Cricket fever is on in India what with the Indian Premier League 20-20 championship on at full swing. The Tata Nexon is a prime sponsor of this year’s IPL and to make the compact SUV relevant during commercial breaks, Tata Motors has put together a bunch of TVCs showing the Nexon performing interesting stunts. These stunts are based on various cricketing shots. Here, take a watch at the video we have compiled for you, which shows all six stunts the Nexon has performed for the TVC.

The Tata Nexon is a sub-4 meter compact SUV that goes up against the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the Ford EcoSport and the Mahindra TUV300. Thanks to sharp pricing and a rich feature list, the Nexon is now a hot selling compact SUV in India, with Tata Motor shipping out about 4,000 units of the vehicle each month.

The Nexon is available with both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol motor is a 1.2 liter, turbocharged unit with 110 PS and 170 Nm. The diesel is a 1.5 liter, turbocharged unit with 110 PS and 260 Nm. Both the motors are class leaders when it comes to outputs. The front wheel driven Nexon uses a 6 speed manual gearbox as standard.

Within weeks from now, Tata Motors will launch the Nexon AMT. Like the manual gearbox equipped variants, the Nexon AMT will be available with both petrol and diesel engines. Both engines will retain their respective states of tune even on the AMT trims. The AMT unit will automate the working of the 6 speed manual gearbox, eliminating the manual clutch. This will make the Nexon AMTs a breeze to drive on city streets. Tata Motors promises that the Nexon AMT will be the most advanced AMT SUV in the country because of features such as hill hold assist and a kickdown mode, both unavailable on other AMT cars sold in India.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki S-Cross fastest growing car in Compact SUV segment; Beats Hyundai Creta

The upcoming Mahindra U321 MPV will launch during this year’s festive season, says The Economic Times in a new report that was published today. The U321 MPV has already been spied on numerous occasions and seems to be in the final stages of road testing.

The numerous spy images that have surfaced so far show that the upcoming Mahindra MPV will offer some premium features like LED DRLs, projector headlamps, and multi-spoke alloy wheels. In all likelihood, the company is planning to launch a wide range of variants to attract both private car buyers and the fleet operators. Also, it’s being said that the U321 MPV will feel many times more premium than the Xylo. It will be slotted between the Scorpio and the XUV500 in the company’s product portfolio. The upcoming MPV will have ABS and Airbags across all its trims. It will also comply with the upcoming crash safety norms.

Powering the Mahindra U321 MPV will be a new 1.6-Litre mFalcon Diesel engine that has been readied in collaboration with Ssangyong.The new motor will output a maximum power of 125 bhp along with a peak torque of 305 Nm. A petrol engine will be also available. Also on offer will be a turbocharged petrol engine that will displace 1.5-litre. The motor can output as much as 163 bhp. However, info on the state-of-tune for the U321 MPV is yet to be revealed by the manufacturer. The U321 will become the first MPV to be developed by the company’s North American development centre in Troy, Michigan. The upcoming model will be a global MPV that will go on sale in several markets across the globe.

ALSO SEE- Upcoming Mahindra Cars and SUVs

While the prices of the upcoming Mahindra U321 MPV will be declared only at the time of the launch, the new model is expected to be positioned close to the Renault Lodgy. Moreover, the U321 will also go on to rival the upcoming all-new Maruti Ertiga, which will be a substantially bigger vehicle than its outgoing version. Hence, both the new Ertiga and the new U321 MPV will try to outclass each other to fill the void left behind by the last-gen Innova.

News source –  The Economic Times ; Rendering source – Autocar India

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki S-Cross fastest growing car in Compact SUV segment; Beats Hyundai Creta

Royal Enfield Himalayan is a unique product in the Indian market. It is the most affordable adventure bike in the Indian market but being a Royal Enfield, there are many customisation options available with the Himalayan. Here are top five modification jobs based on the Royal Enfield Himalayan.

Gentleman

This is an official customisation work commissioned by Royal Enfield to Sinroja Motorcycles. The motorcycle was showcased at the 2017 Wheels and Waves Festival held in France and it became a major attraction to the crowd. In this mod job, the Himalayan has lost its characteristics completely from bold and brawn to become a good-looking gentleman’s ride. The bike gets a new handlebar, new seat, a new exhaust.

The bike also gets 16-inch rims with spokes, fatter profile tyres with white painted walls and a grey paint scheme. The suspension system of the bike has been upgraded too. The bike gets front petal disc and radially mounted calliper.

Scrambler

This Royal Enfield Himalayan has been transformed into a scrambler and looks extremely good. The custom job has been done by Grid7 Customs. For the mod job, the chassis of the bike has been altered slightly. New parts like a new custom tank, modified under-seat body panels and customised handmade leather seat have been added too.

The bike also gets a new twin headlamp set-up, customised tail lamp section, new instrument cluster and repositioned turn indicators. To increase the performance, a new customised exhaust has been added too. The tyres have been upgraded to new wider ones and the rims have been upgraded too. The whole set-up is finished in a new red paint scheme that makes sure that no one misses out on the bike even on crowdy roads.

Salt Flat Tracker

Inline3 Customs have modified a Royal Enfield into something very unique. The salt-flat racer inspired Himalayan is like no other in the country. The modder has worked extensively to change the identity of the motorcycle completely. The new motorcycle sits lower than the Himalayan because of an all-new chassis. The bodywork has been done away with, and the motorcycle gets an aluminium body.

The front forks have been replaced with a customised triple tree with gunmetal studs. The bike also gets clip-on handlebars. The whole new set-up has resulted in the loss of 20 kg from the motorcycle. The motorcycle also loses the seat and gets an aluminium sheet in place. There is no instrument console in the final product. The tyres have been upgraded to Firestone slick tyres.

Mad Max

Here is another modification job based on the Royal Enfield Himalayan and this one looks quite aggressive. The bike has received a range of new accessories and components. The headlamp unit has been updated with a new full-LED set-up. The mudguard has been updated and it also gets a new windscreen.

The seat is also new and gets hand formed form to give it more comfort and a single-piece effect. The Mad Max also gets new front Upside Down Forks from Husqvarna 450 TE dirtbike. The tyres have been updated and the rims have been customised for better sturdiness. The whole projected costed around Rs. 1.5 lakhs.

Rally Spec

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is quite a capable bike. This modification job makes the Himalayan rally ready. The bike gets a new semi-fairing at the front. The fairing ensures that the rider does not faces the wind blasts directly. Apart from that, a new windscreen has been added and new sleek panniers for carrying tools. The bike also gets a power bump but the details are not available. Nonetheless, visually, this Himalayan looks quite attractive.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki S-Cross fastest growing car in Compact SUV segment; Beats Hyundai Creta

The Indian automotive scene is getting hotter with every passing day. There are a handful of new cars that are coming our way in near future. Other than this, some of our existing cars are also about to receive some important updates. Here is a list of 10 cars that will soon get major UPGRADES –

Ford EcoSport Titanium S and Signature

Ford India will launch the Titanium S and Signature Edition variants of its popular Compact SUV in the near future. The new variants will likely boost the sales of the recently facelifted sub-4m SUV. The Signature Edition will come with a handful of cosmetic changes. It will be available with both petrol and turbocharged diesel engines. The Titanium S variant will be a sportier variant that will likely offer the 1.0-liter EcoBoost turbo-petrol motor and a stiffer suspension.

Tata Nexon AMT

The Tata Nexon AMT is very close to its launch. The Nexon has already received a good response from the market and the introduction of the Automated Manual Transmission on petrol and diesel engine variants should give the Nexon a clear edge over the Mauti Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport. Being an AMT, the new gearbox won’t affect the mileage. Also, thanks to AMT, the upcoming variant won’t be much costlier than the regular variant. The upcoming Tata Nexon AMT will be a well-priced petrol and diesel compact SUV that offers the convenience of automatic gearshifts.

Tata Tiago JTP

Tata Motors and Coimbatore-based Jayem Automotives have formed a partnership to work on a performance-focused version of the Tiago. To be known as the Tata Tiago JTP, the upcoming variant will be powered by the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that powers the Nexon compact SUV. The engine offers 110 PS and 150 Nm. Other than the more powerful engine, the Nexon AMT will also get a performance-tuned suspension and transmission.

Tata Tigor JTP

It’s not just the Tiago that’s taking the JTP route. Even the Tigor will get more power and a performance-focused suspension. Much like the Tiago JTP, even this car will get its power from the Nexon-sourced 1.2-liter, three-cylinder engine that pumps out 110 PS and 150 Nm. Both the JTP cars will get some styling updates for their exteriors and interiors. The racy looks will compliment the bump in performance. The TIgor JTP will become the most affordable performance sedan in India.

Mahindra KUV100 AMT

Mahindra will soon launch an AMT-equipped version of the KUV100. The Mahindra KUV100 AMT will go on sale in both petrol and diesel variants. This should help the micro-SUV find some more buyers. The KUV100 is yet to put on a remarkable show on the sales charts. However, things are likely to improve with the advent of the AMT version.

Mauti Vitara Brezza petrol

The Maruti Vitara Brezza will get a petrol variant later this year. So far, the compact SUV has been available with a diesel engine only. While it enjoys segment-leading sales, the much-awaited petrol variant can further help it establish an even stronger foothold in the market. Powering the upcoming variant of the Brezza will be either the same 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that powers the Baleno RS hatchback or the upcoming 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated petrol engine that powers the new-gen Ertiga.

Jeep Compass Trailhawk

Jeep India will launch the Trailhawk variant of its cheapest SUV later this year. The upcoming Jeep Compass Trailhawk will likely offer a 9-speed automatic transmission. It will come with the same 2.0-litre Multijet II diesel engine that powers the current car. This engine offers 170 bhp and 350 Nm. The Trailhawk is a better off-roader than the regular Compass. It offers  Jeep’s Active Drive low-range 4WD, hill descent control, ‘Rock Mode’ for its Selec-Terrain 4WD system, and optimized Approach- and Departure-angles. It will even offer an additional ground clearance of 20 mm.

Maruti Swift Sport

India is expected to get the new Maruti Swift Sport by the end of the current financial year. The Swift Sport will become the most powerful hatchback to wear the Maruti badge. It will be powered by a 1.4-liter BoosterJet turbocharged petrol engine that will produce 140 bhp and 230 Nm. The engine will come mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The car will ride on 17-inch wheels. In most likelihood, it will be even quicker than Fiat Punto Abarth.

Maruti Swift 6-speed

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) is said to have developed an all-new 6-speed manual gearbox that will make its debut on the latest-generation 2018 Swift. Thanks to a tall sixth cog, the new gearbox will end up boosting the fuel mileage of the Swift, The shorter lower ratios will help it have a stronger acceleration. Even NVH-levels are expected to go down due to the additional gear.

Ford Figo

While the Figo will soon get a facelift, the real reason for its presence on this list is the new 1.2-liter Dragon petrol engine that it will come with. The new petrol engine has already made its India-debut in the Freestyle. This engine has been derived from the 1.5-litre Dragon series engine of the new EcoSport. The engine outputs 96 bhp and 120 Nm.

Ford Aspire

Even the Aspire is about to get a facelift and a new 1.2-liter engine. The new 1.2-liter Dragon petrol engine will replace the current 1.2-liter TiVCT motor that has received a lot of flak for the lack of grunt. The new engine, however, offers a higher performance than the current motor and will surey make the Aspire a better car to drive. Even for this compact sedan, it will offer a maximum power of 96 bhp along with a peak torque of 120 Nm.

Mahindra TUV300 Plus

The Mahindra TUV300 Plus will not only offer more seats but will also come with a more powerful engine. The regular TUV300 is powered by a 1.5-litre diesel engine. TUV300 Plus, however, will get a more powerful engine. This will be the same 2.2-liter mHawk diesel engine that powers the Scorpio. It outputs 120 bhp and 280 Nm. The motor comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki S-Cross fastest growing car in Compact SUV segment; Beats Hyundai Creta

Thanks to a spy image that surfaced online earlier this year, it has become fairly well-known that the Endeavour full-size SUV will soon get a facelift. The current-gen Endeavour (aka Everest) will offer a slightly updated styling, updated specifications, and probably a handful of new features. Here’s a render that shows what the 2018 Ford Endeavour facelift could look like.

As can be seen in the render above, the new Endeavour will feature a new radiator grille, a new silver frame for the lower grille, and new design 20-inch alloy wheels. Other than these changes, the exterior will remain mostly unchanged. Even the interior will stay untouched in terms of design and styling. However, there are good chances of Ford introducing a handful of new features. These will include – passive keyless entry, engine start-stop button and engine auto start-stop. The auto start-stop feature will even enhance the mileage of the SUV.

Internationally, the new Ford Endeavour facelift will go on sale with four diesel engines:

• 2.2 L TDCi – 150 PS/375 Nm
• 2.0 L TDCi – 180 PS/420 Nm
• 3.2 L TDCi – 200 PS/470 Nm
• 2.0 L TDCi – Bi-Turbo 213 PS/500 Nm

This means that the SUV will get two new 2.0 L diesel engines for the facelift. The existing 2.2 L engine will see a decrease of 10 PS power and 10 Nm torque. The facelift will get a new 10-speed automatic transmission for the range-topping Bi-turbo 213 PS 2.0 L diesel engine. There are good chances that the new Bi-Turbo engine and 10-speed AT will be offered on the rugged Raptor variant. The 6-speed automatic transmission will be available with other engine options.  It’s not for sure if the India-spec Endeavour would get the new engines or the new transmission. However, Ford India might end up revamping the engine line-up to help its SUV eat into the sales of the Toyota Fortuner. While Ford India is yet to confirm the launch date of its updated SUV, the new 2018 Ford Endeavour facelift is expected to launch in India by the end of this year.

via Indian Autos Blog

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki S-Cross fastest growing car in Compact SUV segment; Beats Hyundai Creta

The Bombay High Court has issued a notice to Bajaj Auto and the government of Maharashtra, seeking their respective stands on the mandatory fitment of certain safety features such as a pillion grab handle, saree guard and pillion footrest. The High Court’s notice came after an elderly Mumbai man, Gyan Prakash, filed a plea, seeking the court’s intervention to implement the Supreme Court’s February 2018 judgment which asked all RTOs of the country not to register any two wheeler that doesn’t have pillion safety accessories such as the grab handle, saree guard and footrest fitted to it directly at the factory level.

The Bombay High Court has asked both the Maharashtra government and Bajaj Auto to reply to the notice within 2 weeks. Meanwhile, Rule 123 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) says,

No motorcycle, which has provision for pillion rider, shall be built without provision for a permanent hand grip on the side or behind the driver’s seat, a foot rest and a protective device covering not less than half of the rear wheel so as to prevent the clothes of the person sitting on the pillion from being entangled in the wheel.

While most two wheeler makers in India comply with these regulations by fitting the safety accessories at dealer level, it remains to be seen if they now start fitting these accessories at factory level. This could result in a slight price increase of two wheelers by about Rs. 1,000. Previously, customers had the option of either fitting or omitting these accessories at the dealer level. That may not be possible anymore thanks to Rule 123 of the CMVR now set to be implemented quite rigorously at the RTO level.

From April 2019, all two wheelers with engine capacities of 125cc/power rating of 14.75 Bhp need to have ABS as standard. Two wheelers below this capacity and power outputs need to have CBS or combi-braking system as standard. Mandatory ABS is likely to increase motorcycle prices by at least Rs. 5,000.

Via TOI

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki S-Cross fastest growing car in Compact SUV segment; Beats Hyundai Creta

While the Maruti S-Cross hasn’t been posting segment-leading sales figures, it looks like the crossover has finally started witnessing a strong growth in demand. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd managed to sell as many as 30,923 units of the S-Cross in the financial year 2017-18. This is a very healthy growth of 44.3 percent over FY 2016-17.

A part of this growth can be attributed to the facelift that was launched last year. The S-Cross facelift looks more aggressive than the pre-facelift model and even gets a minor improvement in the fuel mileage. The more muscular look seems to be helping the crossover find more takers. “The new S-Cross that was launched last October looks bold upfront which is being admired by our customers. We have also used a smart hybrid technology (SHVS) in the new model which has bettered the efficiency,” a spokesperson from Maruti commented. Another factor that could have worked in favour of the crossover are the big discounts of up to Rs 75,000 on the pre-facelift car.

Yet another factor that seems to have helped the S-Cross find more buyers is the rapid expansion of Nexa showrooms that sell the company’s premium crossover. Autocar says that its sources at Maruti Suzuki hint that launching the Nexa dealership network in Tier-2 cities have played a role in the increased demand for the S-Cross. The company has added as many as 64 Nexa dealerships in the past year. This takes the total count to 316 outlets in 178 cities across India.

In terms of sales, the Hyundai Creta still enjoys a decent lead over the S-cross. Compared to the 30.923 units of S-Cross that were sold in the last financial year, Hyundai Motor India Ltd managed to sell as many as 107,136 units of the Creta in the same time period. Also, Hyundai still enjoys a clear lead over Nexa in terms of dealership-count. The Creta is being sold through 493 dealers (1,072 sales points) in 790 cities. The S-Cross, however, easily managed to outsell dated SUVs like the Renault Duster (14,112 units) and the Nissan Terrano (2,872 units). It also outsold the Honda BR-V (11,563 units).

via Autocar India

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki S-Cross fastest growing car in Compact SUV segment; Beats Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki and Toyota have signed an agreement that will allow both automakers to sell each others’ cars after making suitable stylistic changes. This is commonly known as badge engineering, and we have seen it happen with Renault-Nissan and Volkswagen-Skoda cars in India. Coming to Maruti and Toyota, the former will be borrowing the latter’s Corolla Altis luxury D-Segment sedan for badge engineering. We have put together a render on what the Maruti Suzuki-badged Corolla Altis is expected to look like.

As you can see from the render, the Maruti Suzuki-based Corolla Altis could have elements from the automaker’s Ciaz and Kizashi sedans. This includes the front grille and the headlamps. At the rear as well, Maruti Suzuki is expected to give the Corolla Altis a thorough restyling to make it look distinctly different. The interiors are likely to be carried over and so will be the case with the engines and gearboxes. In fact, Toyota is likely to lend Maruti the next-generation Corolla Altis, which is due in India next year.

The car is likely to feature 1.8 litre naturally aspirated petrol and petrol-hybrid engine options. Both manual and automatic gearbox options are likely with these engines. Since Toyota will dump diesel engines on its new cars, the all-new Corolla Altis will also not have a diesel engine option. Maruti Suzuki is expected to follow suit, in simply using the engines that Toyota offers on the next-generation Corolla Altis. The new Altis is expected to be larger, more fuel efficient, safer and more feature-rich than the present model. It could be slightly pricier, too.

As for pricing strategy, Toyota has recently revealed that the badge engineered cars it will sell in India will be priced similar to Maruti’s cars already in the market. We see Maruti taking a similar approach with the all-new Corolla Altis, putting a price tag similar to what Toyota sells it for in the Indian market. The Maruti badged all-new Corolla Altis is likely to be launched sometime next year. More details are likely to surface in the coming months. Stay tuned.

Also Read: Hyundai i20 Active facelift goes straight for for Ford Freestyle

Ford India will launch the Freestyle hatchback-based crossover at an official event in New Delhi tomorrow. The Freestyle was earlier scheduled for launch on April 18. However, it looks like Ford India thought it appropriate to push the launch to April 26 as the earlier launch date was clashing with the launch of the new Mahindra XUV500 and the Tata Nexon AMT drives. The Freestyle is expected to have a starting price of roughly Rs 6.2 lakh.

The Ford Freestyle is nothing but a slightly more rugged version of the Figo facelift that will launch later this year. It carries many new styling bits that make it look a tad bolder and even a bit macho. The Ford Freestyle will be cheaper than the EcoSport. Powering the Freestyle will be a new 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine from the Dragon series of motors. Basically, this engine is a slightly smaller version of the 1.5-litre petrol engine that powers the EcoSport. It belts out a maximum power of 97 PS and a peak torque of 120 Nm. This makes the Freestyle more powerful than cars like the Hyundai i20 Active. The motor comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Freestyle also gets the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine from the Figo. This engine outputs 100 PS and 215 Nm, and comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. While the new petrol engine has an ARAI-tested mileage of 19 kmpl, the diesel motor offers 24.4. kmpl. Seen below is the official TVC of the new Ford –

The Freestyle will offer many standard features such ABS, front dual airbags, EBD, Engine Immobilizer, reverse parking sensors, keyless entry, approach sensors, and perimeter theft alarm. The fully-loaded variant will also offer Active Rollover Protection (ARP), side and curtain airbags, emergency assistance, automatic climate control, Ford MyKey, Ford SYNC3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Freestyle will go on sale in five colour options – Moondust Silver, Smoke Grey, White Gold, Oxford White, and Absolute Black.

Also Read: Hyundai i20 Active facelift goes straight for for Ford Freestyle

Earlier this month, we informed you that MG Motor will launch its first product in India around May-June 2019. The upcoming MG car will be an SUV that will be based on one of its existing platforms. It will be tailor-made to suit Indian conditions. In the latest development, it has come to light that MG is also testing the Roewe E RX5 electric SUV in India.

Also, it has been reported that MG India has been testing the Roewe E RX5 to determine its range in the Indian climate and road conditions. The test mule that has been spotted is a Left-Hand-Drive (LHD) vehicle that seems to have been imported from China. Rajeev Chaba, President & MD, MG (India), has already confirmed that his company is indeed testing the Roewe E RX5 in western India to determine the vehicle’s range and performance in the Indian climatic and road conditions. He has also said that the testing will be done even in other parts of the country.

Powering the Roewe E RX5 is an electric motor that outputs 85 kW of maximum power and 255 Nm of peak torque. The electric motor gets its juice from a 48.3 kWh battery that enables the SUV to have a range of 320 kms as per the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). A range of 425 kms can be achieved by driving constantly at 60 km/h. It takes 7 hours to charge the battery completely. However, charging the battery to 80% of its capacity can be done in only 40 minutes using a fast charger. The all-electric SUV has a top speed of 135 kmph. MG’s roadmap for our country includes the launch of a handful of EVs. Hence, don’t be too surprised to see the company launching a rebadged version of the Roewe E RX5 in the next decade. MG’s first SUV for India will rival the Jeep Compass SUV. It will come with some segment-leading equipment.

Source – Mint

Also Read: Hyundai i20 Active facelift goes straight for for Ford Freestyle

The sub 4-meter compact SUV market, in India, is growing rapidly. After the Ford EcoSport made the segment popular, many manufacturers jumped right in making the segment one of the fastest growing ones. At present, there are four popular cars available in the segment – the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon and Mahindra TUV 300. If you are looking to buy a sub 4-meter compact SUV, here’s something that may help you choose your next vehicle.

Mileage is priority

Maruti Vitara Brezza

Maruti cars have always been known for their high fuel efficiency and in this segment too, the Maruti branded Vitara Brezza leads the pack. The Maruti Vitara Brezza is only available with a 1.3-litre diesel engine at the moment. The engine produces a maximum power of 89 Bhp and peak torque of 200 Nm of peak torque. However, there is only manual transmission available with the Brezza. The compact SUV returns a maximum of 24.3 km/l as per ARAI, which is the highest in the segment.

Want a city slicker

Tata Nexon AMT

Tata Motors will soon launch the Nexon AMT in India and bookings have officially begun. The Nexon will offer petrol AMT transmission and it is perfect for city limits. The Nexon AMT automatic transmissions have their limitations like slower shifts but they offer impeccable fuel efficiency just like their manual counterparts. The convenience of an automatic and fuel efficiency of manual makes the Nexon petrol AMT the perfect choice for people who want a city car.

Want an enthusiast car

Ford EcoSport AT

Ford cars have always been the first choice of enthusiasts. The sharp steering set-up and the well-tuned suspension make the Ford cars a driver’s delight. Ford offers the EcoSport petrol with an optional 6-speed transmission that gets paddle shifters. This is the only vehicle in the segment that offers paddle shifters. If you want total control of the transmission without leaving the steering wheel alone, this would be the right choice for you.

Want an intimidating vehicle

Mahindra TUV 300

The Mahindra TUV 300 is a battle-tank inspired SUV, which shows in its design language. The boxy, straight line design of the TUV 300 makes it quite noticeable on roads. The TUV 300 gets a big grille with big headlamps on either side making it an intimidating vehicle in the rear view mirror. If you want a proper boxy design SUV that can clear the way for you on the road, the TUV 300 can be the vehicle of your choice.

Want a feature-rich SUV

Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon is loaded to the brim when it comes to features. On the outside, the Nexon gets projector headlamps with LED DRL. It also gets a three-coloured body, which is unique. Nexon became the first car to introduce the floating-type infotainment screen, in the segment, with Android Auto with 8-speaker system tuned by Harman. It also gets various power modes that change the output of the engine. Both the petrol and diesel engine options of Nexon get City, Eco and Sport mode that changes the power delivery as per the need.

Want a safety feature loaded SUV

Ford EcoSport

Ford EcoSport is the most loaded vehicle when it comes to safety features. The top-end version of the car gets as many as 6-airbags in the form of dual front, side and curtain airbags. The EcoSport also gets ABS plus EBD. One of the unique features of the EcoSport is the Emergency Calling feature that activates as soon the system senses a crash and calls emergency services with the location of the accident.

Want a highway roller

Ford EcoSport diesel

The Ford EcoSport diesel is powered by a 1.5-litre engine that generates a maximum power of 99 Bhp and 205 Nm. It is adequately powered for Indian highways and returns a maximum fuel efficiency of 23 km/l. The highly rated driving dynamics of the EcoSport makes the vehicle stable at higher speeds and instills confidence in the driver, making it a perfect choice for the highways.

Want a car with customisation options

Maruti Vitara Brezza

Maruti offers dealer level customisation options with the Brezza. The iCreate option allows buyers to choose from various decals, roof colours, accessories, alloy wheels and much more to customise the vehicle as per their choice. If you are someone who wants a unique identity on the road, the Brezza will do just that for you.

Also Read: Hyundai i20 Active facelift goes straight for for Ford Freestyle

Sanjay Dutt, the veteran actor and erstwhile bad boy of Bollywood, is currently in the news, thanks to his upcoming biopic Sanju. Ranbir Kapoor plays Sanjay Dutt in this movie, which traces Sanjay’s life from age 22 till his conviction for possession of an AK-56 assault rifle. Sanjay was quite fond of motorcycles and cars in his youth, and still is seriously into luxury and sports cars. Here are all the cars owned by Sanjay Dutt.

BMW 7-Series

This is Sanjay’s latest acquisition. The white BMW 7-Series is said to be a gift to his kids. It is the flagship sedan from the German brand. The long wheelbase version of the 7-Series is one of the most luxurious cars in India. The 7-Series is mostly driven by chauffeurs but Sanjay’s love for cars can be seen in this picture where he’s driving the vehicle himself.

The particular variant of the 7-Series is not known but the car is powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol engine is a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine that generates a maximum of 320 Bhp – 450 Nm. There is a more powerful 4.4-litre engine that generates 450 Bhp – 650 Nm. The diesel engine is a 3.0-litre engine that generates a maximum of 265 Bhp – 620 Nm.

Ferrari 599 GTB

Sanjay Dutt also owns a signature red coloured Ferrari 599 GTB. The car was used in the movie, “Ferrari Ki Sawari” and it became quite popular after the movie came out. The Ferrari 599 GTB is powered by a 6.0-litre V12 naturally aspired engine that produces a maximum power of 612 Bhp and 608 Nm. Sanjay has been seen quite often in the Ferrari.

Audi Q7

The top-of-the-line Audi SUV is Sanjay Dutt’s daily commute car. He received the luxury SUV as a gift from his wife on his 57th birthday. Sanjay is quite fond of the luxury SUV and he also owned a previous generation Q7. Sanjay has been spotted quite a few times driving the vehicle himself to work. The Q7 owned by Sanjay Dutt is a diesel-powered vehicle and gets a 3.0-litre V6 engine. It produces a maximum power of 245 Bhp – 600 Nm. The heavy SUV can do 0-100 kph in just 7.1 seconds that makes it quite quick. There is also a 2.0-litre petrol engine option available with the Q7.

Audi R8

Sanjay Dutt also owns an Audi R8, which is in black colour with grey sideblades. Sanjay has been spotted several times in the first generation sports car but now he has either sold the vehicle or he does not take it out much. The car is powered by a 4.2-litre V8, 32-valve engine that generates a maximum of 420 Bhp.

Rolls Royce Ghost

Sanjay Dutt gifted his wife a Rolls Royce Ghost. The bespoke luxury car was gifted to celebrate the birth of the twins by the couple. The Ghost is the most affordable Rolls Royce available in the market, yet it costs more than Rs. 2.5 crore.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost is powered by a 6.6-litre twin turbo petrol engine that churns out a maximum of 560 BHP and an earth-moving torque of 780 Nm. The power is sent to the rear wheels through an 8-speed ZF transmission.

Ducati Multistrada

Sanjay Dutt is one of the few avid bike lovers from the film industry. When Sanjay Dutt played a small role in Shah Rukh Khan’s Ra.One film, he refused to take money for the same. SRK instead decided to gift him a bike he was eyeing. SRK gifted him the Multistrada 1200. It is powered by a 1,200-cc V-Twin engine that makes 157.8 Bhp and 136 Nm. The advantage of the Multistrada is the fact that it can be taken off-road as well.

Harley-Davidson Fatboy

The Harley-Davidson Fatboy is quite popular in Bollywood. Sanjay Dutt owns a blue coloured Fatboy. He is not often spotted on the bike nowadays but when he was younger, Sanjay Dutt riding the motorcycle was a regular sight for his neighbours.

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The Maruti Ciaz is easily the most spacious and one among the most comfortable cars in its segment. It’s even a bit longer than most of its rivals. Some Ciaz owners seem to have been really impressed with their rides. It looks like for them, the Ciaz is no less than a luxury car. Here are 5 such modified Maruti Ciaz sedans, which try really hard to mimic a German luxury sedan.

Audi Ciaz Quattro

Seen above is a Maruti Ciaz from Thailand that sports a custom-made body kit to pass off as an Audi. While the customiser hasn’t put on an Audi badge on this Ciaz, it’s clearly evident that he has tried to give this sedan an Audi-like appearance through a similar grille and bumper. This Ciaz even gets ‘quattro’ written on its grille, which is yet another way that tries to make this car look like an Audi. Other than the revised front-end the car sports window visors and a rear spoiler.

BMW Ciaz – 1

Here is another modified Maruti Ciaz from Thailand that wants to look like an upmarket German sedan. This Ciaz gets a black roof, larger alloy wheels, a custom bumper, and new bulbs for the headlamps. However, the pièce de résistance here is its kidney grille that seems to come from a last-gen BMW 5 series. Here, too, the customiser hasn’t used the badge of the car this Ciaz is trying to mimic, but the kidney grille, which is a signature BMW design element, is a dead giveaway. The execution is pretty good and at the first glance, an untrained eye might actually think this one’s a Bimmer.

BMW Ciaz – 2

Here is another Ciaz that wants you to think it’s from BMW. Compared to the Ciaz-BMW mod we saw earlier, this one isn’t that well executed. The original grille has been covered with a kidney grille and the bonnet sports a BMW badge. Other than this, the Ciaz has an updated bumper that carries new fog lamps. Well, this Ciaz isn’t really anywhere close to the BMW but the owner seems to love it. So, who are we to complain?

Mercedes Ciaz – 1

Seen above is a brand-new Ciaz from Karnataka that carries a grille that seems to have been borrowed from a Mercedes! Hence, you get the same three-pointed star that you can find on a Merc. Other than the new grille, this Ciaz doesn’t carry any other modification. Also, only the most unclued would mistake this Ciaz for a Mercedes car.

Mercedes Ciaz – 2

Here’s another Maruti Ciaz that gets a Mercedes-like grille. Here, again, the Ciaz gets a three-pointed star on a custom grill. Other than this, there’s also some chrome garnishing on the lower grille and around the foglamps. While all this makes the Ciaz look a bit different, it lacks the flair of a modern-day Mercedes.

In our opinion, not even one of the above Maruti Ciaz sedans is anywhere close to the German sedans it’s trying so hard to mimic. While the first two cars in the list do come across as fairly neat mods, the remaining three are cheap aftermarket jobs with the only new bits being a new grille and badges. The Ciaz is a fairly handsome car in its stock form. Its crisp lines and clean surfaces give it some understated elegance. True, it won’t look special enough in the company of pricier cars from Mercedes, BMW, and Audi, but these cheap imposters go on to do nothing but ruin the original design.

Image sources – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

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Tata Motors’ best selling car – the Tiago – has hit a home run. The hatchback is now outselling much smaller, cheaper  rivals such as the Renault Kwid and the Hyundai Eon. This makes the Tiago India’s second best selling entry level hatchback, behind the market leader – the Maruti Suzuki Alto. In the first three months of 2018, Tata Motors sold 23,100 units of the Tiago hatchback while Renault and Hyundai could only sell 17,517 units of the Kwid and 15,162 units of the Eon respectively. While the Tiago has seen sales grow by over 50 %, sales of the Kwid have fallen by a full 32 % and even the Eon shows a sales fall of about 7 %.

The Maruti Suzuki Alto continues to be India’s best selling car, with 62,100 units sold in the first 3 months of the  year. At the fag end of its life cycle in India, the 2nd generation Alto registered only 1 % sales growth and Maruti  Suzuki is soon expected to replace this car with an all-new, 3rd generation model.

The Tiago is expected to get even  more stronger in the coming months what with Tata lining up a high performance JTP version of the car for India. The Tiago JTP promises to be India’s least priced hot hatchback with an estimated starting price of under Rs. 6 lakhs. It could add another 1,000 units to the Tiago’s monthly sales.

The Tiago JTP will use the 1.2 liter REVOTRON turbocharged petrol engine in a more powerful 110 PS-150 Nm state of tune. The gear ratios of the 5 speed manual gearbox have been modified for better performance in the mid and low ends while the suspension has been stiffened for better handling and steering feel.

Tata Motors showed this car at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo and is all set to launch in within a few months from now. The car will also have a few  stylistic changes that differentiate it from the regular Tiago. These changes will be both on the inside and outside of the car.

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Toyota today announced the price of all-new Yaris marking the Japanese automaker’s entry into the mid-size sedan segment. Toyota launched the car at a starting price of Rs. 8.75 lakh and the top-end variant is priced at Rs. 14.07 lakh. Toyota has also released a detailed brochure for the Yaris accessories that will be officially available in the showrooms for the sedan. Toyota offers both exterior and interior accessories for the Yaris.

The exterior changes include front lower grille garnish, headlamp garnish chrome, tail lamp garnish chrome, wheel arc moulding, outer mirror chrome garnish, mudguard, fog lamp cover, side visor chrome insert, rear door chrome lid garnish and chrome door handle cover. Toyota also offers a full body cover with the Yaris.

Additional accessories also include automatic headlamp on/off the system, auto folding mirror and legroom lamp. The car also gets luggage tray, floor mat, trunk mat, gear shift knob wooden kit, car cushion, front sunshade, vanity sun visor with a lot of pockets. The accessory pack also includes shift boot bezel, wooden door panel, window sunshade, handbrake cover, steering wheel cover, and safety belt pad.

As per Toyota, all the accessories come with a warranty of one year. All the accessories can be installed at the dealerships and are bolt-on types that will not alter the vehicle’s structure or interior in any way.

Toyota Yaris has been launched in 8 trim levels and all the trims get the manual and automatic transmission options. The car is available with only one engine option. There is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that generates a maximum power of 107 PS and 140 Nm. Customers can choose from either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed stepped CVT automatic transmission.

The Yaris also gets a lot of segment-first features like tyre pressure monitoring system, ABS+EBD with BA, traction control, ESP, hill hold assist, front and rear proximity sensors, reverse parking camera, cruise control, roof-mounted AC, electrically powered driver seat, keyless entry with push-button start-stop among many other features. The Yaris also gets 7-airbag system across all the variants.

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The Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) segment has been witnessing a steady growth of late. While Toyota leads the charge with its very successful Innova Crysta, there are at least 6 New MPVs that will launch in the coming time. These include some much-awaited models like the new Maruti Ertiga and the Mahindra U321 MPV. Here’s the complete list –

Toyota Alphard

Toyota showcased the Alphard premium MPV at the Auto Expo 2018. The company is expected to launch this model within a year. Toyota has already proved its mettle in the MPV segment by its Innova MPV. The company will now plan to attract even more high-class clientele with the Alphard MPV. The Alphard gets its juice from the same 2.5-litre engine that powers the Camry Hybrid. The Alphard is known to be one of the most luxurious MPVs in the world and it looks all set to reach out shores.

New Maruti Ertiga

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd will launch the new-generation Ertiga MPV in India by August this year. The new model has already been showcased in Indonesia. The new MPV is larger than the current version and offers more in terms of performance, space, and features. It is based on the company’s lightweight HEARTECT platform. It also gets a new petrol engine, which replaces the current 1.4-liter K14 motor. The new engine offers more power and torque. The India-spec model is also likely to get a new 1.5-liter diesel engine. Other than this, the new Ertiga will come with additional features such as a Smartplay touchscreen infotainment unit. It will cost significantly more than the current model and will try to fill in the void left behind by the last-gen Innova.

Maruti WagonR MPV

Maruti’s MPV onslaught won’t stop with the launch of the new Ertiga. Also coming our way within a year is the new-gen WagonR. Expected to be based on the JDM-spec Solio, the new WagonR will offer a 7-seater variant. It will also look nothing like the current model and will probably offer more features, too. It’s being said that the new-gen WagonR will be based on the lightweight HEARTECT platform. The higher number of seats should help the tallboy find more buyers. The current 1.0-liter three-pot K10 petrol engine will be retained. However, it will be updated to comply with the upcoming BS6 emission norms. AMT will be carried over, too.

Mahindra U321 MPV

The Mahindra U321 MPV will launch in this year’s festive season. The new model will be a premium offering that will come with features like LED DRLs, projector headlamps and multi-spoke alloy wheels. The new MPV will be positioned between the Scorpio and the XUV500. It will have ABS and front airbags as standard features across all trims. Powering the Mahindra U321 will be two new-age engines. One of these will be a 1.6-Litre mFalcon Diesel engine outputs 125 bhp and 305 Nm. The other will be a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine. The upcoming U321 will become the first-ever MPV to be developed by Mahindra’s North American development centre in Troy, Michigan. The U321 will go on sale in many markets across the globe.

Mahindra TUV300 Plus

The Mahindra TUV300 Plus is nothing but a slightly bigger version of the TUV300 compact SUV. It offers more seats. Also, it even offers a bigger engine. Powering the TUV300 Plus is the same 2.2-liter mHawk diesel engine that powers the Scorpio. The engine outputs 120 bhp and 280 Nm. It will come mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The TUV300 will probably appeal to the cab operators and fleet operators due to its high seating capacity.

Renault RBC

Renault plans to come up with a Kwid-based MPV in India. It will be smaller than the Lodgy and will be tailor-made for developing markets like that of ours. It will be underpinned by the CMF-A platform of the Kwid but will have a longer wheelbase. In most likelihood, it will offer a seating capacity of seven adults. It will be similar to the Go+ in terms of dimensions. There is a good chance that the MPV would use the Kwid’s 1.0-liter petrol engine that outputs 67 Bhp and 91 Nm. Transmission options are likely to include a five-speed manual and AMT. Internally codenamed as RBC, the MPV will be positioned between the Kwid and the Duster. Prices are expected to start from Rs 5 lakh.

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TVS Apache has always been a name that is associated with performance, power and track racing. However, the Apache series motorcycles are quite comfortable can be used for long-distance touring too. TVS introduced a common platform known as Apache Owners Group (AOG) that connects the like-minded Apache owners together. The group currently consists of over 3,000 customers and has a presence in over 30 cities. The customers were only allowed to ride on their Apache motorcycles including the Apache RR 310, Apache RTR 200, Apache RTR 180 and the Apache RTR 160.

The AOG for the first time ever held a ride for the group members from Bengaluru, Kochi, Coimbatore, Calicut, Chennai and Madurai. The two-day trip was flagged off Bangalore and Coimbatore dealerships of TVS and the customers also got a comprehensive tour of the TVS Mysuru plant. The ride saw participation from as many as 150 Apache owners from various cities like Bengaluru, Kochi, Coimbatore, Calicut, Chennai and Madurai.

TVS chose the route to allow the Apache owners to experience their bikes in different terrains. The route saw long straight roads, tight corners and narrow sections that made the Apache owners test the capability of their steeds.

The 2-day trip also included a visit to the TVS plant in Mysuru. The plant is a world-class facility that sees the production of the Apache motorcycles including the RR 310 and the BMW G 310R. The plant gave a glimpse to the Apache owners on how their bikes are produced and the stringent quality checks the motorcycles go through before making it to the market.

Currently, the Apache line-up has six models. The most affordable being the Apache RTR 160 in the line-up. TVS also offers Apache RTR 160 4V, Apache RTR 180, Apache RTR 200, Apache RTR 200 4V and the Apache RTR 310. There are further variants of the models. It gives a wide choice to the customers.

This was the first ride held by TVS for the AOG but in the future, we can expect many more such rides in the different parts of the country.

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Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus is set to launch its next flagship smartphone OnePlus 6 in India on May 17. The company has confirmed the date of the global launch as May 16, to be followed a day later in India at an event hosted in Mumbai.

In India, the OnePlus 6 will go on sale from May 21, exclusively on online store Amazon.in. OnePlus CEO Pete Lau confirmed these details in a tweet. The company will prepare for the launch event and sell entry vouchers publicly on May 8 at the price of Rs. 999 each. That is a hefty price for admittance, but those who buy the vouchers will get a company-branded tote bag, cap, t-shirt and notebook worth the same amount.

Reports also claim the availability schedule of the phone after the company sent emails to OnePlus owners about the upcoming flash sale and entry into the company’s renowned Lab Program. This program gives test phones to certain privileged users to look for any bugs or glitches in the phone ahead of launch or sale of the flagship beast.

As a follow-up to the partnership of OnePlus with Marvel, the company posted a teaser video for the arrival of limited edition ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ for its users with the launch. The company had used the same strategy for the OnePlus 6 predecessor, OnePlus 5T,  with ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’ edition. OnePlus has also announced free tickets of the anticipated movie to its users on April 27, 28 and 29 across 10 cities in the country.
The upcoming flagship phone OnePlus 6 is confirmed to have the following specifications according to official reports and teasers:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC
• 8 GB RAM
• 256 GB Inbuilt Storage
• 3.5 mm Jack
• Glass Back Design

The OnePlus 6 phone sports a notch-less design in the front with edge to edge display for superior quality, an expected high battery backup, and fast charging. The phone runs on the latest Android 8.1, and features a 3450 mAh battery.

The phone also has a dual-camera setup on the back, promising superior picture quality. The OnePlus 6 also includes iPhone X like gestures.

The phone will be available in three different colors; black, white and metallic blue. We still have to wait for updates on the waterproofing or dust-proofing specifications of the phone. This phone is rumoured to be the most expensive OnePlus device ever.

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Seen here is a high-speed KTM RC390 crash that clearly shows why overtaking from the wrong side of the road is so dangerous. Actually, the video you see below shows an RC390 rider who is trying to overtake a fast-moving truck from the left lane. However, things don’t go as per his plan as he crashes into a couple of cyclists who were just a few metres ahead of him.

A lot many things went wrong here. For starters, the motorcyclist tried to overtake a fast-moving truck from the left-lane. Secondly, there was some slow-moving traffic, in the form of a couple of cyclists, just a few metres ahead of him. Initially, the overtaking process looked easy as the RC390 has enough grunt to pull off a high-speed overtaking manoeuvre.

However, things went wrong when a Maruti Eeco, which was driving on the wrong side of the road, forced the cyclists to move towards the centre of the road. The RC390, by then, was only a few metres away from the bicycles. Thanks to the high speed that was involved, it was a tad too late for the KTM-owner to brake hard and avoid contact. Also, moving to the ride wasn’t possible as the right lane was occupied by the truck.

Hence, the KTM-rider ended up crashing into the cyclists. The video you see above shows that the RC390 wasn’t doing very high speeds moments before hitting the bicycles. However, seen below is another video that provides an analysis of the situation. As per the second video, the playback speed of the first video has been slowed down moments before the crash, which in turn gives a false impression of a slow speed.

Also, in the first video, which is basically a truncated version of the original clip, it looks like the KTM rider and his other biking buddies left the spot without even checking the condition of the cyclists. However, the second video goes on to clarify that the RC390 rider and his friends ensured everyone is fine and even paid the bicycle riders for the damages and injuries they suffered in this mishap.

Anyway, the major takeaway from this episode is that overtaking from the wrong lane whilst riding/driving at a high speed can be risky. Of course, the RC390 could have avoided this crash had it been slower. Also, going by the fact that the truck was already doing decent speeds, the motorcyclist had no reason to be in a hurry to overtake it from the wrong lane. Finally, even the Eeco that was driving on the wrong side of the road turned out to be a major culprit here.

Video source – Dark Rider on Youtube

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MPVs are hardly the cars people buy to go fast in. Instead MPVs are purchased to comfortably move families along with a full complement of luggage. However, car makers do offer sportier versions of MPVs in many parts of the world. While some choose to only offer sporty styling, others go the full monty and throw in a more powerful engine and stiffer suspension. While Maruti Suzuki has generally stayed away from offering high performance variants of regular cars in the Indian market, what’s wrong with dreaming, right? Well, here is a render showing what a sporty new Maruti Ertiga Turbo based on the all-new, 2018 model will look like.

The render indicates taler wheels, a lower stance and of course, a body kit that makes the Ertiga Turbo look quite sporty. Now, turbo means that the engine also needs to be worked on considering the fact that the all-new 2018 Suzuki Ertiga gets only a naturally aspirated, 1.5 liter K-Series petrol engine. Since the MPV is based on the HEARTECT platform, which it shares with the new Swift Sport, the latter’s 1.4 liter BoosterJet turbocharged petrol engine with 140 Bhp and 230 Nm promises to be straight fit. This engine gets 6 speed manual and automatic options on the Swift, and the same could even be offered on the new Ertiga. Well, if only Maruti or Suzuki decide to build something like this.

For now, we do know that Maruti Suzuki will launch the all-new, 2018 Ertiga MPV in India sometime during this year’s festive season that’ll start from August. The MPV will be joined by a more butch, crossover-ish variant sometime in March 2019. While the petrol Ertiga will use the 1.5 liter K-Series engine with 106 PS and 140 Nm, the specifications of the Ertiga Diesel are yet to be revealed. The MPV is likely to command a slight price premium over the outgoing model. Prices of the new Ertiga are likely to start from well under Rs. 7 lakhs. The Ertiga will continue to be a 7 seater in the Indian market.

Via JFWorks on Instagram

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