SUVs have caught the fancy of Indian consumers in the last few years. Every single manufacturer now has an SUV in his portfolio and yet is planning to roll out new models to cater to a wider audience. This also means a large chunk of upcoming new car models will be SUVs. In fact, India will witness the launch of over a dozen SUV models in the next 18 months. Here is a quick look at each new offering, sorted in terms of their launch time frames:

Honda CR-V

Price range: Rs. 25-30 lakh, Time frame: 9th October 2018
The first SUV to roll out will be the new, updated CR-V from Honda. This is an important re-launch for Honda as this time around, the CR-V will be offered with two important changes. First is the third row of seats that will make it a 7-seater, and hence will show up on the radar of those looking at a family SUV. And the second change will come in the form of the new 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine that will be mated to a segment-leading nine-speed automatic gearbox. These two changes will make the CR-V even more practical.

Mahindra XUV700

Price range: Rs. 20-25 lakh, Time frame: 9th October 2018

The second Ssangyong vehicle to be launched under the Mahindra brand will be the current generation Rexton, better known as the XUV700 now. This will be Mahindra’s ticket into the world of premium SUVs and will lock horns with the Toyota Fortuner. It will be priced in the Rs. 20-25 lakh bracket, thus offering unbeatable value for money. The XUV700 is currently being tweaked for Indian road conditions and will come with a 2.2-litre turbo diesel with over 180 bhp of power and mated to an auto ‘box.

Mahindra S201

Price range: Rs. 7-10 lakh, Time frame: End 2018

The second all-new product from Mahindra this year will be a sub-4-meter compact SUV, which is currently known as the S201. This is based on the Ssangyong Tivoli but is shorter in length in order to enjoy small car tax benefits. A rival to the segment leader Maruti Brezza, the S201 will come with a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol motor that currently does duty on the KUV100 (in turbo form) and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel motor that powers the new Marazzo. Both manual and automatic transmissions are expected along with features like a sunroof.

Jeep Compass Trailhawk

Price range: Rs. 23-25 lakh, Time frame: End 2018

This has been long overdue but Jeep has finally confirmed that the Trailhawk edition of the Compass is right around the corner. It will be powered by the same 2.0-litre diesel unit but will get the much awaited nine-speed automatic transmission. Further, as the name suggests, this will be a more rugged version – one that will be better suited for off-road adventures. This will be possible due to an altered 4×4 set-up, higher ground clearance, better approach and departure angles among other features.

Tata Harrier

Price range: Rs. 12-15 lakh, Time frame: Dec 2018 / Jan 2019

Tata’s all-new SUV, after the Aria is this. To be sold in both 5- and 7-seat configurations, the Harrier (5 seater) will rival the Hyundai Creta and showcase Tata Motors’ prowess in the field of design and engineering. It will be powered by the same 2.0-litre diesel engine found in the Compass and will be offered with a choice of two transmission options along with optional 4×4. The Harrier will be path-breaking in terms of cabin design and features for the segment. Tata is betting hard on this new product to enhance their global footprint.

Ford Endeavour Facelift

Price range: Rs. 25-30 lakh, Time frame: Early 2019

Facing stiff competition from vehicles, such as the Skoda Kodiaq, the upcoming Honda CR-V and yet to be launched Isuzu mu-X facelift, Ford will be launching the new Endeavour with minor visual and interior updates. The feature list will be revised too, but the talking point here is the new engine. Downsizing is the new mantra and the big Endy will come with the new, smaller 2.0-litre turbo Diesel engine that is good for a (shocking) 200+ bhp output! This one also gets a segment first 10-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

Nissan Kicks

Price range: Rs. 10-14 lakh, Time frame: Jan/Feb 2019
Nissan’s second entry into the world of compact 4m+ SUVs will come in the form of the Kicks. Truth be told, it isn’t really an SUV but more like a large cross-hatch, one that seems packed enough to give the Hyundai Creta a run for its money. This version has been developed specifically for the Indian market and makes use of the same power plants as the Terrano/Duster/Captur. Both a 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel will be on offer along with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. We are due to drive this model later this month.

Isuzu MU-X Facelift

Price range: Rs. 20-25 lakh, Time frame: Early 2019

Isuzu’s premium SUV, the mu-X has managed to sell decently well in India. It looks massive, is supremely comfortable and the latest 5-year ‘5ecure’ plan, which offers warranty and maintenance, has gone down well with new buyers. Isuzu now plans to introduce a facelift version, which brings in minor changes in and out. The engine/transmission set-up will remain unchanged but given that it undercuts rivals like the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour, the new mu-X will surely bring in better numbers than ever before.

Also Read: 10 simple yet highly useful accessories for the Royal Enfield Classic & Bullet motorcycles

Maruti Suzuki’s first electric car for the Indian market will be the WagonR EV. The automaker has just revealed the car. 50 units of the WagonR EV will hit Indian roads for the next year and a half as a part of intense testing ahead of the official launch. The car will be launched in April 2020, and is expected to be priced very competitively, for an electric vehicle. What this rider indicates is that the WagonR EV will cost nearly double the regular version. This is because the cost of batteries remain high. The low volumes that electric cars are likely to sell at during the initial years is also a major reason for car makers not being able to reduce prices.

The WagonR EV will be based on the 6th-generation WagonR, which is already on sale in Japan. The petrol-powered version of the 6th-generation WagonR will be launched in India early next year. Like the petrol-powered model, the electric variant will have airbags and ABS as standard, and will meet the upcoming BNVSAP norms.

Suzuki and Toyota are now in a partnership to share technology, and the WagonR EV will benefit from this partnership. The lithium ion batteries used in this car are expected to come out from the new battery factory that Suzuki and Toyota’s auto parts arm – Denso – have set up at Sanand, Gujarat.

Local manufacture of the lithium ion batteries, along with a hefty subsidy offered by the Government of India under the Fame-3 (Faster Adoption and Manufacture of Electric Vehicles) scheme are likely to make the WagonR EV relatively cost-competitive. What will be interesting to see is the range of the new EV from Maruti.

Anything less than 100 kilometers will make the car strictly a city runabout and it remains to be seen how Maruti tackles this issue. A higher range of about 200 kilometers has the potential to make the WagonR EV a mainstream car considering the fact that most buyers opt for it as a city hatchback.

Also Read: 10 simple yet highly useful accessories for the Royal Enfield Classic & Bullet motorcycles

SUVs are the go-to vehicle for the Indian car buyer today, and it comes as no surprise that our nation’s most powerful politicians prefer the SUV for their road presence and comfort. While many of our politicians can be seen in the back seat of an armoured Scorpio or in a Toyota Fortuner, there are some who have more rarefied tastes and prefer the comforts of renowned luxury car brands. While many prefer the opulence of a Range Rover, the other favourite SUV seems to be the Toyota Land Cruiser. There are also others who prefer SUVs from the German trio of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. In this post, let’s take a look at 10 Expensive SUVs used by Indian politicians today.

Narendra Modi – 2010 Range Rover HSE

The nation’s most powerful man, Prime Minister Narendra Modi uses a 2010 Range Rover HSE, which is known for its comfortable ride and luxurious interiors. PM Modi ditched his official armoured BMW 7-Series to return to the Range Rover. Details about the armoured capabilities of the SUV are not available but we do know what powers our PM’s Range Rover. The 2010 Range Rover is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine with 375 Bhp and 508Nm of torque, which is sent to all four via an automatic gearbox. The Range Rover HSE has a top speed of 218 km/h.

Rahul Gandhi – Toyota Land Cruiser

Rahul Gandhi is the current president of the Congress Party and is one of many politicians who are fans of Toyota’s Land Cruiser SUV. The heir to the Nehru-Gandhi legacy has often been spotted campaigning in his white Toyota Land Cruiser SUV. Rahul Gandhi also owns a previous-gen Lexus LX SUV and an armoured Tata Safari among other cars.

Sonia Gandhi – Range Rover

The matriarch of the Nehru-Gandhi family was considered to be the power behind the throne during the time of the UPA government led by PM Manmohan Singh. Mrs Gandhi, who is still considered to be one of the most powerful women in India can often be seen moving about in Delhi in her Range Rover SUV. Like hers son, Mrs Gandhi uses an armoured Tata Safari while out campaigning for the Congress.

Navjot Sidhu – Land Cruiser

Former cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is known for his ability to leave people laughing their heads off with his quirky comments. However, for his more serious job as a Parliamentarian, Sidhu was often seen arriving behind the wheel of his Land Cruiser SUV. These days the Land Cruiser is mostly seen in Punjab where Sidhu serves as the Minister of Local Government, Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Archives and Museums in the Congress-led Government of Punjab.

Raj Thackeray – Land Cruiser

Raj Thackeray is the president of the right-wing Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Raj Thackeray’s ride of choice is the Land Cruiser SUV from Toyota. Thackeray prefers the Land Cruiser and has been spotted many times behind the wheel of his Land Cruiser. Thackeray also owns a previous-generation Mercedes S-Class.

Omar Abdullah – Range Rover

Omar Abdullah is a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and is known to drive his own cars. His favourite vehicle is his Range Rover, which he has often been spotted in.

Pawan Kalyan – Mercedes G55 AMG

Actor-politician Paean Kalyan is the younger brother of Telugu film icon Chiranjeevi. Kalyan can often be seen behind the wheel of his G55 AMG SUV from Mercedes-Benz. Kalyan’s G55 AMG is powered by a supercharged 5.5-litre V8 engine producing 507 Bhp and 700 Nm of torque, which is sent to all four wheels via a 5-speed automatic gearbox.

Hema Malini – Mercedes ML-Class

Actress-turned-politician Hema Malini is the current Member of Parliament for the Mathura constituency. The actress who is married to Dharmendra is the owner of a Mercedes ML-Class SUV. The ML-Class is no longer in production and has been replaced by the GLE, which is basically the same SUV but with a facelift.

Rajnikanth – BMW X5

If there is an actor that has transcended the limits caused by language or region in India, then it is Rajnikanth. The Tamil film industry icon who recently turned to the world of politics is worshipped by his fans across the globe. His luxury SUV of choice is a BMW X5, which is a rather recent purchase.

Kiran Bedi – Mercedes GL-Class

Kiran Bedi was the first woman IPS officer in India’s history and won praise for her policing work, especially for her reform work in Tihar Jail as the Director Of Prisons (Delhi). Bedi is the current Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Puducherry. The former top cop’s SUV of choice is the Mercedes GL-Class, which was replaced in 2016 by the GLS.

Also Read: 10 simple yet highly useful accessories for the Royal Enfield Classic & Bullet motorcycles

The Mahindra XUV700 luxury SUV will be launched in India on the 9th of October, 2018. Codenamed the Y400, the SUV is  a rebadged version of the Ssangyong Rexton G4. While Mahindra is yet to finalise the market name of this SUV, the  XUV700 moniker has stuck ever since it was announced for the Indian market.

The SUV will take on the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Isuzu MU-X and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. Considering the fact that Mahindra is the latest entrant in this segment, it is likely to price the XUV700 competitively, since it needs a good proposition to differentiate itself from its established competitors.

In other words, we expect the Mahindra XUV700 to undercut competition in a big way, selling at about Rs. 25 lakhs, a good Rs. 2 lakhs cheaper than the Fortuner/Endeavour. This pricing advantage could help the XUV700 be noticed by luxury SUV buyers.

To keep the price low, Mahindra is said to have localised many parts of the SUV, which will be assembled at the automaker’s Chakan factory through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route. While the price is likely to be lower than that of its competitors, the SUV will be comparable to its rival offerings in terms of size, engine outputs and features.

The XUV700 will be powered by a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with 187 Bhp-420 Nm outputs. A 7 -speed torque converter automatic gearbox sourced from Mercedes Benz is likely to be offered as standard across  variants.

Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive layouts will be on offer, although the XUV700 is expected to be more of a soft-roader than other SUVs in its segment. As for seating, there will be seven seats clad in leather. The Mahindra XUV700 will be one of the largest SUVs in its class with dimensions of 4,850 mm length, 1,960 mm width, 1,825 mm height and a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. As for features, the SUV will get projector headlamps, a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree parking camera, 7.0-inch LCD instrument cluster, cooled-and-powered front seats and a smart tailgate.

Also Read: 10 simple yet highly useful accessories for the Royal Enfield Classic & Bullet motorcycles

Just like every other automaker, Tata Motors is also offering large discounts on their cars this festive season. Tata is also planning to lure in more customers by providing attractive schemes and bonus offers. Cars from the brand, such as the Tata Tiago, Tigor, Zest, Nexon and Hexa are available with attractive schemes and discounts. Check out the schemes Tata is offering in September 2018.

Tiago

Discounts: Rs. 16,000

Tata Tiago is the cheapest vehicle from the manufacturer. The car offers good quality ride and comfort. The automaker is offering discounts by selling the 1st year insurance at just Rs. 6,500. The Tiago is also available with an additional exchange discount of Rs. 10,000 for your old car. There are no cash discounts on Tiago.

Tata Tigor

Discounts: Rs. 25,000

Tata Tigor is the sedan variant of the Tiago and offers more space and comfort than its hatchback sibling. Tata is offering discounts of Rs. 20,000 as exchange bonus for your old car. The automaker is also offering 1st year insurance of Tata Tigor for just Rs. 5,000. No cash discounts are offered on the Tigor.

Tata Zest

Discounts: Rs. 80,000

The Zest is one of the safest cars from the manufacturer with a 4-star NCAP rating for the airbag-equipped variant. Tata is offering huge discounts on Zest in September 2018. The compact sedan is available with a cash discount of Rs. 45,000 along with an additional discount of Rs. 20,000 as exchange bonus. The Tata Zest ‘Premio’, which is an anniversary edition is available with an additional cash discount of Rs. 15,000.

Tata Nexon

Discounts: Rs. 26,000

The Nexon is one of the highest selling compact SUV from the manufacturer and offers good ride comfort along with 4-star NCAP safety ratings. The automaker is offering the compact SUV with an exchange bonus of Rs. 15,000. Tata is also providing 1st year insurance of Nexon at just Rs. 11,000.

Hexa

Discounts: Rs. 50,000

The Tata Hexa is a premium SUV from the manufacturer and offers a lot of features. Available with both manual and automatic transmission, the 7-seater Tata Hexa offers a silent and comfortable ride quality. Tata is offering an exchange discount of Rs. 25,000 on the Hexa along with an additional benefit of 1st year insurance at just Rs. 25,000.

Also Read: 10 simple yet highly useful accessories for the Royal Enfield Classic & Bullet motorcycles

Royal Enfield bikes have been hugely successful in the Indian market with their retro styling and that signature thump. Also, Royal Enfield bikes are among the most commonly modified and accessorised motorcycles. Here is a list of 10 accessories that you can get directly from the company, saving you the time and pain of aftermarket fitments.

Saddle bags

The recent Pegasus and Signals variant of the Classic came with cool retro-looking saddle bags, which took the bike’s appeal to a whole new level. This goes on to show what a well-appointed saddle bag can do to the overall look of the bike. Royal Enfield has been selling them since a long time as a bike accessory and this trend seems to be catching up fast now.

Bike cover

Image courtesy BurtonBikeBits

A true bike lover knows the importance of a proper cover for the bike. Especially for bikes like Royal Enfield that demand high attention and maintenance, a cover is a must. Therefore, Royal Enfield provides bespoke covers for its range of bikes at dealerships and its website too. Get one today, if you haven’t got one yet.

Crash guard

Crash guards are a must for bullet bikes. A good crash guard protects your beloved and prevents any major damage to the engine and chassis in a crash or similar situation. Dealerships provide especially made crash guards for the whole Royal Enfield bike range.

Saree guard

Image courtesy Praful Tripathy/BCMTouring

Though it may not appear to be of much use today, a saree guard is a must if you are often accompanied by a saree-clad member while riding. It’s a simple, cost-effective way to avoid any complications, which may occur and is easily available for installation in dealerships.

Colour/teflon coating

What’s better than personalising your bike just after you get it. Royal Enfield dealerships offer colour or Teflon coatings as per your choice. Anti-rust coatings can also be done to ensure longevity of the bike.

Alloys

One of the most popular mod Royal Enfield riders do is to give the bike new rims to ride on. Apart from aftermarket options, you can now get a host of options at the dealership too. From multi spoke to two spoke, nearly all sets are available at the dealerships. You might have to shell out some extra bucks but you get original rims, unlike what you may get outside sometimes (local, defective).

Silencers

With that famous thump paired with an equally potent exhaust, you’re sure to blow up the streets when you roll. A good silencer doesn’t only enhance the acoustics of the bike but also take up the performance a few notches. Various options are available in the dealership itself so that your brand new love rolls out of the showroom, roaring.

Hand grips

A comfortable hand grip can do wonders for comfort while riding. Bespoke hand grips for both the Classic and Bullet range are available at RE dealerships. This is one of the smaller bits many people overlook but take our word for it, good hand grips work like a charm for your hands. Not only do they provide better grip levels but also prevent your palms from tiring of holding the handlebars.

Windscreen

Windscreens may not prove to be of much use in everyday commuting. However, if you regularly take your bike out for long rides, they can be a solace. A good, rigid windscreen helps to keep fatigue at bay during long rides. All sizes of windscreen are available at dealerships, so get one according to your riding needs.

Panniers

Image courtesy Dirtsack

Many may argue that panniers look uncool but you’ll have to admit, they are very practical. And now you can have them without trading looks for practicality. Dealerships offer made-for-Royal Enfield panniers and they come in various shapes, sizes and colour.

Also Read: 10 simple yet highly useful accessories for the Royal Enfield Classic & Bullet motorcycles

Workers at a Renault-Nissan factory at Oragadam, Chennai, managed to steal two brand new Duster SUVs, and even sold one of the SUVs to a buyer for just Rs. 6 lakhs. In a perfect insider job, the workers managed to beat the automaker’s security system with fake registration plates, two beat-up old vehicles and forged gate passes.

Both workers – Renault Nissan technicians P Marimuthu (28) alias Mohamed Asharaf of Kundrathur and M Arun Kumar (27) of Tondiarpet, have now been arrested by the Tamil Nadu police. The duo is said to have worked at the Renault-Nissan factory at Oragadam for over 7 years.

The investigating officer of the case from the Tamil Nadu police has made the following comments about the duo’s modus operandi,

“Company officials discovered on January 22 that two newly-manufactured SUVs were missing. The vehicles, they found, were in the company yard till at least January 7, awaiting delivery to Renault Nissan showrooms. They knew that the security guards would only jot down the registration numbers and not take note of make of the vehicles when they left the parking lot. So they entered the premises in two worn-out vehicles, put the fake number plates on new SUVs and made away with them.”

It’s said that the duo’s job at the Renault-Nissan factory was to test newly manufactured vehicles for manufacturing defects by test driving them outside the factory. This gave them access to brand new vehicles, and allowed them to carry out the scam. Both the stolen Renault Duster SUVs have now been seized by the Tamil Nadu police. Both SUVs – one in brown and the other in silver, featured fake registration numbers: TN10AJ9283 and TN01AV2244. As a note of warning to readers, remember that cars going very cheap are often stolen ones. So, be very cautious while buying used cars from unknown sources.

Via TOI

Also Read: Fully kitted out Mahindra Marazzo with official accessories: What it looks like

The Toyota Fortuner is one of the most popular SUVs currently available in India. The massive size of the Fortuner and off-roading capabilities make it an SUV that has buyers lining up for it be it the regular Indian or powerful politicians. Let’s take a look at the crazy ways (this is India after all) that people are using the Fortuner for.

Snow drifting!

The Toyota Fortuner is one of the most capable SUVs currently on sale in India when it comes to off-roading. With its four-wheel-drive set-up augmented by a low-ratio gearbox, the Fortuner can tackle almost any terrain. An example of this insane off-roading capability can be seen in the video above, where one owner decides to drift the Fortuner about on snow. The driver shows exceptional control as he makes the SUV dance on the snow, which is something that needs a whole lot of practice and exceptional car control skills.

Tractor replacement

The tractor is the go-to vehicle for Indian farmers as they can easily move through both soft and rough sections of the terrain with ease, thanks to the low-end torque output and massive tyres, which offer a big contact patch for better grip. However, many farmers, especially in Punjab, have been seen putting the Fortuner to use on their fields with a plough attached to the rear end.

Thanks to the 4WD traction and the low-end grunt, the Fortuner makes ploughing a field look easy, while also ensuring the person behind the wheel is as comfortable as possible.

Fortuner to the rescue

The Toyota Fortuner has a braked towing capacity of 3,000 kilograms when equipped with the manual gearbox (auto is 2,800 kg), which means that it has been used to rescue vehicles from some rather unfortunate situations. The old Fortuner’s 3.0-litre engine offered up 343 Nm of peak torque and this combined with the low-ratio gearbox allows it to pull out a school bus that had got badly stuck in a ditch on the side of a road out with absolute ease. The Fortuner has been seen pulling out even heavier vehicles like trucks out of such situations.

Doing Burnouts!

The Fortuner is known for its off-roading capabilities but with the massive amount of torque it has on offer, it is inevitable that some people have used it to pull off some rather insane burnouts as seen in the video above.

Lexus Conversion

Lexus is Toyota’s luxury marque and it comes as no surprise that many owners both here in India and abroad try and make their Fortuner’s look like its more premium cousins. For those wanting that massive spindle grille seen on the Lexus LX SUVs, the only options seem to be aftermarket body kits as seen in the video above. The Fortuner seen in the video has been fitted with a widebody LX sport body kit from NKS, which transforms the Fortuner into an extremely cool copy of the Lexus LX. While this particular vehicle is in Vietnam, NKS kits have been seen on quite a few Fortuners in India as well and can be bought online.

Also Read: Fully kitted out Mahindra Marazzo with official accessories: What it looks like

The Mahindra Thar is a hit amongst the off-roading crowd of our country. That’s because of its ability to handle rough terrain which puts many proper SUVs to shame. Most of the enthusiasts who get themselves this mud- plugger go on to customize it as per their needs. Available in black, sand and olive colour options, this attractive soft-top can be yours for as little as Rs. 8000. It is available for order on the company’s official website.

Aiding the same crowd, guys at Armoro have brought out a special ‘bikini’ soft-top custom made for the Mahindra Thar. Armoro is an Indore-based company which deals in off-roading utility equipment such as soft-tops, seat and tyre covers among others.  As the name suggests, this is a skimpier version of a regular canvas roof cover. Basically, it covers the front passenger and driver area with a soft-top canvas but the rear part remains open. It looks quite cool and comes with a fuss-free installation procedure.

Installation of the Armoro bikini soft-top does not require any alteration/modification to the vehicle. Velcro strips are screwed above both the front doors and stitched on the inside of the soft-top. This gives it a clean look and provides easy application/removal. The soft-top is further supported by two strips of canvas attached to the tailgate of the SUV. Solid brass accessories further enhance the look and durability of the product.

The soft-top is made up of 500 GSM canvas made with cotton/polyester ring spun yarns. The material used is fully waterproof and provides protection against fungus/rot/mildew. Armoro also provides a three-year warranty against colour fading due to harsh usage and/or sunlight.

What makes it special though is its portability factor and ease of usage. It can be neatly folded to occupy minimum space when not in use and re-application only requires one to position the Velcro strips properly upon each other. It provides good sun protection and is great if caught out in a shower.

Also Read: Fully kitted out Mahindra Marazzo with official accessories: What it looks like

Indians love hatchbacks but most buyers do not give enough importance to safety features when they buy hatchbacks. However, some carmakers are safety-conscious and provide features, such as ABS, EBD and dual airbags at front as standard. Here are the five cheapest hatchbacks, you can choose from, which are equipped with ABS, EBD and dual airbags as standard.

Maruti Ignis

Maruti launched the Ignis hatchback in 2016 at the price of Rs .4.59 lakhs (ex-showroom). The Ignis is India’s cheapest hatchback to offer standard safety features like ABS, EBD and dual-front airbags standard across all variants. The car is offered with a single engine option – a 1.2-litre petrol engine, with 82 Bhp-113 Nm. This engine is available with 5-speed manual and AMT options.

Maruti Swift

The Maruti Swift is the highest-selling hatchback from the manufacturer. The car’s prices start at Rs. 4.99 lakhs (ex-showroom) for the base petrol LXI trim. The Swift gets power from two engine options- 1.2-litre petrol engine and a 1.3-litre diesel engine. The petrol engine is a 1196-cc K12 unit, which produces 83 Bhp power and 113 Nm of peak torque, while the diesel engine is a Fiat-sourced 1248-cc Multijet unit which churns out 75 Bhp of peak power and 190 Nm of peak torque. Safety features, such as ABS, EBD and dual airbags at front are standard across the entire Swift range.

Maruti Baleno

The Baleno is a premium hatchback from the brand launched at the price of Rs. 5.26 lakhs (ex-showroom). The car is also powered by the similar two engine options that come with the Swift. Maruti sells the car through their premium dealership network – NEXA. The Baleno hosts safety features, such as ABS, EBD and dual airbags as standard across its entire range.

Hyundai Elite i20

The Hyundai Elite i20 is a premium hatchback offering from the Korean brand in India. The car’s facelifted version was launched at the price of Rs. 5.41 lakhs (ex-showroom). The Elite i20 line-up is available with two different engines- a 1.2-litre petrol engine paired with a 5-speed manual or a CVT gearbox and a 1.4-litre diesel engine paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The Elite i20 also offers safety features, such as ABS, EBD and dual-front airbags as standard across its entire model range.

Toyota Etios Liva

The Toyota Etios Liva is the only hatchback offering from the brand for the Indian market. This entry-level vehicle from Toyota is priced at Rs. 5.44 lakhs (ex-showroom). Toyota was the first brand to introduce standard safety features across the hatchback segment. The Etios Liva gets ABS, EBD and dual front airbags as standard across the range. The car is powered by two different engines- a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.4-litre diesel engine. Both engines are paired with a 5-speed gearbox as standard.

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Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield last month launched the Classic 350 Signals Edition. The Signals edition is the first motorcycle from Royal Enfield to offer dual-channel ABS as standard kit. The reactions from the RE community has been mixed with Pegasus owners feeling disgruntled. However, those who have gotten on the saddle and brake-tested the Signals Edition have praised the bike’s ABS-aided brakes as is the case of the rider in the video below who brake-tested the bike in the dirt bringing it to a halt from 60km/h.

In the video, Youtuber Bullet Singh Boisar got his hands on the Classic 350 Signals Edition just for the purpose of testing the new dual-channel ABS set-up. The youtuber pushes the Signals Edition before brake-testing the bike multiple times on the dirt section on the sides of the paved road to find out how the dual-channel ABS set-up affected the stopping power of the bike.

His reaction when he first tests out the brakes is one of disbelief as he exclaims that his viewers won’t be able to believe how hard he’s clamped down on the brakes. He then tests the dual-channel ABS set-up two more times, again on the dirt, and his disbelief at the improved braking compared to bikes without ABS (including his own KTM 250 Duke) is evident in the tone of his voice. The vlogger’s voice is that of excitement and disbelief in equal parts.

His video reflects the reactions of many riders who have test-ridden the new Royal Enfield Classic 350 Signals Edition. The reactions are quite expected considering the lack of ABS on most Royal Enfield bikes before the arrival of the Signals Edition. The addition of the ABS set-up ensures that the brakes on the new bike do not lock, especially in cases of full emergency stops. The ABS set-up also helps to decrease the stopping distance and provides traction even on low friction surfaces like the dirt section on the sides of the road, where the youtuber brake-tested the Signals Edition from 60km/h.

However, owners of the previously launched limited edition Pegasus 500 (only 250 were made and sold out in 3 minutes) have reacted with fury to the launch of the Classic 350 Signals Edition. They’ve taken to social media complaining about the similar design and the presence of dual-channel ABS on the Signals Edition with some taking drastic measures to vent their fury, by either donating or dumping the limited-run bike.

Also Read: Fully kitted out Mahindra Marazzo with official accessories: What it looks like

Tata Motors has been hard at work testing out its upcoming cars. Now just a few weeks after spotting the Harrier SUV at the Kari Motor Speedway, Autocar India has spied the 45X premium hatchback, which will compete with the Maruti’s Baleno, being put through its paces at the same race track in Coimbatore.

Just like the Harrier SUV, Tata seems to be fine-tuning the suspension set-up and dynamic traits of its upcoming premium hatchback, which will compete with the likes of the Maruti Baleno and the Toyota-badged version of the car along with the Hyundai i20 and Honda Jazz among others, when it hits the streets sometime likely in the second half of 2019. The new Tata car is likely to be cheaper than the Maruti Baleno.

The Tata 45X was first revealed at the Auto Expo 2018 alongside the H5X concept SUV. The test mule of the upcoming hatchback, though heavily camouflaged, retains the basic silhouette of the 45X concept, which along with the H5X showed Tata’s future design direction as part of its Impact Design 2.0 styling philosophy. If the Harrier is anything to go by, then we can expect the production-spec hatchback based on the 45X to retain most of the design elements of the concept car.

The interiors of the production 45X will be roomy and should come loaded with tech including a free-standing touchscreen infotainment system that has been seen on previous test mules of the hatch. The interiors of the 45X are expected to be draped in high-quality materials and the hatch is expected to come with multiple customization options on offer directly from the carmaker.

Not much is known about the production-spec 45X’s powertrain options considering that Tata Motors did not release any details about the car’s engine and gearbox options at the Auto Expo 2018. However, when the production-spec hatchback arrives in 2019, we expect it to feature re-tuned versions of the engines found under the bonnet of the Nexon compact SUV. The Nexon’s 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine produces 108 Bhp and 170 Nm of torque. The diesel engine, on the other hand, cranks out 108 Bhp and 260 Nm of torque. Both engines in their current state of tune are more powerful than the one offered with the Maruti Baleno.

Both engines are expected to be mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and will feature multiple driving modes. The automatic gearbox option according to Autocar India will be a new twin-clutch gearbox, which is currently being developed by Tata Motors.

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What are the features we look for in the interior while buying a new car? – Good dashboard, good seats at the front, leg room at the rear and comfort for the occupants at both front and rear. Most manufacturers offer good seating position at the front but not the same level of comfort at the rear. Here we present to you the 10 cars that offer the best back seats in their respective segments.

Entry level hatchbacks: Renault Kwid

Starting price: Rs 2.67 lakh

Renault Kwid may be one of the cheapest cars in the market, but it does not compromise on comfort. The Kwid offers enough space for three adults in the rear seat without any problem. The tallish body design helps to provide adequate headroom at the rear even for taller passengers. The Renault Kwid is offered with 2 engine options to choose from. While manual gearboxes are standard on both motors, an AMT option is offered on the bigger engine.

Mid-size hatchbacks: Mahindra KUV100

Starting Price: Rs 4.51 lakh

Mahindra KUV gives the appearance of a baby-SUV and offers some serious space inside the cabin. The width of the KUV is a plus point, which allows more seating space and comfort. The wide shoulder line offers an airy cabin feel, and head room for tall passengers is also adequate. The rear seats are of flat bench type, which provide equal comfort to all the occupants. The top variants of the KUV100 get a centre armrest and adjustable rear headrests.

Premium hatchbacks: Honda Jazz

Starting Price: Rs 5.9 lakh

Honda Jazz is the most comfortable hatchback in the segment. The Jazz is the only car in its segment which offers rear reclining seats. The rear seats offer best in segment visibility and headroom, thanks to the broad shoulder line of the car. The top variants of the Honda Jazz come with ‘magic seats’ which can be folded in different configurations. The Jazz offers more comfort than the Hyundai i20 and the Maruti Baleno.

Compact sedans: Honda Amaze

Starting Price: Rs 5.6 lakh

Honda Amaze and Maruti Dzire go head on when it comes to interior seating comfort and leg space. The Amaze gets extra marks for its rear seat design and cushioning over the Dzire. The extra storage space in the rear doors earn it those extra points. The rear windows of the Amaze, bigger than the Dzire, offer good visibility and make the rear cabin feel more spacious.

C-segment sedans: Honda City

Starting Price: Rs 8.7 lakh

Japanese manufacturer Honda surely knows how to make the occupants comfortable inside its cars. Just like the Honda Amaze, Honda City also offers a good seating position and comfort at the rear. The headroom is a problem for tall occupants (similar in Ciaz) at the rear due to the slanting roofline design. The top variants of the Honda City offer a more spacious cabin feel, thanks to the sunroof.

Compact SUVs: Tata Nexon

Starting Price: Rs 5.99 lakh 

Tata Nexon is the second most-selling compact SUV in India after Maruti Brezza. The level of comfort and space inside the cabin are the main reasons for its top spot in sales. The rear seats in the Nexon are very comfortable and offer different foam density cushioning. To add more to the comfort, extra knee room, leg room and rear armrest along with rear air-con vents, are provided. Ample thigh support and comfortable seating angles are the other good bits.

Full-sized SUVs: Tata Hexa

Starting Price: Rs 11.85 lakh

The Tata Hexa sets the benchmark in seating comfort and cabin space. Another advantage the Hexa holds over the XUV500 is the presence of multiple rear air-con vents on door pillars, lower center console and roof. The seats are comfortable with an upright seating position. In the Hexa, you can choose between a regular or two captain seats options in the middle row which is not offered in the XUV.

D-segment sedans: Skoda Octavia

Starting Price: Rs 15.87 lakh

People who buy the D-segment sedans mostly use the rear seats as they like to be chauffeured around. Skoda Octavia is the right pick over the higher-selling Toyota Corolla. Octavia offers more leg room and rear air-con vents, which are missing in the Corolla. The Octavia is at par with the Corolla when it comes to overall cabin feel and comfort level.

Family MPVs: Toyota Innova Crysta

Starting Price: Rs 13.52 lakh

Unbeatable for a decade, the Toyota Innova is the most comfortable family MPV in the market. The top spot is retained because of the level of comfort offered in the middle and 3^rd rows. The option to choose from a regular bench seat or 2 captain seats in the middle add more to the comfort. Best-in-class ride quality along with features like rear air-con vents and sliding middle seats contribute to the comfort of the MPV.

Luxury SUVs: Ford Endeavour

Starting Price: Rs 25.65 lakh 

Ford launched the all-new Endeavour in January 2016, with new tech, more comfort and more power. Ford Endeavour improvised on the cabin comfort and offers more comfortable seats in a very silent cabin, thanks to the active noise cancellation feature. To add more to the airy cabin feel and comfort, a panoramic sunroof is offered by the manufacturer.

Also Read: Fully kitted out Mahindra Marazzo with official accessories: What it looks like

Japanese carmaker Nissan has released the first teaser images and video for its upcoming Hyundai Creta-rivalling Kicks SUV. The two teaser images show off dark silhouettes of the SUV which will be launched in India in January 2019.

The first teaser image of the Nissan Kicks shows off the sharp headlights and their DRL signature lights along with Nissan’s V-motion grille. The second teaser image of the Nissan Kicks shows the rear-end of the sports utility vehicle and highlights the LED taillights. Both images show off a muscular SUV with flared wheel arches which should appeal to the Indian compact SUV buyer.

The Nissan Kicks has been on sale in international markets since 2016 and was first launched in Brazil ahead of the Rio Olympics. However, the Indian version of the Nissan Kicks will be different from the one sold in international markets as it has to compete in a more price-conscious market like India and in a segment dominated by the Hyundai Creta.

The India-spec Nissan Kicks is based on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s more cost-effective B0 platform that also underpins the Renault Captur and Duster along with Nissan’s own Terrano SUV. The Kicks that will be sold in India is set to be bigger than the ones sold abroad, which is based on Nissan’s newer V platform and has a slightly shorter wheelbase.

Another section where the India-spec Kicks will be different from its international sibling is in terms of powerplants. The international-spec Nissan SUV draws power from 1.5 and 1.6-litre petrol engines. The Kicks for India, on the other hand, is expected to make use of the engines found under the bonnet of the Renault Captur sold in the sub-continent. The Renault Captur is powered by petrol and diesel engines that both displace 1.5-litres. The petrol engine is rated at 104.5 Bhp and 142 Nm of torque while the oil burner cranks out 108.5 Bhp and 240 Nm.

The new Nissan Kicks will be the first salvo from Nissan as part of its new strategy for India. As per its new game plan for India, Nissan will only offer premium cars, while the Datsun brand will concentrate on more entry and mid-level cars. When it goes on sale in January 2019, the new Kicks will compete with the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Honda BR-V and Renault Captur.

Also Read: Fully kitted out Mahindra Marazzo with official accessories: What it looks like

Famous Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty’s daughter Athiya Shetty has recently put her car up for sale. The car in question is a 2012 model Jaguar XF S powered by a 3.0 litre diesel powerplant. It is sold by an agent named Manish Nathani and the advertisement for sale appeared on Facebook. You can get in touch with Mr. Nathani on +91-9323626364. The car has not changed any hands till now as it was bought and owned by the Shetty family themselves. The car has done 51,000 kilometres till now (as in the advertisement) and the asking price set by the dealer is Rs. 25.25 Lakh, negotiable at the time of purchase.

At its time, the original cost of the vehicle was around Rs. 59 lakh (ex-showroom), so the current asking price is not too much on the higher side. In fact, it’s cheaper than a new Toyota Fortuner by a few lakhs. Of course, it’ll cost more to maintain than a Toyota Fortuner, and there’s no warranty as well. However, expect the car to be well maintained as is the case with most of the cars owned by Bollywood celebrities. So, what do you think? Is this car a better buy than a new Toyota Fortuner?

The Jaguar XF is a high-end luxury saloon which is doing quite well in the Indian automobile market currently. The one on sale here is the top-end variant that comes equipped with a 3.0-litre, V6 engine that doles out a maximum power of 271.2 Bhp along with a peak torque output of 600 Nm. It is coupled to an 8-speed automatic and the car gives around 13.53 Kmpl of mileage.

Interiors are the typical luxury car affair with extensive use of leather and oodles of space.The XF also comes with premium features such as Jaguar drive control, a 7-inch full colour touchscreen display and a TV Tuner. It also features a 250 Watt Jaguar sound system which produces some beautiful beats. The signature radiator grille, LED daytime running lights and stylish alloy wheels make a presence on the car and it looks like a true blue Jaguar.

Advanced safety features like pedestrian contact sensing, ABS with EBD and traction control among others make sure the car keeps the occupants safe. During its time, this vehicle competed with the likes of Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Volvo S60 in the Indian automobile market. Athiya Shetty’s car is painted in a shade of purple (Caviar) and is in quite good condition.

Also Read: Fully kitted out Mahindra Marazzo with official accessories: What it looks like

Mahindra recently launched their latest offering, the Marazzo MPV, and since launch the vehicle is in news for different reasons. Here is one more reason to check out the latest product from the Indian manufacturer. Mahindra has launched the official accessories range for the MPV. Here’s what Mahindra is offering for the Marazzo.

As you can see in the picture, Mahindra Marazzo owners get a lot of official accessories to choose from. The front-end gets the bumper protection plate and chrome bezels on headlights and front grille. To add more to the bling factor, chrome ORVM covers and door handles along with rain visors and footsteps are added.

The rear profile gets accessories such as a chromed bumper lip, chromed tailgate add-on, chromed bezel around the rear taillights and reflector surrounds finished in chrome too. The roof gets a shark-fin antenna and an integrated roof carrier as on add-on accessories.

The prices of the official Mahindra Marazzo accessories add up to nearly Rs. 50,000 and the product-wise rate list is given below.

1. Front bumper hugging add-on – Rs. 7,428
2. Chrome headlamps surround (set) –Rs. 910
3. Upper grille chrome applique – Rs. 1,154
4. ORVM chrome cover (set) – Rs. 1,346
5. Chrome door handle (set) – Rs. 1,333
6. Rain visor (set) – Rs. 1,460
7. Side steps – Rs. 10,594
8. Rear bumper hugging add-on – Rs. 5,970
9. Chrome tail lamp surround (set) – Rs. 1,175
10. License plate chrome applique – Rs. 825
11. Chrome tailgate applique – Rs. 1,248
12. Rear bumper lip chrome – Rs. 1,238
13. Chrome rear reflector surround – Rs. 722
14. Integrated roof carrier kit – Rs. 13,451
15. Shark fin antenna kit – Rs. 525

The company offers nearly 92 official accessories for the Marazzo, which are listed on their official website. Customers can choose from styling, utility, comfort and convenience and safety section when choosing the accessories. Mahindra also offers the online purchase option for the accessories.

The Marazzo is priced at Rs. 9.99 lakhs (ex-showroom) for the base M2 variant, while the top-end M8 variant costs Rs. 13.90 lakhs (ex-showroom). The MPV is available in 7- and 8-seat versions and 6 different colour shades to choose from, including Iceberg White, Poseidon Purple, Mariner Maroon, Shimmering Silver, Oceanic Black and Aqua marine.

Also Read: Fully kitted out Mahindra Marazzo with official accessories: What it looks like

Every year, the month of October sees a slew of new car launches and announcements by auto manufacturers. This year will prove to be no different with manufacturers already lining up to fire their big guns. Let’s have a look at the cars that will be launched in October 2018.

Hyundai Santro

Expected launch : 23^rd October

Hyundai has been working on an Eon replacement for some time now. It was confirmed a while back that this replacement will be named the Santro, and the car will be launched on 23rd October, 2018. Also, the unveiling will be done way before on 9th October. The car will benefit from the iconic ‘Santro’ name and will take on the Tata Tiago and Maruti Celerio among others. It is said 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.

Datsun GO

Expected launch : October-End 2018

The Datsun Go was long due for an update and, finally, will get one this October. The upcoming facelift will reportedly feature a redesigned bumper with LED DRLs and new headlamps. A new grille with chrome inserts is also on the cards. The interiors will be redone and a newly designed dashboard will also be present. The current three-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission will continue to do its duty. An automatic option is unlikely, but could be offered as an option. Pricing is expected to go up by Rs. 30,000 -50,000 over the outgoing model, which retails in the Rs 3.31- 4.56 lakh range.

Datsun GO +

Expected launch : October-End

The GO+ is a very economical choice for someone who wants a decent MPV in an affordable price range. The new version will be more or less the same as the GO in terms of changes. The GO+ will also get a new bumper with LED DRLs along with redesigned headlights as on the hatchback twin. On the inside, changes include a new dashboard design with a centrally mounted 6.75-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. Th engine option will also be the same as the one that is being currently offered. Prices are expected to start at around Rs. 4-4.5 lakhs. The company is expected to launch the vehicle towards the end of October.

Ford Figo Aspire

Expected launch : 4^th October

Rumours are rife that Ford will launch the facelifted Aspire on 4^th October. Also, as the company will not launch any new model for the next 2 years, this facelift will probably run for a long time. On the outside, the design changes include a new honeycomb mesh grille with redesigned front and rear bumpers. Newly styled fog lamps will also be present. At the rear, the car will sport a redesigned bumper with a rugged look. The interiors will be given a slightly new look and the main change would be a floating touch infotainment screen with the new SYNC3 system.The car is also expected to get revised upholstery and a new interior theme. The engines on offer are a new 1.2-litre ‘Dragon’ series 3-cylinder petrol engine and the same old 1.5-litre TDCI diesel engine. Prices will be in the range of Rs. 6 lakh to keep the car competitive.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Expected launch : October-end

The upcoming Ertiga will be bigger and better than the current model. The new car will get an all-new headlamp unit along with a new grille and a reworked bumper. Overall, the car gets sharper than before and looks good. Talking about the interiors, there’s an all-new cabin with a touchscreen infotainment system, likely to be the same unit as the Dzire. The new Ertiga will be available with a new 1.5-litre petrol engine, the same one that runs the updated Ciaz. Also, reports suggest that the company’s newly developed 1.5-litre diesel engine is likely to replace the old 1.3-litre four-cylinder diesel motor. Expect pricing to start at Rs. 6.5 lakh.

Mahindra XUV700

Expected launch : 9^th October

A rebadged Ssangyong Rexton G4, the new XUV700 will be launched on 9th October 2018. It will be the most luxurious car yet from the Mahindra stable. The XUV700 will come with many first-in-class features, such as heated/ventilated seats among others. It will also come with a host of safety features like ABS, EBD, 9 airbags and many more. Under the hood, a 2.2-litre diesel engine producing a maximum power of 179 Bhp and 420 Nm will mark its presence. The engine will be mated to a Mercedes-Benz sourced 7-speed automatic transmission. Mahindra is known to place its products very wisely, so expect the XUV700 to be positioned somewhere near the Rs. 24 lakh mark making it much cheaper than the competition.

Jeep Compass Black Pack & Limited Plus

Expected launch : October 2018

Jeep’s best-selling model in India, the Compass is all set to get a new edition this festive season. Jeep has already introduced the Bedrock edition on our shores and the Black Pack will take the legacy further, draped in all black. The new variant gets black treatment on the 17-inch alloy wheels, outside rear-view mirrors and on the interiors, including the dashboard and the upholstery.

Jeep might also introduce a sunroof and 19-inch alloy wheels on this Compass as well. The car has already been listed on Jeep’s Indian website. The engine and transmission will not be tinkered with. Expect it to be the most badass looking Compass until the Trailhawk arrives to dethrone it.

Honda CR-V

Expected launch : 9^th October

Honda is credited with probably creating the soft-roader segment in India with the CR-V. The car never did very well and one of the reasons for it was the lack of a third row seat. However, Honda has now planned to bring in the new CR-V which is already on sale in some foreign markets. It will be the first time that the car will be offered with a seven-seater configuration and that could lead to more success than the car has enjoyed till now. The car would be launched around October-end this year with prices in the range of Rs. 25 lakhs. The new CR-V will be available with a 1.6-litre diesel producing 120 PS of power and 300 Nm of torque and a 2.0-litre petrol putting out 154 PS of power and 189 Nm of torque. The diesel variant will feature a 9-speed automatic, whereas the petrol ones will get a CVT.

Also Read: This 'vintage-style' Royal Enfield motorcycle from EIMOR Customs will bewitch you

Mahindra is all set to launch its new flagship model, the XUV700, on 9th October. This is a rebadged and tweaked-for-India Ssangyong G4 Rexton, but this time around, the company is shying away from using the ‘Ssangyong’ brand name as the exercise didn’t go down well with the outgoing Rexton RX7. The remaining stock is now being offered with discounts of up to Rs 9.5 lakh!

This makes the fully-loaded Rexton RX7 cheaper than the Mahindra XUV500 and the Toyota Innova Crysta.

The Rexton RX7 has an official ex-showroom price of Rs. 25.99 lakh, but with this offer in place, buyers will end up paying around Rs. 20 lakh on-road including road tax, registration and insurance. This indeed makes this extremely good value for money. That said, expect poor re-sale value a few years down the line.

The Rexton comes powered by a 2696-cc diesel engine with 186 bhp of power and 402 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an automatic gearbox with AWD (all-wheel drive) as standard. This 7-seat SUV is kitted to the brim with features, such as powered driver’s seat, sunroof, leather upholstery, cruise control and ESP (electronic stability control) among others.

In fact, stand alone, the Rexton RX7 comes across as a well-packaged and an extremely comfortable car to drive. However, the Rs. 25-30 lakh segment offers rivals, such as the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour, and this is the reason why this product couldn’t bring in good numbers for Mahindra.

Mahindra invested in Ssangyong in 2010 and the latter’s second innings in the Indian market will come in the form of the XUV700 (speculated name).

This new-generation Rexton has been tested extensively for Indian road conditions and will witness a formal launch on 9th October. The suspension has been reworked for India and it will come with a 2.2-litre diesel with 187 bhp/420 Nm along with a 7-speed torque converter. Mahindra is expected to price the XUV700 lower than the outgoing Rexton RX7, making it good value-for-money as compared to rivals in the segment. Here is a quick look at the official video of the XUV700 / G4 Rexton:

Also Read: This 'vintage-style' Royal Enfield motorcycle from EIMOR Customs will bewitch you

So how did we conclude the pricing before its official announcement? Way back in April 2018, Ford had launched the Freestyle, a cross based on the Figo. With a base price of just over Rs. 5 lakh, the Freestyle ended up being a good 40k cheaper than the Figo: this in spite of offering more features with better aesthetics. Hence, it is safe to assume that Ford will recreate the same magic, aka, working on higher localisation, cheaper production and other methods to cut down on the cost and hence price the new Aspire at approximately Rs 30-40k less. This will also allow Ford to position the Aspire below market leaders like the Dzire and the Amaze.

Ford will officially launch the updated Aspire compact sedan on 4th October. This model will receive a host of minor changes inside and out including new features. However, the biggest change will be under the hood and that will come in the form of the new 1.2-litre Dragon series petrol engine which made its Indian debut in the Freestyle.

The new Aspire will bring in a better design with an updated grille, Freestyle-inspired bumper with new fog lamp inserts and a new design for both wheel caps and alloy wheels. On the inside, the Aspire is expected to get a bump in a number of features, the main highlight being the improved SYNC interface that promises to deliver the best-in-segment touch interface.

The biggest highlight will be the introduction a new petrol engine. This 1.2-litre Dragon series engine will put 9% more power and 7% higher torque, making it the most powerful petrol in the compact sedan category. Further, this engine will also deliver better fuel economy. This engine will be mated to a 5 speed manual transmission and while Ford has not confirmed yet, we believe an automatic will be offered soon. The new Aspire will continue to be offered with a 1.5-litre diesel unit as well.

Also Read: This 'vintage-style' Royal Enfield motorcycle from EIMOR Customs will bewitch you

Royal Enfield is to Indians what Harley-Davidson is for Americans. Both are among the oldest bike companies in the world and both make cruiser motorcycles. Modifying Royal Enfield bikes is an old practice in our country, but ever since the launch of the Harley-Davidson brand on our shores, modding has been taken to a whole different level. Today, there are many Royal Enfield bikes which have been custom made to look like Harley-Davidson bikes. And we are talking about some properly done bike modifications, not just tinkering and other stuff. Let’s see some of the best examples of the same running in our country.

V-Rod

The Harley-Davidson V-Rod is one of the best-looking bikes on sale currently. Now, Delhi-based GM Customs have transformed a Royal Enfield Electra into the iconic V Rod. This custom V Rod has a very imposing stance and looks very good.

It gets a new custom tank and a V-Twin engine cover that gives an impression of a dual-cylinder engine. The bike has been given a bit of minimalistic chopper looks, hence, those raked out suspensions. The bike also gets a dual side silencer and a rear tyre so fat that it could put a car tyre to shame. Everything except the engine has been changed or modified on this bike.

Fat Boy

This custom retake on the original Harley-Davidson Fat Boy looks uber cool. A Classic 350 in its stock form, it has been painstakingly transformed into a Fat Boy. Probably the only thing that gives it away is the bike’s dimension. The bike now gets bespoke Fat Boy-inspired wheels, engine covers, head light and tail lights.

It features comfy diamond quilted seats along with a custom paint job and dual exhaust. It also gets the signature Harley peanut-shaped tank. Imagine Arnie showing his Terminator skills on this one (Fat Boy was used in the famous Terminator 2 chase scene).

Blue Magic

What happens when someone sprinkles the magic Harley sauce over a regular Royal Enfield Bullet…..Blue Magic. Yeah, because the bike here has been extensively worked upon to look like a Harley and boy, it certainly does.

Guys at Eimor Customs, Hyderabad, have created this beast out of a Royal Enfield Bullet. The striking highlight of the bike is its front headlight unit which looks exactly as on a Harley. The bike now also has tank-mounted instrument gauges and a beautifully textured brown seat. It rides on multi spoke alloys and gets a custom single silencer pipe along with high set handlebars.

Night Rod

This one is again from GM Customs, but has been modified to have a different look. This bike started its life as a Royal Enfield Electra, but ended up being like the Harley Davidson Night Rod. The frame, tyres, lights, tank, handle bars etc, everything is new.

In fact, this bike is completely new, save for the engine. It gets a single blacked-out seat, sporty side silencer and handlebars to give it a power cruiser look. Engine covers give a Faux V-twin look, but is rather attractive. The rear tyre seems to have been taken from a spaceship and is thick enough to chew and spit out any competition it faces.

Bobber

A Bobber is a bike which is stripped down to bare minimum and is fully focused on delivering a good riding experience. This bike, which once was a 350 Royal Enfield Electra, aims to do the same. All the parts and panels that were not involved to get the bike moving have been removed.

The bike looks out of the world, in a positive way though. It is essentially just a seat, engine and handlebar thing riding on wheels and supported by a suspension, exactly what a bobber is meant to look like. Also, that swirled exhaust and the custom peanut tank look remarkable.

Also Read: This 'vintage-style' Royal Enfield motorcycle from EIMOR Customs will bewitch you