A test mule of the hotly anticipated Honda Civic sedan has been spied testing in India. And the car has been caught on video. The all-new Honda Civic – the 10th generation model – will be launched in India early next year. It will be assembled by Honda through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route. Meanwhile, here is the video showing an on-test Honda Civic.

The 10th generation Civic will come with a localization of nearly 70 %, which should allow Honda to price the D-Segment sedan very competitively. However, don’t expect Honda to undercut rivals such as Toyota and Hyundai. The Japanese automaker is likely to go with a premium pricing strategy for the new Civic. The car will be meant for existing owners of the Honda City interested in upgrading to a larger car but staying in the Honda fold.

Notably, this is the reason why Honda is bringing back the Civic at this juncture. The current Honda City, which was launched in 2014, will turn 5 years old in 2019. Many Honda city owners would be ready to upgrade to a larger car, which is what the Civic represents. Like the City, the 10th generation Civic will be feature-rich. The car also gets a refreshed design thanks to a recent facelift.

As for mechanicals, the 1.8 liter i-VTEC petrol engine, a familiar sight across generations of the Civic, will be offered on the new car as well. This motor makes about 140 Bhp-174 Nm, and Honda is likely to go with an automatic-only option on the petrol powered Civic. The gearbox in question is a CVT automatic unit with 7 stepped shifts, similar to the one offered on the City.

The major mechanical change on the new Honda Civic is the addition of a diesel engine. The engine in question is the same unit that the new CR-V features. On the Civic though, the 1.6 liter i-DTEC motor will be detuned to make 120 Bhp-300 Nm, which is much lower than the CR-V’s 158 Bhp-350 Nm outputs. The turbo petrol engine, much popular abroad, will not come to India either – as far as we know.

A 6 speed manual gearbox will be standard with this motor, and Honda is expected to skip the 9 speed automatic gearbox on the diesel Civic. The Honda Civic will go up against the Toyota Corolla Altis, the Hyundai Elantra and the Skoda Octavia.

As for pricing, we expect the new Honda Civic to start from about Rs. 16-17 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. The D-Segment sedan space narrowed considerably when the Mahindra XUV500 was launched, and small SUVs like the Renault Duster eroded it further. Among the many D-segment sedans, only the Toyota Corolla (that too with a diesel option) managed to sell in some respectable numbers through the last years. The Honda Civic has a lot of fans, and the last generation Civic is still a hot favourite with car enthusiasts and modders who tweak their cars’ aesthetically as well as performance-wise. But is all that out of a love for the old Civic – which can be bought in the used car market today, with just a couple of lakh rupees? Would they plonk down Rs 16 lakh-plus for a new sedan, however smart it is? And is Honda looking at limited numbers only, and not a big impact? Only time will tell. The pricing of the recently launched Honda CR-V, so close to that of the market leader Toyota Fortuner, does not inspire too much confidence in us.

Source

Also Read: 5 modified Toyota Innova MPVs from around India

The Maruti Eeco began life as a pick-up truck, quite literally. The Eeco is essentially a passenger van version of  the Suzuki Carry pick-up truck, which means that it can haul quite some load. We got out ace rendering artist Vipin  Vathoopan to put together an ‘Adventure’ edition of the Eeco. Here’s what it looks like.

As the render shows, the Eeco Van-Life edition has been given a body lift, mud terrain wheels, a matte black paint  job that looks oh-so-mean, revised headlamps and of course, the customary light bars to illuminate everything in its  path, off the road. The front bumper is an all-metal unit while the wheel wells get butch cladding. Contrast paint finish for the wing mirrors, logo and door handles finish the mod job.

On the inside, the Maruti Eeco van-life comes with seating for 8 adults, which means that there’s plenty of room in  there. The squarish dimensions of the van means that its interiors can be customized significantly. However, since  the Eeco measures under 4 meters in length, you’re looking at a roof top tent if you want to use it as a self-  contained vehicle for cross country trips.

There’s this concept called ‘van-life’ that a lot of people interested in overland travel are adopting. Van-lifers, as they are called, use passenger vans as self contained vehicles to explore the world. The Eeco ‘Adventure’ edition is meant to be one such vehicle.

In stock form, the Maruti Eeco is a rear wheel driven passenger van, with a 1.2 liter petrol engine powering it. The  1.2 liter petrol motor makes about 73 Bhp and 102 Nm. There’s a power steering and air conditioning as basic creature  comforts. The Eeco gets independent front suspension while the rear uses leaf springs.

Considering the fact that it’s one of the cheapest cars money can buy in India, with an ex-showroom price starting  from Rs. 3.24 lakhs, the Eeco is like a wide canvas for imaginative buyers.

The Eeco has a rather interesting  history. It began life as the Maruti Versa, and the automaker got Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan on board as brand ambassadors.

The Versa flopped big time as it was considered too pricey for what was essentially a van rather  than an MPV. Maruti rescued the Versa from flop territory by swapping its 1.3 liter petrol engine that was borrowed from the Gypsy with a smaller 1.2 liter petrol engine.

The Versa was rebranded as the Eeco, and this crucial 100cc difference was what saved the van. Confused? Well, the excise duty for sub-4 meter cars with petrol engines measuring under 1.2 liters was reduced, and this allowed Maruti to price the Eeco very competitively.

The Eeco was over 2 lakhs cheaper than the Versa, and this got people buying this passenger van in droves. From a flop, Maruti converted this vehicle into a hit, and currently, the Eeco sells an average of 6,000 units per month. Now, this makes it one of the top 20 best selling cars in India. What a comeback!

So now back to our Adventure Edition. We hope someone will pick up this idea and run with it. It is going to take quite a lot of work, though. The vehicle will have to be lifted up – and that means a bit more instability will be added – which will have to be countered by widening the stance and wider tyres. The wheel well may need modification, as the stock wheels are tiny. The extra weight of the bigger wheels and tyres may strain suspension components which will need strengthening. Phew!

Here is waiting for the brave soul who creates a real ‘adventure’ edition of the popular, and almost gone Maruti Eeco. We are with you in spirit!

Also Read: 5 modified Toyota Innova MPVs from around India

Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield launched its all-new 650 twins in India earlier this month. Both the Continental GT 650 and the Interceptor 650 are powered by the same 648cc parallel twin engine. While Royal Enfield has revealed the official power and torque figures, Cycle World decided to put those numbers to the test by putting the Continental GT 650 on a dyno.

The tester from Cycle World puts the motorcycle on the dyno and then starts the procedure of checking the relevant details required as he twists the throttle and lets the Continental GT 650 pull through the revs on the rolling road. The Continental GT 650’s final figures at the wheel come out to be 44.36 Bhp at 6840 rpm and 51.91 Nm of torque at 5,100 rpm. Both the figures mentioned here are at the wheel.

According to Royal Enfield, the Continental GT 650 is powered by an oil and air-cooled fuel injected engine. The parallel twin motor is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. According to Royal Enfield’s official figures, the Continental GT 650’s SOHC parallel twin engine produces 47 Bhp at 7,250 rpm and 52 Nm of torque at 5,250 rpm. Royal Enfield also claims that around 80 per cent of the torque produced by the engine is delivered as low as 2.500 rpm.

The engine features a single piece, weighted balancer shaft that fires with a 270-degree degree firing angle which helps balance out most of the vibrations, something that has plagued the brand’s single cylinder motorcycles.

While the tested numbers from the Dyno are different from the official figures handed out by Royal Enfield, prospective owners need not to worry. The numbers given out by Cycle World’s Dyno testing are those measured at the wheel of the bike whereas Royal Enfield has given power and torque figures measured in at the crank.

With around 10 per cent of power from an engine from crank to wheel, the figures of Cycle World and Royal Enfield are a now seem to be one and the same. However, what puzzles us is the fact that during testing, the Continental GT 650’s peak power comes in at around 500 rpm lower than the company’s claims. So this is either a glitch or an anomaly or the Continental GT 650 is allowing owners faster access to the available power.

All said and done, the dyno figures for the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 are very impressive indeed. Previously, it was not uncommon for Royal Enfields to suffer up to 30 % power loss from the crank to the wheel. Now though, the company has managed to bring this figure down to under 10 %, which is a huge improvement. This also goes on to show why the twins are so quick, and are able to do good speeds.

Almost everyone who have ridden the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 motorcycles have nothing but praise for them. Seen a huge improvements over existing Royal Enfield motorcycles, these bikes are expected to expand the market significantly. The sharp price tags on both motorcycles are meant to do just that. Bookings are now open, with deliveries slated to start from early next year.

Also Read: 5 modified Toyota Innova MPVs from around India

The funky Thunderbird 500X is the latest Royal Enfield to hop onto the ABS brigade. And unlike many other motorcycle makers in India, Royal Enfield has gone the whole hog, and has equipped the Thunderbird 500X with dual channel ABS. Regulations mandate single channel ABS as minimum but considering the heavy weight of Royal Enfield motorcycles, it’s always good to have dual channel ABS.

The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X with dual channel ABS is priced at Rs. 2.13 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. Apart from the additional of dual channel ABS, nothing else has changed on the motorcycle. The cruiser retains the 499cc unit construction engine that puts out 27.2 Bhp of peak power and 41.3 Nm of peak torque. Known for torque delivery, this engine is one of the last surviving motors with an old school overhead valve design.

The long stroke motor does have a few modern bits – for a Royal Enfield – though. The valves are now actuated hydraulically while the engine also gets fuel injection. A five speed manual gearbox is standard. The Thunderbird 500X is aimed at buyers who want something youthful for long highway trips. Ergonomics are relaxed and the motorcycle even gets a dual trip meter to log longer rides.

While dual channel ABS improves safety significantly, there’s another small but extremely significant change that most people don’t notice on this motorcycle. The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X, like its 350X sibling, rides on alloy wheels. While alloy wheels aren’t special by themselves, the key factor to note here is that Royal Enfield has fitted tubeless tyres on this motorcycle.

It goes without saying that tubeless tyres greatly enhances safety at highway speeds where a sudden tyre blowout can be fatal. Tubeless tyres deflate much slower than tube-type tyres, making them a lot safer. So, dual channel ABS and tubeless tyres make the Thunderbird 500X one of the safest motorcycles that Royal Enfield sells in India. Even more expensive Royal Enfields such as the recently launched 650 twins don’t offer tubeless tyres, even as an option.

Coming back to ABS, the dual channel unit means that it acts on both the front and rear brakes of the motorcycles. This allows braking to distributed more evenly, allowing better control. ABS, which is an acronym for anti-lock braking system, works by modulating braking pressure in such a way that the brakes don’t lock up even under very hard, emergency braking. This prevents skids, both in dry and wet conditions, making motorcycling a lot safer.

By early 2019, every Royal Enfield motorcycle sold in the Indian market will be equipped with dual channel ABS as standard. However, tubeless tyres won’t be available on most Royal Enfields considering that the bikes still use spoked rims. Fitting tubeless tyres to spoked rims is costly, and the motorcycle maker is yet to come up with a solution for this.

In developed countries, dual channel ABS is mandatory on motorcycles. By making at least single channel ABS mandatory on all two wheelers that have engine capacity of 125cc and above, the Indian government has made a serious attempt to make roads safer here. In the coming years, expect more safety technology to filter down to even budget two wheelers.

Also Read: 5 modified Toyota Innova MPVs from around India

Maharashtra politician Omie Kalani has found himself embroiled in what appears to be the makings of a fake registration plate case. According to the Mumbai Mirror, a social activist has filed a police complaint against Omie Kalani stating that the politician is using fake registration plates ending with the numbers 7777 on two of his luxury SUVs.

The Mumbai Mirror states that the social activist had spotted a Range Rover bearing the registration number MH04GE7777 speeding along the Kalyan Shilpata road. The SUV also sported tinted windows. The activist took a photograph of the speeding SUV.

The activist, Binu Varghese, fired up the Vahan app and found that the vehicle registered under that registration number was actually a 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class registered to another person under the Thane RTO. Suspicious of the fact that a different vehicle was registered as per the app, Varghese called up and informed the Thane Police Control Room (PCR) of his findings.

The Range Rover was intercepted in Mumbra and the cops found Omie Kalani inside. The politician’s son told them to let him off and that he would send them the registration document of the car. However, the documents never turned up.

Now even more suspicious than ever, Varghese fired up the app again and checked the registration of another one of Omie Kalani’s vehicles, which was another Range Rover. The results for the registration number used by the luxury SUV – MH05GE 7777 instead turned out to be for a Toyota Innova Crysta.

Now with something bigger seemingly afoot, Varghese approached the cops. He told the Mumbai Mirror,

“I took it up with the authorities, suspecting that a fake registration number scam was afoot.”

Varghese also stated that there was a chance that Mr Kalani was a victim of the scam stating,

“It’s possible that Omie Kalani was cheated, too.”

Varghese, however, alleges that the police have been sitting on his complaint and are yet to file a formal FIR.

However, the cops state that they are investigating Mr Varghese’s complaints. While the policeman in charge of the Mumbra police Traffic division Sambhaji Jadhav, senior inspector of police stated,

“We have put on paper the facts and have sent a letter to the Daighar police for further inquiry.”

Amit Kale, the deputy commissioner of police (traffic) of Thane, told the Mirror that his department would write to the RTO asking for details about the two vehicles involved. Another Thane officer though stated that the lack of FIR till now was caused by confusion regarding which sections of the Motor Vehicle Act had to be applied in the case.

Mr Kalani claims that he is a victim of mischief, in this case, stating that his penchant for the quadruple sevens had been exploited in the case. He told the Mumbai Mirror,

I keep buying and selling vehicles as I am a partner with an automobile dealer. I use some of the vehicles from the showroom till they are sold. I suspect that the agent through whom I purchased the two cars used these numbers to lure me to buy them.

Also Read: 5 modified Toyota Innova MPVs from around India

KTM recently launched the 125 cc version of their Duke model lineup in India. The bike has been priced at Rs. 1.18 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) and has its design inspired by the 200 Duke, unlike in the international markets where it is styled similar to 390 Duke.

That might have been done to keep the prices low but more importantly, to make sure that the 125 Duke does not become a sales threat to its bigger 200 cc sibling. There has been a lot of excitement around the bike lately, so here is a video, courtesy DV, which shows the bike in full along with the exhaust noise and some riding.

The 200 Duke is itself a looker so it’s natural for the 125 Duke to look cool too, as it’s a design copy of the former. It is unlike any other bike in the 125 cc segment, which is still largely a commuter friendly segment. The 125 Duke, though expensive, breathes in a fresh air into the territory. Talking about the design, it is almost visually the same as the 200 Duke, which is actually a good thing. There are three colour schemes on offer – orange, white, and black, though all three feature the same distinctive orange painted alloy wheels. The one seen in the video has been bought with the orange paint scheme.

Talking of the exhaust note, it still has that typical gargle Duke touch to it. However, being less on power reflects in the note and the note is not as much deep as its high powered siblings. However, you won’t mistake it for anything but a Duke, that’s for sure. The exhaust vent design is also the same as on the duke with the small outlet opening at the rear side body of the motorcycle.

The KTM 125 Duke gets powered by a liquid-cooled, 124.7 cc single cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts. It produces 14.3 Bhp of power at 9,250 rpm and 12 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm. The engine comes paired to a 6-speed gearbox. The KTM 125 Duke features the signature Trellis frame chassis and an aluminium swingarm. Suspension duties are taken care of by 43 mm inverted forks up front and a mono shock with 10-step adjustment at the rear.

Coming to brakes, which are usually the shining aspect of KTM bikes, the KTM 125 Duke comes with a 300 mm disc up front and a 230 mm unit at the rear. The new 125 Duke runs on 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 110/70 and 150/60 MRF REZ-FC tyres at the front and rear respectively. As already mentioned, the 125 Duke is quite expensive for being a 125 cc bike but comes with much more power and features than on many of the 150 cc bikes out there, including the Bajaj Pulsar 150.

As of now, the KTM Duke 125 has no direct competition. In price terms, motorcycles such as the Yamaha R15 and the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 ABS compete with this motorcycle. However, they are not street nakeds but are full faied sportsbikes with more aggressive riding positions. With the Duke 125, KTM may be hoping to create a new segment altogether.

Also Read: 5 modified Toyota Innova MPVs from around India

The Toyota Innova has been a big seller ever since its introduction in the Indian market. The big and comfortable MPV is in its second generation now and comes with an added ‘Crysta’ suffix. It has one of the best seats in business and has tons of space on offer.

This is also the reason for why many prefer it over SUVs like the Fortuner and the Endeavor. However, the Innova is not much known for its modifications and there are not many fine modified examples. Today, we bring you 5 modified Innovas with modifications ranging from aesthetics to ICE systems.

Red Riot

This set of hot-wheels has been done by Kerala based Evo Customz. It is easily among one of the best visually modified Innovas in India. The whole modification has been done on the pre-facelift first generation Innova, but that’s hard to guess now. Talking of the changes, it gets a gloss black grille, redesigned bumper with bold LED DRL strips, projector headlamps with LED DRLs, hood intakes, transverse roof bars, LED taillamps, rear wing, and faux dual exhausts. Other bits like bonnet vents, side skirts and remodeled rear bumper are not to be missed too.

Lexus

MPVs usually don’t look good but surprisingly, the Innova Crysta scores above average in that. However, you can always soup up your ride like the Innova Cryta above. The front end has been is totally redesigned by a new, low bumper and the Lexus signature ‘Spindle’ grille. Side skirts along with low-profile tyres further take up the looks of this Innova. A new rear bumper and lowered skirts result in a low-stance Crysta with Lexus-esque looks.

Those multi spoke rims are way too gorgeous to be missed. While many modified Innovas may sport a similar front grille design, the grille is actually kept stock and the area beneath is painted black. This one here, however, has a proper Lexus grille, making it different from others.

Black Mamba ICE

A nicely modified car has many layers to it and once you start modifying, you would probably never stop overhauling your ride. Talking about the Innova here, it has been named the ‘Black Mamba’ by its creators, though wee think ‘Orange Fury’ would have been more apt for it. It gets a bright orange paint job, redesigned front bumper with LED’s, Projector headlamps with corona rings along with hood scoop and vents. There is a matching roof box on top to enhance practicality.

However, what makes the Black Mamba stand out is its ICE (In-Car-Entertainment) system, which is among the most extensive sets we have seen lately. The whole third row has been removed to make way for a system so big that it can easily replace a DJ’s rig. It gets multiple woofers, base tubes, speakers and amplifiers to get the party rocking. Bonkers, we say

Fatboy

It is said that sometimes, simplicity is the best policy. The same seems to be true in the case of this pristine white Innova, which perfectly demonstrates how subtle changes can result in an eye candy. It looks quite pleasing without trying hard. Changes on this Innova include a new custom low bumper with LED DRLs, new headlights fitted with projector lamps and LED DRLs and a low body kit.

It may be one of the simplest modded Innova on this list but looks quite good. So much that it has even been featured by Toyota’s official Instagram account. Well, if they like the mod, there is no reason why we shouldn’t.

DC Lounge

DC has been synonymous with luxury interiors. While the company might get mixed opinions on their exterior modification designs, one thing all agree upon is that DC does the best interior jobs. This one here is a DC Innova Lounge, a bespoke custom Interior design made by DC to be fitted onto any Innova. The interiors sport a wooden trim, leather upholstery, reclining seats, and a chiller among many others. Large screens are mounted on the partition separating the driver from the passengers at the rear.

The large reclining seats offer acres of legroom and are very comfortable. There are numerous other features on offer too, like ambient lightening and massage option in seats. DC also provides an option to modify the exteriors of the car too, which however is not as popular as the interiors are.

Image Source – 1, 3, 4

Also Read: 5 modified Toyota Innova MPVs from around India

The Tata Harrier is all set to arrive in India in January 2019 and for a while, it will be Tata’s premium offering in the country. However, come Auto Expo 2020, and Tata is expected to take the covers off the 7-seater version of the Harrier, which is codenamed H7X. Youtube channel AutoTrend TV has given their take on what that large SUV will look like when it arrives in 2020.

The Tata H7X is, in essence, a 7 seater version of the Harrier. While it is expected to ditch the Harrier name as Tata wants to differentiate it from its upcoming Hyundai Creta rival. However, the design of the H7X is expected to remain more or less similar to that of the Harrier.

That unchanged design philosophy from Tata for the H7X is what the Youtuber Vipraajesh N G has followed in creating his render of the upcoming seven seater SUV for AutoTrend TV. The Youtuber’s rendering of the upcoming H7X sees him extend the area between the C& D pillars of the Harrier while also straighteneing the roof section at the rear and has also expanded the glass area to provide more room for passengers in the third row.

Otherwise from the front, the H7X looks quite similar to the Harrier. The sides of the rendered H7X also look more muscular thanks to larger wheelarches and there are also hints of black cladding on the sides, which give the SUV a more rugged look compared to its smaller sibling.

The Tata H7X rendering looks quite clan but we do expect the H7X to be slightly longer in length at the rear end to accommodate the extra row of passengers. This due to the fact that the length of the wheelbase on the H7X will be the same as that of the Harrier, and Tata will have to expand the rear end to ensure that there is enough space for both passengers and luggage.

The production-spec Tata Harrier which will hit Indian roads in 202 will share the same 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine as the Harrier. However, with new emission norms expected to arrive the same year, the Harrier’s powerplant will be used in its BS-VI compatible guise under the bonnet of the H7X. The engine itself is expected to get an upgrade in power with reports suggesting that the new SUV will have around 170 Bhp at its disposal when it arrives in 2020. This is around 30 Bhp more than what the engine is expected to make under the hood of the Harrier. However, Tata could upgrade the Harrier’s power levels to match that of the H7X in 2020.

Also Read: Tata Harrier SUV: What it looks like on the road!

The SUV segment is India is growing at a good pace and manufacturers are taking note of this. Almost every auto company now has a SUV in their model lineup, something that was not the case a few years back. From small compact models to big luxurious ones, there is a SUV for every taste and choice. However, among the hoard of these SUVs, there are only some that are built solidly. Here is a list of ten such well made SUVs available in India currently.

Tata Nexon

Starts at Rs. 6.22 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Nexon is Tata’s first-ever sub-4-meter compact SUV in the Indian market. The stylish SUV has proved to be a winner and is selling in big numbers. It has set good hopes for Tata’s second inning here, which will see the new Harrier being launched in some time. The Nexon is quite well built too and feels planted on the highways. Good ride and handling, powerful motors and upmarket design has made the Nexon a high seller in its segment. It is also among the few cars in India to come with a 4 star Global NCAP rating, which speaks volumes about its robust built.

Ford EcoSport

Starts at Rs. 7.82 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The credit for making the sub-4-meter compact SUV segment popular in India goes to the Ford EcoSport. Though it has now been overtaken by rivals in terms of sales, the EcoSport is still quite popular among the masses. It offers a solid built quality and a good level of NVH. Another important feature it has is that it comes with six airbags, a first in the segment. There is also a feature called emergency calling, which contacts emergency services in case of an accident.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

Starts at Rs. 7.58 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Vitara Brezza goes a long way to show how manufacturers are now concerned about safety. It gets a 4 star Global NCAP rating, which is not what other cars by Maruti can boast of. The solidly built compact SUV also comes with features like ABS and EBD as standard across the whole range and is the best selling car in its segment.

Honda WR-V

Starts at Rs. 7.79 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Honda WR-V Honda’s try to make a sub-4-meter compact SUV. Being a Honda, it is built extremely well with highway stability. Among the many R-V models the Japanese auto maker offers in India, the WR-V is the best selling one. It starts at Rs. 7.79 lakhs and comes with a host of features like sunroof and Honda DigiPad 2.0, along with sporting comfortable interiors..

Tata Safari Storme

Starts at Rs. 10.89 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Tata Safari Storme has been on the market since a long time. The fact that it is now used by the Indian Army shows how well built the SUV is. The ladder-on-frame SUV sports a rugged built quality and is a powerful offroad tool too. It comes with seven seats and is among the most comfortable SUVs in its segment, though the interiors have begun to show their age.

Jeep Compass

Starts at Rs. 15.39 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

Jeep’s good days in India began post the launch of Compass. It is the most affordable vehicle from the company in India. The Compass is a extremely well built SUV and is exported to many foreign countries from India. The rugged SUV may not offer 4WD yet (AWD is on offer, though), the cars does feel like a proper, full fledged SUV.

Mahindra XUV 500

Starts at Rs. 12.39 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Mahindra XUV 500 is the best selling SUV in its segment. It looks very stylish and has a good road presence. It is also extremely well built and is quite rugged too. The monocoque frame SUV. Even though it is a monocoque build, the XUV 500 feels comparable to some of the ladder frame based SUVs out there.very rugged and is very stable on highways.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

Starts at Rs. 14.82 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

If looks were the criteria, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross would be the meanest SUV among all. This butch lifestyle pickup truck is also extremely rugged and comes with a solid build quality. Coupled with that menacing look and imposing stance, no doubt it means business. Also, the D-Max V-Cross is a true blue off roader that can take on any surface.

Hyundai Tucson

Starts at Rs. 18.63 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Tucson is currently the flagship vehicle for Hyundai in India. This 5-seater SUV is basically a softroader but that does not mean that it lacks on ruggedness. It is quite solidly built and comes with high-quality interiors. The stylish SUV starts at Rs. 18.63 lakhs and comes loaded with many excellent feature like six airbags among others.

Toyota Fortuner

Starts at Rs. 26.2 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Toyota Fortuner needs no introduction. The best-selling SUV is an extremely well built vehicle and quite rugged too. Toyota is known for making reliablevehicles and the Fortuner is no different. The exterior build quality of the Fortuner is complemented by the D4D diesel engine, which is one of the most reliable diesel engines in the world.

Also Read: Tata Harrier SUV: What it looks like on the road!

Mukesh Ambani is India’s richest man with a net worth of $46.7 billion. Ambani and his family live in Antilla, the world’s most expensive home which has a rather grand private garage. The Ambani garage at Antilla is filled with quite a few of the most luxurious cars around along with a host of security vehicles thanks to the Billionaire’s Z+ security detail, the highest in the country. Seen below is a video by Auto Army which shows the convoy of the Ambani family on the move.

The Convoy

The video from late last year shows the Grand Ambani convoy on the move through Mumbai’s Marine Drive. The convoy is led by a 5-series sedan from BMW, though we aren’t exactly sure if it is part of the convoy or not. Following the 5-series is a special BMW X5 with police stickering and roof-mounted flashers.

Following the leading X5 is an older-gen Mercedes-Benz S-Class Guard. The Guard is a bullet and bomb-proof vehicle that looks similar to the regular S-Class but is heavily armoured. The S-Class is closely followed by another police X5.

Immediately following the second X5, is a Mumbai Police Scorpio after which is one of the newer additions to the Ambani garage, the Bentley Bentayga SUV. Following the Bentayga around is its sibling from the Porsche brand, the Cayenne. The Cayenne is followed by two Ford Endeavours which also get the same roof-mounted flashers and police stickering as the X5s seen before. Another video, this time by jasus 007 shows the convoy in a different formation.

What is so special about this convoy?

All of these cars are rarely seen together as part of a single convoy. It is quite possible that the Ambani family were heading to the same place but were travelling in different vehicles for safety purposes.

Another reason that makes this convoy so special are the BMWs used as escort cars. No other citizen of the country uses these German SUVs as an escort vehicle in a security convoy. Mukesh Ambani has been given Z+ security cover by the Indian government, which is handled by the CRPF. Only the PM and President are offered higher levels of security, which are handled by the Special Protection Group.

The convoy seen is definitely India’s most expensive civilian convoy and all the vehicles seen above are owned by Reliance Industries and are not the government. It is quite possible that Mukesh Ambani upgraded his convoy vehicles to make sure that his security detail could keep up with the fast-moving vehicles used by his family.

The S-Class Guard seen in the convoy is an older generation model of the flagship Mercedes sedan that costs around Rs 5 crore. It looks quite similar to the regular S-Class which has been done to disguise it from the regular vehicle. The S-Class Guard has been discreetly reinforced but weighs a lot heavier than the regular car. The S-Guard gets a very high level of ballistic protection that makes it safe against military weapons and explosions. It also gets an inbuilt fire extinguishing system and run-flat tyres that can allow the armoured sedan to run at 80 km/h even when fully deflated. Ambani also owns a BMW 7-Series High-Security armoured vehicle, which was the official vehicle of the Prime Minister of India, before Modi switched to his armoured Range Rover.

The Bentley Bentayaga is one of the fastest SUVs in the world today and cost around Rs 3.78 crores and is favoured by the Ambani heirs. The Bentley SUV is powered by a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 petrol engine that churns out 600 Bhp and 900 Nm of torque. The Bentley Bentayaga can sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds and will continue to accelerate until it tops out at 301 km/h. The Ambani
Bentayga is painted in a brilliant British Racing Green colour.

The Porche Cayenne is the German carmaker’s flagship SUV. Prices for the Cayenne start at Rs 1.58 crore and go all the way up to Rs 1.92 crore depending on the model chosen. Porsche recently stopped selling the diesel version of the Cayenne which was priced at Rs 1.19 crore. There are currently only two Cayenne models on sale in India – the E-Hybrid with 340 Bhp and 540 Nm of torque from a3.0-litre V6 hybrid powertrain and the Turbo which uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that cranks out 550 Bhp and 770 Nm of torque.

The police liveried BMW X5s seen in the convoy are the xDrive 30d models which start at around Rs 78 lakhs. The X5’s are powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine that gets a twin-scroll turbocharger. The engine cranks out 258 Bhp and 560 Nm of torque and allows the SUVs to reach 0-100 km/h in a brisk 6.9 seconds.

Finally, the Ford Endeavours that bring up the rear of the convoy are likely the more powerful variants of the American SUV. The more powerful Ford Endeavour is powered by a 2.5-litre five-cylinder diesel engine that cranks out 197 Bhp and 470 Nm of torque. The lower-spec Endeavours use a 2.2-litre engine. The Scorpio seen in the video is one of the many used by the Mumbai Police.

Also Read: Tata Harrier SUV: What it looks like on the road!

Indore-based motorcycle customizers Dirt-Machine Custom Motorcycles have come up with another stunning creation called the Combat – V 2.0. Built for a Bangalore-based customer Saurav Sircar, the custom house was asked to build the new bike like the original Combat but with a few custom changes. So they took a Desert Storm 500 and got to work and the bike you see here is the resulting Combat – V 2.0.

Taking the original Desert Storm 500, Dirt-Machine Custom Motorcycles went about modifying it as per the customer’s specifications. Up front, the original single circular headlamp made way for a dual LED headlamp setup, while the stock turn signals have also made way for LED Units.

The front forks have been replaced with upside down units. Also, the Desert Storm’s analogue instrumentation has made for a single circular digital unit. The front wheel (which along with the rear one are made from aluminium and feature 80 spokes) is shod with a Pirelli Angel CT 120/17 tyre. Combat 2.0 features dual disc brakes up front to provide the stopping power needed to bring it a halt.

While the original Desert Storm’s fuel tank has been retained, the seat behind is brand new and custom made and can now seat two people. Set immediately behind and underneath the seat is the taillight unit from the Royal Enfield Himalayan adventure bike. The rear fender has also been extended at the request of the owner.

Combat V 2.0 features a custom made swingarm for the wider rear tyre which is another Pirelli Angel CT that measures in at 140mm wide. The rear end of the custom bike features the twin gas charged shock absorbers from the stock desert storm. Braking duties at the rear are handled by a single disc brake.

The 499cc engine of the Desert Storm has been retained, though it does breathe a bit better now thanks to the addition of a K&N air filter and an altered exhaust system taken from a Harley Davidson bike. The Combat V 2.0’s engine is good for 27.2 Bhp at 5,250 rpm and 41.3 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine is paired with a 5-speed gearbox. The custom bike has been fitted with a hydraulic clutch as well.

The bike has been painted in a custom military green shade of paint, except for the engine, gearbox and the exhaust which have all been painted black. There are custom graphics on the fenders, fuel tank and side panels. The fuel tank features the old-school RE Logo as agraphic painted on in white while the side panel features 500 in =numbers and custom bike’s name – Combat – V 2.0.

Also Read: Tata Harrier SUV: What it looks like on the road!

Hatchbacks make for the biggest chunk of sales in the automotive sector. India has always been a small and affordable car market and therefore almost every locally manufacturing auto company has at least one hatchback in their model lineup.

Some like Maruti are majorly hatchback focused companies and quite successful too. The upcoming year will see a slew of new hatchbacks being launched and many being discontinued. Here are 6 upcoming hatchback which will be fighting for buyers attention in the coming time.

Maruti Suzuki WagonR

Expected launch: first quarter of 2019

Maruti Suzuki will upgrade the WagonR  in order to make it compliant with the upcoming safety and emission norms. The new car will sport the typical tall boy design and come with a bolder design language. The engine and transmission are expected to be the same as on the current model, albeit with some tweaks.

With the new Santro already leading in the interiors and features race, the new Wagon R is expected to come loaded with features. This includes driver side airbag, ABS+EBD, reverse parking sensors, speed alert and seat belt reminder among many others. It will aslo most probably come with a touch infotainment system to appeal the buyers.

Maruti Suzuki Alto

Expected launch: 2019 Q3 

The Alto has been the best selling car for Maruti Suzuki. The picture above is of the JDM spec Alto. The Indian version, most probably will sport a different design structure. The entry level hatchback by Maruti is rumoured to use a new 600 cc motor ths time around, though nothing is confirmed as of now.

The new 660-cc engine, found on the Japanese Alto, is a three-cylinder unit that produces a maximum of 51 Bhp power and 63 Nm torque. However, the Indian version may come with a different engine to suit the local conditions. The all-new Alto will come with features like driver-side airbags, ABS and a reverse parking sensor as standard fitment.

Hyundai Grand i10

Expected launch: October 2019 

Hyundai will bring in a new i10 Grand in some time from now. The car has already been spotted testing many times and the final production version is not long away. The new car will get a hexagonal front grille and wider headlamps and tail-lamps. The new Grand i10 will get a wider stance and a lower height than the ongoing model.

We expect Hyundai to add more features to the already feature rich car and it could get a larger touchscreen infotainment system. A sunroof could also make an appearance, though it will be limited to the top spec model. The 1.2 litre petrol and 1.2 litre diesel engine to be carried without any major change However, the current torque converter automatic transmission will be replaced by a new AMT gearbox.

Ford Figo (facelift)

Expected launch: March 2019

Ford has already launched the facelifted Aspire compact sedan and the Figo will follow the suit. It will feature the same cellular grille which is introduced in the Aspire facelift. Bigger and more stylish alloys will also come fitted onto the new car, along with a refreshed front end design. The cabin will feature the same design and theme but updated upholstery could come as a part of the facelift.

In terms of features, Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system will make an appearance on the facelift Figo. Safety features like ABS with EBD, front dual airbags and ISOFIX child seat mounts will come as standard equipment. The Figo facelift will continue to use the 1.2-litre and 1.5-litre 3-cylinder Dragon series petrol engines along with the current 1.5-litre diesel engine.

Tata Tiago XZ Plus

Expected launch: 12th December, 2018 

Tata had recently launched the updated version of its Tigor compact hatchback. The company is now planning to launch a new variant of its popular Tiago hatchback which will be a top of line variant. Through some of the leaked images, it is evident that the new Tiago variant will be inspired by the Tigor facelift design.

It gets new 15-inch alloy wheels from the Tigor, new grille and blacked out headlamps which again are inspired by the new Tigor. The car in the picture above is seen in a new Titanium Grey paint shade with black contrasting roof, which looks quite sporty. It could come with a new 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that made its debut on the Tigor, especially since now the Hyundai Santro offers one too.

Tata 45X

Expected launch: 2019 End

The Tata 45X will be the company’s answer to the likes of Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai i20 among others. It was first showcased as a concept alongside the (Harrier) at the Delhi Auto Expo 2018. Like the Harrier, the production-spec 45X is expected to stay quite true to its concept design.

The H5X is based on Tata’s new IMPACT design 2.0 philosophy. On the design front, like the above render, the car will get slated sweptback headlamps, prominent shoulder line, sloping roof line and wraparound tail lights, among many other elements. Though there has been mo information on the engines yet, we expect the H5X to borrow the engines and gearboxes from the Nexon compact SUV.

Also Read: Tata Harrier SUV: What it looks like on the road!

Seems like 2019 is going to be big on launches for French auto maker Renault. The company plans to bring in new versions of the Duster, Kwid and an all new MPV based on the Kwid platform. The Kwid MPV, which had been codenamed RBC, was recently spied testing, suggesting that Renault will complete thee production ready version in the coming months. It is expected that the company will let out the official name of the MPV by the end of January, 2019.

Of lately, Renault has been registering dwindling sales across its range of vehicles. Models like the Duster, which once were excellent sellers, are now not on the buying lists of people anymore in the face of better competition. The Kwid is the only car for Renault which is still holding ground but it also is in dire need of a facelift. Maruti too has planned for an all new Alto soon and without a facelift, the Kwid will start losing the edge it has over the competition.

The RBC will be a compact MPV and will challenge the Datsun Go+ upon its arrival. The sub-4 meter MPV is made on the company’s CMF-A platform, which also underpins the Kwid hatchback. Based on the various leaks, the RBC will come with LED DRLs up front and a new grille. It will most probably be powered by the same 1.0-litre engine that currently powers the Kwid hatchback but will be tweaked for more power. On the interiors front, it will come with a touchscreen infotainment system and a similar digital instrument cluster as the Kwid. In terms of safety, the new Renault MPV will feature ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) along with dual airbags and rear parking camera.

The Duster will feature a refreshed design like a new grille and tail lamps but will most likely retain the same profile. There is also a possibility that Renault may bring it with a seven-seat configuration option. It will be powered by the same 1.5-litre dCi and a 1.6-litre diesel engine which are present on the current gen car. Talking about the company’s best selling car, the Kwid, it will be the last one to get launched among the three. It will be based on the same platform and come with a same design theme, albeit some tweaks to make it look new. The car will continue using the same 800cc and 1 litre engine, though it may be tuned a bit to increase its efficiency

It is expected that the company will launch the Kwid based MPV first, which will then be followed by the launch of 2019 Duster and 2019 Kwid by the start of Diwali season next year. The pricing will be the key in these launches, and Renault knows that well. However, since these will be new launches, expect the pricing to bump up marginally.

Also Read: Tata Harrier SUV: What it looks like on the road!

The presence of mind of a Surat based businessman saved the life of a kitten that got stuck in the engine bay of his  Mercedes Benz E-Class sedan. Service personnel of a Mercedes Benz service center in Mumbai had to disassemble parts of the engine bay to get to the kitten and rescue it.

How did it happen?

While it’s not known as to how the kitten managed to get into the engine bay of the Mercedes Benz E-Class, it was the owner’s pet dog that was also traveling in the car that alerted the businessman to the presence of the kitten. The  pet dog started barking after hearing the mews of the stuck kitten.

This prompted the businessman to alight from the car and investigate the matter. While the businessman spotted the kitten inside the engine bay, he could not rescue it. Finally, he decided to get Mercedes Benz authorized mechanics involved, who managed to rescue the kitten after a mammoth 6 hour rescue effort. Many parts of the engine bay had to be removed to access the stuck kitten, which could have been frightened by all the attention.

Here is a first person account of what exactly happened from Jayeshbhai Tailor, a fish exporter from Surat, who is  also the owner of the Mercedes Benz E-Class sedan in which the kitten got stuck,

My dog suddenly barked after which I heard a meowing sound. The meowing sounds continued. I asked my driver to stop the car and check if any cat was under the vehicle or stuck somewhere. The driver didn’t see any cat but I had heard the meowing sounds. I got down and saw a kitten near the engine. I insisted on waiting and try rescue the animal. Locals also tried helping us…some mechanics were also called. But no one could hear or see the kitten. Eventually, I called up the Mercedes Benz service centre, which asked me to come to Kalina [Santacruz East, Mumbai].As we reached there, they tried spotting the kitten but they didn’t see it. We tried banging so that the kitten could meow, but she remained silent. She had slipped inside. After that I asked the service centre mechanics to open the car and the engine was opened. I could see an ear of the kitten and I asked the mechanics to use camera’s zoom-in so that they could see it. Finally, after six hours, they spotted the kitten and rescued it.

It’s not uncommon for animals to get trapped in the engine bays of cars. Many animals are attracted to the engine bay due to the warmth generated by engines, especially in freshly parked cars. Such incidents mainly happen during  winters. Just the other week, we had an incident of a cobra getting stuck inside a BMW’s engine bay.

So, when faced with such a situation, it’s best to call in the experts instead of attempting to rescue animals stuck  in the engine bay. Also, it’s a good practice to tap on the bonnet of cars that are parked overnight to alert animals that may have taken shelter either under the car or inside the bonnet.

Via IndiaToday

Also Read: Tata Harrier SUV: What it looks like on the road!

Royal Enfield has just rolled out the Bullet 350 Electra with a rear disc brake. The motorcycle maker will soon offer dual channel ABS on this motorcycle. Here is a walk around video from SubhoVlogs that shows the rear disc brake on the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Electra ES. The motorcycle is priced at Rs. 1.32 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.

Two other Royal Enfield motorcycles – the Bullet 350 and the Bullet 500 – have also received rear disc brakes. Like the Electra 350, these motorcycles are also yet to receive dual channel ABS. Considering governmental regulations, all three motorcycles will be equipped with dual channel ABS before April 2019.

While the rear disc brake equipped Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is priced at Rs. 1.28 lakhs, the Bullet 500 is priced at Rs. 1.73 lakhs. Notably, the Bullet 350 is the least priced Royal Enfield you can buy in India, and one of the best sellers from the brand. Apart from styling, the only major difference between the Bullet 350 and Electra ES is the presence of an electric start on the latter. ES here stands for electric start.

The Bullet 350 and Electric 350 use a single cylinder unit construction engine that displaces 346cc. This motor pushes out 19.8 Bhp of peak power and 28 Nm of peak torque. A 5 speed manual gearbox is standard and so is a carburetor. The engine will receive fuel injection come 2020, when stricter Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms kick in.

The Bullet 500, on the other hand, is a lot more powerful. It is powered by a 499cc unit construction engine that it borrows from the Classic 500 range. This motor makes 27.2 Bhp-41.3 Nm, and is fuel injected. The Bullet 500 gets styling similar to the 350cc model. It will also get dual channel ABS soon, which is expected to result in a price increase of at least Rs. 10,000.

This is a small price to pay as dual channel ABS greatly enhances safety. In both dry and wet conditions, ABS prevents the motorcycle from skidding even under hard braking. Also, ABS ensures that the wheels don’t lock up under braking, allowing the rider to steer the motorcycle around obstacles. These two factors are critical, and help prevent accidents.

Royal Enfields are the last surviving old-school motorcycles in the Indian market’s affordable category. Except for the new 650 twins and the Himalayan, all other Royal Enfields continue to use overhead valve engines that are lazy revving units famed for their thump. The overhead valves of these bikes are operated with hydraulic tappets, a concession towards modernity, and reliability.

The long stroke engines have a charm of their own, with high torque delivery right off idle. This makes Royal Enfield motorcycles equipped with unit construction engines happy even on city streets, at low speeds. Most modern bikes need to be revved to extract the best performance out of them. In case of Royal Enfields, relaxed riding does it.

Also Read: Tata Harrier SUV: What it looks like on the road!

Tata Motors is cranking up the promotion for its upcoming premium SUV, the Harrier ahead of its launch in January 2019. The latest promotional video from Tata Motors regarding the Harrier promotes one of its more premium features – a cooled storage under the driver’s armrest.

Before its unveiling, Tata Motors had been promoting the way the Harrier drives and how it was tested in tough conditions. After the unveiling though, Tata has started teasing details about the SUV’s interiors and features, which have not been officially revealed yet. The latest of these teasers for the Tata Harrier’s interior is titled ‘The New Benchmark of Indulgence’.

The latest video from Tata Motors for the Harrier SUV shows off a cooled storage space underneath the driver’s armrest. The storage area has space for two soft drink cans. Also seen in the storage area is a 12 V socket which can be used to charge up your phone. The cooled storage under the driver’s armrest is not something that you find won’t find on any other vehicles in this segment and is a feature usually seen in luxury SUVs and sedans from foreign brands.

The all-new Tata Harrier which will be launched in India in January 2019, was first revealed as the H5X concept at Auto Expo 2018. The Harrier has till now lived up to almost all the hype that surrounded the H5X, retaining most of the concept SUV’s looks on the outside. On the inside, the teaser videos from Tata Motors suggest that the Tata Harrier will be a game changer when it comes to the world of SUVs in India especially the segment in which it finds itself which is dominated by the Hyundai Creta and also includes the Jeep Compass. Tata promises that the Harrier will feature a finely crafted interior with a powerful climate control system, a floating touchscreen infotainment system along with a premium audio system from a rather well know music brand – JBL. The Harrier SUV from Tata Motors also features a floating touchscreen infotainment system, sourced from the same people who did the units for the Range Rover Velar.

Also Read: Tata Harrier SUV: What it looks like on the road!

The Tata Harrier is the most awaited upcoming vehicle in India right now. The 5 seater SUV has been garnering all the attention thanks to its striking, close to concept design and feature rich interiors. Now Tata has revealed that the Harrier will be showcased on 3rd of December, 2018 before its final launch in early January.

This will be a media drive and the company is looking forward to boast off their most worked upon vehicles till date. There will also be a 7 seater version of the Harrier, dubbed as H7X for now, but that is still a long time away. Down below is the first real world picture of the Harrier on our roads, sans camouflage.

The Harrier seen above is done in orange shade with black lower body cladding. This is the primary colour of the SUV as the H5X concept was also showcased in the same shade at the Delhi Auto Expo 2018. Tata has retained nearly 80% of the design from the concept which results in a stunning looking SUV. The front fascia is also quite different with the unique placement of the LED DRLs and the headlights.

As for the interiors, the Harrier will get many class leading features that are being regularly teased by the company in various videos. It will get twin digital screen, one as infotainment screen and other one in the instrument binnacle. The audio system has been provided by JBL and will most probably be a 10 speaker system. Cooled under arm-rest storage and puddle lamps are other unique feature the car will come with. Though the Harrier is a 5 seater vehicle, there will be no lack of space in the cabin as well as the boot as it will be the largest SUV in its segment.

The Harrier will be powered by a 2.0 litre engine sourced from Fiat. Dubbed as the KRYOTECH engine, It is expected to produce around 140 Bhp of power along with 320 Nm of torque. This is the same unit that does duty on the Jeep Compass, albeit with different power outputs. Tata Motors have also equipped the Harrier with a Land Rover inspired ESP Terrain Response System along with hill descent function. As for the transmission options, there will a 6-speed manual gearbox at the time of launch which will be later joined by a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes. The automatic gearbox will b sourced from Hyundai.

The Harrier has nearly completed its testing phase and the final production version is ready. We expect the pricing to be in the range of 16-21 lakhs and the launching to expect by the end of December, 2018. It will rival the likes of Mahindra XUV500, Hyundai Creta and the Jeep Compass upon being launched. Tata Motors is said to be planning a petrol-hybrid and all wheel drive version of the Harrier for launch in future. However, these variants will not be available at the time of launch. For now, expect the SUV only in a front wheel drive layout and diesel-manual trim.

Also Read: Tata Harrier SUV: What it looks like on the road!

The Indian car market has over 54 different options under Rs 15 lakh (on-road price) and that can put a prospective like you in a sheer dilemma. The entire exercise of picking the best choice as per your preference of budget and body type can be a mentally challenging exercise. But fret not, as we have done the homework on your behalf to come up with the best cars you can buy for under Rs 15 lakh (on-road price) in India across segments.

We filtered the list into different categories and pick a winner each depending on various parameters. Without waiting more time, here is our final list of top cars to buy under Rs 15 lakh, sorted by price:

Best Cars Under Rs 15 lakh : Small hatchbacks

Name: Renault KWID
Price: Rs 3.02 onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: 50% Off on 1st Year Insurance + Rs 15000 Exchange Bonus + 4 Year Warranty on Select Model (November)

Launched in September 2015, the KWID has been Renault’s largest selling car in India for several years. SUV inspired design has gone down well with buyers and the car looks upmarket, from a higher segment. There is even a funkier looking version, the CLIMBER. The cabin too excels over rivals when it comes to a premium feel, ditto for class leading features like a touch-screen infotainment interface, full LCD speedometer console, rear arm-rest, rotary knob for gear selector (AMT version) et al. Though the rotary knob does away with a gear lever and hence frees up space, you cannot shift gears manually unlike other AMT cars.

Renault offers the KWID with a choice of two engine options. These include a 800cc and a larger 1000cc motor: the latter is also offered with an optional automatic transmission option. The KWID rides like a mature, much larger hatchback and this ups the comfort quotient by a good margin. Renault has been on their toes to launch limited edition versions and new trim levels every few months and this has kept the KWID fresh in the market. With 8 versions on sale today across a price difference of 2 lakh, this car manages to attract a wide set of buyers and remains our pick in the lower end of the Indian car industry. Icing on the cake comes in the form of the standard warranty that covers the car for 4 years or 1,00,000 km!

Pros:

• Multiple engine and transmission options
• Baby SUV looks go down well with buyers
• Segment leading ride quality
• Segment first features (rear arm-rest, touch-screen etc)

Cons:

• Small tank: only 28 litres
• Huge turning radius of 5m!
• No visual difference between base and top-end

Sales:
August: 5541
September: 5529
October: 6035

Latest Update: 2018 edition with added features

Best Cars Under Rs 15 lakh: Mid size hatchbacks

Name: Hyundai Santro
Price: Rs 4.44 lakh onwards onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Current Offers: None

Hyundai entered the Indian car market twenty years back with the launch of the Santro. The model was taken off the production lines in 2014 but four years later, it makes a come back and how! The Santro got as many as 30,000 bookings in less than a month of its launch and is it already among the top 10 selling cars in India. Launched from Rs 3.8 lakh onwards, Hyundai aims to set their foot strongly in the small car market and also enjoy a first mover advantage in front of the upcoming all-new WagonR that will be launched in 2019. The new Santro is longer and wider than before and has a new design language that would appeal to a wider customer base. It isn’t as tall as before though and alloy wheels on top spec models are surely missing.

It gets an entirely new cabin that certainly doesnt belong to a small car. It not only offers segment best quality, but a practical no-nonsense cabin with features like a IGNIS lookalike speedometer console, large touch screen interface, retro-modern side air-con vents, rear vents et al. Space is a major highlight here and Hyundai clearly wants to keep their target audience’s families happy. The old 1.1-litre petrol motor makes a comeback but has been revised heavily for increased performance and far lower emission levels : the Santro also offers the most affordable four-cylinder engine in India. That said, it isn’t as efficient as some of the rivals. Available in five versions, Hyundai is also offering their first ever AMT gearbox here on two mid level versions fo Sportz and Magna. There is no doubt that till the new WagonR arrives, this is the car to buy under Rs 6 lakh and ticks all the right boxes for someone looking at a proper mid-size hatchback.

Pros:

• Best in class cabin design and quality
• Superior 4-cylinder is very smooth
• Good mix of ride and handling
• Segment leading features

Cons:

• Not as efficient as rivals
• Conservative styling not to everyone’s liking
• Expensive higher spec models
• Missing features (alloy wheels, DRLs, steering adjust, driver seat height adjust etc)

Sales:
October: 8535

Best Cars Under Rs 15 Lakh : Cross Hatchback

Name: Ford Freestyle
Price: Rs 5.83 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 10K Cash Discount + Dealer End Insurance Benefit at Slight Lower Prices (November)

The cross-hatchback segment in India has multiple options. From the most affordable Celerio X to the top end Hyundai i20 Active. But if there is one car that comes across a great value package while being a true cross-hatch, it has to be the Freestyle. It is intact doing brisk business, selling about 2000 units each month. And why not? The Freestyle looks rugged, rides higher, has ample ground clearance of 190mm and even comes with usable roof rails that can support weight of upto 50 kgs – perfect for carrying cycles for example. On the inside, the Freestyle comes with spacious and a practical cabin though we aren’t a fan of the color theme. That said it scores high on storage areas, has great driver ergonomics and gets among the best touch screen interface for the price band.

The Freestyle comes with a pair of excellent engines. It gets the new 1.2 litre Dragon series engine that puts out impressive figures – 96 PS of power and 120 Nm of torque. No auto option but the 5-speed manual works well in terms of shift quality. The engine itself delivers ample poke and is a delight to drive fast without burning a hole in your pocket in terms of fuel economy. The diesel is the tried and tested 1.5 unit that is also seen in the EcoSport and Aspire and excels in terms of low end torque that is necessary for city driving. Infact, the Freestyle is one of the fastest diesel cars under Rs 8 lakh and given ample performance on tap, is good for your weekend drives too. Complementing the engine is the suspension set-up : this Ford loves being pushed around corners or a set of hills and yet can take you to off beat places.
Overall, for this price, the Freestyle remains a highly recommended cross-hatch in our opinion.

Pros:

• The rugged design works well
• Spacious and comfortable interiors
• Peppy petrol, smooth gear shifts
• Comfortable and yet agile in terms of handling

Cons:

• No auto yet
• Petrol engine nowhere as efficient as rivals

Sales
Aug: 2564
Sep: 2302
Oct: 1929

Best Cars Under Rs 15 Lakh: Premium hatchbacks

Name: Hyundai i20
Price: Rs 6 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Rs 20,000 cash and Rs 30,000 exchange bonus (November)

A premium hatchback is supposed to offer more space, technologically advanced features, better looks and most importantly, a premium experience that comes from an upmarket cabin, a comfortable ride and classy design. The Elite i20, in our opinion, ticks all these boxes and justifies the word ‘Elite’ properly. Not that the Maruti Baleno isn’t good – but the i20 is just a bit better. Premium hatchbacks are mostly bought by those graduating up from a small car and they do expect a lot!

This is also Hyundai’s largest selling car and got a minor facelift in early 2018 and the top spec model with large alloy wheels does stand out. Step inside and you will continue to be impressed with the quality of materials, far better than that on the Maruti Baleno. And while both cars come feature loaded, the i20 ups the game by providing as many as six airbags, a slide adjustment for front arm-rest, cluster ioniser for the air-con and dual USB ports.

The i20 comes with a choice of a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.4-litre diesel unit. The petrol offers good low end grunt for city runs though is not as rev happy as say the Baleno. We love the gear shifts from the manual ‘box though Hyundai also offers an optional CVT. The diesel unit is a gem, offering 90 bhp of power and 220Nm of torque. Mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox, it is smooth, has low NVH levels (lower than Baleno and Jazz) and this combined with a mature ride quality makes the i20 diesel an excellent package. It may not be an enthusiast’s car but certainly is a recommended, stylish all-rounder.

Pros:

• Looks great, especially the top spec models
• High quality cabin with unique features
• Excellent diesel engine, is smooth too
• Hyundai’s proven after sales support

Cons:

• Still not an enthusiast’s tool
• Like the Baleno, this one too has limited rear headroom

Sales
August: 11475
September: 12380
October: 13290

Latest update: CVT option launched in May 2018

Best Cars Under Rs 15 lakh: Compact Sedans

Name: Maruti Dzire
Price: Rs 6.2 lakh onwards (on-road, before discounts)
Discounts: Upto 27.5 cash (special edition) and 30,000 exchange bonus (November)

Compact sedan is expected to be larger than your average hatchback and should feel like a big car. More features, a better ride, sense of safety, efficient and all this without give you headaches every few months during scheduled services. This is where Maruti knows the country very well and without any apprehensions, we can clearly say the Dzire is the best compact sedan around.

India’s largest selling sedan, it garners as many numbers as the next four ‘largest selling’ sedans combined together. This has been the most popular sedan from day one of its launch and the latest version has improved massively. It looks better, though still cant be termed as beautiful, has surprisingly good amount of cabin space and comes with an affordable sticker price. We are a fan of how the cabin looks with the black and beige theme, flat bottom steering, round dials and stand out, tab like central unit. The current Dzire is an all-rounder but remember, the sales figures include the commercial model, Tour, that is very popular with Ola and Ubers of the world. Even then, for private use, its a not a bad deal at all.
The Dzire gets two of the most trusted engines from Maruti’s family – the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre FIAT sourced diesel unit. Both the engines are known for their trouble free performance and Maruti offers optional AMT with both fuel types, a rare offering for the segment. Infact the top spec diesel automatic is a lot cheaper than its main rival, the Amaze diesel auto!
With the current generation Dzire, Maruti has also improved on the ride and handling parameter tremendously. The steering is light, car agile and yet at higher speeds, the Dzire remains composed. Maruti is even offering ABS and dual airbags as standard across the range. If you want a reliable sedan with space and comfort at this price, look no further.

Pros:

• Spacious, larger than average boot too
• Highest resale value in the segment
• Peppy petrol, torquey and efficient diesel
• Impressive features, auto in both petrol / diesel

Cons:

• Base L versions is feature stripped
• Rivals offer better warranty or lower running costs
• Still has the ‘taxi’ image

Sales
August: 21,990
September: 21,296
October: 17404

Last update: Special edition launched in Aug 2018

Best Cars Under 15 lakh: Compact SUVs

Name: Tata Nexon
Price: Rs 7.12 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: 1st Year Insurance @ Discounted Price of Rs 13000 + Rs 15K Exchange

Moving on from hatchbacks and sedans, you can even look at purchasing a SUV under Rs 10 lakh and there are quite a few options. But for us, the Nexon stands out. It is the safest SUV you can buy under Rs 10 lakh as per the latest crash test results and importantly, given the rising trend of automatics, offers the AMT with both petrol and diesel under the crucial 10 lakh mark, that too on-road price! That said, we agree, only the lower and mid level of the petrol and diesel models come under this price.

The Nexon itself looks big for a sub 4 meter vehicle, essential to massage to the owner’s ego. It also gets a very spacious cabin and Tata has worked hard to deliver the comfort factor. Drive this vehicle over bad roads and you will be impressed with its composure!
The petrol Nexon comes with a 1.2 litre turbo charged petrol motor that delivers 110 PS of power and is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox – these figures are on par with say the EcoSport petrol. The diesel unit is larger, being a 1.5 unit with 110 bhp on tap. Infact, in the compact SUV segment, the diesel Nexon is our pick. Whats more, its the only compact SUV to offer an optional AMT with both fuel types. Both the engines get driving modes and though aren’t very smooth, offers reasonably good performance for the heavy Nexon.
With the Nexon, you get to own a good looking large vehicle at a value based price. Tata has ironed out niggles and their cars now come with great after sales support too. The Nexon no doubt makes for a good purchase.

Pros:

• Looks nice for a compact sub 4m product
• Space on the inside, comfort levels
• Drives nice – the modes do work!
• Safe and solid product from Tata

Cons

• Petrol engine isn’t as refined
• Might not be as trouble free as the Breeza in the long run

Sales:
Aug: 4499
Sep: 4297
Oct: 4608

Latest update: Kraz edition launched in Sep 2018

Best Cars Under Rs 15 lakh: MPVs

Name: Maruti Ertiga
Price: Rs 8.39 lakh onwards (on-road)
Discounts: None

Maruti has launched the 2nd generation Ertiga in India. This one surely is the star performer when it comes to a 7 seater MPV under Rs 12 lakh. The new Ertiga really is an all-new product and this is evident from the styling itself. It looks mature and has grown up in size too. We love the bold new face with the raised hood and ditto for the sporty bumper. Step inside and the surprises continue. The cabin design of the Ertiga is excellent and could pass off on a 10-14 lakh rupee sedan too – for example the wooden finish on the fascia and the doors, the classy speedometer console with the TFT screen for the petrol model and the sleek climate control knobs. Maruti says due to the bigger dimensions and pushing of the engine mounting ahead, they have liberated 70mm of extra room for the 3rd row passengers. Further every row gets more shoulder room too.
The Ertiga comes across a feature loaded MPV. Dual Airbags, ABS and parking sensors are standard while the top spec Z+ models get the SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system as well. The only feature missing here in our opinion is a cruise control. The big news is that the new Ertiga gets the same 1.5 litre petrol motor that debuted in the new Ciaz. Inspite of putting out more power and higher torque, it is more efficient and also comes with an optional automatic.
Thanks to the 5th generation HEARTEC platform, the new Ertiga is stronger and yet retains the same kerb weight. NVH levels have gone down and the new suspension is said to be more comfortable. Without a doubt then, the new Ertiga is the best 7 seater MPV in the price band.

Pros: 

• New deign looks sleek
• All-new cabin is excellent in terms of space
• Feature loaded
• Efficient automatic petrol

Cons:

• No diesel automatic
• Petrol automatic not available in ZXI+
• Omission of cruise control is a surprise
• Rs 1.4-Rs 1.5 lakh premium for diesel

Best Cars Under Rs 15 Lakh: Mid-Size sedan

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

The mid-size or C sedan market is a very difficult one for manufacturers. Not because of the sheer number of players but because it has two kinds of customers. First are those upgrading from a large hatchback and second are those who are ex-compact sedan owners. So expectations are really and under the important price barrier of Rs 10 lakh, the new Ciaz delivers a lot.

It is the largest selling car in its category and got a major facelift in August. 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 biggest change however is under the hood. The old 1.4 petrol has been replaced by the 1.5-litre K15B unit that not only offers larger displacement but churns out more power and higher torque. The icing on the cake comes in the form of better fuel economy than ever before, partially due to the Smart Hybrid tech, which is now being offered on the petrol Ciaz as well. The engine comes mated to a choice of transmission options, a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed Auto.
The engine is less powerful than the petrols offered by the Honda City and Hyundai Verna. This said, the real strength of the new motor is in the way it builds up speeds from lower engine speeds and this makes it a great city tool. In fact, in spite of the a 4-speed auto (as compared to 5 or 6 or CVT for rivals), the A/T Ciaz does not feel under-powered, nor does it run out of breath on open roads.
The new K15B engine also performs well when given the stick. While it will not be able to overshadow the Honda City 1.5 petrol or the Hyundai Verna 1.6 petrol, it will keep most owners happy, more so due to its frugal nature.
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. Mind you, under this price (on-road) you can only pick the base Sigma or one up Delta but the latter does come feature loaded. This includes alloy wheels, cruise control, electrically adjustable outside mirrors, all four power windows, climate control (yes, auto a/c), front and rear arm-rests, ABS and dual airbags.

Pros:

• Unbeatable cabin space and comfort
• Minor updates make it look premium and sleek
• Segment leading fuel economy – new petrol is peppier
• Most feature loaded C sedan under Rs 10 lakh

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
August: 7002
September: 6246
October: 3892

Latest update: New Ciaz launched in August 2018

Best Cars under 15 lakhs: 4×4 SUV

Name: Mahindra Thar
Price: Rs 11.1 lakh (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: Upto Rs 6,000

Recreational vehicles are fast catching up in India and an increasing number of adventure seekers are looking at buying a 4×4 to satisfy their off-road needs. In this regard, though the Gypsy, the Thar comes out on top for us. 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 and highly recommended.
The Thar got a mild facelift a few years back and continues to look good. Truth be told, most buyers invest heavily into making it look better – from bull bars to alloy wheels and even a proper hard top. The cabin looks good for a hardcore 4×4 with classy bits and pieces like dual tone theme, tri-pod instrumentation cluster, cup holders and an overall better feel than the earlier model. You can get an air-con, lockable glovebox, charging outlet and power steering. Even then, at this price, the Thar remains feature stripped but we aren’t complaining as it’d made for a purpose.
The CRDe version comes with a 2.5 litre turbo charged diesel unit that is good for 105 bhp of power and gives the Thar ample torque for off-roading. The low transfer box comes very handy during tricky situations and the mechanically locking rear differential (2015 onwards) has made a world of difference to its abilities. In the right hands, the Thar can take you places!

Pros:

• Go anywhere capability
• Torquey diesel, efficient too
• Support from Mahindra for various events

Cons

• Still not your daily drive
• Expensive : the Gypsy is about 4+ lakh cheaper
• Lacks features for a 11 lakh vehicle

Sales:
August: 669
September: 631
October: 701

Best Cars Under 15 lakhs: AWD (all-wheel drive)

Price: Rs 13.97 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: Benefits of upto Rs 1,00,000 (November)

India’s most affordable AWD vehicle is the Duster. The RxS version, after discounts is just over 13 lakh on-road and highly recommended over the Thar if you won’t be indulging into hard core off-roading. Its far safer, has loads of features, smoother and more efficient. And in the right hands, the Duster AWD can take your places too thanks to a torquey engine, short 1st gear and ample ground clearance.
It is also a very good daily drive thanks to easy controls, spacious interiors and an excellent ride quality. Infact, it offers an unbeatable combination of a perfect family car as well as companion for your Ladakh trip. The only problem with the Duster AWD is long term maintenance with numerous negative reports coming in via online forums. Ditto for the resale value. Even then, we are sure it will keep you as (or more) happy as the Thar.

Pros: 

• Big car, small price
• Excellent ride quality
• Spacious cabin, large boot
• Most affordable AWD in India

Cons:

• The design is becoming too old
• Cabin design remains a sore point
• Poor resale value

Sales: 

August: 613
September: 616
October: 750

Latest update: Renault slashes Duster’s pricing 

Best Cars Under 15 lakhs: SUV

Name: Hyundai Creta
Price: Rs 10.84 lakh onwards (on-road before discounts)
Discounts: None

India’s second largest SUV is among a handful of cars that are sold without any discounts. The Creta does come across as a perfect SUV at this price point and there is nothing stopping this from selling over 10-11k units per month. Infact, in terms of revenue generation per month, the Creta is right there on top among all other car models. That speaks volumes about how good this vehicle is.

The 2018 model got design tweaks like a new grille, bumper and those gorgeous alloy wheels. Ditto for minor changes on the inside include feature additions like powered driver’s seat and wireless charging. The cabin design might need a makeover next year but space is excellent, practicality top notch with ample places for knick-knacks and excellent 2nd row space. Boot space is huge and you can push in 3-4 large suitcase as well.

The Creta gets a pair of powerful 1.6 petrol and diesel units and both these offer class leading performance thanks to relatively lower weight of the Creta. You get to opt for an automatic with both the engine options but sadly, a 4×4 is surely missed. Apart from that, the Creta, inspite of being a SUV, is easy to drive and offers more than good ride comfort with excellent dynamics. In all, this price point that is between C and D segment sedans, the Creta is a sure shot winner. Well done Hyundai, well done! Do remember that this list is for cars under Rs 15 lakh (onroad) which means you cannot buy the higher trims or even the diesel AT of the Creta in this budget.

Pros:

• New 2018 edition looks good
• Spacious cabin, loaded with features
• Excellent 1.6 engines, both get A/T option
• Natural ride and handling, easy to drive

Cons:

• Getting more expensive with every update
• No AWD / 4×4
• Rivals offer 7 seats for same price now

Sales

Aug: 10394
Sep: 11000
Oct: 11702

Latest update: 2018 Creta launched

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German carmaking conglomerate, the Volkswagen Group earlier this year introduced its India 2.0 project, which will see Skoda become the leader for the automaking group’s next push forward into the Indian market. Now Autocar India has revealed that the VW group will launch four new cars in the coming years in the form of two SUVs and two sedans as it kicks off its second push in India.

From the Honda City to the Hyundai Creta, these cars will take on C-Segment sedans and compact SUVs.

All four new vehicles from the Volkswagen group will be underpinned by a derivative of the MQB A0 platform developed solely for India which reports have dubbed as ‘MQB A0 IN’.

However, Autocar India claims that all four new vehicles that will enter the country as part of the new India 2.0 project will not be powered by diesel engines as the current 1.5-litre TDI engine cannot be upgraded to BS-VI emission standards and the 2.0-litre engine is apparently too large to fit.

The first vehicle to be based on the new MQB A0 IN architecture will be an all-new SUV from Czech carmaker Skoda. The design of this all-new Skoda SUV will be based on the Vision X concept and will be around 90mm longer than its European-spec sibling. The India-spec Skoda SUV will get a reclining rear seat and extra legroom at the rear. The SUV will be powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine which will produce around 130 Hp. The SUV could also be expected to be offered with CNG version. The Hyundai Creta will be a direct rival. The Skoda SUV is expected to be priced similar to  Hyundai Creta.

The second model to enter India as part of the VW Group’s new plan for the nation will be the T-Cross SUV from Volkswagen. The model was recently revealed in Europe, China and South America. The Indian-version of the T-Cross is expected to look similar to the South American-spec SUV.

Power to this new SUV which will be based on the MQB A0 IN platform will be provided by the same 1.5-litre petrol engine found on the Skoda SUV, with which it will share a few exterior panels and quite a lot more of the interior. Autocar India claims that Skoda and Volkswagen will price these two new SUVs under the Rs 20 lakh mark and will sit in the same segment as the Hyundai Creta and the upcoming Tata Harrier, Nissan Kicks and the next-gen Mahindra XUV5OO.

The publication states that the next two vehicles from the VW group will both be sedans. The first sedan is expected to be Skoda’s version of the Volkswagen Virtus which is expected to arrive sometime in 2021. The Volkswagen Virtus itself will come to India at a later date.

Both sedans like the SUVs will be based on the MQB A0 IN platform and will make use of the same 1.5-litre petrol engine. The Skoda sedan will feature a unique front fascia and will share some body panels with its Volkswagen sibling. The Skoda sedan and Virtus will replace the ageing Skoda Rapid and Volkswagen Vento in the Indian market but unlike the current cars will not be mere badge swap jobs. Both the Skoda and Volkswagen sedans will take on the Honda City.

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Dubai is considered to be the place to go if you like normality to be supercars and hypercars roaming the roads. Such is the concentration of exotic cars in the middle-eastern city that even the cops have resorted to driving around in them, to ensure no one decides to speed away from them.

However, there is a dark side to this story as well as you can find numerous exotics rotting away slowly in garages and parking lots being slowly eaten away by the sands of time that surround the city.

How, and why?

Dubai reached the zenith of its economic prosperity in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, the economic slowdown of 2009, battered Dubai and many people started to leave the city. In the process of leaving, these people left behind a whole host of exotic cars. The results are quite painful to see and there are 100s of these cars left to rot around the city. In this post we take a look at 10 of these exotics left to die in Dubai.

Bugatti Veyron

Bugatti is not a brand that you can you can easily get access to. The French hypercar marque profiles you and your lifestyle before they’ll hand over the keys to one of the fastest cars ever built to you.

The Veyron seen here was left to rot when the slowdown of the economy hit and till date, the owner hasn’t come to claim it. The Bugatti Veyron was once the fastest car in the world and is powered by a quad-turbo 8.0-litre W16 that produces 987 Bhp. Considering the condition that this Veyron has been left in, it would seem that this owner managed to slip through Bugatti’s vetting system.

Ferrari Enzo

The Ferrari Enzo was the Italian supercar marque’s halo car before theLaFerrari. Only 400 of these Italian stallions named after the carmaker’s founder were ever built. The British owner of this neglected prancing horse left it in a Dubai parking lot after the fines kept piling up. This hypercar is powered by a 6.0-litre V12 engine that produced 651 Bhp.

Lamborghini Aventador Roadster

The Aventador Roadster was launched in 2012 and is still one of the most powerful roadsters around. The Aventador Roadster is powered by a 6.5-litre V12 engine with 690 Bhp and can go from 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 350 km/h. This rather sad mage of the roof-less raging bull is from an apartment complex in Dubai where it has remained untouched for over 2 years now.

Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac Escalade is a massive SUV that has become the choice of high rollers and powerbrokers wherever it is sold. However, even this mighty SUV has been gathering dust in Dubai after its owners left the Emirates never to return.

Land Rover Range Rover Vogue

The Flagship SUV from Land Rover is extremely popular around the world and is used by Presidents, Prime Ministers and the rich and famous. This top-of-the-line Range Rover Vogue was left to rot in a parking lot in Dubai and it has been months since it was moved from its current location.

Bentley showroom

This one is perhaps the one that will really bring a tear to your eye. An entire Bentley showroom was left abandoned in an upmarket Dubai locale during the economic slowdown of 2009. There are many Bentleys left abandoned in this showroom and the owner has never returned to reclaim them.

Porsche 911 (964)

The Porsche 911 has been the go-to sports car for many a decade now. The 964 generation Porsche 911 was manufactured between 1989 and 1994 and was the second last gen of 911s to use air-cooled engines. This example of the 911 was found parked and covered on a Dubai street with the owner nowhere to be found.

BMW M6

The BMW M6 was the high-performance variant of the 6 Series Coupe. The M6 seen here is the one internally codenamed E63 by BMW which was powered by high-revving 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V10 that produced 500 Bhp. This M6 was found covered by Dubai’s sands next to the sidewalk of one the many roads in the city abandoned to the cruel forces of mother nature.

Jaguar XJ220

The Jaguar XJ220 was the fastest car in the world from 1992 to 1993. This British hypercar of the 1990s was limited to just 281 units and was powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine that produced 542 Bhp. The XJ220 is coveted by many collectors but the owner of the one seen above abandoned his rare Jag to the ravages of the sands of Dubai.

BMW Z3

The Z3 was the first roadster from BMW to enter mass production. The BMW Z3 was quite a popular car in the early 2000s, especially in the United States. The Z3 was offered with multiple naturally aspirated straight-six engine options. The BMW Z3 seen above has been left lying unattended for a few years in Dubai.

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