The Maruti Dzire is not just India’s best selling sedan in the private car buyer segment but is also the country’s best selling taxi. In fact, a big chunk of the massive sales numbers that the Dzire racks up each month comes from the taxi segment. However, the Maruti Dzire’s presence in the taxi segment was limited to the first and second generation model. All that has changed now. Here are the first pictures of the new Maruti Dzire (3rd generation) doing taxi duty.
These pictures are from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Now that the new Maruti Dzire has hit the taxi circuit in one state of India, it’s just a matter of time before similar things happen in other parts of our country. Keep your eyes peeled out for more taxi badged new Dzires.
The 3rd generation Maruti Dzire was launched in India last year, and is based on the HEARTECT platform. The new platform used high strength, light weight steel that has allowed Maruti engineers to keep the weight of the car low, so much so that the latest generation Dzire is the lightest one ever built.
This lightness gives big benefits in the form of better pick up and fuel efficiency. Also, Maruti claims that the body strength of the car has not been compromised as the steel used in the HEARTECT platform is high tensile in nature, and that it offers better strength than the steel used in the previous models.
The new Dzire is offered with two engine and two gearbox options. The engines have been carried over from the previous generation model. The petrol engine is the 1.2 liter K-Series unit with 82 Bhp-113 Nm. 5 speed manual and AMT options are offered with this engine.
The diesel engine is the 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet unit running a fixed geometry turbocharger. This motor makes 74 Bhp 190 Nm, and gets two gearbox options – 5 speed manual and AMT. The latest Maruti Dzire sold in India gets twin airbags and ABS as standard across trims.
The new car features beige interiors with wood trim on the dashboard. The overall fit and finish has gone up and the car feels more premium than before. Prices of the Dzire start from Rs. 5.6 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. Competitors of the Dzire include the Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Tata Tigor, Volkswagen Ameo and the Ford Figo Aspire.
Just last year, Hyundai launched the all-new Verna in India, a car that has been doing very good numbers in the C- Segment sedan space. In fact, the new Verna has been a segment leader for a couple of months. In 2020, Hyundai is expected to give the Verna a major midlife facelift. Here is a speculative render that indicates what the new Hyundai Verna could look like.
As the render indicates, the facelifted Verna is expected to derive inspiration from the facelifted Elantra, a car that will be launched in India next year. Of course, there will be a few key differences between the two cars when i comes to design. However, do expect many similarities, just like how the current Verna seems like a baby version of the larger, more luxurious Elantra.
Apart from the major design revamp, the facelifted Verna will have key mechanical changes as well. Considering that the much stricter Bharat Stage 6 emission norms will come into force in India from April 2020, the new car will take this factor into account. Reports suggest that the 1.6 liter turbocharged engine of the current Verna will be replaced by a slightly smaller and less powerful 1.5 liter unit.
Also, the 1.6 liter, naturally aspirated petrol engine of the car could make way for a smaller, turbocharged engine, again to meet the tighter emission standards. It remains to be seen if Hyundai also introduces a mild hybrid power train with the facelifted Verna. As for gearboxes, the 6 speed manual and automatic units are likely to continue on the facelifted version as well.
As for size, the facelifted Verna won’t grow larger considering the fact that it’s a mid life makeover. New features however, are likely to be added. Pricing too is expected to be similar to the current version. Currently, the car starts from a little under 8 lakhs for the 1.4 liter E variant.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire was launched in an all-new form last year. The third-generation Dzire is built on an all-new platform and does not resemble the older generation of the model. The all-new Dzire has become the best-selling car in India and is extremely popular. Maruti Suzuki officially offers a range of customisation options for the all-new Dzire including body kit and decals. Here are such such modified Maruti Suzuki Dzire sedans from India.
Bright!
This Suzuki Dzire has been modified by the popular garage KitUp in Coimbatore. With the kind of job done on the Dzire, it is difficult to miss it on the road. The sedan gets a fluorescent orange body wrap which is known as Sunset Beam Pearl. It gets a dual-tone finish with a piano-black finish on the roof. The roof has been modified to get fit dual sunroofs to give a panoramic effect to the car. Also, the stock wheels have been upgraded to 17-inch Momo alloy wheels that further add a great stance to the vehicle. The interior also gets an upgrade and the fabric upholstery has been replaced with leather, adding a premium feel to the vehicle.
Cross power
Maruti launched the new Dzire and the facelifted S-Cross with many visual changes recently. Here is a Maruti Dzire that took inspiration from the new S-Cross and got a new face. The new Dzire comes with horizontally lined-up grille with a thick chrome border. The new grille is from the S-Cross that offers a loud, chrome dipped vertical slat grille. It looks quite good on the Dzire and makes it look bolder.
Plush interiors
Even with the top-end variant, the new Dzire does not offer leather seats. Here is a Dzire that has been updated craftily with diamond-stitched leather on the seats. The interiors have been completely updated with new dual-tone her seats in beige and black colour. It should be noted that the stock seats are offered with adjustable headrests. The new seat covers make the headrests fixed. Also, trims on the centre-console have been wrapped in leather to give that premium feel. On the outside, it gets a few stickers that give it a sleek look and makes it look unique.
Body kit
Here is an all-new Dzire that gets a very sporty look with aftermarket body kit. It gets official body kit from Maruti with underbody spoiler at the front, side skirts and underbody rear bumper spoiler. However, all the added parts have been painted black to give it a contrasting effect. The Dzire seen here also gets door mouldings and door visors for the complete look. A few accessories, like the front parking sensors, have been added to make the life easier on the road. The alloy wheels come from the Celerio and are painted black. The black alloy wheels look quite good with the red coloured brake callipers. It also gets the dual-tone effect with black roof.
Wrapped
Here is another Dzire that has been wrapped beautifully to look different from the crowd. In the sea of vehicles, small and smart touches like selective wrap can make the vehicle stand out. This simple looking white Dzire looks quite fantastic with a number of body decals. It gets a black roof with a red contrasting design element. The bonnet too gets two sporty stripes that add to the character. There are front bumper spoiler, side skirts and rear bumper spoiler. The parts have been painted in the matte black colour to match the overall look of the vehicle. It also gets blacked out alloy wheels with red callipers. On the inside, the car gets beautifully done leather seats, which is not available with the stock model.
Harley-Davidson is one of the most popular brands around the world when it comes to customization. There are some extreme modifications and customisations based on Harley-Davidson bikes around the world. To promote customisation in India, Harley-Davidson officially started a contest called ‘Battle of the Kings’ and here are top ten modified motorcycles that are participating in the contest.
Glory 1903
This customisation is an official entry from the Capital Harley-Davidson, Gurgaon. The bike is a homage to Willie G. Davidson and gets some beautiful looking modifications. To start with, the chassis of the bike has been cut short. It gets a globe-inspired paint job on the fuel tank finished in bright blue colour and a funky looking fuel tank cap. The bike gets wider tyres with the sidewalls finished in white colour. The tail lamp has been replaced a new all-LED unit. The bike looks extremely good and as per Capital Harley-Davidson, this is the most affordable modification job of all the participants.
Miraki
This customised model comes from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It is a cafe-racer based on Street 750. The bike has been modified to be fast and as nimble as possible. The bike gets new suspension, a much more aggressive seating posture which allows better aerodynamics. The modder has tried to keep the retro feel alive but has added modern bits to the bike. Parts like front forks, monoshock and new clip-on handlebars change the stance of the bike. The aftermarket air filter and the exhaust system makes the bike look even better.
Bone Crusher
This is again a Harley-Davidson Street 750 that has been converted into a Softail. It gets a Softail swing arm with hidden rear suspension. The front part of the bike has been inspired by the new Harley-Davidson Softail series. It gets new alloy wheels with heavy-duty tyres and three-lamp set-up at the head. The whole bike gets a very gothic paint scheme with a lot of skulls and bones.
The Kolkata Street-Knight
As the name indicates, the bike is made by Kolkata based Bengal Harley Davidson. The bike showcases the rich heritage of Bengal. It gets the character of Bhadralok-Reformer who spearheaded the Bengal Renaissance in the late-19th century. It gets spoked rims which are 2-inch bigger than the stock size. The rear wheel gets a wide 160 section tyre. It is based on the Street 750 but gets a new handlebar and a paint scheme that makes it look very different from the stock.
Adam 115
This model comes from Banjara Harley-Davidson, Hyderabad. The Adam 115 is inspired by the Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam”, which is known as one of the greatest jewels in the western art. It gets new tyres which are much thicker than the stock tyres and cover the spoked rims. It gets a customised fuel tank and a beautiful matte blue paint scheme. The bike also gets an aftermarket exhaust.
Endu-Rod
This is Enduro styled customised bike based on the Street 750. The modification job has been done by Tusker Harley-Davidson, Bangalore and the bike looks quite unique. The bike gets handlebar raiser that increases the height of the handlebar by 2-inches. It also gets an aftermarket suspension system at front and back that can take on much difficult terrains and keeps the bike stable. The black base paint with orange highlight makes the Endu-Rod look quite different.
Rattle
The Rattler comes from Kochi and looks very smart. The bike has been customised to run smoothly on the roughest of the terrains and gets many changes. As per the modder, the major changes include new front and rear suspension, new spoked wheels with big block tyres, custom fuel tan with the dual-tone paint job, flat surface seat and new motocross styled front mudguard.
Game Changer
The Game Changer comes from Pune and looks extremely good. The bike gets parts from other Harley-Davidson to give it an extreme look. It gets headlamp from the Night Rod Special while the front suspension, fork brackets and indented gas tank come from the Roadster 1200. The leather seat is hand-stitched and it gets two high-rise flat track exhausts. The engine has also been altered and it now produces 22 Bhp extra power. It can do 0-100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds.
Golem
The name means clay structure brought to life and it has been designed Konark Harley-Davidson based in Bhubaneshwar. The Golem is based on the Harley-Davidson Street 750 chassis that has been chopped from the middle. The new hardtail rear frame has been fitted that has been customised in-house. The bike also gets floating-type callipers in the front for the springer forks, while the master cylinder has been repositioned to add a cleaner look to the bike.
Green Guzzler
The Green Guzzler comes from Kolhapur and is a dirt-bike inspired custom job. The headlight of the bike comes from the Harley-Davidson Nightrod Special while there is a special MX style handlebar that gives a very upright seating posture. The bike gets upside down bar end mirror to give the sporty touch. The stock tyres have been replaced with knobby rubber and the seat is completely hand-crafted.
Dilip Chhabria is India’s best-known car designer by a county mile. So in 2015, when he announced that he was going to build the Avanti sportscar, India naturally seemed rather pleased. Now the British, sports car connoisseurs that they are, have also noticed that DC has been making something interesting to look at and drive. So Jack Rix, the deputy editor and Rowan Horncastle, the Editor-at-large from the BBC Top Gear (yes, the one that has a show) magazine came to India to drive Dilip Chhabria’s Avanti. Here’s what the British had to say about it.
The response to the Avanti by the British magazine editors was a mixed one. While the build quality was heavily criticised, and the Avanti’s design evoked a mixed response from the British, the ride quality was described as SUV-like. So let’s break down Top Gear’s review of Dilip Chhabria’s DC Avanti sportscar.
Design
The response to the design of the Avanti is a bit of a mixed bag. The Brits find the styling weird but appreciate the fact that it draws attention to itself wherever it goes.
Here’s what Jack Rix had to say about the Avanti’s design in his review –
I know the rear looks like it’s been parked up against a radiator (and thus melted), the front end has a fish-like quality and the ride height is more SUV than supercar (all will be explained), but for sheer traffic-stopping drama it does the job, and then some. ‘Our’ car was fitted with the optional aero kit (complete with fixed rear wing that does wonders for lifting the saggy bottom) and painted in Veyron Super Sport black and orange. As the gentleman who walked into the middle of the road, pointed at us, and screamed “BUGATTI!”, helpfully pointed out.
The Avanti’s ability to draw in a crowd was seen first hand by the duo when Rix decided to experience driving around in Pune’s Tulsi Bagh market. Rix writes,
We’ve arrived at the market. Rowan is sprinting to the top floor of a multi-story car park for a bird’s eye view, and I’m being engulfed by a crowd of locals keen to see which Bollywood superstar is running low on courgettes.
Thankfully, for the British and the rest of the world, Dilip Chhabria launched the TCA sports car at the Auto Expo earlier this year, which has toned down quite a lot of the outlandish design of the Avanti into a much more sport-looking package, with more power on tap.
Internal Space
The Top Gear review then goes to state that space inside the Avanti is at a premium thanks to the high ride height (needed for India’s roads) and low roof height. However, describing the cramped space, saw the well-defined sense of humour of the Brits come to the forefront.
The review reads,
Ground clearance has also been prioritised… at a price. At five foot nine inches I am not a tall man and yet my hair is brushing the headlining. If you spot a tall person with a small, polished bald patch right on the top of their head, chances are they drive an Avanti. That’s the problem with raising the ride height to 170 mm (just 30 mm less than a Jaguar E-Pace SUV), but keeping the overall height to 1200 mm (just 30 mm taller than a Lamborghini Huracán).
Build Quality
If there was one thing the Brits absolutely hated about the Avanti, it was the build quality. Rix compared it to the shoddy build quality you found on Korean hatchbacks sold in the UK in the 90s stating,
You’ll like it, so long as you’re a fan of late nineties Korean hatchbacks. The build quality is flimsy in places, atrocious in others – notably the door handles, cut from the world’s thinnest gauge plastic, the spindly steering wheel and the Renault-sourced six-speed manual’s oddly long gear lever, which is a shame because the shift quality isn’t bad at all. The seats are covered in leather of dubious origin, with more shiny coloured stripes stitched on top.
Driving Dynamics
The way the Avanti drove once again elicited a mixed response from the Top Gear editor. Rix praised its ability to handle the worst of bumps, wondering if it could be used for the Dakar Rally as he drives it to Lavasa and trying his best to avoid the potholes that dot State Highway 57.
Rix states, “In the DC Avanti though, we plough on, without so much as scraping the chin on the floor. Through the worst of it, our speed picks up, and immediately we hit a concrete speed bump at 50mph and leave the road surface as my head ricochets off the roof. But the Avanti just shrugs it off and keeps on trucking. Honestly, swap the Pirelli P-Zeros and 20-inch rims for a set of Goodyear Wranglers, and you could take on the Dakar in this thing. Maybe.”
However, the way Avanti drove when pushed into a corner was something the Brits found terrifying as Rix writes in his review,
We’re climbing now, the road and views improving in direct proportion, and the car revealing a rush of new and disturbing personality traits. It certainly doesn’t brim with feedback and energy, it’s far more languid than that. There’s nothing wrong with the steering ratio, but the way it offers the same minimal resistance even as you add lock is… odd. As a result, you tend to add too much and lurch into corners causing the car to roll a lot initially, before it settles on its outside springs. You can unstick the rear tyres with a clumsy boot and a bung, but with body control so unpredictable, it’s probably wise to clear the area before doing so.
Overall Verdict
DC TCA
While not quite impressed about the Avanti’s design and its driveability himself, Rix understands what the Avanti stands for when he delivers the verdict stating,
But what did we expect? Final-tenth driving dynamics aren’t what this car is even remotely about. It’s about combining spirited performance with an affordable price tag and genuinely heroic looks. I ponder this as we return to the city and creep along as the world swarms around us, missing by millimetres, grinning as they go.
His final words though may just cause Dilip Chhabria to start pushing the DC TCA sportscar from the Auto Expo onto the world stage at the earliest. The final sentence of the review read,
Address the rather glaring styling and quality issues and who knows – it could be the perfect antidote to the UK’s hastily declining roads.
Just yesterday, Jeep India launched a brand new variant of the Compass SUV. The Limited Plus sits at the top of the Compass line-up as the range-topper. Prices start from Rs. 21.07 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, and the SUV is available with both petrol and diesel engine options. Here is an in-depth video that tells you everything you need to know about the new range-topping Jeep Compass. And guess what, none other than the Managing Director of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) India, Kevin Flynn, takes you through the video tour.
As the video indicates, the Limited Plus variant of the Jeep Compass gets a range of features. The exteriors of the SUV get the following additions: a panoramic sunroof with Anti Pinch and wind deflector, a motorized sun-blind for the entire sunroof, bumper inserts at the front and rear, chromed exhaust tips, 18-inch dual tone chrome wheels and V V-rated Bridgestone tyres.
On the inside, the additional features include powered driver seats with lumbar support and memory function, auto dimming internal rearview mirror, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and a larger 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A black colour scheme is standard for the interiors. The additional features come at a price premium of about Rs. 91,000 over the Limited variant.
The petrol-powered Limited Plus variant of the Jeep Compass is powered by a 1.4 litre turbocharged motor with 160 Bhp-250 Nm on tap. This engine gets a 7 speed twin clutch automatic transmission on this variant. Paddle shifters are standard, and so is a front wheel drive. Prices start from Rs. 21.41 lakhs.
The diesel-engined Limited Plus Jeep Compass is sold with front wheel drive and four wheel drive variants. The four wheel drive variant costs Rs. 22.85 lakhs. The engine on both variants is the same 2 litre turbocharged unit with 170 Bhp-350 Nm.
Jeep will launch a new top-end variant of the Compass early next year. The new variant will be called the TrailHawk and will be based on the diesel-engined version. It will have a 9 speed torque automatic gearbox, a range of off-road specific feature enhancements and a price tag that makes it the costliest Compass on sale in India.
The entry-level performance bike segment in India has seen a bombardment of launches in the recent times. While Bajaj Pulsar is one of the first motorcycles to be launched in the segment, there are many bikes now that competes directly with the Pulsar. Two such bikes are the Suzuki Gixxer and the Gixxer SF. Bajaj is yet to offer a fully-faired bike in the 150cc segment but recently the Indian brand launched the updated Pulsar 150, which is known as the Pulsar UG5. Here is a drag race between the Bajaj Pulsar 150 UG5 and the Suzuki Gixxer SF.
Who wins?
There are two parts in the video and after the first attempt, the riders changed the bikes. Even after that, the result remains the same. The Suzuki Gixxer SF lurches forward soon after the start and gains quite a good amount of distance between the two bikes. In both the cases, the Suzuki Gixxer SF wins quite comfortably.
It should be noted that the Gixxer SF is a fully-faired bike and gets an advantage when it comes to windblast. The bike is more streamlined and cuts through the air smoothly while the Bajaj Pulsar 150 is a naked bike and suffers from wind drag.
The Bajaj Pulsar 150 UG5 is powered by an air-cooled single-cylinder 149cc engine that produces a maximum power of 13.8 Bhp and 13.4 Nm of peak torque. It gets a 5-speed transmission and weighs 144 kg with all the fluids in place. The Suzuki Gixxer SF, on the other hand, is powered by a slightly bigger engine. The bike gets a 154.9cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that develops a maximum of 14.6 Bhp and 14 Nm. It also gets a 5-speed transmission. However, it weighs 139 kg, which is lower than the Bajaj Pulsar 150.
The lower weight and the higher power output ensure that the Suzuki Gixxer SF accelerates quicker than the Pulsar 150. Also, it is possible that the Suzuki Gixxer SF uses short gearing that allows it to accelerate much quicker than the Pulsar 150.
We Indians love expensive cars and exotics. Though most of us may never be able to afford them, when an exotic passes by, people gawk at them like anything. Ever wondered what are the most expensive cars available in our country? If so, we’ve compiled a list of the most expensive cars that are officially sold in India. Lets’ take a look at them.
Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII EWB
Price: Rs. 10.48 crores
The series VIII Phantom was launched by the iconic British marque earlier this year in India. It has two variants, a standard one and an extended wheelbase model. The long-wheelbase version of the Phantom Series VIII comes with a hefty price tag and is the most expensive car you can buy in India. It’s actually an all new car with a new chassis.
Rolls-Royce has always been known for their extremely sophisticated and luxurious interiors and this one is no different. The Phantom EWB gets new LED projector headlamps with LED DRL among other things like a larger grille than the preceding model. The Rolls-Royce claims Phantom VIII to be the quietest car in the world. This behemoth is powered by a 6.75-litre engine that generates 563 Bhp of power and 900 Nm of torque. The regular version of the Phantom VIII is priced at Rs. 8.99 crores.
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe
Price: Rs. 8.4 crores
The gorgeous Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe (DHC) is one of the best luxury convertibles money can get you right now. Though it is based on the previous generation Phantom, it’s still the most expensive convertible that you can buy in India. The fact that it’s based on a last generation model doesn’t sour the deal as that was also a fabulous car in itself. The car comes with enough features and toys that willl keep you busy for many days, yet you’ll find a new feature every now and then. The Drophead Coupe is a rare car in India but one can find it quite often on the Mumbai roads.
It gets a 6.8 litre V12 engine that churns out 460 Bhp of power and 720 Nm of torque. It is mated to a six speed automatic gearbox. The Phantom DHC is regarded as extremely luxurious and gets similar features like the Phantom Coupe. It commands a hefty sticker price of Rs. 8.4 crores.
Rolls-Royce Dawn
Price: Rs. 5.92 crores
One of the newer models to roll out of the Rolls-Royce company, the Dawn is only available in the convertible version. For those of you wondering it to be the same car as the RR Ghost, it’s not. The Rolls-Royce Dawn is a completely redesigned vehicle and shares nothing except the doors and the grille with its sister models. It held the title of being the “Quietest convertible in the world” but that title has now gone to the Phantom DHC.
The Dawn can fit four adults in the car comfortably and the parameters of comfort are changed here. Comfort levels can’t be compared to any typical vehicle because after all, this is a Rolls-Royce. It gets powered by a 6.6-litre V12 that generates a maximum of 563 Bhp and 820 Nm of torque. The Dawn also offers luxury equipment and features agile handling because of its adaptive suspension and performs extremely well on the bad roads with its magic carpet suspension technology.
Lamborghini Aventador Roadster
Price: Rs. 5.32 crores
The Aventador has been around for quite some time now as one of the hottest and slickest sportscar around. The oomph factor is taken even higher by the Lamborghini Aventador Roadster which probably is the most expensive sportscar that you can buy in India. The Aventador Roadster was announced in 2012 and the first car came to India in 2013. It held the title of being the most powerful roadster in the world for long. Currently the title has been taken over by arch rival Ferrari in the form of 488 Pista Spider with 720 Bhp on tap.
The Aventador can reach 100 km/h in just 3 seconds and can hit a top speed of 350 km/h. The Roadster version of the Aventador is not cheap as it has enough technological marvels going under it so as to ensure that the car is strong enough to contain the extreme 700 Bhp and 690 Nm from the V12 engine.
Bentley Mulsanne
Price: Rs. 5.56 crores
Another British manufacturer that is known for its superficially luxurious vehicles, The Bentley Mulsanne is a car to behold. The name comes from the Mulsanne straight (6 km in length) of the Le Mans racing circuit, where the team Bentley won six trophies at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. This is the most expensive Bentley car ever made and offers out-of-the-world luxury. The car is powered by a 6.75 twin-turbo V8 engine that produces a maximum of 505 Bhp and 1100 Nm of torque. The car can do 0-100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds to reach a maximum speed of 296 km/h. It also offers impeccable luxury features which rival that of its arch rival Rolls-Royce.
Aston Martin Vanquish
Price: Rs. 5.21 crores
The James Bond’s trusted brand, Aston Martin is one more British brand to make it to this list. The most expensive grand tourer from the brand was reintroduced in 2012 to replace the ageing DBS. The car gets extreme aerospace level engineering and also gets parts made up of aerospace grade carbon fibre. Aston Martin says that this is the most luxurious car they have ever produced.
The Vanquish uses a 5.9-litre V12 engine that produces a maximum of 568 Bhp of power and 620 Nm of torque. It has a top whack of 324 km/h and can hit the figure of 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds. There is an 8-speed automatic gearbox mated to that powerful engine. Along with all this, it’s a stunner to look at.
Ferrari 812 Superfast
Price: Rs. 5.2 crores
The 812 Superfast, as the name suggests, is one of the fastest car around. It can do a 0-100 km/h run in just 2.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 340 km/h. This is the most powerful Ferrari to be launched in India along with being the most expensive one. The 812 is powered by a naturally aspirated V12 petrol engine that generates a maximum of 789 Bhp and 718 Nm of torque, which is a huge output for a car that doesn’t depend on turbochargers/superchargers for that extra boost.
The front-mid engine layout of the car gives it a balanced weight distribution and makes it one of the best cars to drive around on a track.
Rolls-Royce Wraith
Price: Rs. 6.22 crores
The Rolls-Royce Wraith sits between the Ghost and the Dawn in the ultra-luxury Rolls-Royce line-up. It has a svelte coupe like body structure which looks stunning and can be easily identified on the road because of its drooping roofline. The Wraith is only available in a single variant ,that is, the two-door suicide-doors form.
The two-door coupe is powered by a 6.6-litre V12 engine that produces a maximum of 623 Bhp and 800 Nm of torque. Despite so much going under the bonnet, the Wraith’s cabin is said to be one of the quietest in the Rolls-Royce line-up but that is an ongoing debate among the enthusiasts.
Lamborghini Aventador S
Price: Rs. 4.75 crores
The S version of the standard Aventador is more powerful and sporty than its sibling. It was launched last year in India and it looks quite different from the regular Aventador as it gets a sportier design and updated aerodynamics.
The car is powered by a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine that churns out a maximum power of 730 Bhp and 690 Nm of torque. The car gets carbon-fibre monocoque chassis and to reduce weight, parts like bonnet lid, rear air inlets and spoiler are all made up of carbon fibre. It can do 0-100 km/h in the bat of an eyelid (read 2.9 seconds) and can reach a top-speed of 350 km/h.
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Price: Rs. 5.25 crores
The Rolls-Royce Ghost, also called the baby Rolls (though it doesn’t look a baby in any light) is the car which pulled Rolls-Royce back to its glorious days. It is the most affordable Rolls-Royce that you can buy and yet it is much more expensive than many of the luxury makes out there. The car was given the name ‘Ghost’ to honour the iconic Silver Ghost, which is the first ever Rolls-Royce car. The Ghost was updated in 2014 and received minor changes like LED headlamps and design tweaks.
The car gets powered by a 6.6-litre V12 engine that has twin-turbochargers and produces a maximum of 563 Bhp power and 780 Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.
Italian two-wheeler manufacturer Aprilia showcased the RS 150 and Tuono 150 motorcycles at the Auto Expo 2018 in February. Both the RS 150 (fared) and Tuono 150 (bikini fairing) garnered quite a lot of attention from the visiting crowds and the Italian marque was said to be planning their launch in India for 2019. Now, Autocar India is reporting that Aprilia has pushed back the launch of the RS 150 and Tuono 150 to 2020.
Autocar India claims that Aprilia is still looking into the potential of both motorcycles in India and has hinted that there is interest in the 150cc-300cc segment of the market. The publication states that Aprilia may bring both bikes to India with larger engines as the current bikes may prove to be a bit too pricey for the 150 cc -200 cc segment, which is currently dominated by the current Bajaj Pulsar line-up.
Both the RS 150 and the Tuono 150 come packed with a whole host of features that are rarely seen in the segment and are designed to look like their larger litre class siblings, the RSV4 and the Tuono V4. Both bikes are powered by the same fuel-injected 150cc engine. The liquid-cooled powerplant cranks out 17.7 Bhp at 10,000 rpm and 14 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox and Aprilia was set to offer a quick shifter as an optional accessory for both bikes.
The two bikes shared their chassis and suspension set-up with the RS4 125 that is sold in international markets. Both bikes featured an aluminium perimeter frame along with 40 mm USD forks up front and an adjustable monoshock set-up at the rear. Both bikes also featured the same braking set-up with a 300 mm disc up front and a 218 mm disc at the rear, which were aided by ABS.
Due to the use of these premium components both the RS 150 and the Tuono 150 were expected to be priced at around Rs. 1.5 lakh, which is a premium of around Rs. 25,000 compared to the most expensive bike in the 150cc segment today, the Yamaha R15 V3.0. However, by fitting a larger engine (a 200cc) on the bike and keeping the other components, Autocar claims that Aprilia may be able to justify the premium price tag when it is competing with rivals like the KTM 200 Duke and RC 200 along with Bajaj’s RS 200. With the launch delayed to 2020 and the prices of other bikes set to increase, the Aprilia duo may find themselves having a better chance against the next-gen Bajaj Pulsar 200 and 220 bikes which will arrive in 2020.
The Indian car market is booming. There are a few cars that enjoy relentless demand in the market while there are many others which are readily available. We bring you the waiting period of popular cars on the market and their best alternative available. All the waiting periods are indicative and depends on factors like colour, variant and location. The mentioned waiting periods are from the Delhi-NCR location.
Mahindra Marazzo
Readily available alternatives: Maruti Ertiga & Toyota Innova Crysta
The just-launched Mahindra Marazzo MPV is seeing some big demand. Dealers maintain that waiting periods for the lower variants of the MPV extend to up to 6 weeks while the top-spec trim is available with 4 weeks of wait time. The Marazzo is Mahindra’s latest passenger car, and comes in 7/8 seat variants. A 1.5 litre turbo diesel motor is standard.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire
Readily available alternatives: Volkswagen Ameo, Hyundai Xcent
The all-new Maruti Suzuki Dzire has become the top-selling car in India. The all-new Dzire is in huge demand and customers are flocking to the showrooms to get their hands on the new car. However, there is a waiting period of 6 weeks on almost all the variants of the vehicle.
Maruti Suzuki Swift
Readily available alternatives: Ford Figo Freestyle, Hyundai Grand i10
Maruti Suzuki Swift was also launched in an all-new avatar earlier this year. The all-new Swift is offered with an AMT automatic transmission with both petrol and diesel engine options. The vehicle is in extremely high demand and in Delhi-NCR, there is a waiting period of 4 weeks on all the variants of the Swift.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno
Readily available alternative: Hyundai Elite i20
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno brings in a lot of sales for the brand. It is the first-ever premium hatchback from the brand and sells close to 20,000 units on an average every month. Customers will have to wait for at least 4 weeks for all the variants of the Baleno in Delhi-NCR.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
Readily available alternatives: Honda City, Hyundai Verna
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz was recently launched in a new avatar. The mid-size sedan is the one model that offers a mild hybrid system with both petrol and diesel engine options in the segment. The new Ciaz also introduced the all-new 1.5-litre petrol engine from the brand. There is a waiting period of 4 weeks for the new Ciaz on all the variants.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza
Readily available alternatives: Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon
The first-ever sub 4-meter SUV from the brand has become the best-selling UV in the country. Even though the Brezza is only available with a diesel engine option, the demand is extremely high. Maruti also launched an AMT automatic version of the Vitara Brezza in the market that increased the popularity even more. Depending on the variant, the waiting period for the Vitara Brezza is 14 weeks or 3.5 months.
Hyundai Creta
Readily available alternative: Renault Duster
The Hyundai Creta is a massively popular car in the Indian market. The compact SUV has received an extremely good response from the market. Sometime back, Hyundai launched the facelift version of the Creta with added features like wireless phone charger, sunroof, wristband smart key and more. Depending on the variant, there is a waiting period of 45 days to 3 months on the SUV.
Honda Amaze
Readily available alternatives: Hyundai Xcent, Volkswagen Ameo
The second-generation Honda Amaze has become a mega-hit for the Japanese brand. The Amaze is now in top 10 selling cars in India and is doing around 10,000 units per month. The Amaze is the only affordable car in India that offers a CVT automatic transmission with the diesel engine. The petrol engine also offers an automatic transmission. There is a waiting period of 15 days to 45 days on the car depending on the variant.
American carmaker Ford launched the Freestyle crossover earlier this year in April. Now a report on Team-bhp is claiming that Ford will be adding a new colour option along with new features to the most affordable car in its Indian lineup.
According to the article, Ford will now offer a Ruby Red colour option on the Freestyle. The compact crossover is currently available in six different colour options – White Gold Metallic, Moondust Silver, Oxford White, Canyon-Ridge, Smoke Grey, and Absolute Black. Additionally, the article claims that the Freestyle will also get minor upgrades in the form of body coloured ORVMs and adjustable headrests for the rear seats.
Apart from these minor upgrades, the Ford Freestyle remains the same, both cosmetically and mechanically. The Freestyle is offered with two engine options – a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel. The petrol engine is a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder unit that pushes out 95 Bhp and 120 Nm of torque and returns a mileage of 19 km/l. The diesel, on the other hand, is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit that cranks out 99 Bhp and 215 Nm of torque and returns a mileage of 24.4 km/l. Both engines are mated to 5-speed manual gearboxes that send power to the front wheels.
The Ford Freestyle is based on Ford’s Figo hatchback which itself is due for a major upgrade soon with a launch for the facelifted car due next month. The Freestyle is, in essence, a Figo with raised suspension and a body kit. The Freestyle comes packed with a host of features including a dual-tone dashboard and a large touchscreen infotainment system and automatic climate control among many others
Meanwhile, Ford has also hiked the prices of the Freestyle crossover. The Freestyle had been launched at an introductory starting price of Rs 5.09 lakhs in April and now Ford has hiked prices of all variants except for the Trend and the top=spec Titanium+ models by up to Rs 14,000.
The base Ambiente petrol model has seen a price hike of Rs 14,000 and is now priced at Rs 5.23 lakhs while the base diesel has seen its price tag increase by Rs 9,000 to Rs 6.18 lakh. The Titanium petrol variant of the Freestyle is now Rs 9,000 dearer at Rs 6.58 lakhs while the diesel variant is now Rs 13,000 more expensive at Rs 7.48 lakhs.
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is currently the top-selling sedan in India. Chennai based Modsters Automotive have prepared an extensive body kit for this successful car. Done in black and white paint finish, the car looks like an Audi, save for the four ringed badge on the grille.
A big honeycomb grille now takes most of the real estate up front. It flows down from the bonnet to the newly added front splitter effortlessly, and has a hexagonal shape, similar to the grilles found on Audi cars. The front bumper has been completely redone with glossy black inserts at the lower end.
The stock headlamps have been changed in favour of a more upmarket projector unit. It also comes with halo rings and DRL strip to boot. There are hi-low projector fog lamps present too which top up the whole front package. An Audi badge would have let this car actually pull off the Audi look.
Moving on to the sides, the car features a rub strip and blacked out side skirts. The top half portion of the car is covered with a matte black wrap giving it a distinctive look. Coming on to the rear side, it now features custom made tail light units. The tail light looks cool and now come with LED strips doing the job.
The rear bumper too has been reworked completely and comes with rear skirts which give the car a lower stance. The lower end features a blacked-out diffuser too. The boot top gets a spoiler which further adds to the car’s character.
The Ciaz now rides on custom Momo Italy alloy wheels which lend it a premium look. There are many fine details present on the car which may not be apparent at a glance but up the coolness quotient for sure. For example, the roof now features a golden shark fin antenna.
It is surrounded by numerous black fin-like structures which add up to the overall look of the car. If you want to get your Ciaz separated from the rest of the herd flocking down the road each day, this is the thing for you.
India has become one of the largest car markets in the world and is still booming at an exponential pace. The stiff competition to get the customer’s attention makes the carmaker to be innovative and launch game-changing cars. Here are ten such cars that changed the game in the automotive world.
Renault Kwid
The Renault Kwid became a runaway success for the brand soon after its launch. It was the first small car in India with the SUV-inspired design. The Renault Kwid’s flared wheel-arches and bulky design inspired many vehicles to follow the same path. Even though the Kwid’s popularity has gone down due to extreme competition, the vehicle changed the way many Indians look at the small cars in India.
Tata Tiago
Tata Tiago has become the best-selling car for the Indian brand. The Tiago is a revolutionary car for many reasons. It gets a sharp design, quality parts and is loaded with features too. Tata Tiago became the first car in the segment to offer ECO driving mode that increases the fuel efficiency. It also gets an app-enabled turn-by-turn navigation system, which is also a first in the segment.
Mahindra KUV 100
Mahindra KUV 100 looks quite intimidating on the roads, thanks to its SUV-ish looks. Mahindra launched the KUV 100 in the market when the popularity of the SUVs was on the rise. The hatchback sure looks radical but it is not all about the way it looks. The KUV 100 is the only car in the segment to offer 6 seats. The front seat is a bench seat that accommodates three people.
Hyundai i20
Hyundai i20 was the first premium hatchback in India and opened the segment for all other vehicles. The i20 is in its second-generation now and continues to lead the way with a long list of features. Hyundai is known for offering a number of unique features and it introduced many new features in the market that were adopted by the other car makers.
Ford EcoSport
Even though Ford EcoSport was not the first sub-4-meter SUV in the segment, it surely changed the game. The EcoSport became extremely popular soon after its launch and many other manufacturers used the same strategy. The EcoSport also introduced the turbocharged petrol engine in the segment and was the first car in the affordable segment that offered emergency calling. The older generation of the compact SUV also offered dual-clutch transmission.
Maruti Ciaz
After the SX4’s retirement from the market, Maruti tried their luck again with the Ciaz. The mid-size sedan became quite popular and on a few instances dethroned the mighty Honda City from the top position on the sales chart. Maruti recently launched the new Ciaz and with the update, the car now gets the mild hybrid system with both petrol and diesel engine options. The mild-hybrid system increases the mileage by a great deal making the Ciaz most fuel-efficient vehicle in the segment.
Honda Amaze
Honda Amaze has now entered in its second-generation and the sub-4-meter sedan has become the top-selling product of the Japanese brand. The all-new Amaze utilises an all-new platform and looks quite radical too. The best part of the new Amaze is the diesel engine and CVT automatic transmission combination. It is the only affordable car to offer CVT with a diesel engine, which is game-changing.
Toyota Innova
Toyota Innova has no real competitor in India. It is the best-selling car in the segment and the premium price tag that it carries does not affect the sales at all. The Innova is the only comfortable 7-seater in the market and is the first choice of the cab-aggregators. Toyota launched the macho looking Crysta in the Indian market and it has now become a top choice of many private car buyers too.
Mahindra XUV 500
Mahindra XUV 500 has remained the segment leader since its launch. The XUV 500 is not only popular in India but in many other global markets. The XUV 500 offers a strong intimidating look and a long list of unique features including Mahindra BlueSense, tyre pressure monitoring system, sunroof, 6 airbags and so on. The XUV 500 still rules the segment, many years after its launch.
Isuzu D-Max V-Cross
After several failed attempts by the manufacturers in the pick-up truck segment, Isuzu D-Max V-Cross found success. The butch looking pick-up has gained extreme popularity in the market and enthusiasts flock to the pick-up from Isuzu. This is a success story and we expect other manufacturers to follow the same route.
There is no lack of tuning houses in our country currently. Everything, from a simple headlight change to ECU remaps and full body conversions, can be done as per the customers needs. One of the foremost tuning house which caters to all these needs is Bangalore based Motormind Automotive Designs. The outfit also builds body kits for cars. Meanwhile, here are 10 smashing modified cars from Motormind. From wraps and body kits to lift jobs, we have them all covered. Take a look and get ready to be bewitched.
Tata Safari Storme
The Safari Storme is among the popular SUVs of India. You might have seen many modified versions of it but this one here is something different. Starting with the colour scheme, this Tata Safari Storme receives a vinyl wrap in yellow and black, enough to make it really stand out.
The stock tyres are replaced with thicker and fatter ones while matt black finished alloy wheels are a classy touch. The SUV also wears a body kit designed in-house at Motormind which includes reworked bumpers and grille among others.
Nissan Micra
The little Japanese hatchback isn’t much famous in the custom modification circuit. But if done properly, anything can be turned into a piece of art. The same has been justified by Motormind for the Micra. This one here wears a Motormind styling kit.
From the boot and the front bumper, the rear bumper and hatchlid spoiler to the custom red colour and alloy wheels, a lot has gone into this Micra to make it look the way it does. And how can we forget those little vents on the bonnet which increase the appeal of the car.
Maruti Gypsy Shudder Edition
As the name suggests, this one is ready to give shudders to the worst of terrain. The Shudder Edition from Motormind gives the iconic Gypsy some tasteful tweaks.The matte orange paint job looks swell and does a great job contrasting against the black bits on this vehicle.
Big mud terrain tyres on blacked out alloy wheels lend it a throw-me-at-it persona. The wide fenders along with a grey front skid plate add to the rugged looks. Completing the package are DRLs around the headlamps and on the roof.
Hyundai i20 Elite
This regular i20 Elite has been converted into a looker by Motorminds. It seems apt for those who want edges rather than curves. A body kit makes the front look quite sharp while the changes are carried over to the flanks, which now sport side skirts.
A split diffuser asserts its position on the rear bumper while a hatch lid spoiler rounds off the sporty design’s intent. Other interesting bits include projector headlamps with angel rings, and an LED daytime running strip placed on the front bumper. The rims have been blacked out and the front grille gets the honeycomb treatment.
Porsche 911 Rust Wrap
What, rust wrap, expensive sportscar, not done man. But trust us, such stuff may not be common here but is a popular wrap job abroad. This Porsche 911 cabrio with a rust wrap done up by Motormind is totally one-of-its-kind in India, especially where older cars are looked down upon. This rust wrap does exactly that, giving the Porsche a vintage, almost worn down look. And yes, the Martini race livery is oh-so-Porsche. However, the car is as fresh as mint inside out.
Ford Endeavour
The already butch Endeavour now gets even meaner with this body kit. The SUV has not been transformed heavily but rather gets some subtle changes which make it stand out, but in a classy way. For starters, you have a Motormind body kit which includes a new front bumper chin with LEDs.
Other changes to the front include a new Ford Raptor inspired grille with built in LEDs along with smoked out headlamps. The flanks get new wheel arches, larger tyres and alloy rims. At the rear, the bumper gets an extension. The overall package looks very sober and classy.
Mahindra XUV500
With so many of these beastly machines running on our roads, its quite difficult to make people take a second glance at your XUV. But this one here will get more than its share of stares. The car gets a new front bumper, grille, a roof box, new headlamps and a new rear bumper with diffuser and a wide body kit are all changes aimed at grabbing eye balls. The most prominent eye grabber though is the black chrome wrap that takes things to a different level altogether. Thee roof box not only looks cool but massively aids to practicality too.
Honda Accord
Indians and their love for gold is known to the whole world. After all, we even have a auspicious time (Akshay Tritiya) to get the glittering metal home. This Honda Accord with a gold wrap from Motormind is something that’ll grab attention wherever it goes.
A bit on the louder side we agree, but for someone who really likes the colour and wants attention, this is the perfect solution for his mobility needs. And those oh-so-sexy 15 spoke rims with low profile tyres really are an icing on the cake.
Chevrolet Cruze
Seems like Motormind has something for everyone. If gold is too loud for your taste, the custom modification company also offers a silver wrap to make your vehicle shine. This chrome wrapped Chevrolet Cruze is Motormind’s take on keeping things slightly subtler, but only just. With the Cruze’s prodigious acceleration, this wrap is all it needs to go past like a silver streak. Plus it adds as a mirror too, something women would be interested in.
Hyperion-1
Before we start on this, go and google KTM X-Bow. Back, let’s start. The Hyperion-1 is really a hyper styled car which shows that the Motorminds’s technological prowess. Showcased at the Auto Expo 2016, this designed-and-built-in-India car is slated to go into serial production sometime next year.
This sharp looker features a V6 petrol engine that drives the rear wheels. Can’t wait to get your hands on it, welcome to the waitlist. And yeah, we sent you to do some googling because this is India’s answer to the Austrian KTM X-Bow.
India is a country of jugaad and the same is applicable to the process of getting a driving license. While there are all the mandatory tests and procedures involved, it’s no secret that many Indian car drivers manage to get a driving license through jugaad. Such drivers lack proper training and most of them learn driving from their kin. This results in lack of finer driving skills and, most importantly, lack of proper road manners. This probably is the reason why we usually see people honking unnecessarily or resting their foot on the clutch pedal all the time. It really won’t be wrong to say that many Indian drivers have some really stupid habits when it comes to driving a car.
Ford Motor Company carried out a survey that covered 9,500 drivers in 11 countries of the Asia Pacific region. 1,023 out of these 9,500 drivers were Indian respondents. Based on the findings of this survey, here are 8 STUPID things Indian drivers believe about mileage.
Harsh acceleration has no effect on fuel efficiency
This is something that as many as 40% of Indian drivers believe in. Accelerating hard may give you the thrills but it has a negative effect on fuel efficiency. Most of us aren’t aware of this or are ignorant of the fact that harsh acceleration or unnecessary revving the engine can result in lower mileage.
Keeping the engine on while idling doesn’t affect mileage
Believe it or not, but a whopping 26% of Indian drivers believe that keeping the engine idling is not much of an issue. The fact is turning the engine off saves more fuel than keeping it on idle, unless the period is less than 15 seconds.
Cruise control has nothing to do with mileage
Again something which 78% of Indian drivers believe in. In reality, cruise control is a handy tool to maintain a constant speed. It translates into the engine not wasting any fuel on unnecessary acceleration, which in turns means better mileage.
GPS has no role to play in fuel efficiency
Only 27% of drivers know how to check GPS. No matter how tech savvy we may call ourselves, many still don’t check GPS before leaving home. Through GPS, one can plan alternative routes and avoid getting stuck in unnecessary traffic jams. Once you get stuck in traffic, your car will burn fuel at a much higher rate due to crawling and sudden acceleration/deceleration. So, it’s always better to check GPS before heading out and plan your route accordingly.
Driving on mountain roads does not affect fuel efficiency
52% of drivers didn’t know that driving on mountain roads can affect fuel efficiency.
When your car has to climb slopes, the engine has to constantly work extra hard to make sure that power is delivered properly to the wheels. This in turn has a direct effect on the car’s fuel efficiency. As compared to plains, your car’s mileage drops drastically on mountain roads because of the reason explained above.
Weather does not affect mileage
73% people were unaware that cold weather affects the mileage of the vehicle, while 63% did not know that hot weather can play a role in fuel efficiency
This is a fact most people are unaware of. Though modern engine technologies have made things much easier now, every engine still has an optimum temperature at which it can perform best. However, in winters, reaching the optimum engine temperature takes much more time, which, in turn, reduces the mileage. This, however, doesn’t mean that you will get good mileage in summers. On the contrary, summers lead to car owners using the air conditioning to beat the heat resulting in lower fuel efficiency.
Also, high speed driving leads to higher wind resistance, which in turn leads to lower fuel efficiency. The wind resistance can easily be minimised by rolling up the windows and using the AC to maintain a favourable cabin temperature. But at low speeds and during short distance runs, this practice can again lead to lower fuel efficiency.
Weight and fuel efficiency have no connection at all
65% of drivers did not know that removing heavy items from the car make it more fuel efficient
It’s a simple fact that the lighter your car is, the more easily and rapidly it will move. Most people however create a dump yard inside their cars, which adversely affects the fuel consumption. Hence, it’s always better to remove unnecessary objects from the car and keeping the vehicle as light as possible.
Regular servicing has no role in mileage
Only 33% of drivers are aware of the fact that regular servicing can help in saving more fuel
It’s quite apparent that regular servicing is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your car remains in good health. However, truth to be told, just about one-third of all car owners adhere to this practice. This simple practice can keep your car in a good condition in the long run and would also lead to better mileage figures.
The Jeep Compass as a hatchback? Well, why not. Here is a render that shows what a hatchback version of the Jeep Compass will look like. Of course, Jeep may never build something like this considering that the core of the company revolves around building SUVs.
But it’s still interesting to see what a hatchback based on the Compass will look like, especially considering the fact that the platform that the SUV sits on – Fiat Small Wide – has actually been used for a hatchback – the Fiat 500L.
Meanwhile, the Small Wide platform that the Jeep Compass is based on is likely to be the basis for a new, sub-4 meter compact SUV that Jeep is planning for the Indian market in 2020. The new SUV will compete with vehicles, such as the Maruti Brezza and the Ford EcoSport.
It’s expected to have a turbocharged petrol engine, with the platform ready to support hybrid and electric powertrains in future. We got our rendering artist Vipin Vathoopan to put together a render of the new, sub-4 meter Jeep compact SUV. Here’s a glimpse at what the new SUV could look like.
Coming back to the Compass, Jeep has just introduced two new variants of the SUV to boost sales in India, this festive season. One variant is called the Black Pack – essentially a stylistic makeover for the SUV – and the other is a new top-of-the-line variant called the Limited Plus.
The Limited Plus variant of the Compass adds a big list of features and stylistic modifications to the SUV. Early next year, the SUV will get a new top-end variant called the Trailhawk. Off-road focused, the Trailhawk variant of the Compass will use the 2-litre turbocharged diesel engine, but will also get an automatic gearbox.
This gearbox will be a 9-speed torque converter automatic, and will be paired to an all-wheel drive system that has the Selectrac terrain response system. The Selectrac terrain response system will get sand and rock modes. The SUV will also get revised suspension and bumpers for better off-road ability.
2018 has been frenetic for the Indian two-wheeler industry with the Auto Expo being followed by multiple launches as the year progressed. Now with just over three months left in the calendar and the Dusshera-Diwali festive period just around the corner, Cartoq takes a look at 5 new motorcycles that are set to be launched in the final months of 2018.
Royal Enfield Interceptor Expected launch date: September 22-26th, 2018 Expected Price – Rs. 3 lakhs
Royal Enfield first unveiled the Interceptor 650 at EICMA 2017 in Milan last November. The Indian motorcycle manufacturer then showcased the bike earlier this year at Ridermania in Goa. Now, Royal Enfield has sent out invites for a global test riding event in California between 22nd and 26th of September, which is also when the new Interceptor is expected to be formally launched. Sales in India though are expected to start only by around Diwali.
The Interceptor is a cruiser motorcycle powered by an all-new 650-cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine that develops 46 Bhp at 7,100 rpm and 52 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine is paired to a 6-speed gearbox. The new Interceptor like the rest of Royal Enfield’s updated line-up will feature dual-channel ABS as standard, which will aid the large 320-mm front and 240-mm rear disc brakes.
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Expected launch date: September 22-26th, 2018 Expected Price – Rs. 3.5 lakhs
Royal Enfield’s other new twin-cylinder motorcycle unveiled at EICMA 2017 was the Continental GT 650 cafe racer. The Continental GT 650 will be the most expensive motorcycle in Royal Enfield’s line-up and will be the brand’s flagship bike. The new Continental GT 650, like the Interceptor, is expected to be launched at Royal Enfield’s upcoming ride event in California later this month.
Mechanically, the Continental GT 650 is exactly the same as the Interceptor and is powered by the same all-new parallel twin powerplant. The liquid-cooled engine produces 46 Bhp at 7,100 rpm and 52 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm and is paired to a 6-speed transmission.
Hero XPulse Expected launch date: December 2018 Expected Price: Under Rs. 1 Lakh
The Hero XPulse adventure motorcycle debuted at the Auto Expo 2018, in February. The XPulse is the second new 200-cc motorcycle from Hero Motocorp after the Xtreme 200R, but its launch that was expected to happen this month has been delayed and the adventure bike is now expected to arrive on Indian roads by December 2018.
The XPulse is expected to be powered by the same air-cooled single-cylinder 200-cc engine that is found on the Xtreme 200R. The engine cranks out 18.2 Bhp and 17.2 Nm of peak torque and is paired to a 5-speed gearbox. However, we expect Hero to change the gear ratios to suit the XPulse’s adventure credentials. The XPulse also features dual-purpose tyres and long travel suspension.
Bajaj launched the Dominar 400 in India less than two years ago in December 2016. Now, Bajaj is all set to give the Dominar a mid-life facelift to help it take the fight to Royal Enfield. However, the changes to the Dominar are more than just skin deep. The facelifted Dominar 400 will feature USD forks similar to the ones on the 390 Duke along with a new twin-canister exhaust and a new instrument cluster display. The facelifted Dominar will retain the 373-cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces 35 Bhp and 35 Nm of torque and is expected to be offered with dual channel ABS as standard.
FB Mondial HPS 300 Expected Launch – October 2018 Expected Price – Rs. 3 lakhs
Italian motorcycle manufacturer FB Mondial was founded in 1929 and was revived in 2014 after a 10-year absence. The brand is best known for its domination of the World Motorcycle Championship (now MotoGP) from 1949 to 1957. The Italian bike maker is making its way into India through the Kinetic-owned Motorcycle brand. The first motorcycle it will launch is the HPS 300, which is a cross between scrambler and a cafe racer.
The HPS 300 is powered by a Piaggio-sourced 249-cc, liquid-cooled engine. The fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine produces 25 Bhp at 9,000 rpm and 22 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox.
You may heard many conversations where someone would say that this was the first car of its type and so on. Today we have compiled a list of 12 such vehicles which created a new segment in the Indian automotive space. Take a look and get ready to brag to your friends with this new found information.
Affordable Hatchback
Maruti Suzuki 800 (SS80)
Maruti 800
The 800 was brought to India in 1983 and was a joint venture between the Indian Government and Suzuki. The car then started a trend that went on to become what’s the biggest segment in the country now – affordable hatchbacks. The SS80 came in at the right time when families were getting smaller, and there was a gap in the market for a small car.
The 800 fitted the bill perfectly and went on to become one of the most successful cars of the country. It had a solid built quality and robust engineering that helped it run smoothly for a long time. The 45 hp version stood out for being the most fun to drive, ticking almost every box.
Tall Boy hatchback
Hyundai Santro
Hyundai marked the beginning of its Indian innings with the Santro in 1998. Much like the original 800, the Santro came at a time when the people were looking for a change from the typical small cars available in the market, such as the Altos and 800s among others.
It was the first car to feature the tall-boy design in India, which eventually became a reason for its popularity. It was spacious, stylish as well as affordable which appealed to the masses. Hyundai got an excellent start because of the Santro and ended Maruti’s domination to some extent.
3-door hatchback
Maruti Suzuki Zen Classic
Two-door hatchbacks have never been an Indian thing and auto manufacturers had realized that long ago. The first company to launch one in the market was Maruti Suzuki. It launched the two-door iteration of its fun-to-drive, funky hatchback Zen.
Called the Zen Classic it had a retro-esque front-end styling, which pretty much failed to impress Indian car buyers. Other than having a cosmetically different front-end, the Classic was quite similar to the regular version in every other department. The standard Zen has gained a cult status over the years but this one has been slowly forgotten.
Hot Hatch
Fiat Palio GTX
During the initial years of automotive advancement in India, small, economical cars were the most popular segment. The emphasis was not on power or driving elements but on factors like space, cost and size among others. But later on some companies started to challenge that. Among the first of them was Fiat which came with a hardcore version of its hatchback Palio.
The Fiat Palio GTX 1.6 came with a naturally aspirated engine that churned out a good 100 Bhp and was fun to drive. Today there are quite a few options in this segment, such as the Baleno RS, Abarth Punto and Figo S, but back then the Palio was the only car if you wanted fun at a budget price.
Compact Sedan
Tata Indigo CS
Though it was made popular mainly by taxi operators, the fact is that the Indigo CS was the first sub-four metre compact sedan of the country. Launched by Tata in 2008, the CS in the name denoted compact sedan. The Indigo CS was based on the Indica hatchback and smaller than the Indigo.
A later version named Indigo e-CS was also launched by the company in 2010, and it was BSIV compliant. The sedan was launched after the Government’s efforts to promote small vehicles in India by giving tax benefits. This segment has grown to be one of the hottest one now.
Performance Sedan
Skoda Octavia RS
The original Skoda Octavia was a pretty good car in itself. But Skoda really took a leap of faith by launching India’s first performance hatchback in 2001, called the Octavia vRS. By then, the Octavia was already a priority choice for new car buyers in the D-segment, but the vRS version really attracted a lot of enthusiasts.
The 2001 Octavia vRS was powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine that generates a maximum power of 150 Bhp and a peak torque of 210 Nm. It is one of the few cars, which rose in value with time. Such is its cult status now that many enthusiasts hold on to their Octavia vRS to this date.
Compact SUV
Premier Rio
You probably didn’t have any idea about this car. But the company which made the famous Padmini in India also kickstarted the compact SUV segment in India way back before anyone could have thought of it. The Premier Rio was launched in 2009 and came with a Peugeot-sourced 1489-cc engine producing 65 Bhp of power and 152 Nm of torque.
Contrary to many claims, it’s Premier Rio, and not the Ford EcoSport that became the first compact SUV in India. Yes, the EcoSport made this segment quite popular but the Rio was the one that floated the idea of a small SUV to get tax benefits.
MPV
Toyota Innova
Though many may argue about this, the Innova is the first true MPV of India. Others like the Quails and Sumo didn’t really fit the definition of MPV. The latest new Innova Crysta is far from where the vehicle originally started but carries the same genes.
It might have become pricier than before, and the onslaught of car-based MPVs might have taken a share from its pie, but Innova still excels in ride comfort – something that solely makes it stand out. Coupled with a tank-like build quality and Toyota reliability, it no doubt went on to become a great success.
Softroader
Honda CR-V
The CR-V was brought into India for the first time in 2003. Honda brought it through the CBU route, which resulted in the relative high price of the vehicle. The CR-V offered car-like dynamics and comfort along with an SUVish stance. This was something new and attractive to Indian buyers.
Thus, Honda initialized the softroader segment in India, which now has many offerings to boot. Initially the high cost due to CBU drove away most of the customers but, since 2013, the vehicle has been assembled locally, which brought down the costs.
Pick-up Truck
Tata Mobile 206
The TataMobile 206 was launched by the company in 1998 and opened up the pick-up category in the Indian auto scene. It was later renamed to Tata 207 DI in 2002. It was originally powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0 litre diesel Peugeot XD88 engine (assembly under license by Tata in India) that produced 63 Bhp. To let you know, other Tata vehicles like the Sierra, Sumo and even the Safari were based on the same platform as the TataMobile. It is still in the market now and sells by the name of Tata Xenon XT.
Affordable 7-Seat SUV
Tata Safari
The Tata Safari was a cult vehicle in India. It offered brute looks while providing two extra seats in the third row. Tata even did a great job with the advertisements of this SUV. The company launched the vehicle in 1998 and it has been running strong since then.
The current version of the car is called the Safari Storme. At the moment, there are quite a few cars in a segment that was essentially started by the Tata Safari. Upon it launch, it came with a 2.0-litre Peugeot XD88 turbodiesel unit with 87 PS power on tap.
Full Size SUV
Mitsubishi Pajero SFX
The segment that is currently ruled by the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour was started by the Mitsubishi Pajero SFX. It brought new looks and power to the segment and became extremely popular. The 90s SUV became the vehicle of choice of many. The capable ladder-on-frame SUV was powered by a 2.8-litre engine and it was a delight to drive on the highway and even off-the-road. Even today it is considered an excellent vehicle for off-roading.
Bajaj Auto has just been spotted testing the Pulsar 220 with ABS. The motorcycle will be launched in the coming weeks, right in the middle of the festive season. However, it remains to be seen if the Pulsar 220 will get a single or dual-channel ABS. The spyshot shows only the front wheel that has a disc brake with the ABS ring on it.
There are no spyshots showing the rear wheel/disc brake. So, there’s no way to tell if the Pulsar 220 has a dual-channel ABS unit on it. Considering the fact that the Pulsar 220 is priced well below Rs. 1 lakh, it’s likely that Bajaj would equip this motorcycle with a single-channel ABS (that works only on the front wheel) in order to keep costs low.
The addition of a single-channel ABS to the Bajaj Pulsar 220 is expected to increase prices by about Rs. 7,000. The motorcycle is expected to retain its mechanicals as is, and this includes the 220-cc, four-stroke single-cylinder engine with 21 PS-18.5 Nm, a five-speed manual gearbox and carburation.
Currently, the Bajaj Pulsar 220F without ABS retails for Rs. 95,000. The addition of ABS is expected to push the price to about Rs. 1.02 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. This will still ensure that the Pulsar 220 has a very strong value-for-money quotient.
Apart from the Pulsar 220, even the 150-cc variant of the motorcycle is expected to feature ABS. All motorcycles that Bajaj Auto sells with engines displacing 125 cc or more will get ABS as standard in the next few months. This is to comply with government regulation that mandates ABS on two-wheelers.
ABS which stands for Anti-lock Braking System, is a life-saving safety technology. ABS ensures that the wheels of a motorcycle don’t lock in the hardest of emergency braking situations. This prevents skidding and allows riders to steer motorcycles away from obstacles even during heavy braking. ABS also reduces stopping distances in the wet.
Ever since Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins came out in 2005, automotive comic geeks have been salivating over the Batmobile, which was called the Tumbler, seen rumbling around Gotham’s streets in the film. While many have tried to recreate the Tumbler in the real world, the one created by a Swedish company called Caresto to be Team Galag’s 2016 Gumball 3000 rally car may just be the craziest Batmobile ever made.
The Caresto-built Team Galag Batmobile was actually not inspired by the Tumbler seen in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Instead, this Tumbler is a real-life version of the Tumbler used by Batman in the 2015 game Batman: Arkham Knight.
What makes the real-life Arkham Knight Tumbler special is the fact that it actually uses the drivetrain from a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 along with a few other parts like the fuel tank, instruments and some suspension parts.
The car itself features a special high rigid tubular frame chassis which helps make this tumbler a really good handling car. All the body panels that make up this bonkers car are made from lightweight but extremely strong carbon-fibre.
The suspension setup features fully independent double wishbone setup connected to the coil over shock absorbers, with specially designed aluminium pushrod setup.
The Caresto Batmobile for Team Galag features very short overhangs and is 2.5-metres wide and features a 3.4-metre long wheelbase. Speaking about wheels, the Caresto rides on 26-inch wheels which play host to massive ABS-aided brake discs with 8-pot callipers up front and 6-pot callipers at the rear.
This bonkers Batmobile has a fully functional interior with seats done up in black soft leather and “see-through” fabric, held together by gold contrast stitching. The cockpit canopy opens up electrically. The Batmobile’s cockpit gets all the features you’ll want in a car to keep yourself competitive while the climate system, power steering, and the loud sound system, make this Batmobile one even Bruce Wayne wouldn’t mind driving.
Lamborghini’s howling 5.2-litre V10 provides the Batmobile with a screaming soundtrack and produces 552 Bhp and 540Nm of torque which is sent to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
While the Caresto-designed Batmobile is one that you really want to own. When it ran in 2016’s Gumball 3000 it was the focal point of the entire rally and drew all the eyeballs. The car features Saudi Arabian number plates and was later refurbished by Caresto after it failed to finish the Gumball 3000 rally in 2016. The Saudi Arabia-plated car is rarely seen these days.
