Tata Motors has on a spree of launching new vehicles in the market. Starting from the Tiago to the latest JTP twins and the Nexon, Tata Motors has become extremely futuristic when it comes to the design and features in the vehicle. Tata Motors is also slowly increasing its market share with the help of new vehicles.

In the near future, Tata will launch a slew of new vehicles like the Harrier, H7X, 45X and the 45X sedan but the manufacturer’s head design has said that his team would love to work on the next-generation Sierra. Here are four ways, the next-generation Sierra may look like.

Impact Design

All the new-generation Tata vehicles will follow the Impact Design 2.0 philosophy. The Harrier would be the first vehicle to get the new design language. It is quite possible that the iconic Sierra would follow the latest design language when launched. The face of the next-generation Sierra would be very modern with the headlamps integrated into the grille. As Sierra has been a rugged vehicle, it will continue to remain the same. The underbody skid plates and the thick body mouldings will ensure that the vehicle gets the rugged look. It will also get four doors instead of the three-door set-up of the Sierra, making it much more practical in daily use.

Truly futuristic

Here is a rendered image of the futuristic-looking Tata Sierra. It is much sleeker in looks and gets a curvy body instead of the straight line design followed by the original vehicle. Even this one gets a four-door set-up with deep creases on the body. The rear lamps of the Sierra Nova render get curvy lines. It looks more like an MUV than a regular SUV.

Xenon

The Tata Sierra has been the iconic vehicle with its iconic huge rear glasses. This rendered image is based on the Tata Xenon and gets the three-door set-up. It gets a boxy body and the front, which is similar to the Xenon. It looks very clean, practical and has the potential to become an iconic design. Even though this may not be the way Tata design the vehicle, it looks brilliant in the picture.

Impact 2.0 three-door

This design follows the original three-door set-up of the Xenon but gets a modern Impact 2.0 inspired face. The vehicle gets the modern face similar to the upcoming Tata Harrier and gets a similarly looking DRL integrated into the front grille. The rendered design also gets a separate headlamp console placed near on the bumper just like the Harrier. The body, however, remains boxy and gets the three-door set-up like the original Sierra.

Also Read: Future Tata Sierra: 4 ways the next-generation Sierra could look like

The Porsche 718 Boxster is a low-slung drop-top sports car that is used mostly for a quick burst on some twisty roads or for a sprint down a long and wide straightaway. However, this being India, one 718 Boxster owner in Madhya Pradesh decided the best thing to do with his convertible Porsche sports car was take it off-roading down a rocky slope.

Thankfully the driver of the 718 Boxster gently nurses the car down the rocky slope. Though there are a few hairy moments when the Porsche has only three wheels on the ground and when it slides forward for a few moments, he manages to bring the 718 Boxster down onto a firmer and flatter platform as the video comes to an end.

What the owner of this Porsche sports car did was rather foolhardy as unlike its Macan and Cayenne SUV siblings, the 718 Boxster is not meant to go off-road. The 718 Boxster sports car, therefore, does not come with off-roading features like hill descent control or ride height adjustment for off-roading or with off-road driving modes and tyres to help it ride down the rocky and muddy terrain seen in the video.

Thankfully the ABS and other braking systems look to be working overtime in the video as well, which is one of the reasons why the 718 Boxster doesn’t end up sliding down the slope uncontrollably. Another reason for this is the fact that the driver was driving at a rather slow rate of speed.  

While the driver and the 718 Boxster may have safely made their way down the path where no sports car is supposed to take, there are still quite a few problems that the Porsche’s owner could face. Since the sports car can be seen slipping and sliding down the path, there is a chance that the foolhardy ride may have caused damage to the undercarriage of the Porsche, which would result in a heavy repair bill for the owner.

However, no details are currently available if the Porsche Boxster seen in the video needed any special TLC at the workshop and we hope for the car’s sake that this is true. The driver though needs to keep a sports car with at least 296bhp and 380Nm of torque where it belongs – on the road. However, when we consider the driver’s need to pose as the Porsche sat on three wheels, we shudder to think what’s next for this 718 Boxster.

For more insane things that supercar and sports car owners in India do with their high-performance rides click here.

Also Read: Grew up on a Jawa: Shahrukh Khan gets nostalgic with Anand Mahindra

With a slew of choices in the SUV market, people often get confused what is the best option for them. The SUV segment is currently showing the highest rate of growth not only in India but around the world. From the price range of premium hatchbacks up till ultra luxury sedans/coupes, you will find a SUV at every price point. So which one should you get, read along to decide that easily.

Weekend off roader

This category is for all the mud plungers out there. If you have a thing for off-roading and feel at home while being struck in a slush pool, there are many vehicles built for serious mud nuts like you. While these vehicles may not be very practical in day to day usage, they offer unmatched off-roading ability with their low weight and efficient 4X4 systems. However, don’t expect them to be as tarmac friendly as other cars, they are not meant to be your daily grocery run vehicle.

The best options in this category include the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha. Among these, Mahindra Thar is the best selling vehicle and starts at Rs. 6.63 lakhs going all the way upto 9.39 lakhs. The top of the line CRDe variant has a 2.5 litre engine that puts out 105 Bhp of power and 247 Nm of torque.

5 seat SUV for city/highway use and mild/no off roading

If you want a good family car along with some off road usage, this is the category for you. SUVs like this are a good choice if most of your usage will be limited to tarmac. Occasional wild trips can be handled too but that should be taken casually, you can’t really go all dirty with these cars as they lack proper 4WD mechanism (low ratio transfer case etc). So, when we say mild off road, that means that they manage broken sufaces and unpaved ways better than other cars. However, they can’t do any real off road thing. Doing so will see you ending up with a damaged vehicle. Now there arre two more categories in this segemnt, based on pricing, take a look and decide which way should you go.

Budget 

The cheapest SUV which you can get currently in India populate this sub category. They are not proper SUVs, but are referred as that only in layman terms. Popular examples include the Ford Ecosport, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Tata Nexon. The Maruti Vitara Brezza is the best selling compact SUV and starts at Rs. 7.58 lakhs, going all the way upto Rs. 12.50 lakhs for the top model. The SUV only gets a single 1.3 litre diesel engine which powers all the variants. It produces 89 Bhp of power along with 200 Nm of torque and is mated to either a 5 speed manual or a 5 speed automatic transmission.

Premium 

The premium category for such SUVs consists of the Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and Jeep Compass. These SUVs offer more space and features, have bigger engines and also have more creature comforts than the budget offering. However, they too are not suited for much off road use, especially the two wheel drive variants.

The most premium among them is the Jeep Compass, which retails at Rs. 17.93 lakh with the top end variant priced at Rs. 22.85 lakh. It gets powered by either a 1.4 litre petrol engine or a 2 litre diesel option. The out for both the engine stands at 160 Bhp/250 Nm and 171 Bhp/350 Nm respectively. Both Manual and automatic transmission options are available.

7 seat SUV for mild off roading and city/highway use

If you want more space than a 5 seater SUV and are not much into mud splashing, this is the right place for you. This category offers proper big SUVs with but compromise on the off-road prowess. Which doesn’t mean that they have baby feet. They can take you to places where regular cars won’t dare to go but don’t expect them to scale mountains for you. They have big SUV manners and a great road presence along with space for seven, perfect for family use.

Popular examples in this category include the Tata Hexa and Mahindra XUV 500. The Mahindra XUV500 is the best selling vehicle of this segment and will be joined by its bigger brother, the XUV700, shortly to complete the company’s lineup. The XUV500 starts at 12.57 lakhs for the base variant and Rs. 19.28 lakh for the top variant. The butch SUV gets powered by 2.2 litre diesel engine with 155 Bhp/360 Nm output or a 2.2 litre petrol engine with 140 Bhp/320 Nm outputs. Both automatic and manual transmission options are available too but the petrol variant comes only with an automatic option.

7 seat 4X4 SUV for off roading and city/highway use

If you have a family to look after but you also are an off-roader enthusiast inside, these are exactly the SUVs you need. Among India’s most popular SUVs, they offer good levels of comfort, can cruise on the highway all day and go off-roading when you decide its time. They come with some proper off roading hardware and won’t let you down in case you are stuck in a mud rut. They also offer comfortable seating for seven making them a good family car.

The Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari Storme are the most popular vehicles in this segment. The Mahindra Scorpio starts at Rs. 9.99 lakh and goes all the way upto Rs. 16.37 lakhs for the top model. It gets powered by either a 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine that develops a maximum power of 75 Bhp/200 Nm and a  2.2-litre mHawk engine that churns out 140 Bhp – 320 Nm power output.

Luxury SUV for off roading and city/highway use

These are the true blue SUVs with ‘throw me at it’ kind of attitude. They can be your school/grocery run buddy, highway mile munchers or a vicious off-roading partner. With all kinds of hardware like low ratio transfer case, differential locks and many more, don’t expect them to bow when you show them a path less taken. These cars offer amazing levels of comfort and can easily take the bashing when you want. Though they cost a premium to own, these cars are truly worth it. Also, they offer luxury which is on par with expensive premium sedans.

Options in this category include the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour among others. The Toyota Fortuner is the most selling and well known SUV if India in this category. It starts at Rs. 27.27 lakh for the base model and goes all the way upto Rs. 32.97 lakh for the top end variant. Powering the Fortuner are two engines, a 2.7 litre petrol engine and a 2.8-litre diesel engine. They produce 164 Bhp/245 Nm and 174.5 Bhp/420 Nm of power respectively.

SUVs for utility usage/ large boot space

SUVs with extra large rear cargo area, or simply pickup trucks, have never found much takers in India. However, things are now changing with people showing interest in them. These kind of vehicles can do heavy duty off roading with ease and can also act as a regular SUV, albeit without a third row of seats. Perfect for people who already have a spare vehicle for family use at home. The large cargo area can be utilized in a variety of ways, and if you like camping, these SUVs will prove to be a real gem.

The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, Mahindra Scorpio Getaway and Tata Xenon XT are among the best options in this category. The V-Cross can be be credited to have made people again take attention to this segment. The V-Cross starts at Rs. 14.82 Lakhs and the top variant comes for 16.31 Lakhs. It gets powered by a powerful 2.5 litre diesel engine that churns out 134 Bhp of power along with 320 Nm of torque.

Also Read: Grew up on a Jawa: Shahrukh Khan gets nostalgic with Anand Mahindra

With global rising on rise and shifting weather patterns, automakers all over the world are shifting from the conventional methods of powering vehicles towards cleaner alternatives. Hybrids were the first step towards it but for the time being, Electric powertrains are being seen as an answer. India too is not behind in these developments with several manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Mahindra already testing their electric vehicles here. Now the latest inputs tell us that Mahindra will also be launching a electric variant of its compact SUV, the S201

This was revealed by Pawan Goenka, MD, Mahindra group in between the announcement process of the company’s results for second quarter of FY2019. The electric SUV is expected to come by forst or second quarter of 2020. The S201 is based on the SsangYong Tivoli compact SUV but the Mahindra version will sport a different front and rear design along with some other changes to make it India compatible. The S201 compact SUV is expected to arrive in India by the first quarter of 2019 and will rival the likes of Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Ford Ecosport upon launching.

Talking of EVs, Major companies like Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki are also busy with their electric products for the Indian market. Maruti has already begun testing of its WagonR EV in India while Hyundai is also not far behind and is planning on not one but two electric vehicles for India. The Hyundai Kona EV is already in works while the second, affordable model is under consideration and could most probably an EV version of the Styx compact SUV.

Talking of the Mahindra S201 EV, the vehicle is said to deliver a real-world range of 250km under the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) along with a top speed of 150kph. The claimed top speed is also good and slated at 11 second. Mahindra had long planned to bring in electric vehicles in India and currently is among the most advanced Indian manufacturers in terms of Electric technology. The credit for this goes to the acquisition of the Rewa electric brand by the company long ago which acted as a stepping stone for the company’s future. Mahindra even competes in the all electric Formula E race, which goes on to show the technical expertise it is having.

Also Read: Grew up on a Jawa: Shahrukh Khan gets nostalgic with Anand Mahindra

I flew to Goa for the 650 ride with a lot of questions and apprehensions in my mind. Being a not so happy ex-Himalayan owner, I was sure Royal Enfield would never be able to pull off a near perfect motorcycle at all. Never. Ten minutes into the ride however and I was laughing inside my helmet, shaking my head in disbelief.

Most of you reading the article right now probably know about the pricing. Its smashes the competition out of the picture completely. And you get a warranty for three years as well as RSA (road-side assistance) support for the same time period. But does this fantastically incredible pricing come at the cost of shortcomings? Read on…

The new 650s, both Interceptor and Continental GT are made with a pure design in mind. These are modern day retro classics that ape the era gone by. They are meant to look uber cool without any flashy elements and the essence of the entire package is the meaty engine. It looks massive, wrapped around by minimal body work with the twin pipes announcing their presence in chrome. Both the bikes get identical spoke wheels, tyres, brakes and suspension set-up. The biggest difference comes in the form of three changes – the fuel tank, handle bar and positioning of the foot pegs. I personally love the Interceptor over the GT but I am sure a lot of you out there would prefer the latter.

Its a good move that Royal Enfield is playing with colors on both the bikes. And will be offering 40 accessories to further make these bikes stand out. The company has worked hard to improve on their fit n finish (newer Himalayan, 500x are perfect examples) but the 650s set a new benchmark. Paint quality is superb and the bikes feel solid, very well put together indeed. While some may argue on the thin grab rail or exposed pipes / lines and stuff but my friend, one look at the pricing and these shortcomings are dismissed off.

The bikes also come with decent kit. While the twin pod speedometer console has a rather small LCD display, it looks retro. But I would have definitely wanted a clock, gear indicator and a fuel economy display in there. ABS is standard and both the bikes also get a slipper clutch. There are no fancy items like USD (up-side down) forks up front or a mono-shock at the rear but the current set up looks just fine. The front forks are beefy and the rear ones are gas charged and the spoke wheels carry Pirelli tube tyres – yes, not tubeless yet but while speaking to Rudratej (President at RE), he did confirm the likelihood next year as volumes for such materials are definitely there!

The bikes get an all-new 650cc engine with twin cylinders. Its an air-cooled motor (gets an oil cooler though) and puts out 47 bhp of power with 54 Nm of torque. At this price, no other motorcycle delivers such numbers (not even the KTM 390s) and the 650s are seriously quick for an Enfield. Naught to 100 comes up in less than 6.5 seconds and given the road, you will even see 170+ on the speedometer with 140 coming up rather easily. As we rode out of our hotel in North Goa, the grin on my face was a testimony to the fact that I was enjoying the bike. I rode the GT first and within minutes was hitting the rev limiter in the first two gears – had to back off and upshift early. Never had I imagined an Enfield to rev the way this bike was. Talking of which, 1st cog is good for 70, 2nd for 100 and 3rd for 120. At highway clip, the tachometer showed 4000rpm at 100km/h which means ample poke in reserve to overtake faster moving traffic. This thing can stay at 120 all day long. Plus, given the amount of torque on offer, unlike other bikes in the price band, you dont have to downshift every time you want to close in on a gap in traffic. Its fun!

With a counterbalancer and a 270 degree firing order, not only is the heart of the new 650s smooth, it sounds too good to be true. We rode in a group through out the day and the sound from multiple bikes riding together was pure music to ears. Throttling hard through the gears through narrow Goan roads was fun enough and I can’t wait enough for the SnS performance exhausts to arrive somewhere next year. That would be orgasmic. I can already hear the popcorns loud and clear. Damn!

Post lunch, I took over the Interceptor and couldn’t have been happier. Being awake since morning and a bit tired, I felt at home on the Interceptor and changed my riding behaviour to a more sedate pattern. 4th and 5th were used for most part which meant using all that torque between 2000-4000rpm. Infact, this engine makes 80% of its torque under 3000rpm which meant no downshifts, even on inclines. The engine continues to sound good at lower revs, with a deep growl from the twin exhausts. Ridden this way, I am sure the bikes will deliver a good 22-25 kmpl which means a real world riding range of about 300km.

Both the bikes get an identical 6-speed gearbox with similar gear ratios. Enfield claims the slip assist clutch does help a lot but in my experience, by evening, given the number of shifts we had to do in traffic, my left hand was beginning to ache. Clutchless shifts though, for both going up and down the gears do work like a charm.

So while the GT brings out the nut in you, the Interceptor is surely more laid back. The upright stance is relaxing and the wide handlebar can be adjusted as per rider preference. This is my pick of the two and filtering through traffic is much easier. Infact, on the way back, we wanted to get back to our hotel fast but had Panjim’s evening traffic for company. This combined with the on-going construction for the new upcoming elevated flyover did slow us considerably and the only way to get going was filtering through traffic at crazy speeds. So while I do not advocate this for you guys, the heavy Interceptor felt at ease. The Himalayan was a revelation in terms of handling and the Interceptor carries that forward. It even scraped the pegs on the twisites of South Goa – this with me sitting upright without shifting my backside in the corner. Superb!

The GT is a different bike all together due to the lower handle bar and rear set pegs. Yes, the riding stance is definitely sportier but not aggressive. We rode 130km to South Goa on the GT through a mix of superb flat out stretches, narrow lanes, traffic and about a hundred odd speed breakers with just a couple of breaks and yet I wasn’t too tired. Yes, crouching in for triple digit speeds does help but for daily driving, but you do sit comfortable (for a GT bike) and this can be used by the corporate crowd for their daily commutes. The GT is of course more enjoyable through corners and will hold speeds better too if you may ask. It involves the rider far more too.

Both the bikes come with similar spec suspension which means beefy front forks and gas filled twin shops absorbers at the back. As I said earlier, no fancy stuff on the bikes to keep the cost low but this set-up works for majority of the riders. The chassis is all new too and a big reason why the bikes feel light once over 20-30km/h. The ride quality is comfortable, definitely not plush but takes care of bad roads for you. We rode through a lot of rough patches in Goa at speeds, and thanks to the underlying firmness, had ample confidence. That said, the rear can bottom out over deep potholes or huge undulations. Likewise, go fast into a corner and you have to give that extra input. Just a bit extra. For everyday ride though, no complaints whatsoever. Even a rider graduating up from a smaller 150-200cc bike will get used to the twins very quickly.

Brakes, they work very well. With a tank full of petrol, my tank bag, riding gear and my weight, the combined number was about 320-330kg and yet dropping the anchors at speeds in excess of a ton had the bikes slowing down quickly without drama. Dual channel ABS does come handy but its the way reduction in speed happens. That is what impresses you so much. The initial brake bite isn’t sharp though but when required, they do the job quite well. Further, hopping down a couple of gears also helps and no drama whatsoever thanks to the slip assist clutch. Much needed and much appreciated at this price point.

At the end of the day’s ride with over 250km done between both the bikes, I was impressed. Quite frankly, I had never thought Royal Enfield could pull this off. Charming looks aside, the bikes ride well and never fail to bring a smile on the rider’s face. And while crossing pedestrians, on their faces as well. The engine is one of the core strengths and whosoever said ‘haathi mat paalo’ would surely be running for cover now. If I was a customer for this bike and was asked the expected price, I would have happily quoted 3 lakh + (ex-showroom) but the folks at RE went two steps ahead and shocked all of us. Rs 2.5 lakh onwards for cities like Delhi and even lower for states of Kerala and Karnataka. In other words, ensuring a price of less than Rs 3 lakh for the Interceptor and slightly more for the GT, no matter which state you live in.

Its very rare for a new motorcycle to come and disrupt a segment in terms of the package and pricing. Enfield was never known to be a pricing champ. Yes there are no tubeless tyres, the LCD screen is too basic, no USD forks and no top spec suspension parts et al but its the pleasure of riding that is not compromised and that seals the deal for us. Well done Royal Enfield, well done!

Also Read: Grew up on a Jawa: Shahrukh Khan gets nostalgic with Anand Mahindra

The Himalayan is one of Royal Enfield’s most versatile offerings. The bike is meant to do it all – city commutes, highway runs and off-roading. We’ve seen many custom bike builders come up with interesting new designs and purposes for the Himalayan. While some have built trackers and scramblers, others have even built trikes.

Taking things to an all-new level is Bali, Indonesia, based Smoked Garage. They put together a Himalayan with inspiration from a stealth fighter jet no less. Yes, the motorcycle has been designed to evoke a distinctly military appeal, be it its paint job or the lithe yet muscular tank extensions. And it’s called the SG-411, again in true military fashion.

The motorcycle’s engine has been left untouched but the real changes are in the suspension department. The Himalayan’s high travel telescopic front forks have been swapped for 43 mm upside down front forks from Showa. The stock monoshock makes way for a high-end Ohlins unit with a remote reserovoir and a custom-built swing arm. A distinct design touch that we’ve never seen on a Royal Enfield custom motorcycle is the monoshock peeping out from just behind the fuel tank. In fact, this is the standout design detail on this custom motorcycle.

Other changes include sharp, custom-built body work that makes the bike looks quite sleek, a truncated rear end transforming the motorcycle into a single seater, a custom free flow exhaust, solid wheels, fatter tyres with on-off road tread and Nissin 4 piston calipers running on a twin floating disc brake set-up at the front.

The bike is about 20 kilograms lighter and this should help because the 411cc engine of the Himalayan doesn’t see any changes. The motor makes 24.5 Bhp of peak power and 32 Nm of peak torque. Its long stroke nature gives it good low end and mid range torque, which makes it ideal for use in tracker and scrambler builds.

Royal Enfield now sells the Version 2.0 of the Himalayan in India and international markets. The Himalayan V2.0 has improved quality levels and comes with fuel injection and dual channel ABS as standard. Overall, it’s a much improved motorcycle, and the least priced adventure motorcycle that money can buy in India. The Himalayan’s on-road price is around Rs. 2 lakhs. The next cheapest adventure bike in India is the BMW G 310GS, which is priced t around Rs. 4 lakhs, on-road. Soon, Hero MotoCorp will launch India’s cheapest adventure bike – the XPulse. The Hero XPulse will be priced at under Rs. 1 lakhs, ex-showroom.

Via BikeExif

Also Read: Grew up on a Jawa: Shahrukh Khan gets nostalgic with Anand Mahindra

Toyota Camry sedans are rare cars on Indian roads. It’s surprising as the Camry is one of the biggest selling cars in  the world. In fact, North Americans simply love the Camry, and the Camry to Americans is like what the Maruti Dzire  is to Indians.

Now, when the Camry is so rare, what are the odds that someone modifies it into a ‘Gangsta’ car here in India? Well,  India continues to surprise us every single day. We present to you the used car find of the day – the Toyota  ‘Gangsta’ Camry. At Rs. 2.95 lakhs, it’s cheaper than a Tata Nano Automatic. You can buy it here.

As its name suggests, the car is a rather shocking mixture of an Audi grille, fur laden dashboard and bright red  interiors. It’s the car that wanted to look hot but ended up with a bad nose job, the kinds that shady cosmetic  surgeons with fake medical degrees deliver.

Unlike the human body, where a messed up surgery is usually permanent, we find that this Camry can actually be  restored to pristine condition if the buyer has some patience, and of course some deep pockets. Just the front grille  needs to go, and the car can get back to its former self, which if not drop dead gorgeous was at least reasonably  pleasing. The interiors can always be redone without having to spend a bomb. And finally, the ugly alloy wheels can  be swapped for something more good looking.

This example here is the 2.4 liter-4 cylinder version running on petrol. A 5 speed torque converter automatic gearbox  is standard. This is one of Toyota’s most reliable petrol automatic combinations in the world, and if maintained well, this motor and tranny will last a lifetime. Peak power is rated at 164 Bhp and peak torque, at 224 Nm. The engine is noted for its impeccable refinement, and and propel the car to speeds of up to 200 Kmph, which is more than enough for any road in the world, leave alone Indian roads.

But the Camry is not meant to be driven like that. It’s the Indian equivalent of the American ‘Big Easy’, the car  that’s long, low and perfect to cruise around town as it’s an automatic. In black, with dark tints and smoked alloy  wheels, it does make for a perfect ‘Gangsta’ looking car. And we get why the modifier has chosen this route with the
Camry but we just don’t like the horrible grille up front.

Also Read: Grew up on a Jawa: Shahrukh Khan gets nostalgic with Anand Mahindra

World renowned designer Dilip Chhabria is a big figure in automotive design industry. Founder of the popular DC Designs in India, he is a big gearhead himself. While some of the designs out of his house may be less than spectacular, there are many others including the Aston Martin Vantage V8 concept, which are appreciated the world over. His personal garage is full of exotic vehicles and here is a full list of all the vehicles that belong to him.

BMW X6 M

The BMW X6 is known for being the world’s first SUV-Coupe crossover. This gives it both ruggedness as well as sportiness. No doubt this design concept has been lifted by many companies now. Dilip Chhabria owns one of them, that too in the M powered guise. The X6 M is one of the most powerful production SUVs in the world. He uses the vehicle regularly and is pictured above going around the Buddh International Circuit, the only Formula 1 circuit in the country.

The metallic blue BMW X6 M owned by Dilip Chhabria is powered by an 8-cylinder engine that churns out a maximum power of 567 Bhp and 750 Nm of Torque. It gets an 8-speed automatic transmission and an AWD system. It can run from 0-100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 249.9 km/h.

Aston Martin Vanquish

Aston Martin once approached Dilip Chhabria to build a prototype of the Aston Martin Vantage V8 which was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show. The British Manufacturer famous for being James Bond’s choice of ride has found a way into Dilip’s garage in form of the Vanquish. This sportscar carries a price tag of Rs. 5.21 crores in India and is the most expensive Aston Martin that you can buy. The Vanquish has now been replaced by the DBS Superleggera in the company’s model lineup. The Vanquish gets powered by a massive 5.9-litre V12 engine that produces 568 Bhp of power and can reach a top speed of 324 km/h. The engine gets an 8-speed transmission that is known to shift between gears in a lightning fast speed of 130 milliseconds. Truly a Aston Martin then.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Talk of luxury sedans and the one name which comes floating in mind is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Dilip Chhabria uses the old-generation of the luxury saloon as his daily car. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class S320 CDI used by him is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 engine that churns out a maximum of 210 Bhp and 490 Nm. The luxury saloon gets a 7-speed automatic transmission and is a fun car to drive too. However, most owners of the S-Class are found to be relaxing in the rear seats rather than putting the engine horses to work.

DC Avanti

Dilip Chhabria is the man behind India’s first sportscar, the DC Avanti which is quite popular too. It is quite natural then that he must be the owner of one of them. The DC Avanti has been designed keeping the Indian conditions in mind and it gets a ground clearance of 170mm, which is huge by sports car standards. The Avanti is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine from Ford. The EcoBoost engine generates a maximum of 250 Bhp and a peak torque of 366 Nm and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

The Avanti is electronically limited at 180 km/h. It is also one of the most affordable sportscars that you can buy in India and carries a price tag of Rs. 35 lakhs. While many disregard it for its design and driving dynamics when compared to international models, one should keep in mind the difference in R&D budget of the international sports car brands and DC.

Porsche 911 Turbo S

The Porsche 911 Turbo S is one of the most fun to drive sportscar and is popularly known as an everyday-use-sportscar. This yellow beauty here is usually driven by Dilip Chhabria’s son Bonito. Like his father, he is also an avid gearhead and is known for making a replica of a Mercedes 300SLR Roadster. The twin-turbocharged flat six engine on this car produces a maximum power of 572 Bhp and it can reach 100 km/h from standstill in just 2.9 seconds. That is really fast by even supercar standards. Bonito has been spotted at the Buddh International Circuit numerous times with the vehicle.

Audi R8 Spyder

The Audi R8 is one of the best selling sports car in India and is owned by many celebrities also. The reason behind is the ease of use and practicality it offers, something for which sportscars are not generally known for. This 2012 R8 Spyder in bright yellow colour is used by Bonito often. This convertible sportscar looks stunning and comes powered by a 4.2-litre V8 engine to match the looks. The power out of this car is slated at 420 Bhp. The convertible can accelerate to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds and its top speed is electronically limited at 299 km/h.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG may not be the greatest of sportscars but is the most flamboyant one for sure. The very long bonnet, gull wing doors and sleek looks make it a car which will become a future classic. This beautiful red coloured example featured here is driven by Bonito and is often seen at the Buddh International Circuit. The sportscar is powered by a 6.2-litre V8 engine that produces a maximum power of 563 Bhp and 650 Nm.

Source: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Also Read: Grew up on a Jawa: Shahrukh Khan gets nostalgic with Anand Mahindra

The Rider Mania sees Royal Enfield owners from all over the country congregating at Vagator,Goa for a biker
extravaganza each year at Arpora village, Goa. This year, Rider Mania has a very unique attraction – Maut Ka Kuan, or Well of Death in English. Here’s a teaser video of what’s to come.

The ‘Maut Ka Kuan‘ is a popular act in country fairs across India where daredevil performers risk life and limb to  defy gravity by riding motorcycles in a tall cylinder-like structure. Centrifugal forces allow the motorcylists to  ride at crazy bank angles on the walls of the cylinder.

Generally, light two stroke motorcycles such as the Yamaha RX100 and Suzuki Shogun are preferred for the Maut Ka  Kuan, not heavy Royal Enfields. In a departure from the norm, there will be 6 riders on Royal Enfield motorcycles  riding the walls of the ‘well of death’ this year.

You must understand that these actions must not be imitated as they come with significant risk to life and limb.  Across India, many rider-performers of the ‘Well of Death’ have died or have been seriously injured while performing  these dangerous stunts. At Rider Mania, all the riders performing this stunt are said to be trained professionals.

Apart from the Well of Death, Rider Mania will have a bunch of other attractions. There will be a custom bike contest where custom bike builders from across India will compete for top honours. You can expect to see some crazy looking custom motorcycles on display at this event.

Royal Enfield riders who’re a part of the Rider Mania will also get to participate in a slow race, a dirt race, a  bike assembly contest and a bunch of other fun activities that will go on for the next couple of days. This time around, a major attraction for those attending the Rider Mania will be the newly launched Royal Enfield 650 twins.

Both the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650 will be on display at the Rider Mania, and  attendees will also be able to test ride these machines. Bookings for these motorcycles are already on at Royal  Enfield dealerships across India. However, the bulk of customer deliveries will begin only from early next year. The  bikes have been very competitively priced, with prices starting from just Rs. 2.34 lakhs. Both bikes use a newly  developed 650cc, four stroke parallel twin engine with 47 Bhp-52 Nm on tap.

Also Read: Grew up on a Jawa: Shahrukh Khan gets nostalgic with Anand Mahindra

The Jawa and Yezdi range of two stroke motorcycles have a huge fan following in India. And Bollywood movie star Shahrukh Khan is one of them. Tweeting just after the relaunch of the Jawa brand in India, Shahrukh Khan got all nostalgic and had this to say to Anand Mahindra.

Oh nice. Grew up on this! https://t.co/sugLJNAQPx

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) November 15, 2018

It’s not just Shahrukh Khan who’s a fan of Jawa. Anand Mahindra, the Chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra, and the man who’s involved in bringing back the Jawa brand to India along with Boman Irani and Anupam Thareja, has also been a Jawa fan since childhood.

In fact. Mr. Mahindra shared an anecdote at the launch of the Jawa trio yesterday. Mr. Mahindra said that he studied at the Lovedale School in Ooty, which also had one Ms. Morvariz Irani, one of the Irani brothers’ daughter, as its student. The Irani brothers were the ones who brought the Jawa into India. Mr. Mahindra noted that if anyone wanted a visit to the Ideal Jawa (as it was called then) factory in Mysuru, Karnataka, Ms. Irani was the go-to girl for that.

Coming back to the motorcycles themselves, Anand Mahindra has now teamed up with Anupam Thareja, a former investment banker, and Boman Irani, of the Irani family who own the Jawa brand in India, to set up Classic Legends Pvt Limited. The Jawa brand has been resurrected through this company. Mahindra Two Wheelers’ factory in Pithampur will built the new, Jawa range of four stroke motorcycles under a contract manufacturing agreement. In fact, the engines that the three new Jawas use are derived from the Mahindra Mojo’s 295cc single.

Three Jawa motorcycles were launched yesterday – the Jawa, the 42 and the Perak. The Jawa and 42 motorcycles use a 293cc, four stroke engine with twin barrel exhausts and 27 Bhp-28 Nm outputs. The Perak is a bobber that will be introduced later, and features a 334cc, single cylinder engine with 30 Bhp-31 Nm outputs. All three motorcycles get six speed manual gearboxes. While the Jawa and 42 are priced at Rs. 1.55 lakhs and 1.64 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, the Perak sits at the top of the range, at Rs. 1.89 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.

All three motorcycles have distinct retro designs, and are squarely aimed at Royal Enfield’s retro-motorcycle line up. Jawa has already set up 64 dealerships across India, and 105 dealerships will be functional soon. Bookings of the motorcycles have already begun. While test rides will start early next year, the actual customer deliveries are expected to begin from early next year.

Also Read: Grew up on a Jawa: Shahrukh Khan gets nostalgic with Anand Mahindra

Anupam Thareja, the founder of Classic Legends, the company that’s been set-up to sell Jawa and BSA branded motorcycles in India, confirmed that the Yezdi brand will also be resurrected in India. He confirmed this through an audience question at the Jawa launch yesterday. The exact timeline on when the Yezdi range of motorcycles will make an appearance in India is not known for now.

We anticipate that Classic Legends will first wait for the Jawa brand to settle down and establish itself in the Indian market before bringing in the Yezdi brand. Ideal Jawa, the original company that used to sell Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles in India, completely re-branded all motorcycles to Yezdi in its latter part of existence. The Yezdi range of motorcycles included the Road King, Oil King, Classic, CL-II, Monarch, Deluxe, 350 and 175 models.

As and when Classic Legends resurrects Yezdi, we expect the brand to use the same mechanicals as the ones on the Jawa range. Differences between the two sub-brands from Classic Legends are likely to be stylistic, just like what was the case when Jawa and Yezdi both co-existed in India at one point of time in the 1970s and 1980s. The Mahindra Mojo’s engine has already been re-engineered for use in the Jawa range, and the same motor is likely to find application in Yezdis of the future as well.

There are four main reasons for this.

1. Classic Legends got a celebrated engine designer from abroad to work on the Mojo’s engine, for more low end torque and a distinct exhaust note. The engine is now said to embody the characteristics that made Jawas and Yezdis famous.

2. Also, the engine has been engineered to be Bharat Stage 6 emission norms compliant right from day one.

3. The engine is a handsome looker, and has been designed to look retro despite being a liquid cooled motor, much like what Triumph has done with the Street Twin range’s engines.

4. Cost. Developing a brand new engine is expensive, and for a boutique motorcycle brand such as Classic Legends, which is said to operate like a start-up, getting things done at minimum expense is critical.

Currently, the Jawa and 42 bikes use a 293cc, four stroke-liquid cooled, single cylinder engine that puts out 27 Bhp-28 Nm while the Perak uses a big bore, 334cc version of the same engine, with 30 Bhp-31 Nm outputs. All engines get 4 valve, twin cam heads with dual exhaust ports. The twin ‘cigarette’ exhaust design, which is offered on the Jawa and 42 motorcycles, is expected to be carried over to the Yezdi range as well. Fuel injection is also standard on both the engines.

Also Read: Upcoming new Toyota Corolla revealed, India launch by 2019 end

Mahindra had recently launched a much needed upper mid trim model to the Scorpio lineup. Called the S9, it has been priced at Rs. 13.99 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi. The S9 trim has been introduced to fill the gap between the S7 and S11 trims, which have been on sale since long.

The S9 is cheaper than the top of the line S11 by a margin of Rs. 1.15 lakhs. It, however, does not miss on the necessary equipment like automatic climate control and touch infotainment system. Let’s now know more in detail about the new variant through this video.

The new Scorpio S9 does not comes with any design overhaul on the outside. The badge on the rear will tell you that it’s the S9 variant. Also, the car in the video is the 7 seater S9 variant and not the 8 seater one. Another teller that this is not the top end Scorpio variant is the lack of alloy wheels.

It, however gets Static-bending Projector Headlamps, LED Light Guides and wing mirrors with integrated turn indicators, telling that this is not a base variant too. There are disc brake at front wheels and drum brakes at rear wheels of the Scorpio S9. Another feature worth missing is the hydraulic assisted bonnet lid, present on this variant.

The S9 variant does not come with a reverse parking camera though it has a 5.9 inch infotainment system on board. Only parking sensors are available at your service during maneuvering through tight corners. Also, the infotainment system still does not support Apple car play or Android auto. Other interior elements include steering mounted controls, automatic climate control, height adjustable seat and rake (height) adjust steering wheel. Rear seat gets AC vents along with a 12 V charging point. The rear glass also has wiper/washer/defogger which will help during winters.

The Scorpio S9 is powered by the familiar 2.2 liter-4 cylinder, mHawk turbocharged engine that produces 140 Bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of peak  torque. The engine is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox. Automatic gearbox option is not available on the S9 trim. Also, the Scorpio S9 is rear wheel drive only with 4wd not available even as an option. Also, the micro hybrid system is present on this variant.

Also Read: Upcoming new Toyota Corolla revealed, India launch by 2019 end

Lets face it – “kitna deti hai” is still among top priorities for new car buyers in the mass segments of hatchbacks and sedans. With rising fuel prices, none of us mind saving a few bucks each day by driving a fuel efficient car and thankfully manufacturers are coming up with offerings that are extremely light on the pocket.
We analyse all the cars on sale in India and filter down the list to the 10 most fuel efficient cars in India. As expected the top seven run on diesel while the other three are petrol powered and four of the ten cars are sold by Maruti.
Do note that the figures you see below are certified by ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) and real world fuel economy will be lower. If you use the car in city limits but do use the 4th and 5th gears, expect them to deliver about 70-75% of the certified figure. Likewise out on open highways at speeds of 80-90 km/h, you will be able to extract much higher fuel economy than the certified one.

Best mileage cars in India : Maruti Alto 800

ARAI certified economy: 24.7 kmpl

Fuel type: Petrol
Price: Rs 2.87 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: Upto Rs 30000 cash, upto Rs 30000 exchange bonus (November)

India’s most affordable car (The Tata Nano is not produced any more) comes up at the tenth position. This is the largest selling car in small towns and rural markets and customers here surely want a car that’s cheap to run. Maruti has sold 35 lakh (yes, 35,00,000) Altos since its launch in the Indian car market and there is no denying the fact that the Alto 800 is a car for the masses! Bullet proof reliability, low running costs and ease of driving is that the little Alto offers. Powered by a 800cc engine and mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Alto 800 offers surprisingly brisk performance for city runs. Maruti also offers a company fitted CNG kit for even lower running costs.
The cabin, though not as spacious as the Nano, offers a clean design with durable materials. Higher spec models offer integrated audio system, front power windows, keyless entry and a driver side airbag is optional across all trim levels. You can even personalise the car with accessories online and get the same delivered via your nearest showroom.
At this price, the Alto 800 offers an unbeatable package. Its long in the tooth but is still winning thousands of hearts across India each month.

Pros: 

• Value for money, factory fitted CNG option
• Driver airbag optional across all versions
• Light controls make it easy to drive
• Efficient and cheap maintenance cost

Cons:

• Not a good highway companion
• Not as spacious as say the Nano or redi-GO
• Average road presence

Sales (not available as figures are clubbed with Alto K10)

Latest update: Alto Utsav edition launched in October 2017

Best mileage cars in India : Renault KWID / Datsun redi-GO

ARAI certified economy: 25.17
Fuel type: Petrol

Price: Rs 2.83 lakh (redi-GO) & Rs 3.02 lakh (KWID) onwards (on-road before discounts)

Both the redi-GO and KWID share the same 800cc and 1000cc engines. The smaller motor is the more efficient of the two units and beats Maruti’s Alto 800 by a whisker. And this inspite of the KWID / redi-GO being more powerful with higher torque than the desi offering. The engine aside, both the Renault and Datsun offerings are very different right from the design. While the KWID is a baby SUV with its large dimensions, the redi-GO aint bad either and looks quite chic for the price.

The story continues on the inside too where both the cars have a different cabin and feel. While the KWID woos you with its large touchscreen and LCD speedometer, the redi-GO offers a good feel, better headroom and is cheaper as well. Let me also add that both the cars come with an optional AMT but not with the 800cc motor. 
The redi-GO is a very good urban car with high visibility and a light steering. That said, the KWID offers a better ride quality and is more stable at highway speeds. 
In the end, if you are looking at sheer value, the redi-GO is the pick. But the KWID, at the extra 20 grand is a worthy deal too.

Best mileage cars in India : Honda City

ARAI certified economy: 25.6 kmpl

Fuel type: Diesel

Price: Rs 9.75 lakh onwards
Discounts: 1st Year Insurance + Rs 20k Exchange Bonus + 10K Accessories (November)

The most premium C segment sedan, one that has the highest brand value is the Honda City and it also features in this list. The 1.5-litre Earth Dreams diesel motor now powers various cars in the Honda family including the BRV, Amaze, Jazz and this. It is extremely efficient and during our fuel economy run, we managed to extract as much as 45 kmpl! Sadly though, unlike rivals, the City diesel does not offer an automatic. That said, the latest avatar looks sleek but remember, machined alloy wheels or LED lights are only the higher spec models. Step inside and cabin continues to impress – the sheer amount of space and comfort here is unmatched. Honda gets it right each time and from seats to ergonomics, no complaints whatsoever. It even gets a massive 510 litre boot.

The City continues to get a 1.5 petrol or a 1.5 diesel unit. The petrol also comes with an optional CVT that makes it a breeze for urban runs. Its smooth, has enough punch and above average fuel economy. The diesel is very torquey but noisy at the same time and this takes away the pleasure of driving an otherwise fine car. The gearbox too fails to impressive with rough gear shifts. However, the City makes up by offering a very good ride quality.
The City is the most expensive C segment sedan. That said, it does offer you a lot of kit. For example, a sunroof, smarty keyless entry with start-stop, LED lights, touch control panel for climate control, DIGIPAD 2.0 infotainment and a multi view rear camera display.

Pros:

• Continues to look nice with premium appeal
• Unbeatable space and comfort
• Feature loaded
• Petrol – CVT works well for daily runs

Cons:


• Low ground clearance
• Noisy diesel motor – no auto option with this either
• Top spec models are very expensive

Sales

July: 3709
August: 2790
September: 2564

Latest update: Honda City Edge launched in Aug 2018

Best mileage cars in India : Ford Aspire

ARAI Certified economy: 26.1 kmpl
Fuel type: Diesel
Price: Rs 6.15 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: None

The latest Aspire comes with a revised gearbox for the diesel engine which has further made it more efficient. At 26.1 kmpl, the Aspire is one of the most efficient 100 bhp cars in India and this without sacrificing on driving pleasure. This new 2018 facelift model manages to make improvements across all parameters. The new grille, revised bumper and better looking fog lamp inserts might be subtle changes but go a long way in making it look fresh and premium. The new, larger 15-inch alloy wheels gel along well with the positioning of the car. The rear gets minor updates but as you step inside the cabin, you are greeted with a host of additions.

The biggest highlight on the inside is the new SYNC3 interface that not only offers you segment best touch reception, but also comes bundled with navigation, reverse camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its a breeze to use, even for new users and was first seen in the Freestyle and the recently updated EcoSport. Moving on, you also get a push button start-stop feature, auto headlamps and auto wipers. The diesel engine is a carry over but as wrote above, is mated to a new 5-speed gearbox that is lighter and improves fuel economy marginally. With 100 PS of power and most importantly 215 Nm of torque, the Aspire diesel remains our pick in the compact sedan segment : it also has one of the best NVH levels out there!

Pros: 


• Build quality is solid (heavy)
• Excellent ride quality – comfortable too
• Better value than ever before – prices slashed
• Both engines offer good driveability

Cons:

• Surprisingly no rear air-con vents
• Relatively lower resale value
• Petrol automatic is simply too expensive

Sales
July: 1069
August: 523
September: 1640

Last update: New 2018 version launched

Best mileage cars in India: Tata Tiago

ARAI certified economy: 27.28 kmpl
Fuel type: Diesel
Price: Rs 3.79 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: 1st Year Insurance @ Rs 7400 + Rs 10K Exchange (October)

Wait a minute, a Tata product in here? Even we were surprised when the Tiago was launched a few years back and came with a certified economy of 27.28 kmpl for the diesel motor. That’s incredible given the Tiago is one of the heavier small cars around. The newly developed 1.05-litre three cylinder motor was developed from the 4 cylinder 1.4 unit that used to power the older Indigo / Indica models. It offers average performance but excellent economy and then a lot more!
And we aren’t just talking about the design that looks upmarket but the interiors that would look at home on a Rs 6 lakh hatchback! Available in no less than 12 versions, 2 engine and 2 transmission options, the Tiago comes feature packed including multiple safety aids.
And then there is supple ride quality that betters most rivals. Drive this car over bad city roads and you will come back with a smile on your face. It also scores over others in terms top notch driving dynamics, good city handling and excellent brakes. Definitely one of the most fun to drive cars in the price segment, while being extremely frugal.

Thumbs up: 
1) Interior design and quality
2) Ride and handling package
3) No of variants on offer
4) Powerful and efficient engine options

Thumbs down
1) Petrol engine not as smooth as rivals
2) Tata’s small cars are known for long term niggles
3) Rear headroom isn’t impressive
4) Rivals have better resale value

Sales:
July: 8009
August: 9277
September: 8377

Milestone: 9277 : August 2018

Latest update: Tata Motors launched the performance oriented JTP version of the Tiago at Rs 6.39 lakh

Best mileage cars in India: Honda Jazz

ARAI certified economy: 27.3 kmpl
Fuel type: Diesel

Price: Rs 8.25 lakh onwards
Discounts: 1st Year Insurance + 20K Exchange. Also, is additional Exclusive Cash Discount of Rs 25000 on Jazz Diesel Version (November)

There are three Hondas in this list and second one is the diesel Jazz. It uses the same 1.5 unit that is seen in the Amaze and the City and is more efficient than its rival the i20 and almost neck to neck with the Baleno. This inspite of making more power from the diesel motor!
The Jazz continues to look ‘different’. It isn’t sporty or stylish but upmarket in a good way. Honda designs are generally conservative and so is the Jazz. But step inside and you are impressed with the amount of cabin space on offer. Its unbelievable how Japanese engineers have managed to extract so much space from a car that measures under 4 meters. The design is good too and lot of practical touches go in to make this a family happy car too. 
The Jazz continues to be powered by the same 1.2 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel unit. The latter uses a 6 speed manual gearbox and the extra cog does help a lot for extracting the best from the engine. The diesel is torquey and efficient but like the Amaze and the City, remains noisy here too. 
Overall, the Jazz is a very spacious, practical and easy to drive large hatch. Though pricey, it is still a popular car amongst a niche segment of buyers.

Pros:

• Looks large for a sub 4m car
• Incredibly spacious on the inside
• Very practical, massive boot
• Rides well, like a mature car

Cons

• Petrol manual has weak low end grunt
• Low resale value
• Diesel remains noisy

Sales
August: 1119
September: 1018
October: 1057

Latest update: Mild facelift for 2018 model

Best mileage cars in India: Maruti Baleno

ARAI certified economy: 27.39 kmpl
Fuel type: Diesel

Price: Rs 6 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 10,000 cash, Rs 15,000 exchange bonus (November)

Almost as efficient as the Honda Jazz, the Baleno is keeping customers happy month after month. It is the largest selling premium hatchback and the tried and tested DDiS motor continues to be extremely frugal. The largest selling Nexa model, the Baleno has been a runaway success for Maruti. Competing in the premium hatchback segment, the Baleno outsells the i20 and Jazz combined together. While the design is still subjective, where the Baleno scores top marks is inside the cabin. Passenger space is surprisingly very good and it even gets the second largest boot space for any hatch in India. The Baleno comes loaded with all features possible at this price – segment unique TFT speedometer display and steering adjustment for both reach and height for example.
The Baleno comes with both a 1.2-lite petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel unit – both these engines are seen on the Swift and Dzire in similar states of tune. While the diesel gets a manual only, the petrol is offered with both a manual and a CVT auto option. The latter performs far better as compared to the popular AGS / AMT transmissions. Engine performance aside, we like the way the Baleno rides over city roads, offering an excellent ride quality. High speed manners are mature and for performance seekers, there is also a RS variant – but well over Rs 8 lakh on road. 
In a nutshell, if you are in the market for a Rs 6-8 lakh car and do not like the idea of a compact sedan, the Baleno should be your pick.

Pros

• Excellent ride and handing
• CVT-Petrol works very well. Diesel is peppy (though noisy)
• Feature loaded – we loved the TFT screen for example
• Surprisingly very spacious for 5 adults and luggage

Cons:

• Exterior design is subjective and not to everyone’s liking
• Cabin looks nice but quality isn’t on par with the Hyundai i20
• Pan India reach is limited due to Nexa network
• Though very spacious, rear headroom is limited

Sales
August: 17,713
September: 18,631
October: 18,657

Latest update: Limited edition launched in September 2018

Best mileage cars in India: Honda Amaze

ARAI certified economy: 27.4kmpl
Fuel type: Diesel
Price: Rs 6.35 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Additional Extended Warranty of 4th & 5th Year (November)

At a certified economy of 27.4 kmpl, the Amaze is the most efficient Honda offering in India. Launched in early 2018, it has also gone on to become the second largest selling sedan in India and got in major updates like revised styling, new interiors and higher efficiency from the diesel motor. Being an all-new generation model, the Amaze excels in all parameters as compared to the outgoing model. It looks new and wears a mature look up front – it is still under 4 meters in length but looks larger in real life. Cabin remains its strongest point, offering one of the most spacious cabins under Rs 8 lakh. Honda has worked hard to impart a premium feel with a dual tone theme and high quality materials and it shows. Interior remain plush for the segment and offer excellent comfort for five adults. 
The Amaze continues to come with the same 1.2 petrol and 1.5 diesel units though this time around, both the engine options get optional CVT set-up, a segment first. A CVT transmission is much better as compared to the now common AMT / AGS set-up and offers less lag during gear changes. Do note that the CVT Diesel Amaze has a lower certified economy. Honda is also offering a standard warranty of 3 years / unlimited km along with extended warranty options of 4 and 5 years, again with unlimited usage. This is segment best. Overall, given the 100 horses on tap and excellent economy figures, the combination is unbeatable.

Pros: 


• Spacious and upmarket cabin : we love the layout
• Only car under 10 lakh to offer diesel-CVT set up
• Low running costs, upto 5 years / unlimited mileage warranty
• Good ride, mature looks, Honda brand

Cons: 


• Diesel engine is still noisy with vibrations
• Rear headroom is limited
• No rear air-con vents

Sales
July: 10180
August: 9644
September: 8401

Last update: Amaze crosses 50,000 mark in October 2018

Best Mileage Cars in India: Maruti Ciaz

ARAI certified economy: 28.09 kmpl
Fuel type: Diesel

Price: Rs 9.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 10,000 Corporate Discount, upto Rs 15,000 exchange bonus (November)

The top two most fuel efficient cars are from Maruti and they do justify the question, “kitna deti hai”! Thanks to its mild hybrid tech, the Ciaz delivers an astonishing 28.09 kmpl under standard test conditions. I own one back home and regularly get an easy 25+ during morning commutes with mild traffic and over 30kmpl at high speeds of 90-95 km/h!
This is the largest selling car in its category and got a major facelift in August and this has translated into good sales figures as well. The car wears a sleeker, more premium look and this is due to the new grille, tweaked lamps and LED set up for the lamps. The Ciaz is still the most spacious car in the segment and the new version gets additional kit in the form of faux wooden inserts on the fascia and the doors, cruise control and a new TFT screen in the speedometer console. This is only offered in the petrol line-up and gets new dials for the pods. Looks sporty!
The engine is less powerful than the petrols offered by the Honda City and Hyundai Verna. This said, the real strength of the motor is the reliability and frugal nature. However no auto option is available as of now.
The Ciaz manages to play the pricing card rather well and with improvements across parameters, this new Maruti seems all set to remain the segment leader for months to come.

Pros: 


• Unbeatable cabin space and comfort
• Minor updates make it look premium and sleek
• Segment leading fuel economy – new petrol is peppier
• Top end Ciaz is value for money wrt Verna / City

Cons:

• 
Diesel motor is weak compared to City / Verna
• No automatic with diesel – surprise for the segment
• Missing feature – Sunroof, cooled seats, auto wipers etc
• Ingres / Egress plus limited rear headroom

Sales
July: 48
August: 7002
September: 6246

Latest update: New Ciaz launched in August 2018

Best Mileage cars in India: Maruti Swift & Dzire

ARAI certified economy: 28.4 kmpl

Fuel type: Diesel

Price: Rs 5.55 lakh (Swift) & Rs 6.2 lakh (Dzire) onwards (on-road before discounts)

And India’s most efficient cars are the Swift and the Dzire with identical fuel economy figures. Both the models come with the same engine and weigh almost same and make use of an all-new platform that helped reduction of weight by about 90kgs. No wonder then, they are even more efficient than the Ciaz and that too without the mild hybrid tech. 
What’s more, Maruti also offers optional AMT (automatic) with both the Swift and Dzire diesel versions that offers similar levels of economy. In other words, these are also the most efficient automatic cars in India.
The Swift and Dzire got a major revamp with revised exterior styling and all-new cabins. Space has improved and so has the driving experience of the cars. Combined together, Maruti sells over 40000 units of the Dzire and Swift combined together which is more than the number of cars sold by Mahindra and Tata combined together. Shocking but true! The ongoing discounts and offers further make them irresistible in the market.

On a budget? Have a look at the most fuel efficient cars under Rs 5 lakh in India.

Also Read: Upcoming new Toyota Corolla revealed, India launch by 2019 end

Mahindra’s new flagship SUV is days away from being launched in India. A rebadged Ssangyong Rexton G4, the Alturas will be available in two variants. Mahindra has just revealed a few key features of this luxury SUV, which promises to be class leader in terms of luxury.

Mahindra has also noted that the Alturas will not only compete with the segment leading Toyota Fortuner but will also aim to take on German imports such as the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40.

As for key features that Mahindra says will make the Alturas ‘redefine the high-end SUV segment’, the SUV will  receive a segment leading 9 airbags, 8 way powered driver seat with memory profilt, dual zone fully automatic climate control, a 360 degree surround camera, active rollover protection and ventilated seats.

To make the buying experience special and befitting a 30 lakh rupee SUV, Mahindra will also retail the Alturas G4  through a separate dealership section integrated within the existing dealerships. This section will have relationship  managers to handle Alturas customers specifically.

Veejay Ram Nakra, Chief of Sales & Marketing, M&M Ltd. said,

The Alturas G4 is our most luxurious offering till date and will come with a host of technology & safety features,  many of which are not available in vehicles in a similar price range. We have always been a pioneer when it comes to  creating industry benchmarks and the Alturas G4 will be no different. We are certain that with the Alturas G4, we  would redefine the high-end SUV segment

The Mahindra Alturas is a body-on-ladder frame equipped SUV that will be sold only with a Mercedes Benz-sourced, 7 speed automatic gearbox as standard. The engine will be a 2.2 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged diesel with 187 Bhp of  peak power and 420 Nm of peak torque. A four wheel drive transfer case will be offered on the top-end G4 variant.

The Mahindra Alturas comes with towering dimensions, and is in fact larger than the Toyota Fortuner. Needless to say, the SUV will have big road presence. It will be built at Mahindra’s Chakan factory from completely knocked down (CKD) kits imported from Ssangyong, South Korea.

As for pricing, we expect the Alturas G4 to undercut both the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour and drive home the  ‘value-for-money’ point. As far as brand value goes, aMahindra is no Ford or Toyota. Sharp pricing will ensure that the Alturas finds enough takers in the Indian market.

Also Read: Upcoming new Toyota Corolla revealed, India launch by 2019 end

Tata Motors is working on a premium hatchback that will rival the Maruti Baleno. The car was first showcased in  concept form at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo as the 45X hatchback concept. The production version of the Tata 45X will be launched late next year. CarToq’s rendering artist Vipin Vathoopan has put together a speculative render that  shows what the new Tata premium hatchback could look like.

Long, low and gorgeous, just like the 45X concept. This is how the production version of the Tata 45X premium  hatchback is expected to turn out. The car will get LED headlamps similar to the ones seen on the concept. Much of  the concept’s design cues are expected to be retained in the production version but expect some changes to make the car more practical for a wide buyer demographic.

The new Tata 45X will be the first car to be based on the Advanced Modular Platform (AMP). The AMP is expected to  spawn many more Tata cars including a sedan version of the 45X, an MPV and even a micro SUV. For now though, the premium hatchback will be the first car to use this platform, which will involve a lot of parts sharing. Basically, the AMP platform is designed to be similar to the Volkswagen MQB platform in terms of parts sharing.

Coming back to the Tata 45X, the car is expected to use a 1.2 liter turbocharged petrol engine (108 Bhp-170 Nm) borrowed from the Tata Nexon. Tata Motors is also said to be working on a mild hybrid for the 45X. The 1.5 liter diesel motor (108 Bhp-260 Nm) could also be borrowed from the Nexon, which will make the 45X one of the most powerful premium hatchbacks in India, more powerful than even the segment topping Volkswagen Polo GT.

Tata Motors has also hinted at a twin clutch AMT option for the 45X in future. At launch though, we expect the car to  be launched with 5 speed manual gearboxes. Expect the interiors of the car to be feature-rich. The car will not only comply with the upcoming safety norms under BNVSAP but is also expected to be Bharat Stage 6 emission norms ready right from the outset. Twin airbags, ABS, reverse parking sensors, speed alert, ISOFIX child seat mounting points and seat belt reminder will be standard safety features across the Tata 45X range.

Also Read: Upcoming new Toyota Corolla revealed, India launch by 2019 end

Bollywood is an ever changing industry with lots of people coming and going from it. Some of them make a mark on the silver screen while some fail to do so. Currently, there are a lot of young actors and actress who have made a name for themselves in a short span of time. They have not only set an example for other to follow but also how to do so with style. Let’s take a look at what these young stars prefer when they get onto a four wheeler. From sporty Aston Martins to swanky Range Rovers, this list has all.

Ranveer Singh

The newly married married hunk of Bollywood, Ranveer Singh has quite a spanky collection of expensive luxury cars. These include the Range Rover Vogue, Mercedes-Benz GLS and a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. The actor also is a proud owner of a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, as he endorses the car. Among all these, however, there is one car that stands out, which is his Aston Martine Rapide S. The svelte Rapide S gets powered by a 6.0-litre V12 engine that churns out 552 Bhp of power and 620 Nm of torque. It can seat 4 in perfect luxury and costs roughly Rs. 3.5 crore.

Varun Dhawan

Another Bollywood heartthrob, Varun Dhawan has done well in the Indian film industry. He is one of the few young actors who has done almost every type of role in a short time. Like many other Bollywood personalities, he too uses an Audi Q7 luxury SUV. Varun Dhawan’s Q7 is gets powered by a 3.0-litre, V6 turbocharged diesel engine that produces 240 Bhp of power along with 550 Nm of Torque. The current generation Audi Q7 range starts from Rs. 73.73 lakh.

Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan started their careers from the same point and both of them now stand quite successful. The young actress uses a current-gen Range Rover Vogue as her daily ride. The Range Rover Vogue comes at a base price of Rs. 1.6 crore. It has a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine that churns out 240 Bhp of power and 600 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and the SUV has a full-time 4WD system.

Disha Patani

Disha Patani rise to fame was quick but the actress cum model has proved that she is worth it. She has many cars in her garage including a humble Chevrolet Cruze. However, she mostly prefers her black Mercedes-Benz E-Class for travelling around Mumbai. The version she has costs around Rs. 59.64 lakhs. This black beauty gets powered by a 2.0 litre diesel engine producing 192 Bhp of power and 400 nm of torque.

Tiger Shroff

Tiger Shroff isn’t behind in terms of four wheelers from his lady love. While Disha prefers a Mercedes E-Class, the macho Tiger Shroff, owns a white-coloured BMW 5-Series sedan that is driven by a chauffeur. The actor learnt driving quite late at the sets of one of his movies. This was because Jackie didn’t let him drive cars or ride bikes.

Siddharth Malhotra

Actor Siddharth Malhotra is among the more generously blessed humans in terms of aesthetic genes. The Bollywood hunk has done quite different roles in the industry already and is a known name. He initially owned a Fiat Linea but later on upgraded to a Mercedes ML-Class SUV after he stuck stardom. His Mercedes SUV is a black coloured one and is powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine. Apart from the car, another mention worthy vehicle he owns is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Arjun Kapoor

Actor Arjun Kapoor is a SUV lover and he owns some high-end SUVs too. Popular among them are a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, which owned by many other starts also. However, he also has one SUV that is not common yet. The actor got himself a Maserati Levante last year, in a blue shade. It is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine that puts out 271 Bhp of power and 600 Nm of torque. In India, the Levante costs a good Rs. 1.6 crore.

Illeana D’Cruz

South Indian Actress Illeana D’Cruz owns a yellow Audi S5 Sportback. The actress has some Bollywood hits under her belt too. The S5 is actually the performance-tuned variant of the regular Audi A5 coupe. The car is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 engine, which churns out 328 Bhp of power along with 440 Nm of torque. In India, the Audi S5 Sportback costs a hefty Rs. 70.60 lakh.

Kriti Sanon

Kriti Sanon is another actress that has made a good name in the industry. She also has some good hits in her record. The actress owns a latest-gen Audi Q7 luxury SUV. It is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 engine that churns out 240 Bhp of power along with a peak torque of 550 Nm. Currently, the Audi Q7 range in India starts at Rs. 73.73 lakh.

Shraddha Kapoor

Shraddha Kapoor has been in good books of everyone in Bollywood ever since her first movie. She is the daughter of famous actor Shakti Kapoor. The young actress owns a Mercedes-Benz ML 250. This SUV is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine that outputs 203 Bhp and 500 Nm. The ML-Class was replaced by the GLE-Class, which has a starting price of Rs. 64 lakh.

Image Source- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Also Read: Upcoming new Toyota Corolla revealed, India launch by 2019 end

Car insurance now sold by general insurance companies in India is one-size-fits-all product but that might be about to change

India is one of the few large markets where insurance rates are indexed almost exclusively to car models and mileage. Put simply, a car with same age, will cost the same amount to insure regardless of who the owner is and where he or she lives.

The difference, if any, arises as a result of ‘no claims bonus’, an incentive for not having made any claim during the preceding insurance policy tenure.

However, that may change sooner than later. Premiums pegged to geography—essentially place where you live—might not be far away. And when that happens, what you pay to insure your car could vary significantly depending on the city you live in.

Consider this: The rates we pay will eventually get linked to the ‘Loss Ratio’ for insurers. The loss ratio is the ratio of losses to gains. For insurers, this translates into the ratio paid insurance claims to premiums earned. For example, if an insurer pays Rs. 5,000 in claims for every Rs.10,000 in collected premiums, the loss ratio is 50%.

Loss Ratio in turn is an outcome of number of claims resulting from accidents (frequency) and the amount of claims (severity) made in case of each accident. Multiply Severity by Frequency and you have the total money that an insurer has to pay.

According to a research by PolicyBazzar.com, insurers had to pay just Rs. 46 as claim for every Rs 100 they got in premium—a pretty good deal—for Mumbai customers. Thus the loss ratio in Mumbai was 46%. The situation in the Chandigarh was the opposite—the payout in claims was Rs. 110 for every Rs. 100 of premium earned.

What implications could this have on premiums pricing?

The answer is obvious: Since insurers have high margins in Mumbai, they can reduce the premiums in Mumbai. Conversely, since they are currently loosing money in Chandigarh, they will eventually be forced to raise premiums for the city’s drivers.

So how do other cities stack on Loss Ratio?

Hyderabad, Delhi and Pune do reasonably well with the loss ratio in the 60% range and should see premiums drop. On the other hand, Noida and Faridabad (87%) and Lucknow (100%) fare quite poorly and are likely to see premiums rise. Interestingly, Gurgaon, which makes up the fourth city in NCR, does much better than Noida and Faridabad with a loss ratio in mid seventies percent.

At state level, the south-western belt of Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka-Maharashtra does quite well with 61% loss ratio. UP-Haryana-Gujarat were the worst performing states with a loss ratio of 82%.

Industry expects insurance premiums to start reflecting the loss ratios within a couple of years’ time. And when that happens customers in cities and states that score poorly on this metrics will have to shell more to insure their vehicles.

That is, however, the short to medium term scenario. In the longer term, that is over 3-5 years, further fine-tuning in how premiums are computed. We should see Usage Based Insurance (UBI) enter the picture.

UBI is the new buzzword in auto insurance globally. Imagine that while shopping for your next car insurance, your are offered a policy that lets a black box, dongle or a mobile phone app tracks how you drive, and saves you up to 30 percent on premiums. This is the future of connected car insurance, and is commonly referred to as usage-based car insurance (UBI), where premiums are based on how you drive, when you drive and where you drive. With UBI, you pay less in premiums if you are what the technology deems a ‘safe driver.’

Another impact of UBI could be that annual premiums are replaced by Pay as you drive (PAYD) and pay how you drive (PHYD) business models. In addition, greater influence of data analytics will see options such as manage how you drive (MHYD), gain momentum beyond 2020.

So, be it short, medium or long term, driving safely would be the only way to keep insurance costs low for yourself and your fellow roadies. The days of good drivers subsidizing the dangerous ones are about to end.

Also Read: Upcoming new Toyota Corolla revealed, India launch by 2019 end

Police vehicles flouting rules in India is not uncommon. But what’s really uncommon is a police vehicle being fined  for a traffic violation. Guess who was fined for parking in a no parking area? Well, it was no less than the  Hyderabad police commissioner, who was fined for parking his official Toyota Fortuner SUV in a no-parking area.

The Hyderabad police issued this traffic fine after a journalist tweeted a photo of the police commissioner’s Toyota  Fortuner being parked in a no-parking area. Here’s the tweet, and Hyderabad police’s reponse to the same. The fine  has already been paid.

Journalist Abhinav Deshpande tweeted this to the Hyderabad traffic police twitter handle,

Will you issue a “No Parking” e-challan to this vehicle? Place: Near Mahankali Traffic PS. Time: 3 pm on 15 November,  2018.

In response, Hyderabad Traffic Police was quick to respond, with ‘all are equal before law’ and a challan for Rs. 235
was promptly issued. Here is the Twitter status of the Hyderabad Traffic Police with the picture of the challan.

#HYDTPallRequalB4Law Challan issued for Wrong Parking. @syedmohammedd @YakaswamyChalla @AbhinayTheHindu @AddlCPTrHyd pic.twitter.com/rybxxPHv3C

— Hyderabad Traffic Police (@HYDTP) November 15, 2018

While the Toyota Fortuner SUV was actually attached to the Telangana director general of police, an assistant
commissioner of police was using this vehicle for an inspection visit to the Mahakali police station.

Meanwhile, another Twitter user applauded the move of the Hyderabad traffic police with the following,

Good to see even protocol vehicle of a senior IPS officer being challaned for traffic violation. Now, the question is  who is going to pay for it? Vehicle was registered on government, so is it public money which has to be paid? I  strongly demand action against the IPS officer too.

The rise of social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook has seen police departments of various states actively host pages on them. Almost every big city has its traffic police department running active social media pages, both on Twitter and Facebook. This has allowed citizens to directly get in touch with the police departments through social media channels, and expose the various violations of law.

As these pages are public, with a lot of people active on them, police officials are left with no alternative but to act against the violators, even if the violator is one of their own. This is one of the ways social media is transforming the law enforcement landscape in India.  Public rebuke of officials through social media channels will also serve as a deterrent for law breakers.

Via NewsMinute

Also Read: Upcoming new Toyota Corolla revealed, India launch by 2019 end

We Indians love to take our loved ones along for weekend drives or the long planned getaway and this is where large, family cars come into the picture. These 7/8 seater cars are usually called MPVs (multi-purpose vehicle) or MUVs (multi-utility vehicle) as they are used for a variety of purposes – for example, moving goods from one place to another for your small business needs and so on.
Thankfully, given our budget constraints, manufactures offer almost a dozen 7/8 seater models under Rs 10 lakh in India. These includes models with various fuel types of diesel, petrol, CNG as well as 4×4 options! Lets have a look at all of these

 7 seater cars in india below 5 lakhs : Maruti Omni

Price: Rs 3.07 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: N/A

Believe it or not, the good old Omni continues to sell in great numbers in smaller towns and even in popular hill stations due to its small size, large cabin and extremely low running costs. Maruti sold more units in Omni in October 2018 that what Volkswagen and Nissan together managed in the same month. We kid you not! 
At an on-road price of Rs 3 lakh, the Omni offers you a lot of bang for your buck. The design hasn’t changed at all since its introduction decades back though Maruti has given minor tweaks in the form of matt black inserts up front, clear lens headlamps and better looking wheel covers. The cabin though has got major updates and looks good for the price. Its a very practical place to be in too – for example the high mounted cup holder on the right side, lockable glovebox with an open space on the top, wide front bench with a little central padding for a third person! 
Space at the back remains impressive for a small car and the Omni can be had in two versions of 5 and 8 seater. The latter option is what we will discuss here and this comes with two rows at the back, facing each other. Feature wise though, the Omni lets you down – no keyless entry, no air-con, no power steering or power windows. 
The Omni continues to be powered by a super reliable 3 cylinder 800cc engine that offers one of the lowest maintenance costs. Yes, given its placement, it does heat up the front seats but that simply frees up so much space on the inside. 
The Omni is still a very popular choice for family users looking at a cheap means of transport. No, its not safe but provides ample A to B performance. At this price, you simply cannot ignore the Omni for the versatility it offers.

Pros

• Long term reliability and running costs
• Ample space four adults and luggage
• Easy to drive – peppy motor, excellent visibility

Cons

• Feature stripped
• Not safe at all – no safety aids here
• Engine location means front seats very hot in summers

Sales
Aug: 7117
Sep: 7291
Oct: 6954

Latest update: Maruti Omni to be discounted from October 2020

2) 7 seater cars in india below 5 lakhs : Maruti Eeco

Price: Rs 3.77 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: N/A

As popular as its own younger sibling the Omni, the Eeco is always in demand in the commercial segment – both for passengers and cargo. In smaller towns, small business owners also rely on the Eeco for their daily needs as well as ferrying their family for outings. For approximately 25% higher cost over the Omni, the Eeco does deliver a lot. Its larger, has more space, a more powerful engine and is overall a much safer car. Plus ofcourse it also gets an optional air-con but sadly that is only reserved for the 5 seater petrol / CNG options. 
Powering the Eeco is a tried and tested 1196cc motor that puts out 73 bhp of power and 101 Nm of torque. This engine has proven its reliable nature over the years and is peppy enough for highway usage as well. Infact, the Eeco can hold triple digit speeds all day long!
Like the Omni, the Eeco doesnt get any creature comforts like keyless entry, audio system or power steering. Maruti knows a large chunk of buyers are commercial operators and hence all these omissions. Though the steering is heavy at lower speeds, it becomes manageable above speeds of 20-30km/h. Talking of which, an area of discomfort for family usage is the bouncy and hard suspension. Though this is a good set-up for hauling heavy items or a full load of seven and their luggage, when driven with just a few people on board, the Eeco tends to bounce a lot, thereby making the ride very uncomfortable.
Like the Omni, given the price, the Eeco is hard to ignore!

Pros

• Long term reliability and low running costs
• Space on offer at this price
• Factory fitted CNG kit and air-con option

Cons

• Design is dated for private usage
• No creature comfort or safety aids at all
• Ride is uncomfortable for family usage
• Engine is not very efficient

Sales
Aug: 6546
Sep: 7354
Oct: 6714

3) 7 seater cars in india below 5 lakhs: Datsun Go Plus

Price: Rs 4.26 lakh onwards (on-road, without discounts)
Current Offers: None

Datsun recently rolled out a heavily revised version of the Go Plus 7 seater with improvements done across all parameters. The car indeed has improved massively and retails for less as compared to the outgoing model. This includes dual airbags, ABS and rear parking sensors being standard across all versions – a segment first. The Datsun Go Plus looks much better on the outside with revisions done to both bumpers, new horizontal DRLs and inclusion of larger alloy wheels. And there are even more changes on the inside – the entire cabin is redesigned and looks nice for a Rs 5 lakh car. Higher trims also get a segment leading touch screen interface that sounds good and works well to inputs. Space up front is nice though at the back, cars like the Santro fare better. The hand brake lever is back to its conventional position, you can a closing lid for the glovebox and the dual tone theme looks good (Go hatchback gets all black cabin). The highlight here is the unique 3rd row of seats that makes this a 7 seater. But only on paper. The problem is the excess which is difficult and once seated, you will release the lack of space. The last row then is only fit for kids in our opinion. That said, with this row folded, boot space is impressive.

We like the way the Go Plus drives and the reason for this is the 1198cc engine : this is bigger than all other rivals in the price band and similar in capacity to the Tata Tiago. Sadly, no optional AMT is offered and the engine is about 15-20% less efficient than other cars but far more efficient than the Omni and Eeco discussed above. If you are in the marker for a seven seater with the last row being reserved for kids or small adults, the Go Plus makes a lot of sense – its comfortable, feature loaded and looks nice for a MPV.

The Go Plus comes with a 5 year warranty set-up and 2 years of ’Datsun Care‘ comprehensive all-inclusive car service package that offers peace of mind to customers.

Pros: 

• Looks great for a small MPV
• Feature on offer : dual airbags, ABS standard
• Powerful engine – efficient too
• Revised cabin looks upmarket

Cons:

• High speed manners
• Engine gets rough / vibey at higher revs
• Limited network, brand appeal
• 3rd row is best for kids

Sales:
August 2018: 490
September 2018: 597
October: 840

Latest update: Launch of new Go Plus model in September 2018

4) 7 seater cars under Rs 10 lakh: Mahindra Supro

Price: Rs 5.25 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: N/A

The most affordable 7 seater diesel vehicle comes from the house of Mahindra. Its called the Supro and even available in an all-electric variant but that costs upwards of Rs 12 lakh. Back to the regular diesel powered versions then – this one comes with a 909cc unit belting out as much as 45 bhp of power depending on the version you pick and a healthy dose of torque, 98 Nm. As per the engine you pick, top speed will vary from 70 to over 95 km/h. Mahindra claims a certified economy of 23.5 kmpl for the Supro. 
Truth be told, the Supro does not look appealing at all for urban use. This is targeted towards smaller towns and rural markets where the vehicle will find lot of takers. Things are slightly better on the inside and this one even offers power steering and air-conditioning as optional. We haven’t driven one but as per our understanding, the Supro provides good comfort for the price. Mahindra even sells a school van model and optional CNG kits. Mahindra also offers an exclusive life insurance worth Rs 10 lakh to customers and other benefits. 
However, all said and done, if you are looking at a 7 seater for pure family and personal use and stay in metro cities, the Supro can be overlooked.

Pros

• Efficient diesel motor
• Space for 8 adults
• Only Diesel 7 seater engine at this price

Cons

• Dated design
• Brand appeal for metro cities
• Outdated cabin design for a Rs 6 lakh vehicle

Sales: N/A

5) 7 seater cars under Rs 10 lakh: Maruti Gypsy

Price: Rs 7.12 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: N/A

India’s most affordable 4×4 and 8 seater is also part of the list here. The good old Maruti Gypsy is still a hit in various 4×4 groups and why not? With a peppy 1.3 litre petrol motor and light weight, the Gypsy gets good performance for both on and off-road usage. It gets a manual 4×4 transfer case with low ratio as well. Bare to the bones, the Gypsy is not your everyday car but one that can serve you for over a decade without requiring any major maintenance at all. The design has largely remained unchanged since its launch and so have the interiors. Basic, utilitarian and made for a purpose, there are no creature comforts at all. But this one can carry as many as 8 people in comfort with the side facing rear seats through any terrain, a reason why it is still so popular for jungle safaris. However, ride quality is bouncy and good only when you load it up with passengers and their luggage. 
This is one area where Maruti has made no effort to make an everyday 4×4 for Indians. The new Jimny was highly anticipated but Maruti has made no official statements about its launch in India. Till then, to satisfy 4×4 fantasies of adventure seekers, the Gypsy is the only petrol option.

Pros:

• Go anywhere capability
• Peppy petrol, reasonably efficient too
• Long term reliability and maintenance
• Relatively lower price as compared to other 4x4s

Cons

• Uncomfortable – hard ride quality
• No creature comfort at all

Sales:
August: N/A
September: 283
October: 228

6) 7 seater cars under Rs 10 lakh: Maruti Ertiga

Maruti will be launching the all-new Ertiga on 21st November in Delhi. When we say all-new, we mean it as the new model not only looks entirely different, it is larger in dimensions and looks far better. The new Ertiga also gets an all-new cabin with new styling and more passenger space than ever before. The new Ertiga will get the same 1.5-litre petrol unit that we saw in the 2018 Ciaz, in addition to the good old 1.3 litre DDiS diesel motor. We will be driven the new Ertiga later this month and do watch this space for more details. But given how good the current Ertiga is, it goes without saying that new model will continue to be the best family MPV under Rs 10 lakh.

7) 7 seater cars under Rs 10 lakh: Mahindra Thar

Price: Rs 7.8 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: Benefits of upto Rs 6000

Yes, another 4×4 in the list. But let us warn you – if you are looking for a car primarily meant for family use, skip to the next car in the list. The Thar is manufactured for a reason and that is to ferry people in rural markets or to have a reliable workhorse for your farm or estates. Do note that only the Di model is available for under Rs 10 lakh on road and gets an optional 4×4 as well. The CRDe model, the one that looks and feels better is about Rs 11 lakh on-road. 
As you can see here, the Thar Di wears an old school theme and frankly, looks basic. Step inside and the same theme continues – its made for a purpose and so we wont complain much. Apart from a lockable glovebox, no other creature comfort is offered. 
The Di Thar comes with a 2523cc engine which puts out just 63 bhp of power (the Eeco puts out 73 remember?) along with 195 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox which average shift quality. If you hit rural markets of states like Rajasthan you will a lot of these working overtime, hauling no less than 12-15 people along with goods and even animals! Overall, the Thar is more of a recreational vehicle for city dwellers like us.

Pros:

• Most affordable diesel 4×4
• Can take in a lot of abuse
• Requires minimal maintenance

Cons:

• Feature stripped
• Looks Basic
• Not your every drive!

Sales: (clubbed with CRDe)
Aug 669
Sep 631
Oct: 701

8) 7 seater cars under Rs 10 lakh: Mahindra Bolero

Price: Rs 8.57 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)

Discounts: N/A

Did you know the largest selling Mahindra in India is the Bolero? Drive outside the confines of your metro city into small towns and rural markets or towns based in mountains and you will be amazed with the number of Boleros on the road. This rugged MPV continues to bring in great revenues for Mahindra and is available in various body styles including pick-ups. However we will concentrate on the passenger version here, the latest sub 4 meter version which is called the Bolero+. Mahindra cleverly shaved off some length from the bumpers of the Bolero in order to get it under 4m in length. Next, they introduced a diesel unit with capacity of less than 1500cc. These two factors allowed the Bolero to enjoy small car tax benefits which means in terms of value for money, you can’t get a bigger 7 seater for your money. The top end version for example retails at an onroad price of Rs 9.7 and gets audio system with Bluetooth, a proper driver info display, air-con with heater, front demister, all four power windows and even voice massaging system!

The Bolero+ continues to look old school but this goes down well with a large set of buyers. Step inside and the same story continues – we dont remember the last time Mahindra updated the Bolero’s cabin. Space is good in the 1st rows but not so at the back – the last row also sees the vehicle using side facing jump seats. 
But the Bolero offers an easy drive for the size and comes with bullet proof reliability. Safety isn’t its fore (no ABS, no airbags) but as we said, this is one of the backbones of rural markets and smaller towns. The Bolero continues to set sales charts on fire…

Pros:

• Substantial vehicle for the price
• 1.5 diesel offers ample low end grunt
• NVH levels are superb on the inside
• Old school design works well for most

Cons

• No safety aids
• Limited passenger space
• Not an everyday personal vehicle

Sales

Aug: 6030
Sep : 7046
Oct: 7222

9) 7 seater cars under Rs 10 lakh: Tata Sumo

Price: Rs 8.9 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)

And how could we forget the Tata Sumo? Launched in 1994, it was a runaway success for the company but today, struggles to get past 750 units on a monthly basis. Tata tried reviving it with models like the Grande and Movus but failed. The current Sumo comes in three versions of CX, EX and GX and largely sells under the commercial plate. This has also effected its brand appeal for private buyers. 
Tata Motors hasn’t changed the design of the Sumo apart from minor cosmetic tweaks and the same goes for the cabin which frankly isn’t expected from a vehicle that can cost over Rs 10 lakh on-road for the top spec version. However what the Sumo offers is space and comfort, one area where it is far better than the cheaper Bolero. Feature wise though, it again disappoints for family usage. Missing on the option list are Airbags, ABS, audio system and other features. 
To be honest, as a commercial cab, the Sumo does just fine. But for private use, its better to invest more into a proper, safe and a comfortable 7/8 seater option.

Pros:

• The Sumo offers excellent space for 7-9 passengers
• Long term reliability is excellent – its a tried and tested product
• Ride quality is good

Cons:

• Wears a commercial tag – hence private buyers stay away
• Missing safety aids
• Boring cabin design, missing features

Sales:
Aug: 623
Sep: 752
Oct: 732

10) 7 seater cars under Rs 10 lakh: Renault Lodgy

Price: Rs 9.52 lakh onwards
Discounts: Rs 30,000 cash on Standard, RxE

If you want a vehicle that your family will love to be driven in, of all the cars we have discussed till now, its the Lodgy that makes the most sense after the Ertiga. However, in a budget of Rs 10 lakh, only the base RxE can be purchased. Fret not as even the so called base model comes with power steering, air-con and ABS as standard. It may not look as appealing as the more expensive Stepway variants but the Lodgy is more about the cabin space and comfort. The cabin is laid out well and emphasis is clearly on providing practicality, very essential when moving around with loves ones on board. Space across the three rows is impressive and so is the ride quality, definitely one of the strongest points about this Renault MPV. 
The base or the STD variants comes with a 85 PS version of the same 1.5 dCi motor that powers other Renault offerings like the Duster and the Sunny and even cars from Nissan’s stable – the Terrano and upcoming Kicks. Mated to a 5 speed manual ‘box, the engine offers better performance than other 7/8 seater vehicles like the Sumo and the Bolero and yet delivers 15-25% higher fuel economy. True the Lodgy has not been setting sales charts on fire but trust us, this remains a very capable family workhorse.

Pros:

• Cabin space and feeling of airiness
• Reliable and efficient diesel motor
• Super ride quality

Cons

• Poor resale value
• Base STD looks unappealing in terms of aesthetics

Sales
Aug: 97
Sep: 54
Oct: 25

Also Read: Upcoming new Toyota Corolla revealed, India launch by 2019 end

Japanese automaker Toyota has unveiled the latest iteration of its best selling car, the Corolla after a long wait. The car will be made available for sale after or during mid 2019 in Japan, China and many other markets. India launch could happen either in late 2019 or early 2020. In India, the new Corolla will prove to be a worthy competitor to the new Honda Civic, which could also be launched around the same time.

Talking about the new mid-range sedan, the latest Corolla is based on the new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). The car has maintained all of its trademark highlights like smooth engine and driveability, ride comfort, quality interiors and safety. It has grown a bit than the previous generation model and is also lower in height, though the wheelbase has not been changed. Talking about the exteriors, the new Corolla looks a step up from the previous generation designs. It features a new sleek headlamp cluster along with gorgeous alloy wheels. The rear and side profiles also look much smarter now, thanks to the new design platform which has allowed the car to have a more lowered stance.

The interiors also have gone for an upgrade and look much better now. The dashboard gets a dual tone theme and is neatly designed, leaving little space for clutter. A floating touch infotainment system adorns the centre deck, atop the dashboard. Then there is a 4.2-inch display on the instrument cluster which is standard across the range and a 7 inch instrument display on the top end models. Connectivity is not an issue with the car offering every option available in the market. The seats are plush without enough legroom on offer to seat an adult comfortably.

The car will be powered by a new 2.0-litre petrol motor that produces 171 Bhp of power and 205 Nm of torque. There will also be the old 1.8 litre engine that carried front he older models made available for the US market. However, it will be tuned for more power and efficiency this time around. A hybrid powertrain will be introduced in the car shortly after the launch too. While which engine would be made available in India is not yet sure, the car will be sold here as Corolla Altis, as the current model here is called.

Also Read: Upcoming new Toyota Corolla revealed, India launch by 2019 end