2016 Audi Q7 spied

Audi is keeping details of its upcoming Q7 under wraps. But, the India-bound 2016 Audi Q7 has been snapped undergoing testing, and the latest pictures of this forthcoming SUV have surfaced online. The spy shots hint that the second-generation Q7 will flaunt a sharper design language influenced by the Ingolstadt based carmaker's latest Audi facelifts.

The test mule’s thin vinyl cover makes several of its features including the small fog lamps, LED tail lamps, the hexagonal enlarged front grille, smaller third side window and a more subtle roof-mounted rear spoiler noticeable. Some previous spy shots that hit the web a while back gave us a sneak-peek into the SUV’s interior which includes four-spoke steering wheel, bigger touchpad, free-standing touchscreen display and analog dials which could be replaced with digital ones for the production-spec car.

The 2016 Audi Q7 will be powered by upgraded versions of Audi’s six- and eight-cylinder petrol engines. The diesel line-up could see a 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine offered in three states of tune. A plug-in hybrid variant is also expected to use the same 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine working in conjunction with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery to churn out 373 PS of power and 700 Nm of torque.

Audi is also likely to introduce a range-topping Audi SQ7 model which is expected to use the same mechanical configuration as the RS5 TDI concept - a 3.0-litre V6 TDI twin-turbocharged engine teamed up with an electric turbocharger and a lithium-ion battery pack.

The 2016 Audi Q7 will be officially introduced at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show. This new SUV will make it to the Indian shores soon after its international launch.

Porsche 911 Targa to be launched early next year

The 911 Targa is one of the most recognizable body styles ever created within the 911 range. With its revolutionary styling and awe inspiring design elements, the newest generation 911 Targa, unveiled earlier this year will soon make its way to Indian shores very soon. Since its launch in 1965, the Targa has held a firmly established position within the Porsche 911 family as a worthy alternative to the cabriolet, representing about 13 percent of all 911 cars ever sold. The 911 Targa will join the coupe and the cabriolet bodystyles to extend the 911 range in the country.

The latest generation of the 911 Targa variant now combines the classic Targa concept with a highly advanced roof-activating mechanism. Just like the legendary original Targa, the new model has the characteristic wide bar instead of the B pillars, a moving roof part above the front seats and a wrap-around rear window without C pillars. Unlike in the older classic models, the roof panel is now opened and closed at the press of a button instead of being a separate piece as was always the case.

The roof system consists of two moving parts: a soft top and a glass rear window. At the press of a button, the glass rear window opens to the rear and tilts. At the same time, two flaps in the targa bar open and release the soft top. The soft top is unlatched, folds to the rear into a Z-shape during the opening movement and stows behind the rear seats. When the top is stowed, a wind deflector integrated in the cowl can be adjusted manually to prevent wind buffering inside the cabin. While the car is stationary, the roof can be opened or closed in about 19 seconds from controls on the centre console.

The Porsche 911 Targa will be available only with an all-wheel-drive drivetrain in the 4S guise and will be available with standard features like Porsche Active Suspension Management and Porsche Torque Vectoring that makes it more agile than past generations. The Targa 4S will feature a 3.8-litre straight six engine giving it 400 PS of peak power propelling it from 0-100 kmph in 4.4-s.The Porsche 911 Targa 4S should be priced around the ₹ 1.75 crore mark (ex-showroom).

Maruti Wagon R Stingray AMT coming soon

It’s the age of AMTs, and it shows. Maruti started the trend with the Celerio and was soon followed by Tata Motors with the Zest. The Manesar-based manufacturer they brought in the new Alto K10 with a AMT option. Now, it’s time to shift focus to the Wagon R Stingray. 

The Maruti Wagon R Stingray is powered by a 1.0-litre K10 petrol motor and will be mated to the same AMT unit that we have already seen on the aforementioned cars. Since the time of its launch, the Celerio has been quite a success in the Indian market. The idea of the convenience of an automatic and the efficiency of a manual transmission hit just the note manufacturers expected. 

Maruti sources nearly 3,500 units of AMT from Magneti Marelli but now with the Wagon R Stingray AMT on the cards, this number is expected to increase to 5,000 units. 

Currently, Maruti doesn't offer the AMT option in the top most variant of the Celerio, but that may not be the case with the Wagon R. The Wagon R Stingray is the highest spec variant of the model and comes with all the bells and whistles including front airbags, ABS and alloy wheels. 

The Maruti Wagon R Stingray AMT is expected to be launched at a premium of ₹ 30,000 – ₹ 50,000 over the current top-of-the-line variant. As on date, there is no news of when the car is expected to be launched, keep watching this space for more updates.

BMW i3 is the green car of the year

Adjudged by the jury of Green Car Journal, a magazine focusing on green and environment friendly vehicles, the BMW  i3 has won the 2015 Green Car of the Year title at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. The i3 has also become the third best-selling all-electric automobile selling over 12,000 units within one year of its launch.

The award was based on the BMW i3’s zero emissions at the point of use, its innovative lightweight design and the high percentage of sustainably produced materials used in its manufacture.

The BMW i3 comes equipped with an electric motor which powers the rear wheels to churn out 170  PS of power and 240 Nm of torque. This all-electric car can sprint from 0-100 kmph in just 7.2 seconds. This zero emission vehicle offers a range of 160km when driven in the Comfort mode. 

Apart from the 2015 Green Car of the Year award, the BMW i3 has won many other awards which include the German Design Award, Automotive Interiors Expo Award, Green Steering Wheel 2013 award and the Fleet Hero Award.

The BMW i3 bagged the ‘2015 Green Car of the Year’ title by winning over the other finalists in the competition including the Audi A3 TDI, Chevrolet Impala Bi-Fuel, Honda Fit, and VW Golf. These finalists were honored with the Green Car Journal’s 2015 Green Car Product of Excellence.

Green Car Journal has been hosting the ‘Green Car of the Year Award’ annually at the Los Angeles Auto Show since 2005. 

Audi Prologue concept

Audi unveiled its Prologue concept car at the LA motor show recently. This concept is said to closely resemble the upcoming A9 - Audi's new flagship set to arrive in 2016. The A9 will be Audi's rival to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-class coupe.

The new design chief Marc Lichte and tech chief Ulrich Hackenberg are promising greater visual differences between future Audis. The concept also closely previews the next-generation Audi A6, A7 and A8 models.

Speaking at the LA motor show, Hackenberg said that the next-generation A8, due in late 2016, would kick-off the firm’s new era. The design for the new luxury sedan has already been signed off, and was designed alongside the next-gen A7 and A6, both of which have already been finalised.

Visible on the Prologue concept is the single-frame grille that has been redesigned to be significantly wider than that used on existing Audi models. Matrix laser beam headlights that provide adaptive functions, including automatic high-beam dipping when oncoming traffic is detected, also makes its way to the concept. It has an aluminium and high-strength steel body, and is 40 mm shorter and 70 mm lower than the current A8. Wheelbase is also 50 mm shorter. It also gets 22-inch wheels.

Power comes from Audi’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine that has been tuned to deliver 597 bhp and 71.34 kgm of torque. An eight-speed automatic gearbox and Torsen four-wheel drive system will be used with the transmission system.

The new Audi concept also provides clues to the advanced chassis, ready to be adopted by the new A8 and its more sporty A9 sibling; it uses a new five-link suspension with adaptive air springs capable of varying the ride height.

Inside, the dash incorporates a full-width instrument panel featuring an OLED display that enables digital interaction between the driver and front seat passenger.

BMW's new Power eDrive plug-in hybrid system

Car manufacturers are becoming increasingly conscious of their contribution towards preserving the environment, while maximising the level of comfort that they can provide their customers. In line with this, BMW has revealed an advanced new plug-in hybrid system called Power eDrive.

The new hybrid powertrain aims to provide the similar, smooth yet urgent performance qualities delivered by contemporary battery-powered electric drive systems, such as the one offered on the Tesla Model S. It in fact, forms a part of an extended range of modular hybrid powertrains being developed in a performance-based Efficient Dynamics engineering program at the R&D center in Munich.

BMW revealed its most powerful powertrain on a 5-series GT prototype, with a 228 bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine, in combination with two electric motors. These motors are a modified version of the unit used on the BMW i3. A 201 bhp motor is mounted up front in the space usually taken up by the torque converter in the car's eight-speed automatic transmission, while another, developing 268 bhp, is mounted within the rear axle assembly. In total, the system is claimed to produce over 670 bhp, along with a torque loading beyond 103.6 kgm.

“The electric motors provide approximately two-thirds of the combined output, with the combustion engine accounting for the remaining third,” said Franz Drescher-Kaden, BMW concept engineer for the new petrol-electric hybrid set-up.

To drive the motors, 20 kWh Lithium-ion battery packs are installed longitudinally at rear of the car's centre tunnel, and horizontally underneath the rear seat. The batteries can be charged via a wall socket, or on the run with the power produced from the combustion engine.

Transmitting power to the final drive is an eight-speed automatic gearbox; drive is nominally channelled to the rear wheels via the rear electric motor and the front electric motor. This operates through the eight-speed automatic in which it is housed, providing for an all-electric four-wheel drive. This is further enhanced by the combustion engine, which delivers its power to the front wheels.

The addition of the electric motors and the Li-ion battery pack has contributed to a significant increase in the overall weight of the car, however, BMW has held back the weight of the hybrid system itself. The company does claim though, that the car outperforms the 2070kg, 444bhp, twin-turbocharged, 4.4-litre, V8 550i GT in a straight line.

The Power eDrive is being developed as a scalable system with claimed power outputs ranging from 250 bhp to over 650 bhp. BMW says, the plug-in hybrid technology will be “a natural choice for use in upmarket vehicle segments". BMW has also indicated that Power eDrive could be offered alongside traditional petrol and diesel engine options in its upcoming X7 – a new range-topping SUV due for launch in 2017, as well as the next-generation 7-series, X5 and X6.

Audi likely to make TT-based crossover

Audi is likely to put the TT offroad concept into production. If it happens, it will be the third and final iteration of TT concepts that will make it to production, alongside the TT Shooting Brake and the TT Sportback.

The first of these, the TT Shooting Brake was unveiled at the Detroit show in January 2014. It was followed by the TT offroad concept at the Beijing motor show in April and finally, the TT Sportback at the Paris show in October.

Audi's technical chief Ulrich Hackenberg said at the recently concluded LA show, “All of the concepts are under analysis. We have done clinics, which have been very positive. They have shown a strong tendency for SUVs, so if we were start with one, I’d say there is the strongest chance for the SUV version.” Any one production version is likely to arrive in global markets by 2015.

The Audi TT offroad concept is a four-door compact SUV that’s powered by a plug-in hybrid drive system. It has a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission that features an integrated electric motor, sending power to the front wheels. The rear wheels are powered by a second motor.

Jeep Wrangler 2015

Remember when the Jeep Wrangler had a three-speed automatic? That wasn't that long ago – as recent as the 2007 redesign – but Chrysler is keen to leave those days behind on the dusty trail. The current model ushered in a four-speed, then a five-speed, but the latest intel indicates that an eight-speed automatic is in the cards.
According to a report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and cited by Automotive News, Jeep plans on fitting its eight-speed automatic transmission to the next-generation Wrangler. Chrysler already uses the ZF-sourced slushbox on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ram 1500, Chrysler 300, and versions of the Dodge Challenger, Charger and Durango. But according to the SEC filing, the Auburn Hills automaker intends "to use this transmission in all of our rear-wheel-drive vehicles, except for heavy-duty versions of the Ram pick-up truck and the SRT Viper."

AN says that Chrysler wanted to slot the transmission straight into the current Wrangler, but it wouldn't fit. Between the transmission and shift to aluminum construction, the next-generation Wrangler promises to deliver a significant reduction in fuel consumption.Company spokesmen declined to comment on the eight-speed's suitability towards either the current Wrangler or the upcoming one.

The plug-in hybrid 3-Series

BMW has taken technology from its futuristic i8 supercar - and indeed, the i3 supermini - and transplanted it into something a little more familiar. Internet, this is a plug-in hybrid BMW 3-Series saloon.
It’s only a prototype at this stage, but a prototype that will very likely see production. BMW is fast becoming adept at hybrid technology, so why not bolt it into the car that bankrolls the entire brand?

What you get then, is a setup similar to the X5 eDrive we drove earlier this year, but in 2WD format. There’s a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine combined with an electric motor and an eight speed ‘steptronic’ automatic gearbox, to produce some interesting figures.

It’ll pump out a total of 245 bhp – on par with a straight-six engined Beemer – a healthy 295 lb ft of torque (as many torques as the last-gen V8 BMW M3) and return a claimed 140 mpg and emit just 50g/km of CO2. Many cakes, lots of eating.

BMW reckons the prototype is only capable of a top speed of 74.5mph and a range of just 22 miles on electricity alone, but of course, it’s still a prototype. What’s important is the tech. The eDrive stuff is pinched directly from the i3 and i8, that motor being powered by a lithium-ion battery and cooled by a high-efficiency, um, cooling system. You can recharge this battery at any household socket.

All the power is wrapped up and sent in one big, 295lb ft-shaped parcel to the rear wheels and rear wheels alone. There are of course, many different modes to select, chiefly Comfort, Sport and Eco. They manage everything from the drivetrain right through to the air conditioning and seat heating.

No other performance data has been provided, but with such an abundance of torque and power, expect it to be swift. And that’s not all – BMW reckons that future eDrive models will feature more powerful electric motors and batteries packing twice the capacity of today’s units.

In fact, future plug-in hybrids will provide two-thirds of their power from electricity, the remainder coming from the combustion engine. BMW also tells us that in this low-emission future, there’ll be an electric motor as the main source of power for everyday driving – powering the rear axle – and a second motor and internal combustion engine powering the front.

We’ll see the plug-in 3-Series at some point in the next few years. Would you swap out your 335i for one of these?

Subaru Forester

Subaru has revealed its new performance SUV. Teased last month wearing the trademark pink STI badge, this is the brand new Forester tS.
It's described as STI-enhanced rather than a fully-fledged STI model, tS in fact being shorthand for ‘tuned by STI'. A bit like M Division's watered down stuff, but then the M135i is a belter, so that's not necessarily criticism.

As a result its engine stays the same, save for a small ECU tweak to boost its responses a little. In the Japanese market - the only place the Forester tS will be sold officially - that means 250 bhp from a turbocharged 2-litre flat-four petrol engine.
And, rather unfortunately, Subaru's Lineartronic CVT transmission. That means only two pedals but a whole lot of droning as the car simulates an automatic gearbox without the use of any actual gears. Ho hum.
More exciting are the mechanical upgrades. The ride is lower, the front suspension strengthened and a Brembo brake package much more performance-minded than before. There's also extra cooling for the transmission oil, not something an SUV typically cries out for.
Those beefier brakes sit behind some quite excellent 19-inch BBS alloy wheels, while there's a subtly tasteful bodykit and a smattering of STI badges. We'd screwdriver them off for the full Q-car effect, though.
Just 300 will be built, and sold for the yen equivalent of £24,000. 

Renault readies hybrid hot hatch

Renault has confirmed that future Renaultsport models could feature hybrid powertrains.
Sacrilege, or the potential for more hardcore RS cars?A contact at Renault UK admitted that the RS division could soon collaborate with the bods over in electric vehicles.
"I could see it happening in the future," our Renault insider said. "Look at Formula E - all the vehicles are from Renaultsport. So I can certainly see RS hybrids in the future. Why not?"
No need to start saving just yet. Renault hasn't set out a definitive time frame, so we'll be waiting a while for an RS hybrid to materialise. Probably necessary, considering the progression of the EV/hybrid sectors. "As the EV and hybrid markets mature," our man said, "there's no reason why there wouldn't be an RS version of that."

Speaking on the progression of battery technology, Renault's EV product manager Ben Fletcher also noted the potential for Renaultsport to collaborate with his department. "I think it would be a really interesting project [a hybrid RS] to be involved with, and a really interesting proposition to the customer."
What about that particular class of customer that wants that old-school, naturally aspirated, raw-as-sashimi RS experience? Don't forget, the world is still getting accustomed to a turbocharged Renault Clio RS with an automatic gearbox.
"You have some purists who will just go down the internal combustion route," says Ben, "but equally you've got a lot of people who are really into cars, really into the technology behind the cars, and actually that has a cachet to it. If you look at the McLaren P1 for example, nobody accuses that of being dull, do they? And yet that's got a partly electrified powertrain. Same goes for LaFerrari.
"You don't see people pointing at a Porsche 918 and say ‘that's boring'. It's about the two systems working together. So on a personal level it would make sense."
Fletcher also waded into the current debate raging around battery capacity and EV range. "There's lots of stuff in the media about battery tech that generally focuses on capacity," he said, "but actually what that ignores is that batteries are four dimensional.
"You need one that holds the right amount of electricity, that is cost effective, one that's stable, and one that's proven in a vehicle - the cycles a car battery goes through are very different from other applications."
For Ben and his team, its about the infrastructure behind the EV tech. "The battery technology thing is only a symptom of the range that people worry about, so its about how we tackle that range problem, and not necessarily the battery problem. For me, the range point is tackled via infrastructure," he told.

Mercedes AMG Sport lineup confirmed

It'll be a happy Christmas in the Mercedes AMG household. Successful launches of the new AMG GT and the small matter of winning the Formula One world championship means lots of smiles.
How to celebrate? By introducing a semi-skimmed version of its AMG range. Today, we learn that Mercedes has introduced the ‘AMG Sport' line of cars, which are like BMW's sub-M Division ‘M Performance' range - think M135i.

Why? "To render the AMG brand and its technology more accessible," that's why. So ‘AMG Sport' will sit just below the proper AMG stuff - the mentalist, tyre-melting ones we rather like here at TG - and just above the simple AMG Sport spec cars.
So you're looking at things like more powerful engines, four-wheel-drive in selected markets (don't count on any of those heading to the UK, though), special chassis components and better brakes. Also, we suspect, some noise.
The first two ‘AMG Sport' cars will be revealed at next January's Detroit motor show - two cars teased in the picture above. The one on the left looks suspiciously like a Mercedes-Benz version of the BMW X6, aka the new GLE Coupe, no?
"The new Sport models represent a convincing proposition for our customers," explains AMG boss Tobias Moers. "For all our dynamic growth, we remain true to our brand claim of ‘driving performance".

Next-gen Merc E-Class for India likely to get long wheelbase version

Mercedes-Benz India’s ever-growing range of sedans is likely to include a long wheelbase version of the E-Class when the next generation model (code name: W 213) goes on sale in 2017.Till Conrad, chairman, Mercedes-Benz India confirmed such a model is being studied for India. “The LWB E-Class is an interesting product and we are evaluating possibilities for these kinds of products for India” he said.

The E-Class L as it is likely to be called will be aimed at those who want all the comfort and space of an S-Class but for significantly less money. Such a model would also better plug the gap between the E-Class and S-Class lines. While in terms of price, the Mercedes CLS does currently slot in between the two, its sportier shape actually makes it a car meant for a different buyer set.

Mercedes currently manufactures and sells a long wheelbase version of the E-Class in China. The car is 14 cm longer than the standard version and correspondingly offers a whole lot more legroom for rear seat occupants. But being a left hand drive-only car, the current-gen model is not eligible for sale in right-hand drive markets such as Japan, India and South East Asia. The fact that that many, if not most, luxury car buyers in these countries are chauffeur-driven makes the case for Mercedes to build a right-hand drive E-Class L very strong.

While it’s still too early to comment on what engines such a model could come with and what it would cost, what’s certain is that the E-Class L will help Mercedes carve a nice little niche for itself in the luxury sedan segment. 

New Mini range restricted to five models

Mini has announced that the range of its new-generation cars will be limited to five models. The announcement came at an event in Munich, Germany when Peter Schwarzenbauer, head of the Mini brand, said that the five-door Mini Clubman to be launched internationally in 2015 will be the third of five models for the brand.

The first two models are the recently launched three-door and five-door hatchbacks, and the fourth model is likely to be a replacement for the Countryman. Although details are not clear on what the fifth model is, reports suggest it could be a soft-top.

Schwarzenbauer also said that the next five years could see plug-in versions of the Mini. On being questioned about the future models in the pipeline, he said, “This is work in progress, but we are continually questioning Mini’s future. We will adjust the brand quite a lot over several years. The heritage will still be important, but we also have to be shaped by the zeitgeist.”

Spied: Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Xrest testing in India

After having survived for nearly 15 years in the Indian market, it looks like the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R soon be getting a new trim called the Maruti Wagon R Xrest. A production model that was recently spotted testing hints at an upcoming launch.

At the Auto Expo this year, the Xrest was showcased with a wide band of black plastic cladding, running all along the lower part of its body. Other features that distinguish it from its regular counterpart are smoked projector headlamps and a new design radiator grille. Darkened tail lamps, a silver-tinted bumper lip and plastic black garnish around the air vents have also been added. The black plastic roof rails add to a slightly more butch appearance that the car is going for. The interiors get beige and black dual-tone treatment. The model spotted, though, does not carry the striking black strip all the way to the rear.

Since these modifications are purely cosmetic in nature, the Xrest may as well be called a facelift. Maruti Suzuki India Limited seems to have little reason to change things under the hood – thanks to the encouraging numbers that are not dropping despite the car’s age.

The Xrest will most likely come with the familiar 68PS/90Nm making 1.0-litre K10B engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

New Ford Figo hatchback spied in India

Ford has begun testing the next-generation Figo hatchback in India. This is the first-ever spy photo of the car spotted in Pune, Maharashtra . The Ford Figo hatchback was recently unveiled in its production version at the Sao Paulo Motor Show 2014 and is eventually expected to replace the current-generation Figo in our market.

Mechanically, the new Ford Figo hatchback uses the same platform as the Fiesta sedan. In terms of engines, the new Figo hatchback could draw power from Ford’s 1.2-litre petrol engine, and the 1.5-litre DV5 turbo-diesel engine. There is also a possibility that a new 80bhp, 999cc petrol engine, likely to be derived from the 1.0-litre EcoBoost but without the turbo, could become part of the engine lineup as well.

Apart from the hatchback seen in India, the next-generation Ford Figo range will spawn two more body styles globally.  India will get the Ford Figo compact sedan along with the hatch while the South American market is expected to get a Ford Ka+ sedan.

For India, the Ford Figo hatchback and compact sedan are expcted to roll out from the all-new Ford facilitiy in Sanand, Gujarat. Ford is also readying the next-gen Endeavour SUV for India which is also expected to launch next year. 

Audi A3 launch in India

The Audi A3 sedan made its first appearance in India at the Auto expo 2014 in Delhi at the start of this year. Along with it, the German carmaker also showcased the A3 Cabriolet. It has now been confirmed that the Audi A3 Cabriolet will be launched in India on December 11.

The A3 Cabriolet shares main design elements with the sedan. What’s a given though, is that the soft-top will look sportier with the roof pulled down. The roof, which is made of soft fabric, sits over a lightweight kinematic skeleton made of magnesium steel. It can open or close electro-hydraulically in around 18 seconds, at speeds of up to 50kph.

According to sources, the A3 Cabriolet will be available in the petrol guise. It’ll retain the 180bhp 1.8-litre TFSI engine mated to a seven-speed S tronic dual clutch automatic gearbox. Equipment and feature levels are also expected to remain the same.

The convertible will essentially serve as a halo product in the Ingolstadt based carmaker’s portfolio here. Since not too many units are expected to sell and the numbers not justifying local assembly, Audi will bring in the A3 Cabriolet as CBUs. Expect to shell out a premium over the standard A3 sedan.

BMW M3, M4 launched at ₹ 1.19 crore and ₹ 1.21 crore

Close on the heels of the M5 launch, BMW has now launched two more performance- centric models in India. The BMW M3 and M4 bear a sticker price of ₹ 1.19 crore and ₹ 1.21 crore (ex-showroom, India) respectively.

The highlight of the two new Ms is the new engine – the powerful yet efficient 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine that develops 425 bhp and 56.1 kgm of torque. All this power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox with paddle-shifters. Both cars sprint from 0-100 kph in a little over four seconds, before going on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 kph. Thanks to abundant use of light weighting materials, both cars weigh less than 1,500 kg. This not only helps performance but also fuel efficiency, which is up by a claimed 25 percent.

Both the M3 and M4 are based on the 3-series sedan and share similar design elements. Their cabins also mirror the 3-series sedan, albeit with a few tweaks. On the electronics front, they get track-inspired systems like Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Stability Clutch Control (SCC), three driving modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus) and launch control function.

Apart from the slightly different nomenclature, both cars are pretty much similar to each other. The M4 is the coupé and slightly more low-slung than the M3, which gets two extra doors given that it is a sedan.

Nissan GT-R

Nissan has launched the updated GT-R in Japan, with some mechanical and cosmetic tweaks.

On the mechanical front, the Nissan GT-R gets modified dampers and ECU to provide better stability on corners and improve steering feedback. The powertrain management systems and the flywheel housing bearings have been tweaked to reduce NVH levels. The brakes also get new parts to make them less noisy, and vibrations on idle have been reduced too.

The Nissan GT-R continues to be powered by a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that makes 538bhp and 64kgm of torque. The V6 is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.

Other changes come in the form of a modified trunk carpet to improve sound deadening, and modified run-flat Dunlop tyres that, according to the brand, will improve the GT-R's ride quality, and straight line and tough road stability.

Cosmetically, the GT-R gets new headlights with four LEDs each, and optional split-spoke RAYS alloys in a blue-black chrome finish. On the inside, it gets an optional package in either red or ivory, which includes new leather upholstery, hand-stitching on the front seats, accents on the instrument panel, steering wheel, door handles, armrests and gear knob.

Alongside, Nissan has also unveiled a GT-R 45th Anniversary Edition. Made specifically for the Japanese markets, the GT-R Anniversary Edition gets a special Silica Brass paint shade, Nissan logo on the centre console, and a model plate number in the engine compartment. Production of the special edition GT-R will be limited to 45 units.

SsangYong Tivoli

SsangYong has revealed that its new crossover will be called Tivoli, after the Italian city. Along with the official name of the car, SsangYong also showed three sketches which point to what the sporty Tivoli would look like. The production model is likely to hold true to the XIV concepts (Adventure and Air), showcased at this year's Paris motor show.

The car's exterior design gives off an urban crossover vibe and the inside is a neat blend of style and space. Equipment on offer will likely include Bluetooth-capable audio system, a rear-view camera, dual-zone auto climate control and a host of safety features.

Although mechanical details are unclear still, the XIV concepts were displayed with efficient 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines. The Tivoli is likely to follow suit, but official details are expected only closer to launch. It’s been scheduled to go on sale internationally by mid-2015.

The Chevy Chaperral

400 km/h top speed. 0-100 km/h in 1.5 seconds. A frickin' 671kW laser. And 750kW. Welcome everyone, to the most insane Gran Turismo concept we've ever seen.

Unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show, this fighty little thing is called the Chaparral 2X Vision GT, built - as you're probably aware - for Kazunori Yamauchi's seminal Gran Turismo racing series.

Those with particularly long memories will remember Chaparral: the Texas-based outfit partnered with Chevy over 45 years ago, knocking out a few outlandish racers along the way.

Unlike many of the Vision GT concepts you've seen from the likes of BMW, Mitsubishi and Subaru, this one's actually real. If you pop down to the LA show now, you'll be able to touch it and everything.

We're told the 2X - in the game at least - packs a 671kW laser (cue Dr Evil close up) powered by a pack of lithium-ion batteries, and an air-powered generator to produce a cool, clean 750kW. Think McLaren P1 territory. Chevy tells us this powertrain was "inspired by technology derived from advanced work targeted at space travel and future aircraft design." This is excellent inspiration.

How does it work? The mid-mounted laser beamed energy propulsion system, we're told, pulses beams of light that focus in a shroud, to create shock waves that generate massive thrust.

In Gran Turismo, it'll do the performance stats as mentioned above. And if you actually get inside, you'll find the most bizarre - and slightly intimidating - seating position ever. You lie face down with your arms and legs splayed out towards the wheels, with suspension and propulsion built around the driver, which, says Chevy, "enables progressive strategies of active and driver adjustable aero."

"The Chaparral 2X VGT is a vision of how advanced technology may shape the look and driving experience of racing," explains Chevy. "Chaparral's race cars and methods were seen as outlandish four decades ago. The 2X VGT concept might just be a harbinger of motor sports in the next four decades."

Get ready for the Swift Sport Turbo

Suzuki is getting serious, with six new models in the three years. And a welcome by-product of this is a new, more driver-focused direction for the Swift, including a faster, harder, turbocharged Swift Sport.

A new dawn for Suzuki will see the brand occupy its key segments with two models – one fun and design-led, the other more sensible and rational. The introduction of a bigger, Honda Jazz-rivalling supermini to fill the rational role (which we’ll see at Geneva next spring) frees up the Swift to be “lower and harder”, UK sales chief Dale Wyatt told TG.

The current Swift (pictured) is among the most fun small cars on sale, but small is very much the keyword: the boot is pokey and rear passengers had better be small or understanding. “The new car will answer all the reasons not to buy a Swift”, said Wyatt, “whereas the Swift will be all about the driver”.
 
Details are otherwise scant, save for the fact we’ll have to wait until 2017 for the new Swift to arrive. With it will come a new hardcore Swift Sport, lighter and more powerful, and with a turbocharged engine almost certainly at its heart.
 
Wyatt wouldn’t officially confirm this, but he said “torque to weight is the new measure for cars like this”. That can only mean forced induction, Suzuki’s current range of revvy naturally aspirated petrol engines are fun to work hard but conspicuously torque-light.
 
He’s had a go in a prototype of the new Swift Sport, and revealed only that “it’ll be a hoot”. Good. The engine will also appear in a Vitara Sport version of Suzuki’s reinvented SUV.
 
Going down a size, there will be a bold new Suzuki city car to balance out the sensible Celerio. Wyatt was teasingly coy, stating only that “it will create its own segment. There’s nothing out there like it.”
 
That doesn’t, however, mean a comeback for the crackers little Cappuccino, the 1990s sports car which was built to dinky Japanese kei-car regulations but sold in the UK. “There’s room for a new Cappuccino too”, said Wyatt. “There isn’t a plan for one, though

New pic of ‘baby’ McLaren supercar

It has been exclusively revealed that McLaren's upcoming, entry-level supercar will have at least one door.

We jest, of course, because this news comes off the back of McLaren's latest teaser image for the P13 ‘baby' supercar, part of Woking's new ‘Sports Series' range. As you can see, there is a rather cool door involved.

And it's no ordinary door, but a vertically opening dihedral door. We suspect there shall be another, too.

What else do we know about the Sports Series? It'll go up against both the new Mercedes-AMG GT S and Porsche 911 Turbo, and is expected to arrive around April 2015.

It'll be based on a spin-off of the carbon fibre tubs used in the McLaren 650S and P1, with aluminium body panels and a variation of the familiar 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 and seven-speed dual clutch ‘box.

We'll find out more as McLaren continues its #BlackSwanMoments teaser campaign for the Sports Series range so stay tuned.

New Mercedes-Benz C-class launched in India

Mercedes-Benz has launched the new C-class at ₹ 40.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Available only in C 200 petrol guise for now, while a diesel variant will be available in March 2015.

The new C-class uses a new design language, with a lot of the styling cues come from the flagship S-class. The face gets the twin-slat grille and there are the well-detailed LED headlamps. The rear too bears a striking resemblance to the S-class, and there’s a newly designed rear bumper, tail-lights and boot lid.

On the inside, Mercedes has provided a lot of features and equipment as standard in the new C-class. It comes with a high-res 8.4-inch screen that can be controlled by click wheel and also a touchpad, satellite navigation, LED ambient cabin lighting with three selectable colours, push-button start, panoramic sunroof and a 13-speaker Burmester audio system. You of course get the basics like three-zone auto climate control, rear-view camera and Bluetooth connectivity.

The new C-class is based on a new lightweight modular platform, called MRA (Mercedes Rear-drive Architecture). It gets the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine from the E-class; it produces 181 bhp and 30.5 kgm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via the 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, which is an updated version of the previous car's gearbox.

With the new C-class, Mercedes looks to pip the BMW 3-series as the segment best-seller. It is the first of the new generation cars in this segment, and it'll be followed by the new Audi A4 and later on by the new Jaguar XE. For now, Mercedes will bring the new C-class to India as a CBU, but local production is expected to begin next year. The new Mercedes C-class diesel, when launched, is expected to be the more popular variant and rake in the sales numbers for the car maker.

Volvo V60 Cross Country showcased at LA Auto show 2014

Volvo has just unveiled the rugged V60 Cross Country at the LA Auto Show. With the Cross Country edition, the height of the car has been raised by 65 mm over the standard V60. In addition, it has high profile tyres, front and rear skid plates, side scuff plates and bumper extenders. It also gets under body cladding to add to the ruggedness.

A diesel-only engine line-up includes a base D3 unit and a new 179 bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder D4 turbodiesel with either front or all-wheel drive system. Volvo says the new model offers "a sporty, connected yet comfortable driving experience with the freedom to explore new horizons".

The V60 will be available to order in the first quarter next year in the international markets.

Audi A7 h-tron concept revealed

Audi is working towards a hydrogen powered four-wheel-drive Audi A7. This technology uses a Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (LTPEM) fuel cell stack and carbon fibre tanks, together with a plug-in Li-ion battery and a pair of electric motors. This configuration is good for 500 km.

Instead of the traditional internal combustion engine that is mounted on the regular A7, this one will use over 300 cells at the same place, each of which will be a polymer membrane separated by a platinum-based catalyst. They operate in a voltage range between 230 and 360 volts.

Two electric motors will be mounted, one at the front and the other at the rear. Individually, both can develop 114 bhp and 27.5 kgm, which means the combined output will be 228 bhp and 55 kgm, which is good enough to push the 1,950 kg A7 h-tron from 0-100 kph in 7.8 sec and to a top speed of 180kph.

Audi's technical chief Ulrich Hackenberg said hydrogen power would form part of an increasing varied drivetrain landscape in the future: "This is the most forward-looking concept from our research and development team. The A7 h-tron is unique in many regards.

"It is the first performance fuel cell vehicle, but it's important to know that CO2 emissions are zero. This is outperforming the competition. It is a bold statement for the potential of fuel cells and a benchmark innovation."

The Audi A7 h-tron is the third hydrogen powered prototype, following the A2 H2 and Q5 HFC, from the German car manufacturer’s laboratories. 

BMW 2015 M5 launched in India

The facelifted BMW M5 has been launched at ₹ 1.35 crore (ex-showroom, all India). The M5 can be ordered at all dealerships across the country as Completely Built Units (CBU).

The updated BMW M5 has subtle yet more aggressive styling – the front grille has been remodeled, making it wider. New 19-inch alloy wheels also make their way to the sports sedan, with the dual spoke design of the wheel redesigned to incorporate sharper lines. Optionally, one can even upgrade to 20-inch wheels.

 The headlamps are now Adaptive LED's. These control the beam of the lamps, based on criteria such as the speed and direction of travel of the car, making it easier to spot danger on the road earlier than with normal headlights. The rear lamps get LED lights as well. On the inside, the cabin has a redesigned storage compartment under the armrest, making it larger. The steering wheel is also redesigned, and the control display on the center console now gets chrome trims on the sides. The upholstery which comes with Merino leather, can be upgraded to full leather.

Under the skin, the facelifted BMW M5 remains unchanged. It gets a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that is good for 552 bhp of power and 69.3kgm of torque. BMW claims that the M5 can do a 0-100 kph sprint in 4.3 seconds. For transmission, it gets a seven-speed dual-clutch unit with paddle shifters behind the redesigned steering wheel.

BMW is offering a whole range of optional upgrades for the M5 with this facelift. The Harman Kardon sound system can be upgraded to Bang & Olufsen surround system. One might even add a surround view camera system, a six DVD changer system, automatic air-conditioning for four zones and BMW Night Vision to the car. 23.4cm screens with DVD drive and remote control can also be added to take care of the rear passengers.

Present at the event, Philipp von Sahr, president, BMW Group India said, “Power delivery, torque, driving dynamics: the new BMW M5 embodies pure athleticism. Conventional rules do not apply to the new BMW M5. An independent production of BMW M GmbH, it remains faithful to the M philosophy, perfectly combining high performance with optimum everyday practicality".

Maruti YBA

The news broke about the new Maruti Compact SUV (codename: YBA) being readied for the market. Maruti’s exciting new offering will be aimed squarely at the Ford EcoSport, which means it will have a length of less than four metres.

Like the YRA hatchback, this one will also use Maruti’s existing range of engines, the K12 and K14 — but there is a very good chance that it may abandon the ubiquitous 1.3 Multijet for a brand new 1.5-litre diesel engine, also sourced from Fiat. This motor is essentially a downsized version of the company’s current 1.6 JTD engine, and is expected to produce over 100bhp. This new engine project has been under consideration for some time now, and could come to fruition in time for this car’s launch.

In order to take on the likes of the EcoSport, this car will have to possess more than just Maruti’s traditional strengths of value and reliability – it has to be desirable too. While we hear that the styling will be really aggressive, the serious trump card that Maruti might just pull off, however, is all-wheel drive (AWD). The company’s ‘AllGrip’ AWD system will be coming here in the S-cross and though such a small SUV doesn’t necessarily justify such a system, Suzuki has offered AWD in its compact SUVs in the past globally, so don’t rule it out, at least as a top-spec option. However, as ever with Maruti, the real advantage should be its price, and this compact SUV will likely undercut the EcoSport.

Our sources tell us that Maruti may unveil the production version of this all-new compact SUV at the Auto Expo 2016 and it could be called Maruti iV4. 

New sedans for India in 2015

With the automobile industry picking pace, automakers are lining up new model launches in the coming year. I gave you a list of hatchbacks and suv's expected to hit the Indian shores next year. Now, here's a list and a brief description of all the new sedan launches slated for 2015.

Ford Figo+

Tata, Maruti, Honda and Hyundai have been revelling in the popularity of the sub-four-metre sedan segment, and now Ford is going to join the party with the Figo+. First shown as a concept at Auto Expo 2014, it looks attractive from pretty much all angles and its well-balanced shape is bound to be a hit in India. Ford has not revealed the interior in its totality, but the dashboard could be similar to the Fiesta’s. Engine options are likely to include the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol and also the 1.5-litre diesel from the Fiesta, though a new 85 bhp, 1.0-litre petrol has also just been unveiled, which is also a likely candidate. Being a Ford, you can expect this car to be fun to drive, and if the company prices it right, it could be a very tempting package indeed.

Factfile-

Coming: Early 2015
Est price: ₹ 5-7.5 lakh
Engine(s): 1.0 petrol, 1.5 diesel Rivals:
Maruti Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Tata Zest

Volkswagen Vento-based compact sedan

Volkswagen is considering filling the gap between the Polo and Vento with a sedan-ised version of the Polo. Based on the same platform, the new compact sedan will have the same cabin space as the hatchback. The design, however, is expected to be a challenge and it’s not going to be easy to tack on a boot on the 3,971 mm long Polo and keep it under 4m long. 

Factfile-

Coming: 2016
Est price: ₹ 4.5- 8 lakh
Engine(s): 1.2 turbo petrol, 1.5 diesel
Rivals: Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Tata Zest

Hyundai Verna facelift 

Hyundai only just gave its Verna a bit more equipment and a suspension tune-up, but early next year, a more comprehensive tune-up will make its way to India. Recently launched in Russia, this updated version gets quite a big update to its nose. The headlamps are larger and sharper, the grille and lower airdam have grown too, and there are new fog lamps as well. Other than that and some LEDs in the tail-lamps, not much else appears to have changed, although under the skin, the petrol version could get a new six-speed automatic gearbox instead of the four-speed unit it currently has. 

Factfile

Coming: Early 2015
Est price: ₹ 7.5-11.5 lakh
Engine(s): 1.4 petrol, 1.6 petrol, 1.4 diesel, 1.6 diesel
Rivals: Honda City, Maruti Ciaz, VW Vento

Volkswagen Jetta facelift

One year ago, VW launched a mildly facelifted version of its executive sedan, the Jetta, with a bit more kit and some LEDs in the headlamps. Next year, however, a much more comprehensive update will hit showrooms that promises to really move the car upmarket. The grille and headlamps now look like one continuous element, while the new wide air dam is also meant to improve aerodynamics. At the rear, there are slimmer, LED-infused tail-lamps that sit higher up than before. On the inside, you can expect VW’s new corporate steering wheel, bigger, clearer dials in the instrument cluster, as well as a new high-res trip computer. The infotainment will likely get a bump as well, with something akin to the Octavia’s new high-res system. Finally, the engine line-up will be quite similar to today’s car, but the 2.0 TDI diesel is a new version that comes with a 10 bhp bump in power.  

Factfile

Coming: 2015
Est price: ₹ 16-20 lakh
Engine(s): 1.4 turbo petrol, 2.0 diesel
Rivals: Skoda Octavia, Hyundai Elantra

New Honda Accord

The Honda Accord will make a comeback in India in a new form in 2015. Things to look forward to on the new car include more mature styling, a more spacious cabin and more features than any Accord before. The new Accord will be offered with a 2.4-litre petrol engine with a choice of manual and CVT gearboxes. Sadly, there won’t be any high-performance 

V6 petrol version on offer this time but Honda is likely to introduce a hybrid variant. There will also be no diesel option, at least initially, 

but a 1.6 diesel motor could be introduced at a later stage. Let’s hope Honda prices it right.

Factfile

Coming: 2015
Est price: ₹ 22-25 lakh 
Engine(s): 2.4 petrol, 2.4 petrol hybrid

Rivals: Toyota Camry, Skoda Superb

Mercedes-Benz CLA-class 

Mercedes wants to plug every possible niche it can and regain its top spot as the number one luxury car maker in India. So after two luxury hatchbacks and a compact luxury SUV, the next one on the list is a compact luxury sedan. I have already sampled it in rip-snorting AMG guise, but there will soon be a standard version that will go head to head with the Audi A3 and sit below the C-class in Merc’s range. The CLA will be powered by engines similar to the A-class and B-class, which means four-cylinder petrols and diesels, mated to seven-speed double-clutch gearboxes powering the front wheels. It may look swoopy and curvy like the A-class, and it does share a lot of interior trimmings with it, but expect more equipment, more space in the back seat, and of course, a larger boot.

Factfile

Coming: March 2015
Est price:₹ 27-32 lakh
Engine(s): 1.6 turbo petrol, 2.2 turbo diesel
Rivals: Audi A3

New Volkswagen Passat 

When the eighth-generation Passat comes to India, VW will no longer be going after its traditional rivals like the Toyota Camry and Skoda Superb. It won’t even enter the price war with the new rung of compact luxury cars like the Audi A3. No, it’s going straight after the likes of the 3-series, A4 and C-class, with a high-tech, equipment-laden, luxurious and very spacious new avatar. While it’s very similar in size to the outgoing model, the new car conforms to VW’s latest design approach. It will sport a fuller grille, bolder creases and LED head- and tail-lights.

The new Passat’s wheelbase is 79mm longer than the older car and consequently, space on the inside is more generous. Quality levels on the inside are also a notch higher with added features including an all-digital instrument cluster, and the latest version of VW’s in-car entertainment system. It will offer 360-degree cameras and park assist functions too — the latter allowing the car to automatically park itself, like its predecessor. Safety tech includes a raft of airbags, a system which automatically accelerates and slows the car in traffic up to a predetermined speed, and even one that can potentially stop the car when the driver is injured or incapacitated. In India, the new Passat is likely to come with the 2.0-litre diesel motor in three states of tune – 148bhp, 187bhp and twin-turbo 237bhp. It is expected to be mated to a seven-speed DSG auto gearbox, as before. All this tech doesn't come cheap, however, and the Passat is expected to be priced from ₹ 30-32 lakh.

Factfile

Coming: 2015
Est price: ₹ 30-32 lakh 
Engine(s): 2.0 diesel

Rivals: Audi A4, BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class

BMW 3-series facelift

Our current favourite in the entry luxury sedan segment, the 3-series, is getting a minor nip and tuck to keep it fresh for the launch of the new C-class. The exterior updates, however, will be minor; the big change will be under the skin, where most of the engines will be replaced by newer, more powerful and more efficient versions. The 2.0-litre diesel has already been replaced by a new motor in the recently launched X3 facelift, and this is the same engine that is going into the facelifted 320d. There’s also a chance BMW could bring in its new 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine, the same one used in the Mini. 

Factfile

Coming: 2015
Est price: ₹ 35-45 lakh 
Engine(s): 2.0 turbo petrol, 2.0 diesel

Rivals: Mercedes-Benz C-class, Audi A4, Volvo S60.