Ford has dumped the 2.2-litre 4 -cylinder and 3.2-litre 5-cylinder turbocharged diesel engines internationally, which also means that the Australia-spec and Thai-spec Endeavour luxury SUVs no longer feature these engines. Instead, Ford has replaced these engines with a smaller 2-litre 4-cylinder twin turbocharger-equipped diesel engine that actually makes more power. The smaller diesel engine is also a lot cleaner, with much lower tail pipe emissions. The smaller diesel motor gets a new 10-speed torque converter automatic gearbox as well, a major departure from the 6-speed torque converter unit that was offered with the 2.2-litre and 3.2 litre diesels.

Now, the reason this change is quite significant for the Indian market is that the Ford Endeavour sold here is assembled through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route. This means Ford India imports the Endeavour in CKD kit form from Thailand and sells it in India. So, major changes to the engine and transmission in Thailand will eventually get reflected in the India-spec model. The good thing about the downsizing is that the 2-litre turbocharged diesel engine produces a lot more power and torque – 180 PS-420 Nm on the entry-level tune and 215 PS-500 Nm on the top-spec tune.

In contrast, the 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre diesels make 160 PS-385 Nm and 200 PS-470 Nm. The additional power and torque coupled to the four extra gears on the automatic gearbox should make the Ford Endeavour a lot quicker despite the smaller displacement. People who want the additional grunt of the 3.2-diesel engine to tow large trailers may not be very happy though. However, the Indian market has no trailer segment buyers. So, most buyers are likely to be quite happy with the smaller, more powerful diesel motor, and the all-new 10 speed automatic gearbox. The cherry on the cake is that the new engine can be made clean enough to meet the upcoming Bharat Stage 6 emission norms.

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BMW Motorrad has begun dispatching test-ride units of the GS 310R adventure motorcycle, which will be launched next week. The GS 310R will be BMW Motorrad’s most affordable adventure motorcycle, and prices are likely to start from under Rs. 4 lakhs. The motorcycle is manufactured in India by TVS Motors at its Hosur factory. In fact, TVS Motors is BMW Motorrad’s global partner for small capacity motorcycles, and the first two products from this partnership are the BMW G 310R and the GS 310R. TVS Motors also sells the Apache 310 RR, a motorcycle that was borne out of this partnership, but that sells only with the TVS badge.

While the TVS Apache 310 RR is priced at about Rs. 2.2 lakhs, the BMW range of entry-level motorcycles, such as the G 310R street bike and the GS 310R adventure machine will be priced much higher to capitalize on the BMW brand. Both the BMW G 310R and GS 310R motorcycles will be powered by a 311-cc, reverse-inclined four-stroke engine that puts out 34 Bhp-28 Nm. Notably, this engine is the same unit offered in the TVS Apache RR 310. In the entry-level BMWs though, the ECU tune is expected to be different, with a focus on stronger low-end and mid-range performance. This single-cylinder, four-stroke engine gets liquid cooling, a 4 valve DOHC head and fuel injection as standard.

The gearbox is a six-speed unit. The suspension of both the BMW G 310R and GS 310R consist of upside-down front forks and a monoshock rear. On the GS 310R, the suspension tune will be softer and will have much more travel considering the motorcycle’s adventure bike positioning. Ergonomics and styling will be different as well. While the G 310R has a sportier riding position meant for the street, the GS 310R will have a more relaxed riding position meant for longer distances and off-road riding. The GS 310R also gets a front fairing to afford some wind protection for the rider. Over to the launch now.

Via BikersGuideIndia

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It won’t be wrong to say that the Indian car owners are really concerned about the mileage their cars deliver. Most of the car owners want to extract the best mileage. At the same time,  no one wants to drive like a grandma. On the contrary, even the driving enthusiasts often want a good fuel economy to battle the ever-increasing fuel costs. Here are as many as 5 easy-to-follow car mileage boosting tips to help you achieve a high mileage.

Maintain Optimum Tyre Pressure

Running your car on under-inflated tires can spell havoc to the mileage. Under-inflated tires cause your engine to work harder and consume more fuel. Other than this, running your car on tires that are under- or over-inflated also causes higher tyre wear. In the worst case, a worn out tyre can lead to a serious accident. Hence, it’s a pretty good idea to stick to the manufacturer-recommended tyre pressure. This will not only increase the mileage but will also reduce tyre wear and risks of accidents.

Drive below the torque peak of your car’s engine

Every engine delivers its peak torque at a certain point in its rev range. Shifting gear slightly below this point will help you boost the mileage. This is because it’s below the peak torque point that the engine is the most efficient. The torque peak we are talking about refers to the engine speed (measured in RPM) at which the motor’s peak torque is developed. Keeping the engine speed just below the torque peak can help you boost the mileage.

Turn off your car’s engine at the stop light

It’s a good idea to turn off your car engine at the stop light. Actually, it’s an effective mileage-boosting trick that doesn’t require you to be an expert driver. In case you spend roughly 10 minutes at stop lights every day, you can easily save about a couple of kilometres worth fuel. Other than this, you’ll also be doing a small favour to the mother Earth by cutting down on some emissions for a few minutes.

Turn off the air conditioner when not required

There are many car drivers who use the aircon even when it’s not required. In many parts of the country, it isn’t too hot throughout the year. Rolling down the windows and driving without the AC during early morning or post-sunset can often reward you with a pleasing cool breeze. It will also help you get more mileage from your engine. Switching off the AC improves the fuel efficiency by up to 10%,

Start coasting

Coasting to a halt can help you save a lot of fuel. Basically, coasting is a technique in which you press the clutch and put the car in neutral before coming to a standstill. Instead of braking right before the zebra crossing at a red light, you can simply use this technique to gradually come to a halt. Other than improving the mileage, this technique also helps you converse your brake pads and tires by avoiding hard braking. However, coasting downhill isn’t advisable as it can cause an accident due to a loss of control.

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Luxury cars are much more accessible in India than they used to be a decade ago. With the rise in purchasing power of Indians, luxury cars, including expensive cars like the Rolls Royce and Bentley, are more visible on roads today. However, there are many such luxury cars that have been left to rot due to mounting maintenance costs or after being impounded by cops. Here are ten such luxury cars in a state of decay.

Rolls Royce Phantom

The Rolls Royce Phantom is one of the most expensive cars that you can buy in India. This particular model was seized by the Delhi Police from a South Indian actress Lena Maria Paul in a cheating case. The Phantom was parked at a police impound zone and has been lying there without any attention. Such vehicles are mostly auctioned off after the judgement is passed but, sometimes, its takes years to get a verdict.

Rolls Royce Ghost

This beautiful blue-coloured Rolls Royce Ghost belongs to Mohammad Nisham, who was once a very popular business tycoon. The car was impounded by cops after they stopped the businessman for drunken driving, and he locked a lady police officer inside the vehicle. The vehicle is now rotting away at a police station in Bangalore.

Rolls Royce Silver Shadow

The Silver Shadow was built between 1965-1980. As with most Rolls Royce vehicles, the owners normally keep them for very long periods of time, since they are so reliable and classy. This owner, however, decided he didn’t want to continue using the car and it now sits abandoned. It is sad to see any car in this condition, especially a Rolls.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-Class is the flagship luxury sedan of the Mercedes-Benz marque. Most people opt for the S-Class due to its presence and the name the brand has made for itself. However, air suspension failure is a common problem that S-Class owners have to deal with. There are many abandoned S-Class sedans out there that have been hit by air suspension failure. Here is one facelifted version of the previous generation which has been left unattended.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500

This Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 is a few generations old but these cars are built to outlive their owners, if they are treated properly. Here is the flagship S-Class that is rotting away at a yard. The air suspension system of the vehicle seems to have failed too and the whole body of the vehicle can be seen resting on the tyres.

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

This is a Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG that has been parked and left to decay at a street in Mumbai. The red CLS 63 AMG is one of most powerful cars in its segment, and it looks extremely beautiful. The neglected car, covered with a thick layer of dust, isn’t a pretty sight.

Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG

AMGs are quite rare, around the world, and are known for their hand-built engines. Here is a Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG, which again is a rare vehicle in India, rusting away at a roadside. The vehicle’s body cover is half-torn and it looks a case of air suspension failure.

Bentley Flying Spur

The Bentley Flying Spur is one of the most beautiful and luxurious vehicles in the world. The owner has left this vehicle and it is gathering dust waiting to take on the roads again.

Bentley Continental GT

Here is a Bentley Continental GT that is rotting away with a few other luxury vehicles at a police station. It looks like a case of DRI where several vehicles were impounded at the same time. This Bentley Continental GT, though, looks like it is in a perfect condition and ready to take on the roads after a general servicing and wash.

The other Continental GT is parked in the same police compound and looks similar to the other Bentley. The all-black Continental GT is parked under a tree and is rusting away with time.

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Petrol cars and SUVs are getting more popular in India, especially in the compact car segments of under Rs. 15 lakh. The Renault Duster has been around for 6 years in the Indian market and its sales are slowly dipping. Renault has introduced many new well-priced variants of the Duster in the past couple of years to boost sales. One such variant is the entry level petrol-automatic RXS trim, which is priced at Rs. 9.95 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. This makes the Renault Duster India’s cheapest petrol automatic compact SUV. Of course, there are similarly priced and even sub-4 meter compact SUVs with the automatic option but, in the compact SUV class, there’s nothing cheaper than the Duster Automatic.

The RXS trim of the Renault Duster Petrol Automatic uses the 1.6 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine, which outputs 104 Bhp-140 Nm. This engine is paired to a CVT automatic gearbox that offers very smooth performance, which is typical of CVT automatics. The Duster Petrol CVT automatic’s competitors include the Hyundai Creta Automatic and the Honda BR-V CVT automatic SUVs. The Creta Petrol Automatic uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic and is priced at Rs. 13.43 lakh, which is a full Rs. 3.5 lakh premium over that of the Duster Petrol Automatic. The Honda BR-V Petrol, which offers a CVT automatic option is also significantly more expensive, with prices starting from Rs. 12.48 lakh.

The Duster Petrol automatic gets twin airbags and ABS as standard safety features. The compact SUV is also available with a petrol-manual version, where the automatic gearbox is replaced by a 5-speed stick shifter. The SUV’s diesel engine is a 1.5-litre K9K turbocharged, 4-cylinder unit, available in two states of tune – 85 Bhp-200 Nm and 108 Bhp-240 Nm. The lower state of tune gets a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the higher state of tune is offered with 6-speed manual and AMT options. Renault also sells a top-of-the-line all-wheel drive version of the Duster Diesel, which gets revised gear ratios, independent suspension on all four wheels and additional safety features.

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The celebrities you see on this page some of the youngest Bollywood actors that have been rather quick in making a name for themselves. These youngsters not only inspire the youth with their dedication and skills but also know how to make a style statement. Here’s a list of the cars that these actors use on a regular basis.

Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh is a famous young actor who has been pretty quick with proving his salt. Ranveer has a huge collection of high-end cars, which include the Range Rover Vogue, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. He also owns a humble Ciaz. However, the biggest highlight of his garage is his Aston Martine Rapide S. The Rapide S gets its juice from a 6.0-litre V12 engine that outputs 552 bhp and 620 Nm. The Aston Martin Rapide S costs roughly Rs 3.5 crore.

Varun Dhawan

Varun Dhawan is another young actor who has been doing quite well in the film industry. Akin to many Bollywood stars, the actor uses an Audi Q7 luxury SUV. Dhawan’s Audi Q7 is powered by a 3.0-liter, V6, turbocharged diesel engine that outputs a maximum power of 240 bhp along with a peak torque of 550 Nm. Currently, the Audi Q7 range starts at Rs 73.73 lakh.

Alia Bhatt

The young actress has already delivered a handful of hit movies. She looks all set to become a force to reckon with in the world of Bollywood. Alia uses a current-gen Range Rover Vogue. The Vogue has a base price of Rs 1.6 crore. Her SUV is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine that outputs 240 bhp and 600 Nm. It comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and has a full-time AWD system.

Disha Patani

Disha Patani is yet another young actress who has been busy gaining experience in the world of Bollywood. The young actress uses a Chevrolet Cruze. She also owns another discontinued D-segment sedan in the form of a Honda Civic.

Tiger Shroff

Tiger Shroff, son of Jackie Shroff, has already impressed everyone with his quick moves on the dance floor. He is also trying really hard to make a name for himself in the world of acting. The young actor says he can’t drive as Jackie always stopped him from it. However, he owns a white-coloured BMW 5-Series sedan that is driven by a chauffeur. Jackie likes to occupy the front passenger seat of his car.

Siddharth Malhotra

Actor Siddharth Malhotra has already made a name for himself in our Tinseltown. After achieving some success, the actor upgraded from a Fiat Linea to a Mercedes ML-Class SUV. His SUV is coloured in black and is powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine. Another interesting vehicle the actor owns is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The ML-Class was replaced by the GLE-Class, which has a starting price of Rs 64 lakh.

Arjun Kapoor

Actor Arjun Kapoor owns a couple of high-end SUVs. While one of them is a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, the other is a Maserati Levante. The Levante is the first-ever SUV from Maserati and looks really stunning. It’s powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine that outputs 271 Bhp and 600 Nm. In India, the Levante costs Rs 1.6 crore.

Illeana D’Cruz

Actor Illeana D’Cruz owns a yellow-coloured Audi S5 Sportback, which is basically the performance-tuned coupe version of the Audi A5 coupe. Powering the Audi S5 is a 3.0-litre V6 that outputs a maximum power of 328 Bhp along with a peak torque of 440 Nm. In India, the Audi S5 Sportback costs Rs 70.60 lakh.

Kriti Sanon

Kriti Sanon owns a latest-gen Audi Q7 luxury SUV. Powering her Audi Q7 is a 3.0-litre V6 engine that outputs an maximum power of 240 bhp along with a peak torque of 550 Nm. Currently, the Audi Q7 range starts at Rs 73.73 lakh.

Shraddha Kapoor

Another young actor who has been in the limelight is Shraddha Kapoor, daughter of Shakti Kapoor. She owns a Mercedes-Benz ML 250. This SUV is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine that outputs 203 Bhp and 500 Nm. The ML-Class was replaced by the GLE-Class, which has a starting price of Rs 64 lakh.

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

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Volkswagen will soon unveil the all-new T-Cross compact SUV, a Hyundai Creta rival. The Volkswagen T-Cross will first go on sale internationally, and it won’t be until 2020 or early 2021 when the SUV is launched in India. The German automaker has released an official video that shows the T-Cross wearing some floral camouflage wraps. Except for the finer design details, the T-Cross SUV has nearly been fully revealed through the latest video.

The T-Cross that will be sold in Europe and other developed markets of the world will be based on the Volkswagen MQB platform. For India though, the compact SUV that Volkswagen will launch is expected to use the MQB A0 platform. The compact SUV for the Indian market is expected to derive design details from the global T-Cross but there will be significant changes in terms of the interiors, engines and even the overall length of the SUV sold here. Skoda has been working on the low cost MQB A0 platform, and will also launch a compact SUV that will share parts with the India-spec Volkswagen T-Cross.

For now, we know that both petrol and diesel engines will be offered on the Volkswagen T-Cross and its Skoda equivalent in the Indian market. In fact, the Volkswagen group has confirmed that a new, 1 liter-3 cylinder TSI turbocharged petrol engine will soon be made in India. This motor will have power and torque outputs of up to 115 Bhp-200 Nm, and will be heavily localized in India to keep costs low. Manual and twin clutch automatic gearboxes are expected to be offered on this engine. The diesel is expected to be the 1.5 liter turbocharged unit, which is already on offer in non-MQB cars such as the Polo and Vento in India.

However, the 1.5 liter TDI diesel motor will get additional emission control equipment for it to meet the much stricter Bharat Stage 6 emission norms, which comes into force in India from April 2020. The India-spec Volkswagen T-Cross will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta and the new Renault Duster in India. It’s expected to be a better built, more premium alternative to the Hyundai Creta, which will be in its second generation by the time the India-spec Volkswagen T-Cross arrives here. The Volkswagen group is betting big on compact SUVs, which will be a big part of its India 2.0 strategy.

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The Tata Hexa is the flagship product of the popular Indian passenger car maker. The Hexa is a sufficiently premium SUV that offers many features, including a high-end 11-speaker Harman-sourced audio system. However, you can also purchase a host of official accessories for your Hexa. Here’s a video that details all the official accessories.

The vlogger has used the base variant of the Hexa to demonstrate all the accessories. For the front-end, you can purchase an upper grille chrome garnish to give the SUV a premium look. You can also install an illuminated logo and chrome garnish on the headlamp and taillamp. You can purchase bumper corner protectors to protect your car from minor scratches. Furthermore, you can install foglamps with integrated DRLs. In the side profile, you can install door visors and chrome garnish for the ORVMs. You can also install stylish alloy wheels on the lower trims.

You can even buy chrome garnish for door car handles. Also, you can install a sunroof. Other accessories include a side-step and a lower side beading. For the rear, you can purchase a backdoor chrome garnish. You can also install a boot-gate lower chrome garnish. A reverse parking camera and sensors are also available. For the interior, you can opt for a wireless car charger, a dashcam, and a God idol. You can even purchase a body cover in case you don’t have closed parking. All these accessories can help you make your car look better. Some of them even enhance the convenience on offer.

Here’s a quick look at all the official accessories with their prices –

• Upper grille Chrome Garnish – Rs. 1,624
• Tata illuminated logo – Rs 2,401
• Headlamps/tail-lamps chrome garnish kit – Rs 2,812
• Bumper corner protectors – Rs 767
• Foglamps with integrated DRLs – Rs 12,116
• ORVM chrome garnish – Rs 1,410
• Door visors – Rs 4,820
• Mud flaps – Rs 654
• Alloy wheels – Rs 34,296
• Door handle chrome garnish – Rs 1,290
• Lower side beading – Rs 1,468
• Sunroof – Rs 90,562
• Side-step – Rs 15,353
• Backdoor chrome garnish – Rs 1,686
• Boot-gate lower chrome garnish – Rs 1,686
• Reverse parking camera 4-inch screen – Rs 5,500
• Reverse parking sensors with camera, 4-inch screen – Rs 7,500
• Floor mats – Rs 5,434
• Seat covers – Rs 13,909 – 15,103
• Wireless car charger – Rs 1,274
• Dashcam – Rs 5,000
• God idol – Rs 200
• Body cover – Rs 3,462

Video Courtesy – Ujjwal Saxena on Youtube

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Almost all the modern cars are now offered with airbags in India. Even though they are not standard, the manufacturers now offer airbags as optional with almost all the affordable cars available on the market and many customers choose the airbag variants over the regular ones citing safety reasons. If you own a car with airbags, there are certain things that you should be careful about. Here are seven such things that you should not do with a car with airbags.

Installing bullbars

The sensors that detect a collision and deploy the airbags are placed at the front of the vehicle. Upon impact, the sensors deploy the airbags that save the occupants from injuries. Installing a bullbar at the front of a vehicle interferes with the crash impact on the sensors. In some cases, the airbags do not deploy at all due to the bullbar, while in others, there can be a delay in the deployment of the airbags and that can be extremely dangerous for the occupants.

Putting feet on the dashboard

Many co-drivers use the dashboard as a support for their feet. If the vehicle has a co-driver airbag, it can be extremely dangerous. The airbags deploy with a small explosion that inflates the airbag almost instantly. The explosion can break your legs and can damage them permanently. There have been a few such cases where the co-driver lost the legs after the airbag deployment. Even if the vehicle does not offer a co-driver airbag, putting the feet on the dashboard is not an ideal position to sit and can cause injuries in case of an accident.

Sit too close to the steering

The driver-side airbag is always installed in the steering wheel. Many drivers have the habit of sitting too close to the steering wheel. In case of an accident, the explosion from the airbag deployment can injure the face of the driver. Also, sitting too close to the steering wheel does not give enough time for the airbag to inflate completely and provide enough cushion to save the driver from the impact. It is always recommended to sit at a distance from the steering wheel. You can put your hand on the steering wheel and the wrist of your hand should rest on the steering wheel for the ideal distance.

Not wearing seatbelts

Not wearing seatbelts in a car with airbags can be dangerous. The airbags are always tested with the seatbelts and a few cars do not even activate the airbags if the seatbelt is not put to save the passengers from injuries. Seatbelts break the free fall of the occupants and give time to the airbags to deploy properly. Not wearing the seatbelt can cause injuries due to the airbag deployment during accidents.

Putting seat covers

Many modern affordable cars have started offering side airbags and one should take extreme care with the cars with such side airbags. In most cars, the side airbags are installed inside the seats and the seat covers are designed to tear apart easily when the airbags deploy. Putting seat covers on cars with side airbags intervenes with the airbag deployment and can also harm the occupants. One should never put seat covers on the cars with side airbags.

Putting dashboard ornaments

Putting dashboard ornaments on the cars with a co-driver airbag can be extremely harmful when it deploys. The airbag breaks the dashboard to deploy and it happens in a matter of microseconds. If there are any dashboard ornaments, like a photo frame, it can become a projectile and hit the occupants. It can very dangerous and one should refrain from putting any kind of ornament on the fascia of the cars that come with a co-driver airbag.

Putting child seat on the co-passenger seat without turning off airbag

Most modern cars come with ISOFIX hooks in the rear to safely tether the child seat. However, there are many cars that still do not offer the ISOFIX hooks but offer airbags. Many parents put the child seat in front and do not turn off the passenger airbag and it is extremely dangerous. Why? The airbags open with extreme force and can push the child backwards and cause injuries. Children do not need airbags as their heads would not hit the dashboard anyway.

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Royal Enfield models are some of the most iconic motorcycles around. REs offer a lot of retro charm and their signature thumping exhaust note. While most RE owners find their motorcycles to be completely flawless, there are some who customize their motorcycles to suit their tastes. Some even give their Royal Enfield motorcycles a Harley Davidson-like look. Here’s a Royal Enfield Classic 350 that has been modified to look like a Harley Davidson Fat Boy.

This Royal Enfield has been modified by Chennai-based 16 Moto Performance. This Classic 350 looks nothing like the regular version and instead, has been made to look a lot like the Harley Davidson Fat Boy. The fit-and-finish of this motorcycle is top-notch and most road users will be hard pressed to notice the real identity of this motorcycle.

One of the biggest highlights of the front-end is the new headlamp, which gets several LED fixtures. You also get a set of custom fog lamps and the same indicators as the real Fat Boy. While the original front fender has been replaced with a bigger unit, the spoke rims have made way for black alloy wheels with a chrome lip. The motorcycle also gets a wider handle-bar. The stock fuel tank has been replaced with a custom unit that has been hand-made by the customizer. This tank looks a lot like the one on the Fat Boy.

Even the design of the new side panels is a lot like that of the ones on the real Fat Boy. The seat is also new and comes with a back-rest finished in the same texture as the seat. The rear fender also looks a lot like the one on the Fat Boy. The tail-lamp and the indicators also have more than a passing resemblance with the American cruiser. The footpegs come from the Thunderbird 350. The motorcycle also gets a faux radiator to complete the Fat Boy look. It doesn’t look like the motorcycle has received any sort of performance upgrades. The stock RE Classic 350 is powered by a 346-cc, single-cylinder engine that produces 19.8 bhp of power at 5,250 rpm and 28 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. This engine comes mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The cost of this motorcycle is Rs 3 lakh (including the donor motorcycle).

Source – Gaadiwaadi 

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Mitsubishi has revealed a facelifted version of the Montero, which is known as Pajero in the international markets. It is the flagship SUV from the Japanese brand and receives many changes to keep it fresh in the market. This is the updated Montero that will be launched in the Chinese market soon.

Mitsubishi used to sell only Completely Built Units (CBU) in India, which caused the price to jack up. It competed with the likes of Audi Q5 and BMW X5 due to its high price but customers only went for the luxury German brands due to the brand-presence of the cars. The facelifted version for the Chinese market will get a new chrome-finished grille with an increased number of slats, giving it a more premium look.

The hood now gets the Pajero namesake in gold-plated fonts and the Mitsubishi logo on the grille is also gold-plated. From the side, it looks identical to the older version of the SUV but it gets new decals to give it a fresher look. At the rear too, the Montero gets a gold-plated Mitsubishi logo and the name. The gold coloured inserts can also be seen on the tail lamps.

The China-spec Pajero gets the 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that generates a maximum of 174 Bhp – 255 Nm. In India, Mitsubishi launched the last-generation of the vehicle in 2016. The high price of the vehicle made it a difficult-sell in the market. The SUV was powered by a 3.2-litre diesel engine that generates 192 Bhp and 441 Nm. Even though the vehicle is quite popular in the foreign markets, it failed to attract buyers in the Indian market due to its price. Customers preferred SUVs from the German trio, like the Audi Q5 and the BMW X5 instead.

It is not known if Mitsubishi will bring back the updated Montero in the Indian market anytime soon, but it seems unlikely due to the low demand for the brand. Mitsubishi was once quite popular in the Indian market due to the enthusiast-focused cars like Lancer and Cedia. However, due to the lack of service centres and high maintenance cost, the vehicles from the brand never became a grand success in the Indian market.

Source

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Bugatti Veyron is known as the ultimate hypercar that one can buy and is used by many celebrities around the world. In India too, many people have associated Shahrukh Khan with the Bugatti Veyron. There have been many online posts that claim that Shahrukh Khan owns a Veyron.

With Instagram’s new feature that allows users to ask questions to each other becoming a trend, the fans of Shahrukh asked the star actor many questions. One of them was about the Bugatti Veyron. The user asked if the actor owns a Bugatti Veyron, to which he simply said “No”. Shahrukh has never been spotted in a Bugatti Veyron and no one knows from where the rumour started initially. The question was asked during the #AskSRK session that the actor conducted on his Instagram page.

There is not a single Bugatti Veyron on the Indian soil. A few years back when the Bugatti Veyron was officially launched in India, many prospective customers took the test drive of the vehicle. However, no one ever bought it. The Bugatti Veyron is an extremely powerful car and with the lack of tracks and good roads around India, people stay away from such hypercars.

The Veyron, which is a two-door coupe, was one of the fastest cars in the world. The Veyron is powered by an 8.0-litre W-16 cylinder engine. It gets quad-turbochargers and generates a magnanimous power of 1184 Bhp and 1500 Nm. It can reach a top speed of 431.072 km/h and was the fastest street-legal production car in the world. The Bugatti Veyron is extremely lightweight and is made of carbon fibre parts. The monocoque body is suspended via an aluminium frame at the front and a carbon fibre/stainless steel frame at the rear.

Shahrukh Khan may not own a Bugatti Veyron but the actor has an exotic garage. He owns luxury cars like the BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Land Rover Range Rover Sport. He also owns a BMW 6-Series convertible and has been spotted a few times driving the car himself.

Also Read: 2019 all-new Maruti Ertiga Cross: What it'll look like

How about having a Tesla-like touchscreen infotainment system on your regular car? It’s now possible and an Indian company called Laxo Orbis now sells such a touchscreen infotainment system for the hugely popular Mahindra XUV500 SUV. The only thing that could hold you back from buying such a system is the eye-watering cost. Anything that has to remotely do with Tesla is very expensive, and so is this touchscreen infotainment system, which will set you back by Rs. 99,000. If you’re ok with the cost, you can pre-book by paying Rs. 9,999. Here is a video showing the cool accessory in action.

The good thing about this Tesla-style infotainment system is that it is a plug and play device. It directly connects to the XUV500’s old CANBUS connector. What this means is you get to retain all the features of the stock XUV500’s infotainment system in a brand new Tesla-style. Cool, right?

Currently, the XUV500 is a pretty loaded car in terms of infotainment functions. The stock vehicle’s system gets Android Auto, Connected Apps, Ecosense and Emergency Call assist, apart from tyre pressure monitoring, reverse parking camera input, music system, navigation and Bluetooth phone connectivity for calling.

If interested, buyers of the Tesla-style infotainment system can opt for additional features such as a digital video recorder (dashcam input), 3D (bird’s eye view) parking camera, front proximity sensor inputs, on-board diagnostic system outputs and an advanced driving assistance system. All such features will make the Mahindra XUV500 even more loaded.

The SUV is available with a 7 seat layout, and comes with two engine options, both 2.2 litre turbocharged units. The petrol engine produces 140 Bhp-320 Nm, and is paired to a 6 speed automatic gearbox, and is available as a front wheel drive model. The diesel engine, with 154 Bhp-360 Nm, is available with 6 speed manual and automatic gearboxes, with both front wheel drive and all wheel drive layouts. Prices of the XUV500 start from Rs. 12.42 lakhs.

Via LaxoOrbis

Also Read: 2019 all-new Maruti Ertiga Cross: What it'll look like

A carmaker designs a car in a way that it easily lasts for more than 3,50,000 kms. In most cases, however, car owners simply fail to do such large distances without spending big money on the rebuilds. It’s also fairly common to see people selling off their used cars before the odometer hits the 1,00,000 kms figure. However, here’s how you can maximize your car’s life and use it without any major trouble for at least 3 lakh kilometres.

It begins by choosing the right car…

Our first tip is for the new car buyers who are about to spend their hard-earned money on buying a new car. Everyone who wants a car with a really long life should choose a model from a manufacturer that has a high reputation for reliability and great after-sales service. Both these factors are highly critical to ensure the long life of your vehicle. In case you already own a car, the rest of the tips will help you enjoy a trouble-free performance from your car for many kilometres to come.

Stick to stock spec

Basically, one should avoid making any sort of modification. From bigger wheels and wider tires to ECU remaps and free-flow exhaust – all such modifications have an adverse effect on your car’s life. It’s better to purchase a car that offers higher performance or more stylish alloys than buying one and modifying it later. This is because every part of the car is designed to work in perfect harmony with others. A simple modification can disturb this harmony, which leads to a drop in your car’s life.

Avoid short trips

Are you someone who drives to the nearby market? Basically, using your car for short trips of 2 kilometres or lesser should be avoided. Walking will not only help you keep yourself fit, it will even help you boost the life of your car. Actually, car engines don’t warm up enough on such short trips. Hence, there’s a higher wear and tear. While you won’t notice the effects immediately, repeated short trips over many years can reduce your car’s life substantially. Also, it’s a good practice to warm up your car engine for at least a minute before you start driving. One should start driving only when the temperature needle has reached the halfway mark. Also, one should avoid hard revving immediately after he or she starts driving. Turbocharged engines should be left idle for a minute before you turn the ignition off.

Adhere to service schedules religiously

Every car has a service schedule, which should be strictly adhered to. There are many parts that require regular lubrication and even periodic replacement. These parts need to be changed at the manufacturer-specified intervals. Not doing so can result in a drop in performance and increased wear and tear of certain components. Hence, one should never ignore the manufacturer-specified service intervals. Everything from the timing belt change at, say 1,00,000 kms, to wheel balancing at, 10,000 kilometres, should be done without any delay.

Buy that extended warranty

One should always purchase the extended warranty. Mostly, cars come with a manufacturer’s warranty of 2 kilometers. It’s highly recommended to opt for the 5-year extended warranty by spending a small amount. Also, the warranty stands void in case you modify your car. Hence, do stick to the stock specifications if you want to reap the full benefits of the warranty.

Finally, drive like a long distance traveller on a horse…

Basically, drive gently. Driving with a light foot minimizes the stress on various components and there will be a reduced wear-and-tear of the engine and suspension components. Also, incorporate certain habits into your driving style. For example, in case you see a red light ahead, it’s better to coast than to maintain a constant speed till the zebra crossing and suddenly stopping by braking hard. This will help you boost the life of the brake pads. Also, shutting the doors gently can help you keep the rattles away. Accelerating and decelerating smoothly will help you reduce the wear-and-tear of the engine and transmission. Changing wipers in time will help you prevent the windscreen from getting scratched. Also, it pays to go through your car’s manual carefully – you can find many such tips in there.

Also Read: 2019 all-new Maruti Ertiga Cross: What it'll look like

British luxury car marque Jaguar has put its flagship sportscar – the F-Type – on a diet. As a result, the Jaguar F-Type is now lighter and more fuel efficient, without losing much of the outright performance it was originally designed for. How has all this been achieved if you ask, well, Jaguar has downsized the F-Type’s engine. The 2018 Jaguar F-Type gets a new, 2 litre-4 cylinder Ingenium turbocharged petrol engine with 300 PS of peak power and 400 Nm of peak torque. An 8 speed torque converter automatic gearbox drives the rear wheels of this car.

The F-Type 2.0 will be the entry-level model in the sportscar’s line-up, which will continue to get the 5 litre, V8 supercharged petrol motor on the top-end trim. Prices of the F-Type coupe 2.0 start from Rs. 90.93 lakhs while the convertible version is priced at 1.01 crores. The Jaguar F-Type 2.0 is imported into India as a completely built unit. Even with the downsized turbo petrol engine, the F-Type is really very fast. The sportscar can reach 100 Kph from standstill in 5.7 seconds while top speed is a very impressive 250 Kph.

Jaguar has also fitted the F-Type 2.0 with an active exhaust system meant to make the car sound very good while driven hard. The use of the new engine has reduced weight by 52 kilograms, making the car more agile around corners. Jaguar has tuned suspension suitably. With the introduction of the 4 cylinder petrol engine on the F-Type, the larger V6 motor is no longer on offer. So, enthusiasts now have options of choosing the smaller, 4 cylinder turbo petrol or the larger, supercharged V8 petrol.

Rohit Suri, President & Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd. (JLRIL), said,

We are very excited about the introduction of the 2.0 l engine on the F-TYPE. This will make our sportscar brand more accessible to Jaguar fans and customers across the spectrum. Enthusiasts are sure to be thrilled by the appeal of this pure breed F-TYPE with its own unique driving character.

Also Read: 2019 all-new Maruti Ertiga Cross: What it'll look like

Demand for the recently launched Volvo XC40 luxury SUV has been spectacular. Within weeks of launch, the Swedish luxury car maker has moved no less than 200 units of the XC40 luxury SUV off showroom floors into customer homes. Responding to the high demand, Volvo has launched the XC40 in two more trims.

The Volvo XC40 is now available in Momentum D4 and Inscription D4 trims, priced at INR 39.9 lakhs (ex-showroom) and INR 43.9 lakhs (ex-showroom), respectively. The D4 R-Design trim is priced at Rs. 42.9 lakhs, ex-showroom. All  variants of the Volvo XC40 are imported into India through the completely built unit (CBU) route.

Volvo does have plans to start assembling the XC40 in India, at its Hoskote factory, through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route. However, the CKD assembly of this SUV is expected to commence only next year. Charles Frump –  Managing Director, Volvo Car India, said,

We are absolutely delighted to have received such a positive response for the newly launched XC40. It’s a great beginning for us and we expect it to contribute considerably in achieving 10% segment share by 2020.

All variants of the Volvo XC40 use a 2 litre-4 cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that puts out 188 Bhp of peak power and 400 Nm of peak torque. The engine is paired to an 8 speed torque converter automatic gearbox as standard. Moreover, all variants of this SUV get an all wheel drive layout as standard, making the XC40 a segment leader.

The Volvo XC40 is not just the most powerful luxury SUV in its segment, which has other players such as the Audi Q3, the BMW X1 and the Mercedes Benz GLA, but is also the most luxurious one. Features on offer include a 9.0-inch Sensus touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, leather-suede seat covers, a panoramic sunroof, radar based driving-assist and safety assist system, adaptive cruise control, automatic collision avoidance and emergency braking. Of course, airbags and ABS are standard safety features.

In the meantime, here is our video review of the XC40 

Also Read: 2019 all-new Maruti Ertiga Cross: What it'll look like

It’s no secret that the all-new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV will have a crossover sibling. The butch looking sibling of the all-new Ertiga will be launched in India next year. Here is a speculative render that shows what the new crossover MPV could look like.

While the all-new, 2nd generation Maruti Ertiga looks quite classy, the crossover is expected to get a more in-your- face look. What this means is, expect aggressive styling on the front end with the S-Cross’ design likely to be used  as inspiration. Well, this is exactly what this render indicates. The new Ertiga with the S-Cross front grille, swept  back headlamps, a more prominent front bumper, bumper inserts and cladding on the sides is what’s expected from  Maruti Suzuki. Slightly more ground clearance is also likely but make no mistake, the Ertiga Cross will be a butch  looking MPV for on-road use and not off-roading.

This is because of the fact that the new Ertiga Cross will be mechanically similar to the regular version. It’ll be front wheel driven, and get petrol and turbocharged diesel engine options. The petrol motor is the 1.5 liter K-Series  unit with 104 PS and 138 Nm. The diesel is a 1.3 liter turbocharged unit with 89 Bhp-200 Nm. Both engines will get 6  speed manual transmissions as standard while the petrol is also expected to be offered with a 4 speed torque  converter automatic option. The new Ertiga Cross will continue to be a seven seat cross MPV, and interiors and other  features will be borrowed from the regular model.

As for pricing, the Ertiga Cross is expected to sit above the regular version in terms of positioning, and Maruti is  expected to sell it as a more refined, car-like alternative to compact SUVs. The Ertiga Cross will get twin airbags  and ABS as standard safety options. It’ll be built on the HEARTECT platform, which means that it’ll be quite light, peppy and fuel efficient.

Via Instagram

Also Read: 2019 all-new Maruti Ertiga Cross: What it'll look like

The Mahindra Thar is a lifestyle SUV that enjoys a huge fan following. It’s also a hot favourite among customizers and off-roaders. The bold stance and simple construction make it really easy for customizers to work their magic on this SUV. It’s really interesting to note how a handful of minor changes can give this SUV a totally clean look. Today, we have a really angry-looking Thar that has been done up by one Sarbjit Singh.

The front-end of this modified Mahindra Thar carries a really mean look, which is courtesy of a custom grille that has a bold crease flanking the two custom head lamps. These headlamps carry projector units along with a LED DRL running along the circumference. Other than this, the front-end also gets a metal bumper with an electric winch. There’s also a custom hood, a snorkel, a set of spotlights and a roof-mounted LED bar. The side profile is characterized by custom doorsteps, a set of bigger ORVMs and custom fender cladding. The original wheels have been replaced with bigger rims shod with some fat rubber. Also, this Thar has a custom-made hard-top.

At the rear, there’s a set of new LED tail lamps, a metal bumper and, of course, the huge spare wheel. Full details about the interior aren’t available at the moment. However, the door pads have received a custom leather upholstery. The rest of the cabin also gets a beige colour theme. Another highlight is the electric adjustment for the driver’s side seat.

It’s also not known if this modified Mahindra Thar SUV carries any performance upgrades. The stock vehicle is equipped with a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 105 bhp along with a peak torque of 247 Nm. The motor comes mated to a five-speed manual transmission that can send power to all the four wheels through the 4×4 hardware. The several mods this Mahindra Thar carries gives it a totally distinct appearance. Like we said, the new front grille plays a major role in making this vehicle look really bold and aggressive.

Source- Sarbjit Singh on Facebook

Also Read: NGT to Volkswagen: Why haven't you recalled all Dieselgate affected cars in India?

Spyshots of the all-new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV testing on Indian roads reveal key new details. The all-new MPV, based on the Suzuki HEARTECT platform, is expected to get a 6-speed manual gearbox, as indicated by the spyshots. The MPV is also expected to get beige interiors, similar to the Indonesian version. The all-new Ertiga is just months away from being launched in the Indian market. It will replace the first-generation Ertiga for the private car buyer market. However, the first-generation Ertiga will continue to be sold in India for the cab market under the ‘Tour’ badging.

For now, it’s not clear if the Ertiga will make it to NEXA showrooms of if Maruti continues to sell the MPV from its Arena range of dealerships. What we do know is that the Ertiga will get both petrol and turbocharged diesel engine options. The petrol motor will be a brand new 1.5-litre K-Series unit, which makes more power and torque than the 1.4-litre K-Series motor it replaces.

The new engine will produce 106 PS and 138 Nm, and will be paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox. There will be a 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox offered as an option. The diesel motor will be the tried-and-tested 1.3-litre Fiat Multijet unit with 89 Bhp-200 Nm on tap.

This motor will carry on with the 5-speed manual gearbox and it remains to be seen if Maruti Suzuki offers an AMT option with this engine. The new Ertiga is expected to get lighter thanks to the use of the HEARTECT platform, and the lower weight is expected to translate into better pick-up and fuel efficiency.

The MPV will be larger than before offering more space to occupants. The new Ertiga will continue to retain the 7-seat layout, spread across three front facing rows. It’s likely to be slightly pricier than the outgoing version but prices are expected to start from well under Rs. 7 lakhs.

Via MotorOctane

Also Read: NGT to Volkswagen: Why haven't you recalled all Dieselgate affected cars in India?

The sales of automatic cars have increased in India with the introduction of Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) on the Indian market. With the rising popularity of affordable AMT cars on the market, there are quite a few things that many customers want to know about the new type of transmission. Here are ten things that no one tells you about the AMT automatic transmission.

Expect much less

If you have driven a conventional automatic car in the past and are expecting the same out of an AMT automatic vehicle, you will be disappointed. AMTs do not drive like conventional automatic cars. They drive very different and may leave many enthusiasts disheartened. However, if you’re driving an automatic car for the first time and start with the AMTs, you will be quite happy with the convenience of driving.

It is a clutch-less manual transmission

It is known as a semi-automatic transmission in many markets. The AMT is not very different from the manual transmission. The basic working and the transmission parts are the same. AMTs automatically apply the clutch and also shifts the gears according to the accelerator input and speed. It is exactly like driving an automatic car without the gearshifts and using the clutch.

Affordable to buy and maintain

Due to the simplicity of the AMT transmissions, it is very affordable when compared to the conventional automatic transmissions. It only gets a few additional features instead of an all-new transmission that keeps the cost low. Also, maintaining an AMT automatic transmission is as affordable as maintaining a manual transmission.

And returns good fuel efficiency

There are many cars available on the market with the conventional automatic transmission. Such transmissions reduce the fuel efficiency when compared to their manual counterparts. But the AMTs are basically manual transmissions with automatic clutch and gear shifts and it does not reduce the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. All the AMT vehicles return the same fuel efficiency as their manual counterparts.

But a few traits of manual transmission remain

As AMTs are based on manual transmission, it misses out on features like parking mode, hill hold and hill descent. One should not forget the use of handbrake while using AMT. If driving an AMT automatic car, one should always pull the handbrake after parking the vehicle and also use the handbrake on the hill inclines to get the car going.

You can shift gears and take control

Apart from the Renault Kwid that offers a knob-based AMT gear-selector, every other AMT vehicle gets a stick that can be used to shift the gears whenever needed. This is unlike many conventional automatic transmissions that are offered with affordable cars on the Indian market. Getting the option to upshift and downshift gives more control over the vehicle.

Modern AMTs are much more advanced

Modern cars with AMT, like the Tata Nexon and Renault Duster, offer hill-hold with their respective SUVs. This makes the vehicles much easier to drive on the steep inclines and allows the driver to relax while stopping on the hill inclines. We can expect many more such features in the AMT automatic cars in the future.

No need for accelerator inputs in traffic

Almost all the AMT vehicles available on the market right now offer the ‘creep’ feature. This allows the vehicle to move forward without any accelerator input. In heavy traffic situations, it comes very handy and lessens the wear and tear on the transmission. The creep function is also one more feature that the conventional automatic cars offer.

Engine braking is absent!

Many people rely on engine braking while coming down a hill or bringing the vehicle to stop over a shorter distance. However, the AMT transmission does not allow you to control the clutch at all and hence, engine braking is missing from the vehicle. One needs to understand the working of the AMT by driving it in different situations. For engine braking during the downhill, one can use the manual mode to keep the vehicle in lower gears. However, different cars may behave differently in the same situation and one needs to drive and understand the vehicle.

Overtaking needs planning

Even though AMTs get a manual mode to shift the gears, overtaking can be a major pain. Pushing the accelerator to the floor will make the gear to drop but it is not instant and can cause problems during unplanned overtakes. If your transmission offers a manual mode, shift to it and use it during extreme situations. Even manually changing the gears is not instant. That’s why one needs to plan before overtaking on the highways. Remember, the safest overtaking manoeuvres are the ones that are executed in the least possible time.

Also Read: NGT to Volkswagen: Why haven't you recalled all Dieselgate affected cars in India?