Brabus B50 hybrid

Brabus - the tuner of 700 bhp G63 6x6 fame - appears to have gone soft. After years of extracting loony power outputs from V8 and V12 AMGs, it's decided to turn its attention to hybrids.Those with a penchant for 800bhp E-Classes can relax, though; everyone's favourite Merc modifier has turned its attention to just one hybrid, and it's done so in the only way it knows how: more power.

Meet the B50 Hybrid, a Brabus version of the Mercedes S500 Plug-in Hybrid.

Its 3-litre V6 turbo engine has gained 51bhp and , while its electric motor has remained untouched. These, then, are modest gains in the world of Brabus, but still enough to make this a 493bhp, car with the ability to charge up from the mains and stroll silently through cities.

At 4.9secs, the 0-100 kmph sprint has dipped 0.3secs, though the top speed remains electronically pegged at 250 kmph thanks to the intricacies of that petrol-electric setup.

The result, is an "even more superior driving sensation" than the standard S500 hybrid, which ought to please chauffeurs the world over. Quite how the Merc's claimed 100mpg and 65g/km are affected has not been revealed, but away from the combined cycle dreamworld, we'd expect real world economy to fall as subtly as those power figures have climbed.

On top of mechanical tweaks, the B50 also hosts a variety of familiar Brabus styling flourishes: you can cram alloys of up to 22 inches into the arches, while assorted aerodynamic addenda has been honed in actual wind tunnels.

Maruti Celerio diesel launch on 3 June

The Maruti Celerio diesel is set to launch on June 3, 2015. The car badged Maruti Celerio DDiS 125 will be powered by Maruti’s indigenously developed 793cc two-cylinder diesel engine developing 47 bhp at 3,500 rpm and 12.7 kgm of torque at 2,000 rpm.

This engine will be Maruti’s first in-house developed motor to ever go on sale. The 793cc engine will also make the Celerio diesel the most efficient car in India with an ARAI fuel efficiency of 27.62kpl.

The Celerio diesel will be available in the standard three trim levels – LDi, VDi and ZDi – and will be equipped with a five-speed manual transmission as standard. The interiors will remain unchanged with the diesel variants sharing the same features as its petrol sibling. The VDi trim may get the addition of ABS which is absent in the Celerio VXi.

The Celerio diesel will be priced competitively and will rival the likes of the Chevrolet Beat diesel and Hyundai Grand i10 diesel.

Lamborghini Urus to go on sale in 2018

Lamborghini has finally announced that its Urus concept-based SUV will go on sale in 2018. The premium SUV will be made at the company’s factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese and will be the third production model to be made after the Aventador and Huracan.

This SUV is expected to draw a lot of inspiration from the Urus concept first shown at the Beijing Motor Show in 2012. The radically styled concept displayed extensive use of carbon fibre and a turbocharged 5.2-litre V10 motor with a transmission-mounted electric motor. Details are still scarce but expect it to be one of the most powerful SUVs ever made.

Lamborghini president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann said, “This is a proud moment for everybody in Lamborghini. The introduction of a third model line endorses the stable and sustainable growth of the company and signifies the beginning of a new era.”

Lamborghini will also expand its Sant’Agata Bolognese plant and is looking to invest “hundreds of millions of Euros” in the facility. This investment will increase the size of the plant from the current 80,000 square metres to around 150,000 square metres and the company intends to hire 500 new employees.

The Italian carmaker plans to spread its sales across the globe, and has identified the USA, China, the Middle East, United Kingdom, Germany and Russia as its main target markets. With a target of
3,000 units a year in mind, Lamborghini wants to double their current sales figures.

Honda Jazz launch on 8 July

Honda will launch the new Jazz on 8 July. The carmaker previously released teasers of the hatchback on its social media arms and official website. The new Honda Jazz was supposed to hit Indian showrooms in March 2015, but was delayed citing production issues.

 

The new Honda Jazz will come in two engine options — a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. The petrol version will also get a CVT automatic option. When launched, the new Jazz will compete with the likes of the Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo,Fiat Punto Evo and the Tata Bolt.

 

You can expect the new Jazz to be feature-rich, with kit a Bluetooth-equipped touchscreen infotainment system and alloy wheels.

 

Known for its brilliant packaging and massive cabin space, the Jazz is a global bestseller for Honda. And because it is assembled here this time around, with engines manufactured here as well, Honda will be able to price the Jazz competitively.

Mahindra Quanto facelift SPIED

Mahindra is working on an updated version of its compact SUV Quanto and says it is planning to launch it this year. In fact, Mahindra will also reposition the car as an SUV this time around.The earlier version of the Quanto looked more like a multi-purpose vehicle as it shared its looks with the Mahindra Xylo.  The Quanto was unable to sell as per the automaker’s expectations. In 2014-15 (Apr-Mar), the Quanto sold over 1,900 units as against the EcoSport which sold over 52,000 units.

However, Mahindra is all set to breathe some life into the Quanto and provide it a new identity by giving a distinctive bonnet with a scoop. Other bits in the updated exterior include redesigned headlamps, grille and bumper.Pravin Shah, President and CEO of Mahindra’s automotive division said that he was working on the Quanto and added that the company would roll out the update this year.

Apart from the refreshed exterior, the updated Quanto will also get alloy wheels for the higher variants. and a new beige-themed dashboard and steering wheel amongst other amenities.The Quanto will come with the existing 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel motor, good for 98.6 bhp and 24.4 kgm of torque. It will be mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Moreover, the automaker is also working towards launching two new compact SUV’s such as the Mahindra S101 (internal codename), an all-new compact SUV developed ground-up as a sub-four-metre vehicle on monocoque architecture and the Mahindra U-301 that has been built on the next-gen ladder chassis which was first seen on the new Scorpio.

Tata Safari Storme facelift priced at ₹ 10.41 lakh

Although there has been no official launch yet, deliveries for the Tata Safari Storme facelift have already started. Dealers have been taking bookings for some time already for an amount ranging from ₹ 10,000- 50,000. The facelifted car has been priced in the same range as the predecessor – starting at ₹ 10.41 lakh.

The mildly updated Storme gets some styling tweaks inside and out and some additional equipment. On the outside, there’s a new Land Rover-like grille while inside, there’s a new steering wheel (similar to the one on the Zest and Bolt), and an all-black theme with silver accents.

Added features include rear parking sensors, centre armrest for rear passengers and a new audio system with a display screen, USB, aux-in and Bluetooth compatibility, and steering-mounted controls.
Mechanically, the updated Safari Storme gets the Aria’s 2.2-litre Varicor diesel engine that makes 148 bhp and 32.63 kgm of torque – an extra 10 bhp over the previous model.

Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)--

LX - ₹ 10.41 lakh

EX - ₹ 11.61 lakh

VX - ₹ 13.02 lakh (4x4 - ₹ 14.34 lakh)

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage

BMW’s iconic 3.0 CSL has taken a 21st century-design approach and the result is a befitting tribute to the classic and a dramatic-looking concept car.

The 3.0 CSL Hommage is a recreation of the classic 3.0 CSL from the early 1070s, and the racing versions of these cars were nicknamed ‘Batmobile’ after the extreme aero packs were added.

The concept is said to be based on the M4 and comes with a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine with an ‘e-boost’ electric motor under the hood. The new Hommage has an aggressive front fascia with a "modern interpretation of the earlier car’s highly distinctive shark nose." The grille and the aggressive headlights give the car a wicked look. Styling cues are retained from the classic model. The car gets a carbonfiber front splitter and a prominent grille that is flanked by slender laser and LED headlights. The aerodynamic body of the concept car is as dramatic as its predecessors. There are vast flared wheel arches with sculpting to channel the air towards the rear of the car.

Moving further back, there are muscular fenders, carbonfiber side skirts and small rearview cameras acting as mirrors which enhance the car’s appearance. The concept has a roof spoiler followed by a tail spoiler, and huge side exhausts. Along with, LED taillights and 21-inch alloys, the concept also gets a CFRP diffuser.

On the inside, there are two lightweight sport seats with contrast stitching and the instrument cluster inside the cabin goes the minimalist way. It also has a unique steering wheel and alloy pedals. The 3.0 CSL lives up to its Hommage name by using lightweight material, including carbon fiber which is visible from some points and materials that the BMW uses extensively on its i and M cars.

BMW insists that the concept is a one-off creation with no production future, however the concept might hold some significance for BMW’s future production models. The 3.0 CSL Hommage is the third in the Hommage range from BMW, following on from the M1 Hommage from 2008 and the 328 Hommage which celebrated the 75th anniversary of the 328 racer in 2011.

Ford Figo ASPIRE

Ford India has begun to display its sub-four metre compact segment challenger, the Figo Aspire, at malls across India. The car is all new and boasts some segment firsts that make it quite the contender in this pocket of the market. Here is all you need to know about the new Ford Figo Aspire –

Ford says that the subcompact segment is burgeoning, given the tax benefits and the changing needs of a family. It has studied the market as well as the needs of its potential customers and has designed the Figo Aspire accordingly. Ford is banking on the uniqueness of the Figo Aspire to enter the market as well as take the fight to the segment leader, the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire.

Ford says that the Figo Aspire was always conceptualised as a four-metre sedan and hence has a proportionate design. The boot does not look like an afterthought and the Figo Aspire is indeed a very neat looking sub-four metre car. The front grille bears resemblance to the new Fiesta’s grille design. The windows are large and should make for an airy feeling cabin. The tail lamps are of the wrap-around kind. A single chunky chrome strip runs across the bootlid with the Ford logo at its centre.

The interiors look good and the quality has improved considerably over the current Figo hatchback. Beige is the most prominent colour inside and is used liberally across the cabin. The lower half of the dashboard, door trims and the seats are all dipped in beige. The centre console is similar to that on the Ford EcoSport and has a flat shelf with an anti-slip mat over it. It is large enough to accommodate a phone with a 5.5-inch screen. There are 23 storage spaces inside the cabin including bottle holders of varying depths. A USB, Aux and 12V charging ports are located just ahead of the gear stick. The top end variant comes with automatic climate control and Ford says the air-conditioning system is better than that on the current Figo hatchback. This is notable considering the fact that the Figo hatchback’s air-conditioning system is the best in class

The Ford Figo Aspire comes with a new instrument cluster with a multi-information display (MID) that has readouts for odometer, trip meter, average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption, distance to empty (DTE) and door ajar warning. The Figo Aspire will also come with a MyFord Dock feature. It’s a docking station for your phone or MP3 player and once connected, enables you to play music via the car’s entertainment system. The docking station also charges your phone and MP3 player. The MyFord Dock feature, however, will not be available in the top end variant since it comes with an integrated music system with the Ford Sync technology.

There will be three engine options – a 1.2-litre Ti-VCT petrol, 1.5-litre Ti-VCT petrol and the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel. Ford says that the new 1.2-litre Ti-VCT petrol delivers improved fuel economy. The 1.5-litre diesel is similar to the unit in the EcoSport, however, with an optimised state of tune in the Figo Aspire. Though Ford has not released power or torque figures, it says that the numbers will surprise the competition. The 1.5-litre petrol engine will get the dual clutch automatic transmission because Ford does not have an auto transmission that’s mated to an engine with a lower displacement. The company highlighted the point by saying that even its 1-litre EcoBoost petrol does not come with an auto transmission. The 1.5-litre petrol engine with the autobox is used worldwide and the company did not want to take chances with reliability. Except for the dual clutch automatic transmission, all the powertrain components are localised.

         The Figo Aspire also comes with six airbags, a first in the segment. In addition, the car gets ABS with EBD, ESP and Hill Launch Assist

Ford says that the Figo Aspire carries the ride and handling DNA that has been the hallmark of the company’s cars. The car will be fun to drive and Ford believes this will be one of the Figo Aspire’s standout features. The electronic power assisted steering (EPAS) is the same as that in the Fiesta but with revised calibration to suit the Figo Aspire. The Fiesta is known to have one of the most communicative electrically assisted steering systems.

The Ford Figo Aspire will be easy on the wallet when it comes to maintenance, says Ford. The service interval will be either one year or 10,000km, whichever comes earlier. Spares are reasonably priced and as per market standards as well as customer expectations. Regular service for the Figo Aspire would cost ₹ 2,199.

Ford’s Child Parts Concept has been utilised for the new car too. The concept, essentially, breaks down the whole unit into sub-parts. So, for example, the outside rear view mirror (ORVM) consists of a casing, an outer cover for the casing and a mirror. In the event that the ORVM grazes past something, the customer will only have to replace the damaged part and not the entire unit. The concept is applicable to the mechanical bits too and Ford says that this reduces the cost of ownership of the vehicle.

Ford has not revealed the prices for the Aspire but says that the price range will shake up the segment (their words, not ours). We expect Ford to launch the Figo Aspire by July-August, 2015.

Porsche granted GT5 trademark

Porsche has trademarked the GT5, pointing towards a new motorsport-developed version of its cars. Porsche’s high-performance models have always carried numbers in relation with the FIA class they are designed to race in. For example, the Porsche 911 GT3 was designed for use in the FIA Group GT3 class.

Since there is no motorsport called GT5, this new trademark indicates that it will be a model never seen before and will  stand out in the motorsport environment. The new car may take the form of a flagship version of the Panamera or Macan. A spokesperson from Porsche said, “There’s no comment on that (GT5) in relation to what our future product might be.”

The flagship versions of Porsche cars are developed by Porsche’s Weissach-based GT division, which applies motorsport logic and expertise to develop more capable cars. Andreas Preuninger, head of the GT division, had previously indicated that he thought there was more room in the company’s line-up for more focussed models.

The production of GT models is usually limited but since the interest in the line is clearly growing, widening the range would be a great idea for Porsche.

BMW 6-series facelift India launch

BMW is set to launch the facelifted 6-series in India on May 29, 2015. The car gets minor styling changes but retains the 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine from its predecessor.

The exterior changes to the facelifted car are minor – restyled front and rear bumpers, a new-look kidney grille, redesigned alloy wheels and new LED headlamps. There are also four new exterior colour options.

On the inside, the facelifted 6-series gets new two-tone leather upholstery and a heads-up display, the rest of the cabin carrying on unchanged. BMW claims interior quality has been improved and is more upmarket now.

Under the hood, the new BMW 6-series continues to sport the 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine developing 309 bhp and 64.2 kgm of torque from the older car. It sends power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The BMW 6-series facelift will be imported into India in the form of CBUs and will rival the likes of Mercedes' CLS class.

Mahindra XUV 500 facelift launched

Mahindra has launched the XUV500 facelift at ₹ 11.21 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) with some discernible cosmetic tweaks on the outside and new features on the inside.

Changes to the exterior include a new front grille with chrome inserts, new projector headlamps with LED light guides and a new design for the bonnet. The front bumper is also new as are the fog lamp housings.

The Mahindra XUV 500 facelift also gets new alloy wheels and ORVM puddle lamps.

Moreover, the window lining has been given a chrome treatment which gives the car a premium look.
Other changes on the outside include new door handles and a larger rear registration plate enclosure with a chrome appliqué above.

On the inside, the Mahindra XUV500 facelift gets a new black and beige theme coupled with blue lighting. Other features on offer (as per trim levels) include a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a rear-view camera, beige leather seats, new aluminium pedals, keyless entry with push button start and a bigger touchscreen for the infotainment system which also gets GPS navigation.

The Mahindra XUV500 facelift retains the same engine as the outgoing model – 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel motor good for 138 bhp and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. It does get a new ESP stability control system known as ESP 9.

Mahindra says fuel efficiency of the XUV500 facelift has been improved and claims that the car will now return 16 kpl as against 15.1 kpl earlier.

The carmaker has also introduced a new top-end W10 trim of the XUV500 priced at ₹ 14.99 lakh for the 2WD version and ₹ 15.99 lakh for the top 4WD version.

NEW FORD GT SPIED

Spy pictures of the new Ford GT are here, and the car will go on sale at the end of 2016.

Ford first unveiled the new Ford GT at the Detroit Motor show in January, this year and it was also showcased in Geneva in March. The road car is set to take on the likes the Lamborghini Aventador.

The company has confirmed that the show car is very close to the production version. The spied prototype version of the Ford GT discards the bright blue paintwork which was witnessed at the show but retains the original shape of the concept.

The road car version of the GT will be built in Canada by Multimatic Motorsport. Multimatic Motorsport holds a long heritage and has competed in the Firestone Firehawk Series, Motorola Cup, IMSA Sports Car Championship, Grand American Road Racing Association, American Le Mans Series, Grand-Am Cup, Rolex Sports Car Series, KONI Sports Car Challenge and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Ford's group vice president and chief technical officer, Raj Nair said: "It will be made in a limited series, even more exclusive than the 2005 GT.

The new Ford GT will get a mid-mounted 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine which will deliver power over 600bhp. This engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Thanks to a carbonfibre body and aluminum structures the GT will have one of the best power-to-weight ratios "of any production car".

Performance figures of the Ford GT are yet to be revealed, however, Ford says the new model will offer “outstanding acceleration and handling with improved efficiency". The new GT retains some of the styling cues from the old GTs by sitting low and wide and riding on 20-inch wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup rubber. The car has a suspension set-up of torsion bars and pushrods and incorporates adjustable ride height settings. Carbon-ceramic brake discs feature in all four wheels. It also features a rear wing that is height and pitch adjustable depending on driver input, and a large rear diffuser.

"Aero plays key role in efficiency - there's fully active aero. The teardrop shape is very efficient and the body surfaces reduce drag," said Nair. "It's important to improve aerodynamics to aid efficiency, and also cooling, because these smaller, power-dense engines need plenty of cooling."

Inside, the two-seat GT offers a 'purposeful' interior, which is accessed via upward-swinging doors. The driver and passenger seats are bolted directly into the floor.

Production of the Ford GT will begin late next year and will reach showrooms before the end of 2016, internationally.

New Jazz interiors revealed ahead of launch

The Honda Jazz  has to be among the most keenly awaited car launches of 2015 and Honda Motors has also released teaser images car prior to its official India debut. Interior pictures of the new Honda Jazz have been posted on the internet prior to its launch. The cabin design and layout of the 2015 Honda Jazz is similar to the Honda City Sedan. The standout feature is the steering mounted paddle shifters which will make the new Honda Jazz the only car in its segment to offer the above feature. The cabin will have a dual tone black and silver finish while the clocks are also inspired from the City. The new Honda Jazz will be offered with steering mounted controls for audio and Bluetooth. Although start-stop button isn’t seen in the spy picture expect it to be offered in the top-end variant. Similar to the Honda City, the new Honda Jazz will also sport a 5-inch on-touch audio system and touch operated HVAC controls while the 15.7 cm Audio-Video-Navigation (AVN) touch-screen infotainment system will be available as on the top-end variant. The touch sensitive climate control system has also been carried from the City on the new Honda Jazz.

The Honda Jazz will be launched on July 8th to cash in on the upcoming festive season. The new Jazz will take on the Hyundai Elite i20, Volkswagen Polo and the upcoming Maruti Suzuki YRA in the premium Hatchback segment. Honda had initially planned the launch of the Jazz in the first quarter of this year but postponed it as the second manufacturing facility in Tapukara was getting up to speed. The new Jazz unlike its predecessors will be priced competitively and will get a diesel engine option too. The car is a mix of the Amaze and the City on the mechanicals front and borrows heavily in terms of interior materials and design from the City. The economies of scale resulting from this parts sharing will help Honda price the Jazz well. 

The Jazz will be a sub-4 metre car and so the smaller 1.2-litre petrol engine from the Brio and Amaze will power it in India that’s good for 88PS. The diesel will be the ever so popular 1.5-litre diesel mill developing 100PS.  5-speed manual gearboxes will be offered for both the petrol and diesel variants and a CVT gearbox will be offered for the petrol Jazz as the automatic option. The picture on Honda Cars India’s Twitter account shows a large spoiler too indicating at a RS variant much like the one offered in the Mobilio. The Jazz RS if introduced will only be a cosmetic upgrade and no performance enhancements.

Meet the all new VW Caravelle

The Volkswagen Caravelle has been revealed at the Istanbul motor show ahead of officially going on sale later in 2015.The Caravelle is the MPV equivalent of the T6 Transporter, which was shown at the Amsterdam motor show in April. The van-based people carrier is set to go on sale at a similar time to the Transporter later this year.

Updates over the previous models include improved technology, more efficient engines and styling tweaks to bring the Transporter in line with other products in the Volkswagen range.

Power will come from a range of 2.0-litre diesel engines that produce from 83bhp on the entry-level model, up to 201 bhp on the most powerful. All engines will come with an automatic engine stop-start system as standard, helping to make the T6 on average 15% more economical than the outgoing model. More powerful engines will be available with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The T6 will be available with a range of seating configurations. A long-wheelbase version will also be available shortly after launch.

There have been a number of specification updates. Optional automatic tailgate operation will make life easier for owners, especially considering the tailgate is nearly two metres high when open. All models will also come with Bluetooth and a touchscreen infotainment system similar to that in other Volkswagen Group products.

Volkswagen has made a range of safety equipment available on the T6, too. Buyers can specify adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and a driver alert system.

Pricing will be announced nearer the on-sale date, which is expected to be later in 2015.

A spokesman for the company confirmed that a new California camper van will follow the Transporter and the Caravelle, but not until after these two more popular models are launched.

Fiat Aegea released

Fiat's new four-door sedan Aegea has been revealed at the Istanbul motor show 2015. The new car is expected to go on sale overseas, sometime later this year. The company has also said that the Aegea will have more models following in the form of a compact hatchback and an estate. 

Fiat stated that the sedan will not carry the Aegea name into production, but will receive a new name closer to the launch date.

On the outside, the new car gets bold creases along its flanks, hood and roof while the boot gets an integrated spoiler and neatly sculpted tail-lamps. The Aegea gets a large prominent grille with chrome inserts that merges neatly into the headlamps.

On the inside, the car seems to share plenty of bits with the Fiat 500X and 500L with the air-con switches, steering and infotainment system similar to the ones in the other cars. The centre console layout is also similar to the other Fiats as well.

 It gets equipment like a five-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, USB and Aux inputs and steering-mounted controls as standard. It is also available with optional satellite navigation system and a rear parking camera.

Under the hood, the Aegea is powered by two Fiat Multijet II diesel engines and two petrol engines in varying states of tune with power output between 94bhp and 118bhp.

Mercedes S600 Guard launched in India

Mercedes has just revealed the S 600 Guard in India at ₹ 8.9 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). It is the armoured variant of the S-class, and offers high levels of protection along with the luxury quotient.

In 2012, the S Guard was first unveiled. This new S 600 Guard joins two other Guard Mercs in India; the the E-Guard and M-Guard. All these armoured cars are made by Mercedes off its assembly lines, and not retrofitted with protective panels. The S 600 Guard uses protective components made of special steel to reinforce the body structure and outer shell; there are also heat-resistant synthetic fibres to protect passengers from projectiles.

The S 600 Guard offers VR9-level ballistics protection to its occupants. The VR9 certification, one of the highest  levels for civilians, signifies that the car can withstand 7.62x51mm rifle rounds on multiple areas of the body from various angles. Other features include an automatic fire suppression system and an emergency fresh air system in case of ingress of smoke, and hydraulic-actuated side windows. These windows are made of thick laminated glass with polycarbonate coating to provide better protection if fired upon. The underbody is also armoured to prevent injury to the occupants from explosive devices.

All this armour and protection systems do weigh the car down, so the mechanicals have been tweaked with too. The air suspension system has been recalibrated with stiffer and reinforced dampers, the brakes are larger, and the tyres are Michelin-run flats with a tyre pressure monitoring system. Powering this fortress is the top-of-the-line 6.0-litre V12 engine that makes a mammoth 530bhp and 84.63kgm of torque, mated to Mercedes’ 7G-TRONIC automatic gearbox. It has a limited top speed of 210kmph.

Inside, the S 600 Guard provides all the features and luxuries of the regular S-class and comes with an option of a four- or a five-seat layout.

VW Vento 2016

Just eight months after its first update, the Volkswagen Vento has once again gone through a host of new changes and now comes with new exterior bits. The cosmetic changes on the facelifted Vento include a new bumper, a Passat-like grille and horizontal fog lamps with integrated cornering lights.

The rear gets a modified bumper with a chrome strip that exudes style, and refreshed tail-lights. Apart from that, chrome bits have been added to the door handles, the tail-pipe and the boot as well. Unlike in 2014, when the Vento upgrades just included new head-lamps and 15-inch alloys on the outside, the changes this time around seem to be more comprehensive.

On the inside you get a lighter colour scheme and a bit more equipment. Moreover, top trims of the Vento will now get cruise control, a cooled glovebox, a dead pedal, external boot release and auto-folding mirrors.

Under the hood, the engine running the Vento facelift will remain the same: a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine making a 103 bhp, a 1.6-litre petrol churning out 104 bhp, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine making 103.2 bhp. Power will be delivered to the wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox and also a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that Volkswagen rolled out as a part of its 2014 update on the Vento.

Competition in the mid-size sedan space has been picking up with the Ciaz, City and facelifted Verna catching the fancy of buyers. But with this second facelift to the Vento in such a short span, Volkswagen has clearly shown keenness to make its presence felt.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 7 seater SPIED

Maruti Suzuki is reportedly developing a Maruti Wagon R 7-seat compact Hatchback for India, similar to what Datsun attempted to do with the Datsun Go+, which will be positioned as a mini MPV under the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. 

A spy image of what is said to be the first prototype of the Maruti Wagon R 7-seat (code named Maruti YJC) which is still in its initial development stage has emerged on the web. Going by the looks of things, Maruti Suzuki could be aiming to launch the Maruti Wagon R 7-seat MPV before the 2016 festive season or around October 2016.

Sources say that Maruti Suzuki may not stretch the wheelbase of the Wagon R 7-seat, but will increase its overall length to accommodate the additional third row of seats. Like its siblings, the new budget MPV - Maruti Wagon R 7-seat is expected to be powered by either by a 1.0-litre or a 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine and would be offered with usual manual along with automatic-manual transmission options. The Maruti Wagon R based 7-seater MPV is estimated to be price between ₹ 4-6 lakh. 

Renault Kwid

Renault has just showcased a near production-ready version of its low-cost compact car the Kwid. Renault’s CEO Carlos Ghosn unveiled the car at its global launch in Chennai today.

Slated to go on sale in the second half of 2015 at a scarcely believable price of between ₹ 3-4 lakhs, this is nothing short of Renault’s big shot at the mainstream. And it's strategy is pretty clear; the French company knows it can't compete with the likes of Maruti and Hyundai in terms of traditional virtues like a strong brand and a widespread dealer network, so Renault has done the next best thing; it's designed and built a car that is all but irresistible.

So while the competition concentrates on compact cars, Renault has upped the ante. Why it asks, deliver merely a hatchback, when for similar money you can give car buyers a crossover? And that's a winning argument, if there ever was one.

So the Kwid has a high bonnet, a high waistline and a high ground clearance of 180 mm. And as crossovers go, it's an attractive one. The detailing up front is pure Renault, and there are plenty of Duster-like clues visible here. Renault's smiling grille blends nicely with the very technical-looking two-element headlights, the matte grille works really well and Renault designers have also got a layered 3D-look going on. The bumper, for example, protrudes far out from the grille, the fogs are set in deep air inlets and like the duster, the Kwid has sharply designed squared off bumpers. What also work really well are the ridges on the bonnet, that give this baby Duster a slightly menacing look. The Kwid also gets cladding on the wheelarches, a protruding wheel arch at the rear like on the Duster and a nice kink in that shoulder line, which adds to the bulging muscular rear. Signs of this being a low-cost car are, however, visible if you look closely. There's only a single wiper, the mirrors look like they are non adjustable, the wheels have only three locating nuts and the doors don't even get pull-type handles.

The Kwid is built on an all-new variable platform. Based on the company’s highly flexible CMF-A architecture, Renault's new compact is expected to be high on space, despite measuring only 3.68 meters in length. This is because it can use vertical space intelligently, just as the Wagon R does. So you can expect the space in the rear to be more than sufficient.

The dashboard of the new Kwid appears to be robustly built and slightly unconventional. A bit sparse to look at, the Kwid's interiors however seem to be equipped with everything you really need in a modern-day car. The instrument panel, for example is digital and there's what appears to be a 6-inch touchscreen taking pride of place on the pod-like centre console. So you can
expect telephone links of all sorts.

Renault says it will source upto 98 percent of the car from India and that the plant will build other variants on this platform for export too. The motor will feature twin-cams, four-valves-per-cylinder and thanks to the advanced design, both efficiency and power should be excellent. Additionally, future engine options could include a more powerful 1.0-litre petrol motor (Codename: BR10) and the big news is that it will also come with the option of an automated manual transmission (AMT), pitting it directly against the new AMT-fitted Alto K10.

911 GT3 R

The racing version of the 911 GT3 RS has been unveiled in the form of the single-seater
911 GT3 R. The car features extensive use of lightweight aluminium-steel construction along with a body consisting of mainly carbon fibre composite panels on the roof, front cover and fairing, wheel arches, doors, side and tail sections and the rear cover. The windows are made from polycarbonate to shave off weight.

The GT3 R's wheelbase is 8.3 cm longer compared to its predecessor, resulting in an optimised centre of gravity.  The aerodynamics of the car have been improved with the use of front wheel arch air vents to increase downforce at the front, while the 2m wide rear wing lends aerodynamic balance. The GT3 R also features a centrally mounted radiator as with the 911 RSR to improve balance and stability as well as reducing chances of the radiator getting damaged.

The 911 GT3 R is powered by the 4.0-litre flat-six engine from the road-legal 911 GT3 RS. It features a direct petrol injection, as well as variable valve timing technology to generate 493.5 bhp, transferred to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox.

The car gets its stopping power from upgraded six-piston aluminium monoblock brake calipers paired with ventilated and grooved discs up front and four-piston calipers at the back. The GT3 R will go on sale in the international market with deliveries to start by 2015-end.

Tata GenX Nano

Tata Motors has just launched the much-awaited GenX Nano at ₹ 1.99 – 2.89 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The biggest changes to this year's version of Tata's city car are an openable hatch, a considerable facelift and the option of an automatic gearbox.

This 'GenX' Nano, as Tata calls it, debuts a lot of new features never before seen on the car. Apart from the option of an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) gearbox, the boot can finally be accessed by an openable hatch. When the Nano was first rolled out in March 2009, the company did have to cut corners in order to achieve that famous starting price of ₹ 1 lakh to make it the cheapest car in the world. But now, it has been repositioned as a city car, and therefore many comfort and convenience features have been added over the years.

The new GenX Nano will be made available in five trims — XE, XM, XT, XMA (AMT) and XTA (AMT). The AMT is a five-speed gearbox (unlike the manual, which remains a four-speed), which Tata calls 'Easy Shift’. Not only does it get a 'tiptronic' mode to shift gears manually, there's also a Sports mode for quicker responses, and a 'creep' function that moves the car forward slowly as soon as your foot is taken off the brake pedal.

The Nano GenX gets the same 624 cc, two-cylinder, rear-mounted petrol engine, apart from some modifications to the ECU for slightly improved fuel efficiency. Storage capacity in the automatic car is 94 litres, while the manual car can take 110 litres. The car gets an audio system with four speakers, Bluetooth, aux-in and USB.

On the outside, the Nano GenX has smoked headlamps, a black band with a chrome strip to liven up the near-vertical bonnet, new front and rear bumpers, fog lamps and a new grille that gives the car a smiling face. 

The financial year 2014-15 wasn’t great for the Tata Nano, as sales dipped 20 percent from the previous year to 16,901 units. However, with these few important and much required updates, the Nano is far better equipped at being an easy-to-use city car than it ever has been in the past.

Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)

XE - ₹ 1.99 lakh

XM - ₹ 2.29 lakh

XT - ₹ 2.49 lakh

XMA (AMT) - ₹ 2.69 lakh

XTA (AMT) - ₹ 2.89 lakh

Here is a look at the variants of the GenX Nano.

Tata Nano XE 

The base XE variant of the Nano offers basic features such as driver information display with distance to empty and average fuel readout, fuel warning indicator, digital clock, trip meter, blower, front sunvisors and adjustable front seats adjustable front seats.

In terms of safety, the Nano XE gets booster-assisted brakes, front and rear seatbelts, crumple zones and body reinforcements.

Tata Nano XM 

Over and above the base XE trim, the XM trim gets the addition of power steering and air-conditioning. Safety features offered are the same as on the XE.

Tata Nano XT 

The XT trim gets the addition of a music system with USB, aux and Bluetooth connectivity, four speakers, rear parcel shelf, remote entry, heater, front power windows, 12V power socket, door pockets and vanity mirror for the front passenger. Safety features include the addition of central locking.

Tata Nano XMA 

The XMA trim shares the same features as the XM trim but gets the addition of the AMT gearbox, dual trip meter, instant fuel consumption reading and gear shift indicator. Safety features remain unchanged from the Nano XE and XM.

Tata Nano XTA 

The XTA trim shares its features with the XT trim, along with features from the XMA trim, including the AMT gearbox.

FORD ENDEAVOUR FOR INDIA

The new Ford Endeavour will be adding some brute force to Ford’s India line up this year. Although the new Endeavour SUV will be based on the Ranger pickup sold internationally, the company has given the Endeavour a bit more differentiation than its predecessor, this time around. The new Endeavour’s large trapezoidal grille, big wheel arches and wheels give the new SUV loads of presence. 

Cosmetically, the new Endeavour retains pretty much everything seen on the concept, except for a different design for the alloys. Prominent design elements include LED daytime-running lights, aluminium front and rear scuff plates.  Ford has begun testing the next-gen Endeavour in India and the model was seen shod with chrome alloy wheels. Ford’s new SUV will take on the likes of the Fortuner, Pajero Sport, Hyundai Santa Fe and the SsangYong Rexton in our market.

The cabin of the new Ford Endeavour is likely to take a big leap in quality. It does look inviting even in pictures and the dashboard, with its central screen, is in sync with the times. Top-spec trims should get an 8-inch touchscreen system with Ford’s SYNC 2 infotainment along with sattelite navigation and a rear-view camera.

India-specific Endeavours will receive a 7- seat configuration with large front seats, and flat folding seats in the second and the third rows as standard. While cabin space is expected to be better than the outgoing version, we can only hope that the current model’s knee-up seating position in the second and third rows is also improved on.

Two engine and transmission options are expected to be offered — a 2.2-litre 148 bhp and a 197 bhp 3.2-litre diesel. The former is likely to be paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox and the bigger engine is likely to come only with a 6-speed auto. An array of safety and assistance systems such as start assist, assist to control ascent, descent and curve when on a hill, a warning system for lane departure, a system to indicate blind spots, adaptive cruise control and ESP are also to be included.
We believe that Ford will stick to an aggressive pricing strategy for the new Endeavour, and it could start from ₹ 18 lakh. It certainly looks like the best Endeavour yet, and has all the ingredients to become a success in our market.

CHEVY CAMARO

Chevrolet has revealed its sixth-generation Camaro in Detroit. The new Camaro is based on GM’s Alpha platform, which results in a 60 kg weight reduction from the previous model built on the stubby Zeta platform. The kerb weight has also been reduced by 90 kg — a significant reduction from the fifth-generation's 1,687 kg. The sixth-gen model measures 57 mm shorter, 20 mm narrower and 28 mm lower than its predecessor and gets a new five-link rear suspension system.

The new Camaro’s engine line-up includes a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol unit that produces 271 bhp and 40.7 kgm to rival the Ford Mustang EcoBoost. A new 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine will also be on offer, which produces 330 bhp and 39.2 kgm and also includes cylinder deactivation technology to achieve better fuel efficiency. Both the engines are available with the option of a six-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic gearbox with paddle-shifters.

The most powerful Camaro will be the new SS, which features a 6.2-litre small block V8 making 449 bhp and 62.9 kgm — the 5.0-litre V8 engine in the Ford Mustang produces 415 bhp and 54 kgm of torque. The new SS now gets additions such as cylinder deactivation along with direct injection, variable valve timing, Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes and 20-inch wheels – the standard Camaro gets 18-inch wheels while Brembo brakes are optional. The V8 in the Camaro is the same as the one on the Corvette Stingray. Both V6 and V8-engined Camaros can be ordered with a dual-mode exhaust.

On the design front, the car keeps its signature cross-shaped grille but takes on an aggressive profile towards the rear with wider wheel arches. Chevrolet has spent more than 350 hours testing the new Camaro in a wind tunnel to optimise its aerodynamic performance. A new ‘air curtain’ on the front fascia is designed to guide air around the wheels to reduce drag. The bonnet comes with new air vents as well.

Getting in, there is a redesigned centre console but the Camaro's signature instrument cluster is retained. It features analogue dials along with an 8-inch information screen. An additional 8-inch screen displays infotainment functions on the centre console and serves as an interface for GM’s MyLink system. The new Camaro is also equipped with mood lighting and now gets an electronic parking brake.

The new Camaro will rival the Ford Mustang when it goes on sale internationally by 2015-end.

AUDI R8 2ND GEN INDIA LAUNCH

The new Audi R8 will be launched in India, in early 2016. It is the second generation of the German supercar, and the range-topping version will get a 601 bhp 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine along with a newly-developed Quattro all-wheel-drive system. It has a claimed 0-100kph sprint time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 330 kph.

The new R8 is based on a new spaceframe structure that is claimed to weigh 200 kg. Though primarily made of aluminium, it uses carbonfibre-reinforced plastic elements for added weight saving, and improved rigidity. The top-of-the-line R8 V10 Plus tips the scales at 1,454kg. At 4,442mm long, 1,944 mm wide and 1,241 mm high, the new R8 is the same length as the old R8, but 39 mm wider and 9 mm lower than before.

Overall, the new R8 is stylistically similar to its predecessor, but there’s a new single-frame grille and LED headlamps. Audi is also offering the new R8 with laser headlights that use a laser-guided spot lamp for the high beams, along with dynamic turn signals at the front and rear.

It gets a thoroughly updated version of the previous car’s 5.2-litre engine in two different states of tune. In standard form, it makes 532 bhp and 55 kgm of torque, while in the more powerful Plus avatar, it packs 601 bhp and 57.1 kgm of torque. This V10 unit now gets a new cylinder-on-demand system, and the seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox has been tweaked to adopt an automatic engine stop-start system, which has helped improve efficiency by a claimed 10 percent.