61 Lakhs and INR 14.21 Lakhs respectively.

Tata Aria 4X2 Crossover

The Tata Aria 4X2 Crossover is now expected to give a tough fight to the likes of the Toyota Innova’s top end variant and with the launch of the cut price 4X2 version of the Aria, expect sales of the flagship model from Tata motors’ stable to dramatically pick up. The spec level of the middle and top end variant of the 4X2 version of the Aria, namely the Pleasure and Prestige, are  to remain the same as on the 4X4 version with the only significant difference being that of the deletion of 4X4 system.

Comparing the price of the Tata Aria 4X2 version with the 4X4 version, it can be found that the price difference is to the tune of INR 60,000. This seems to be a deliberate tactic by Tata Motors to ensure that the price difference between the 4X2 version and 4X4 versions aren’t too large to ensure that existing Aria customers don’t get miffed. However, the Aria 4X2 Pure variant being the stripped out version will ensure that it sits at that psychological price point of under INR 12 Lakh to bring prospective buyers into Tata showrooms.

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Tata Q501/502 Premium SUV Rendered

Popular rendering artist Theophilus Chin has worked his magic and gave a virtual form to a pair of SUVs which is so far left to readers’ wild imagination.

Popular rendering artist Theophilus Chin has worked his magic and gave a virtual form to a pair of SUVs which is so far left to readers’ wild imagination. We are talking about the Tata Q501/Q502SUV duo which is reported to be under development.

Tata Q501/Q502 will have technical inputs from JLR so we could see the influence in the design as well.

The rendering artist has chosen the recently unveiled Hexa SUV(revamped Aria) as the design inspiration and we think the final result may not be far off the renderings. What we have is a bold looking Tata SUV with a modern appeal and right proportions. In other words, the Q501/502 could be a shortened versions of the Hexa SUV in terms of design.

To become the flagship passenger car offerings of the Indian automaker, the Q501 and Q502 are reported to have technical inputs from Jaguar Land Rover. Some reports even suggest that the twins could make use of Land Rover Discovery Sport’s underpinnings. Either way, the association with JLR is going to be the upcoming Tata premium crossovers’ trump card.

The rendering portrays an edgy design which incorporates sculpted bonnet, a honeycomb meshed grille with a trough shaped silver insert, wraparound projector headlamps and a sporty bumper with silver inserts.

The renderings have the Hexa concept as the source of inspiration.

The profile is characterized by a Range Rover Evoque -like silhouette with a subtly tapering roofline. The cantilevered roof, black lower body cladding, large alloy wheels and generously proportioned greenhouse would give the Q501/Q502 the necessary premium feel.

The rear fascia, like that of the Hexa’s, could get angular wraparound taillights, a prominent chrome strip and a massive silver diffuser with dual exhausts. While the Tata Q501 is expected to be a 5-seater, a Q502 would offer a third row.

Going by the previous reports, the twins are likely to adopt Fiat’s 2.0-litre MultiJet diesel enginewhich is set to be localized in India for the upcoming Jeep products rather than borrowing JLR’s new family of 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engines. However, it’s a bit too early to predict with reasonable accuracy.

The Q501 is expected to be a 5-seater while the Q502 would be a 7-seater.

The Tata Q501/502 are expected to be ready for the market sometime in 2017 and could be previewed by a design study before that. They are a part of the company’s massive SUV onslaught.

Would you like the Tata SUV duo to look like these renderings? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Renderings: Theophilus Chin

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2017 Jaguar XE debuts at Detroit Autoshow, JLR cracks sales record in 2014

Things have been on quite a cracking roll for JLR recently.

Things have been on quite a cracking roll for JLR recently. New cars, excellent PR, record-breaking sales figures and the brand image has risen consistently over the years. All of which has instilled confidence in the manufacturer to come with exciting cars – like the 2017 Jaguar XE, which made its US debut at the Detroit Auto Show.

We have been following up on the little Jag since its auto show starring moments in 2014. Quite an impeccable piece of machinery it is as the XE blends form and function in the typical British way. Many have been patiently waiting for the mini-Jag which is being sharpened to take on the German trio of Merc edes Benz CLA, Audi A3 and the BMW 3-Series all of which by the way are competent machines on their own right.

Powered by a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine that produces 340bhp of stallion attitude and 332 pound-feet of torque, the XE can launch into a 0-96kph sprint in 5.1 seconds. The top speed has been electronically limited to the standard issue 250kph. An ZF eight-speed automatic with paadle shifters has been strapped on to harness the beast. If you are more into economy over tarmac-tearing, then a range of 4 cylinder engined versions of the XE are also being readied. Though rear wheel drive is the norm of the range, four wheel drive has been kept as an option to those who seek additional thrills.

Expected to hit showrooms across the world by mid-2015, the Jaguar XE also features on Jaguar India’s launch plans. With all three German marques already in the race with their “budget” sedans, the buyer who is on the lookout for something that stands out from the understated Audi, the flashy Merc and the driver’s Beemer can try a bit of British engineering and flamboyance for a change.

The new Jaguar ad featuring Sir Ben Kingsley, Mark Strong and the extremely likeable Tom Hiddleston can give you a dozen more reasons on the Jaguar’s appeal.

In other news, JLR has sold a record-breaking 462,678 cars in 2014. Posting a 9 percent improvement over the previous year, JLR is savouring the glory of the best sales year in its history. Jaguar brand alone sold 81,570 cars which is a 6 percent leap compared to 2013. With the XE launch, the prospects for 2015 are looking brighter already.

Maruti Swift Windsong special edition launched at INR 5.14 lakhs

After being unveiled in November, the Maruti Swift Windsong special edition has been launched in India at INR 5.14 lakhs for the petrol variant and INR 6.1 lahs for diesel variant (ex-showroom Delhi).

There are no mechanical changes that have been made to the Swift on this special edition

Special editions are now par for the course in the Indian market but there seems to be some lack of clarity on just how much it takes to make a limited run version special. Often, a stock model with different body graphics and maybe a new color gets pedaled with a “special” tag on it. Thankfully, the new Maruti Swift Windsong does a little more to earn its title.

Based on the VDI/VXI trims, the slightly gratuitous body graphics of the Swift Windsong special edition is its most noticeable feature. Apparently this version of the hatchback is meant to bait music enthusiasts, as demonstrated by the treble clef and other musical notations inscribed along the side of the car. But what’s a special edition without the racing stripes? Thus the bonnet and roof of the car sport two black lines running along the middle.

The black seats are tastefully embroidered with bright yellow highlights and the front has ambient blue lighting on the floor

Modifications made with the cabin of this Maruti Swift special edition are more substantial and palatable than those on the outside. The black seats are tastefully embroidered with bright yellow highlights. Ambient blue lighting on the floor at the front of the car is a nice touch. Also thrown in the mix are illuminated sill guards, floor mats sporting the Swift badging, a touch-screen display from Sony boasting Siri eyes-free and reverse parking sensors.

There are no mechanical changes that have been made to the Swift on this special edition. The car retains its 1.2 litre K-Series petrol and 1.3 litre DDiS diesel powerplants. Both are mated to a 5-speed gearbox.

Pricing of the Swift Windsong will be announced in a couple of days, around which time units will also reach dealerships

The special edition Swift comes just days after the launch of the Tata Boltin a bid to steal the limelight from the new launch.

Maruti Swift Windsong Special Edition – Image Gallery

Tata Hexa SUV Concept world premieres at Geneva – BREAKING!

: The Tata Hexa SUV concept has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2015.

: The Tata Hexa SUV concept has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2015. The SUV appears to be a heavily redesigned Aria with rugged design elements such as prominent grille, busy front bumper, squared off bonnet, wraparound healdamps and taillights, lower body plastic cladding, blacked out D-pillar and bolder sheet metal surfaces.

The Tata Hexa previews the brand’s future design direction.

Original article:

In what is an interesting new development, Autocar India reports that Tata Hexa SUV, a new near production-ready concept, will have its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show 2015 which will commence later today (press days). This comes as a surprise since the existence of such a concept was kept under wraps until now.

The Hexa appears to be a heavily redesigned Tata Aria.

The name Hexa denotes the SUV’s seating capacity in three rows with captain seats for the middle row. The vehicle is be powered by an uprated version of the 2.2-litre DICOR four-cylinder engine producing 156 PS and 400 Nm of torque.

It remains to be seen if the Hexa Concept previews the much talked about Q501/502 twinswhich will have inputs from JLR or an entirely different product. As things stand now, it appears that latter is the case because the Q501/502 would employ Fiat’s 2.0-litre MultiJet diesel engine and are nowhere close to production ready (launch expected only in 2017).

The Tata Bolt Sport with 120 PS is also on display at Geneva.

The speculative rendering portrays the Hexa with Tata’s trademark chrome finished smiley grille but the sporty headlamps and the bumper with vents on the edges are new. The design will point towards the brand’s future direction when it comes to crossovers and SUVs. We simply can’t wait to see the actual car which will be accompanied by a sportier and more powerful version of the Boltat the show.

Traditionally, Tata Motors prefer Geneva Motor Show as its launch pad for its significant and globally relevant debuts. The good old Indica, Prima sedan concept designed by Pininfarina, Tata Elegante concept (Manza), Tata Xover concept (Aria) were all introduced at the previous editions of the show.

Tata Motors now has quite a few SUVs and crossovers in its pipeline (image: Nexon concept).

Tata Motors’ R&D division is currently firing on all cylinders with myriad of products in the pipeline such as the Kite twins, Nexon compact crossover, Q501/502 premium SUV twins and now the Hexa which is reported to be ready in early 2016, roughly in the same timeframe as the Nexon.

Image Credit: Hormazd Sorabjee (editor Autocar India)

Tata Hexa automatic gets 6-speed unit from General Motors?

Tata Motors must be working on piecing together the upcoming SUV previewed by Tata Hexa concept now, at a component manufacturer/supplier level, to get the car ready for launch, hopefully by early 2016.

Tata Motors has found a way to preserve all the hard work they put in for the Aria MPV, and sell it with a brand new appeal.

Information has leaked that Tata Hexa automatic variant that is known to debut a new 6-speed automatic transmission will be receiving kits from General Motors Powertrain (GMPT) – a division of General Motors Corporation. In addition, or maybe as a result, the gearbox setup is said to be of much higher quality than the units offered in SUVs under Rs. 30 lakhs in India. Indirectly hinting that Tata Hexa automatic will be smoother and more responsive than Toyota Fortuner automatic.

Then, on a similar note, the new Hexa SUV with wildly renovated design, inline with Tata Motors’ next-gen design philosophy, will have to be tweaked to be feasible and cost effective for mass production. That job, of taking care of manufacturing feasibility and tooling for related components, is said to be outsourced to LG, Korea. This is the same firm that renders design consulting and similar services for major auto manufacturers including Hyundai.

This package which is now marketed as SUV, since the earlier premium MPV campaign failed to take off, has better chances of seeing success.

This new design developed by Tata Motors is said to reduce the coefficient of drag as compared to its original model, Tata Aria. This has reportedly resulted in marginal increase in fuel efficiency and top speed.

Tata Aria MPV was already highly capable in terms of its functions, including going off-road. There is already a 4×4 variant on offer. So it may not be a difficult task to spin it as a functional SUV.

Some of the known specifications of upcoming Tata Hexa based SUV, include DRLs on front end, LED tail lamps at the rear, 19 inch alloy wheels shod with 235/55 section tyres, 2.2 litre Varicor 400 diesel engine producing 155 PS max power and 400 Nm peak torque and Terrain Response system.

Source – Gaadi.com

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Range Rover Evoque Enters CKD Assembly in India With Price of INR 48.73 lakhs!

The Range Rover Evoque becomes all the more tempting as local assembly slashes price significantly.

Range Rover Evoque Get’s Locally Assembled

Land Rover’s Evoque needs no introduction. A vehicle whose interior design has inputs from Victoria Beckham is a rage among the world and continues to sell like hot cakes ever since it debuted four years ago. Recently Land Rover gave it a mild faceliftand showcased it at the Geneva Motor Show which is yet to come to Indian shores. Meanwhile the good news is that the Evoque is now locally assembled and the prices have been slashed by nearly INR 20 lakhs depending on the variant.

The Evoque received a facelift at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month.

This is courtesy of local assembly in Jaguar Land Rover’s CKD plant in Pune. The base variant, Pure, now starts at a startling INR 48.73 lakhs while the mid variant, Dynamic costs around INR 52.40 lakhs and the range topping variant, Prestige now costs INR 56.21 lakhs. All of the prices are ex-showroom Mumbai and are pre-octroi rates. All variants come with a 9-speed automatic transmission and also include standard features like front and rear parking sensors with rear view camera, panoramic sunroof and Land Rover’s state-of-the-art Terrain Response System which Land Rover is known for.

The new gearbox is mated to the same 2.2L SD4 diesel engine which produces 190 PS of power @ 3500 RPM and 420 Nm of torque at 2200 RPM. With the jaw dropping looks and a powerful diesel engine under the hood it has just made the customer enormously tempting to buy one. Jaguar Land Rover is showing its commitment to India by launching models and then commence local assembly as demands increase.

Range Rover Evoque, a style quotient now become more accessible

Production at the Pune plant has also tripled since its inauguration in 2011 and this latest development in the facility comes as part of Jaguar Land Rover’s plans to expand its manufacturing footprint and increasing its production capacity outside of the UK. The locally-manufactured Range Rover Evoque is now available for sale with deliveries expected to begin from early April 2015.

Evoque’s surprise price cut post local assembly poses a huge challenge to the rival car makers like Mercedes, BMW and Audi who were not very forthcoming with downward revision when their models enter local production in India.

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Honda Accord Relaunch May Be Put off Till 2016

Honda has been riding a purple patch in the Indian market over the past couple of years.

Honda has been riding a purple patch in the Indian market over the past couple of years. Its Amaze has been a fixture at the top of best-selling lists in the class and the City wasted no time in climbing the ranks after being launched in its newest avatar in early 2014. Despite steadily gaining ground in the Indian market, not all of Honda’s models have been enjoying the same kind of success. The Accord was pulled of Honda India’s roster in 2013 as a result of a flagging sales pace. Earlier reports suggested the Accord would make a comeback in India in 2015. It has now emerged that Honda may put off relaunching the car until 2016.

The Honda Accord may be launched only in 2016, making the Jazz the only new car coming from Honda this year

2014 was a rather busy year for Honda, with the Mobilio MPV and City sedan being launched in India. Honda will train its energies on the Jazz hatchback for 2015, itself a model that didn’t fare too well in India. Competition in the hatchback segment has only heightened since the Jazz was laid off and Honda will be looking to fine tune the car to perfection in order to ensure a strong value proposition. Thus the Jazz may very well be the only new car from the Honda stable in the year 2015.

Honda will train its energies on the Jazz hatchback for 2015, itself a model that didn’t fare too well in India

The Amaze and City have helped Honda build up a solid reputation as a maker of trusty mass-market cars. While such models have always moved at a healthy pace, a more recent phenomenon has been the rise of the luxury car in India. Consumers have shown a propensity for quality and reputation even at the cost of shelling out slightly or sometimes a lot more. This is what will spur H0nda on to hastily bring the Accord back to Indian shores. When it does launch, the Accord will offer both petrol and diesel engine options. The car has been in production since 1976 and the edition that will come to India will be the 9th-generation model.

The Accord sedan will make its way to India in the form of completely knocked down (CKD) units

Source: The Economic Times

New Honda Jazz Teased In A Video – Update

: The promotional activities for the New Honda Jazz has already started in India.

: The promotional activities for the New Honda Jazz has already started in India. The company has released a new video which highlights the Jazz’s interior space and features. What it here!

Original Article

New Honda Jazzis expected to go on sale in India by June 2015. The eagerly awaited premium hatchback will be offered with both petrol and diesel engines. While its predecessor didn’t quite shine in the Indian market owing to its high price tag, the latest gen model is expected to be priced competitively since the localization levels are much higher now (engines are now locally manufactured).

The New Honda Jazz would be launched by June 2015.

Autocar India reports that the India-spec hatchback’s range will include a CVT automatic variant. To be available exclusively in the 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol motor, the CVT would be derived from the City sedan. Unlike conventional CVT’s that prioritize fuel economy by compromising on the low-end response, Honda’s gearbox benefits from a compact torque-converter (liquid coupling) which delivers higher torque at low-end and medium-range.

The 1.2-litre petrol motor which also powered the previous gen car is capable of 88 PS and 109 Nm of torque. The standard transmission option is a 5-speed manual unit. The volume spinner however is expected to be the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine which has proven to be a cash cow for the Japanese automaker in the Indian market.

The CVT gearbox could be offered with paddle shifters as in the City.

The oil burner produces an impressive 100 PS and 200 Nm of torque. The motor employs a 5-speed manual transmission for the Amaze and Mobilio, and a 6-speed manual unit for the City. It remains to be seen which one will feature in the upcoming Jazz.

The 2015 Honda Jazzis estimated to be priced between INR 5-7.5 lakhs (ex-showroom). Competition would come from the Hyundai Elite i20, Fiat Punto and the upcoming Maruti Fronx (YRA). The Honda hatchback is a huge hit in the international markets due to its excellent cabin space, features and fuel efficiency, all of which will ensure a good acceptance in India as well.

Heavily localization should result in competitive pricing.

New Honda Jazz – Images

Source: Autocar India

2015 Toyota Camry Facelift Launched In India at INR 28.8 lakhs

The 2015 Toyota Camry facelift has been launched in India in two variants – petrol and petrol hybrid.

has been launched in India in two variants – petrol and petrol hybrid. The petrol variant is priced at INR 28.8 lakhs while the Hybrid variant retails at 31.92 lakhs (both prices are ex-showroom Delhi).

The 2015 Toyota Camry facelift gets a sportier front fascia.

The Camry Hybrid benefits from a subsidy of INR 70,000 from the Indian government though the FAME initiative(Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of hybrid and Electric vehicles) which was announced at this year’s Union Budget.

The profile remains intact while the rear gets LED taillights and a new chrome strip.

The refreshed entry-D Segment sedan features sportier front fascia with redesigned headlights, LED daytime running lights, a narrower grille and a prominent hexagonal secondary airdam with integrated circular foglights. The Hybrid variant distinguishes itself from the petrol variant by means of an exclusive grille and vertically oriented turn indicators on the bumper, just below the headlamps.

The refreshed sedan gains additional features such as a Qi wireless charging pad.

The profile stays intact save for new alloy wheel designs while the rear gets LED taillights and a new chrome strip that bridges the taillights. The design and layout of the interior remains more or less the same however more features are on offer such as three-zone climate control, JBL audio system with 10 speakers, electrically adjustable rear seats, a Qi wireless charging pad.

Three zone automatic climate control is on offer.

The powertrain lineup continues unchanged. The 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol motor pumps out 181 PS at 6,000 rpm and 233 Nm of torque at 4,100 rpm. A 6-speed automatic gearbox transmits power to front wheels. The Hybrid variant employs the same engine and an electric motor to produce a combined output of 205 PS and 451 Nm of torque which are harnessed by an electronically controlled E-CVT. Fuel efficiency and CO2 emission stand at 19.16 kmpl and 122 g/km respectively.

Competition will come from the Skoda Superb but the Hybrid variant will continue to have its unique appeal in the segment. Both petrol and Hybrid variants are assembled at Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s Bangalore facility from CKD kits.

2015 Toyota Camry Facelift – Images

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Honda recall over 50,000 units of Jazz, City and Civic

Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) on Friday said it will recall 57,676 units of City and Civic sedans and premium hatchback Jazz to replace driver side air bag inflators.

The Japanese maker will  recall 49,572 units of City sedan made between January 2012 and June 2013 and 7,504 units of premium hatchback Jazz produced during February 2012 to February 2013. In addition,  600 units of Civic produced between January 2012 and August 2012 will also be recalled for the replacement.

“The replacement would be carried out free of cost at HCIL dealerships across India in a phased manner, starting from 20th February 2016, and the company will communicate with customers directly,” Honda Cars said in a statement.

The customers can also check whether their car will be covered under this campaign by submitting their 17 character alpha-numeric Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the special microsite which has been created on the company’s website (www.hondacarindia.com).

Honda recall is befause of the faulty airbag inflators

This is part of the global recall for replacement of faulty airbag inflators from the Japanese company Takata which has lead to 8 deaths globally. At the heart of the problem is the Takata airbag inflator, a metal cartridge loaded with propellant wafers, which in some cases has ignited with explosive force. If the inflator housing ruptures in a crash, metal shards from the airbag can be sprayed throughout the passenger cabin—a potentially disastrous outcome from a supposedly life-saving device.

This is the third time in last six months that Honda Cars has initiated a recall in India.

In December, Honda  announced to replace the fuel return pipes on the cars. The cars that were affected by the recall are 64,428 units of the Honda City diesel engine cars manufactured between December 2013 and July 2015 and 25,782 units of the Honda Mobilio diesels manufactured between June 2014 and July 2015. In October, it recalled 3879 units of the City sedan equipped with the CVT automatic gearbox to optimize the hydraulic pressure applied on the gearbox. Affected cars were manufactured between February 2014 and November 2014.

Mahindra P601 LCV Continues Testing – Exclusive Spyshots

The Mahindra P601 LCV has been testing for several months now and here are the latest set of spy images clicked by Team ICB in Chennai.

has been testing for several months now and here are the latest set of spy images clicked by Team ICB in Chennai. The sub-Maxximo micro pickup truck is steadily inching closer to its launch which is set for this year.

The Mahindra P601 LCV gets dumb bell shaped headlamps.

The prototype dons full production ready panels suggesting that market introduction is not far away. In terms of dimensions, the P601 is just as big as its primary rival Tata Ace Zipwhich recently reached a production milestone of 1 lakh units thus highlighting the importance of the segment. In Mahindra’s LCV lineup, the new model will slot between the Gio and Maxximo Plus as a last mile intra-city cargo carrier.

The design is simple with dumb bell shaped headlamps and a compact cabin. Speaking of the cabin, the earlier spyshotsrevealed that the micro pickup will come with a dash-mounted gear lever and a dashboard which heavily borrows from the Maxximo Plus.

Payload capacity is expected to be around 600-700 kg.

Our sources say that the P601 would employ a new engine rather than adopting the 909 cc twin-cylinder diesel motor from its big sister. The power output is expected to range between 15-20 PS and transmission is likely to be handled by a 4-speed manual unit. Going by the segment, the payload is estimated to be in the range of 600-700 kg.

Initially, the P601 commercial vehicle was expected to be produced at Mahindra’s upcoming Cheyyar facilityin Tamil Nadu. However, the infrastructure would take more time than expected and moreover it will start initial operations only as a test track. The production plant would be set up later if market conditions warrant it, as stated earlier by top company officials.

The vehicle is expected to feature a new engine.

The Mahindra P601 will be built at one of the company’s existing manufacturing sites. With the new vehicle, Mahindra would be hoping to expand its market share in the LCV segment by covering a wider audience base.

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Tata Ace Zip micro truck reaches 1 lakh production milestone; pure electric version announced

Being a last mile cargo transport vehicle and the second highest selling variant among the Ace family with an average sales volume of 2,500 vehicles per month, Tata Ace Zip micro truck has proved to be a versatile and reliable LCV thereby earning a supreme brand equity.

The Tata Ace Zip created a new micro LCV segment in which it now holds 78% market share.

Speaking at the occasion, Ravi Pisharody, Executive Director, Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors, said, “It (Tata Ace Zip) has found acceptability from first-time buyers and is seen as a successful self-employment generation model.” He went on to say that the Ace Zip created a new category of LCVs in India in which it enjoys a market share of 78%.

The company has invested around INR 900 crores for the construction of its Dharwad facility and it is the home base for the Ace Zip micro truck. With flexible built-in systems, the facility is capable of  assembling large numbers (approx. 90,000 units per year) and different variants of the vehicle in a mixed production mode. This plant is ISO 14001 certified for Environmental Management System Standard and ISO 50001 certified for Energy Management Systems.

The Ace Zip is set to receive several technical upgrades in the future.

After winning the Golden Peacock for Environment System in 2014 awards, Tata Motors has confirmed its plan to introduce an electric version of the Tata Ace Zip in the market. The automaker already had produced small numbers of the Ace EV at its Coventry assembly plant in 2011, wherein it was offered in four variants. Its 34 hp motor churns out 75 Nm of torque and had a claimed range of 50 km. The Ace Zip EV could be featuring similar specifications.

Further, without being specific about the time frame, Tata Motors has announced that the micro truck will undergo technical upgrades like hub reduction, new engine configurations, higher ground clearance and new fuel options including CNG.

A fully electric variant of the Ace Zip has been announced.

With the Tata Ace Zip EV, the country’s largest CV maker will be hoping to take advantage of the central government’s NEMMP 2020(National Electric Mobility Mission Plan) which aims at increasing the population of electric and hybrid vehicles in India across all domains.

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Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza To Be Exported From India

The upcoming sub-compact SUV from Maruti Suzuki, the Vitara Brezza will be manufactured in India and then exported globally.

The upcoming sub-compact SUV from Maruti Suzuki, the Vitara Brezza will be manufactured in India and then exported globally. Executive Director for Engineering, CV Raman said, “It is engineered for global markets, and will be exported to related markets in South Asia.”

The SUV is a sub-4 metre vehicle that will be based on an all-new platform. It is based on the XA Alpha concept showcased at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo. The design of the new compact SUV will be based on the company’s new design language and will look similar to the Grand Vitara SUV. It has been code-named the YBA.

The Vitara Brezza will be powered by the same 1.3-litre Fiat sourced diesel engine that powers the Swift and other Maruti Suzuki vehicles. The engine will get the SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) which made its debut in the Ciaz sedan. Power output is expected to be 75 bhp or 90 bhp. Expect Maruti Suzuki to offer a manual transmission as well as an automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive option will not be available. Petrol engines will be made available but it is unclear of it will be launched in India.

The equipment list is expected to be longer than its rivals. It will get projector headlamps, fog lamps, ORVMs with integrated turn indicators, keyless entry, push start-stop, in-dash audio system with Bluetooth, USB and AUX.  It will also get a touch screen system with GPS and reverse parking camera.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Sketch

Maruti Suzuki’s first ever sub-compact SUV will be launched at the Auto Expo next month and it will compete against the Premier Rio, Mahindra Quanto, Ford Ecosport and the Mahindra TUV 300. Prices are expected to start at around INR 6.5 lakhs (ex-showroom). The Brezza will be the company’s first car to be designed, developed, built, validated and tested in India. This new SUV will be the first proper SUV in the company’s line-up in India. Maruti Suzuki does not sell any SUVs in India. The S-Cross is a crossover.

Source – Economic Times

Pre-Production Tata Nexon Unveiled At The Auto Expo; Will Go On Sale Next Year

At the 2014 Auto Expo, Tata had shown as the Nexon concept compact SUV.

At the 2014 Auto Expo, Tata had shown as the Nexon concept compact SUV. Two years later, they showed us the pre-production version of the SUV.

The Nexon features the latest IMPACT design language

Just like the other new Tata vehicles, this compact SUV’s design is based on the new IMPACT language. The SUV gets projector headlamps and daytime running lights at the front and LED tail lights at the rear. The pre-production car was finished in bright blue. Tata says that the vehicle has numerous opportunities for customization. It comes with plush interiors as well. It comes equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system designed by Harman. It comes with 8 speakers and features like voice control and command recognition.

The car on display is powered by a diesel engine

Powering the Nexon SUV will be a 1.2 litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. The product on display had the diesel engine under the hood. It produced a maximum power of 110 PS and a maximum torque of 260 Nm. The engines are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission which has three driving modes. The SUV has a ground clearance of 200 mm and it rides on 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Nexon will go on sale next year

A Tata engineer told us that the Nexon would hit showrooms sometime next year.

Tata Nexon Concept Auto Expo 2016 Tata Nexon Concept Auto Expo 2016 Tata Nexon Concept Auto Expo 2016
Tata Nexon Concept Auto Expo 2016

New SUVs On Display At The Auto Expo

SUVs are the most popular type of vehicles being sold these days.

SUVs are the most popular type of vehicles being sold these days. Here is a list of all the new SUVs from all the manufacturers that will be put on display at the Auto Expo next month.

Maruti Suzuki

1. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

The Brezza is the first sub-compact SUV from Maruti Suzuki and it is also the first car to be fully developed, tested and built in India. Petrol and diesel engines will be on offer and it will come loaded with equipment.  The engines will be mated to a manual transmission. An automatic could also be offered. The sub-4 metre SUV will compete against the Premier Rio, Mahindra Quanto, Ford Ecosport and the Mahindra TUV 300. Prices are expected to start at around INR 6.5 lakhs (ex-showroom). It will also be the only proper SUV to be on sale in the country.

2. Maruti Suzuki Ignis

The Ignis is a compact crossover with muscular looks that was released at the Tokyo Motor Show last year. It comes with a neatly laid out dash with a tablet-like touchscreen system and will be powered by the same petrol and diesel engines and are found in other Maruti Suzuki cars. The Ignis will be launched by the end of the year and will cost around INR 4 lakhs. It will compete against the Mahindra KUV 100.

Hyundai

1. Hyundai Tucson

The third generation of the Hyundai Tucson will be up for display at the Auto Expo. The SUV will slot in between the Creta and the Santa Fe and will be powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 182 bhp. It will be mated to an automatic transmission. Power will be sent to all four wheels. The SUV will come loaded with equipment and advanced safety features. The Tucson will be priced at around INR 18 lakhs (ex-showroom) and will compete against the Honda CR-V and the Skoda Yeti.

Isuzu

1. Isuzu MU-X

The Isuzu MU-7 has started ageing now and it is time the Japanese company brings out a replacement. The MU-X is coming to the rescue at the Auto Expo next month. It is based on the latest generation of the D-Max pick-up truck and comes equipped with an electrically adjustable driver’s seat and a 6-speaker touchscreen infotainment system. It is powered by a 2.5-litre diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or an automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is available. Some markets get a 3.0-litre diesel engine. It competes with the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Ford Endeavour.

Jaguar

1. Jaguar F-Pace

This the much awaited SUV from Jaguar. It is also their first SUV. Designed by famed Jaguar designer Ian Callum, it is one of the sexiest looking SUVs around. Jaguar claims that it is also one of the most sportiest. In other words, it is as sporty as it looks. It is built on Jaguar’s new aluminium architecture. It is powered by a petrol engine and two diesel engines including the new Igenium diesel engine. Power output is between 180 bhp to 380 bhp. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. The SUV also gets advanced electronic safety systems and drivers assist systems. The Jaguar F-Pace will rival the Porsche Macan and the Range Rover Evoque.

Land Rover

1. Land Rover Evoque Convertible

The Evoque Convertible is the first modern day SUV with an open roof. This SUV has mainly been designed to drive around the city in style but it just as capable if you want to take it off-road. The open top experience will be thrilling and lets you connect directly to nature. The convertible SUV is powered by a diesel engine and a petrol engine. All engines are mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and power is sent to all four wheels. The diesel engine is the new 2.0 litre Ingenium TD4 four cylinder unit. Power output is between 148 bhp to 178 bhp. The petrol engine is a 2.0 litre, four cylinder Si4 unit producing 237 bhp. The Range Rover Evoque Convertible has no direct rivals.

Tata

1. Tata Hexa

The Tata Hexa is the replacement to the Aria MPV. The new muscular crossover design makes it look like a cross between an SUV and an MPV. It is expected to come loaded with equipment like a touchscreen Harman infotainment system, climate control, 6 airbags, ABS, EBD and rear view camera. It will be powered by a 2.2-litre engine producing 154 bhp. The engine will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive will be available as an option. It will also get a toned down version of Land Rover’s Terrain Response system. The Hexa will compete with the Toyota Innova and the Mahindra XUV 500.

2. Tata Nexon

Tata will preview the Nexon compact SUV that was earlier shown as a concept at the 2014 Auto Expo. It will be a sub-4 metre SUV based on the Zest and the Bolt. It will be powered by a 1.2 litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. A 5-speed manual transmission as well as an automatic AMT transmission can be expected. Design wise, it will look sleek and will borrow design cues from the Range Rover Evoque.

Mercedes-Benz

1. Mercedes-Benz GLC

Mercedes-Benz will showcase the GLC SUV at the Auto Expo. The replacement for the GLK is based on the C-Class sedan. Styling wise, it looks in tune with the German company’s latest vehicle. On the inside, it looks very similar to the C-Class sedan comes with similar equipment levels as well. It comes with the latest safety features that have given it a 5-star safety rating. Powering the SUV will be a 2.1-litre diesel engine. Power output will be between 168 bhp and 201 bhp. It will be mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and power will be sent to all four wheels. It competes with the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Range Rover Evoque and the Volvo XC60.

Volkswagen

1. Volkswagen Tiguan

This is the second generation of Volkswagen’s compact crossover and is based on the popular MQB platform. The new sharper design gives it a more sharper look than the outgoing model. It also gets one of the best cabins in the segment. The SUV comes fitted with all the latest safety technologies and driver assist systems. The engine options include four petrol and four diesel engines. Power output is between 125 bhp and 250 bhp. The transmission options will be a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Four-wheel drive is available as an option. The Volkswagen Tiguan rivals the Honda CR-V and the Skoda Yeti.

Renault

1. Renault Duster

At the Auto Expo, Renault will show the much awaited facelifted version of its popular compact SUV. It is expected to get cosmetic changes like new a headlamp cluster with LED daytime running lights as well as LED taillights. More changes can be expected. It will get more equipment like a new music system and refreshed interiors. Mechanically, no changes are expected. However, an automatic AMT transmission is expected on the top-end trims. It competes with the Hyundai Creta, Tata Safari Storme and the Mahindra Scorpio.

Honda

1. Honda BR-V

The BR-V compact SUV was launched last year at the Indonesia Auto Show. The 7-seater will get equipment like LED lights, projector headlamps, rear air conditioning and a 6-inch infotainment display. It will be powered by the same engine that are present in the City. A 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. The engines will be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed CVT automatic gearbox. The BR-V will compete with the Mahindra XUV 500, Renault Duster and the Hyundai Creta.

Jeep

1. Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee will make its debut in India at the Auto Expo when the American brand is launched here. The engines available for this SUV are a 3.0 litre V6 diesel, 3.6 litre V6 petrol and a 5.7 litre Hemi V8 engine. The engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and power is sent to all four wheels. It gets Jeep’s AWD system. It is expected to cost around INR 60 lakhs (ex-showroom).

2. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

This is the performance variant of the Grand Cherokee. It is powered by a 6.4 litre Hemi V8 engine producing 475 bhp. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and power is sent to all four wheels. The performance vehicle accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 4.8 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 258 kmph. It comes with launch control, different modes including Sport and Track, a lowered ride height and Brembo high-performance brake discs.

3. Jeep Wrangler

The legendary Wrangler was launched in 1986 and is in its third generation now. It is available as a 2-door or a 4-door SUV and comes with a soft-top or a hard-top. It is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission and power is sent to all four wheels. The Wrangler is regarded as one of the best off-road vehicles one can buy. Along with the Grand Cherokee, it will mark Jeep’s entry into the Indian market. It is estimated to cost around INR 35 to 40 lakhs (ex-showroom).

Mahindra

1. Mahindra Quanto

The facelift for the Xylo-based sub-4 metre SUV from Mahindra will be shown at the Auto Expo. It is expected to get major cosmetic changes on the outside and on the inside. It will also get more features and equipment including safety features. Powering the vehicle will be the same engine that is present in the TUV 300. It is a three cylinder 1.5-litre mHawk 80 diesel engine. A 5-speed manual as well as an AMT automatic could be offered.

SsangYong

1. SsangYong Tivoli

Mahindra owned SsangYong will debut the new Tivoli SUV in India during the Auto Expo. The compact SUV made its debut early last year and has been seen testing on Indian roads. It will be powered by 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and an automatic gearbox. The compact SUV will compete against the Renault Duster and the Hyundai Creta.

Nissan

1. Nissan X-Trail

The third generation of the X-Trail will be showcased at the Auto Expo next month. Based on the CMF platform, the SUV will be a hybrid. It will be powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine working in conjunction with an electric motor. It will be mated to a CVT automatic transmission power will be sent to all four wheels. The SUV will compete with the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Isuzu MU-7, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour.

BMW

1. BMW X1

Based on the same UKL platform that underpins the Minis, the second generation of the X1 compact SUV has gone front wheel drive. The design has given the X1 a more SUV-like look. It looks more muscular than the outgoing model and more in line with the other BMW SUVs. The SUV comes loaded with more equipment like LED headlights and a heads-up display. The X1 has also grown in size. This, along with the shift to front-wheel drive has freed up more room on the inside. The compact SUV is powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Power output will be between 148 bhp and 228 bhp. The engines will be mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The BMW X1 rivals the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA.

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Royal Enfield Working On Two New Engine Platforms In 250-750cc Range

Talking to PTI, Siddhartha Lal, MD and CEO of Eicher Motors Ltd.

Talking to PTI, Siddhartha Lal, MD and CEO of Eicher Motors Ltd. (parent company of Royal Enfield), revealed that the Chennai-based retro classic motorcycle maker is currently developing two new engine platforms in the displacement range of 2500-750cc. These engines would be used to launch multiple products in the coming years, staring from 2016.

Royal Enfield new engine platforms will spawn multiple products (image: our speculative rendering of the Himalayan tourer).

Mr. Lal didn’t divulge further details about the displacements of the two new engine platforms but various media reports indicate that the company is currently working on a 410 cc single-cylinder motor and a larger parallel-twin unit. The new engines, along with the existing platforms – 350, 500 and 535 cc – would help RE pursue its goal of dominating the global medium displacement motorcycle segment.

Talking about the future products, the top official said that they would possess higher performance but won’t be of extreme nature. The upcoming RE motorcycles will stick to the brand’s core values.

The company is aiming to achieve global leadership in the medium displacement category.

The first model to be out in 2016 is expected to be an adventure tourer/scrambler called as the Himalayanwhich has just started testingon public roads. The new bike is expected to be powered by the 410 cc motor in question. The early prototype borrowed several components from the Continental GT but we expect the final product to have a distinctive appeal with considerable off-road capability.

The company is planning to invest around INR 500 cr this year in stepping up its R&D operations by establishing two technology development centres (India and UK) and enter Phase-II of production at Oragadam plant which would see the monthly production capacity increase from 30,000 to 50,000 units. Mr. Lal said that the firm will continue to invest more into brand, distribution and globally relevant products.

The company would invest on developing more globally relevant products and capacity expansion.

Royal Enfield recorded its best ever first quarter sales in Q1 2015 at 92,845 units, registering an impressive growth off 44.5% over same period last year. Exports grew at 62% at 2,342 units.

Source: ET Auto

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Royal Enfield opens first exclusive store in Thailand

Royal Enfield opened its first exclusive store in Thailand.

Royal Enfield opened its first exclusive store in Thailand. It has been set up in the Thonglor area of Thailand by the  General Auto Supply Co. Ltd. The Eicher owned company has announced  its complete range of motorcycles, apparel and accessories at the launch of its first exclusive store along with the price.

Natavude Charoensukhawatana, Executive Director, General Auto Supplies Co Ltd-Palakorn Suwanarath, Privy Councillor, Thailand-Arun Gopal, Royal Enfield, international Business head

The 3685’ square feet retail outlet located at 842 SoiSukhumvit 55 (Thonglor), Sukhumvit Road, KlongtanNua, Wattana, Bangkok, is a full-service dealership by General Auto Supply Co. Ltd, is equipped to provide service and aftermarket capabilities.

Prices:

The Bullet, world’s oldest motorcycle in continuous production since 1932, is available at a price of THB 179800 for 500cc. Royal Enfield’s Classic 500 is available for THB 189800 and Classic Chrome for THB 198800. The Royal Enfield Continental GT 535cc café racer is available at a price of THB 219800.

“Royal Enfield is today one of the most profitable automotive brands in the world and we believe that our future growth will come from our international markets such as Thailand where motorcycles are a popular medium of commuting. Our phenomenal success in India gives us the confidence to thrive in similar markets like Thailand and Indonesia, which will play an instrumental role in fuelling our growth in Asia. We see a huge potential for our evocative, all purpose, and middle-weight (250-750cc) motorcycles that will allow customers an optimum choice for upgrade”, said Mr. Arun Gopal , International Business Head, Royal Enfield.

“Also, Thailand is home to one of the most enthusiastic and seasoned riding communities in the world, with thousands of riding clubs and a prevalent culture of leisure riding. With Royal Enfield coming into the market riding enthusiasts will have an option to ride a unique product that is known for its leisure riding experiences”, he added.

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Bajaj Teases its New Motorcycle in the Most Patriotic Way Possible – Video

Bajaj Auto Limited has teased its upcoming new motorcycle in a video in the most patriotic way possible.

Bajaj Auto Limited has teased its upcoming new motorcycle in a video in the most patriotic way possible. The Bajaj V as it is called will be unveiled on the 1st February, 2016.

Bajaj has been surrounded by rumours that they might introduce a new range of bikes that will slot between the Discover and Pulsar line up. Well, Bajaj might have just teased their upcoming bike in this new video which points that the bike has been built from the melted remains of INS Vikrant which was decommissioned in 1997 and reduced to scrap in 2014. The aircraft carrier played a major role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war and holds a historic significance in Indian contexts.

The motorcycle teased does not look like a contemporary bike and bears a classic retro design. The jacked up Cafe Racer stance of the bike points out at a brand new lineup from Bajaj that could be pitted against bikes like the Hero Splendor Pro Classic and the Royal Enfield Continental GT. The bike will feature a bikini fairing, rear cowl, multi spoke alloy wheels and a flush mounted tail lamp unit. It will be positioned in between its mentioned rivals and could be priced around Rs. 75,000/-. It will be powered by a range of engines similar to the recently launched Avenger line up which means an entry level 150cc variant and a 200cc variant. Also this bike could be a manufactured in limited numbers as it is made from the melted remains of the iconic aircraft carrier.

The Bajaj V will be revealed on 1st February 2016, until which it is a wait and watch game. All technical specs and variants will be announced on the coming Monday. Enthusiasts like us will have their eyeballs waiting to see this bike as it will be carrying a piece of history with it. Makes it special, doesn’t it?

2017 Facelifted Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Leaked

Images of the facelifted Maruti Suzuki S-Cross has been leaked online from a dealer presentation in France.

The new car gets a completely redesigned front end. It has a new radiator, new grille, a new front bumper and new smoked projector headlamps. There is also a small change in the interiors. It gets an updated instrument display with new trim options for the dashboard and seat upholstery with contrast stitching. The car is expected to some more features and equipment.

The new S-Cross is expected to retain the current powertrain. Suzuki could offer the ALLGRIP AWD system as an option.

The premium crossover is sold only through the Nexa outlets. It is available in 2 variants: the DDiS 200 and the DDiS 320. The DDiS 200 is powered by a 1.3-litre diesel engine producing 88.5 bhp and 200 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The car returns 23.65 kms to a litre of fuel. The DDiS 320 is powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine producing 118 bhp and 320 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The car returns 22.7 kms to  a litre of fuel. The vehicle can seat five people.

The crossover gets a nicely laid cabin which is better in quality than its rivals. The vehicle gets dual tone paint scheme, skid plates, projector headlamps, rain sensing wipers, reverse parking sensors with camera, two airbags, Smart Play Infotainment System which can be accessed via a touchscreen colour TFT display and it has features like Bluetooth Connectivity, Smartphone Connectivity and Media Connectivity.

The Maruti Suzuki S-Cross starts from INR 7.79 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and goes up to INR 11.69 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It has been put on the sale in the highly competitive compact SUV segment and it rivals the Renault Duster and the Hyundai Creta.

Image source – Paultan

Maruti Baleno could get a powerful 89bhp engine in future

According to an Autocar report, the company might consider bringing a powerful variant to the lineup, but there is no specific timeframe as of now for it to be a reality.

The Maruti Baleno could get a 89 bhp 1.3-litre diesel mill currently sitting under the hood of Maruti Ciaz, adding 15 more ponies to the existing diesel which churns out 74bhp. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is powered by a 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine developing 83bhp and 115Nm of torque, and the 1.3-litre DDiS diesel engine will churn out 74bhp and 190Nm of torque. Both the engines are mated to a five-speed manual transmission while the petrol engine is also available with CVT automatic gearbox.The diesel claims 27.39 km/l whereas the petrol MT and CVT are rated at 21.4 km/l.

Maruti Baleno measures 3,995mm in length, 1,745mm in width and 1,500mm in height with a wheel base of 2,520mm. The car features 339-litres of boot space and 37-litres of fuel capacity. The petrol variants come with the weight in the range of 860-910kg and the diesel variants from 960-985kg.The car comes with design philosophy that the manufacturer calls ‘Liquid Flow’, which is obviously the answer to the ‘Fluidic’ design theme of Hyundai i20 Elite. All variants of the Baleno get ABS, EBD and dual front airbags as standard.

India is the first country to get the Baleno. European countries will get the Baleno in spring next year. India is manufacturing hub, with exports planned for more than 100 countries worldwide. This is the first instance of a  car manufactured in India being exported to Japan. Apart from Japan, other countries where the Baleno will be sold include Denmark and Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium. In South America, it will be sold in Chile, Paraguay and Colombia.

Petrol variants:

Sigma – Rs. 4.99 lakh

Delta – Rs. 5.71 lakh

Zeta – Rs. 6.31 lakh

Alpha – Rs. 7.01 lakh

Delta CVT – Rs. 6.76 lakh

Diesel variants:

Sigma – Rs. 6.16 lakh

Delta – Rs 6.81 lakh

Zeta – Rs. 7.41 lakh

Alpha – Rs. 8.11 lakh

Source: Autocar

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Baleno Prices To Go Up After Festive Season

Maruti Suzki might increase the prices for the Baleno after the festive season ends.

The Baleno has been priced cheaper compared to its rivals. Since launch, the company has got around 12,500 inquiries for the premium hatchback. The low price seems to be to attract more customers during the festive season.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Vice President (NEXA Channel), Marketing & Sales said, “This is an introductory offer. We are going to, very soon, revise the prices. In fact, on a lighter note, it is more of a Diwali gift to our Indian customers from Maruti Suzuki.”

The premium hatchback was unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The hatchback is 3995 mm long, 1745 mm wide and 1470 mm tall. The boot capacity is 355 litres. This means it will have a lot more interior room than the current offering from Maruti Suzuki, the Swift. The car will sit above the Swift hatchback and will be targeted at customers who are unhappy with the Swift’s interior space. The equipment list will include a multi-function steering wheel, engine starter button, projector headlights and LED daytime running lights, automatic climate control and Maruti’s SmartPlay infotainment system with integrated Bluetooth and navigation. Safety features will include dual front airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).

In Europe, the Baleno is powered by a 1.0 litre Boosterjet petrol and a 1.2 litre Dualjet petrol engine with an optional SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) technology which made its debut in India with the Ciaz diesel. In India, the Baleno will be powered by a 1.2 litre K-series petrol engine or a 1.3 litre DDiS diesel engine. The same engine does duty on other Maruti Suzuki cars in India like the Swift. The engine will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. An automatic transmission might also be offered. The automatic transmission might be a CVT gearbox. The diesel is likely to get the SHVS system.

The hatchback was launched on the 26th of this month. It will compete against the Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz, Ford Figo and the Fiat Punto Evo. Maruti Suzuki will start exporting the Baleno to 100 countries including Japan and a few in Europe from early next year. The Baleno will be manufactured at the company’s Manesar plant. It will be sold through the new NEXA dealerships along with the S-Cross premium crossover. Prices start from INR 4.99 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and goes up to INR 8.11 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Source – Autocar India

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Jeep Renegade Spotted Testing In India

The Jeep Renegade has been spotted testing in the country.

The Jeep Renegade has been spotted testing in the country. The test car featured a fully camouflaged body.

The Renegade is the cheapest offering from the American company and it sits below the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee. The compact SUV features rugged and styling and a butch look with a modern interior with a lot of features and equipment including a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, sunroof, personalized instrument cluster and an Uconnect system with hands-free calling.

The Jeep Renegade could soon be launched in India to take on the Renault Duster and the Hyundai Creta

The 4.25 metre long SUV will be powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine or a 2.0-litre diesel engine. The 1.6 litre would make more sense for the Indian market. The SUV comes with best-in-class off-roading capabilities. It gets Jeep Active Drive Low system and a Selec-Terrain system with different modes: Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud and Rock. It remains to be seen if a manual transmission would be offered along with the automatic transmission. A 2WD model is unlikely.

The SUV will be locally manufactured in India to help keep costs down and price it competitively

As of now there are no plans to launch the Renegade in India. Initially, Jeep is offering only the Wrangler, the Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee SRT. The Renegade is expected to be launched at a later stage. Jeep will look to manufacture the vehicle locally in India to help keep costs down. It will start at around INR 12 lakhs (ex-showroom). The Jeep Renegade will compete against SUVs like the Renault Duster, Hyundai Creta, Mahindra XUV 500, Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari Storme. It will not be launched before 2017.

Jeep showcased the Wrangler, the Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee SRTat the Auto Expo, which was held recently.

Image source – Terrain Tigers

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Maruti Suzuki Baleno Finally Launched In Goa

Three months after it was launched, the Baleno has finally gone on sale in Goa.

Three months after it was launched, the Baleno has finally gone on sale in Goa. The delay was because the state did not have any Nexa showrooms till now. Sai Service recently opened one in Porvorim, Goa.

The hatchback is 3995 mm long, 1745 mm wide and 1470 mm tall. The boot capacity is 355 litres. This means it will have a lot more interior room than the current offering from Maruti Suzuki, the Swift. The car will sit above the Swift hatchback and will be targeted at customers who are unhappy with the Swift’s interior space. The equipment list will include a multi-function steering wheel, engine starter button, projector headlights and LED daytime running lights, automatic climate control and Maruti’s SmartPlay infotainment system with integrated Bluetooth and navigation. Safety features will include dual front airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno will be powered by a 1.2 litre K-series petrol engine or a 1.3 litre DDiS diesel engine. The same engine does duty on other Maruti Suzuki cars in India like the Swift. The engine will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. An automatic transmission might also be offered. The automatic transmission might be a CVT gearbox. The Baleno is lighter and hence more efficient than its sibling.

The hatchback was launched on the 26th of October. In Goa, the Baleno starts from INR 5,86,843 (on-road) and goes up to INR 9,39,465 (on-road). It competes with the Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo, Honda Jazz and the Ford Figo. The premium hatchback recently overtook the Hyundai i20 to become the best selling premium hatchback in the country. At the Auto Expo, Maruti Suzuki will showcase the Baleno RS. The RS variant will be powered by a 1.0 litre, three cylinder Boosterjet engine. The engine will be producing more than 100 bhp.

Source – Goa on wheels

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and Summit at 2016 Auto Expo

Ok! So everyone knows that Jeep is finally, officially coming to India this year.

Ok! So everyone knows that Jeep is finally, officially coming to India this year. The company will start with two models, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler. Here, we are talking about the Grand Cherokee. Both, the Summit and SRT variants will be brough in India this time.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit has a 3.6 litre V6 engine producing 290 bhp at 6400 rpm. All the power is transferred to rear wheels by means of 8-speed shiftble automatic transmission. It has got 20-inch satin polished aluminum wheels, natura plus leather-trimmed heated seats , open-pore wood accents suede-like premium headliner, active noise cancellation.

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit interior

On the safety side, it has  advanced, multistage driver and front-passenger airbags and supplemental side-curtain airbags. Blind spot monitoring system and rear parkig camera and sensors help you see better around the SUV. Forward Collision Warning(FCW) with Crash Mitigation alerts, adaptive cruise control,  Electronic Stability Control(ESC) coordinates Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), the Antilock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist, All-Speed Traction Control and available Trailer Sway Control (TSC) are all part of the safety equipment onboard the Grand Cherokee Summit.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Gallery:
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT :

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is the flagship, powered by 6.4-litre engine that produces 475 BHP of power and 644 Nm of torque. The highlights are eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, 20-inch “Goliath” polished aluminum wheels, Brembo high-performance braking system and Selec-Track traction control system, which according to the company makes SRT the best SUV in the world.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT comes with launch control system and lowered ride height, stiffer spring rates, robust anti-roll bars. It comes with state of the art 19-speaker sound system and 8.4-inch touch screen display to make travelling an immersive and intutive experience.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Gallery :

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Hellcat Powered Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Spied For The First Time

Jeep recently confirmed that they will be launching a Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee SUV, called the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

that they will be launching a Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee SUV, called the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. It was seen testing at the SRT Building in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will be powered by the same engine that powers the Dodge Charger Hellcat and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. It is a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine producing 707 bhp and 881 Nm of torque. The transmission options available are a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission.The Challenger accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 3.6 seconds and it goes on to an electronically limited top speed of 320 kmph. The Charger accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 3.5 seconds and it goes on to an electronically limited top speed of 328 kmph. The power and torque figures for the SUV will be the same but performance could be a little less considering the additional weight. An automatic transmission is most likely to be offered and power will be sent to all four wheels.

The SUV is expected to lose some of its off-road capabilities with the Hellcat-powered vehicle, but once it comes out, it will be the most powerful and one of the fastest SUVs on the planet.

The most powerful variant of the Jeep Grand Cherokee currently available is the Grand Cherokee SRT. It was showcased at the Auto Expoin Delhi last month. It is powered by a 6.4 litre Hemi V8 engine producing 475 bhp. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and power is sent to all four wheels. The performance SUV accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 4.8 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 258 kmph. It comes with launch control, different modes including Sport and Track, a lowered ride height and Brembo high-performance brake discs.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk spy shot gallery

Source – GT Spirit

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Jeep Wrangler Trailcat Concept Powered By Hellcat Teased

Jeep has teased two new concepts based on the Wrangler off-roader ahead of their expected debut at Jeep’s 50th-anniversary celebrations called the 50 th Anniversary Easter Safari event in Moab, Utah.

The Jeep Wrangler Trailcat concept is expected to be powered by a Hemi V8 engine

The first concept is called the Trailcat and it comes with some bodywork changes including new vents on the bonnet. Finished in lime green, the Trailcat could be getting a Hemi V8 engine under the hood. Jeep has already confirmed that the Grand Cherokee will be getting a Hellcatversion next year. It will be a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine producing 697 bhp. The same engine could be used on the Wrangler off-roader as well but nothing has been confirmed. The Hellcat engine is currently used in the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcatand the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. They are some of the most powerful and fastest vehicles on the planet.

Jeep has teased another concept called the Jeep Crew Chief. No details on the concept is unknown but it is expected to be a 4-door pickup version of the Wrangler. Earlier, Jeep had confirmed that the pickup versionof the vehicle has been given the green light. It would be launched with the next generation of the Wrangler.

The Jeep Crew Chief concept is expected to be a 4-door pickup truck based on the Wrangler

After a lot of delays, Jeep is finally entering India. They showcased the Wrangleroff-roader, Grand CherokeeSUV and the Grand Cherokee SRT performance SUV at the Auto Expo held in Delhi last month. The American company plans to make India a manufacturing hub for their vehicles soon. But for now, the vehicles will be imported through the CBU (Completely Built-Up) route.

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Ford EcoSport Facelift teased ahead of launch

Its the festive season and the good news is that the Ford EcoSport Facelift is coming soon to your nearest Ford dealership.

is coming soon to your nearest Ford dealership. The company teased its front look recently which shows the addition of LED DRLs into the headlights.

The Ford EcoSport Facelift will get integrated LED day time running lights, new 17-inch alloys wheels and rain sensing wipers

For those who think the new EcoSport will look radically different, the answer is No. The front of the car sees a change only in the headlight cluster which now houses new LED day time running lights. Also a somewhat different design for the skid plate wraps up the changes to the front. On to the sides, you might find new design 17-inch alloy wheels on the car as the company had told that it will offer them at least as an option on the EcoSport at a later stage. Coming to the rear, Ford has thankfully retained the spare wheel mounted on the rear door. The European versions of the EcoSport had their spare wheel taken out from the rear as a study by the company revealed that the customers there preferred not to opt for the extra spare wheel as it added to the cost of the vehicle. On the other hand, in India, the study revealed that people prefer the spare wheel as it helped the car with an SUV-ish stance.

The EcoSport always came loaded with features but this one takes the game even ahead of its predecessor. The dashboard will now feature a larger 4-inch colour screen for the SYNC system, an electro-chromic rear view mirror and rain sensing wipers on top variants while lower variants might get the ‘MyFord Dock’ that was first seen on the Ford Figo Aspire sedanand the Ford Figo hatchback. The facelift EcoSport might also see the addition of a new Trend+ variant too, like the Figo siblings. Engine options will largely remain the same as the current car but the 1.5-litre diesel will definitely see a bump in power output by 10 percent to a stronger 100PS. The award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost will be continued to be offered with the facelifted car with a peak power output of 125PS and 170Nm of torque.

Ford wants to make a blockbuster comeback into the segment in which it has been losing steam lately due to the slew of new launches. The Ford EcoSport Facelift is expected to cost around Rs. 5000/- to Rs. 20,000/- more than the current car but will be easily priced below its main rivals, the Hyundai Creta and Renault Dusterby a fair margin due to its sub 4-metre proportions.

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Hyundai Cantus (Hyundai Creta) Launched in Dominican Republic

The Hyundai Creta has been renamed as the Hyundai Cantus and has been launched in the Dominican Republic.

The Hyundai Creta has been renamed as the Hyundai Cantus and has been launched in the Dominican Republic. The Hyundai Cantus is manufactured at the company’s Chennai plant and exported there.

The Hyundai Cantus will be available in a total of 2 diesel engines and 1 petrol engine. The 1.6-litre petrol produces 121PS of max power and 151Nm of torque while the diesel Creta produces a class leading 128PS of power and 260Nm of max torque. The third engine is a 1.4-litre diesel that develops 90PS of max power. The petrol is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. On the insides, the car gets a large display on the centre dash which features an infotainment system along with a satellite navigation system. The interiors also feature leather upholstered seats, steering wheel and a gear knob, a keyless entry and go system, automatic climate control and rear AC vents.

The outsides are similar to the Indian Creta with the same projector headlights with integrated day time running lights, 17-inch Diamond-cut alloy wheels, silver skid plates and roof rails. On the safety front, the Hyundai Cantus comes loaded with features like ABS with EBD, a total of 6 airbags, ESC and Hill Start Assist on top variants. The Creta’s suspension is well sorted out and feels like no Hyundai before it. The car feels stable in a straight line, handles reasonably well but could do with a bit more steering feel even though it is pretty light and easy to use.

The Hyundai Creta has been a huge hit in India and the company has been finding it hard to balance out to cater the domestic and export demand. The company has received more than 80,000 orders for the Creta. The Hyundai Creta competes with cars like the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and the upcoming Honda BR-V.