Hyundai Motor India Ltd, the country’s second-largest car manufacturer, will launch an all-new hatchback later this year. Codenamed ‘AH2’, the upcoming Hyundai car is expected to go on sale with the Santro nameplate. Akin to the original Santro, the upcoming hatchback has a tallboy architecture and is expected to be priced competitively. It will sit between the Eon and the Grand i10 in the company’s product portfolio. Here’s a new video that shows a couple of new Hyundai Santro test mules being tested on a highway.

The new-gen Santro will be underpinned by the same platform that was used for the last-gen Hyundai i10. Our sources, however, say that the upcoming car will be wider and taller than the last-gen i10. The new Santro will rival the likes of Tata Tiago and Maruti Celerio. The last-gen i10 was discontinued in India after it lost most of the limelight to the more modern rivals. The new Santro, however, will once again help the Indian subsidiary of the Korean auto giant to attract buyers in the A2 segment of our car market. The new Santro will not only have larger dimensions but will also offer more features than the old i10.

It will be powered by an updated version of the same 1.1-litre, four-cylinder engine that powered the i10 and even the original Santro. For the new Santro, however, the engine will be BSVI-compliant and is likely to offer higher mileage and power. The new Santro will become the first Hyundai car in India to offer an optional AMT. We expect the 1.1-litre to output in tune of 70 PS and 110 Nm.

Going by the several spy shots and videos we’ve seen so far, it looks like the new-gen Santro will take some design cues from the earlier i10. However, we are pretty sure that the front-end styling will be in accordance with the company’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language. As revealed by some spy images, the interior of the new Hyundai Santro will come with a touchscreen infotainment unit. Also, the cabin will be fairly spacious. The new Hyundai Santro is expected to launch in August this year.

Video courtesy – Rushlane on Youtube

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza-rivaling Mahindra S201 sub-4 meter compact SUV's interiors revealed

As we’ve been reporting, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL), the country’s largest selling car manufacturer, plans to launch an all-new WagonR later this year. The next-gen WagonR will use an updated version of the 1.0-litre K-series motor that powers the current car. It’s likely to be available in both petrol and CNG formats. As per a new report, the new WagonR will also have an electric version, which will launch in India by 2020. The upcoming Maruti WagonR EV will be developed in partnership with Toyota. So, basically, the upcoming new-gen Maruti WagonR will become the first-ever Maruti car to offer an electric powertrain.

It also looks like the upcoming WagonR EV will become one of the first products from the Suzuki-Toyota partnership. Basically, Suzuki and Toyota have joined hands to co-develop future products for the Indian market. The duo also plans to make India a production base for their export lineup. Denso Corporation and Toyota will provide Suzuki with the technical support required to develop an ultra-high-efficiency powertrain for the upcoming Suzuki compact cars. The next-gen WagonR will be underpinned by a new lightweight platform, which should reduce the overall weight of the car by a considerable margin. This should translate into better performance and fuel efficiency.

As you can see in the speculative renders we have here, the upcoming new-gen WagonR will retain the tallboy architecture. However, the car will get different body panels that will work together to give the car a completely new look. Even the interior will be completely new and will come with more features. ABS and airbags will be standard across all the trims and the cabin is expected to offer premium bits like a touchscreen infotainment unit on the top-end variant. However, akin to the current car, the interior of the next-gen WagonR will be airy and highly practical.

Source- TheHinduBusinessLine

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza-rivaling Mahindra S201 sub-4 meter compact SUV's interiors revealed

Maruti Suzuki India is the undisputed king when it comes to sales in the Indian car market. The brand controls over 50% of the Indian car market and has broken quite a few records in the past. In a new development, Maruti Suzuki India has become the first car manufacturer in India to produce 20 million or 2 crore units of cars in India. The new generation Maruti Suzuki Swift became the 20 millionth vehicle to roll off the assembly line.

Maruti reached the figure in 34 years and 5 months and is quicker than Suzuki’s Japan production facility that achieved the feat in 45 years and 9 months. The 20 millionth car rolled out of the Gujarat facility of the brand. Maruti is one of the oldest car brands in India and over the time, they have launched various models in the market.

The Alto remains the highest selling model from the brand and it has gathered 3.17 million customers. The second is the iconic Maruti 800 that sold 2.91 million copies in its production period between 1983 to 2007. The Maruti WagonR is the third highest selling model from the brand with 2.13 million units. One of the longest production cars in India, the Omni, takes the fourth position in the line-up with 1.94 million units, which is tied up with the Maruti Suzuki Swift. Other notable contributions have been given by popular cars like the Dzire, Baleno and Vitara Brezza.

Maruti Suzuki reached the 1 million milestone in May 1994, 10 years after the company began production in 1983. The Indian brand reached the 5 million units milestone in April 2005 and the 10 million units milestone in 2011. In 2015, the brand reached the 15 million milestone, which shows the rapid growth of the brand over the years.

In the future, Maruti is expected to launch some new models and has also announced that the brand is planning to target 2.5 million units sales per year by 2022-23, which means exponential growth for the brand. The brand has also tied up with Toyota in India to develop new technologies and sell rebadged products in the market.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza-rivaling Mahindra S201 sub-4 meter compact SUV's interiors revealed

Thanks to movies like the ‘Fast & the Furious – Tokyo Drift’ and video games like the ‘Need for Speed’, most of the youngsters are aware of the ‘drift culture’ that flourishes abroad. No surprise, then, that they even try to replicate the rather spectacular car stunt here. One such young driver can be seen ‘drifting’ his Elite i20 in the video we have below. Basically, the driver of this i20 is ‘power-sliding’ his car and not actually drifting. However, to the layman, this looks as dramatic as drifting.

Power-sliding vs Drifting – What’s the Difference?

You can’t drift a front-wheel drive car but making the car’s rear step out on a sandy patch of the road using the handbrake and then making steering corrections to control the slide makes the entire stunt look a lot like drifting. For most people, power-sliding is the same as drifting. It’s very common to see people calling any sort of controlled oversteer a drift. However, in spite of the visual similarities, power-sliding isn’t same as drifting. Also, with cars like the Hyundai Elite i20, which have a really light steering, it gets even easier to break traction on, say, sand, gravel, etc, and even unintentionally initiate a slide. But it’s really not a drift.

Powersliding a front-wheel drive car involves the act of getting the rear step out by breaking traction through pulling the handbrake. It can also be done by inducing oversteer on a sandy patch of road. Powersliding can be done only beyond the apex. On the other hand, drifting is a lot more complex procedure. It starts before the apex and requires a number of techniques to hold the slide. Drifting involves a mixture of braking, weight shifting, and accelerator and clutch inputs to maintain the momentum for as long as possible.

Why can’t you drift FWD cars?

Like you can see in the video above, you can surely slide your FWD car a fair bit. In this case, thanks to the high speed and the sandy patch of road, the driver even manages to slide dramatically. However, the trouble is that on a Front Wheel Drive (FWD) car, you can’t sustain the slide for a really long period of time. Actually, on an FWD, front wheels are used for steering as well as putting the power down. For drifting, however, you need to have a source of power pushing the car in a direction that is different from the one your front wheels are facing. While you can use the handbrake to initiate a slide, it gets impossible to sustain the slide for a long period of time.

Trying to ‘drift’ on public roads is dangerous

It’s true that the Elite i20 in the video you see above looks really cool while sliding. However, we urge all our readers to never ever try to ‘drift’ on a public road. The stunts you see in the aforementioned movies are shot under controlled conditions and are performed by experts. On a public road, sliding the car can easily make you lose control and have an accident. Also, it even leads to higher wear and tear of tires and brake pads. Hence, it’s best to restrict your drifting adventures to the video games.

Video courtesy – DRIFTLINE on Youtube

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza-rivaling Mahindra S201 sub-4 meter compact SUV's interiors revealed

Tata’s new age cars have become quite successful in the Indian market. Starting with the Tiago to Nexon, all the new age cars have received a warm response from the market. Keeping up with the new design language, Tata Motors showcased the H5X concept and the 45X concept at the 2018 Auto Expo. While the H5X has been spied on the Indian roads multiple times, the Maruti Baleno and Elite i20 rivalling 45X has been caught testing in India for the first time ever.

The car was caught testing in the outskirts of Thane, Mumbai. The production version of the car is quite different from what Tata showcased as a concept and it is quite understandable as the production version of the cars shed a lot of glam to be cost-effective and viable for production. The heavily camouflaged test car shows a sweeping window line similar to what we saw in the concept model. The rear door handles are integrated to the C-Pillar, which is a new trend in the new Indian cars. There is a sharp edge in the tail lamp too but it is not as sharp as the concept version of the car.

The spy picture also shows a glimpse of the interior. Zooming the picture shows two analogue dials on the instrument cluster of the car and an LCD driver information display in the middle. Reportedly, the car also gets a floating type instrument cluster in the middle, similar to what we see in the Nexon.

This will be Tata’s first-ever premium hatchback in the Indian market and will take on rivals like the Hyundai Elite i20 and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. Tata will launch the all-new car in 2019 but has not confirmed the details. Under the hood, the car is expected to get a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine and a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine similar to the Nexon line-up. Both the petrol and diesel engine options are expected to get automatic transmissions.

Source: ZigWheels

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza-rivaling Mahindra S201 sub-4 meter compact SUV's interiors revealed

Volkswagen Polo has remained one of the most popular European hatchbacks in India. The timeless design of the car with unmatched handling capabilities attract a lot of enthusiasts. The Volkswagen Polo is also one of the most modified cars in India and here is another modified example, captured in a beautiful video.

The Volkswagen Polo seen here gets a body kit all around. The car gets a new front bumper lip, side skirts and a modified rear bumper. It adds a very subtle yet powerful look to the vehicle. With the new updates, the Polo looks stronger and muscular. The rear modified bumper now makes space for a twin-exhaust muffler that further adds to the overall new muscular look of the car. The visual modifications also include a huge roof-mounted spoiler in black colour that gives a contrasting effect to the overall look of the hatchback. The tail lamp gets a smoked effect that turns the clear lens of the hatchback to a dark colour.

The modified Polo also gets aftermarket 5-spoke black alloy wheels with low-profile tyres. It adds an aggressive stance to the car. We are not sure if the aftermarket twin-exhaust muffler makes any different sound, but the owner has also added a hi-fi music system with a separate woofer to the car. Apart from this, the interior stays stock without any modifications. It seems that the modifications are only visual and the engine remains untouched. The car has been de-badged and it is difficult to ascertain the variant of the vehicle.

The Volkswagen Polo is powered by several engine options. Earlier the car was powered by a 1.2-litre MPI petrol engine but now that has been dropped and a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is available with the car. Volkswagen offers a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine with the GT TSI version that also gets a dual-clutch 7-speed transmission. There is a single 1.5-litre TDI engine available with the diesel variant of the car.

Source

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza-rivaling Mahindra S201 sub-4 meter compact SUV's interiors revealed

Mahindra will introduce the compact SUV codenamed ‘S201’ in India later this year. The all-new SUV is based on the SsangYong Tivoli and will compete with the likes of Maruti Vitara Brezza and Tata Nexon. While the car has been caught testing in the Indian market numerous times, it is the first time that the interiors of the upcoming SUV have been caught in pictures.

The pictures of the interior reveal that the dashboard is heavily inspired by the SsangYong Tivoli. However, Mahindra has put their own design bits to give a more homely look. The layout of the dashboard remains the same, but Mahindra has now adopted a dual-tone colour scheme to give it a more premium look. Mahindra has also added an aluminium divider between the contrasting colours. The steering of the S201 also looks exactly the same as the Tivoli’s and it gets mounted-controls that can control the audio and operate the phone.

The instrument cluster gets a similar large dial and an LCD information display placed between the dials. Even the layout of the instrument console is similar to the Tivoli. The car gets a 7.0-inch infotainment console that gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The S201 will be a premium car and features like navigation and dual-zone climate control are expected in the car. The central console also gets a piano-black finish at the bottom and two AC vents just below the infotainment system. The SUV also gets dual USB ports, an AUX-in jack and a 12V socket.

The S201 will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that churns out around 125 Bhp and will be one of the most powerful cars in the segment. There will be a 1.5-litre diesel engine too that gets mated to a 6-speed transmission. However, just like the competitors, the S201 does not get any off-roading equipment, like the AWD system.

This will be Mahindra’s third active product in the segment after the NuvoSport and the TUV300. However, Mahindra will target a different segment of customers with the new car. The prices are expected to be value-for-money just like the other cars in the Mahindra product line-up.

Source

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza-rivaling Mahindra S201 sub-4 meter compact SUV's interiors revealed

Tata Motors is prepping up a new limited edition variant of the Tigor sub-4 meter compact sedan. The Tigor, which is India’s least priced compact sedan, will soon get the ‘Buzz’ limited edition variant. The Tata Tigor Buzz is expected to be based on the mid variant of the compact sedan, and is likely to offer a range of new features and cosmetic enhancements. Visible changes on the spied Tigor Buzz include a blacked out roof and wing mirror housings, apart from Buzz badging on the boot lid. On the inside, the car gets red accents around the AC vents, adding contrast to the dashboard. The infotainment unit is a non-touchscreen stereo from Harman, suggesting that it’s the Tigor’s mid variants that’ll get the Buzz treatment.

Mechanically, the Tigor Buzz variant will be unchanged from the regular car. The petrol engine is a 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder naturally aspirated unit with 84 Bhp-114 Nm. 5 speed manual and AMT options are offered with the Tigor’s petrol engine. The diesel engine is a 1.1 litre, 3 cylinder turbocharged unit with 70 Bhp-140 Nm.

A five speed manual gearbox is standard with this engine. Prices of the Tata Tigor start at under Rs. 5 lakhs, making it India’s cheapest compact sedan. The car is big on value, and also on style. In fact, the unique notchback design makes the Tiago a great looker from the rear.

Tata Motors is all set to give the Tigor the performance treatment. The automaker has tied up with Jayem Engineering of Coimbatore to form JTP, a high-performance sub-brand for Tata cars. The Tigor, along with the Tiago hatchback, will soon get the JTP treatment.

A high performance, turbocharged petrol version of the Tigor is just months away from launch in India. Shown at the Auto Expo, the Tata Tigor JTP will feature a 1.2 litre, turbocharged petrol engine with 108 Bhp-150 Nm on tap. A 5 speed close ratio gearbox will be offered on the car, which will also get stiffer suspension and stylistic changes.

Via Arunraj.RajasekharanNair

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While pick-up trucks haven’t been really successful in India, the Isuzu V-Cross has been responsible for making these vehicles at least a bit more popular in the country. Many new car buyers have bought this lifestyle vehicle and it looks like the V-Cross will continue to stay in the limelight for more time to come. While the Isuzu V-Cross already has a high appeal, here are 10 ways to make it a total BEAST.

Remaps

Powering the Isuzu V-Cross is a 2.5-litre turbo diesel motor that outputs 134 Bhp and 320 Nm. This makes the pick-up truck quite powerful. However, as they say, more power is never enough. Hence, you can give the V-Cross a performance map to make it even more powerful. One of the popular customizers that offer a performance remap for the V-Cross is Pete’s. It is said that installing this remap enhances the performance by 15-20%. The improvement in power and torque figures makes the V-Cross quicker.

Lift kit

The Isuzu V-Cross is sufficiently capable off the road. However, thanks to a fairly long wheelbase, the V-Cross is often unable to tackle some steep slopes. Hence, it’s a good idea to install a lift kit. A typical lift kit improves the ground clearance by 2 to 6 inches. It also gives the pick-up truck a more badass stance and a very high street presence. However, do remember that installing the lift kit will have a negative effect on the high-speed stability.

Larger tyres

Another way to increase the road presence of the V-Cross is to switch to larger tires. A larger set of tires makes the lifestyle vehicle look more intimidating. They also offer additional grip while off-roading. Negative effects include a drop in performance and fuel efficiency along with a slightly higher wear and tear.

Lowered

While many of you would want to install a lift kit to increase this pick-up’s height, there are some who would like to get the V-Cross lowered to increase its high-speed stability. Also, lowering the V-Cross makes it look sportier.

Off-road bumper

One of the easiest ways to increase the street presence of the V-Cross is to give it an off-road bumper. Also, installing it will improve the approach angle. Moreover, a metal construction increases the ruggedness of the front-end. You can also install a winch and auxiliary lights on the metal bumper. However, those of you who plan to install this bumper should make sure that the airbag sensors are carried over from the stock unit. Not doing so will render the airbags totally useless.

Re-paint/wrap

Another really easy way to increase the street presence of the V-Cross is to give it a re-paint or a wrap. We think that getting a wrap is a better idea than going for a custom paint job. Wraps can give you the desired look without getting rid of the original paint. Also, a wrap can be removed to switch back to the original paint at any point in time. You just need to make sure that the wrapping is done properly to have a good finish.

Body kits

Another way to give the V-Cross a sporty look is by installing a body kit. There are many body kits that are available for this pick-up. You can go for a sporty design in case you plan to lower the V-Cross. You can even opt for a widebody kit in case you want to give this lifestyle vehicle a more planted stance.

Covers for the bed

We are pretty sure not many owners of the V-Cross use the big cargo area to haul large goods. However, the loading bay can always be used to carry smaller items by installing a cover on it. There are many cool covers that are available for the V-Cross. A proper hard-top cover can be used to give this pick-up a slightly more sophisticated look.

Snorkel

Installing a snorkel makes the V-Cross look more off-road-ready. It also improves the fording depth of the vehicle. Hence, it makes sense to install a snorkel before you try to cross a small stream in your V-Cross.

Lights

Another way to enhance the looks of the V-Cross is to install extra lights. Extra lights are helpful while off-roading in the dark. They also come in handy when driving on a really dark stretch of the road. However, one should use these only in emergency situations when visibility is really poor. We say this as the extra lights can blind other road users. You can also be fined for using these on public roads.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 , 10

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Most Indian access controlled highways with toll gates suffer from the common problem of long queues. The slow movement of traffic and the process of giving change take a lot of time. Often, motorists lose the overall time they save by using such highways. A minister from the Haryana state cabinet, Vipul Goyal, was caught in one such traffic jam, for over 15 minutes. What he did next earned him praise from a lot of road users. And it was caught on video.

Minister comes to the rescue

Vipul Goyal, a member of legislative assembly and a minister from the BJP party, Haryana, was stuck in a similar jam yesterday. The incident happened at the Badarpur tollgate where the queue extended to a certain distance, which is a common problem for the commuters travelling on this stretch. Seeing the long jam, the minister alighted from his official car, which was being escorted by state police vehicles and ordered every control room to keep the boom barrier open.

Generally, ministers and VIPs get a special lane to pass through such toll gates, where the convoy does not have to pay the toll and gets a free access. The video shows the conversation between the minister and the tollgate employee where the employee is explaining about some fault in the system. It seems that the minister was stuck in the jam too and he can be heard saying that he was stuck in the jam for 15 minutes.

The minister ordered all the toll gates to be opened to make the traffic flow smooth again while he stood there watching all the vehicles pass by. It is not known for how long the tollgate allowed the free movement of the vehicles but it sure is a humble gesture from the minister to the fellow road users. This is also a reason why ministers and their ilk need to experience the same traffic conditions as common folks, to understand and solve the problems that common people face.

India has deployed Fast Tag lanes in the country and all new cars that are bought in India have to get mandatory fast tags. Such tags have NFC chips that can communicate with the toll gates. The government has made it mandatory to have a special lane for fast tag users who do take much less time to pay the toll. These tags are pre-paid and the money is automatically deducted from the account, which provides a fast and smooth movement.

There have been many rumours in the past that say that the vehicular movements should be free if the queue length exceeds a certain length. However, government agencies such as MORTH (Ministry for Road Transport and Highways) and NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) have confirmed that there is no such provision in the rule book to provide free access to the cars.

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Ather, a Bangalore-based electric mobility start-up funded by the likes of Hero MotoCorp and Flipkart, has just launched its first electric vehicles in India – the 350 and 450 electric scooters. The Ather 340 is priced at Rs. 1.1 lakhs, on-road Bangalore, and the 450 is priced at Rs. 1.25 lakhs. What’s the difference between the two scooters? Battery range, and electric motor outputs. The Ather 340 will give you a 60 kilometer range per charge of its lithium ion battery stack while the 450 will give you a 75 kilometer range. Both scooters are tech-packed and use some of the most advanced materials ever seen on Indian scooters.

Both the Ather 340 and 450 use an aluminium frame, with the battery as the stressed member. Developed in-house by Ather, the Lithium Ion batteries make for the floorboard of both the scooters, keeping the center of gravity low and making the scooters nimble handlers.

Both scooters use a 2.4 Kwh lithium ion batteries. The 340 gets a 5.9 Bhp electric motor while the 450 gets a 7.2 Bhp motor. The motor makes 20 Nm of torque on the 340 and 20.5 Nm of torque on the 450. Top speed of the 340 is rated at 70 Kph, while the 450 can do 80 Kph. The 0-40 Kph sprint on the 340 comes up in 5.1 seconds while the 450 is significantly faster, with a 3.9 second 0-40 Kph sprint. Save for the different power ratings, performance, and the battery ranges, there’s very little to differentiate between both the scooters.

Styling is very sharp, with clean lines all around. The fully digital, 7 inch instrument cluster gets GPS and is connected to the internet through a cloud based server, which also sends diagnostic reports to Ather, a-la-Tesla. The scooter even gets a park assist where the electric motor can be activated to reverse the scooter from tight parking spots. The cutting-edge technology packed into these scooters give them a sophisticated, futuristic feel. Conventional bits include suspension and braking. Suspension bits consist of telescopic front forks and a monoshock rear. Both scooters get tubeless tyres and disc brakes on both wheels.

Presently, these scooters are available only in Bangalore and Ather will soon launch them nationwide in a phased manner. The buying process is totally online, just like Tesla. You need to visit the Ather website, buy the scooter, and the company will deliver one to you.

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The Mahindra Scorpio has been one of the most popular SUVs in its segment. Even its pick-up truck variant, the Getaway, has found some takers. The Scorpio offers a sufficiently punchy motor along with enough street presence. However, there are some who want their Scorpio SUVs to look different. Hence, they take the custom route. Here are as many as 5 really bold mod jobs for the Mahindra Scorpio that you can opt for.

SP Design Studio’s Mahindra Scorpio

Popular car customizer, SP Design Studio, offers a comprehensive makeover for the Scorpio. The SUV comes with an all-new grille with a wire mesh. You also get new custom headlamps that look a lot like the one on the Ford F150. The new bumper houses a set of fog lamps. The hood gets faux vents and the roof gets some LED auxiliary lamps. At the rear, the Scorpio gets a pick-up truck format with a covered cargo bay. The tail lamps have been updated to a single unit that includes both indicators and brake lights. Like the front, even the rear bumper is off-road spec. Other highlights include flared wheel arches, dual exhaust pipes and new alloy wheels shod with Maxxis off-road tires.

Mahindra Scorpio Mountaineer

Mahindra & Mahindra offers a handful of really cool customization kits for the Scorpio. One of these is the Mountaineer kit that you can see above. The Mahindra Scorpio Mountaineer comes with a thoroughly updated exterior that ensures this Scorpio looks much more macho than the regular version. The front-end of this SUV comes with a custom grille, a new bumper, and a 3-pod headlamp cluster. The Mahindra Scorpio Mountaineer comes with a pick-up truck layout. The SUV also gets a custom bumper that has been equipped with towing rings, negative offset alloy wheels, side scoops, CRC steel rear metal bumper, snorkel, and off-road tires. The Scorpio Mountaineer also gets a custom grey paint with red highlights.

Mahindra Scorpio Darkhouse

Mahindra Scorpio Darkhorse is another custom kit that Mahindra Scorpio Customizations offers. This Scorpio comes painted in a shade of matte grey paint that makes it look a bit more rugged than the stock version. It also offers a more rugged-looking front-end that features an off-road-spec bumper and a custom wire-mesh grille. The front fascia also has a custom three-pod headlamp setup. The bumper carries a set of powerful fog lamps near the registration plate housing. The Darkhorse, like the Mountaineer, comes with a dual-cab pick-up body format.

Mahindra Scorpio Xtreme

The Mahindra Scorpio Xtreme is yet another customized version of the popular SUV from Mahindra Customizations. The Xtreme sports a custom bull bar that features large auxiliary lamps. Mahindra has also added side guards and a roll cage to this SUV. The Scorpio Xtreme comes in a yellow paint shade. It gets flared wheel arches and faux air vents on the fender. The tail lamps are custom units and the rear bumper is also new. Other highlights include a jerry can for carrying extra fuel, cycle rack and even a sunroof. There’ also a cover for the cargo bay. On the inside, the car gets leather upholstery, custom floor mats, ambient lighting, head-up display (HUD), and an upgraded music system.

Sarbloh Motors’ Mahindra Scorpio off-roader

Sarbloh Motors has come up with a modified Scorpio that features an off-road-ready look courtesy of the metal bumper, snorkel, auxiliary lamps, and a light bar on the carrier. It gets steel rims and is based on the S4+ trim. Of course, it is equipped with 4WD. Other highlights of this Scorpio include a snorkel, white-green dual-tone paint job, tow hook, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and a jerrycan to complete that rugged off-roader look. You can also equip this Scorpio with a roof-mounted tent.

Image source – 5

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The Maruti Celerio has been one of the most popular hatchbacks in the A2-segment of the Indian car market. The Celerio offers many features, especially in the top-end trim. However, you can further deck it up with a host of official accessories that are being sold by Maruti Suzuki.

The vlogger who has uploaded this video has used a VXI(O) variant of the Celerio to demonstrate the accessories. As the Celerio isn’t a premium hatchback like the Baleno, you don’t get too many high-end accessories for this vehicle. However, the ones on offer can definitely help you make the car more feature-laden. These accessories can be bought from the official dealerships and can be installed without affecting the car’s warranty. On the car’s front-end, you can install bumper corner protectors that help save your bumper from getting minor scratches. You can install fog lamps in case you have an LXi or a VXi variant. For the side profile, you get to purchase door visors and door side beadings. The latter helps you save your car’s side profile from minor scratches.

You can also install a central locking system with a remote. Also, Maruti offers many seat covers for the Celerio, which have been priced between Rs 4,790 and Rs 5,600. You can also choose between a double din music system and a touchscreen system. Also, the music system can be paired with Sony, Pioneer or Nippon speakers. The audiophiles can even install a Hertz speaker + amplifier setup. Reverse parking sensors can also be fitted. Furthermore, you can also have a rear camera with a display.

Here’s a quick look at all the official accessories with their prices (in INR) 

• Bumper Corner Protectors – 768
• Fog lamps – 3,490
• Door Visors – 1,150
• Door Side Beading – 1,200
• Central Locking with Remote – 5,388 – 8,500
• Seat Covers – 4,790 – 5,600
• Mats and Carpets – 765
• Double Din Music System (Sony) – 10,130
• Touchscreen Music System (Sony) – 15,990
• Pair of Speakers – 2,200 (Sony), 1,700 (Pioneer), 1,090 (Nippon)
• Hertz Amplifier + Speaker package – Rs 16,490
• Body Cover – 1,059
• Reverse Parking Sensors – 3,494
• Reverse Parking Camera with Display – 12,700
• Wheel Covers – 1,200
• Mud flaps – 690
• Car Perfume – 200-400
• God Idol – 340

Video Courtesy – Ujjwal Saxena on Youtube

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India is the 4th largest automotive market in the world and most of the cars sold in the market are fitted with the manual transmission. Even though automatic transmissions are much more advanced and sophisticated, the manual transmissions too, are quite complex. While most car owners equipped with the manual transmission may think that they know all about it, there are many people who unknowingly damage the transmission. Here are the five biggest mistakes that people do while driving manual gearbox equipped cars.

Use the clutch improperly

Manual cars keep the drivers more engaged because of the constant operation of the clutch lever and it is very important. The clutch is the link between the engine and the transmission. The seamless operation of the clutch ensures high mileage, long life of the engine, transmission and the clutch itself. Many people press the clutch lever only half while changing gears.

Pressing the clutch halfway makes the transmission gear grind and it reduces the life of the parts significantly. Also, If the car is already in motion and has gone past the biting point of the clutch and yet if the clutch is slightly depressed, then it is called riding the clutch. During this, the clutch is not fully engaged causing it to slip a bit and abnormal wear happens.

Using the clutch pedal as dead pedal

Many manual cars do not have a dead pedal. Many people driving such cars rest their left foot on the clutch pedal. Even though diesel cars have a slightly harder clutch and you can afford to rest your foot on it, provided you take care that your foot is not pressing the clutch pedal at all, the situation is different with petrol cars.

The clutch is very light in petrol cars and even the slightest weight on the pedal will cause it to disengage the clutch partially, causing it to slip and wear quickly. One can overcome this problem by making it a habit to rest the foot on the floorboard. Over time, it becomes a habit and your foot will not feel out of place.

Using the gear lever as an armrest

Many budget cars do not come with armrests and people tend to keep their left hand resting on the clutch lever itself. Resting your hand on the lever may seem harmless, but the gear stick is connected to a lot of springs and ball bearings underneath that help it to move and change the position.

Resting your hand on it means putting external pressure on it. The force from the weight of your hand can make the springs loosen up over time or grind the ball bearings much quicker. It brings down the life of the transmission parts and it is not cheap to repair.

Putting the car in reverse gear when in motion

It is imperative to understand that putting the car in reverse gear without bringing it to a complete stop can have drastic consequences. Many people have a habit of putting the transmission in reverse while the car is still moving forward. Putting the car in the reverse gear bring in a third small gear called the idler. It changes the direction of the motion of the gear, which puts it in reverse. Engaging the reverse gear when the car is still moving forward grinds the gear badly and can deeply damage the transmission.

Lugging the engine (Driving the car in higher gear at low rpm)

There is a common notion that driving the car in higher gear will drive high mileage. While it is a true fact, many people try to upshift at lower RPMs. Keeping the gear in higher position and driving the car at a slow speed will put a negative impact on the transmission. The high gear means a lower number of teeth on the gearing, which relaxes the engine but the lower gearing does not have enough power to accelerate and if you try to do that, it can do severe damage to your car’s mechanicals over a long period.

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Ather Energy launched the long-awaited S340 and S450 in India. The scooter has been in the news for a long time and has been dubbed as the Tesla of the two-wheeler markets by many. Now that the Ather Energy has finally launched the S340 and the S450, what are the most intriguing things that you do not know about the scooter? Let’s find out.

Waterproof battery

When it comes to electric automobiles, most people stay sceptic because of the huge battery and how it may get affected if water or any other liquid enters it. To overcome that doubt, Ather Energy is using advanced IP67 rated batteries. Now such ratings are quite common in smartphones but it is the first time that a two-wheeler battery gets such high-standard ratings. The IP67 ratings mean that the battery is completely dustproof and waterproof.

Lighting fast charging

Ather offers a fast charging solution as standard. They have set-up charging points in various places in Bengaluru with a fast charging feature. It will be able to quick charge the battery at the rate of 1km per minute. Which means the battery offers a fast charging option up to 80% and for every minute you charge, you get one km of riding range. According to Ather, there is a charging point at every 4 km in the city.

Long lasting battery

Batteries take up the most of the cost in an electric vehicle. The battery replacement cost is huge when the batteries go kaput after regular use. Ather Energy’s IP67 rated lithium-ion batteries are extremely long-lasting and will last for 50,000 km. Most scooters have a life of 50,000 km and if the battery lasts the lifetime, it is an achievement.

Has subscription fee

Ather One plan takes care of the after-sales service including the consumables like brake pads and other parts. For this, the consumers have to pay Rs. 700 per month. According to Ather, this is included in the on-road price of the scooter. It is not known if the customer can choose to opt out of such services.

True range

Both the scooters get the same battery capacity but the Ather 450 gets a more powerful engine. As per ARAI, both the scooters get a range of 107 km! But Ather has not considered that and has revealed that in the real world, the scooter would do only 60 km that can be increased to 75 km in Eco Mode.

A reverse gear!

While a reverse gear is common in four-wheelers, it is extremely limited to the high-end bikes when it comes to two-wheelers. Ather offers a reverse mode in the S340 and S450 that allows the rider to back-up the scooter effortlessly from the parking spots. Now that is something truly unique and is extremely uncommon in scooters.

Safe braking

The Ather electric scooters are very expensive but they do come with important features like disc brakes. Ather is the only scooter in India that offers front and rear disc brakes. Both the scooters offer disc brakes on both the wheels. However, ABS is not present even as an optional feature.

A touchscreen panel

Here is another unique feature of both the Ather S340 and S450. It gets a unique capacitive touchscreen as the instrument cluster. The 7-inch touchscreen unit is waterproof and is loaded with information. It also gets satellite navigation, remote diagnostics, charge status, speedometer and various other things. It gets an integrated SIM card and stays connected to the internet all the time. For safety, the touchscreen stops working at above 5 km/h speed.

Smartphone connected

It gets a dedicated Ather app for the smartphones that can remotely tell the owner about the scooter. The smartphone integrated app can show the charge status, shows the riding pattern and gives tips to improve the range. It also allows to pre-set the route on the map and request remote diagnostic too.

No service centre

Ather has not set-up any service centre. Instead, they provide support online and can diagnose a problem and even solve it with software updates over the air. The company says that they provide doorstep service whenever needed. This would be one of its kind Zero dealership and service center brand in India.

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It has come to light that MG Motor, which will launch its first car in India in 2019, is considering the ZS electric SUV for India. The company has always maintained that it’s open to manufacturing “new energy vehicles” in India. Moreover, the carmaker has been testing the Roewe ERX5 and the Baojun E100 electric cars on Indian roads. Both these vehicles are China-spec electric vehicles (EVs) that are made by SAIC Motor Corp, the owner of MG Motor.

The latest revelation comes from Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India. Rajeev has revealed to select media outlets that his company is considering the launch of the ZS electric SUV in the country. The electric ZS is called the ZSe and is yet to break covers. It’s expected to make its UK debut later this year. IN all probability, the ZSe will share its electric powertrain with the Roewe ERX5 electric SUV. For the uninitiated, the ERX5, for the uninitiated, is a mid-size electric SUV that offers 115 PS of maximum power along with 255 Nm of peak torque. It gets its juice from a 48.3kWh lithium-ion battery. The SUV is claimed to have a maximum range of 425 KMs. The manufacturer also claims that 80% of charging can be done in just 40 minutes.

In India, the ZSe will likely cost s 25 lakh. The competitive pricing will be a result of the local production. The ZSe is also expected to have a plug-in hybrid variant for the UK market. On its India launch, the ZSe will become the flagship product from the company. It may be noted here that MG Motor India will launch a Jeep Compass rival next year. The first MG SUV for India is expected to cost roughly Rs 15 lakh. It will go on sale in both petrol and diesel engines. Even here, the local production will help the company price its upcoming SUV very competitively.

Via Cardekho

Also Read: Bajaj Qute quadricycle's launch timeline in India finally REVEALED

The Indian government has finally approved the use of quadricycles in India, but only as commercial vehicles. What this means is, quadricycles such as the Bajaj Qute can be used to replace three wheeled autorickshaws that carry people and produce, but can’t be registered as personal vehicles. The Qute is all set to be launched by the end of 2018, after homologation at ARAI (Automotive Research Institute of India).

Bajaj Auto – a pioneer in quadricycles in India – has been producing the Qute quadricycle in India and exporting the Qute quadricycle to many countries around the world. Quadricycles, which are four wheeled, are more stable and therefore safer than autorickshaws, whose three wheeled design makes them inherently unstable.

Rakesh Sharma, president – international business, Bajaj Auto, said

We are quite delighted after a strong pursuit of 3-5 years and encountering various court cases and ministries, the ministry of road transport and highway will be uploading the notification shortly – paving the way for subsequent entry of Qute on the Indian roads. We don’t see any roadblocks now and are optimistic that we will be able to roll out the vehicle soon.

Bajaj Auto has the capacity to produce 5,000 units of the Qute quadricycle each month. The Qute is a four seater,  with a 2+2 layout. Like a car, it gets doors, and a steering wheel. The Qute is powered by a 217cc, four stroke,  single cylinder engine that is also liquid cooled and fuel injected. This motor makes 13 Bhp of peak power and 20 Nm of peak torque, and is paired to a five speed manual gearbox.

The Qute comes with a maximum speed of 70 Kmph, and has dimensions of 2,752 mm in length, 1,312 mm in width, 1,650  mm in height and 1,925 mm in wheelbase. It has a much smaller footprint than the smallest conventional car sold in India. It’s also available in CNG guise. The Bajaj Qute will initially be sold as a passenger carrier and in due  course of time, Bajaj Auto is expected to launch it as a load carrier as well.

Via ETAuto

Also Read: Bajaj Qute quadricycle's launch timeline in India finally REVEALED

One of the biggest highlights of any luxury car is the long list of features it offers. However, you can fit some of the ‘premium’ features in a vehicle that is many times cheaper. Here are 5 such accessories that can be fitted in a mainstream model that costs much lesser than a typical luxury car.

Leather seats with temperature control

• Price for leather seat covers – Rs. 4,229 onwards
• Price for temperature control pad – Rs. 6,100 onwards

Either you can opt for premium leather seat covers or get the leather of your choice stitched on to the seats of your car. Moreover, you can add thermo-electric heater or cooler to the seats to control their temperature in extremely hot or cold conditions. Heated/cooled seats is a feature that is reserved for expensive cars. However, you can install this on even the most basic vehicles. All you need is  a 12V socket to run the thermo-electric heater or cooler.

Seat massager

• Price – Rs. 2,000 onwards

Seat massager is a feature that’s available in some really expensive cars like the Mercedes Benz S-Class. However, you can get it installed in a bargain-basement hatchback for as little as Rs 2,000. It’s really a good idea to use this feature after a long day at work. This is one really useful feature that is of high use and doesn’t cost much. The only requirement for running the seat massager is a 12V electric socket, which is something that is available on even the cheapest of cars.

Heads Up Display

• Price – Rs. 1,475 onwards

You don’t need to have a really expensive car to enjoy the extra convenience offered by a Heads Up Display (HUD). This feature can be installed in any car for less than Rs 2,000. The HUD unit lets you know your car’s speed by projecting it on the windshield. Hence, you can quickly check out the speed without taking your eyes off the road. Advanced units, which cost more, can even offer engine speed and navigation display on the windscreen.

Portable Fridge

• Price – Rs. 3,900 onwards

Most of you would want to keep your drinks cold while travelling in your car. While you do get a cooled glovebox in some cars, they aren’t really very attractive. Hence, it’s a good idea to install a portable fridge inside your car so solve all the hot-day problems. The small fridge can be fitted anywhere in your car and draws power through a 12V socket. The fridge can keep a few cans and small bottles cold.

360-degree camera

• Price – Rs. 29,900 onwards

While this is another feature that comes in some really expensive models, you can get it fitted in any car simply by spending roughly Rs 30,000. The four camera system offers a bird’s eye view of the surroundings by transmitting the image to a display. This is a very useful feature for all those who need to park in tight spaces. Also, it’s useful for owners of cars that don’t offer a very good view of the surroundings.

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Even though Indian car enthusiasts have started to popularise hardcore off-roading to the mass segment, most SUV owners stay out of dirt and mud. However, there are a few crazy owners who use their SUVs instead of tractors as farm equipment and it is absolutely astonishing. Here are five SUVs sweating it out in the fields in India, mostly Punjab.

Mahindra Thar

The good-old Mahindra Thar is a popular vehicle in the off-roading circuit of India. Seen here is a Thar that is pulling a harrow through the fields. The Mahindra Thar is a potent SUV that can be driven to extreme conditions. The new Thar is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine that produces a maximum of 105 Bhp and 247 Nm. It gets a 4X4 system with a low-ratio transfer case.

Mitsubishi Montero

It is a luxury SUV in India because of its steep price tag. The Montero is the most expensive Mitsubishi SUV that you can buy in India and the price is close to Rs. 1 crore. It is powered by a 3.2-litre diesel engine that generates a maximum of 189 Bhp and 441 Nm of peak torque.

Mahindra Scorpio

The Mahindra Scorpio has established itself over the years. The rugged SUV is the favourite of many customers who want a daily car with good off-roading capabilities. Seen here is a new-generation Mahindra Scorpio successfully carrying a harrow around the field. The Scorpio is powered by a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 120 Bhp and 280 Nm. The newer Scorpio gets a bump in power. The 4X4 Scorpio also gets low-ratio transfer case.

Toyota Fortuner

The Fortuner remains the undisputed king in the segment since it was introduced in the Indian market. The seven-seater SUV offers the no-fuss ownership that attracts many buyers. Here is a Toyota Fortuner that can be seen pulling a harrow equipment in the fields. The SUV is doing the job quite well. This is the old generation Fortuner that was powered by a 3.0-litre diesel engine. It produces 169 Bhp and 343 Nm. The Fortuner also gets a shift-on-fly low ratio transfer case.

Tata Safari Storme

Tata has discontinued the Safari in the Indian market but the successor, the Safari Storme, is still available in the market. The Safari is a popular name in the Indian car market and it has been around for a long time now. Here is a Tata Safari Storme that can be seen doing the field work without any problem. The Safari Storme is available with two engine options, but the 4X4 version only gets the Varicor 400 engine. The 2.2-litre engine produces a maximum of 154 Bhp and 400 Nm of peak torque. It also gets a low-ratio transfer case.

Source: 1,2,3,4,5

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Nissan India has launched an upgraded version of their app ‘Nissan Connect’ in India. The upgraded app gets 18 new features which are based on four key pillars – control, convenience, safety & security and social sharing. The app remains free of cost to the customers for the first three years. Currently, Nissan offers the device with its new Nissan Micra, Nissan Sunny and Nissan Terrano.

The app offers as many as 50 features including parking spot, driving statistics, route guidance, idling time, geo-fencing with multiple entry and exit points, tow away alert and track, track and trace the car and so on. It also offers an SOS button, alert for harsh braking, extreme acceleration and sharp turns. It also allows owners to talk over the Nissan community and plan group trips together.

Peter Clissold, Vice President, Marketing, Nissan Motor India Private Limited, said,

“The future of mobility lies in bringing innovative technologies. At Nissan, our vision is not just about bringing in better technologies but also enabling our customers to have a safe and stress-free car ownership experience. The more advanced and intelligent Nissan Connect, will enable our customers to be more confident and in control of their vehicles even when they are not in it. Nissan Connect enables 24×7 vigilance and keeps you updated on your car’s whereabouts so you can relax and go on with your life.”

Existing Nissan customers can also get the system installed at a payment of Rs. 15,000. It is not known how much subscription fee a user will have to pay post the three year period. There are many such devices available in the market and the customers have to pay an annual subscription fee. The app is available for Android and IOS smartphones, which covers almost all the smartphones available in the market.

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