One of the biggest risks you face when buying a used car in India, especially from second-hand car dealers, is tampered odometers, where the mileage of the car displayed on the odometer is far lower than what the car has actually run. How do you deal with this menace? There have been instances where people have bought second-hand cars with just 60,000 km on the odometer only to discover a few days or months later that the car has clocked far greater mileage. These discoveries have usually come from some service sticker in the car or from authorized service stations themselves, which have a record of the car.

When buying a used car in India, one of the biggest things to look for is a tampered odometer. This can be a bit of a headache, but a process worth going through to make sure you are getting a fair deal. In rare cases, the instrument console may have been replaced by the previous owner for a genuine problem with it, and this is tough to detect.

Tampering of analog odometers

In earlier cars, which had analog odometers (where a series of numbered wheels displayed the KMs clocked), tampering of the odometer was a relatively easy task for any workshop. The instrument console or speedometer of the car would be removed and the digits (especially the 1,00,000 or 10,000 digit wheels), would be turned back on the odometer to any figure that the owner deemed fit. A lower mileage figure that was believable enough would fetch the owner a higher resale price with a “sparingly used” car.

This kind of odometer tampering, more often than not, would not be done properly and would leave the digit series misaligned in the odometer. Often this kind of fraud would not be detected immediately, but after about 10,000 km was run by the new owner, the digits wouldn’t click into place properly. Also read: 5 reasons to buy a used car instead of a new one!

Tampering of digital odometers

Most modern cars have digital odometers, which were earlier thought to be much harder to tamper with. Unfortunately, that’s not true anymore, and digital odometers that are tampered with don’t even look out of place and leave no tell-tale signs of odometer tampering, as the whole process is mostly electronic. There are a number of “meter repair” shops that can easily do this. The console of the car is removed and hooked up to a laptop, and the desired mileage is flashed into the chip that controls the odometer. Sometimes just replacing chips and re-soldering them also is done, on the printed circuit board that has the odometer chip. Some signs of tampering are an ill-fitting speedometer console, smudgy glass with fingerprints behind the plastic, scrape marks from screwdrivers near the screws holding the instrument console etc, but these are tough to figure out.

Sometimes used car dealers who buy a car from customer disconnect the speedometer cable from the vehicle (most vehicles have electro-mechanical speedometers these days that take readings from the transmission – some of this data is needed by some cars’ ECUs as well). They drive the vehicle around without the speedometer connected until it’s sold to another customer. Also read: How to buy a used sedan under Rs. 8 lakhs

How to detect odometer tampering

There is no fool-proof way of ensuring that a car that you are buying is displaying the genuine mileage on its odometer. The most trust-worthy method though is to ask for a detailed service history of the car, or at least find out where the car has been serviced mainly. You can then call the service station and find out when the vehicle last came in for service (and at what odometer reading). That should give you a clue as to whether the car has had its odometer tampered with or not. Look for any “next service due” stickers in the car (inside the glove box, inside the door frame, on the windscreen). Look for service station names / numbers on the car that you can call.

Other tell-tale signs are the wear and tear on the steering wheel, brake and clutch pedal, gear knob, condition of the seat cushions etc. Cars with over 100,000 km on the odometer would generally have these parts also displaying signs of wear. Also read: How to buy a good second-hand car

Share any experience you’ve had with odometer tampering when buying a used car to make other buyers aware of this menace.

Also Read: Tata Tiago OUTSELLS Maruti Celerio & Renault Kwid, yet again

Toyota has just begun testing the CH-R premium crossover in India, for the first time ever. The CH-R is Hyundai Creta-sized and is sold in developing countries as a premium crossover. The Toyota CH-R sits on the Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA), which will underpin the all-new Corolla Altis sedan that will soon be launched in India.

So, it does make sense for Toyota to use the TNGA platform to build more cars in order to justify the investment. It remains to be seen if the TNGA platform-based Toyota CH-R will be assembled in India through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route like the Corolla Altis, or if it’ll be heavily localized and manufactured fully in India.

The latter route will allow Toyota to price the CH-R very competitively, close to the Hyundai Creta. Taking the CKD approach is expected to make the crossover pricier, and it’ll rival the Jeep Compass rather than the Hyundai Creta if such a thing happens.

Meanwhile, the CH-R crossover is at least a couple of years away from its launch in India, which means that it’ll be at least 2020 or 2021 before the crossover arrives at a Toyota dealership near you. Also, the CH-R will be a petrol-only car, dumping the diesel motor altogether. Globally, Toyota sells the CH-R with turbo petrol and petrol-hybrid engine options.

In India, the petrol-hybrid approach for the Toyota CH-R is likely considering that the next-generation Corolla Altis will also be a petrol-hybrid car in India. The petrol-hybrid version of the CH-R makes about 122 Bhp. A CVT automatic gearbox is standard.

The CH-R is sold with front wheel drive and all-wheel drive layouts internationally. In India, Toyota is expected to offer only a front wheel drive layout on the CH-R in order to keep pricing affordable. The CH-R is expected to be positioned as a refined, fuel efficient, low emission crossover meant for sophisticated buyers in urban India.

Via ACI

Also Read: Tata Tiago OUTSELLS Maruti Celerio & Renault Kwid, yet again

SUVs are the flavour of the season, no two ways about it. But surprisingly, this is not limited to mass-appeal segments like compact SUVs or 7-seater family options in the Rs 15-20 lakh bracket. Even the premium space is witnessing newer options and the latest entry in the Rs 30-40 lakh segment comes from Skoda. It’s their first try at a 7-seater full sized SUV and they seem to have got it right. Why? Read on…

The Kodiaq looks smart. If you want muscles and bulk, look elsewhere. This one wears the corporate suit very well and yet has style – you can’t take it away from Skoda for designing the Kodiaq keeping in mind their typical customer base. A proud Skoda owner upgrading from the smaller Octavia or even the Rapid will instantly fall in love with the Kodiaq. The front is unmistakably Skoda, with strong cues taken from the Superb. The headlamps are narrow and sharp and I personally love the way those DRLs look. They also double up as indicators, dropping a few jaws in the process.

The side profile makes the Kodiaq look massive. But it isn’t. The overall length is actually less than that of the cheaper Superb. This also gets Czech maker’s trademark styling line that slices the boot-lid into two, and of course the squared-off taillights with C shaped LEDs. The Kodiaq isn’t as long as its bigger peers like the Endeavour and Fortuner but is wider, which means it offers oodles of space on the inside.

As compared to the other large SUVs in the price band, you do not need to climb into the cabin and this is where things start looking good for this Czech offering. The cabin design is not a huge departure from what we have seen on Skoda offerings – ‘why reinvent the wheel’ works here. I particularly like the vertical air vents and generous dose of glossy black plastic on the dash and doors with an embossed pattern that makes it look like real wood – adds to the premium appeal.

The dark-n-light color theme works well and as the Kodiaq is sold only in one trim level in India, Skoda made sure it came with all the bells and whistles. And I am just not talking about the massive panoramic sunroof or powered front seats, but more tech in the form of a high-end Canton audio system, 3-zone climate control, 8” touch screen with multi-link and so on. That said, why did Skoda leave out cooled seats and a sunglass holder do leave me surprised. Also, the steering and instrumentation console are identical to that of the Octavia and could have done with a slight makeover given that the Kodiaq sells for double the price.

If it ain’t spacious, it ain’t a Skoda. The Kodiaq delivers on this account in the first two rows easily. Thanks to all that width and a large glass area, the cabin feels very roomy and XXXL sized. You even get memory functions for both the seats and outside mirrors which make life easier if multiple people in the family are going to drive this SUV. Ergonomically, the Kodiaq ticks all the right boxes and this is one SUV that feels at home for even regular car drivers. The seats themselves are fairly large and you don’t have to stretch yourself for using most controls and spaces inside. The central arm-rest opens up to reveal a lot of space and has more than ample adjustment in terms of the slide length along with an adjustable height function – this makes it easier to use for shorter drivers too (as they will drive with the seat pushed forward).

The 2nd row, like the seats up front, is also easy to access, thanks to a lower height and doors that open very wide. So if you will be traveling a lot with your parents and kids, the Kodiaq makes for a better buy. And once seated here, the passengers will be happy. It’s not just to do with the features like manual sun blinds, the massive sunroof or multiple adjustments for the seat, but the way the cabin feels – airy and large. You can easily seat three here but the central tunnel is quite high which will intrude into the privacy of the middle passenger. That said, the seats offer a slide option and can be reclined back for added comfort.

Access to the last row is similar to that of the rivals – it does take some effort and there is a reason why we call these SUVs 5+2 and not proper 7-seaters. Space at the back is not good for a large adult though kids will be happy given their own little private world here.

Boot space, even with all the three rows in place, is impressive. You can easily slot in three overnight strolleys and yet will have space for a few soft bags. This improves massively if you flip the third row seats. Talking of which, this gets me to the few clever touches here – the tail-gate gives you hands free access which means with the key fob in your pocket, all you need to do is swing a leg under the tail gate and it will pop open. Next are the clever umbrella holders in the front two doors with drain holes, paint protectors in all four doors and a power nap package for the side two seats in the 2nd row – these pop out from the side of the head rest and make sure you sleep peacefully on the move. Finally, the boot has a portable and re-chargeable LED torch for your camping fantasies.

The Kodiaq comes with the same 2.0-litre TDI engine that powers a dozen cars of the Volkswagen family. These include the Audi A3/A4/Q3, Volkswagen Passat/Tiguan and Skoda Octavia/Superb, to name a few. It is good for 150 bhp of power and 340nm of torque and while these figures may seem average, let me bring out a fact. The Kodiaq is based on the versatile and light-weight MQB platform which makes it a good 200-300 kgs lighter than bigger rivals. Lesser the weight, better the performance and efficiency. The engine is paired to a 7-speed DSG gearbox – this is the same DQ500 gearbox that we see on the Tiguan. So how does it drive?

From a driver’s perspective, the Kodiaq sheds its size the moment you take off from parking speeds. The engine, as expected, has oodles of torque low down in the rev range and the system is geared towards extracting the best economy by default. Don’t get me wrong here, with the right foot down, the gearbox drops a few gears instantly and though you do not get pushed back into the seat, the gain in momentum is fairly quick. Of course you can flick the gear-lever into S or then flick it to the left for tip-tronic mode. Not yet satisfied? This one also lets you take charge via the paddle shifters.

This is also the first Skoda to come with driving modes. There are five modes, with four being pre-defined : Normal, Eco, Sport and Snow. Eco is best when being chauffeured around and you don’t care about moving rapidly in traffic. This also offers the coasting function when you lift off the accelerator pedal, disengaging the transmission from the engine, helping bump up efficiency even more. For reference, a 75 min drive from office to work [38 km] allowed me to extract over 14 kmpl using the Eco mode. Not bad by any means.

The Sport mode works as expected. The gears hold on till a higher engine speed and downshift early as well, the steering weighs up and throttle response is sharper. Want your share of grinning moments on weekends? Pick this one up. The Snow mode is best used for tricky situations wherein the accelerator sensitivity is reduced and the S mode of the gearbox disabled. The off-road mode is currently missing from the Indian version and that gets me to the AWD set-up of the Kodiaq. It’s an on-demand AWD and in normal driving conditions, power is sent to the front two wheels. All the four wheels are monitored at all times and whenever a loss of traction is detected, the system automatically transfers power to the wheels with the best traction.

Based on the MQB platform, the Kodiaq’s steering is largely light and yet precise. Of course being a large vehicle, you can’t expect it to be very sharp and ‘connected’ and for most drivers and owners, it does the job quite well. The monocoque construction also makes it more car-like to drive and as far as you don’t want that ego-massaging towering view of the road ahead, the drive experience of the Kodiaq is excellent. Push the Kodiaq around a few corners and it responds well, thanks to its lower centre of gravity and lower weight – no squeaking from the tyres, no drama – just a hint of body roll and that’s about it. The Kodiaq runs on high performance Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 tyres which are known to provide excellent grip levels, especially in the wet. However one thing that will not go down well with the Kodiaq owners is the massive turning radius of 6.1m, among the highest we have seen on any Indian car.

Last but not the least is the safety factor. As you must have known by now, the Kodiaq comes in only one fully loaded trim that gets as many as 9 airbags, MBA or mechanical brake assist, HBA or hydraulic brake assist, MKB or multi collision brake, ASR or anti slip regulation, EDS or electronic differential lock and ESC or electronic stability control, among others. Of course, you also get hands free parking for those really tight spaces.

At Rs 34.84 lakh ex-showroom Delhi, the Kodiaq is more expensive than the entry level versions of the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA and high-end trims of both the Ford Endeavour and the Toyota Fortuner. Yes, it’s on the expensive side but offers more seats than its German rivals and offers an easier driving experience than its 7-seat bulkier competitors. This is the USP of the Kodiaq and the reason why it’s outselling the cheaper Superb in India every month.

So if you are in the market looking at a very comfortable 5+2 premium SUV that is feature loaded and can be driven by your better half as well, the Kodiaq fits in like a glove. Do give this one a serious thought.

Also Read: Tata Tiago OUTSELLS Maruti Celerio & Renault Kwid, yet again

Most Indians buy cars for multiple purposes. Most families use a single car for daily commute and use the same for weekend trips. Driving long-distance on the Indian roads can throw a lot of different challenges like rough roads, sudden braking, avoiding obstacles at high speed and more. For long distance, people do prefer solidly build cars that are comfortable for the journey too. Which are those dual-purpose cars that can do the job of daily commute as well as take on the long open highways without a problem? Here is a car from each segment in India that can do the job well!

Tata Tiago

Priced between: Rs. 3.36 lakhs to 5.85 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The entry-level hatchback from Tata has become extremely popular on the market. The Tiago has received a commendable feedback from the customers for its solid build quality and comfort. The Tiago is available in both petrol and diesel engines and both are decently powerful.

The Tiago is also quite spacious that allows the occupants to move around during long drives. Also, the suspension set-up is not very soft, which means that there is minimal body roll during high-speed maneouvres. The Tiago’s high ground clearance of 170mm also helps it to negotiate rough roads easily.

Ford Figo

Priced between: Rs. 5.0 lakhs to 7.6 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Ford Figo hatchback is quite an understated car on the market. The mid-size hatchback offers immaculate steering response that induces confidence while doing high speeds. The Figo also gets powerful petrol and diesel engines with good fuel efficiency that makes it suitable for the highways.

The Figo is powered by three engine options – 1.2-litre petrol generating 87 Bhp – 112 nm, 1.5-litre petrol (automatic) generating 110 Bhp – 136 Nm and 1.5-litre diesel generating 99 Bhp – 215 Nm. The Figo also gets a good set of suspension that absorbs the undulations without much problem and the ground clearance of 170 mm ensures that the underbody remains clear of any obstacles and potholes on the road.

Volkswagen Ameo

Priced between: Rs. 5.72 lakhs to 10.2 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Ameo is the first sub-4-meter sedan from the German manufacturer and has been made especially for the Indian market. Volkswagen cars have always been known for their precise steering that causes less fatigue during the long drives. It is powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine that produces a maximum of 74 Bhp – 95 Nm and a 1.5-litre diesel engine that produces 108 Bhp – 250 Nm.

The car also gets a 7-speed DSG dual clutch transmission that ensures effortless shifts on the move while the cruise control ensures minimal input on the open roads. The Ameo offers a solid build quality and remains firmly planted on the road even at high speeds, making it a perfect choice for long distance drives.

Hyundai Verna

Priced between: Rs. 7.79 lakhs to 12.54 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

For long, Hyundai Verna has been criticised for its extremely soft suspension. However, the all-new Verna has addressed that problem and the car now has become much more stable at high speeds. Hyundai also offers powerful petrol and diesel engine options with the Verna, which give it adequate power for cruising on the long distance drives.

The Verna is powered by a 1.4-litre petrol engine that is available in 99 Bhp and 121 Bhp tunes. The 1.5-litre diesel engine produces a maximum of 126 Bhp. The body-hugging seats of the Verna ensures less fatigue during long distance drives.

Ford EcoSport

Priced between: Rs. 7.82 lakhs to 11.89 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Ford EcoSport has remained one of the most sought-after cars in the segment for a long time. The EcoSport gets the true-blue Ford DNA, which means the precise steering set-up and the suspension set-up give it an advantage over all other vehicles in the segment. The EcoSport also gets the most powerful petrol engine is the segment and the 1.5-litre diesel engine offers a decent output too. The rear seats of the EcoSport offer the option of reclining, which makes sure that passengers in the rear seats get maximum comfort during the long drives.

Hyundai Creta

Priced between: Rs. 9.44 lakhs to 13.08 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

Hyundai Creta has remained the best-selling vehicle in its segment since its launch. Hyundai recently updated the Creta and added the cruise control option to make it even more highway-friendly. The Creta offers powerful engine options that can be useful during overtaking maneouvres on Indian roads. It also has solid build quality and a high ground clearance of 190 mm keeps it clear of any obstacle on the roads. The Creta also gets automatic options with both the petrol and diesel engine options.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Priced between: Rs. 14.06 lakhs to 22.42 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Toyota Innova Crysta has remained the top choice of the taxi-operators across India for a long time. The high volume MPV offers oodles of space that can comfortably seat 7 people and has powerful petrol and diesel engine options. The Innova Crysta offers a high-quality ride that ensures that the passengers enjoy the long distance rides on the not-so-smooth Indian roads.

Ford Freestyle

Priced between: Rs. 5.09 lakhs to 7.89 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Ford Figo Freestyle is the latest hatchback-based crossover on the market and it is already outselling the competitors by a big margin. The Freestyle offers all-new 1.2-litre Dragon petrol engine and 1.5-litre diesel engines, which are quite efficient and powerful. The Freestyle also offers decent space on the inside to fit five adults comfortably for long distance journeys. Also, Ford offers segment-first Anti Roll Protection (ARP) which saves the car from toppling with up to 50kg load on the roof. It sure makes the car safe for long distance journeys.

Skoda Octavia

Priced between: Rs. 16.02 lakhs to 24.5 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

Just like all the Volkswagen Group cars, the Skoda Octavia offers a high level of driving dynamics. The Octavia’s solid build quality, powerful engine options, features like cruise control and extremely comfortable seats make it a perfect choice for the long distance drives. The Octavia also offers the DSG dual clutch transmission, which reduces the effort while driving for long distances and increases the fuel efficiency at the same time.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

Priced between: Rs. 14.31 lakhs to 15.76 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Indian market is not as crazy for pick-up trucks as the American market but still, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross left quite an impression on the market. The Isuzu V-Cross offers a high-level of comfort for up to 5 passengers over long distances and the large flatbed offers acres of space to put in any amount of luggage needed for long-distance journeys. It gets a powerful engine and a high ground clearance to cross any obstacle without breaking a sweat.

Ford Endeavour

Priced between: Rs. 26.3 lakhs to 32.81 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

Even though the Toyota Fortuner is the highest selling SUV in the segment, the Ford Endeavour offers a much better ride quality as all the Ford-branded cars. The Toyota Fortuner has a tendency of jumping around and the ride is very bouncy when compared to the Endeavour. Also, the Endeavour is built solid and is quite spacious with large windows and a panoramic sunroof that reduce any chance of passengers feeling claustrophobic during long distance drives.

Tata Safari Storme Varicor

Priced between: Rs. 10.42 lakhs to 15.3 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Safari Storme Varicor has been around for a long time on the market and is quite popular too. While the Mahindra Scorpio gets all the sales numbers, the Tata Safari Storme offers much better rear seat comfort and has a better engine output than the Scorpio. The Safari Varicor 400 also gets a 6-speed transmission that allows it to cruise effortlessly on the open highways.

Also Read: Tata Tiago OUTSELLS Maruti Celerio & Renault Kwid, yet again

While we’ve seen many drag races involving the TVS Apache RR 310 or the RTR 200 4V, it’s for the first time that we’ve come across a drag race between the new RTR 160 4V and one of its immediate competitors. The rival in question here is the Suzuki Gixxer SF, which is easily among the most well-sorted motorcycles in its segment. But what happens when this fully-faired motorcycle competes with the new 160cc Apache in a drag race? Watch for yourself in the video below.

Two rounds of drag racing were held between the two motorcycles. The riders even swapped their motorcycles to make sure that the results of the races are accurate. In both the rounds, the new Apache 160 4V emerges as the clear winner. Both times, the motorcycle was quick to gain a lead over the fully-faired Gixxer and was several bike lengths ahead by the time it approached the finish line. From these races, it becomes clear that the new TVS motorcycle enjoys a clear performance advantage over its fully-faired rival.

The new TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is powered by a 159.7-cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled engine that benefits from a four valve head. The engine outputs a maximum power of 16.8 PS at 8,000 rpm along with a peak torque of 14.8 Nm at 6.500 rpm. It comes mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The motorcycle has a kerb weight of 143 KGs. It costs roughly Rs 82,000 – 90,000. On the other hand, the Suzuki Gixxer is powered by a 154.9-cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke motor that outputs a maximum power of 15 PS at 8,000 rpm along with a peak torque of 14 Nm at 6,000 rpm. The engine comes mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The Gixxer SF has a kerb weight of 139 KGs.

While the Suzuki Gixxer SF is marginally lighter than the Apache RTR 160 4V, the latter enjoys a significant power and torque advantage. The Apache offers 1.8 PS of additional power and 0.8 Nm of higher torque. This, in turn, helps the motorcycle easily outclass the Gixxer SF in a drag race.

Video courtesy – Rough rider Azam on Youtube

Also Read: Tata Tiago OUTSELLS Maruti Celerio & Renault Kwid, yet again

The High Court of Nainital, Uttarakhand, has asked law enforcement agencies to seize phones of those caught talking on the mobile phone while driving or riding. This is just one of the many stringent measures the court has ordered to improve road safety in the hill state, which has recently seen a spate of fatal accidents. The court has asked the transport department to seize mobile phones of offenders for a period of 24 hours, for which the transport department will also issue a receipt. However, the new order is a lot more lenient than the one that the high court passed last month, when it ordered licenses of violators to be cancelled and that they be slapped with a hefty Rs. 5,000 fine.

Talking on mobile phones while driving or riding is rampant in India as almost every person in a car or a two wheeler now possesses a phone. While some cars now offer built-in hands-free systems that allow people to keep their eyes on the road and take calls while driving, a lot of cars are yet to get these systems. As for two wheelers, some riders use earphones to talk on the mobile phone while riding while most violators continue to sandwich the phone between their ears and shoulders. Usage of mobile phone during riding and driving has led to many accidents in India, and the latest order by the Uttarakhand High Court is aimed at deterring such offenders.

While hands-free devices do reduce the risks of driving or riding while talking on a mobile phone, using phones while driving/riding is still an activity that can distract heavily. It’s always a better practice to pull over to receive or make calls. Texting must be avoided at all costs as it’s even more distracting than talking on the phone. While traffic laws in most parts of India fine offenders for usage of mobile phone while riding or driving, fines are quite nominal, between Rs. 100 and Rs. 300. This does not seem to be deterring enough people from breaking the law. The orders passed by the Uttarakhand High Court have much more potential to deter offenders.

Via PressReader

Also Read: Tata Tiago OUTSELLS Maruti Celerio & Renault Kwid, yet again

The Tata Tiago is winning this one. Tata Motors’ best selling car, the Tiago hatchback, has beaten its biggest rival – the Maruti Suzuki Celerio – by a big margin in June 2018. What’s more, the Tiago has even moved past a much smaller and cheaper car – the Renault Kwid. Even the Hyundai Eon finds itself outsold by the Tiago, whose sales performance has gotten stronger with each passing month. The Tiago is now India’s 3rd best selling entry-level hatchback, behind the Maruti Alto and the WagonR models. In June 2018, the Tiago clocked 8,327 units, a whopping 53 % sales growth from June 2017. The Maruti Celerio sold 6,570 units in the same period, which represents a modest 3 % sales growth. The Renault Kwid did 4,939 units, a drop of 9 %.

It’s easy to see why people in India continue to flock to Tata Motors showrooms to drive home the Tiago. The hatchback is great value for money, and this is the single biggest factor that is driving sales. It’s larger and more powerful than direct competitors such as the Maruti Celerio, Renault Kwid and Maruti WagonR. It’s built more solidly, and even offers more space and features on the inside. Overall, people simply love getting a bigger car for a smaller price tag. And this is what is helping the Tiago to consistently grow and sell strongly, month after month. Prices of the Tiago start from Rs. 4.1 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. The Maruti Celerio and WagonR are priced at Rs. 4.32 lakhs and Rs. 4.29 lakhs respectively.

The Tiago is sold with two engine options – a 1.2 liter petrol with 84 Bhp-115 Nm, and a 1.1 liter turbocharged diesel with 69 Bhp-140 Nm. Both engines are triple cylinder units, with 5 speed manual gearboxes as standard. The Tiago Petrol also gets a 5 speed AMT option, and is among India’s least priced automatic cars. In the coming months, Tata Motors will launch a high performance version of the Tiago, called the Tiago JTP. The car will be India’s cheapest hot hatchback, with a price tag of under Rs. 6 lakhs. It’ll feature a 1.2 liter turbocharged petrol engine with 108 Bhp-150 Nm, a close ratio 5 speed manual gearbox and stiffer suspension. We can’t wait!

Also Read: Tata Tiago OUTSELLS Maruti Celerio & Renault Kwid, yet again

The Mahindra XUV500 continues to outshine the Jeep Compass SUV in India. For the second consecutive month, the XUV500 has sold much more than the Compass. In June 2018, Mahindra put out 2,717 units of the XUV500 to dealer stockyards. In contrast, the Jeep Compass managed only 1,478 units. So, what’s making the Mahindra XUV500 outsell the Jeep Compass by such a large margin? Here are some reasons.

Facelift

The Mahindra XUV500 got a recent facelift, which makes it look a lot fresher. The interiors of the luxury crossover are more plush than before. Mahindra has also added a slew of features to the XUV500, making the SUV a lot more desirable than before. The vehicle also gets a power and torque boost, bringing it closer to the Compass in terms of outright performance. These factors have come together to give the facelifted Mahindra XUV500 a solid sales boost, allowing it to forge ahead of the Compass quite comprehensively.

Better value for money

The XUV500 starts from Rs. 12.42 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, which makes it over Rs. 2.5 lakhs cheaper than the Jeep Compass. Moreover, the XUV500 offers higher levels of equipment across variants, and is a much larger vehicle with a better street presence. Also, the XUV500 offers 7 seats compared to the Compass’ 5-seat layout. This makes the XUV500 much better value for money. The crossover is quite attractive to those on tighter budgets. All this is translating into good sales.

Much better dealership reach

Mahindra has a much better service network in terms of dealerships and after-sales service centers across India when compared to Jeep. This higher reach gives Mahindra a larger buyer segment across the length and breadth of India. While a lot of people living in smaller places aren’t able to access Jeep dealerships and service centers easily, it’s exactly the opposite with Mahindra. This is another reason why the XUV500 is still finding a lot of acceptance despite being a 7-year-old product with constant refreshes.

Here’s our review of the new 2018 XUV500.

Also Read: Modified Mahindra Thar "Black Hawk" edition is opulent yet BRUTISH

Well, there are Bollywood stars and then, there are THE Bollywood stars. The actors we have on this page are easily the most successful Bollywood celebrities today. They have earned a lot of respect and wealth through their great acting skills and sincerity in their profession. All these actors also own a wide range of cars, which include some really expensive and enviable models. Let’s have a look at the most expensive cars in the garages of these biggies.

Amitabh Bachchan

Rolls Royce Phantom

Amitabh Bachchan, the ‘star of the Millenium’, owns a last-gen Rolls Royce Phantom. It’s said that this Phantom was gifted to Big-B by director Vidhu Vinod Chopra after the filming of Eklavya. The Phantom is easily the most luxurious cars around. The last-gen Phantom had a base price of Rs. 3.5 crore. It’s powered by a 6.75-litre petrol engine that produces 460 BHP and 720 Nm.

Bentley Continental GT

Another high-end car that was gifted to Amitabh Bachchan is a white Continental GT that is mostly used by Abhishek. This car was gifted to the superstar by one of his politician friends. The Continental GT is available with two engine options – a V8 that outputs 521 Bhp – 680 bhp and a W12 that produces 626 Bhp – 820 Nm. Currently, the Bentley Continental GT has a base price of Rs. 3.92 crore.

Shahrukh Khan

BMW 760 Li

Shahrukh Khan seems to be fond of the BMW 7-Series. One of the most luxurious cars in his garage is this BMW 760 Li, which is actually the second 7-Series to be owned by the famous actor. The car is said to have cost SRK around Rs. 2 crore. His BMW 760 Li is powered by a 6-litre, V12 twin-turbocharged petrol engine that has a maximum power output of 544 bhp and a peak torque output of 750 Nm.

Mercedes S-Class

The actor also owns an S-Class, which he uses very rarely. SRK has a latest-gen S-Class whose variant details aren’t known at the moment. Like we said, the actor uses this car very rarely and seen above is the only pic of him with his new-gen S-Class.

Akshay Kumar

Rolls Royce Phantom

Akshay Kumar is among the highest paid actors of Bollywood. He has a wide range of vehicles. However, the highlight of his garage is the last-gen Rolls Royce Phantom that he uses to travel to high-profile events. The earlier Phantom had a base price of Rs. 3.5 crore and is powered by a 6.75-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine that outputs 460 Bhp-720 Nm.

Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Another high-end car that the actor owns is a Bentley Continental Flying Spur. The Bentley Continental Flying Spur offers a good mix of performance and luxury. Prices of this car currently start at Rs. 3.10 crore. The top-end variant of the Flying Spur is powered by a 6.0-litre W12 engine that produces a maximum power of 616 Bhp and a peak torque of 800 Nm.

Aamir Khan

Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Aamir Khan is another superstar owner of a Bentley Continental Flying Spur. Aamir’s Flying Spur is light blue in colour. The actor has been spotted using this car on numerous occasions.

Mercedes Benz S600 Guard

What’s common between Aamir Khan and several important persons of this world? Well, all of them use a Mercedes Benz S600 S-Guard on a regular basis. The actor purchased this armoured S-Class after getting death threats from a terrorist outfit. The S-Guard offers a high level of protection against bullets and bomb blasts. This car is said to have cost the actor almost Rs. 10 crore.

Salman Khan

Audi A8 L

One of the most expensive cars in Salman’s garage is this Audi A8 L, which is the flagship sedan from the Ingolstadt-based luxury car manufacturer. The A8 L currently has a starting price of Rs. 1.19 crore. It’s available with two engine options – a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine and a 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine.

Range Rover Vogue

Another high-end car in Salman’s garage is this Range Rover Vogue. The Vogue is among the most luxurious SUVs in the country and is a favourite of many celebrities. It has a starting price of Rs. 1.74 crore. Engine options include – 3.0-litre V6 Diesel, 4.4-litre V8 Diesel and a 5.0-litre V8 petrol motor.

Image sources – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Also Read: Modified Mahindra Thar "Black Hawk" edition is opulent yet BRUTISH

A car that was once touted to be India’s Volkswagen Beetle (or the people’s car) is staring at a bleak future. Sales have slowed to a trickle, so much so that Tata Motors dispatched only three units of the Nano in the entire month of June 2018. It more or less seems that the production of the Tata Nano has come to a grinding halt at Tata Motors’ Sanand factory in Gujarat. The Nano could be pulled off from the Tata product range in the coming months and dealerships across India are said to be selling off existing stock at big discounts. Notably, dealers aren’t placing orders for the Nano, which also explains the nearly non-existent dispatches.

While Tata Motors has officially yet to pull the plug on the Nano hatchback, poor demand has put the car’s future in grave peril, at least in its current form. The Nano may be resuscitated with an electric variant in future given the fact that Tata Motors already supplies the body and other mechanical bits to Jayem Auto, which is building the Neo – an electric car based on the Nano. Jayem Auto has already begun supplying the Neo electric car to Ola – a cab aggregator. In the coming months, expect to see more Neo electric cars plying on Indian roads as taxis. When will Tata bring back the Nano with an electric engine? For now, there’s no clarity about this.

Meanwhile, the Nano in its current form features a 624-cc, twin cylinder engine with modest outputs of 37 Bhp-52 Nm. The motor is fuel-injected, liquid-cooled and is offered with two gearbox options – a 4-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT. The Nano AMT is a particularly effective city runabout, what with its ultra compact dimensions, super affordable price tag and phenomenal fuel efficiency. However, buyers seem to have given up on the Tata Nano even as a city car. It’s a shame that a car that could transform mobility in India finds itself in a dark corner, with virtually no takers.

Also Read: Modified Mahindra Thar "Black Hawk" edition is opulent yet BRUTISH

Blind spot warning system

The Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs) are really important parts of the car. However, these don’t show the entire view. The portion that they don’t show is known as the ‘blind spot’. Blind spots can cause big mishaps as the driver of a car is unable to register the presence of other vehicles in his or her blind spot. High-end cars come equipped with a blind-spot detection system to warn their drivers of the presence of other vehicles in their blind spot. This feature can be added to even your budget car. You can buy it here

360 degree reverse camera

Many affordable cars, including the Maruti Swift, now come with a reverse camera with a sufficiently big display. However, only high-end cars get a 360-degree reverse camera. Basically, such cameras offer you a bird’s eye view of the car by offering you an aerial view. This makes reversing the car into tight sports really easy. Luckily, you can fit such a system to your budget car. You may buy it here

Tyre pressure monitoring system

This is yet another feature that is found exclusively in high-end cars. However, fitting an aftermarket tyre pressure monitoring system to your budget car makes a lot of sense, especially if you drive a lot on the highways. Incorrect air pressure in your car’s tyres can cause them to burst at high speeds. At lower speeds, if nothing else, it can at least lead to a puncture. Hence, a tyre pressure monitoring system helps you know if all the tyres have correct air pressure. It also helps you increase the life of your car tyres as maintaining the optimum pressure reduces the wear of the tyres. You may buy this system here.

OBD car tracker and diagnostics

Car thieves are one of the biggest nightmares of most car owners. However, you can stay a step ahead of them by using OBD port-based car trackers. This device helps you sync your smartphone with your car, and monitor the exact position of the car. Additionally, it also sends you notifications in case your car has been towed or damaged while parked. It also offers overspeeding alerts. They can also access data on the car’s engine, including the coolant temperature and engine oil level, through your smartphone. You may buy one here

Automatic side step for SUVs

Getting in and out of SUVs is often quite inconvenient for some. An automatic side step can put an end to all the inconvenience. Frankly, it also adds a neat party trick to your car. This step folds out when the door opens and goes under the vehicle body when the door is shut. Such automatic side steps are available in both mechanical and electric versions.

Heads-up display (HUD)

This is yet another really cool feature that is found exclusively in high-end cars. Heads-up Display (HUD ) has filtered down to cars from fighter jets. However, they are yet to make it to affordable car models. Hence, you can opt for an aftermarket system to beam navigation and other information on to your car’s windscreen. This makes the entire driving experience more convenient as you don’t need to take your eyes off the road to check GPS directions and other information. You may buy one here

Wireless mobile charging

While our mobile phones support wireless mobile charging technology, the cars don’t. Thankfully, accessory makers have come up with wireless chargers for your cars. Such chargers can draw power from your car’s electric socket, which is what all the mobile car chargers do. The only difference is that with these chargers, you can get rid of all the obtrusive wires. You can buy one here

Forward Collision and Lane Departure Warning

This is an advanced safety technology that is available in high-end cars. Thankfully, even the owners of more mainstream cars can benefit from the Forward Collision and Lane Departure Warning technology by installing an aftermarket accessory. This system warns you in case your car gets too close to an object in front of it. It also warns you if you involuntarily stray out of your lane. This is particularly useful when a driver is drowsy as he can be warned of danger before it’s too late. You can buy one here

Heated and cooled seat cushion

This is another feature that’s available mostly in high-end cars. However, it’s a highly useful accessory that can be fitted to any car to make it far more comfortable. We say this as most parts of our country experience extreme weather conditions throughout the year. Heated or cooled seats can make the entire process of driving a lot more comfortable. Akin to the other electric accessories, aftermarket heated or cooled cushions draw power from your car’s 12V socket. You can buy one here

Projected puddle lamps

This is one is a really cool car feature that offers you a look at the road surface right outside your car door. This feature comes in handy while getting out of the car in dark places. This is yet another feature that was earlier reserved to premium cars but is now easily available in the aftermarket. You can buy it here

Also Read: Modified Mahindra Thar "Black Hawk" edition is opulent yet BRUTISH

In June 2018, the recently facelifted Hyundai Creta sold more than the much cheaper Maruti Vitara Brezza. Hyundai dispatched 11,111 units of the Creta to dealership stockyards across India while Maruti Suzuki managed to dispatch 10,713 units in the same period. Why is the Creta doing better than the cheaper priced Vitara Brezza? The reasons aren’t hard to figure out.

Firstly, Hyundai has facelifted the Creta recently. Typically, freshly launched cars create a spurt in demand for at least a month or two. Given the fact that the Hyundai Creta has always been a best seller, an increase in sales just after the launch of a refresh/new model is natural. This is why the higher priced Creta seems to be doing much better than the Vitara Brezza at the outset. In the next couple of months, Creta sales are expected to settle down to pre-facelift levels and the Brezza is likely to take back its title as India’s best selling SUV.

Another reason why Brezza dispatches are lower than that of the Creta in June 2018 is because Maruti Suzuki had a very good previous month, where it put out over 15,000 units of the Brezza in stockyards. This was due to the recently launched Brezza AMT variants, which saw a lot of demand right at the outset. Having dispatched so many Brezzas in May 2018, Maruti scaled back on dispatch numbers in June 2018, and this explains why the Brezza is in second place.

Notably, the Hyundai Creta sold in India is offered with petrol and turbocharged diesel engine options, with both manual and automatic gearboxes. In case of the Maruti Brezza, the sub-4 meter offering gets a solitary diesel engine with choices of 5-speed manual and AMT options. The Brezza still has big sales upside potential because Maruti is yet to offer a petrol engine on it. As and when that happens, we expect the Maruti Brezza to get another big sales boost with monthly sales numbers that will settle between 12,000-13,000 units.

Here is our review of the new 2018 Creta

Also Read: Modified Mahindra Thar "Black Hawk" edition is opulent yet BRUTISH

The Indian monsoon is hard on cars because of heavy downpours that lead to rising water levels on the road that can harm the parts of your car and even cause accidents, if your car is not monsoon-ready. Which parts should you check and what measures can you take to ensure that your vehicle works flawlessly during the heavy rains? Let’s find out.

Safe parking!

First and foremost, ensuring safe parking is critical for your car during the rainy season, especially in water-logging prone cities, such as Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. Apart from safe parking, here are other steps you can take to make sure that your car is in top shape during the rains.

Tyre condition

All the road-specific tyres have deep grooves that are designed to remove water from the tyre’s surface. The removal of water allows the tyre to maintain contact with the road, which in turn provides grip to the vehicle. The tyres with almost no treads cannot dissipate the water quickly and cannot grip the road surface. Such cars can skid out of control and cause massive accidents.

Tyre inflation

While proper inflation is important in any type of weather, during the monsoons, the tyre pressure becomes critical. If there is water on the road surface and the tyre is underinflated, it can lead to aquaplaning. The tyre’s surface caves in after hitting the water on the road at high speed. The water forms a layer between the tyre and the road surface and causes the vehicle to skid. It is extremely important to maintain recommended tyre pressure in the vehicle.

Check the lamps

During the rains, visibility is poor. It becomes important to use all the available resources to look ahead and also let others know about your position. One should always get all the lamps checked, before the start of the rainy season. Ensure that the head lamps, tail lamp, high-stop lamp and the fog lamps are functioning properly.

Check the beadings

The beadings around the doors are made of rubber. Over the years, the rubber becomes hard and can rupture. If the rubber beading develops cracks, water can seep into the car and it can be a difficult experience for occupants. A quick physical inspection of the rubber beadings give away any cracks or holes in them. Get them replaced before taking out the vehicle in rain.

Check the underbody

While any signs of rust on the body is bad, make a special effort to check the underbody of the vehicle if it is fairly old. Sometimes, the underbody develops holes and water can splash inside the vehicle from these holes. The rust situation can become worse during the monsoons and the floor of the vehicle can cave in too. Thoroughly check the underbody for any such holes and get it fixed before entering a water-logged road.

Brake pads

Wet brake pads have to work harder due to lower friction. It is imperative to check the condition of the brakes before the start of the monsoon season. Also, one should check the brake pads and the brake fluid to ensure that the vehicle offers the best braking. Wet roads increase the stopping distance, therefore, brakes that are in good condition help the vehicle to stop at a safe distance.

Check AC

While the weather may cool down during the rainy season, the working of the air-conditioner is very important. The front de-fogger relies on the AC to remove the moisture. If the AC system fails, the windshield will not be clear, which reduces visibility drastically and can lead to accidents.

Wiper blades

Wiper blades may become useless after lying idle for a few months. Due to the heat and weather, wiper blades tend to lose their water-removal efficiency over time. It is important to check the wiper blades and replace them if necessary before the rainy season sets in. Proper removal of the water is very important for a clear vision of the road ahead. Always keep your wiper blades clean.

Wiper fluid

Ensure that there is enough wiper fluid in the reservoir. A lot of times, mud gets deposited on the windshield and it becomes difficult to see. The dry mud can be difficult to remove, but the wiper fluid can remove it on the go. Always check the wiper fluid chamber and refill with regular water, if needed.

Air filter

The air during the monsoon season becomes quite humid and filled with dust particles. The air-filter works harder to remove the dust and supply pure air to the engine. It is important to check and clean the air filter before the monsoon. If the filter is in bad condition, it should be replaced to ensure that the engine breathes without any obstruction.

Also Read: Modified Mahindra Thar "Black Hawk" edition is opulent yet BRUTISH

Hero MotoCorp has made a comeback into the 200-cc, entry-level sportsbike segment with the Xtreme 200R motorcycle. Launched at Rs. 88,000, ex-showroom Delhi, deliveries of the motorcycle have begun in North East India and East India. Bookings in specific markets are open at Rs. 5,000. The motorcycle’s launch for other markets of the country will happen in a phased manner. Notably, the Hero Xtreme 200R is India’s most affordable sporty 200-cc motorcycle, undercutting bikes, such as the TVS Apache RTR 200 and the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS quite significantly. However, the Hero motorcycle is more commuter-focused than the sportier TVS Apache and Bajaj Pulsar.

The Hero Xtreme 200R is powered by a 200-cc, four-stroke engine that has a single-cylinder, single-overhead camshaft layout. The air-cooled motor has been engineered in-house by Hero MotoCorp at its research and development facility at Jaipur. The motor puts out 18 Bhp of peak power and 17 Nm of peak torque, enough to make the motorcycle quite sprightly. A 5-speed manual gearbox is standard. Hero offers a single channel ABS system on the motorcycle, which has disc brakes as standard on both wheels. Other standard features include alloy wheels, tubeless tyres, an electric starter, an analog-digital instrument cluster, telescopic front forks and monoshock rear suspension.

As for dimensions, the Hero Xtreme 200R measures 2062 mm long, 778 mm wide, 1072 mm tall, and gets a 1,338-mm wheelbase. Weighing 148 kilograms, the Hero Xtreme 200R is on the heavier side. It gets a 12.5-litre tank, 165-mm ground clearance, 17-inch alloy wheels and a 795-mm seat height. The next big launch from Hero MotoCorp after testing waters with the Xtreme 200R will be the XPulse on-off road motorcycle. The XPulse is likely to be launched in this year’s festive season. It’ll be pricier than the Xtreme 200R but will sit under the Rs. 1 lakh mark. The XPulse 200 will be India’s cheapest off-road motorcycle.

Via HiSpeedHero

Here is our review of the Xtreme 200R from the Buddh International Circuit 

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We recently drove the Kodiaq for a few days in Delhi and were quite impressed with the entire package – read our detailed review. A few minutes of research also showed us that Skoda’s first ever 7-seat SUV is outselling its own cheaper sibling, the Superb by almost 40%. So why are new car buyers driving away in the Kodiaq and not the Superb? Here is what we think.

It’s an SUV

This is primarily the biggest reason – SUVs are the flavour of the season and every single price range in the Indian car industry is witnessing an increasing market share of SUVs. These look way bigger than sedans or hatchbacks, which in turn gives the owner bragging rights and higher road presence. Not to mention that an SUV is able to massage the owner’s ego in a much better way.

It seats 2 more

The Kodiaq is Skoda’s first ever 7-seater SUV, which means you get a third row here. Although it is best for shorter adults or two kids, it still offers practical sense for owners when they want to travel with the entire family. Even when used purely as a 5-seater, the Kodiaq allows for easier access to the boot area, on the move, from inside the cabin.

It sits higher up

This is a no brainer – the Kodiaq, being a proper SUV, offers way better ground clearance as compared to the Superb sedan. While the latter offers a minimum ground clearance of just 164 mm, the Kodiaq tops it by 15% at a rated 188mm – both these figures are for the vehicles being unladen. Given our poor road conditions and illegal speed breakers, owners are more comfortable with the Kodiaq. Further, this SUV also allows drivers to live their adventure fantasies by planning drives into the unknown.

Its a 4×4 

The Kodiaq comes with a Haldex/Borg Warner all-wheel-drive system that not only comes in handy during extreme driving conditions like snowfall or deep slush, but the system kicks in automatically during the daily driving routine as well. The moment it detects loss of traction (to any of the front wheels), it automatically transfers power and torque to the wheels (among any four) with the best traction – for example, taking a turn at higher speeds on a rainy day. Hence, the Kodiaq ends up offering a much safer drive across all driving scenarios.

Ingress and egress

Don’t get me wrong here – the Superb does not score bad in this regard but the Kodiaq is so much better. Unlike bigger options like the Endeavour or Fortuner, getting into the Kodiaq is a piece of cake. And unlike the Superb, you don’t have to bend down too much, thus helping the elderly a lot. So those who like to travel with their parents on a frequent basis do end up preferring the Kodiaq a lot more.

Better gearbox

While both the Kodiaq and the diesel Superb come with the same 2.0-litre TDI engine, the Kodiaq gets a more modern 7-speed DQ500 unit as compared to a 6-speed DQ250 unit on the Superb. The former’s gearbox reacts much better to daily driving needs and the extra cog ensures the engine spins at a lower rpm at higher speeds. Further, the DQ500 offers better long-term reliability than the DQ200 series of DSG transmissions set-ups.

Its cleverer

Skoda is known to provide clever features on its car and the Kodiaq is no different. While it gets umbrella slots like the Superb, there are more add-ons like the power nap feature for the 2nd row head-rests that pop open to keep your, errr, head in place! Next are the unique door-edge protectors that pop out when you open the door, hence protecting the paint from chipping in case you hit a wall or a car parked next to you. And then there is the boot lamp that doubles up as a portable little torch. It can be recharged by inserting it into its slot, and it has a magnet strip which allows you to stick it to, say, the edge of the wheel arch while changing a flat in the dark. I am sure Kodiaq ends up impressing prospective customers on the showroom floor itself.

 Price difference

While the Superb range starts at Rs. 25.59 lakh, the top-end diesel model that competes neck-to-neck with the Kodiaq has a sticker price of Rs. 32.99 lakh. The Kodiaq, in contrast, which is offered in just one trim, sells for Rs. 34.83 lakh, being just 5% more expensive. However, as you read above, the Kodiaq offers a better overall package with more seats, a 4×4, higher road presence and a lot of clever bits. No doubt then, customers walking into a Skoda showroom with a budget of Rs. 30-40 lakh end up signing their cheque books for the new Kodiaq!

Also Read: Modified Mahindra Thar "Black Hawk" edition is opulent yet BRUTISH

The Volkswagen group has just unveiled its India 2.0 strategy, which will be led by Skoda. Under the new strategy, Volkswagen will operate mainly in the 4 meter+ segments, which means that vehicles, such as the Polo and Ameo could be eliminated from the group’s product range in the next couple of years. Cars such as the Skoda Rapid and the Volkswagen Vento will get a new lease of life, though. In 2021, the all-new Skoda Rapid is expected, along with the next-generation Volkswagen Vento. Both cars will be based on a new, MQB A0 platform engineered by Skoda for emerging markets, such as India and Brazil.

The new Skoda Rapid and Volkswagen Vento sedans will get totally fresh styling, and are likely to see major improvements in all areas. The new cars will be engineering keeping a possible hybrid/electric future in mind. At the outset though, turbocharged petrol and diesel engines are likely. Volkswagen will soon begin manufacturing the 1 litre-3 cylinder TSI turbocharged petrol engine in India. The motor is likely to pump out about 115 Bhp on the next-generation Skoda Rapid and Volkswagen Vento. Both manual and twin clutch automatic gearboxes are likely to be offered with this engine.

The diesel engine will continue to be the 1.5-litre TDI turbocharged motor but with heavy re-engineering to accommodate emission-cutting equipment. Both the petrol and diesel engines will be Bharat Stage 6 emission norms ready. The diesel variants of the new Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid are likely to be priced much higher than the petrol powered options thanks to the addition of complex emission control equipment. Both cars are expected to be priced at slight premiums over other C-Segment sedans, a strategy that the Volkswagen group has always followed in the Indian market. To justify the premiums, the new cars had better be seriously loaded.

Via ACI

Also Read: Modified Mahindra Thar "Black Hawk" edition is opulent yet BRUTISH

Mahindra Thar is one the favourite vehicles of the customising houses in India. The soft-top SUV gets numerous modification kits by the Indian modification garages and some of them really stand out from the crowd. Here is one such Mahindra Thar modified by RED-D Customs.

Black Hawk

Mahindra Thar looks quite rugged even in the stock form but this modification project makes it an “attention-grabber”. The soft-top of the Mahindra Thar has now been replaced with a fibre hard roof with deep creases on it. It gives a real muscular look the vehicle. To add more bulk to the vehicle, there is a wide body kit that adds extra wide fenders to the vehicle.

It also gets redesigned front and rear bumpers with red tow-hooks mounted on the front bumper. There is a very prominent hood scoop that complements the widebody kit and gives a proportionate look to the vehicle. The headlamps and the tail lamps have been upgraded with LED bulbs now. There are additional LED lamps mounted on the top of the vehicle that can be used while going through trails at night.

The exterior also gets carbon fibre inserts around the tail lamp and the sides of the SUV that gives it a premium look. To give add extra water wading depth, the Black Hawk also gets a snorkel. The whole vehicle gets a black theme with red highlights that give it a minimal and classy look.

The interior has been upgraded too. The rear bench seats have been removed with a new lining. The rear space can be utilised to carry equipment or make people sit over short distances. The seats have been wrapped in faux leather that makes the interiors much more luxurious than the stock.

The body kits are an add-on and no changes have been made to the structure of the vehicle. Also, the FRP hard-top roof reinforced with 6 layers and is very strong. The body kit can be used during the off-roading. As per RED-D customs, all the parts are available individually too and can be replaced if needed. It takes a total of 21 days to finish the modification job and it costs Rs. 4.99 lakhs over the cost of the Thar. For more details, you can visit the official website Reddy Customs

Also Read: Modified Mahindra Thar "Black Hawk" edition is opulent yet BRUTISH

Aprilia is all set to launch a new automatic scooter based on the SR 125. The new scooter will be called the Storm 125, and will be more ruggedly styled. In fact, Aprilia unveiled the Storm 125 at the Indian Auto Expo, and announced that the scooter would be launched in the second half of the year. Now though, there seems to be a delay, and this has pushed the launch of the Aprilia Storm 125 to early 2019. Also, the Storm 125 is expected to be the least priced Aprilia scooter sold in India, with its price undercutting that of the SR 125. This is quite a surprise as the Aprilia Storm 125 was likely to be sandwiched between the SR 125 and SR 150 in terms of price positioning.

Meanwhile, it seems that Aprilia wants more younger buyers in its fold, which is why a very competitive price strategy for the Storm 125 is being drawn up. The Storm 125 will use the same 125-cc four stroke engine found on the SR 125, with a CVT automatic gearbox handling torque transmission. The motor will produce 9.65 PS of peak power and 9.9 Nm of peak torque. Key changes will include the wheels and tyres. Unlike the SR 125/150’s 14-inch alloy wheels, the Storm 125 will use smaller 12-inch wheels. However, the tyres will be a lot more meatier, with the front measuring 120/80 and rear measuring 130/80. These tyres will be the fattest offered on a automatic scooter sold here.

The tyres will give the Aprilia Storm 125 some off-road appeal but this is still more of a visual cue than a performance enhancer as the scooter is built mainly for the road and not off-roading. Telescopic front forks and a monoshock rear shock absorber will be standard items. There will be a front disc brake on offer, while the rear wheel will get a drum. Aprilia is said to be considering a combi-braking system as standard right from launch for the Storm 125. Prices of the Aprilia Storm 125 are likely to start between Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 63,000. The scooter is likely to get a range of customisation options.

Via BikeWale

Also Read: 10 SCARIEST roads to drive after dark in India

If you thought the normal options list on the Maybach was too boring, take a look at this, the Scaldarsi Emperor 1 Maybach. This is the most bad-ass Maybach that we have come across till date.

What’s it all about?

It started off life as a S600 Maybach, but has now been given a massive transformation. While the head lamps remain the same, the whole front end has been re-sculpted and is very loud. There are massive air vents on the bumper and the bonnet has been given a lot of muscle.

All the chrome elements have been finished in 24-Karat rose gold accents and there is also a new huge front grill which is on offer. On the inside, the overall design remains the same, but the material and colours that have been used are different.

You can choose from 24 colours of leather, 24 types of animal hides, 78 types of wood and 16 types of exterior colour options. You can also get custom engraved champagne glasses, bags and even an Emperor Edition Rolex watch. Since the normal Maybach key isn’t very fancy, you can even opt for a custom one based on your requirement.

Under the hood, this one is powered by a 6.3-litre twin-turbocharged V12 that the Brabus Rocket 900 uses. It produces a massive 888 Bhp of max power and is capable of doing the 0-100 dash in a brisk 3.7 seconds.

The car is priced at $1.5 million which translates into Rs. 10.23 crores, without any taxes. This is what it would cost you to own one of the 10 Emperor 1s that are going to be built.

When the Maybach brand was first introduced in India, the car went on to become the most expensive one on sale at that point in time. The Maybach costed Rs. 5 crore plus, that too back in the early part of the last decade. Now, the Maybach brand is back and is much more affordable than before, priced at Rs. 1.8 crore for the 500 version and upwards of Rs. 2 crore for the 600 version. The Scaldarsi version is for those who want to make Rolls Royces feel cheap.

Also Read: 10 SCARIEST roads to drive after dark in India

Suzuki Hayabusa is one of the most recognised sports bikes in India. The Hayabusa is a sports tourer that is designed for long-distance cruising. It is also one of the most comfortable sports bike available in the market. Jasminder Singh, a YouTube-vlogger, took his Suzuki Hayabusa GSX-R1300 to the Ladakh region. Here is the video that is absolutely captivating.

Hayabusa to Ladakh

While Hayabusa is designed for long-distance cruising, it sure is not made for rough terrains. The Hayabusa is extremely heavy and very powerful and any loss of control on high mountain passes of the region can be dangerous. Controlling such a powerful machine is challenging, especially when you have to traverse extremely rough terrains, water crossings and black ice.

The video shows Hayabusa’s journey from the plains to the extreme regions of Ladakh. The video shows how the bike handled numerous water crossings successfully. A slip in such water crossings can be dangerous. However, no such events happened during the trip.

The video also shows that the Hayabusa reached many different places in the Ladakh region like the Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso lake and the Khardung La pass, which was once the highest motorable road in the world. The roads to all these places are not very smooth and in many places, there are no roads to speak of. Even climbing the Khardung La can be extremely difficult due to snow near the pass, which makes the roads slippery.

The Hayabusa is powered by a 1,340-cc, inline four-cylinder engine that generates a maximum of 197 Bhp and a peak torque of 155 Nm. The bike gets a power mode selector that reduces the power according to the need and situation. Still, in the lowest power mode, it produces over 100 Bhp, which is too much power. Also, the extreme weight of around 250 kg can make the rider lose control easily during slow speeds. In the Ladakh region, there are many tight hairpin bends that require special attention with such heavy bikes.

There have been a few powerful cars that have traveled through the Ladakh region before. The RedBull Formula 1 team took their vehicle to Khardung La a few years back, but they took whole support crew along, and the vehicle was mostly transported in trucks on bad stretches. This Hayabusa did not get any such help.

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