The first-generation Ertiga was launched way back in 2012. The car, advertised as LUV (Life Utility Vehicle), became an instant hit because of its size, driveability and attractive pricing. It breathed fresh air into the segment and became an example of how useful market research is in our country. Maruti Suzuki is now planning to replicate its success by launching an all new Ertiga this year. In a mood to get one? Read along as we tell you 10 things you should know about the new 2018 Ertiga.

Launch Date

Various sources had earlier speculated the new Ertiga to be launched by August 2018. Going by the extensive and rigorous testing phase the car is going through, that is unlikely to happen now. However, the company reportedly has planned to launch the car in the festive season. This is similar to what many other automakers are doing in order to reap benefits from the festivities. 

New Platform

Maruti Suzuki has made the new Ertiga based on the new Heartect platform which made its debut on the current-gen Baleno. This platform is also shared by the Swift and DZire. The lightweight Heartect platform has a more rigid and stronger underbody to help comply with the new crash-test norms (BNVSAP) that are soon to be introduced in India.

Larger Dimensions, same Wheelbase

The new car has grown on all sides. It is now longer and wider by 100 mm (L) and 40 mm (W) than the previous-gen model. But it has been built around the same 2,740 mm wheelbase of the older car. The rear overhangs have grown a bit and so has the overall stance of the car. Expect the third row seats to be more spacious and practical in the new Ertiga.

New Hybrid Engine

The 2018 Ertiga will get a heart transplant and is expected to be launched with new petrol and diesel engines. Maruti Suzuki’s in-house developed 1.5-litre diesel engine can make an appearance instead of the current tried and tested 1.3-litre inline four-cylinder DDiS unit but this will happen in later stages of the car’s lifespan. Coming onto the petrol motor, the company will bring in a 1.5-litre K15B motor making 104 hp of maximum power and 138 Nm of peak torque. Also, speculation is rife that Maruti will introduce the SHVS hybrid system with the petrol model. This will result in huge efficiency gains. Also, the company will be the first in class to offer hybrid motors.

Feature rich  

Maruti is gunning hard on this one so expect the car to come with all the bells and whistles. The main change on the dashboard will be a new SmartPlay AVN infotainment system that will support both Android Auto and Apple Carplay. We also expect the top-end models to get LED DRLs with projector headlamps.

Rugged cousin 

Maruti is planning to bring in a new, more tough variant of the Ertiga later on. It’ll probably be named as the Ertiga Cross. It will be same as the normal car albeit some cosmetic changes to make the car feel more sporty and rugged. Usual changes made to cars by manufacturers in order to make them rugged include roof rails, skid plates, blacked-out side skirts etc. So expect the Cross variant to sport a few of these.

No NEXA

Earlier it was expected that the new Ertiga will be sold through Maruti Suzuki’s premium Nexa showrooms. This will not be happening now and the car will continue to be sold at regular Arena dealerships.

Pricing

The current-gen Ertiga starts at Rs. 6.34 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. While the car has certainly grown in size and is more feature rich than before, expect the pricing to remain the same. A marginal rise of around Rs. 30,000 could be made but nothing that will break anyone’s bank.

BNVSAP compliant

The Indian Government has enforced a new car assessment program for India. It’s called the BNVSAP (Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program) and is the dawn of new era in Indian car safety regulations. The new Ertiga will meet all the norms of the BNVSAP. Expect the car to be more safe and rigid-structured. Passenger safety features like ABS and airbag are standard across the whole range.

Automatic Option

Maruti will offer a 4 speed torque converter automatic gearbox which is expected to come with the new 1.5 litre K15B petrol burner. The automatic option will definitely be a boon in the city traffic and will increase the customer base for the new Ertiga.

Also Read: Royal Enfield responds to ANGRY Classic 500 Pegasus owners about Signals Edition

Royal Enfield will conduct media drives for the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 twin cylinder motorcycles later this month in the United States. The media drives are likely to be preceded or followed by the international launch of both motorcycles, which will go on sale in export markets first before making their way into the Indian market. This is a strategy that Royal Enfield followed with the Classic 500, which was first introduced abroad. The Indian launch of the Royal Enfield Interceptor and the Continental GT 650 will happen before the end of the year. The twin cylinder motorcycle range is likely to start from a little under Rs. 3 lakhs in India.

Rudratej Singh, president of Royal Enfield, said,

We are going to be doing a global launch [and] media launch by mid to end September and then we will follow that up with plans to launch in India. There will be an international launch first followed by India. The dates we will come back to you on, but definitely, in this fiscal year you will have the motorcycles – Interceptor and Continental GT riding around in India. We’ve finished our validation pretty much. We just want to make sure we build some inventory so that when you launch it you should have test ride motorcycles available at all your key dealerships, as well as the first buyers should not be waiting indefinitely for too many months to enjoy the Interceptor and the Continental GT 650.

The idea behind such a sharp entry price tag for the twins is to allow existing Royal Enfield motorcycles owners to comfortably upgrade to the new offerings. The brand is working on keeping the new range of twin cylinder motorcycles very accessible. Both motorcycles will debut Royal Enfield’s newly developed 650cc, twin cylinder engine that puts out 47 Bhp and 52 Nm. This engine gets four valve heads run by a single overhead camshaft, making it the most advanced motor to power a modern day Royal Enfield. Fuel injection, air-oil cooling and a 270 degree firing angle are the other salient features of this engine, which will be paired to a 6 speed manual gearbox with a slipper clutch.

The new engine will rev to well over 7,000 rpm, propelling both the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650 to speeds in excess of 160 Kmph – the fastest that modern day Royal Enfields have ever gone. To cope with this kind of performance, dual channel ABS will be standard on both motorcycles. The Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 will share most components including the frame and cycle parts but will be differently styled. While the Interceptor will be a street bike with an upright seating position, the Continental GT will be a cafe racer with rear set foot pegs and clip-on handlebars. The countdown has begun.

Via Auto.NDTV

Also Read: Royal Enfield responds to ANGRY Classic 500 Pegasus owners about Signals Edition

Auto companies make a host of new launches and announcements every year during this time. September to October is a festive time in India and companies cash big on it. If you’re planning to buy a car in the coming months but are not sure, we’ve got you covered. Let’s see five new models that are going to be launched in India with their launch timelines.

Hyundai Santro

23rd October 2018

While it’s been common knowledge for some time now that the Santro name is coming back, the launch dates are here now too. The car will be launched on 23^rd October, 2018. Also, unveiling will be done way before on 9^th October. The car will replace Eon and will battle Tata Tiago and Maruti Celerio among others. It is set to feature a 1.1-litre, petrol engine that will also get Hyundai’s first AMT transmission. Expect pricing to be somewhere between Rs. 3.5 lakh to Rs. 5.5 lakh.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

October 2018

The LUV or Life Utility Vehicle is set to get a new life in the form of a new model. It was speculated to launch in August, but Maruti Suzuki seemed to have a change in plans. However now the company plans to launch the vehicle during the festive season in October. The new Ertiga is now more spacious on the inside thanks to an increase in car dimensions. It also is built on the new Heartect platform and will be powered by a 1.5 litre petrol/1.3 litre diesel engine. The car is also set to feature an all new 4 speed auto transmission.

Mahindra Marazzo

3^rd September 2018

The Marazzo is the first monocoque frame vehicle from Mahindra’s stables, and the largest one too. Pre-bookings are already going on and this one vehicle for sure has everyone’s attention pinned to it. Launching on 3^rd September 2018, the car is slated to start below the Rs. 10 lakh mark. It gets a new BSVI compliant 1.5 litre turbocharged diesel engine expected to produce at least 120 Bhp-300 Nm. Manual and automatic gearbox options are likely to accompany the engine.

Mahindra XUV700

November 2018

First shown off at the 2018 Delhi Auto Expo, the XUV700 is a rebadged Ssangyong Rexton G4 SUV. It is expected to launch in November 2018, after Mahindra is done with the launching of Marazzo. The XUV700 will take on the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. In terms of sheer size, it has a greater footprint compared to the Fortuner. The car is speculated to feature a diesel motor only. Also, expect the prices to start above Rs. 22 lakh.

Honda CR-V

October 2018

The popular softroader was long due to receive an update. Honda has now planned to bring in the new CR-V which is already on sale in some foreign markets. The car would be launched around October-end this year, with prices to start at or above Rs. 25 lakhs. The new CR-V will be available with a 1.6-litre diesel (120PS/300Nm) and a 2.0-litre petrol (154PS/189Nm) engine. Diesel variants will feature a 9-speed automatic, whereas the petrol ones will get a CVT. Also, it will be for the first time that the car will come with a seven-seater configuration.

Also Read: Royal Enfield responds to ANGRY Classic 500 Pegasus owners about Signals Edition

Toyota’s best-selling cars – the Innova Crysta MPV and the Fortuner luxury SUV – have received a host of new features. Prices of both the MPV and SUV have also risen thanks to the feature additions and the new mandatory third party insurance (for three years). Prices of the upgraded Toyota Innova Crysta start from Rs. 14.65 lakhs and prices of the Fortuner now start from Rs. 27.27 lakhs. The upgrades and new insurance regulations have resulted in the Innova Crysta getting pricier by about Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 64,000. As for the Fortuner, it’s gotten pricier by about Rs.60,000.

The upgraded Toyota Innova Crysta gets the following feature additions as standard across variants: Emergency brake signal which turns on hazard lamps, rear fog lamps, front LED fog lamps, anti-theft alarm with glass break and ultrasonic sensor. The GX variants of the MPV also receive a touchscreen infotainment system, steering-mounted audio controls, power-folding wing mirrors with puddle lamps and a speed- and impact-sensitive door lock/unlock feature.

As for the Toyota Fortuner, the upgrades across the range include a passenger side powered seat, anti-theft alarm with glass break and ultrasonic sensor, emergency brake signal that turns on hazard lamps automatically, rear fog lamps and an electrochromatic inner rear-view mirror (IRVM).

Both the Innova Crysta and Toyota Fortuner sold in India get a range of petrol and turbocharged diesel engine options. The petrol engine is a 2.7 litre, naturally aspirated unit, with 164 Bhp-245 Nm on tap. 6 speed manual and automatic gearboxes are on offer with this engine. The Innova Crysta gets 2.4 litre and 2.8 litre turbocharged GD diesels with 148 Bhp-343 Nm and 172 Bhp-360 Nm outputs, respectively. The smaller engine gets a 6 speed manual gearbox while the larger motor gets a 6 speed automatic. The Fortuner is sold with a 2.8 litre turbocharged diesel motor in the 175 Bhp-450 Nm state of tune. This motor gets 6 speed manual and automatic gearbox options. A 4 wheel drive mode is also on offer.

Also Read: Royal Enfield responds to ANGRY Classic 500 Pegasus owners about Signals Edition

Bollywood’s leading ladies are some of the most recognised people on the planet today and like their opposites on the silver screen and like the rest of us Indians, they too seem obsessed with SUVs. The Range Rover from British marque Land Rover is one of the most popular SUVs in Bollywood and in this list, we take a look at some of the leading ladies of Hindi films that have one of these SUVs in their garages.

Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt’s first big foray onto the silver screen was in the 2012 movie ‘Student of the Year’, though she had made her debut as a child in the 1999 film ‘Sangharsh’. Alia Bhatt is one of the most bankable names in Bollywood today and her growing car collection is one featuring mostly high-end SUVs and sedans from Audi and BMW.

In late 2017, Bhatt stepped away from her car collection’s Germanic obsession when she bought herself the Vogue variant of the Range Rover by Land Rover. Alia’s Range Rover is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine that produces 240bhp and 600Nm of torque. The Range Rover Vogue sends its power to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Alia Bhatt’s Range Rover is priced at around Rs 1.6 crore, ex-showroom.

Malaika Arora

Actress Malaika Arora first burst onto our screens as a VJ with MTV. Her first movie role came as a dancer in the iconic song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ in the movie ‘Dil Se’. Malaika Arora’s latest addition to her garage is a dark blue Range Rover Vogue LWB with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine which is paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and permanent four-wheel-drive.

Anushka Sharma

Anushka Sharma made her acting debut alongside Shahrukh Khan in the 2008 romantic drama ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’. Since then, she has acted in hit movies like PK, Sultan and Sanju and has also ventured into the world of film production. In December 2017, Anushka married Virat Kolhi in one of the most talked about celeb weddings in the country.

Anushka’s Range Rover is also a Vogue variant but unlike the V6-powered SUVs we saw earlier, her luxury SUV derives its grunt from a 4.4-litre turbo V8 diesel engine. The Range Rover Vogue’s V8 engine produces 335 Bhp and 740 Nm of torque which is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox and a permanent four-wheel-drive system.

Jacqueline Fernandez

Sri Lankan actress Jacqueline Fernandez made her acting debut in the 2009 fantasy movie ‘Aladin’. Her biggest hit till date is 2014’s ‘Kick’, where she starred alongside Salman Khan. She owns an older version of the Range Rover Vogue, which is fitted with a sports kit giving it a rather distinct look.

Shruti Haasan

Shruti Haasan, the daughter of actor and politician Kamal Haasan, made her debut as a child actor in her father’s movie ‘Hey Ram’ (2000). She debuted as the leading lady in the 2009 Bollywood flick ‘Luck’. Her best-known movie till date is the Tamil flick, 3, which featured the viral song, Why This Kolaveri Di?

Shruti Haasan’s Range Rover is the smallest SUV in the Land Rover range, the Evoque. The Evoque is available with 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines. The engines are paired to a 9-speed automatic gearbox.

Kareena Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor made her acting debut in the movie ‘Refugee’ in 2000. Since then, she’s appeared in a number of blockbuster movies including Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and 3 Idiots. Kareena Kapoor is currently married to actor Saif Ali Khan and has a young son with the latest Nawab of Pataudi.

Saif and Kareena have been seen numerous times in the white Range Rover Vogue seen above. Kareena’s Range Rover Vogue is an older generation model which was offered with six different engine options in India.

Also Read: Royal Enfield responds to ANGRY Classic 500 Pegasus owners about Signals Edition

Tata Motors is planning a micro SUV that will rub shoulders against entry level hatchbacks, giving buyers butch styling and a high riding stance at a very affordable price tag. Code-named the Hornbill X445, the micro SUV from Tata will arrive sometime after 2020. Here is a speculative render of the same, which indicates that the Hornbill’s production version could look like a baby Nexon.

The render is a mix and match of the Tata Nexon’s front-end and a more squarish rear. However, the actual version is likely to look a lot more squarer than what this render indicates. In fact, Tata Motors has teased the Hornbill in a video that preceded the unveiling of the H5X SUV and 45X premium hatchback concepts at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo. And this is what the silhouette of the Hornbill looks like.

Clearly, the render and the silhouette have a fair bit of difference. It’s likely that Tata Motors will build upon the design showcased by the silhouette rather than making the Hornbill micro SUV look like a baby Nexon. The new vehicle will be based on Tata’s Alpha platform that will underpin a new range of compact cars including the upcoming 45X code-named premium hatchback.

The new platform will be made ready to meet the upcoming Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms as well as the Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP). The Hornbill will measure under 4 meters in length, and is likely to pack in turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. An AMT option could be offered with these engines while manual transmissions are expected to be standard. Currently, the only real micro SUV option in India is the Mahindra KUV100, which is a tepid seller. The Tata Hornbill can shake up things in this segment if it’s attractively styled, with a proportionate design.

Via GaadiWaadi

Also Read: Royal Enfield responds to ANGRY Classic 500 Pegasus owners about Signals Edition

A bunch of Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus owners have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment. Many of them have tweeted directly to Siddhartha Lal and Rudratej Singh, the CEO of Eicher Limited and President of Royal Enfield, respectively. Royal Enfield has now responded to the open letter penned by angry customers.

These owners are complaining of being shortchanged as the recently launched Classic 350 Signals Edition offers more features (dual channel ABS), is pretty similar to the Pegasus 500 in terms of styling, and is also not a limited edition model. Of course, it’s a lot cheaper too, as it’s powered by a smaller 346cc engine.

Responding to the owners, Royal Enfield has released the following statement,

What exactly happened?

On the 27th of July, Royal Enfield launched the Classic 500 Pegasus, a British army-inspired motorcycle limited to only 250 owners in India. It was sold online, on a first-come-first-serve basis, and all 250 units of the motorcycle sold out in less than 3 minutes. Most of the 250 motorcycles are yet to be delivered to the customers who have managed to book online. The Pegasus is powered by the 500cc, unit construction engine, gets disc brakes on both wheels but no ABS. It was priced at Rs. 2.4 lakhs, on-road Delhi.

Enter the Royal Enfield Classic 350 Signals Edition

Just days ago, Royal Enfield launched the Classic 350 Signals edition. It is priced at Rs. 1.8 lakhs, on-road Delhi. While deliveries are yet to begin, the Classic 350 Signals Edition is not a limited edition model. It’s powered by a 350cc, unit construction engine, gets similar styling and accessories as the Pegasus 500 and gets twin disc brakes with dual channel ABS as standard.

Why are some Pegasus owners upset?

1. The Classic 350 is much cheaper (by Rs, 60,000) than the Pegasus 500 but offers dual channel ABS (a key safety feature) as standard.

2. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 Signals Edition, though it features a different paint scheme and slightly different graphics, looks similar to the Pegasus.

3. It’s not a limited edition model, which means that it is not really a unique, one of a kind bike. This, combined with similar styling to the Pegasus 500, makes the latter lose its uniqueness.

Here is a picture tweeted by an owner, showing the similarity between the Pegasus 500 (a bike limited to 250 units in India) and the Classic 350 Signals Edition (a regular production model likely to sell in thousands).

Is this likely to satisfy the disappointed Pegasus owners? We have our doubts.

Here’s the video of the new Signals 350 range 

Via Rushlane

Also Read: Royal Enfield responds to ANGRY Classic 500 Pegasus owners about Signals Edition

It’s rare to spot India’s first-ever compact SUV – the Tata Sierra – on the road, much less a modified one. A  pick-up truck based on the Tata Sierra? We’ve never seen one, and you may not have too. Here is one such rare Tata Sierra pick-up truck modified by Nu Yard Customs that looks quite butch and brawny.

Changes on this vehicle include a body chop, which sees the rear losing the hardtop and seats to make way for a  loading bed. The front end retains the twin-seat layout but with a new single-cab design.

The exhausts now exit from behind the front single cab, in an American modified pick-up truck style while the vehicle now wears chunky mud terrain tyres that adds height and seat presence. Of course, it will make this Sierra better off the road.

What we didn’t like though are the oddly shaped wheel arches, which seem out of place on an otherwise clean design. Other changes on this modified Tata Sierra include revised front and rear bumpers with the front getting a massive nudge bar.

The front end also gets a total revamp, with new headlamp housings, revised grille, a massive hood scoop and a farm jack mounted atop the bonnet.

This Sierra gets a snorkel but we’re not sure if it’s functional. The roof gets a LED light bar while the left hand rear end of the pick-up truck hosts a jerry can finished in red. The jerry can adds a nice contrast to the overall matte grey paint scheme of the build. The stock Tata Sierra used to come with 2-litre, naturally aspirated and turbocharged diesel engine options with 68 Bhp and 90 Bhp outputs. The engine details on this particular build is not  known. The Sierra was also available in rear-wheel drive and fou-wheel drive variants.

Via 4X4India

Also Read: One out of four Tata Nexon, Tiago, Zest and Tigor cars sold are AMTs

With increasing competition, Tata is for sure feeling the heat. The car maker has a vehicle planned for every category and it will be launching new vehicles to fill the gap between its ongoing models. Let’s take a look at what Tata has planned to roll out soon.

Tata Tiago JTP

Expected launch time: October 2018

Tata showcased the Tiago JTP at the 2018 Auto Expo. Jayem Automotives and Tata have collaborated to make this hot hatch. The name JTP stands for Jayem Tata Performance. The Tiago JTP will be the most affordable hot hatchback in India upon its launch. It will carry a sticker price of around Rs. 6 lakhs, which is quite a bargain when you look at the competition.

Cosmetic upgrades include an air intake on the bonnet, refreshed black grille, redesigned bumpers and a JTP logo on the grille. It will be powered by the same 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that powers the Nexon. However, the engine will be re-tuned to churn out a maximum of 108 Bhp and 150 Nm. Like a true blue hot hatch the Tiago JTP will sport a manual transmission only.

Tata Tigor JTP

Expected launch time: End 2018

The Tigor JTP was also showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo alongside its twin hatch. It will be the first performance-oriented sedan from the brand. Just like its smaller sibling, the Tigor JTP will be the most affordable performance-oriented sedan of the country.

Design changes will include modifications to the front and rear bumper. Some panels may be blacked out to give a hint of sportiness. The engine option will be same as that of its twin Tiago JTP, which means that the 1.2-litre turbocharged three-pot petrol will be on duty here too.

Tata Harrier

Expected launch time: Early 2019

The Harrier was first displayed at the 2018 Delhi auto expo as a concept vehicle. The production version of this SUV will be called the Harrier. Tata is expected to launch the SUV during the first quarter of 2019 with production starting at the end of 2018.

The Harrier will be built upon a Land Rover platform. It is the first vehicle from the Tata stable that will do so. Also, it will be 80% similar to the concept vehicle, which is good news. The Harrier will be powered by a 2.0-litre multijet diesel engine that is available on the Jeep Compass in India. Its arch rivals will be the Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster.

Tata 45X

Expected launch time: End 2019

After the success of its Tiago hatchback, Tata has been planning for some time to bring in a premium hatchback. The company showcased the 45X concept at the 2018 Auto Expo earlier this year. It is now building a vehicle based on the 45X concept to take on vehicles, such as the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai Elite i20 and the upcoming new Honda Jazz among others.

Much is not known about the car as yet, and officials are tight-lipped about the details. Expect Tata to power the premium hatchback with the more powerful version of the Tiago’s diesel engine by using a Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT). The petrol engine can be sourced from the Nexon.

Tata H7X

Expected launch time: 2019

The H7X will be another Tata vehicle, which is based on a Land Rover platform, the Discovery Sport’s L550 platform to be specific. It will be the new flagship of the brand and has been caught testing multiple times on Indian roads already. The H7X will be launched in the Rs. 15-20 lakhs price bracket.

It will be the bigger, 7-seat sibling of the Harrier SUV, and will sport the same Fiat engine and transmission too. The engine, however, will be tuned for more power to compensate for the heavy weight of the SUV. It will also will get the AWD option for off-road enthusiasts.

Also Read: One out of four Tata Nexon, Tiago, Zest and Tigor cars sold are AMTs

Mahindra is continuing high-altitude testing of its upcoming compact SUV, the Ssangyong Tivoli-based code-named S201 sub-4 meter offering. The S201 will be launched in India early next year, and will square off against vehicles, such as the Maruti Brezza, Ford EcoSport and the Tata Nexon. The SUV was recently spotted testing in the western Himalayas, along with the XUV700. These images were sent in by CarToq reader Parveen Sihag.

The S201 will be Mahindra’s 3rd offering in the sub-4 meter compact SUV segment. The automaker already sells the TUV300 and Nuvosport in this segment but both vehicles are ladder frame-equipped SUVs. The S201 will be a full monocoque SUV, with front-wheel drive as standard, another contrast to the rear-wheel driven TUV and Nuvosport. The S201 is a shortened Ssangyong Tivoli, chopped adequately to fall in the sub-4 meter segment. Mahindra will be hoping that the new SUV attracts some buyers away from the best-selling Maruti Brezza.

Many class-leading bits are expected on the Mahindra S201, from segment-leading engine outputs to an electric sunroof. The SUV is expected to get 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, both of them turbocharged. While the petrol motor could produce as much as 140 Bhp, the diesel unit is said to be capable of about 125 Bhp. Both figures are class leading and significantly higher than those of the Maruti Brezza. However, it remains to be seen if Mahindra offers the same tune on the production version of the S201.

The Mahindra S201 is expected to be feature-rich. Apart from standard safety features, such as ABS and twin airbags, automatic climate control, reverse parking sensors, a sunroof, touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic transmission options and art leather seats are the various bits likely to be offered on the top-spec S201. The 5-seat compact SUV will have a longer, 7-seat sibling that will be launched a year later. Expect prices of the sub-4 meter SUV to start from under Rs. 7 lakhs.

Also Read: One out of four Tata Nexon, Tiago, Zest and Tigor cars sold are AMTs

The Innova Crysta has been setting the sales chart on fire and has proved that Toyota knows a thing or two when it comes to making excellent MPVs. It has been successful in the market for so long that there are many options available now to completely transform the car. Lets take a look at some of them.

Make it look like a Lexus

Yeah, that’s no typo up there, you can actually make Crysta a Lexus-lookalike. Custom body kits are now available which, though a bit costly, can change the way your car looks. As for the Lexus kit, it employs some clever design inputs to get the desired effect on the car. The front is totally changed by a redesigned bumper and the signature ‘Spindle’ Lexus grille. Side skirts along with low-profile tyres enhance the appeal. The whole package is complete with an overhauled rear bumper and lowered skirts. The end result is a low-stance Crysta with Lexus-ish looks.

Alloys

Alloys go a long way in enhancing the overall aesthetics of a car by a good margin. Toyota launched the Crysta initially with 17 inch-rims on the top-end model but soon changed it to 16-inchers. You can easily opt for a variety of aftermarket alloys available for the car. Always get good quality alloys for your car, even if you have to pay a premium. Also, it is important to note that if you do change your rims, make sure to compensate with the right tyre size.

Interiors

Toyota has not cut any corners with the Innova Crysta in terms of comfort and refinement. After all the interiors are a significant USP of the car. But then we humans are never satisfied with what we have. So if you have been left wanting for more, there are ways to make the interiors more plush. You can opt for different colours and different materials to enhance the interiors. You can also get the interiors overhauled at a good place, which brings us to the next point on the list.

DC Lounge

If you have the money and want to splurge it on your beloved (Crysta in this case), you get plenty of options. But the best among them is the DC Lounge. Starting at Rs. 4.95 lakhs, DC will convert your ride into a two-seater private jet-yacht-space shuttle rolled into one package. Well, that might have gone a bit too far, but what you get for your money is two airliner-style full-recliner seats with a massage option. You also get ambient lighting, chiller, LCD panels, advanced audio system and full trim change. DC Designs change the interior to such an extent that you won’t be able to recognize the car from the inside. That’s kind of a Dr. Jeykyll and Mr. Hyde thing for a car actually.

ICE (In Car Entertainment)

Many movies like the ‘Fast and Furious’ have shown uber cool cars that have extra large audio system and earth shattering amount of bass. Well, if you always have fantasised about such a mean machine, you can get yours made into one of those too. The Innova Crysta is the perfect vehicle for that with loads of space and a long wheelbase. It can easily be converted into an ICE Machine (In Car Entertainment, folks).Those who are music crazy can opt to remove the last row of seating to place the woofers and amplifiers. You can also opt for smaller audio upgrades if you don’t want the whole enchilada.

Remaps/Tuning Box

Remaps and tuning come in the territory of serious modifications. So if you want to get it done, find a good workshop first. Globally, there are many tuning boxes available that you can get for the Crysta. We are sure that Indian tuning companies will also come up with tunes for the new vehicle, but if you are in a hurry, there are plenty of turning boxes that are available abroad currently. These change boost power and torque to over 204 Bhp-550 Nm, up from 177 Bhp-450 Nm. But if done incorrectly, it can cost you the whole car itself.

Also Read: One out of four Tata Nexon, Tiago, Zest and Tigor cars sold are AMTs

Royal Enfield is leaving no stone unturned for the promotion of their upcoming 650-cc bikes. Royal Enfield is encouraging builders around the globe to come up with unique builds based on their Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 models. Here is one such build, and a short film based on it.

The build is showcased by Old Empire Motorcycles- a UK-based custom bike builder. The bike is based on the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. The builder has gone in for a minimalistic design while developing this one-of-a-kind ride. The designers have only kept the necessary mechanicals and electricals, to achieve the minimalist look.

The look has been carried forward in the wirings and controls set-up, with no extra wires in sight. The handlebar looks raw. The traditional locking mechanism has been replaced by a keyless ignition system to lose all those extra wires.

The engine has been given the all-black treatment while exhaust pipes are finished in gold, which lends a neat contrast to the powertrain. The bike is finished in a deep red metallic shade with a touch of golden pinstripes on the fuel tank. With a little tweaks in the suspension, bike now sits a little lower on the ground.

The engine powering this beautiful bike is a 646-cc parallel-twin petrol, which produces a peak power of 47 Bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque. This engine is the first unit from Royal Enfield to be mated with a 6-speed transmission and a slipper clutch assembly. The bike is capable of touching a top speed in excess of 160 Kmph.

Royal Enfield will use this engine to power the café racer twin of the Interceptor 650, the Continental GT 650. Both the bikes are the most advanced bikes to roll out from RE’s production facility. Features, such as a 6-speed gearbox, standard ABS and slipper clutch assembly make these bikes more advanced then other Royal Enfield models.

Royal Enfield is expected to launch the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650 in India, in December 2018. The Royal Enfield interceptor 650 will be the cheaper variant of the two models. Prices of the Interceptor 650 are expected to start around Rs. 3 lakhs, while that of the Continental GT 650 could start from the Rs 3.2 lakhs mark.

Also Read: One out of four Tata Nexon, Tiago, Zest and Tigor cars sold are AMTs

Every biker dreams of owning a superbike once in their lifetime, but, well, most can’t afford these expensive machines. However, there are some who have gone ahead and built their own superbikes. Here are such five India-made superbikes built around car engines.

Maruti ‘TrailBlazer’

The Trailblazer is a mammoth rolling on streets, and no, it’s not a car. The Trailblazer is a home-made superbike built by Nilesh Sarode of Pune. The bike resembles a monster on wheels and uses a lot of handmade parts. The parts on this bike are salvaged from KTM Duke and Bajaj Pulsar. The Trailblazer is powered by a 3-cylinder engine borrowed from Maruti 800.

The engine is placed longitudinally along with an axle shaft drive system to avoid power loss. The Trailblazer gets 45 Bhp of power from its engine paired with a gearbox – again from a Maruti 800 – and weights a hefty 350 Kgs. The design of the bike is unusual with a fuel tank built on the rear fender to avoid heat from engine.

Maruti ‘Ridd’

They say  it takes a while to fulfill one’s dreams – true for a kid from Rajkot, Gujarat, Riddhesh Vyas who took 8 years to build his dream 1000-cc superbike. This 9-feet long chopper named “Ridd” is powered by a 1000-cc engine taken from the Maruti 1000. The front suspension and a lot of other parts are handmade on this bike. Riddhesh Vyas achieved one more dream along with building this superbike. Ridd was awarded the title of building ‘India’s first hand-made superbike’ by the Limca book of world records. The motorcycle weighs around 400 Kgs and rides with the help of a hydraulic clutch and swing-arm integrated suspension. The Ridd is capable of touching a top speed of 170 Kmph.

Yamaha ‘Gypsy’

Jeevanjit Singh from Chandigarh never imagined that his college project would end up as a superbike. This was one of the first superbikes built around a car engine in India. This superbike utilizes a g13b engine borrowed from a Maruti Gypsy, which is  paired with a modified gearbox from the Yamaha RD350 motorcycle. The bike is built around a trellis frame and weighs around 300 kgs. This Gypsy-powered superbike is capable of touching 160 Kmph.

Maruti ‘Steel Rhino’

This bulky metal bull is called “Steel Rhino”, and has been created by a custom bike builder from Dehradun. The “Steel Rhino” is built on the chassis taken from a Yamaha RD 350. The bike utilises a Maruti 800 engine mated with a gearbox from the RD 350. The bike runs on 15-inch front and 17-inch rear tyres, along with a quad suspension set-up at the front. The “Steel Rhino” can touch a top speed of 185 Kmph and costed around Rs. 4 lakhs to build.

Royal Enfield-Maruti ‘Interceptor’

The Royal Enfield Interceptor turned heads in its time with its unique look and thump. This Interceptor-based custom superbike is powered by a Maruti 800 engine. The creator has tried to execute a neat job with a shiny engine cover and nicely placed radiator. The bike is finished in a black shade with a flame design paint job.

Also Read: One out of four Tata Nexon, Tiago, Zest and Tigor cars sold are AMTs

By the end of this year, Mahindra will launch a brand new luxury SUV, which is essentially the rebadged and rebranded version of the Ssangyong Rexton G4. The 7-seat luxury SUV could be called the XUV700, and will be the Indian automaker’s flagship offering. The XUV700 was recently spotted testing in the Himalayan region by CarToq reader Parveen Sihag. Here are a few spyshots of the SUV, which will compete with the Toyota Fortuner.

The Mahindra XUV700 will be similar to the Ssangyong Rexton G4 in terms of styling, features and interiors, save for  a few badge changes. The luxury SUV that seems large and imposing will seat 7 people. It will come with a solitary turbocharged diesel engine that displaces 2.2 litres. This engine will produce about 180 Bhp – 420 Nm, which while not being class-leading, is par for the course as the best-selling Toyota Fortuner has similar outputs.

The SUV is likely to be sold with an automatic gearbox as standard. The gearbox will be a Mercedes Benz-sourced 7-speed torque converter unit. Both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options are likely to be offered. The XUV700  will be assembled at Mahindra’s Chakan factory through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route. In fact, CKD kits have already been shipped by Ssangyong from South Korea, and assembly is expected to commence very soon.

As for features, the Mahindra XUV700 will be quite loaded. The flagship status of this SUV means that it’ll have to offer not only a wide array of features, but will also need to have high levels of fit and finish. The interiors of the XUV700 will be a mix of leather and high quality plastics. Prices are expected to start from around Rs. 24 lakhs, making this SUV cheaper than both the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour.

The XUV700 will come with ventilated and heated seats, an 8-way electrically adjustable driver seat, a 6-way adjustable  passenger seat, an electric tailgate, projector HID headlamps, a touchscreen infotainment system, LED cornering  lamps, supervision cluster with customisable MID, flat folding rear seats, 20-inch wheels and ambient lighting. The SUV will also get 9 airbags, ABS, EBD,  hill-start, hill descent and ESP. So, are you excited to see Mahindra’s new flagship in India!?

Here is quick look at the official video 

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TVS set a new benchmark in the 160-cc motorcycle segment with the launch of the RTR160 4V earlier this year. Not only is it the most technologically advance bike in the segment with features like an oil cooler, 4-valve set-up, a race derived engine and top-spec suspension, it also puts out the highest power and torque on paper. That should make it lot of fun, right?

Now we, as responsible journalists, also like to perform a practical test rather than rely on figures. And this is where the entire idea of the video that you see below came up. We teamed up with two Delhi-based young guns, Syed Faiz and Haris Khan. These close friends ride a Duke 390 each and are among the best motorcycle riders in this part of India. Right then, would the TVS Apache RTR160 4V prove its mettle when its comes to the ‘fun’ part? Watch the video right away…

So what makes the RTR160 4V so much fun and an all-rounder? For starters, the race derived O3C engine (even gets ram-air assist) puts out class-leading figures of 16.5 PS/14.8 Nm. This combined with an all-new double cradle split synchro stiff chassis, which increases stability by 25%, gives it best-in-class riding dynamics. And control. No wonder then that with a new platform and a new engine, the RTR160 has a new attitude.

While Faiz opted to test out stunts with the 4V, Haris was keen on getting the best in terms of acceleration and top speed. As seen in the video, pulling long wheelies including stand-ups was a cakewalk for Faiz, followed by rolling stoppies and finally rolling burnies or burn-outs. Worthy of a mention is that in spite of ‘wet road conditions’, the RTR’s tyres provided exceptional grip levels. Also, for the record we had the carb and not the Fi version with us.

Next on, it was Haris’ turn to tame the RTR160 4V and, oh boy, were we all in for a surprise? With a 74 kg rider on board, the 4V hit the 60 km/h mark in less than 4.5 seconds, going on to hit 100 in just over 11 seconds. This is really quick for a 160-cc bike. On the 2-km long empty straight road, the RTR managed to show 124 on the speedometer – now that is something 200-cc machines are expected to do!

At a starting price of Rs. 82,535 (ex-showroom Delhi), TVS is not charging a premium for a bike that delivers so much more compared to its rivals. It looks good, rides well and comes packed with features and technology to keep riders satisfied at all times. No wonder then, the 4V remains one of the bikes under Rs. 1 lakh in India.

Also Read: One out of four Tata Nexon, Tiago, Zest and Tigor cars sold are AMTs

Royal Enfield is the world’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer that is still active. With their retro styling and that thumping soundtrack, Enfields have a cult-like following among those who prefer the motorcycles of old to modern machines. Unfortunately, this old-school theme has also led many detractors to label Royal Enfield motorcycles as ancient. However, now Royal Enfield motorcycles have truly become modern and there are many signs on current Enfields that tell this story. Here is a list of 10 such signs.

Dual-Channel Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)

Royal Enfield recently launched the Classic 350 Signals Edition in India, which is the first Royal Enfield motorcycle equipped with dual-channel ABS. In the coming months, Royal Enfield is set to introduce dual-channel ABS across its range of motorcycles, which will make them compliant with safety norms that come into effect next year.

An all-new parallel-twin engine

Royal Enfield Introduced the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650 at EICMA 2017. The new motorcycles are powered by Enfield’s brand new parallel-twin engine. The air-cooled fuel-injected engine produces 47 bhp and 52 Nm of torque. The new powerplant is the first parallel-twin engine from Royal Enfield India.

New Gearbox and Clutch

Along with the new parallel twin engine, the new 650-cc Royal Enfields will see the arrival of a brand new 6-speed gearbox. Royal Enfield has been offering 5-speed transmissions for a while now, and the new 6-speed gearbox will help it match its rivals.

Royal Enfield will also start offering a slipper clutch with their motorcycles starting with the 650-cc twins that arrive at the end of the year. The slipper clutch feature is expected to make its way on to the rest of RE’s bikes, which should take away some of the negative old-school vibes that critics associate with the brand.

Fuel injection

Royal Enfield offers fuel injection on the 411-cc engine powering the Himalayan and its larger 500-cc single-cylinder engine, which is a strong sign of its modern nature. However, Indian variants do not offer an oxygen sensor. Fuel injection systems on the Indian versions are open looped systems, which do not compensate for the change in altitude and oxygen levels. Exported models get a closed loop injection system with the O2 sensor.

Disc Brakes

While disc brakes on the front wheel are a common sight on Indian roads, rear disc brakes are only offered with performance-oriented bikes. Royal Enfield, unlike many Indian bike makers, offers a rear disc brake in models like the Classic, Thunderbird and the Himalayan. Disc brakes are more powerful and efficient compared to the old-school drum brakes and are considered to be safer too as they bring the bike to a halt a lot quicker, cutting down on stopping distances.

Modern production lines

Royal Enfield has adopted modern technology on its assembly lines like Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling machines that use computer-aided graphics and inputs to produce parts for their motorcycles reducing the risk of malfunctioning. Royal Enfield also uses sophisticated programs like Computer Aided Design (CAD) to design the bikes and then manufactures them through Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM). Switching from hand-built bikes to modern tech and robots has allowed Royal Enfield to cut down on the waiting period for their bikes.

And paint shops

Royal Enfield makes extensive use of robots in is production lines. This is especially true in the case of the paint shop, which features robotic arms that quickly and efficiently paint the parts needed. Quite modern, we would say.

Modern UCE engine

Royal Enfield has replaced its old cast iron engines with a more modern Unit Construction Engine (UCE) family of powerplants. UCE engines come with a host of benefits including a rotary oil pump that ensures a higher flow of oil through the engine. The new engine features hydraulic tappets that help deliver more performance and needs less maintenance compared to the solid tappets on the old cast iron units.

The unit construction of the engine allows it to better connect with the different components of the motorcycle, including the gearbox. UCE powerplants also get an automatic decompressor and automatic cam backlash prevention for easier starts and more consistent engine performance.

Finally, an overhead cam engine!

When Royal Enfield showed off its first adventure tourer motorcycle in the form of the Himalayan, it also started its journey into the world of Overhead Cam (OHC) engines. While Enfield may have been slow to introduce OHC engines to its line-up, it is now on even footing with its rivals when it comes to incorporating modern technology on its engines.

An Electrified future

Royal Enfield’s signature thump is the sound that many Indians associate with a big bike, but plans are underway in Chennai that could see REs sing the sound of silence soon. Royal Enfield is currently working on an all-electric motorcycle platform and the first new silent Enfield is expected to arrive by around 2020. By moving on to electric bikes, Enfield is securing its future, which is a modern approach if there ever was one. While we’ll miss the signature thump, an electrified future with instant torque on offer at the slight twist of the throttle is something worth looking forward to.

Also Read: One out of four Tata Nexon, Tiago, Zest and Tigor cars sold are AMTs

Tata Motors’ President of the Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Mayank Pareek, has revealed that one out of four cars sold are AMTs, on those models where this feature is available. Currently, Tata Motors offers the AMT option on four cars – the Nexon, Tiago, Zest and Tigor, and this is assuming that the Nano is no longer available.

Notably, the Zest was the first car from Tata that was offered with the AMT option. Tata Motors expects that one out of two cars sold will be AMT-equipped in 5 years from now. Here’s the exact statement Mr. Pareek made when asked about the current and future popularity of AMTs:

“For us (Tata Motors) it accounts for 25 per cent of sales of our models which have AMT. The potential is such that in five years, every second car sold could be an AMT.”

There are multiple reasons why the automated manual transmission is so popular on cars such as the Tata Nexon, Tiago, Zest and Tigor. For starters, the AMT variants are priced at about Rs. 50,000 more than equivalent manual gearbox-equipped variants, which makes them more affordable than conventional torque converter automatics.

Secondly, AMTs are as fuel-efficient as manual transmission-equipped variants, which means that buyers opting for automatic cars no longer have to worry about lower fuel efficiency. Thirdly, growing traffic congestion, in major Indian cities, is pushing buyers to opt for automatics over manuals because of the ease of driving they offer. Clearly, AMTs are here to stay.

Prices of the Tata Nexon AMT start from Rs. 8.57 lakhs (on-road Delhi), and the compact SUV is available with the AMT option on both the petrol and diesel variants. In case of the Tata Tiago and Tigor, only the petrol variants of these cars are available with the AMT option. While the Tiago AMT starts from Rs. 5.63 lakhs, the Tigor AMT starts from Rs. 6.7 lakhs. The Tata Zest gets AMT only on the diesel variants, and on-road Delhi prices start from Rs. 9.37 lakhs.

Via BusinessStandard

Also Read: One out of four Tata Nexon, Tiago, Zest and Tigor cars sold are AMTs

Mahindra is all set to launch an all-new MPV in the Indian car market, later today, called the Marazzo. The Mahindra Marazzo MPV’s prices will be announced today even as variant details and other key bits have already been revealed through a series of leaks. Here are the five things you need to know about Mahindra’s latest vehicle.

1. The Mahindra Marazzo has been developed in North America, by the automaker’s Detroit-based research wing. However, the MPV will be a global product not just selling in India but in many countries around the world. Specific markets are also expected to get all-wheel drive variants while India will predominantly get the front-wheel drive variants of this MPV.

2. The Marazzo will debut a brand new 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine that Mahindra has developed in partnership with Ssangyong. The new turbocharged diesel engine will be used on a range of Mahindra vehicles. On the Marazzo, it’s likely to make about 125 Bhp-300 Nm. A 6-speed manual gearbox will be standard with this engine.

3. The Marazzo will have the largest footprint of a Mahindra passenger car ever built, which means that it’ll be quite spacious. The top-end models will get art leather interiors, and beige colour trim will be standard across variants. It’ll be offered in 7-seat and 8-seat variants, and will feature a unique, roof-mounted multi-directional AC blower for even cabin cooling.

4. The Marazzo will be sold in 4 variants – M2, M4, M6 and M8. All variants will get driver and passenger airbags, ABS and ISOFIX child seats as standard. The top-end Marazzo will feature LED projector headlamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, touchscreen infotainment unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and art leather seats.

5. Automatic variants will be introduced later. A petrol engine is also expected in due course of time. The Marazzo will not replace the Xylo MPV. As for pricing, expect the MPV to start from well under Rs. 10 lakhs, sandwiching it between the Maruti Ertiga and Toyota Innova Crysta.

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Mahindra is planning to introduce two motorcycle brands in India- ‘Jawa’ and ‘BSA’. Both have a history of brand presence in the Indian market. This time around, both the brands will offer retro-modern models, built to compete with Royal Enfield motorcycles. Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra has confirmed that the Jawa range of motorcycles will soon be introduced in India. Here are a bunch of renders that indicate what these motorcycles will look like.

Jawa is a global brand with multiple models on sale in different countries, whereas BSA will be re-established first in India, before being taken to other markets around the world. So, with global level presence, it will be easier for Mahindra to establish the Jawa brand in India.

Mahindra has not revealed any details about which model will be launched first. Even during the Auto Expo no such announcements were made by Mahindra regarding the Jawa or BSA brand.

Jawa’s global model line-up is pretty outdated, lacks modern features and are less likely to be launched in India. Mahindra will skip designing an all-new platform, and use the Mahindra Mojo platform for development of the new bikes. The Mojo platform is tested in Indian conditions, which will make production of new bikes easier. Mahindra will use the Mojo platform because development of an all-new platform includes years of research and testing with huge investment involved.

Mahindra will only build the retro-styled body parts to fit on the Mojo platform. Suitable changes will be made to the suspension and other crucial components of Mojo to fit with the retro-styled body.

Using the Mahindra Mojo platform for the new retro-styled bikes will decrease the overall cost of the production model. Prices of the Jawa bikes will be kept under the Rs. 2.5 lakhs mark. This will allow the Jawa range to be competitively priced against Royal Enfields. Currently, Royal Enfield is the king of the premium bike (200 cc-500 cc) segment in India. Mahindra has not confirmed anything about the BSA brand, and it is still under wraps.

Also Read: EXPENSIVE cars destroyed in Kerala floods: Rolls-Royce Ghost to Jeep Compass

SUVs are slowly but steadily becoming a rage among Indians. Most people now want a vehicle with high ground clearance (the state of our roads seem to agree) and good road presence. SUVs fit the bill perfectly, which explains their growing popularity. What most people don’t know about various SUVs is the differences in their drivetrain systems. Many consider AWD (All Wheel Drive) to be the same as 4WD (4 Wheel Drive) or 4X4 system, which actually is not the case. Whether you should get a 4WD or an AWD vehicle depends mainly upon your usage pattern. Below, we have categorized different vehicles with the purpose they serve. Take a look and then decide what’s best for you.

Weekend off-roading (4WD): Maruti Gypsy, Force Gurkha, Mahindra Thar

This category is for all the mud pluggers out there. If you have a thing for off-roading and feel at home stuck in a slush pool, there are many vehicles built for serious mud nuts like you. Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha are the top picks in this category. While these vehicles may not be very practical for day-to-day usage, they offer unmatched off-roading ability with their low weight and efficient 4X4 systems. Do note that the Maruti Gypsy will soon go out of production.

5-seat SUV for mild off-roading and city/highway use (AWD): Renault Duster, Jeep Compass

If you want a good family car along with some off-road usage, this is the category for you. SUVs like the Renault Duster AWD and Jeep Compass 4X4 (just branded 4X4, not exactly one) are a good choice if most of your usage will be limited to tarmac. Occasional wild trips can be handled too but that should be taken casually. You can’t really go hard-core off-roading with these cars as they lack proper 4WD mechanism (low ratio transfer case etc). A much more capable Jeep Compass – in the form of the TrailHawk variant – is coming to India early next year.

7-seat SUV for mild off-roading and city/highway use (AWD): Mahindra XUV500, Tata Hexa

Want more space than a 5-seater SUV? Not much of a fan of mud splashing? You have reached the right place. This category offers proper big SUV manners while compromising on off-road prowess. Which doesn’t mean that they have developed baby feet. They can take you to places where regular cars won’t dare to go but don’t expect them to scale mountains for you. Tata Hexa and Mahindra XUV500 are the best options in this category. The Mahindra XUV500 recently got a facelift, which added both power and torque. The Mahindra XUV500 and the Tata Hexa are available with automatic gearboxes too.

7-seat 4X4 for off-roading and city/highway use (4WD): Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari Storme

So you have a family to look after, but that off-roader inside you refuses to die out, then we have exactly what you need. Among India’s most popular SUVs, the Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari Storme are the right picks for you. The Tata Safari Storme offers a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine with 154 Bhp-400 Nm, and a four-wheel drive transfer case with low and high ratios. Both the Scorpio and Safari Storme now offer a high level of comfort, can cruise on the highway all day and go off-roading when you decide its time. These SUVs come with some proper off-roading hardware and wont let you down in case you are stuck in a mud rut.

Luxury SUV for off-roading and city/highway use (4WD)

These are the true blue SUVs with a ‘throw it at me’ kind of attitude. Options in this category include the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour among others. They can be your school/grocery run buddy, highway mile munchers or a formidable off-roading partner. With all kinds of hardware like low ratio transfer case, differential locks and many other features, don’t expect them to balk when you show them a path less taken. These cars offer amazing levels of comfort and can easily take the bashing when you want. Though they cost a premium, these cars are truly worth it.

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