Mahindra recently launched the Roxor off-road recreational vehicle in the American market. The Roxor is based on the Mahindra Thar and gets the same 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine. It is being sold in the States by Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA), who assemble the Roxor at the company’s facility in Detroit.

Picture courtesy BackcountryBandit

The Roxor has been receiving many rave reviews from the American testers. However, it looks like someone thought Roxor SUV can be a bit more ‘American’ and hence, installed Mattracks’ snow/sand tracks on the Thar-based off-roader. The tank-like tracks on the Roxor you see in the image above are 48 inches long, 30 inches high and 15 inches wide.

The suspension and the wheel wells have been suitably modified to ensure proper fitment of these tracks. The engine has been left untouched, which means you get the same 2.5-liter diesel engine producing a max. power of 62 HP and a peak torque of 195 Nm. The motor comes mated to a five-speed manual transmission. A 2-speed manual transfer case helps you select between 2WD and 4WD and High and Low ratios.

Unlike Mahindra Thar, which is road-legal in India, the Roxor can’t be used on the public streets of the USA. Mahindra has even restricted the speed limit to 78 kmph to enable it to sell under the recreational vehicles category. The set of tank tracks that this Roxor possesses costs Rs 10 lakh in the US market. These tank-like tracks are also known as Continuous track or Caterpillar tracks.

Such tracks have gained a lot of popularity in many parts of the world. You can see them on industrial equipment and even on some off-road vehicles. Equipped with these tracks, this Mahindra Thar-based vehicle for the US market can truly go anywhere. These caterpillar tracks enhance the traction and help a vehicle tackle treacherous terrains. Mattracks sells these Caterpillar Tracks in as many as 100 countries. These tank-like tracks can be used on various kinds of terrains and in any climatic condition.

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Kim Sharma, the popular Bollywood actress who starred in Shahrukh Khan’s Mohabbatein, has been seen using a white Range Rover SUV on many occasions. However, one Dilip Kumar, a Rajasthan-based businessman, alleges that the luxury SUV actually belongs to him and that it has been in the possession of Kim illegally. Kumar even alleges that the actress has refused to return the SUV even after many requests. Dilip has even filed a complaint with the police.

Kim Sharma, on the other hand, claims the possession of the Range Rover SUV by stating that it’s a gift from her estranged husband Ali Punjani. As per the police report, Kumar used to travel to Mumbai on numerous occasions and had his vehicle pared at Punjani’s Khar residence. However, in his absence, Kim started commuting in the luxury SUV. Kumar reportedly filed a complaint with the cops in September last year. However, Ali Punjani’s name was mentioned in the report instead of the actor’s. It is now being said that the businessman has made a fresh complaint against Kim Sharma. “While the complaint was registered in September 2017, Kim Sharma’s estranged husband Punjani was erroneously named as the accused instead of the actor. Kumar has been repeatedly following up with cops to change the name of the accused to Sharma’s. On Monday, he submitted a formal complaint asking for the same and alleging police inaction,” read a report in the Mid-day. Kumar said he couldn’t spot the error in his earlier complaint owing to his incapability to read and understand Marathi.

Last year, the actor was in news for his split with Ali Punjani. It was reported that the actor was willing to return to Bollywood and that she has even signed up a project for free. Back in 2017, Kim even spoke on the rumors of her struggling with finances. She tweeted: “There is much ado about nothing. I can’t wrap my head around all these different angles and “ground-breaking” details everyone seems to know so much about.” The Zindagi Rocks actor is in news again for the allegedly illegal possession of the white Range Rover SUV. The Land Rover Range Rover SUV has a base price of more than Rs 2 crore and offers just the right mix of performance and luxury. It’s very popular among the elite and the famous.

via Midday

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At its peak, Bajaj Auto used to battle Hero MotoCorp in the Indian two wheeler market, with its major offerings firing. From the Boxer commuter motorcycle to the Pulsar, Bajaj was the undisputed #2 in the Indian two wheeler market. Now, it’s at 3rd place, and is in real risk of losing even that to TVS Motors. In the last 12 months, Bajaj’s sales have grown only by 4 %. In comparison, Hero MotoCorp grew by nearly 14 %, Honda by 22 %, Royal Enfield by 23 %. and TVS Motors by a whopping 28 %. And we’re talking only about motorcycles here. What gives? We explain.

Pulsar and Dominar aren’t selling enough

The Pulsar – a sporty motorcycle sub-brand with a range of motorcycles targeting everyone from commuters to entry-level sportsbike buyers – is bringing in the big numbers for Bajaj. Royal Enfield’s Classic range of retro 350cc and 500cc motorcycles have together overtaken the Pulsar on multiple occasions. When a more expensive bike outsells a cheaper one, it’s a cause of concern for any manufacturer. Bajaj plans to totally revamp the Pulsar range next year.

The Dominar, Bajaj’s attempt at snagging sales from Royal Enfield, barely does 2,000 units a month. Now, this is not a poor number considering the price at which the Dominar sells. Still, Bajaj would have expected the motorcycle to do much better.

While the Dominar’s sales won’t really impact Bajaj directly in terms of sales growth, Bajaj will still have to figure a way out to take its brand upmarket. The Dominar’s success or failure may determine whether Bajaj goes upmarket or uses KTM, Husqvarna and the Triumph-Bajaj partnership to target segments beyond Rs. 2 lakhs.

Commuter motorcycles are weak as well

Hero MotoCorp, Honda and TVS Motors are getting stronger and stronger in the commuter motorcycle segment at Bajaj’s expense. Bajaj has been focusing on profitability, eschewing thin margins of the entry-level 100cc motorcycle market in favour of more premium, higher priced offerings in the 150 cc+ segments that bring in fatter profits. This is another reason why Bajaj’s sales growth is not as strong as say a TVS Motors or a Honda.  The entry-level segments bring in the maximum numbers, and this translates into sales growth as well.

Will Bajaj’s sales growth go up in the future?

Unlikely. Bajaj’s long term strategy has been that of making bigger profits rather than just selling more motorcycles.  And profits are higher in the upmarket segments (Motorcycles priced at Rs. 60,000 and more). Also, Bajaj has dumped the scooter segment to focus solely on motorcycles, and automatic scooters are bringing in mega sales growth for many brands.

Bajaj is very focused on motorcycles, and in future, will get into many more upmarket segments. For instance, it’ll launch the Husqvarna range of retro-modern motorcycles in India by 2019, hoping that they take a bite out of Royal Enfield’s market share. The KTM brand will continue to expand its range of high-end sportsbikes. The Triumph-Bajaj collaboration will launch its first products in 2021, again high-end stuff that could easily be priced above Rs. 3 lakhs.

Clearly, Bajaj is moving away from the numbers game, and this is showing in the slower sales growth. Maybe a decade from now, we’ll have to measure Bajaj up against brands that mainly sell premium sportsbikes and leisure motorcycles rather than those that cater mainly to commuter motorcycle buyers. For Bajaj clearly, the fortune doesn’t seem to be at the bottom of the pyramid.

Via LiveMint

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Mercedes Benz India has launched a new trim level for the GLS luxury SUV – the Grand Edition. Priced at Rs. 86.9  lakhs, ex-showroom India, the GLS Grand Edition is available with both petrol and diesel engines. The SUV is  assembled at Mercedes Benz’s Chakan factory near Pune from completely knocked down (CKD) kits. Known as the S Class of SUVs, the GLS is Mercedes Benz’s flagship SUV offering.

Here are key highlights of the Grand Edition of the GLS.

• Black rings integrated with Intelligent LED Light system thus enhancing the visual appeal
• Grand Edition’ exterior badges and chrome fins on the bonnet
• Fitted with 50.8 cm (20-inch) 10-spoke light alloy wheels, painted in Black and with a high-sheen finish
• RSES (Rear Seat Entertainment System) comes as standard with the new GLS Grand Edition with Two 17.8 cm (7 inch) high definition screens

The diesel variant of the SUV is called the 350d model, and features a 3 liter V6 turbocharged engine that produces  258 Bhp of peak power and 620 Nm of peak torque. The petrol variant of the GLS Grand Edition is called the GLS400,  and is powered by a 3 liter V6 turbocharged petrol engine with 333 Bhp of peak power and 480 Nm of peak torque. Both variants use a 9 speed automatic gearbox and an all wheel drive system to transmit torque. Competitors to the Mercedes Benz GLS include the Audi Q7, the BMW X5, the Land Rover Range Rover and the Volvo XC90.

Mercedes Benz also offers a top-of-the-line GLS 63 AMG model that offers sportscar shaming performance. Priced at Rs. 1.91 crores, the GLS 63 AMG model is powered by a 5.5 liter twin turbocharged V8 petrol engine that generates 577 Bhp of peak power and 760 Nm of peak torque. This model is meant for those who want an exclusive, super quick SUV that offers high ground clearance and go-anywhere ability along with performance that can make sportscars seem slow. Mileage? Don’t ask.

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While there is no formal policy made on the electric vehicles in India yet, the vehicles like Tata Tigor EV and Mahindra eVerito may get a major sales boost in the future. The state-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (ESSL) has announced a plan to procure 20,000 electric cars by March 2019. A senior official has said that ESSL has plans to invest around Rs. 2,400 crores to procure the vehicles.

These vehicles will be procured for the use of government officials. Later this month, the company is planning to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Maharashtra and Gujarat to supply 1,000 EVs and 8,000 EVs respectively.

EESL managing director Saurabh Kumar told PTI yesterday,

“We have got a good response for this project. Already 100 electric vehicles are operational in Delhi. In total, we will be procuring 20,000 electric vehicles by March 2019 and we are investing around Rs 2,400 crore for buying them,” 

ESSL projects that the procurement of new 20,000 vehicles will able to save over Rs. 5 crore litres of fuel every year, which will translate into the reduction of 5,60,000 tonnes of annual carbon dioxide emission. The use of electric vehicles by the government officials is seen as a way to kick-start the electric vehicle revolution in India.

Last year, ESSL floated a tender to procure over 10,000 electric vehicles to replace the ageing fleet of government vehicles used by the officials in New Delhi. This was done in the alignment of government’s plan of making India a 100% electric vehicle nation by 2030. The tender was won jointly by Tata Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra. Both the brands have started delivering the electric vehicles to ESSL. As per the tender, 500 vehicles will have to be delivered in the first phase and the rest of the vehicles in the second phase.

ESSL has also rolled out a plan to set up charging stations across the country. A tender to set-up 2,500 charging stations across India has been floated already. The national capital, Delhi will get as many as 250 electric charging points as per the new tender.

Source

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Mahindra and Mahindra is known for the brutish looking SUV line-up in India. The manufacturer used to the top of the sales chart when it came to utility vehicles but off-late, Mahindra has lost the steam. The home-grown manufacturer has a slew of upcoming car models that will be launched in India soon. What are these cars? Let’s find out.

Mahindra XUV 500

Expected launch: April 2018

Mahindra has been working on the new XUV 500 and it will be launched later this month. The facelifted XUV 500 has been revealed completely through a series of spy pictures. The car now gets a revamped front-end and rear-end. The car gets a new larger front grille with a mesh-inspired design. The rear of the vehicle has been revamped too and it now gets new tail lamps replacing the old Christmas tree styled lamps.

The interiors remain similar to the current model but it is expected to get new features like a bigger touchscreen system. Mahindra will continue to power the new XUV 500 with the same 2.2-litre diesel engine that generates a maximum power of 140 Bhp and 330 Nm. However, there is a possibility that Mahindra will upgrade the power output to 170 Bhp and 400 Nm. It will make the XUV 500 as powerful as the Jeep Compass, which has gained quick popularity in the market. The petrol 2.2-litre engine is expected to remain same.

Mahindra XUV 700

Expected launch: October 2018

Even though Mahindra has not released an official name of the vehicle this vehicle is expected to be called as the XUV 700. It is a rebadged version of the SsangYong Rexton G4, which is already available in many international markets. It will be the flagship vehicle of Mahindra in India when launched. The seven-seater SUV gets a Mahindra grille and Mahindra logo on the body. It will take on the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour in the market.

The rebadged version of the G4 Rexton, the XUV 700 will be powered by a turbocharged diesel engine with 2.2-litre displacement. This engine has been developed with SsangYong and it develops a peak power of 178 Bhp – 420 Nm. It gets a 7-speed automatic transmission sourced from Mercedes-Benz. The launch is expected to happen by the festive season.

Mahindra KUV 100 AMT

Expected launch: April-May 2018

Mahindra launched the facelift version of the KUV in India recently. During the launch, they announced that they would soon launch the AMT version of the KUV 100 with both petrol and diesel engine options.

The KUV 100 is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that develops 84Bhp – 114 Nm and 1.2-litre diesel that produces 77 Bhp – 190Nm. KUV is the entry-level vehicle of Mahindra in India. It is marketed as a micro SUV from the brand.

Mahindra TUV Plus

Expected launch: April-May 2018

Mahindra has already launched the vehicle in selected markets but the nation-wide launch is yet to happen. The body-on-ladder frame car will get an extra row of seat, and the vehicle is expected to replace the Xylo from the market. The car may also be used to replace the ageing Bolero from the market as it does not meet the crash standards that will be in place from 2019. The TUV 300 is compliant with the crash tests and may just take the Bolero’s place in the line-up.

The TUV 300 Plus is expected to get a 1.5-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine that develops 100 Bhp – 240 Nm. The new vehicle will take on the likes of Renault Lodgy and Maruti Ertiga in the market.

Mahindra U321

Expected launch: September-October 2018

The Mahindra U321 is a premium MPV that will be launched by the brand later this year. The car has been caught testing extensively by Mahindra and it is expected to be placed between the Maruti Ertiga and Toyota Innova Crysta in the market. The car will get similar grille like the new Scorpio. It gets projector headlamps and LED DRL on the foglamps. The interiors are expected to get a new touch-screen infotainment system, piano black panels and premium feel and look.

The Mahindra U321 will come with an all-new 1.6-litre mFalcon diesel engine. The engine has been developed with inputs from SsangYong. The new unit will churn out a maximum power of 125 Bhp and peak torque of 305 Nm. Mahindra will also offer a petrol engine with the MPV but exact details of the petrol engine are not yet known. The car will get standard safety features like ABS and airbags across all the variants.

Mahindra S201

Expected launch: September-October 2018

Mahindra is working on the SsangYong Tivoli based compact SUV for the Indian market. It will be the first of the Mahindra cars that will be developed on the SsangYong platform in India. The S201 will be the sub 4-meter version of the car and will take on the vehicles like Ford EcoSport, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and the likes. This will Mahindra’s fourth vehicle in the segment after the launch of Quanto, NuvoSport and the TUV 300.

The S201 will get monocoque chassis and will be powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. There will be a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that will develop class-leading 140 Bhp while the diesel variants will be powered by a 1.5-litre engine that develops a maximum of 125 Bhp. There will be no AWD option available with the S201.

Mahindra S201 LWB

Expected launch: Early 2019

Mahindra will also launch a long wheelbase version of the S201. Internationally, the long wheelbase version gets more luggage room and rear space but the Indian version will get an additional row of seat. The engines are expected to be same as the S201 SWB. This model will take on the likes of Renault Duster and Hyundai Creta in the market. Both the versions of the vehicle have been spied testing in India.

Mahindra eKUV

Expected launch: 2019

Mahindra announced that they will launch an electrified version of the entry-level hatchback soon during the launch of KUV NXT. Mahindra showcased the electric KUV at the 2018 Auto Expo that looks exactly similar to the regular version. The e-KUV is a six-seater car that will get smart features like remote diagnostics, cabin pre-cooling, real-time location tracking and driving patterns.

The car gets a range of 350 km on a single charge but the power output is not known. However, Mahindra has promised that the electrified KUV will get a 0-100 km/h time of 9 seconds and a top speed of 186 km/h, which is quite fast for a car of this segment.

Mahindra electric sedan

Expected launch: 2019

Mahindra already has the e-Verito but the vehicle has not been popular in the market because of its looks. Mahindra has tied up with Ford in India and soon they will launch the Figo Aspire sedan in electrified form. This will be the first vehicle from the newly formed alliance. The details are still sketchy as the car is in the early development stage.

Mahindra S201 electric

Expected launch: 2020

Mahindra will also work on the S201 to electrify it. It will be one of the first electrified compact SUVs in India. The electric version of the compact SUV will look identical to the regular variant of the S201 but will get a completely electrified set-up on the inside. It will be based on the short wheelbase version of the S201 but the company may launch the LWB electric at a later date. The vehicle will have a top speed of 150 km/h and a 0-100 km/h timing of 11 seconds.

Mahindra XUV Aero

Expected launch: 2020

Mahindra gave the green signal for the production of the XUV Aero. The SUV-Coupe styled vehicle will be the cheapest of its kind in India. Mahindra plans to launch an electric version of the vehicle that will be the flagship electric model of the brand. The Aero will be quite quick and will get a 0-100 km/h timing of only 8 seconds. It will also get a top speed of 190 km/h and a 300 km range.

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TVS Motor Company is India’s third largest two-wheeler manufacturer. The company was founded in 1978 and had collaborations with different manufacturers initially. Here are thirteen bikes that were launched by TVS and are now forgotten by the most.

Ind-Suzuki AX100R

The Ind-Suzuki AX100 was one of the first bikes launched by TVS-Suzuki partnership. The bike was first launched independently by Suzuki and then was relaunched after the partnership with TVS was formed and was renamed as AX100R. The commuter segment bike was launched to take on the competition from Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki in India. The AX100 was launched in 1983.

It was powered by a 98.2cc, 2-stroke engine that produced a maximum of 8.25 Bhp and 9.6 Nm. The bike came with a 4-speed transmission and to make it lucrative, the company offered 10,000 km warranty on the bike and 20,000 km warranty on the engine.

TVS Suzuki Supra

The Supra was a sportier version of the AX100R. It came with different, more sportier body graphics and increased power. The bike was still powered by 98.2cc, 2-stroke engine but it generated a maximum power of 9.2 Bhp and peak torque of 9.6 Nm. The 106 kg bike became the first performance commuter segment bike from the brand.

Suzuki Shogun

The Shogun gained a lot of popularity and is still remembered by many enthusiasts. It was one of the best looking bikes in the segment in those days and had a headlamp cowl and all-black engine. The bike was powered by 108.2cc, 2-stroke engine that produced a maximum of 14 Bhp – 11.4 Nm. It came with a 4-speed transmission and weighed 114 kg.

Suzuki Samurai

The Samurai became the “No problem” bike after a TV commercial became quite popular. It was launched in 1994 and TVS-Suzuki continued to utilise the 98.2cc, 2-stroke engine but changed the body style of the bike. The engine generated 7.5 Bhp – 9.8 Nm and became quite famous among the youths. It came with a round headlamp and chiselled fuel tank.

Fiero

The Fiero was launched to cater the enthusiastic group of the market. The bike was can be termed as a spiritual successor of Apache series. Fiero was first launched in 2005 and became quite famous among the youths. The bike was powered by 147.5cc single-cylinder engine that produced a maximum of 11.8 Bhp and 10.5 Nm of torque. The small size of the bike made it quite agile in the traffic.

Fiero F2

TVS launched the Fiero F2 in 2003 after the success of the Fiero. The bike came with a few visual upgrades and a more powerful engine. It was powered by the same 147.5cc single-cylinder engine but produced 12 Bhp and 11.3 Nm torque.

Fiero FX

The Fiero FX was launched shortly after the Fiero F2 in the market. It was a variant of the bike that offered retro looks with round headlamp. It was mainly targeted at the Bajaj Pulsar which was still fresh in the market. The engine was the same as the TVS Fiero F2 and produced same power and torque too.

Shaolin

The Shaolin was launched in 1998 and was launched to cater to the needs of power-hungry enthusiasts. The Shaolin was powered by big-bored 138.2cc, 2-stroke engine that was tuned to produce 11.5 Bhp of maximum power and 12.3 Nm of peak torque. It offered best in class torque and came with a 5-speed transmission which made sure a very high top speed.

Centra

The TVS Centra was discontinued only last year but only a few remember the model. The commuter segment bike was launched with a headlamp cowl and looked quite stylish. The bike was powered by a four-stroke 99.8cc engine that generated a maximum of 7.5 Bhp and 7.5 Nm. It came with a high fuel efficiency 68 km/l.

Jive

The Jive became quite famous because of its automatic clutch feature. The bike featured a manual transmission but had an automatic clutch operation and there was no clutch lever, similar to the modern-day AMTs. The bike was powered by a 109.7cc engine that produced a maximum power of 8 Bhp – 8 Nm.

Victor GL

TVS has now revived the much popular Victor name in the market but the original Victor was launched way back in 2003. The Victor GL was the first bike to be launched in the Victor series that later saw the addition of Victor GLX with a bigger engine. The Victor GL was powered by a 109cc, 4-stroke engine that produced 8 Bhp – 8 Nm.

Pheonix

TVS launched the premium-commuter bike Pheonix to take on the rivals in 2012. The bike had a fully digital console, tubeless tyres, spring suspension and 240mm roto-petal disc at the front. The bike was powered by 125cc Eco-Thurst engine that produced a maximum of 10.5 Bhp and 10.8 Nm.

Max

TVS Max was launched as a commuter bike with retro looks like round headlamp. It was powered by the same 109.7cc, 4-stroke engine that powered many other TVS bikes. The Max produced a maximum of 8.28 Bhp and 8.5 Nm of peak torque. TVS later also launched the MAX 4R with a mobile charger and it became quite famous.

Pic source: 1,2,3,4,5,

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Royal Enfield Thailand has showcased the Himalayan Scrambler ADV concept at the Bangkok Motorcycle Show. As its name suggests, the modified motorcycle is a Himalayan with Scrambler styling and features. What this means is macho yet minimal looks with a lot of weight reduction.

Yes, the Himalayan, which is quite porky, could do with some lightening and what better a way to achieve this than going the Scrambler route. The custom built motorcycle has knobbly tyres at the front and rear that should give it solid mud plugging ability.

The brush-guards equipped handlebar is taller and so is the seat. The exhaust exits out from the middle of the engine, in true scrambler tradition. Overall, these modifications are simple enough for most Himalayan owners to actually attempt and pull it off.

The motorcycle looks rough and tough, something that goes with the Himalayan’s character of being an on-off road motorcycle. Apart from the cosmetic changes and the new tyres, the motorcycle remains stock mechanically. It is powered by a 411cc four stroke engine that is air and oil cooled.

This engine produces a peak power of 24.5 Bhp while peak torque is rated at 32 Nm. The engine uses an overhead camshaft, and is mated to a five speed manual gearbox. Fuel injection is standard. Disc brakes handle stopping power on both the front and rear wheels.

While the motorcycle gets ABS for the European market, Thailand, Australia and other parts of the world including India are yet to get the ABS equipped Himalayan. We hope that Royal Enfield soon makes this crucial change to the Indian model as well, since ABS is a life saving safety feature.

Suspension on the Himalayan consists of long travel front forks and monoshock rear. The long travel suspension, along with the motorcycle’s high ground clearance makes it a mountain goat. Of course, knobbly tyres take the combination to a different level.

Via Royal Enfield Society Thailand

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Volkswagen India has rolled out an ambitious new plan for the Indian market called India 2.0, which will see the German car giant putting in about 1 billion Euros or Rs. 8,000 crores in its Indian operation. These funds will be used to develop a range of new products, the first of which will be a compact SUV. It’s now confirmed that Volkswagen will build a Hyundai Creta rival for the Indian market under the MQB A0 platform. A direct rival to the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza has been ruled out. Volkswagen doesn’t want to dilute the brand too much and wants to retain its premium positioning in the Indian market.

Stephen Knapp, the director of Volkswagen India explains the reasoning behind this decision, with the following statement,

As a logical step we are looking at the A0 SUV segment, which is one of the fastest growing segments. These are not the sub-4 meter class. We will have something (similar to) the (Hyundai) Creta. Because we think they have the highest potential of growth and business case and fits perfectly in our target group.

Skoda – a Volkswagen group car maker – has been entrusted with the responsibility of developing a low cost MQB A0 platform that will underpin the new range of cars and SUVs that will be sold by both Volkswagen and Skoda brands in India. The compact SUV will be the first product from the MQB A0 platform but don’t expect it to hit the market anytime before 2020.

What we do know that is Skoda is working hard to make the MQB A0 platform cost competitive. The compact SUV, which will be sold as both a Skoda and VW with different styling for each brand, is likely to be priced very competitively. Maintenance costs could also be affordable due to heavy localization.

The Skoda Vision X SUV, which was recently shown as a concept, is expected to be the direction that the new compact SUV will take. Expect more details to be revealed in the coming months as Volkswagen and Skoda freeze their respective designs for the new compact SUV.

Via MoneyControl

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Maruti Suzuki is planning a Hyundai Creta rival for the Indian car market. The automaker is busy testing the Suzuki Vitara compact SUV that will eventually be launched here as a Creta challenger. The Vitara has been caught testing on Indian roads yet again. The SUV measures longer than the Vitara Brezza and offers much more space and performance. The test mule spotted was a diesel engine version.

The Vitara sold in Europe gets a 1.6 liter Fiat Multijet turbocharged diesel engine – the same unit that was used on the S-Cross 1.6. This engine is known for its tremendous torque – 320 Nm of it. Peak power is rated at 118 Bhp. These outputs will make it the torque king in its segment, where the Creta currently rules with 265 Nm of peak torque available on its 1.6 diesel variants. The Vitara’s 1.6 diesel motor will come paired with a 6 speed manual gearbox.

The SUV is also available with multiple petrol engines in the European market. There’s the entry level 1.6 liter naturally aspirated unit and a more powerful 1.4 liter BoosterJet turbocharged unit. India is expected to receive the 1.4 liter BoosterJet unit with 140 Bhp of peak power and 230 Nm of peak torque. Introducing this engine on the Vitara and building it in India will also allow Maruti to launch this engine in the Swift Sport due to volumes of scale.

While Maruti remains tightlipped about the launch timeline for the Vitara, we expect it to be launched here in 2019. The automaker is clearly moving upmarket with the NEXA chain of premium dealerships, and the Vitara is likely to be Maruti’s flagship SUV sold through the NEXA chain. As for pricing, expect prices to start from about Rs. 9-10 lakhs for the base-petrol variants. This will put the Vitara in prime Creta territory. The Creta could have a tough fight in India.

Via Team-BHP

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Since the inception of Maruti, hardly any vehicle from the manufacturer has gone out of the memory of car lovers. However, there are little-known cars from the brand that the younger generation have begun to forget. Not surprising, since they have never seen most of them on the roads. Make no mistake, all of them are remembered fondly by enthusiasts even today. So here are ten forgotten cars from Maruti.

1000

Maruti SS 80 was the first hatchback from the brand and the Maruti 1000 was the first sedan from the manufacturer. It was sold as the Cultus in the international market. The sedan was considered a premium car when it was launched in 1990, powered by a 970cc petrol engine. The low weight of 825 kg made the 1000 a fun to drive vehicle.

Omni high roof

The Omni was a massive success for Maruti in India. To offer more space, Maruti offered the high-roof version of the multipurpose vehicle. However, people were more than happy with the regular version of the Omni and never really looked towards the more spacious cousin of the car.

Zen Classic

While the regular Zen started off a great favourite and is still a bit of a cult car in the Indian market, the Zen Classic never made an impression in the minds of the vast Indian population. The Zen Classic was a result of Maruti’s decision to add some retro touch to the Zen. It featured the same shape as the regular Zen but had a different three-piece grille and round headlamps. The bumper was also a steel bar – something the market did not care for.

Grand Vitara

The name Vitara is very common in the Indian market now because of the Vitara Brezza. The Grand Vitara though did not click, despite coming to India twice. This was a CBU SUV from Maruti that was only offered with a 2.4-litre petrol engine. There were only very few buyers of the vehicle in India due to the high price tag and petrol fuel. Eventually it joined the ranks of the forgotten.

Baleno Altura

India has never been a market for station wagons – and manufacturers took some time to figure that out. One such entry was Altura that was based on the Baleno sedan. The estate version of the sedan was powered by the 1.6-litre petrol engine but there were not many takers for the vehicle.

Versa

The MUV from Maruti was targetted at the customers who wanted an upgrade from the versatile Omni. The Versa was sold as Suzuki Carry in the international markets and was promoted by none other than Amitabh Bachchan in India. However, the hefty price tag did not make it popular in the market.

Zen Carbon and Steel

These special editions of the Zen were the only two-door hatchbacks from Maruti ever. The Zen Carbon and Steel were an enthusiast’s delight but were extremely limited in numbers. Maruti launched only 50 units each of both the vehicles and they sold pretty quickly. However, very few remember the sporty Zen twins anymore.

A-Star

The A-Star came out at the wrong time in India. The big-eyed hatchback was a fun to drive vehicle but the price tag kept the customers away from it. The A-Star had become a good success for the brand in the international markets but sadly, in India, the car remains on the forgotten list.

Zen Diesel

There was a time when the popularity of diesel fuel was rising due to the extreme price difference between petrol and diesel. Maruti Zen, which was a pretty successful car, was introduced in a diesel avatar in 1996. It was powered by a 1.5-litre diesel engine sourced from Peugeot that generated around 58 Bhp – 78 Nm. However, the car did not attract much customers and remains a rare vehicle.

Kizashi

The Kizashi is known as one of the most affordable CBU vehicles in India. However, the big price tag and the Suzuki logo along with the petrol engine did not favour the vehicle at that period of time. The Kizashi still looks modern on the Indian roads and carried a very futuristic design. Sadly, the car did not gain much popularity in the market and was forgotten easily.

Also Read: 2018 Suzuki Swift crash test videos out!

India’s premier design house, DC Design, has been around for a while now. And we have seen some extreme design modifications and concepts from DC Design. Dilip Chhabria, the man behind India’s first sports car, has designed some tasteful as well as wacky cars. Here are 10 nice looking cars from DC that most of you may have never seen before.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

After making the concept design named as Infidel, Aston Martin Lagonda team approached DC to build the prototype of the Vantage. DC Design house actually made the prototype of the V8 with technical and design inputs from the Aston Martin, UK.

The prototype was first showcased at the Detroit motor show and then went into production line in 2004. The concept carried a 12-cylinder, 5.0-litre engine and became a major hit in the international design house circuits.

London Black Cab

The iconic London taxi cab was imported to India by the DC Design house to experiment with its design. DC took the car and modified it thoroughly to turn it into an uber luxury car. The interiors were changed to wood trim with rear electric reclining seats that could be converted into lounge seats.

The car also received a screen to fulfill entertainment needs of the passengers. On the outside, the cab remained more or less the same with very minor updates like alloy wheels to retain the iconic status of the London cab.

Noble M12 GTO / DC GO

The Aston Martin job did a big favour to DC’s reputation and another company, Noble Moy Automotive Ltd approached DC to design a new sportscar. The car was based on the M12 GTR3 and carried some futuristic design. The car was named as DC GO and there were some exquisite features like distinctive headlamps and side scoops for air-intake. The car was powered by a V6 twin-turbo engine by Ford and produced a maximum of 316 BHP power.

Hummer H2

The popular SUV already looks brutal enough for the world. DC took the Hummer H2 and redesigned the interiors of the car to make it as luxurious as it can be. The Hummer is famous for its rough and tough battle tank interiors, but DC completely changed the design to make it look like a luxury saloon.

The interiors were made of chrome, aluminium and faux wood. There was also a healthy dose of leather given to the car. The carpets were also upgraded to palatial stature. On the outside, Hummer received upgrades that made it look even more muscular like the Fibre Reinforced Plastic tail lamps and the roof mounted auxiliary lamps.

Range Rover Vogue

The flagship SUV from Land Rover is luxurious enough to satisfy the cravings of most sheikhs but DC went a step ahead to modify the interiors of the Range Rover Vogue completely. The car received a partition to separate the rear cabin space. The partition itself got heavily modified with full-on entertainment set-up with screens and speakers.

The upholstery was upgraded to chic looking red and white while the seats have been modified to lounge-style reclining seats. This is luxury for the richest people of the world. The exteriors were modified with black coloured matte wrap and steel wheels.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Replica

The 300 SLR was once touted as the world’s most expensive car. The car was driven by Stirling Moss in 1955 Mille Miglia and only one unit of the car has been preserved at the Mercedes-Benz headquarters. DC used older Mercedes-Benz models to create a perfect replica of the 300 SLR. The replica was appreciated even by international car lovers. This project by DC Design is known to be one of the most extreme and well executed projects till date.

Mahindra Reva Roadster

The Mahindra Reva was the first electric car of India. The two-seater electric car drew a lot of flak for its design and did not do well in the market. DC took the car to chop its roof and convert it into a very attractive roadster. DC also upgraded the front grille and the alloy wheels of the electric car to make it much more attractive than its stock form. The car also received a body kit that completely changed the looks of the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-Class in its stock form is so elegant that not many design houses dare to touch it. DC took the S-Class S500 and painted it in electric blue colour. The Mercedes-Benz badges were blacked out to make the car look even more exotic. The car has not a single bit of chrome on its body and that elevates the bold looks of the vehicle even more.

Lamborghini Aventador

DC Design house took the supercar and transformed it into a winning car at 2013 Parx Supercar Show. The Aventador received prism gold wrap and blacked out alloys and the roof starting from the A-Pillar. The motifs of the supercar were also blacked out to give it a bolder and unique look.

Maserati GranCabrio

The Italian exotic car maker Maserati has some beautiful and exquisite looking models. The GranCabrio is one of the models and any car lover just can’t ignore the marvelous design lines of the vehicle. DC Design took the Maserati convertible and wrapped it in an electric blue sheet. The logos and alloy were painted in gold. The car looks brilliant after receiving the brilliant combination from DC.

Also Read: 2018 Suzuki Swift crash test videos out!

Bajaj Pulsar has been around for a long time now. The iconic name was first launched in 2001 and was updated in 2010. Since then the core Pulsar bikes have remained exactly the same sans a few visual sticker changes. Bajaj is now working on all-new Pulsars in India and they are expected in the market by 2019.

The Pulsar brand became popular because of the raw performance, aggressive looks and value for money. The Pulsars became an instant hit among the youths of the country. The new design of the motorcycle will carry on the same bits and pieces to remain aggressive and sharp. There is no news on how the motorcycle will look like in its all-new avatar but it sure will be designed to attract the youth, who are the primary customers of the brand. The bikes are expected to look much sleeker but will retain the muscular identity.

The bigger change will be the engine. Bajaj is working on an all-new engine that will be different from the current platform. Bajaj is developing a new platform that will have various displacements from 150cc to 250cc. The new scalable platform will get 4-valve technology and fuel injection to meet the new BS VI emission norms that will be in place from 2020. The new generation of the engines will close the gap between the Pulsar and the Dominar. Currently, the 220cc Pulsar is the bike with the biggest displacement in the range, while the Dominar gets a 373.2cc engine. The new platform will allow Bajaj to launch Pulsar 250 that will bridge the gap.

With the launch of the all-new Pulsar range, Bajaj is also expected to reshuffle the product line-up. Currently, the Pulsar 180 is sandwiched between the Pulsar 160 NS and the Pulsar 200 NS. Even though the Pulsar 180 offers a different look than the NS versions, the new product line-up is expected to give a similar look to all the Pulsar models, which will eliminate the need of Pulsar 180 in the market.

Bajaj will also equip the bikes with mandatory single-channel ABS that will be enforced in the market next year. The launch is expected to happen sometime next year, which will be well before the deadline of BS VI implementation in 2020. The bikes will cost significantly higher due to additional standard equipment that have been made mandatory by the government for the safety of the road users.

Also Read: 2018 Suzuki Swift crash test videos out!

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) will launch an all-new version of its Ertiga MPV later this year. The Ertiga has been very popular not just in the Indian car market but also in Indonesia. No surprise, then, that the company has been testing the next-gen MPV in both the countries. Here’s a video that shows a new-gen 2018 Maruti Ertiga test mule driving on Indonesian public roads.

The next-gen 2018 Maruti Ertiga (codename- YHA) will launch around August this year. While the test mules of the new model have been under a heavy camouflage, it can be easily seen that the upcoming model is dimensionally larger than the current version. Thanks to the larger dimensions, the new 2018 Maruti Ertiga will offer more interior space. With a bigger size and more spacious interior, the Ertiga will try to fill the void left behind by the old Toyota Innova. As observed in the various spy images that have come out, the rear overhang is now much longer. Hence, the new car is likely to offer more space to passengers in the third row of seats. Also, the front-end of the new MPV will likely look bolder due to an in-your-face grille and a higher stance.

The new 2018 Ertiga will also offer new engines. The current 1.4-liter K-series petrol motor could be on its way out to make space for a new 1.5-liter M15A engine that will offer a higher performance. More importantly, the Fiat-sourced 1.3-liter Multijet diesel engine will be replaced with an indigenously developed 1.5-liter turbo-diesel motor. The latter will be BS6-compliant. Both these engines will also make it to the upcoming Maruti Ciaz facelift. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) will end its huge dependence on the Fiat-sourced 1.3-liter Multijet motor with the introduction of the Suzuki 1.5-liter oil burner. The new model Ertiga will rival the upcoming Mahindra U321 MPV and the slow-selling Renault Lodgy. Prices are likely to start at roughly Rs 8 lakh.

via Facebook

Also Read: 2018 Suzuki Swift crash test videos out!

JTP or Jayem-Tata Performance is a new sub-brand that Tata Motors will introduce to sell high-performance variants of its regular cars. The first two JTP branded cars will be the Tiago and Tigor, and these cars were showcased at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo. IAB has put together a render on what the Nexon JTP could look like if Tata ever decides to go ahead and build a high-performance version of this hot selling, sub-4 meter compact SUV.

The render shows the Nexon with the JTP treatment as getting stylistic changes, with a new front bumper, highlights on the wing mirrors and revised alloy wheels. The compact SUV gets a new, lowered stance, in keeping with the higher performance on offer. Apart from these changes, in terms of styling, the Nexon JTP is not too different from the regular version, and that’s at least what this render suggests.

Since it’s branded the JTP, there must be major performance upgrades under the hood. For now, we can’t really figure what the Nexon JTP will feature as engines as the current crop of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines that power the regular Nexon are already quite powerful. Maybe a more powerful state of tune is what the JTP branded Nexons will get. For now, the rendering exercise is more academic in nature than Tata actually going ahead and building one.

While the JTP branded Nexon has no confirmation whatsoever from Tata Motors, what the company has actually confirmed is AMT variants of the compact SUV. Both petrol and diesel variants of the Nexon will get 6 speed AMT units. The Nexon AMTs will be launched in the next few months and Tata Motors had even showcased the car at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo. When the Nexon AMTs are launched, the compact SUV will become the only sub-4 meter SUV offering in India to have automatic variants on both petrol and diesel trims.

Via IAB

Also Read: 2018 Suzuki Swift crash test videos out!

Here are the first-ever images that show the Indian Army-spec Tata Safari Storme in all its glory. It may be noted that Pune-based Tata Motors pipped Mahindra and Mahindra and Nissan to bag the order from the Indian Army for supplying personnel carrier vehicles to the Force. The Army chose the Safari Storme, and now the popular Indian passenger car maker will supply as many as 3,192 units of this SUV.

As you can see in the images we have here, the Army-spec Safari Storme comes in the green paint shade that is a characteristic of most Indian Army vehicles. The entire car is covered in this shade of green – there’s no chrome anywhere and every plastic part color matches with the sheet metal. The only non-green accessories are the foot-steps and the roof rails. Even the five-spoke alloy wheels have been painted the same shade of green. Other than that, there’s a canister-carrier on the rear-left fender. In addition, there’s a pintle hook at the rear, a stubby antenna on the hood, and a pair of spotlights on the front bumper. The interior is draped in a shade of beige. Details of the equipment level aren’t available at the moment.

Powering the Tata Safari Storm is a 2.2-liter, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 154 bhp at 4,000 rpm along with a peak torque of 400 Nm from 1,700 to 2,700 rpm. The motor comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Also, the Army-spec Safari Storme benefits from a 4X4 transfer case that offers both low and high ratios. This is a shift-on-fly system that can be operated via a rotary knob near the transmission gear lever.

In essence, the Safari Storme will replace the aging Maruti Gypsy in the Army’s arsenal. The Safari Storme will be majorly used as a personnel carrier, and even for some reconnaissance missions. The high ground clearance of 200 mm, the ladder-on-frame chassis and the four wheel drive mechanism allow the Safari Storme to easily traverse the roughest of terrains.

via 4×4 India on Facebook

Also Read: 2018 Suzuki Swift crash test videos out!

What is it?

Ford’s ticket into the world of cross-hatchbacks comes in the form of the new Freestyle. This is based on the upcoming face-lift Figo and is its rugged cousin. Known internationally as the Ka+ Active, the Freestyle will make its Indian debut later this month. It will lock horns with the likes of the Hyundai i20 Active and the Toyota Etios Cross. Is it any good? To find out just that, we drove it around the pink city of Jaipur and came back to Delhi rather impressed!

Looks smart enough?

Definitely! Its no fact that we Indians love our vehicles to be big with enough road presence and the Freestyle manages this easily. It has the same length as the Figo but with a raised height, body cladding, roof rails and 15-inch alloy wheels, it does turn heads easily. This was evident on Jaipur roads and onlookers were rather curious about this new car.

Bumpers at both the ends are heavily revised and a lot has already been said about these. The clever C shaped inserts, pseudo skid plates and absence of chrome whatsoever works well in favour. The headlamps get black masking and the rear tail lamps too are tweaked. From the side profile, you also notice the roof rails which are functional as well – these can take a load of upto 50 kilos. Ford has also tied up with a renowned cycle brand for showcasing the Freestyle’s ability to carry two cycles on the roof. Nice!

The Freestyle is available in a choice of six color options. Ford will also be offering an array of official accessories including alloy wheels, body stripe kit, roof wrap, sun visors, rear spoiler etc.

On the inside?

Familiarity with the Figo continuous on the inside as well. While the overall design remains largely unchanged, Ford has played with the color them here and introduced a combination of chocolate brown for the upper part and black for the lower fascia. This does lend some fresh air inside though we wished certain bits could have been redesigned to give it a ‘different’ character than the normal Figo. For the example, the steering wheel, speedometer console, air vents etc.

The Freestyle we drove was the range topping Titanium+ version and this packs in a lot. The talking point here is the new 6.5 inch touchscreen infotainment system that works really well. Ford had already upped the game in the compact SUV segment with the EcoSport’s interface and this one too is no different. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and also gets the latest SYNC 3 tech.

In terms of space and comfort, I have absolutely no complaints up front. The seats feel nice and after the 5 hour drive, I wasn’t really tired and this also allowed me to continued back to Delhi in our long term Compass for the 4 hour journey. That said for those long weekend drives, I would have appreciated a dead pedal for the left foot, an arm-rest up front and if I can be a critic, a cruise control too. Ditto for a lever to open the boot from the outside.

I did take a ride in the back seat for a good half an hour and was impressed with the visibility, ride quality and space. True, head space is just about fine for a 6 feet tall rear passenger, but there is no dearth of leg room / knee room here. And while Ford has given generous space in the front door pads, the rear ones have zero storage space. And blame the Jaipur heat, but I did miss dedicated rear ac vents.

How does it drive?

All these little shortcomings take a back seat the moment you drive the Freestyle. We got a chance to sample the new 1.2-litre petrol motor that puts out 96 PS of power and 120 Nm of torque. These figures are 10% and 7% higher than the older 1.2 unit. Plus, this Dragon series engine is a tad more efficient as well. For the record, we got a just under 12 kmpl for a mix of city and hilly terrain and this was with four people on board and air-conditioning running overtime.

As I mentioned above, we started the drive with the Freestyle loaded up. Four us, including two well built adults had the suspension sit down appreciably. The boot had our luggage and off we went searching for a good shoot location. The 3 cylinder motor seemed worry free, pulling strongly at part throttle inputs with no unwanted stress. Then we drove up the Nahargarh fort through the up-hill bends and once again, the motor seemed to impress. It isn’t as free revving as the KB12, but once on the boil, sounds well and builds up speeds quickly.

Post lunch, I drove the car alone and oh boy, was I in for a good surprise! The 1.2 can put a smile on your face and pulls all the way to 6800 rpm. The limiter cuts in very softly and those who love numbers will be happy to know that the Freestyle does about 50 in 1st and 88 in the 2nd gear. And the engine sounds wild (in a good way) while doing so. Talking of gear shifts, the Freestyle gets an all-new 5-speed gearbox with good shift-actions, if not excellent. The throws are short and we believe the shifts will become even better as the car runs-in properly.

Is it comfortable?

Tick. Inspite of all that weight, the suspension did not bottom out even once. We drove thru the heart of town (yes, via the infamous narrow roads around the older pink town) and the re-tuned suspension gobbled it all. The struts are same as the Figo but fine tuning of the springs has helped a lot. Around the fort area, for a few shots, I loved nailing the Freestyle into tight uphill corners and she responded positively. The steering remains light for most parts and provides enough feedback to keep you in control.

The ride quality with the driver on board changed a lot. There is an underlying firmness but nothing that was throwing me around when driven over potholes. And the best part? NVH levels are so good, absolutely no suspension sound filters into the cabin. Ditto for road noise and insulation from the outside world. The cabin of the Freestyle is a quite place to be in.

What else?

The Freestyle is a safe car and we mean it. Not only are two air-bags and ABS with EBD standard across all versions, the higher trim levels get 6 air-bags, active rollover protector, TCS (traction control), ESP (electronic stability control) and hill launch assist. And then you also get Emergency Assist via the SYNC 3 set-up.

Ford is betting heavily on marketing its after sales support and confirms that the petrol and diesel versions have a low running cost of just 41 and 51 paise per kilometer for usage upto 1 lakh km. Now that’s really impressive.

Verdict

The Ford Freestyle seems to be a perfect fit between a compact SUV and a conventional hatchback. The segment in which it is positioned does not have fierce competition and this might just work in its favour. It looks smart, drives really well and comes loaded with tech and safety. Agreed some features have been given a miss but if Ford can price it about Rs 40,000 – Rs 50,000 over the regular Figo, the Freestyle might just have a free run in the Rs 6-8 lakh bracket.

Also Read: 2018 Suzuki Swift crash test videos out!

In the next one year or so, Ford India, which has been pretty bullish about its local operations, will launch at least six new cars to catch the fancy of Indian car buyers. The first of these will be the Figo-based Freestyle Compact Utility Vehicle (CUV). On the other hand, Ford will also launch an electric version of the Aspire, which will be jointly developed by Ford and Mahindra, by the end of current fiscal. Here’s a look at the upcoming Ford cars in India with information on their launch timelines.

Freestyle – April 2018

Ford is about to launch the Figo-based Freestyle CUV. The Freestyle will launch by the end of this month and will be slotted between the Figo hatchback and the EcoSport compact SUV. Touted as the country’s first Compact Utility Vehicle (CUV), the Freestyle is basically a more rugged version of the upcoming Figo facelift. Among the highlights of this offering will be the new 1.2-liter Dragon petrol engine, which will even make it to other Ford cars in coming weeks. The Freestyle will also offer some premium features such as the SYNC3 infotainment system and Anti Rollover Protection. Prices are likely to start at around Rs 6.5 lakh and go all the way to Rs 10 lakh.

Ford Aspire Facelift – June 2018

Next in the line will be the Aspire facelift. It may be noted that the company has already suspended the production of the Aspire compact sedan, thereby indicating that it will soon replace the current version with the much-awaited facelift. The Aspire will also get the 1.2-liter Dragon engine instead of the current 1.2-liter TiVCT unit. Also, even the current 1.5-liter petrol motor will make way for the 1.5-liter Dragon unit that made its debut on the EcoSport facelift. This engine will come mated to a torque-converter auto ‘box. The car will carry several styling changes on the outside. The interior will get some new features, such as the SYNC3 infotainment unit that will support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The official launch will take place in June this year.

Figo Facelift – July 2018

The Aspire facelift will be followed by the Figo facelift. The updated Figo will likely hit the showrooms in July 2018. It will feature several styling updates, both on the outside and the inside. Akin to the Freestyle and the Aspire facelift, it will even carry new features like the excellent SYNC3 infotainment system. While the Freestyle will come with body cladding, roof rails, etc for that rugged look, the Figo facelift will carry only the new grille and an updated front bumper for a more premium appearance than its current version. Even the Figo facelift will get the new 1.2-litre Dragon petrol engine to replace the current 1.2 TiVCT motor.

Mustang Facelift

Ford’s flagship product, the Mustang, got a facelift last year. This facelift will make it to India in September this year. The facelift gets an updated front-end, which looks sharper and a tad more aggressive than the one on the current version. Moreover, even the interior has been completely revamped. The Mustang facelift gets the company’s latest infotainment unit, which offers smartphone integration and voice commands. Also, the 5-liter V8 motor has got more powerful and now comes mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Even the ride quality has been improved.

Endeavour Facelift Endy – 2018 end/Early 2019

The mighty Ford Endeavour will get a facelift by the end of this year or at least just after the beginning of the next year. The Endeavour facelift has already been spotted abroad. It carries really minor styling changes such as an updated front grille and an updated bumper. Engine and other mechanical bits will likely remain unchanged.

Electric Aspire – 2019

Ford has joined hands with Mahindra and Mahindra for the development of a range of electric products. One of the first of these products will be an electric version of the Aspire, which will launch in a year’s time from now. The electric Aspire will be sold by both the companies. Currently, Mahindra and Mahindra sells the electric version of the Verito. However, the Verito is based on the old Dacia Logan’s platform and has started showing signs of aging. The Aspire’s electric version will come across as a more modern alternative and should help both the manufacturers establish a strong foothold in the fast developing electric car market.

So, which of these upcoming Ford Cars in India interest you the most?

Also Read: Hrithik Roshan and his car collection - 8 EXPENSIVE cars including Rolls Royce & Maybach

Honda’s sub 4-meter compact sedan, the Amaze, will get a full model replacement soon. Honda revealed the car at the 2018 Auto Expo and the launch is expected to happen in May. Honda dealers are expected to open the bookings for the all-new Amaze from 6th April 2018.

The new Honda Amaze looks nothing like the current model. It gets an all-new body which is inspired by the flagship Accord and the Civic design. It gets a new grille, headlamp and a whole new silhouette too. The boxy design of the Amaze has already caught a lot of attention at the Expo and the vehicle’s design has received mixed reactions from the public. The curved roofline at the rear makes the vehicle quite interesting in the segment while the taller height will make sure that there is more headroom in the vehicle.

The new Amaze has also shed the busy creases on the doors and gets a straight, deep shoulder line. It also gets an integrated spoiler in the boot lid and split tail lamps. The Amaze looks quite premium and will increase the heat in the segment that already sees competition from the Maruti Dzire and Hyundai Xcent. The new Amaze is expected to be slightly bigger in dimensions that will make sure that there is ample space on the inside. The new Amaze will remain under 4-meter to gain on the tax benefits.

Honda will continue to use the current engine options with the new Amaze. There will be a 1.2-litre petrol engine that generates a maximum power of 87 Bhp and 110 Nm. There is a 1.5-litre diesel engine too that generates a maximum power of 98.6 Bhp and peak torque of 200 Nm. Both the engine specifications are same as the current engine output. However, a major addition will be the CVT automatic transmission that will be offered with the diesel version of the vehicle. The CVT version will also be available with the petrol variant.

This will be the first time when a diesel car in this segment will offer a CVT automatic transmission. With the rising popularity of automatics, the Amaze automatic is expected to get a lot of customers.

Honda will update the interiors with the new infotainment system and new seats too. The price is expected to be around the Rs. 5.5 lakh mark. Honda will also launch the new CR-V and the new Civic in the Indian market before March 2019.

Source

Also Read: Hrithik Roshan and his car collection - 8 EXPENSIVE cars including Rolls Royce & Maybach

The Indian market has a huge portfolio of cars. This gives customers a range of options. However, many customers are unaware that many cars even exist, like the ones here. Here are ten cars that are very rare in the market and why you should consider them.

Fiat Urban Cross

Fiat launched the Punto-based Urban Cross in India last year. The crossover is similar to the Avventura but is more stylish and does not get the complicated tailgate mounted spare wheel system. The Urban Cross comes with body cladding, roof mounted spoiler and also gets roof rails as standard across all the variants making it look very attractive.

Why should you buy it? The Urban Cross stands out from other cars in its segment. Also, the top-end model of the car is powered by the 1.4-litre T-Jet petrol engine that generates a maximum power of 140 BHP. The amount of power the car offers in the sub-10 lakh segment is great value for money.

Isuzu MU-X

Isuzu first launched the Toyota Fortuner rivalling SUV in India in 2014, and updated it last year. While the V-Cross pick-up truck based on the SUV got a good response in the market, the SUV itself did not get much traction. The SUV is very spacious and gets a powerful 3.0-litre engine that produces a maximum of 161 BHP-360 Nm.

Why should you buy it? The MU7 offers as big space as the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. The vehicle also has a dominating road presence. The manual version of the vehicle is priced only at Rs. 20.14 lakh which is great value for money. The automatic version is priced at Rs. 23.19 lakh.

Force Gurkha

The Gurkha is a purpose built off-road vehicle that competes against the Mahindra Thar. The Gurkha looks inspired by the Mercedes G-Wagen, and many enthusiasts do slight modifications to make G-Wagen replicas based on it. The Gurkha comes with a factory-fitted snorkel that further elevates the performance of the vehicle.

Why should you buy it? The Gurkha is in its league when it comes to the looks. The boxy design of the vehicle grabs a lot of eyes on the road. Unlike the Thar, the Gurkha also comes with hard-top version and Force offers you both 3-door and 5-door options with the SUV.

Tata Bolt

The only Tata model in our list of rarities here is the Bolt, the slightly more premium sibling of the Indica Vista. While there’s nothing really wrong with this car, it looked and felt surprisingly ordinary in front of the competition. This translated into a very poor sales performance.

Why should you buy it? The Bolt is a spacious, well built hatchback that’s priced very well. If you want something that’s inexpensive, especially with a Fiat Multijet diesel engine, this is a car that you can consider.

Abarth Punto

The Abarth-badged Fiat Punto is the first ‘true’ hot hatchback in the Indian market. The vehicle gets performance oriented suspension set-up that gives it mind-boggling handling. The Abarth Punto also looks very stylish with Scorpion graphic on the roof.

Why should you buy it? The car is powered by a 1.4-litre T-Jet petrol engine that produces a maximum of 145 BHP and 212 Nm of maximum torque. The vehicle is priced at only Rs. 9.95 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi which makes it the cheapest Abarth you can buy in India. The Abarth Punto can surpass many higher-end cars.

Toyota Prius

The Prius is said to be the best hybrid car in the world. In India, the Prius did not get much attention due to its expensive price tag and its odd design. Toyota recently launched the latest version in India, which looks very futuristic. The Prius is priced at Rs. 38.96 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi.

Why should you buy it? The Prius is the cheapest full-hybrid that you can buy in India. The Prius is extremely fuel efficient too, at 26.27 km/l, and also contributes towards a clean environment.

Toyota Etios Cross

Toyota launched the Etios Cross based on the Etios Liva hatchback. The crossover styled hatchback carries heavy cladding around its body. The vehicle also gets all-black finish dashboard that gives the vehicle a dash of sportiness. The vehicle is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine generating a maximum of 79 BHP – 104 Nm torque. There is a diesel 1.5-litre engine too that generates a maximum of 89 BHP – 134 Nm torque.

Why should you buy it? The Etios Cross stands out from the other vehicles on the road because of the standard body cladding and roof rails. The vehicle is also very rugged and can handle day-to-day city traffic’s minor brushes and scratches with ease.

Mahindra E-Verito

While quite a few know about the E20, most don’t know about the other all-electric car from Mahindra. The e-Verito is powered by 72 V 3-phase AC induction motor that generates 41 BHP of maximum power and 91 Nm of torque. The vehicle also comes with smart features like AC operation, vehicle lock and charge status, all of which can be operated remotely through a smartphone app.

Why should you buy it? It is India’s only electric sedan. With the rising pollution levels in the country, the e-Verito is a cleaner, greener solution. The vehicle can run 110 km on a single charge.

Mahindra NuvoSport

The NuvoSport is based on the Quanto and in its new avatar, it looks quite stylish. The NuvoSport is based on the same chassis which forms the base of the Scorpio. The vehicle also comes with cruise control, LED DRLs, multiple 12 V charging sockets and reclinable rear seats among others. The NuvoSport also offers seven seats, which makes it very practical.

Why should you buy it? The NuvoSport is powered by a 100 BHP – 249 Nm diesel engine that features AMT gearbox as an option. The NuvoSport also gets 180mm of ground clearance and ladder on frame chassis for rough roads. The vehicle is also very spacious and offers 414-litre boot space that can be expanded to 850 litres by folding the middle seats.

Volkswagen Polo GTI

The Polo GTI is one iconic name in the world of automobiles. The Polo GTI is powered by a 1.8-litre TSI turbo petrol engine that generates a massive power of 189 BHP. The engine, borrowed from the much bigger Skoda Octavia, can propel the Polo to 100 km/h from standstill in just 6.7 seconds. The vehicle is a Completely Built Unit (CBU), which attracts a huge tax and makes the vehicle very pricey at Rs. 26.09 lakh, ex-showroom.

Why should you buy it? It comes with the iconic GTI badge, and it is rare in India. The vehicle’s 3-door design is also unique. It can reach a top speed of 230 km/h, enough to even shame cars like the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4.

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