Ford is all set to launch the Figo Aspire Facelift on the 4th of October 2018. A new set of spyshots that show the upcoming car’s interiors confirm that an automatic variant will be on offer with the facelifted Figo Aspire. While the Figo Aspire will get petrol and turbocharged diesel engine options, it’s the petrol variant that’ll get the automatic transmission option. Traction control will be offered on the automatic gearbox-equipped variants.
The engine in question is the 1.2 litre Dragon petrol unit that Ford debuted on the Freestyle. This triple cylinder engine makes class-leading outputs of 95 Bhp-120 Nm. The automatic gearbox on offer will be a 6 speed torque converter unit from Getrag that’s also seen on the Ford EcoSport Petrol AT.
The petrol engine will get a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard, and even this gearbox is a new unit that will be sourced from Getrag. The same engine gearbox option is expected to be offered on the facelifted Figo hatchback, the Aspire’s sibling that’ll also be launched later this year.
Both cars will also feature the same diesel engine, in the form of a 1.5 litre turbocharged unit making 98.6 Bhp-215 Nm. The diesel engine will operate with a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard on both cars. Apart from the new engines and gearboxes, the Figo twins will get a slew of cosmetic changes and new features.
Talking about the changes on the outside, both cars will receive a revised front grille, bumpers and new fog lamp housings. The alloy wheels will get a refresh while the insides will see the addition of a brand new touchscreen infotainment unit. The touchscreen infotainment unit will sit on the car’s dashboard and will feature Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, apart from Ford’s SYNC3 interface that adds a host of other features.
Both the Figo Aspire and Figo Facelifts are expected to be very well priced considering how Ford undercut competition with the Freestyle’s pricing. We expect the Ford Aspire Facelift to start from about 5.2 lakhs, with the Figo coming in at about Rs. 4.5 lakhs. At these prices, these cars will offer tremendous value for money.
Mahindra may have negligible presence in the sedan and hatchback space currently but all this will change with increased electrification of cars in India. The automaker – a leader in electric vehicle technology in India – has plans to make it big in the electric hatchback and sedan segments. Maruti and Hyundai are also working on electric cars, and are aiming to bring them to the market from 2020. Maruti is planning to launch the WagonR electric as its first car while Hyundai wil launch the Kona Electric SUV.
Meanwhile, there are two options that Mahindra is currently considering. 1. Borrow the Figo and Figo Aspire platforms from Ford and electrify it. 2. Use Pininfarina’s design expertise to plan a new hatchback, compact sedan and a mid sized sedan – all with electric power. Exact details on this move will be revealed soon.
For now, here’s what Dr. Pawan Goenka, the managing director of Mahindra & Mahindra said,
For shared mobility providers Ola and Uber, a small hatchback makes good economic sense; it will have more pull in the segment.
What this statement indicates is that Mahindra will not just be targeting private car buyers with its new electric hatchback but will also be aiming at cab aggregators such as Ola and Uber. In the next few years, cars operated by cab aggregators are expected to more than those bought by private buyers. Also, subscribing to cars through services such as Zoomcar’s ZAP is likely to become very popular, and Mahindra is likely to target such services as their main client base for the new range of electric cars.
More details on whether Mahindra will tie up with Ford to electrify the Figo and Figo Aspire will be revealed soon. The company has entered into a joint venture with Ford already, and only the finer details of this arrangement is to be revealed. Meanwhile, Mahindra’s existing range of SUVs will get electric variants soon. The KUV100 is one of the first of Mahindra’s existing SUVs to get electric power. The soon-to-be-launched S201 (Ssangyong Tivoli-based) SUV will also feature electric power. The other electric SUV ios expected to be the Aero crossover coupe, which was shown as a concept at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo. Maruti and Hyundai are also expected to cater to similar segments.
The Royal Enfield modification war doesn’t seem to take a break anytime soon. The latest custom job to take the fight forward is the Yaksang, customized by Bangalore based tuning house Bulleteer Customs. The company recently revealed a Royal Enfield Classic 500-based Bobber design bike and has named it Yaksang. Keeping up with that radical nomenclature, the bike for sure looks dope and well made, unlike any cheap custom job.
If you were just about to exit this page to google what the heck is this Bobber thing, we’re here to save your time and data. Bobber is actually a pretty old term which originated during the 1930s (originally called bob-job). By saying Bobber, we refer to customized bikes which have been stripped down to bare essentials with all superfluous parts removed to reduce weight.You must have heard of one another term, Chopper. Chopper has actually been developed much later and was inspired by Bobbers.
Coming back to the bike in question, we’ve now made it clear what type of a bike is the Yaksang. The bike now gets shortened front and rear fenders with high set handlebars and a one piece, low slung seat. Coupled with that peanut tank, it is a typical bobber affair.
The headlamps and tails lamps are stylish LED units and look cool. Both the wheels are blacked out alloys with disc brakes on each one of them. The foot-pegs have been set at front so as to create a comfortable laid back sitting stance.
Completing the whole look are aftermarket dual exhaust which for sure will give the bike vocals to vouch for. The bike has been finished in red and black paint and looks quite appealing in those shades. The suspension hasn’t been played with much except for a more extreme angle on the rear springs.
Same’s the case with engine which probably hasn’t been tweaked much. However, the aftermarket exhaust could provide some boost in performance. As the bike has lost much of its bulk now, speed and acceleration figures are going to be on fire.
Delving into the donor motorcycle, it’s a Royal Enfield Classic 500 of 2014 vintage. The 500cc engine that makes 27.2 Bhp-41.3 Nm has been left untouched. The only major change to the engine is the addition of a short reverse cone muffler that makes the exhaust note quite throaty. Other that this, the Royal Enfield Classic 500’s mechanicals are more or less unchanged.
The Yaksang has definitely upped the ante in the Royal Enfield customization game with its dope looks and features. However we expect the competition to come up with some new guns soon. Guess what, we already are catching scents of some of the upcoming ones.
WWE has been a popular entertainment sport for a long time now. There are a few popular names that will be forever etched in the hearts of many. Many of these wrestling stars used mega drama during their entrances using props that include vehicles. What do these stars drive in real life? Let’s take a peek into their garages.
John Cena
Chevrolet Camaro
John was in a big tussle with Ford after selling his spanking new Ford GT40. The wrestler owns quite a few old-school muscle cars and the Chevrolet Camaro is one of them. It is COPO Camaro from 1969 and still keeps it in his garage. The red coloured classic Camaro gets the 427 big block engine, which makes it even more special. Among others, he owns a Plymouth Superbird, Dodge Charger and Oldsmobile Cutlass Rallye 350.
Rolls Royce Phantom
John Cena is a car lover and owns a range of new-age vehicles too. The former-wrestler owns a Rolls Royce Phantom, which is his daily car. The 2006 model came powered by a 6.75-litre V12 engine that produces a maximum power of 453 Bhp and a peak torque of 720 Nm. Even though the Rolls Royce Phantom is the pinnacle of luxury, it is extremely quick too. The Phantom can do 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds. Other modern cars in his garage include a Bentley Continental GT Supersports and a Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography.
The Rock
Ford F150
The Rock a.k.a Dwayne Johnson is a big Hollywood star now and owns a fleet of vehicles. To accommodate his huge built, the Rock uses a custom-built Ford F150 pick-up truck. It gets a custom lift and an all-black treatment. He also owns an another Ford F150 that he calls “Black Gorilla”. Both the trucks are powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine that produces a maximum of 570 Bhp. Dwayne also owns a Cadillac Escalade.
Rolls Royce Wraith
The Rock also owns an all-black Rolls Royce Wraith, which he uses quite often. The Rolls Royce is one of the cars that he uses regularly. The Wraith is a 2-door coupe and gets a unique shape. It is powered by a 6.5-litre twin-turbo V12 engine that generates a maximum power of 623 Bhp.
Stone Cold
Land Rover Range Rover
Stone Cold Steve Austin gave some spectacular performances inside the ring. The former player owns quite a few SUVs and one of them is the Range Rover Autobiography. This is one the latest cars in his garage that includes quite a few vintage models and 1995 Ford Bronco. Stone Cold uses Range Rover the most among all his possessions.
McLaren 720S
Stone Cold Steve Austin owns one of the 400 McLaren 720S made for sale. It is the most expensive vehicle in his garage and is a proper track tool. The McLaren 720S is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine that generates a maximum power of 710 Bhp and a peak torque of 770 Nm. It is blazing fast and can reach 100 km/h from standstill in just 2.8 seconds. It has a top speed of 341 km/h.
Triple H
Cadillac Escalade
Triple H had a very unique way of entering the ring before a fight. In the real world, he uses a Cadillac Escalade regularly to enter the events. Triple H uses a black coloured Escalade as his daily car. The American SUV is known for its intimidating looks and is powered by a massive 6.2-litre V8 engine that churns out a maximum power of 420 Bhp and a peak torque of 624 Nm.
Rolls Royce Phantom
Triple H also owns a black Rolls Royce Phantom and uses it often. The retired wrestler owns an older-generation Phantom. The luxury sedan is powered by a massive 6.75-litre V12 engine that generates a maximum of 453 Bhp – 720 Nm.
Hulk Hogan
Dodge Challenger Demon
Hulk Hogan is known for his unique fighting style and of course, the colourful outfits. He owns quite a few American muscles from different eras. One of the latest American muscle cars in Hulk Hogan’s garage is the Dodge Challenger Demon and he did a top-speed run on an air-strip. He removed the speed governor that limited the vehicle’s top speed to 160 mph. Without the speed governor, the Dodge Challenger Demon can reach up to 203 mph or 326 km/h.
Chevrolet Camaro
Hulk Hogan owns quite a few Chevrolet Camaro muscle cars from different years. He also owns the new generation Camaro. The retired wrestler has been spotted quite a few times riding driving his muscle cars on the roads.
The Indian car market is growing at a rapid pace and manufacturers are doing their best to keep up with the ever-growing demand by launching new cars. In this post, we take a look at 5 exciting renders of upcoming vehicles that have been brought to life by Cartoq’s artist-in-residence Vipin Vathoopan.
Tata Sumo
The Tata Sumo is a very well-known name to SUV enthusiasts and was once a very common sight on Indian roads. However, the arrival of newer SUVs has seen this iconic SUV from Tata Motors fade into the background. Cartoq’s rendering of the next-gen Sumo from Tata Motors combines the current Sumo’s muscular and boxy design with design cues from Tata’s current Impact Design 2.0 philosophy.
The result is a machine that looks both boxy yet modern with the squared off version of Tata’s current Impact design grille gelling well with rectangular LED headlamps. Also seen up front is a redesigned version of the skid plate that will be seen on the upcoming Tata Harrier SUV. Other cool features include flared wheel arches that play host to large chunky tyres that would do well on any terrain. Also, the windows are quite large, suggesting at the increased size thanks to Tata’s new Omega platform.
Tata Xenon
The Xenon is the large pick-up truck offering from Tata Motors. While the carmaker has stopped selling the Xenon XT, the version of the pick-up truck for individual customers, our rendering of the new-gen Xenon imagines what it would look like if Tata Motors brings it back as a new lifestyle utility vehicle to rival the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross.
Cartoq’s render of the next-gen Xenon imagines a pick-up truck that is inspired by Tata’s H5X concept unveiled at the Auto Expo 2018. It gets the new-age Tata’s humanity grille with arrow-design LED headlamps and DRLs along with a chunky front bumper that plays host to a heavy-duty skid plate. The flared wheel arches look to be bolted on and can be removed and replaced if they get too banged up.
Tata Harrier
The Tata Harrier is the production version of the H5X concept unveiled at the Auto Expo 2018 and our first rendering showed off what the production-spec would look like. The first render in blue showed off a more squared-off version of the curvy concept SUV with its honeycomb grille and sleek LED DRLs along with the unconventional placement of the headlamps on the front bumper. The contrasting roof and the ascending window line give the Harrier a look similar to the Range Rover Evoque.
Cartoq’s second rendering of the Harrier (set for a Jan 2019 launch), this time in red, showed off what the front-end of the SUV would look like based on the latest spy images. It showed off a new grille for the Harrier, which looks similar to the one found on the smaller Tata Nexon. Also seen were redesigned LED DRLs which now featured a prominent kink, where they met the grille. The rendering also confirmed the unconventional lighting set-up up front.
Jeep Compact SUV
Iconic American SUV brand Jeep has confirmed that it is working on an all-new sub-4-metre compact SUV for the Indian car market. Cartoq’s rendering of Jeep’s rival for the Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Tata Nexon imagines it as a smaller version of the popular Compass SUV, that has made Jeep a household name in India once again.
The compact SUV, which is expected to arrive in 2020, has been shrunk down to meet size constraints of the segment but looks rather muscular and boxy with Jeep’s iconic vertically slatted grille taking centre stage, flanked on either side by LED headlamps with DRLs. The flared wheel arches add to the muscular look, while the hidden door handles for the rear door give it a modern flair.
Hyundai Carlino/QXi
The Hyundai Carlino was first unveiled as a concept SUV at the 2016 Auto Expo. Cartoq’s rendering of the Carlino (codenamed QXi) brings the boxy design of the concept into a more production friendly design, which has been confirmed by the latest spy shots.
Cartoq’s rendering imagines the Carlino with elements of the concept’s design combined together with design cues from Hyundai’s Fluidic Design 2.0 philosophy. The production Carlino rendered here looks similar to the Creta SUV with the large cascading grille flanked by sleek headlamps. Also seen are strong character lines that run across the sides of the SUV from the headlamps to the rear-end along with the flared wheel arches that conform to Hyundai’s current sculpted design guidebook.
American SUV marque Jeep has launched the Compass Limited Plus in India. Prices for the Jeep Compass Limited Plus variant start at Rs 21.07 lakh (ex-showroom (Delhi). The new Limited Plus variant will be the flagship model of the Compass in India until the arrival of the Trailhawk early next year. Deliveries of the Compass Limited Plus will start in October.
The Jeep Compass gets a host of visual changes along with a few more practical ones in the new top-spec Limited Plus variant. The biggest change on the Jeep Compass Limited Plus compared to other variants is the addition of the dual-pane panoramic sunroof. Along with the sunroof, the Limited Plus variant also gets new 18-inch alloy wheels along with slightly tweaked front and rear bumpers and a dual-tone finish thanks to the blacked-out roof. The final cosmetic change on the outside comes on the tailgate in the form of the Limited Plus badging.
Step inside the Compass Limited Plus and you find changes there as well. The seats on the Limited Plus are upholstered in tan leather with the driver and front passenger getting electrically adjustable chairs. The other big change on the inside comes in the form of a larger 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment display (other models are 7-inches or lower). Other new features on the Jeep Compass Limited Plus include automatic wipers and an additional USB charging port.
Mechanically, the new Limited Plus variant of the Jeep Compass does not bring any changes to the SUV and is available in both petrol and diesel guises. The petrol engine on the Jeep Compass is a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 160 Bhp at 3,750 rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm. The petrol engine is paired with a 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox that sends power to the front wheels. The petrol automatic variants of the Jeep Compass return a mileage of 14.1 km/l.
The diesel engine on the Jeep Compass is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel powerplant that cranks out 171 Bhp at 3,750 rpm and 350 Nm @ 1,750 rpm. The engine comes paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Power is sent to either the front wheels or to all four wheels in the Limited Plus variant via a 6-speed manual gearbox and Jeep’s four-wheel-drive system. The diesel Compass returns a mileage of 17.1 km/l.
The all-new Honda Amaze has gained quite a good momentum on the sales chart. It has become the best-selling car of the brand and has become quite common on the roads too. An adventure-loving owner of a new Honda Amaze took the vehicle to the treacherous Spiti Valley and here are the stunning pictures.
The Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh is one of the most dangerous roads in the country. The roads require a capable vehicle and a careful driver too. The red-coloured Honda Amaze reached the Spiti Valley and crossed the Kunzum Pass too. The Honda Amaze takes on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Hyundai Xcent in the segment.
The all-new Honda Amaze is based on an all-new platform, and is offered with a long list of variants. The car is powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. There is a 1.2-litre petrol engine that churns out a maximum power of 90 PS and a peak torque of 110 Nm.
There is a 1.5-litre diesel engine that offers a maximum power of 100 PS and 200 Nm of peak torque. Both the engine options are available with an automatic transmission. In fact, the Honda Amaze is the only affordable vehicle in India that comes with a CVT automatic transmission with the diesel engine. The CVT variants have the diesel engine detuned to 80 Bhp-160 Nm.
The second-generation Honda Amaze gets 170 mm of ground clearance, which is 5 mm higher than the outgoing model. The ground clearance is essential while doing such rough roads. The interiors of the new Amaze are quite loaded with features too. The vehicle gets a new DigiPad 2.0 infotainment system, cruise control and keyless entry with start/stop button.
Honda also offers an unmatched 3-year unlimited kilometre warranty that can be extended to the 4th and 5th years. It is the highest warranty offered by any manufacturer in the segment. The Honda Amaze starts from Rs. 5.81 lakhs, ex-showroom, which is about Rs. 20,000 more expensive than the best-selling car in India – the Maruti Dzire. The Amaze is now India’s second best-selling sedan, selling nearly 10,000 copies each month. Also, the car is Honda’s fastest-selling model ever.
We Indians always want premium features in our cars for the least possible price. Until recently, most people in India considered the sunroof as a premium luxury feature available only on expensive German cars. Not anymore. Sunroofs are now available on a wide variety of cars and here are the 5 of the cheapest SUVs sold in India offered with sunroofs.
Honda WR-V
Prices start from Rs. 9.12 lakhs
The WR-V is the crossover sold by the Japanese automaker Honda. An electric sunroof is offered on the top trims. The WR-V gets both diesel and petrol engine options. The petrol variant comes with a 1.2-litre engine which produces 90 Bhp power and 110 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The diesel variant gets power from a 1.5-litre engine, which produces 100 Bhp of peak power and 200 Nm of peak torque, and comes paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Honda offers premium features like leather seats, touchscreen units and sunroof on the top-end trims of this compact SUV.
Ford EcoSport
Prices start from Rs. 11.37 lakhs
The EcoSport is a compact SUV offering from the American car manufacturer Ford. Ford offers Ecosport with three engine options – 1.5-litre diesel engine, 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine and 1.5-litre petrol engine. The SUV is well-built and is feature rich.
The Ford EcoSport comes with the electric sunroof feature only on the top-end S trim petrol which is powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged unit, and the top-end diesel trim. The EcoSport is a very capable vehicle with a deep water wading capacity of around 550 mm.
Hyundai Creta
Prices start from Rs. 13.47 lakhs
The Creta is the highest-selling compact SUV in its segment and one of the best-selling cars from Hyundai. Creta offers comfortable seating for five along with good engine performance. The SUV comes with two engine options in diesel – a 1.4-litre diesel engine and a more powerful 1.6-litre diesel engine.
The petrol variants get only one engine option – a 1.6-litre unit. The Hyundai Creta offers premium features inside the cabin such as leather seats, 6-airbags, touchscreen navigation and an electric sunroof. Hyundai offers sunroof only on top trims of both petrol and diesel variants.
Mahindra XUV500
Prices start from Rs. 15.48 lakhs
Mahindra XUV500 is the most premium and most powerful SUV from Mahindra. It comes with a powerful 2.2-litre diesel engine which produces 153 bhp power and 360 nm of torque. The XUV500 comes in both automatic and manual transmission options along with 4X2 and 4X4 drive system options.
A 2.2 litre turbo petrol with 140 Bhp-320 Nm is also on offer. The XUV500 offers a range of premium features including leather seats, touchscreen navigation and sunroof. Only the diesel variants get the sunroof. The XUV500 can seat 7 people.
Ford Endeavour
Prices start from Rs. 30.57 lakhs
Ford Endeavour is the biggest and most baddest SUV sold by the American giant in India. The SUV is sold with two engine options – a 2.2 litre diesel or a more powerful 3.2 litre diesel engine. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
Ford Endeavour comes with loads of premium features and good off-roading ability. Ford offers a panoramic sunroof as a feature along with leather seats, touchscreen navigation, drive mode selector etc. Ford Endeavour comes with 4X2 and 4X4 drive systems. The 4X4 drive system is only offered in the top-end variant.
Mahindra launched their much-awaited product, the Marazzo, in India recently. The 7-seater MPV is available with an all-new diesel engine and the price starts at Rs. 9.99 lakhs. The Marazzo’s design is inspired by the shark and is the first vehicle that has been developed jointly by Mahindra’s technical centre in the USA and the Pininfarina design house. Here is an official never-seen-before in-depth video of the Marazzo that shows all its features.
The Marazzo is one of its kind and gets a transverse engine with a Forward Wheel Drive layout. Actually, it is the first ladder-on-frame vehicle in the world to get the set-up. The unique layout enables the Marazzo to offer a flat floorboard, which in turn ensures full utilisation of the space inside the vehicle. The Marazzo is available in both 7 and 8 seat versions and takes on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Toyota Innova.
The Marazzo offers a wide range of features like vertically-mounted roof AC, aircraft-inspired handbrake lever, leather seats, dual airbags, a touchscreen infotainment system and many more. Mahindra also claims that the Marazzo gets the quietest cabin in the segment with a noise level of only 45 decibels when the engine is on. Mahindra has introduced an all-new engine with the MPV that was under development for a long time.
The all-new 1.5-litre diesel engine that powers the Marazzo develops a maximum of 121 Bhp and 300 Nm. It is a four-cylinder engine and runs very quiet. The Marazzo is currently being offered with an only manual transmission. However, there are plans to launch an automatic transmission in the future. Mahindra is also working on a petrol engine and will introduce the same in the future.
The Marazzo is available in four variants and the top-end version is priced at Rs. 13.9 lakhs, ex-showroom. Even though the price is lower than the base variant of the Toyota Innova diesel, the Marazzo offers 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, dual USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-enabled infotainment system, reverse camera and much more. All the variants of the Marazzo come with dual front airbags, ABS+EBD, seatbelt warning and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
Competition: Maruti Suzuki Ertiga or Toyota Innova Crysta
Interestingly, Mahindra has priced the Marazzo smack in between the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga on one side and the much more expensive Toyota Innova Crysta on the other. In the past, those who have attempted to ride this very tempting pricing opportunity have failed. We have yet to see how the Marazzo will work out for Mahindra, and whether it would be able to make a significant dent in the monthly sales of the Ertiga and the Innova Crysta.
The TVS-BMW partnership has finally reaped the rewards and we now have three bikes out of the Indo-German partnership. BMW Motorrad finally launched the long-awaited 310 twins in India and there are quite a few prospective buyers who are confused between the three re-engineered bikes. If you are one of such customers, here is a something that will help you.
Want a striking-looking bike?
TVS Apache RR 310
There is no doubt in the fact that the BMW twins look great but the shark-inspired TVS Apache RR 310 looks kickass! It is the only fully-faired bike out of the three and looks very aggressive. The TVS Apache RR 310 is the first fully faired bike from the brand and it turns a lot of heads. Sure, many bike enthusiasts will be enthralled after spotting the BMW twins on the road but they are not as magnetic as the fully-faired TVS Apache RR 310. If you want a bike that can turn heads on the road, the Apache RR 310 is for you.
People who are looking for badge-value
BMW twins
People who keep brands in high-regard and want an internationally established brand should go for the BMW twins. There is no doubt that BMW has a much bigger presence in the global markets than the TVS and people instantly recognise the brand. If you are badge-conscious and want something that will make you popular among the brand appreciators, the BMW twins would be the apt choice.
People on a budget
TVS Apache RR 310
Even though all the three bikes offer almost a similar level of equipment and technology, BMW bikes carry a much higher price than the TVS Apache RR 310. To be precise, there is a difference of Rs. 76,000 between the BMW G310 R and the TVS Apache RR310 and that is a lot of money. If you want similar features and are on a budget, the Apache RR 310 is the right choice for you. Both the bikes use the same engine that offers similar power output.
Want a track bike
TVS Apache RR 310
People who want a bike that can serve as a track tool should opt for the TVS Apache RR 310. Even though all the three bikes use the same engine, the Apache is actually developed on the track, which makes it a track-friendly bike. Also, the GS 310 cannot be a track bike because of its riding position while the G 310R offers a very relaxed riding position too. The Apache RR 310 offers an aggressive riding posture and can be the perfect track weapon for amateurs who want to start track riding.
Want a touring bike
BMW G310 GS
People who are primarily looking for a long-distance bike that can be used in a city can go for the BMW G310 GS. It is the smallest and most affordable GS series bike and offers the most comfortable riding position. The bike also offers the best suspension travel and switchable ABS, which make it suitable for adventure rides. It can be the one bike to tame all the terrains. Even though the other two bikes will take you to places, the G310 GS should be the choice of adventure seekers.
Want road presence
BMW twins
Let’s face it. Even though the TVS Apache RR 310 looks extremely striking, the BMW bikes enjoy the badge recognition and have a better road presence. If all the three bikes are displayed together, a major part of the crowd will be attracted towards the BMW twins because of their rarity on the roads. If you want something that is easily recognisable by the crowd, the BMW twins should be your choice.
Affordable after-sales
TVS Apache RR 310
BMW is a premium brand and charges a premium for its motorcycles. Even the after-sales service is the same. The BMW bikes need a higher amount of bank balance to maintain, even for the regular service while maintaining the TVS Apache RR 310 would not sting you much. If you’re looking for a long-term financial plan, the TVS Apache RR 310 should be the choice.
Skoda has just launched the Rapid Onyx Edition. The launch comes right in the middle of India’s festive season, and is meant to make the Rapid more attractive to buyers who’s other options include the Maruti Ciaz and the Honda City in the C-Segment sedan space. The Skoda Rapid Onyx Edition gets 8 feature additions.
The car is available with petrol and diesel engines, and prices start from Rs 9.75 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. The Onyx Edition of the Rapid is based on the Style trim. Mechanically, the new car remains unchanged. However, there are many visual updates and feature additions to differentiate the new sedan from existing variants.
Talking of feature additions, the Skoda Rapid Onyx Edition gets the following: SuperSport Flat Bottom steering wheel with black stitching, scuff Plates with RAPID inscription, black waste bin, rear windscreen sunblind, and 12 V power socket in front and rear console, the ‘Drive’ 6.5-inch Colour Touchscreen Central Infotainment System with SmartLink technology that is compatible with MirrorLink®, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
As for visual changes, the car is available in a shade: Lapiz Blue. The alloy wheels get a Clubber design with a gloss black finish, and identically finished lug nuts. Glossy black ORVMs as well as black body side molding and trunk lip garnish are the other visual changes on the outside. On the inside, Skoda has given the Onyx Edition of the Rapid dual-tone Ebony-Sand interior detailing and art leather seats in premium perforated beige with wood design.
As for the engines on offer, the diesel is the 1.5 liter TDI turbocharged unit with 105 PS and 250 Nm. A 5 speed manual gearbox is standard while a 7 speed twin clutch automatic is offered as an option. The petrol is a 1.6 liter naturally aspirated motor with 105 PS and 153 Nm. 5 speed manual and 6 speed torque converter automatic gearboxes are offered with the petrol engine. Twin airbags and ABS are standard on all variants while the petrol automatic trims get ESP and hill hold control as additional safety features.
ŠKODA RAPID ONYX ex-showroom Delhi price summary:
1.6 MPI Petrol Engine, Manual Transmission: INR 975,000
1.6 MPI Petrol Engine, Automatic Transmission: INR 1,099,000
A solidly built well rounded car, the Skoda Rapid is more engaging to drive than the likes of the Honda City and Maruti Ciaz. However, it’s less spacious than the Honda City and Maruti Ciaz, both of which feel a size larger than the Skoda sedan.
Ohio Based Cleveland Cyclewerks has today launched two retro motorcycles – the Misfit and Ace – and started its Indian operations. The Cleveland Ace Deluxe has been priced at Rs 2.24 lakh, while the Misfit carries a sticker price of Rs 2.49 lakh (prices ex-showroom, Delhi). The bikes will take on Royal Enfields. The company also inaugurated a brand new dealership at Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra. The state-of-the-art dealership includes display space, service centre along with the entire range of Cleveland CycleWerks.
Speaking on the occasion, Sangram Patil, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), Cleveland CycleWerks India, said,
Cleveland CycleWerks motorcycles provide a complete biking lifestyle experience to enthusiasts all over the world and in order to serve the ever- growing clientele with the same enthusiasm and passion, we are proud to announce launch of Cleveland CycleWerks showroom in Vashi.
Coming to the motorcycles, the Ace Deluxe is a naked, retro-styled bike whereas the Misfit has café-racer inspired design language. Doing duty on both the bikes is a 229cc, single-cylinder engine. The air-cooled engine produces 15.4 Bhp of power and 16 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The main difference between both the bikes is their design and chassis type.
While the Ace Deluxe employs a square-section single-downtube frame, the Misfit gets a double cradle chassis. Both the bikes get USD forks at the front and dual shock-absorbers at the rear.The rear suspension boasts of five-step preload adjustability . The Ace Deluxe tips the scale at 133 kg and gets a 14-litre fuel tank along with 150 mm of ground clearance.
Seat height for both the bikes is at 760 mm for Ace Deluxe and 770 mm for the Misfit.At the last, both bike get single disk brake unit at both ends with the Misfit having 4-piston calipers at front as opposed 2-piston calipers on the Ace Deluxe. Initially, the company plans to sell only the Ace Deluxe and bring in the Misfit next month. The company is currently following the CKD route for its bike but they expect to reach 30-40% localisation soon.
Currently, the bikes will be assembled in Pune. Also, the company states that it has finalised talks with 10 dealers across the country, most of them being in south India. At the current price point, both the bikes will lock horns with retro styled motorcycles from Royal Enfield. however, both the Ace Deluxe and Misfit are significantly pricier than Royal Enfield motorcycles, and it remains to be seen how the market responds to them.
Actress Kareena Kapoor debuted onto the silver screen alongside Abhishek Bachchan in the 2000 film Refugee. Since then the actress has gone on to enjoy critical and commercial success through her roles in movies like Asoka, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Chameli, Jab We Met. 3 idiots, Heroine among many others. As she celebrates her 38th birthday today, Cartoq takes a look at Kareena Kapoor Khan’s rather impressive collection of exotic cars.
The S-Class is the flagship offering from Mercedes-Benz and is a recent addition to Kareena and her husband Saif Ali Khan’s fleet of exotic cars.
Kareena’s S-Class is the S 350d diesel variant which is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine that cranks out 255 Bhp and 620 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 7-speed automatic gearbox. Kareena’s S-Class sports a sophisticated grey paint job.
Kareena also owns a BMW 7 Series, the Bavarian carmaker’s rival to the Mercedes S-Class. Kareena’s 7 Series is the 750Ld variant which is powered by a wad-turbo 3.0-litre straight six engine that produces 394.5 Bhp and 760 Nm of torque which is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Kareena has often been spotted travelling around in her Range Rover Sport SUV as she commutes along the roads of B-town. Her Range Rover Sport seems to be an earlier generation SUV. The current Range Rover Sport SUV is offered with a host of petrol and diesel engines ranging from V6s to supercharged V8s. Kareena has recently been spotted a number of times travelling in the Range Rover Sport along with her son, Taimur.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Kareena and her husband actor Saif Ali Khan, the current Nawab of Pataudi also own the previous generation W212 Mercedes E-Class. Unlike the current generation car, the W212 was only ever offered in India in standard wheelbase guise and was quite a hit among the nation’s business people and movie stars.
Kareena is often spotted riding around in the back of her Audi Q7 SUV heading to her local gym. Like, the Range Rover Sport, the Q7 too is painted white. Kareena Kapoor’s Audi Q7 is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine that cranks out 245 Bhp and 600 Nm of peak torque which is sent to all four wheels via an automatic gearbox and Audi’s famed Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Lexus LX 470
The LX 470 was Kareena’s SUV of choice when she first became famous in Bollywood. However, she has not been spotted in the LX 470 for a while now and details are scarce about whether she still owns the Lexus SUV.
The LX 470 used by Kareena is an older model preferred by Bollywood which drew power from a 5.6-litre V8 engine that produced 383 Bhp and 546 Nm of torque. The engine sent power to all four wheels via an automatic gearbox and four-wheel-drive.
The Hummer H2 is one of the largest cars that can be seen travelling on the roads of the world. The first-gen Hummer was based on the Humvee military vehicle that was used extensively by the US military during its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, when this SUV gets turned into a limousine is when it really becomes a magnet for the eyes of every person and phone camera on the streets, as was the case with the Hummer limo seen in the video below.
So what makes this Hummer H2 Limousine so special? Well for one this white limousine measures in at 12 metres (39.3 feet) long and only features the regular 5 doors that you find on a ‘standard’ Hummer. Sitting between the front and rear doors and to the final door at the rear is enough space to comfortably allow up to 15 people to comfortably relax on the leather-lined seats of the limo.
The interiors of the Hummer limousine features TV screens, some rather snazzy club-style lights for the rood and what appears to be a mini-bar with the requisite glasses and drinks (hidden away) for the people having a good time inside the stretched limousine.
The Hummer H2 limousine seen in the video is owned by Dubai Gold & Diamonds, a jewellery manufacturer from Kerala. The white H2 limousine cost Rs 8 crore and was registered in Dubai. The H2 limousine was bought down to the city of Malappuram in Central Kerala in 2014 by the Dubai Gold & Diamonds for the inauguration of one of their showrooms.
While the Hummer H2 may have been stretched to 12 metres there is no news of any modifications done under the hood to pull along the extra weight. Hummer offered the H2 with two engine options in its production run between 2002 and 2009. The first engine was a 6.0-litre V8 that produced between 316 to 325 Bhp depending on the production year and came paired with a 4-speed automatic gearbox.
For its last two years of production, Hummer dropped in a larger 6.2-litre V8 engine that cranked out 393 Bhp and could hit 60 miles per hour from a standstill in around 9.1 seconds, which was mighty impressive for an SUV that weighed in at 3 tonnes.
Dilip Chhabria (DC) is perhaps India’s best-known car designer and the creator of the country’s first home-grown sports car, the Avanti. While some of his cars, like the Avanti, have been built from scratch, his design studio, DC Designs also offers some rather interesting styling kits for many popular car models on sale in India. In this post, we take a look at how some of these cars look in real life compared to their original design spec seen as design drawing or at an Auto Show.
Maruti Vitara Brezza
The Maruti Vitara Brezza is the most popular SUV currently on sale in India, today, thanks to its rather safe design, which allowed it to appeal to a larger audience.
DC Design’s take on the Vitara Brezza though is nothing like the original SUV, with a very bold grille and front bumper design that can be seen from a long way away. The loud yellow paint job is carried over into the trim on the inside. Thankfully, in real life, the kit is little less brash than it first looked in the design image.
Toyota Innova
The previous-gen Toyota Innova was the most popular MPV around when it was on sale in India. DC gave the Innova a styling makeover by giving it new bumpers, headlamps, grille and alloy wheels. The car has been given body cladding all around along with new side skirts and a new roof carrier. In the real world, the only word to describe the DC Design Innova is different.
Tata Nano
When the Tata Nano was first launched, it had a price tag of Rs. 1 lakh. However, the low price tag and cutesy looks of the Nano didn’t stop DC from building a sporty kit for it and giving it a two-tone paint job. The front end features a very aggressive front bumper with a large air dam. The sides feature flared wheel arches that play host to 5-spoke alloy wheels, side skirts and air intakes for the rear mounted engine. The rear bumper too is new and taillight design has been updated as well. This modified Nano is as scary in real life as it was on the design image.
The previous-gen Toyota Fortuner was known for its no-nonsense approach to car design. Its simple yet butch design appealed to everyone from politicians to the common man. However, DC’s version of the Fortuner looks like its ready to gobble you down for lunch thanks to the gaping front bumper and grille. The new headlights though are quite a fine touch.
In real life, the DC-design Fortuner’s front end looks more gaping than any drawing could ever make it and seems rather odd. DC also offers the Fortuner with a lounge-like interior.
Mahindra XUV500
The Mahindra XUV500 is another popular SUV that has been given the DC design treatment. The wire mesh grille and more aggressive bumper add to the original design of the SUV and actually looks quite nice in real life. The XUV500 is another SUV that DC Design offers with a lounge style interior with captain seats, two large LCD displays, and ambient lighting among many other options.
DC Avanti
The DC Avanti is the first ever sports car to come out of India. It is a mix of sharp lines and curves that make it look rather unique even in the world of outlandish exotics. The DC Avanti is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine from Renault that outputs 250 Bhp and 340 Nm and is paired to a manual gearbox. A more powerful version with 350 Bhp is offered with an AMT gearbox. The DC Avanti is quite popular among sports car enthusiasts in India and is easily among the more popular cars by Dilip Chhabria.
DC Tarzan
The DC Tarzan was the star of the 2004 Bollywood flick Taarzan: The Wonder Car. When it debuted in the movie, the Tarzan looked quite futuristic. Unfortunately, because the movie flopped at the box office and the car was priced at a crazy Rs. 2 crore price tag, the Tarzan was never sold. Even a price cut to Rs. 35 lakh in 2004, didn’t help sell this movie car, based on the Toyota MR2. The last anyone saw of the Tarzan, was one left rusting and in a pretty bad shape, somewhere in Mumbai.
DC Infidel
The DC Infidel is the sports car concept that gave birth to the Tarzan movie car. Like Tarzan, the Infidel too was based on the Toyota MR2. However, reports suggest that MR2’s engine on both the Infidel and Tarzan received major power upgrades, with the latter said to have around 650 Bhp on tap.
DC Go
The DC Go was another sports car prototype that owed its existence to the Infidel. However, unlike the Infidel, the Go made use of the chassis and engine from the Noble M12 GTO-3, which produced 352 Bhp and 475 Nm of torque from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 from Ford. The design too evolved for the GO and it is one of the less outlandish creations from DC Design.
What happens when you combine a Nissan 350Z sports car with the design of a Rolls-Royce Phantom. The answer to that question is the DC Black Ruby Rolls Royce Coupe. This rather oddball Roller-inspired sports car was created by a client who wanted a Rolls-Royce that would shock everyone who looked at it. Even the interiors of the Black Ruby have been given the Roller touch and are more opulent while offering extra features.
WS Offroad Warriors is a Mumbai-based design house that modifies and restores unique classic SUVs. The customisation house has created some aggressive designs for these vehicles. Here are five such crazy modifications that are really distinctive. Most of these vehicles are on sale and one can get details by calling WS Design directly on +91-9833136614.
Land Rover Defender 110
Price on request, Estimated price: Rs. 10-15 lakhs
The Land Rover Defender is a legendary vehicle. It was the official vehicle used by the British Army for a long time and is extremely rugged. Many off-road enthusiasts keep the Defender in their garages in pristine condition even today. Here is a modification based on the Land Rover Defender 110, which is a long-wheelbase version of the SUV. The 1989 vehicle has been restored completely and looks fresh.
The modder has added a new dual-body paint scheme to the SUV with modifications like flared wheel arches that add more bulk to the vehicle. It also gets the big block tyres that make it more capable on off-road tracks. Various accessories like an off-road spec steel bumper, a winch and a bull-bar have been added to the vehicle.
Toyota J 40
Price on request, Estimated price: Rs. 8-12 lakhs
Toyota J 40 is another classic SUV that stayed in production between 1960 and 1984. The body-on-frame SUV is inspired by the Jeep CJ but has slightly larger dimensions. Here is a Toyota FJ 40 that has been beautifully restored by WS Design. It is powered by the 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine and gets an automatic transmission. Even though it looks like a capable SUV, it only gets the 2WD system. However, there are big block 33-inches Maxxis Bighorn Tyres that will help it handle some rough situations. It is on sale and is priced at around Rs. 11 lakhs.
Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen
Price on request, Estimated price: Rs. 10 lakhs
Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen is considered as one of the best off-roading SUVs in the market. The boxy design of the design is the identity of the current generation G-Wagen but the same design has been in continuation since the inception of the vehicle. Here is an older-generation Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen that has been impeccably restored. It now gets an off-road spec front bumper with a winch mounted on it. The headlamps have been updated with the LED ones and it also gets big block aftermarket tyres.
Jonga
Price on request, Estimated price: Rs. 8-15 lakhs
The Indian Jonga SUVs are the rebadged version of the Nissan Patrol. The SUVs were produced in India at the Jabalpur Ordinance and Gun Carriage Assembly (JONGA) and were officially named as Jonga. This is a completely revamped Army vehicle which is based on the Nissan Patrol P60. It gets a number of modifications like snorkel, off-road bumper with winch and big block tyres too.
Land Rover Defender replica
Price on request, Estimated price: Rs. 10-12 lakhs
This one is based on the Nissan Jonga platform and has been modified to look like the Defender. The Jonga/Nissan Patrol platform is totally rugged, and perhaps as good or even better than the Defender platform. While the long-wheelbase Defender offers a lot of space for the occupants, the short-wheelbase version of the car was used to tackle extreme conditions. This replica, built on the Nissan Jonga/ Patrol platform, seems set to do just that.
TVS is going strong in terms of sales this time of the year in the affordable scooter category. The TVS NTorq reported sales of 18,278 units in July 2018. Its most direct competitor, Honda Activa-based Grazia was almost a 1,000 units behind with 17,147 units sold. However, the Suzuki Access is still the reigning king with 36,596 units sold in July but that’s mainly because of the long time it has been in the market. The NTorq is catching up real fast and if it continues to grow in the same pace, it will manage to outsell its Suzuki counterpart. If you are thinking why the stylish NTorq is selling so well, we’re here to the rescue. Read along to find out the reasons for the NTorq’s success.
Powerful & fun to ride
TVS has targeted the NTorq towards the youth and younger generation. The same is reflected in its styling and riding dynamics. The engine too is very peppy and performance figures are quite good. The NTorq gets a 125 cc, 4 stroke, single cylinder, air cooled, OHC engine which produces 9.25 Bhp of power and 10.5 Nm of torque. These are the most balanced figures among all the 125cc scooters.
Also, these figures make the NTorq more powerful than the Honda Activa-based Grazia, which makes 8.5 Bhp-10.5 Nm. The power is further complimented by the able chassis and supple ride quality. The NTorq never hesitates when pushed to limits and encourages the rider to push harder. It has a tight turning radius and the riding position is such that you won’t tire even after spending long hours on it.
Feature rich
TVS has marketed the NTorq as the most feature laden scooter of India and we agree. The NTorq comes with so many features that it’s hard to keep count. The highlight among them being the digital instrument screen with the ‘SmartXonnect’ feature. TVS claims that there are more than 30 parameters that can be displayed on the 5-inch console like lap timer, a 0-60 Kph acceleration recorder, a top-speed recorder, engine temperature, average speed and service reminder. The scooter also gets a segment-first engine kill switch to boot. A pass light switch and USB charger also make their presence on the scooter. These features are not available on the Honda Activa-based Grazia.
The SmartXonnect is a feature through which you can connect your smartphone using Bluetooth to the instrument console and get all the data on your device screen. There is a TVS Ntorq app through which you can view various details like incoming call alerts, SMS alerts, missed call alerts, high speed alert, phone battery and signal strength, trip report and last parked location.
You can even set the app to send personalized messages to incoming calls while you are riding. There is also navigation on offer with estimated time and distance remaining estimates to boot. You can also share all the above parameters with your friends via popular messaging apps like WhatsApp etc. Some more and we doubt the NTorq would be ready to take over our civilization.
Sharp Looks
There’s absolutely no doubt about the fact that the NTorq is a looker. Its sharp design language along with sporty duo tone paint schemes and faux carbon fiber finish make it a head-turner no matter where you go. The front section is smart but the rear profile is what takes the cake. The distinctive T-shaped stop light surrounded by faux vents look uber cool. The exhaust piece is also an attractive-looking unit.
A TVS Racing logo is present on several parts of the scooter. Another thing making it remarkably good-looking are the blacked-out multi spoke alloy wheels. They also come paired with petal disc brakes up front. The front with its angular apron and V-shaped headlight look good.
TVS also offers 7 different dual tone paint schemes on the NTorq. There are four matte shades (Yellow, White, Green, Red) and three metallic shades (Blue, Grey, Red) to pick from. All the paint jobs come with that thick glossy black strip running through the front-end.
The Toyota Innova and the Tata Hexa are two popular seven seater utility vehicles that are very good at ferrying a large number of people around in absolute comfort. So what happens when the two 7-seaters go head-to-head in a drag race? The video below from Motorbeam shows you what happens.
Surprisingly it is the Hexa which gets off the line quicker, but the Toyota Innova Touring Sport quickly catches up and overtakes the Tata before running away with the race. Both cars seen in the race were diesel-powered automatic versions of the respective UVs. So why did the Toyota Innova Crysta win the drag race? Let’s list out the reasons:
1) Engine
The Toyota Innova Touring Sport is quite a lot more powerful than the Tata Hexa. The Hexa’s 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine produces 154 bhp @ 4,000 rpm and 400 Nm of torque @ 1,700 rpm.
The Innova Touring Sport’s larger 2.8-litre turbo diesel powerplant, on the other hand, produces 18 Bhp more than the Hexa at lower revs, cranking out 172 Bhp @ 3,400 rpm and 360 Nm of torque at just 1,200 rpm.
The extra power and torque available at lower rpm, thanks to a faster-spooling turbo and quicker-revving engine, allow the Innova to catch up with the Hexa and then leave it behind to chase after its tailpipe.
2) Power-to-weight ratio
The Innova has the power advantage but is 40 Nm down on the Hexa. However, the Innova has another ace up its sleeve, that makes the Hexa’s torque advantage yesterday’s news.
The Innova Touring Sport is, get this, 460 kilogrammes lighter than the Hexa. The Innova has a far superior power-to-weight ratio compared to the Hexa with 94.50bhp/tonne compared to the Tata’s rather sorry figure of 67.54 bhp/tonne.
This explains why the Innova put its bad start behind it and blasted its way past the Hexa on its way to victory. Not having to carry along a baby elephant for the ride would allow anyone to beat their opponent in a head-to-head drag race, even if it was a tortoise against a hare. Considering that the Innova had more power, to begin with, means that the race only had one conclusion from the start, despite the Hexa jumping ahead at the start.
Indian carmaker Tata Motors is all set to launch the Harrier SUV in January 2019. As of now, Tata Motors has not officially opened bookings for the Harrier but reports emerged earlier today that a dealership had accepted a single booking for the upcoming Tata SUV for Rs 50,000. However, now Autocar India is reporting that Tata Motors has made a statement in which the carmaker has stated that the dealer was compelled to take the deposit and that dealer had been instructed to refund the amount and cancel the booking. In this post, we tell you the reason behind why Tata made this extraordinary statement today.
Earlier today reports had emerged along with images of an invoice showing that a dealership had accepted a booking for the much-hyped Tata Harrier SUV despite official bookings not being announced. In a statement to Autocar India, Tata Motors claimed that the dealer had been compelled by the customer to take a booking. The statement reads, “We have learnt of this incident. The dealer was compelled to take the booking due to the customer insisting on the same, to be among the first owners of the Tata Harrier. We will publicise widely when we officially open bookings for the Harrier.” The statement continues stating that Tata had directed the dealership to return the entire booking deposit of Rs 50,000 back to the customer.
The Tata Harrier was previewed at the Auto Expo 2018, earlier this year in the form of the H5X concept SUV. The production-spec Harrier SUV will be launched in January and it will be Tata’s answer to the Hyundai Creta.
In terms of design, the new Harrier looks more or less like the concept car, though the final design is expected to be more squared off to give it a more butch look compared to the concept car. The concept H5X was one of two vehicles that previewed Tata’s Impact Design 2.0 philosophy.
The latest images of the Harrier test SUVs in the wild have confirmed that the Harrier will retain the H5X’s pod-style housing for the lighting fixtures like the headlamp on the bumper. The Harrier is also expected to borrow its grille design from the Nexon SUV which will be flanked by the LED DRLs on either side.
Under the body, the Tata Harrier is based on Tata’s all-new OMEGA platform. The new OMEGA architecture is derived from the LR-MS platform that underpins the Land Rover Discovery Sport SUV and was developed with help from Tata’s British subsidiary Land Rover.
Sitting under the hood of the Tata Harrier will be a brand new engine, at least for Tata fans. The new 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine can be found under the bonnet of the Jeep Compass and is good for 171 Bhp at 3,750 rpm and 350 Nm @ 1,750 rpm. However, in the Harrier, this 2.0-litre multijet diesel is expected to be in a different state of tune and will come paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox borrowed from Hyundai, that is also seen on the Creta.
The new Tata Harrier will compete with the likes of the Hyundai Creta and the Renault Captur when it arrives in January 2019 and will also face competition from upcoming SUVs like the Mahindra S201, Nissan Kicks and the Honda HR-V among others.
Days ago, Maruti Suzuki revealed a Limited Edition version of the Ignis hatchback. While the car was revealed with a video to accompany, what remained under wraps was the pricing. Thanks to IAB, we now know that the Limited Edition variant of the Ignis will be pricier than the regular variant by Rs. 42,875. Essentially, the Ignis Limited Edition is accessorized version of the car and the accessory kit it comes with is a dealer level fitment.
Notably, this kit is available at a 30 % discount, which means that buyers of the Maruti Ignis can actually upgrade to the limited edition model by paying just Rs. 30,000 extra. The accessory kit is meant for the Delta variant of the Ignis, which starts from Rs. 5.28 lakhs. With the Limited Edition kit in tow, the car costs Rs. 5.58 lakhs, ex- showroom Delhi.
The Ignis is available with a single engine option what with Maruti discontinuing the diesel variants due to low demand. The hatchback is sold with a 1.2 liter K-Series petrol engine that produces 82 Bhp of peak power and 113 Nm of peak torque. While a 5 speed manual gearbox is standard, a 5 speed AMT is offered as an option.
The Ignis is front wheel driven, has ample ground clearance of about 180 mm and has a tall-boy design. These attributes make the car ideal for Indian roads, many of which have crater sized potholes and tall speed breakers that prove a handful for many lower slung cars.
The tall-boy design and narrow A-Pillar means that the Ignis has great frontal visibility. The interiors are also quite roomy even for taller people. The car is intended mainly for city use although highway runs will also be quite rewarding considering the 20.89 Kmpl fuel efficiency that Maruti claims for this car.
Airbags and ABS are standard across trims. The Ignis also has a wide range of personalization options offered by Maruti through the iCreate program. These accessories are dealer level fitments and can be opted for during the purchase, or even during the ownership period.
As for competition, the Ignis squares off against the likes of the Hyundai Grand i10 and the Ford Freestyle. It’s priced much lower, and this gives it big advantage. Average monthly sales of the car are about 4,000 units, and Maruti is running attractive discounts currently.
technology that is compatible with MirrorLink®, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
