Maruti Suzuki is all set to launch the all-new Baleno in the Indian market on 23rd January. Maruti has also started bookings officially for the car and the new models have started reaching dealerships too. The all-new WagonR would be offered in three trim levels – LXi, VXi and ZXi. This is what the base model of the WagonR will look like.

The new picture put up by GaadiWaadi shows the base LXi version of the upcoming WagonR at a dealership stockyard. While the higher end ZXi and the VXi have already been spotted before the launch, this is the first time that the base LXi version has been caught on the camera.

The base variant of the Maruti Suzuki WagonR will come with steel rims without any covers and black handles, just as shown in the pictures. It also gets black mirrors. But the bumpers are body coloured. Apart from that, there are no external changes that differentiate the base from the rest in the new WagonR.

The all-new WagonR is based on the new HEARTECT platform. The all-new WagonR has become bigger too. It is now 19mm longer and 125mm wider, which makes it roomier than before. With the new platform, the all-new WagonR will also become lighter than before and is expected to return more fuel efficiency and better performance.

Visually, the all-new WagonR has changed completely. It gets new headlamps with a kink on it while the front-end gets a new bumper. The thick C-Pillar gets a black insert that makes the pillar look thinner and adds a floating roof effect. The rear of the all-new WagonR has transformed completely too and it now gets tall tail lamps. The tall body design of the WagonR is retained even in the all-new model.

The all-new WagonR will be available in 7 variants – LXi, VXi 1.0, VXi 1.0 AGS, VXi 1.2, VXi 1.2 AGS, ZXi and ZXi AGS. For the first time ever, the all-new WagonR will be offered with two engine options. There will be a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine from the current version and the 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine which powers the Ignis, Swift and even the Baleno in the market. Both the engines types will get the AMT automatic transmission. At the time of the launch, Maruti will not offer a factory-fitted CNG option but that is expected to be launched at a later date.

On the inside, the all-new WagonR has been revamped too. It gets a touchscreen infotainment system on the top-end models. The steering wheel is also new and gets mounted buttons to control the infotainment system and Bluetooth telephony. The all-new WagonR also gets front seat belt reminder, speed alert system, rear parking sensors, driver-side airbag and ABS + EBD as standard across the variants.

Also Read: 2019 Bajaj Dominar to be launched later this month

Mahindra and Mahindra is popular for their SUV lineage. The Mahindra Scorpio one of the most popular SUVs from the brand and has been around from a long time in the market. Mahindra is the only brand in the country that offers customised vehicles based on their production models and there are quite a few popular custom builts based on the Mahindra Thar. However, the official customisation services from Mahindra also offers quite a few models based on the Scorpio and here is the latest and the most brutish of them all.

It is called the Mahindra Scorpio Mountaineer and it looks badass. Mahindra is yet to launch the facelifted Scorpio based Getaway pick-up truck in the Indian market. Well, this is the answer for the people who were looking forward to that. Mahindra has done some extreme customisations and modifications on the Scorpio SUV and has chopped off the rear portion of the SUV to convert it into a pick-up truck. There is a lid over the pick-up bed that can be used to store all the luggage without putting a layer of dust on them during the road trips.

The Mahindra Scorpio Mountaineer also gets a completely new face. There is a 3-pod headlamp installed and a new grille that replaces the stock one. The headlamps get halogen projector lamps. The stock bumper has been replaced with an aftermarket steel bumper. The bumper gets integrated fog lamps and towing rings. The SUV also gets a hood scoop with a red highlight on it.

At the rear, the spare wheel gets mounted on the chopped door. It gets muscular holders that give the Mountaineer a tough look. A lot of red highlights have been used on the body all around making it look quite fancy. There are quad exhaust tips coming out from under the vehicle and an off-road spec bumper with integrated brake lamps in the rear. Even the tail lamps have been updated with the new ones to add the rugged look.

On the side, the vehicle gets flared wheel arches with bolt-on cladding. There is even a shovel mounted on the side of the flatbed, which can come quite handy when the vehicle gets stuck during expeditions. At the roof, Mahindra has installed dune lamps for better visibility of the vehicle at night. It also gets a functional snorkel that makes it much more capable and increases the water wading depth. There are custom deep dish alloy wheels with off-road spec tyres on them. The whole body gets a custom paint on the outside with the red highlights.

The changes are not limited to the exterior of the vehicle. Even the interiors get the red highlights on the dashboard, steering wheel and the gear lever. Mahindra has also added new seat covers with that matches the body colour and gets the same red highlights.

The Mahindra Scorpio is available in both 4X2 and 4X4 versions in the market. It is quite a capable car. The current Scorpio is available with a 2.2-litre diesel engine that produces 140 Bhp – 320 Nm in the top-end variant. In the lower variants, it produces a maximum of 120 Bhp – 280 Nm. There is also the DI version available with the Scorpio that produces 75 Bhp – 200 Nm.

Also Read: 2019 Bajaj Dominar to be launched later this month

We already told you about the launch and expansion plans of Kia in India. The Korean brand is looking forward towards its debut int the country this years and many dealerships have already popped up sporting the Kia logo. The first car from the company is likely to be the SP-concept based compact SUV which will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta and the Nissan Kicks.

However, word has it that the company will also launch a small SUV-Hatch crossover car in a segment that sits below the sub-4 meter SUVs. The hatchback-based crossover is likely to be similar to the Hyundai i20 Active.

Kia has already revealed its plans to launch six new cars over the course of three years as the first leg of its Indian journey. The fist of them, as already mentioned will be the SP concept based compact SUV while the second will be a made in India SUV which will be revealed at the 2020 Delhi Auto Expo. The third will be the cross hatch car which we were talking about earlier. It is likely that the company will launch it somewhere in 2021. While that is still a lot of time away, the market for such cars hasn’t been explored very well too.

Currently, the Hyundai i20 Active and the Honda WR-V is the only cars which have successfully wooed customers in the hatchback-based crossover segments. Others like the Maruti Suzuki Celerio X have failed miserably while some like the Tata Tiago NRG have done relatively well. However, they were all not truly cross-hatch designs but rather a result of an afterthought – some body kit here and blacked strips there along with a little raise in ground clearance does not make a hatchback into a SUV cross car.

Kia feels that the SUV segment has a lot of scope in India and therefore is cashing on it to help the company grow. Last few years have shown an increase in public interest towards SUVs and similar designed small cars too. The reason for this can be attributed to the high ground clearance and the fact that SUV inspired hatches look bigger than they actually are.

Korean carmaker Kia has already announced plans to launch six models in India in three years. The line-up is expected to be a mix of made-in-India and assembled-in-India models, the first of which will be the production version of the SP Concept SUV that goes on sale in August this year. The second made-in-India model will be a compact SUV that will get an Auto Expo 2020 reveal. While these launches will be interspersed by locally-assembled models from Kia’s international line-up, we have learnt that Kia’s third made-for-India product will be a cross-hatchback scheduled for launch in 2021.

The cross-hatch by Kia, when launched, will rival the Honda WR-V and the Hyundai i20 Active. As of now, there is no information on the powertrain and transmission options but it is expected that the company will employ a 1.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine with around 115 Bhp on tap along with a 1.5-litre diesel motor on the car. Whether or not will it be a success is a question that only time can answer for now.

Source

Also Read: 2019 Bajaj Dominar to be launched later this month

Which car colours do Indian customers love the most? Most of you will know the answer already it is white. Silver and grey follows at a close second place, taking up 15% of the market. The first non neutral colour to appear is red – so once the conservative buyers pick the conservative favourite colours, the rebels take over! We call them rebels because psychologists have in the past tried to understand the personality profiles of car buyers based on their colour choices, and red has clearly been the choice of the relatively more dynamic, outgoing buyer.

India prefers white, and silver and grey come together at no.2

What about North America and UK though? Do the likes and dislikes of the first world car buyer mirror those of the aspiring superpower’s customers?

United Kingdom: Grey takes no.1 spot, Black follows

As per the data provided by Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), nearly 21 percent of the cars sold in UK in 2018 were grey. Grey actually saw a drop of 1.1 percent in registrations in 2018 when compared to 2017, but a huge drop of 7.3 percent in black colour registrations helped grey secure the top spot. Some would say the UK’s top colour reflects the general weather of the nation – and the current mood of Teresa May, embattled British PM.

So, Grey is the most popular colour that people in UK choose for their car and it procured nearly 21% of the market share, followed by black (20.2%), White (18.3%), Blue (16.1%), Red (10%), silver, Orange, Green, Bronze and Beige. We shall resolutely not make any comments about the preference for black in the UK, but you already know where we were going with this.

White takes top spot in North America; Black takes no.2

When it comes car colour trends in North America, BASF, a global paint company which supplies industrial grade paints for automobiles across country has provided data on the basis of different automotive segments. The segments were subcompact, compact+midsize, large, sports cars and pickup trucks.

As per the data released, the analysis of current colors shows that, consistent with global trends, the “achromatics” – white, black, gray, silver – remained the most popular automotive colors for North America in 2018, accounting for roughly 75% of market production. There was no seismic change within the achromatic popularity with white maintaining its leading position.

So the world’s top superpower and possibly the most dynamic nation’s car buyers and their Canadian friends too prefer to follow India and UK closely? Black is the difference  – it is not a favourite colour of India at all.

The report also revealed that there is a growing tendency among people in North America to opt for red colour especially for their pickups and sports cars. The diverse blue colour remained nearly the same compared to previous year.

When it comes to choosing a colour for our car we Indians have preferred White as our favourite. It could be because of warm climate in our country as the white cars don’t heat up very quickly. Other reason could be the luxurious image of this colour and longer waiting period for other flashy colours.

Also Read: 2019 Bajaj Dominar to be launched later this month

Bajaj Auto has been testing the upcoming Dominar 400 for a long time now. The bike has been caught testing multiple times and it will be launched by the end of this month as per a report. The 2019 Bajaj Dominar gets multiple updates. Bajaj dealerships have also started taking deliveries for the bike at a payment of Rs. 10,000 but Bajaj is yet to announce the official bookings for the bike.

To start with, the 2019 version of the Bajaj Dominar 400 gets upside down front forks, which is the biggest update in the new bike. Other changes include new exhaust, which is not dual barrel and sounds much deeper and fruitier than the current version. Bajaj has also introduced a new instrument cluster on the upcoming Dominar 400, which now shows more information than the current version. It also becomes brighter than before. The additional information on the Bajaj Dominar includes average fuel economy, instantaneous fuel efficiency, service reminder and engine kill switch position. The secondary information display cluster will show information like gear-position indicator, clock and odometer with two trip meters.

The upcoming Bajaj Dominar is not expected to get any engine changes. However, it is expected to become smoother than before. The 6-speed transmission with slipper clutch will be standard. The updated Dominar will get the same set of brakes as before. The disc brakes would be standard in both front and rear. With the new safety standard coming up to the Indian market soon, Bajaj is likely to offer only the dual-channel ABS version of the bike in the Indian market.

The mandatory dual-channel ABS would increase the base price of the bike. Also, the additional equipment like the USD forks will increase the price of the bike. The new 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400 will get an expected price tag of around Rs. 1.65 lakhs, ex-showroom.

Bajaj Dominar is one of the best value-for-money bike available in the Indian market. It gets full LED headlamps as standard, which are extremely bright. Also, the styling of the Dominar is inspired by the Ducati Diavel and the new dual-barrel exhaust makes it an even better choice.

The Dominar will remain powered by the same 373cc engine that produces a maximum power of 35 Bhp and peak torque of 35 Nm. The liquid-cooled engine has been derived from the KTM 390 Duke’s engine but it gets many signature Bajaj features like triple-spark technology.

The Bajaj Dominar 400 is a sports tourer bike and takes on the likes of Royal Enfield Classic in the Indian market. However, Bajaj has failed to attract the customers even with the value-for-money price tag. The updated Dominar with the new features will be refreshing to see and is expected to attract more customers.

Also Read: 2019 Bajaj Dominar to be launched later this month

The 3rd generation Maruti Swift hatchback is selling like hot cakes in India. Each month, Maruti Suzuki ships out  more than 15,000 units of the Swift to dealer stockyards across India. While the Swift is available off the shelf in  Delhi, the case is quite different in most other parts of the country, where waiting periods range between 4-8 weeks.  Soon, the Maruti Swift will be available across India with little or no waiting times.

This is because of the fact that Maruti Suzuki has just begun producing the Swift from its second production facility  at Sanand, Gujarat. The new factory is capable of producing 250,000 cars each year. This takes Maruti’s installed  capacity in Gujarat to 500,000 units. The first factory, which started production more than a year ago, also has a  capacity to produce 250,000 cars/year, and builds Swift and Baleno hatchbacks.

The higher production capacity will allow Maruti to not only cater to the Indian market but also export the Swift to  many other countries around the world. The two factories that have been set up at Gujarat are owned by Suzuki – the Japanese parent of Maruti Suzuki. In 2020, another factory will join this line-up, taking Suzuki’s total production  capacity to 750,000 cars. Maruti’s factories in Gurgaon and Manesar have a yearly car production capacity of 1.5  million units currently.

Maruti is planning a slew of new car launches in the coming years, and these factories are expected to run at full  clip. The automaker’s sales in India have shown a steady increase with each passing year, and this has prompted  Maruti to continuously increase production. The third factory at Gujarat is expected to produce electric cars – the  first of which will be the all-new WagonR’s electric variant. The WagonR Electric will be launched in India during  2020. On-road testing has already begun in full earnest.

Coming back to the Maruti Swift, the hatchback is available with two engine options, and is built on the HEARTECT  platform. The HEARTECT platform uses high tensile steel extensively, which has resulted in a lighter weight and a  stiffer body structure. Due to the lighter weight, the 3rd generation Swift is peppier than the older model, not to mention more fuel efficient. The car’s petrol engine is a 1.2 liter K-Series unit with 82 Bhp-113 Nm while the diesel  engine is a 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet unit with 74 Bhp-190 Nm.

Both engines get 5 speed manual and AMT options, making the Swift a very well-rounded car in its segment. The car also gets airbags and ABS as standard across variants. The latest version of the Swift is more spacious than the  older version, and also offers more boot space. Prices of the new Swift start from Rs. 4.99 lakhs. The car’s chief  competitor is the Hyundai Grand i10, which will see a full model change later this year. With the new Grand i10 just months away from launch, Maruti could pack the new Swift with more features later this year.

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Matrix style headlamps, which first made an appearance on Audi cars, are now in vogue in the aftermarket modification scene in India. The Maruti Swift is the latest in the long list of cars that now get aftermarket Audi-style Matrix headlamps accessories. This video will show you one such headlamp in action on a Maruti Swift, which has been modified by AutoMarc.

Apart from the headlamps with sequential turn indicators, this Swift gets a bunch of other tasteful modifications  that are subtle and classy. There are bumper inserts finished in black at the front and the rear. Then you have a hatch lid spoiler, again finished in black. The sides of the car get side skirts while the front end gets LED fog lamps.

The new, 3rd generation Swift also gets a range of official accessories from Maruti Suzuki under the iCreate  personalization program. Under this program, buyers of the Swift have the option of customizing their rides with  accessories that have the official sanction of Maruti Suzuki. These accessories can be bought and fitted at all Maruti Suzuki ARENA dealerships, and the best part is that the stock warranty is retained as is.

The first two generations of the Maruti Swift have been very popular cars in the modification circuit, and in due  time, the third generation model is also expected to be modified in a big way. For now though, most modifications for  the 3rd-gen Swift have been minor, subtle ones like the ones described above. We’re yet to see major modifications on  this car, which is less than 2 years old in the Indian market.

The 3rd generation Swift became an instant hit ever since it was launched early last year at the 2018 Indian Auto  Expo. Maruti Suzuki sells over 15,000 copies of the car each month in the Indian market. A global car, the India-spec  version of the Swift is available with two engine – a 1.2 liter petrol with 82 Bhp-113 Nm, and a 1.3 liter  turbocharged diesel with 74 Bhp-190 Nm. 5 speed manual and AMT options are available on both engines.

There is talk of Maruti Suzuki bringing in the RS variant of the Swift. The Swift RS will be a sportier version of  the car, and will be a range topping model – a-la-Baleno RS. It’s expected to share its mechanicals with the Maruti  Baleno RS, which means that the engine will be the 1 liter-3 cylinder BoosterJet turbocharged petrol unit with 101
Bhp-150 Nm. The gearbox will be a five speed manual.

Apart from stylistic changes to make it look sportier, the Swift RS is expected to gain some performance enhancements such as stiffer suspension and disc brakes on all four wheels. Considering the light build of the Swift under the HEARTECT platform, the car is expected to be very quick with the more powerful turbo petrol engine under the hood. As and when launched, the Swift RS will sit under the Baleno RS in terms of price and positioning.

Also Read: Kerala man builds tiny replica autorickshaw for his kids! [Video]

TVS Motors aimed to sell 10,000 units of its flagship motorcycle – the Apache RR310, which was launched last in 2017. A year down the line, the Hosur-based two wheeler giant has managed to sell only about 5,000 units of the Apache RR310, which is just half the original target. TVS Motors is saying that it’s happy with the sales of the Apache 310 though. Here’s an official statement to MoneyControl on the same.

The launch of TVS Apache RR 310 is our first foray into super premium category. It is the most advanced and  exclusive offering in our product portfolio as it is a manifestation of 35 years of learnings from the race track,  coupled with cutting-edge technology. The bike was available in 50 dealerships across 40 cities in India at the time  of launch. Over the past year, we have expanded our reach to 60 dealerships across 46 cities. In 2019, we will  consolidate our presence in the country by expanding our network and grow the brand further. TVS XL100 is a multi-utility vehicle, which caters to the mass market. TVS Apache RR 310 belongs to a niche market and the two products  are designed to meet specific requirements of different set of customers. We are happy with the response we are  receiving from our customers for both our products.

TVS Motors makes the Apache RR 310 and the BMW small capacity motorcycles – the G 310R and the G 310GS – in the same factory at Hosur. While the BMW 310cc motorcycles are mainly exported to countries around the world, with a small number being allotted to India, the Apache RR310 is sold mainly in the Indian market. In the coming months, exports of the Apache RR 310 are likely to be expanded as TVS Motors has significant presence in South East Asia and Latin America.

In India, BMW Motorrad sold about 2,200 motorcycles last year, and of this, 75 % of the sales came from the recently  launched G 310R and G 310GS motorcycles. Effectively, BMW Motorrad has sold around 300 units of the G 310R and G 310 GS, motorcycles on an average each month. The Apache RR 310 managed about 400 odd units.

Although both BMW motorcycles share most parts with the Apache RR 310, they are priced much higher than the Apache RR 310, which retails at Rs. 2.05 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. The BMW G 310R starts at Rs. 3 lakhs, and the G 310GS at Rs. 3.5 lakhs. BMW Motorrad has much fewer dealerships across India compared to TVS Motors.

So, sales of the BMW G 310R and G 310GS have been quite good in the initial 6 months of launch. It remains to be seen if the BMW small capacity motorcycles manage to retain sales momentum in future as sustaining good volumes is a lot more difficult than getting a initial burst of sales due to the novelty factor.

The TVS Apache RR 310, the BMW G 310R and the G 310GS share the 311cc, reverse inclined four stroke engine with 34 Bhp and 28 Nm on tap. 6 speed gearboxes are also standard on all three motorcycles, which also get upside down front forks, a monoshock rear suspension and dual channel ABS as standard features. Styling, suspension tuning and ergonomics are different on all three motorcycles though.

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The Renault Duster’s discounted prices now start at just Rs. 7.99 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. This makes the Duster  similarly priced to the Maruti Vitara Brezza (priced at Rs. 7.76 lakhs) and the Ford EcoSport (priced at Rs. 7.82 lakhs). The Renault Duster is a much larger SUV than the Maruti Brezza and the Ford EcoSport, and also has a much bigger boot. Meanwhile, here’s why the Duster is almost as cheap as the Maruti Brezza and Ford EcoSport.

The Renault Duster is at the end of its life cycle in India and by the end of this year or early next year, an all-  new, 2nd generation model will replace the compact SUV. Predictably, sales have been slowing down for a while now.  Renault dealers are also stuck with 2018 inventory which means that it’s time for big discounts on the 2018  production year Renault Duster.

Here is the variant-wise price list from GaadiWaadi for the 2018 version of the Renault Duster,

The Renault Duster that’s sold in India gets two engine options – a 1.6 liter petrol and a 1.5 liter turbocharged  diesel. The petrol engine puts out 104 Bhp-140 Nm, and gets two gearbox options – a 5 speed manual and a CVT
automatic. The diesel engine is available in two states of tune – 84 Bhp-200 Nm, and 108 Bhp-240 Nm. Both engines get 6 speed manual gearboxes. While most variants of the Duster are front wheel driven, Renault also sells an all wheel drive version of the SUV in RXZ trim.

The all wheel drive (AWD) version of the Renault Duster is India’s least priced AWD SUV. It undercuts the likes of  the Mahindra XUV500 and the Jeep Compass by quite a bit. The Duster AWD gets a slew of features that make it an  excellent choice for those who want a rugged, compact SUV that can do a fair bit of mild off roading to reach low grip areas. It gets independent suspension all around, an all wheel drive system with multiple modes, traction control, ESP, and lower gearing that makes it a lot more torquier than the front wheel driven variants.

The Duster’s biggest selling point is its ride quality. The SUV’s suspension set-up is just perfect for Indian  conditions, and offers a comfortable ride even on the worst of road conditions. It looks quite butch, and this is another reason why the Duster remains attractive to a lot of buyers.

Coming to the Ford EcoSport and Maruti Brezza, both SUVs while being smaller than the Duster are a lot fresher. In case of the Ford EcoSport, it offers many more features than the Duster, and this is a reason why this compact SUV is still finding enough buyers after being around for nearly 7 years in the Indian market.

The Brezza on the other hand, outsells every other SUV in India for multiple reasons: the Maruti badge, competitive price tag, great resale value and low maintenance costs.

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The Mahindra Thar needs no introduction. The made for off-road vehicle is among the most popular choices in its segment and is quite popular with the enthusiasts too. Its mod friendly nature is another thing that makes it hugely popular in the modifications circuits across the country.

In the past, we have brought you many good examples of modified Thars to you, and joining them is this one which is among the more tastefully done examples we have came across. Let’s now checkout this video by BANKS CUSTOM and take a look at this beautifully modified Thar.

The mod job done above focuses more on comfort and looks rather than increasing just off road capability of the vehicle. This does not mean it does not get any functional off road change. The new tires, for instances, are custom 33 inch off road spec units that will provide more grip when tackling wild terrains. Done in completely glossy black paint shade, this one for sure gets its aesthetic game right. Let’s now move on to check what all changes are made on the vehicle.

Starting from the front, the Thar has been fitted with a new custom bumper topped by a bull bar. Two LED auxiliary lights don the place on top of the bull bar while the headlights get a hood, something that has been gaining popularity with other Thar modification too. Custom side steps have been added to aid to ingress and egress comfort while the rear also features a new redesigned bumper with built in LED lights. The rear tail lamps too are LED units with a metal cover on them. The car has been given a hard top treatment and features LED roof marker lights on the front too.

Moving on, the interiors of this Thar have been given a complete overhaul by the modifier. The vehicle now gets custom leather upholstery and the rear bench is a custom made unit. The front seats too are new and seem to be quite well bolstered. The colour theme on the interior has been kept black with wooden treatment across the dash and other areas. Another interesting addition is the attractive custom hooded instrument panel, which gets chrome rings across the dial housings.

Another interesting inclusion is the electric sunroof, which is a pretty cool features. It is a fully automatic unit with intrusion safety feature. Sunroofs have been getting quite popular of lately and most of the people now want a sunroof experience in their cars. The total cost of this Thar modification is about Rs. 4 lakh apart from the donor vehicle. One can get their own customized modification done in much lower or higher than that too. It mainly depends upon you and how you want your vehicle to be. That is the basic sense of modifying or customising a vehicle.

Also Read: Kerala man builds tiny replica autorickshaw for his kids! [Video]

Flying cars have always been in the realm of imagination rather than reality. However, a future with cars flying around now seems closer than ever. The recently held Vibrant Gujarat summit saw the CEO of a flying car company make some interesting observations.

PAL-V is a Dutch company who has developed world’s first commercial flying car. More exciting news is this that it is coming to India, we might get our first flying car in 2021. PAL-V’s CEO Robert Dingemanse who is attending the Vibrant Gujarat 2019 programme in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar told media “While our car is set for launch in 2020, our entire production for the year is booked. We hope to see India get its first car in 2021”.

The manufacturers are optimistic about creating a market in India and hope to find takers among the Indian coast guards, police, medical teams, government agencies, corporates and individuals. There is a possibility that PAL-V might look out for manufacturers specialising in automotive and aerospace engineering to start manufacturing in India.

According to PAL-V it takes around 5-10 minutes to convert a car from drive mode to fly mode. The rotor mast will unfold automatically but, pulling out the tail section, Unfolding of the rotor blades will have to be done by the driver only. Manufacturers says that the noise the the flying car will produce will be comparable to a small fixed wing aeroplane.

It is basically a gyrocopter aircraft with two engines. The drive mode engine produces a maximum of 99 Bhp and can reach a top speed of 160 kph and can sprint from 0-100 Kph in 9.0 seconds. In air the flying car is propelled by a 197 bhp flying engine that can help it climb to a maximum altitude of 3500m at a maximum speed of 180 kph. PAL-V claims that it will have a flying range of about 310 miles.

There is no hiding from the fact that these flying cars are definitely going to cost a fortune. The PAL-V Liberty costs around Rs 4.18 crore, The Liberty Pioneer Edition will cost around Rs 3.78 crore and the Liberty Sport model will cost about Rs 2.52 crore, all the prices before taxes.

There’s no dearth of people in India who can fork out that kind of money for a flying car considering that most Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Rolls Royce cars that are seen on Indian roads cost much more. So, it’s only a matter of PAL-V launching the flying car in India rather than rich Indians being able to afford one.

Also Read: Kerala man builds tiny replica autorickshaw for his kids! [Video]

Maruti Suzuki Baleno is an extremely popular hatchback in the Indian market. Soon, the Baleno will receive a mid-life update and the new model is expected to be launched by the end of this month. Here are ten major updates that we will get to see in the upcoming car.

New wheels

The 2019 Maruti Suzuki Baleno will get newly designed alloy wheels. It will get the machined alloy wheels that are known as “Precision cut alloy wheels” by Maruti Suzuki. The wheel will get the dual-tone finish in black and silver colours. It is expected to be available only in top-end versions.

Feature changes

UV cut glasses, which are currently available with the Zeta and Alpha trims will only be available with the top-spec Alpha variants with the 2019 update. UV cut glasses cut down the heat from the sunlight and keeps the cabin cooler.

LED projector headlamps

The LED projector headlamps have become common in many Maruti Suzuki vehicles. After the 2019 update, all the variants starting from Delta will get LED projector headlamps. Currently, only the top-end Alpha variant gets the HID projector lamps.

Safety features

With the upcoming rules to make certain features mandatory in the cars, Maruti Suzuki will add parking sensors as standard across all the variants. All the versions including the Sigma will get the parking sensors.

New DRLs

Maruti Suzuki will offer LED light guides in the Delta and Zeta variants. The top-end Alpha variant will get new brighter DRLs with 15 LED units in each headlamp. This will add a distinctive look to the premium hatchback and will make it look much better than the current version.

New seats

Maruti Suzuki will also update the seats of 2019 Baleno. The seats will now be updated with dual-tone colours. The top-end trim is expected to get the black and blue combination on the seats and places like the door pads.

New interiors

The upcoming Baleno will get new darker accents around the AC controls and AC vents. Currently, these areas get the silver finish but they will become darker with the updated model. It will add a premium look to the dashboard and the cabin.

Leather-wrapped steering

The 2019 Maruti Suzuki Baleno will offer leather-wrapped steering wheel on the Alpha variant. Currently, it is also available in the Zeta variant of the Baleno. The leather-wrapped steering makes the Baleno feel very plush and premium.

SmartPlay Audio

The current SmartPlay infotainment system will be updated with new features in the upcoming Baleno. It will get both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the update. The size of the screen is expected to remain the same.

New audio system for lower variants

The lower variants of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno will get double DIN infotainment system like the one we see in the lower variants of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. It will also get electrostatic touch-sensitive buttons.

Via CarDekho

Also Read: Kerala man builds tiny replica autorickshaw for his kids! [Video]

SUVs have gained popularity in the market in recent times. With the market further inclining towards the SUVs, manufacturers have lined-up as many as ten new SUVs for the Indian market in 2019. Here are all the ten affordable SUVs that will be launched in the Indian market this year.

Nissan Kicks

Launch date: 22nd January 2019

The Nissan Kicks will be launched in the market soon. The Indian version of the Nissan Kicks is quite different from the global product and it is based on the same B-Zero platform as the Renault Captur. Nissan will target the Hyundai Creta with the all-new Kicks. It will get a lot of features like the semi-digital driver console, automatic climate control, start-stop button, 360-degree camera and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Kicks will get the same 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines that power the Renault Captur.

Tata Harrier

Launch date: 23rd January 2019

Tata Harrier will the second SUV to be launched this year. The all-new Tata Harrier is based on the Land Rover’s D8 platform that has been heavily modified to form the Tata’s OmegaArc platform. The Harrier will be the first-ever vehicle based on the new platform. Tata has started taking bookings for the upcoming SUV already. It will be powered by a 2.0-litre KRYOTEC diesel engine that churns out a maximum of 140 PS and 350 Nm. At the time of the launch, only the manual FWD version will be launched. Tata has no plans to launch the 4WD version of the Harrier, however, the automatic versions will be launched at a later time.

Mahindra XUV 300

Launch date: 15th February 2019

The Mahindra XUV 300 will become the fourth product from the brand in the segment. It will take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport. The all-new XUV 300 is based on the SsangYong Tivoli platform. It gets a number of first-in-segment features including the dual-zone climate control system, disc brakes on all four wheels, 7-airbags, longest wheelbase in the segment and most torque-rich engine in the segment. Mahindra has not revealed the engine details but it is expected to get a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine from the Mahindra Marazzo.

Hyundai Styx

Expected launch: Mid 2019

The Hyundai Styx was first showcased as the Carlino concept car at the 2016 Auto Expo. It will be the first-ever sub-4m SUV from the brand and will take on the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and Tata Nexon. The Styx will be unveiled at the New York Motor Show later this year and will be launched in the Indian market following that. The Hyundai Styx is based on the same platform that underpins the Hyundai Grand i10 but it will be modified to suit the SUV. The power is expected to come from a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and 1.5-litre diesel engine. The petrol variants are expected to get the AMT too.

MG Motor Hector

Expected launch: Mid 2019

The MG Hector will the first SUV of the British brand in the Indian market. The Hector will take on the likes of Jeep Compass and Tata Harrier but will be significantly bigger in size. MG Motor has said that the all-new Hector will be up to 75% localised in the Indian market, which will ensure an attractive price on the vehicle. The Hector is based on the SAIC Boujon 530 and will get powered by the 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine sourced from Fiat. The same engine also powers the Jeep Compass and the Tata Harrier. The Hector will be rich in terms of features and will get all-LED headlamps and dynamic turn indicators. It will also get a 360-degree camera, leather seats, flat floor and more such features.

Kia SP concept based Trazor/Tusker

Expected launch: July 2019

Kia showcased the SP Concept at the 2018 Auto Expo and the production version of the car will be launched later in the Indian market. It will be the first Kia product in the Indian market and will be unveiled at the New York Motor Show. The upcoming car will take on the Hyundai Creta and will offer a long list of premium features. Kia is expected to use the 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines from Hyundai to power the production version of the SP Concept.

Tata H7X

Expected launch: End 2019

The Tata H7X will be the long wheelbase version of the Harrier. It will be based on the same platform as the Harrier and will get a three-row seating set-up that will allow up to 7 occupants. Tata will design the H7X significantly different from the Harrier and it is expected to target only the family car buyers. Mechanically, it will remain similar to the Harrier and will get the 2.0-litre diesel engine. It may also offer the 6-speed automatic transmission sourced from Hyundai.

Jeep Compass Trailhawk

Expected launch: First quarter 2019

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk will be launched in the Indian market soon and it will be significantly more capable than the regular variants of the Compass. The Trailhawk-rated Jeep Compass gets a higher ground clearance, redesigned bumpers for better approach and departure angles, and a lot of minor body tweaks. The Jeep Compass Trailhawk also gets Low-ratio transfer case and will be offered with a diesel engine with an automatic transmission only.

Renault Duster

Expected launch: Festive season 2019

Renault will launch the all-new Duster, which is already available in the international markets. The all-new Duster looks quite different from the current model but is based on the same B-Zero platform. The Duster also gets an all-new cabin and is much more spacious than the current version. Renault is expected to offer the same petrol and diesel engine options with the updated, all-new Duster in the Indian market.

Hyundai Tucson

Expected launch: Festive season 2019

Hyundai Tucson, which takes on the Jeep Compass directly will be updated in the Indian market soon. It is currently the most expensive Hyundai offering in the Indian market. The updated Tucson gets a new grille, new bumper, new fog lamp housings and new L-shaped DRLs. It also gets an all-new interior with new floating-type touchscreen system. The engine is expected to remain the same.

Also Read: Kerala man builds tiny replica autorickshaw for his kids! [Video]

Hyundai Elite i20, which was updated last year at the 2018 Auto Expo has been updated with new variants. The update comes before the launch of the 2019 Maruti Suzuki Baleno, which is expected to be launched later this month. Hyundai has updated the Elite i20 within a year of the launch of the facelifted version and the reason behind it could be the launch of the upcoming Baleno.

The new Hyundai Elite i20 gets new versions while the old versions get removed from the line-up. In total, there are now 12 versions of the Elite i20 while there were as many as 14 variants before the update. Hyundai has added 8 new variants to the Elite i20 model. Here is the detailed price list of the same.

2019 Hyundai Elite i20 prices (all prices ex-showroom):

Petrol Variants

Era – Rs. 5,49,900, up from 5,42,900

Magna+ (New variant) – Rs. 6,25,157

Sportz+ (New variant) – Rs. 7,11,900

Sportz+ CVT (New variant) – Rs. 8,21,900

Sportz+ Dual tone (New variant) – Rs. 7,41,900

Asta (O) – Rs. 8,06,200 up from Rs. 7,98,500

Asta (O) CVT (New variant) – Rs. 9,11,200

Diesel variants

Era – Rs. 6,88,000 up from Rs. 6,81,000

Magna+ (New vaiant) – Rs. 7,61,000

Sportz+ (New variant) – Rs. 8,36,300

Sportz+ Dual Tone (New variant) – Rs. 8,66,300

Asta (O) – Rs. 9,31,200 up from Rs. 9,23,500

Hyundai has updated the feature list in accordance to the upcoming safety rules too. All the variants of the Hyundai Elite i20 now get rear parking sensors. The Hyundai’s eco-coating tech, which was earlier only available with the top-end variant is now standard across all the variants. The Magna+ variant gets additional features in the form of Bluetooth, steering-mounted audio controls, keyless entry, LED DRLs, LED fog lamps and chrome-dipped front grille.

The Sportz+ variant gets a choice of two different alloy wheel designs. It also gets touchscreen infotainment system, sliding front armrest, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment for the steering wheel. The CVT automatic version of the Sportz+ also gets wireless charging support, which is available in the Hyundai Creta. It is a first-in-segment feature that makes the Hyundai Elite i20 very premium.

The top-end Asta version of the 2019 Hyundai Elite i20 finally gets the automatic CVT option with the petrol engine. Earlier, the automatic CVT was only available with the Sportz+ variant, which is a trim level below the top-end Asta variant.

Mechanically, the 2019 Elite i20 remains unchanged. It gets powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. There is a 1.2-litre petrol engine that generates a maximum power of 82 Bhp at 6,000 rpm and 115 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. The diesel variants are powered by the 1.4-litre CRDi unit that produces a maximum power of 99 Bhp and peak torque of 132 Nm. The diesel variants are only available with manual transmission option while the petrol versions get both manual and CVT automatic transmission.

Also Read: Kerala man builds tiny replica autorickshaw for his kids! [Video]

It is said that parents would go to any extent to make their children happy. Meet Arun Kumar Purushothaman, a man from Kerala who has built a mini auto rickshaw for his two kids. Arun Kumar who is working as nurse in Kerala’s Idukki district has built this auto rickshaw so that his kids could play with it. Without any further ado let’s take a look at the video first.

First of all, this mini auto rickshaw looks exactly like a minuaturised version of a normal Bajaj RE auto. Arun explains every bit about his creation in the video. He says it took him about seven and half months to complete this project from scratch. The front of auto rickshaw is made out of metal from the dish antennas and the base is made after beating down metal from gas stoves.

On the inside, the auto rickshaw has a working gear lever which helps it go forward and in reverse. It has switches for lights, wiper, horn and indicators. It even has a first aid box, mobile charging point and a proper music system with a speaker made from wrist watch box.

Unlike a normal petrol or diesel engine auto this mini auto rickshaw is powered by a 24V DC electric motor, which is connected to the rear wheels using a cycle chain sprocket. Arun Kumar says that this auto rickshaw weighs around 60 Kilograms and can carry weights upto 150 Kilos.

Now coming to the brakes, he has used a circular plate from the commercial cutters used to cut metal or wood to make a disc brake. The other mechanical parts of the disc brake are borrowed from a bicycle. The wheels of this auto are carved out of wood, and tyre resoling material is used above it to give it the look of an original tyre. He even shows the working suspension on the mini auto which in fact is similar to the one seen on the bigger auto rickshaws.

The rear portion of the auto rickshaw houses the two 12V batteries that power the 24V electric motor and connector to the batteries which is used to charge them. Arun has also used the rubber strips to create beadings around the glass area at the front and rear.

The wheels are made of wood, and covered with tyre retreading material for treads, and sides of the wheel have rubber sandal sole material.

The overall cost of making this mini auto rickshaw is not known. The end result is however a cool looking toy model of Bajaj RE auto rickshaw which brings smile to the face of anyone who looks at it.

Also Read: Kerala man builds tiny replica autorickshaw for his kids! [Video]

BMW India will soon launch the X4 in India. It was scheduled to be launched in February but new reports suggest that the launch date has been deferred. There is no information on the new launch date of the car. It is an all-new SUV-Coupe that will be assembled in BMW’s Chennai plant. This is the second generation of BMW X4 that was updated globally last year but is the first time of the vehicle being launched in the Indian market.

The all-new BMW X4 has been spotted without any camouflage on a video. The X4 will take on the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Coupe in the Indian market but it will take on the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5 in India. The car will be priced at around Rs. 60-65 lakhs, making it competitively priced.

The all-new BMW X4 is based on an all-new platform, which is known as CLAR. It is an all-new architecture that was introduced in the all-new BMW 7-Series. The CLAR platform is now available with many BMW models. The all-new platform is much lighter and has resulted in a 50 Kg reduction in weight of the all-new X4.

Overall, the dimensions have increased by a great deal. The all-new X4 has become 81 mm longer and 37 mm wider than the first-generation X4. The wheelbase has also increased by 54mm and it now stands at 2,864 mm. BMW says that there is 27 mm of additional legroom in the rear seats. The all-new X4 has also gained 25 litres of boot space and the total boot space now measures at 525 litres.

The engine details of the all-new BMW X4 have not been revealed. However, it is expected to get a diesel engine. The 2.0-litre engine is most likely to power the all-new X4 in the Indian market. It is available in two different engine tuning internationally. There is a 187 Bhp version and 228 Bhp version but it is not clear which one would be launched in the Indian market. It will get an 8-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system too.

The BMW X4 is the coupe version of the BMW X3. The design of the BMW X4 makes it one of the best aerodynamically designed car in the market. It gets a class-leading drag coefficient of 0.30 Cd. The swooping roofline of the BMW X4 makes it highlighted in the traffic. It gets the signature BMW kidney grille in a 3D look. The car also gets horizontal foglamps integrated to the outer air-intakes and is designed very classily.

Also Read: Maruti Alto with the RS performance mod looks racy

The Indian automotive scene has seen a lot of transformation in the last 10 years. SUVs have become way more popular than before and premium hatchbacks are registering more sales than entry level hatchbacks, which was not the scene back in 2009. A lot of new brands are also about to enter the market now ans the coming time will witness a larger change in terms of powertrains.

However, why we are here today is because of the viral #10 year challenge that has been dotting our social feed this whole time. While almost everyone has been participating in this trend, we also jumped into the bandwagon and have brought you a unique 10 year challenge consisting of cars. Down below are 10 cars with pictures of how they looked 10 years back and how they look now in 2019.

Maruti Suzuki Alto

Starting the list is the good old Alto, which is the highest selling car model of India. The Alto was brought in as a more spacious and comfortable alternative to the Maruti 800 and was aimed at those who could afford to pay more than what the 800 costed. Come 2019, the car has seen a major overhaul and looks quite different to the original design. Maruti will soon update the current Alto 800 to meet the upcoming emission and safety norms.

Hyundai Santro

The Santro was the first tall boy hatch of the country and became immensely popular right after its launch in 1998. The success of the Santro forced Maruti to launch another tall boy hatch in the form of WagonR in 1999. The Santro Xing was discontinued in 2014 and after a gap of four years, the iconic name made a comeback on 23rd October, 2018. The current generation Santro is not exactly a tall boy designed hatchback but comes with a lot of segment leading features to take on the competition.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Among India’s most loved cars, the Swift was launched in 2005 and has been a hit ever since. The first generation Swift had rectangular headlamps that were stretched vertically and an overall stylish design, It had decent interiors too, along with good engines. The current model on sale is the third generation model and stays true to the original design. No doubt then that it is the best selling car of its segment today also.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

If we had to choose a car with the most radical change over the period of 10 years, it has to be the Baleno. Maruti Suzuki originally brought the Baleno name plastered on a sedan. However, it never really took off and the car was discontinued some time later. Maruti then reintroduced the name on a hatchback and placed it above the Swift hatchback. Now, the Baleno is the best selling premium hatchback in the country.

Hyundai Verna

After the success of the Honda City in India, Hyundai was aiming at the C-segment sedan class and for the same, brought in the Verna. However, the Verna did not get success due to its odd styling and dated interiors. However, later the company introduced the fluidic design Verna and it became an instant hit. The current generation model comes with many exclusive features and is among the better selling vehicles of its class.

Honda City

Back in the day, Honda ruled the sedan game with its City sedan. The car was quite stylish to look at and had excellent interiors as well, apart from having the famed Honda refinement. The 2009 model and the 2019 model have the same basic design, with the difference being in the lights and grilles among other things.

Mahindra Scorpio

The Mahindra Scorpio was company’s first fully in house developed vehicles and introduced Indians to a new era of affordable big SUVs. Talking of the changes, if you pay close attention, not much has changed in terms of exteriors on the SUV. The basic silhouette is still quite similar and the differences are in the styling of lights and grille. In fact, the core design has not seen a major change since the SUVs inception in 2002.

Toyota Innova

The Toyota Innova has changed a lot in the past 10 years. The current Innova Crysta is a new generation model and is completely different from the older models. The 2009 model you see above is the facelifted variant of the original car. The Innova became a good seller for the sheer comfort and space it had along with the excellent ride quality. However, one thing that has not changed in all these years is that it is still the best selling MPV in the country.

Toyota Fortuner

Taking about 10 years challenge of cars and not including the Fortuner could be deemed as a sin. After all, it is the most popular full size SUV of the country and Toyota introduced the Fortuner in 2009 itself. Even in the first year of its launch, the Fortuner became so popular that the company had to temporarily suspend any more bookings of the vehicle. The current Fortuner is an all new car and sets new standards in its segment.

Ford Endeavour

The Ford Endeavour is among the oldest running full size SUV in India. It came way before the Fortuner and became a hit back in the day. The SUV received a facelift in 2009, which is the one pictured above. The facelift tweaked the exteriors as well as the interiors and the car looked quite good. The latest 2019 variant is as butch as it can get. The new design has enabled the SUV to make many fans across the country. The Endeavour is also quite a capable off-road vehicle and can take a full day beating without bowing out.

Also Read: Maruti Alto with the RS performance mod looks racy

Hatchbacks are the most popular car segment in the Indian automotive scene. Small car have always been the volume drivers of the industry and have posted the highest sales number. However, SUVs and MPVs have also been an integral part of the industry and have been getting more popular of lately. Most of the SUV and MPVs come with 7 seats option. However, there are some that offer 8 plus seating configuration. Here’s a list of some of the more popular cars that offer seating option for 8 and more people.

Mahindra Marazzo

The Mahindra Marazzo is a relatively new MPV and was launched in September of 2018. The car comes with both 7 and 8 seat options and recently, the company even introduced an eight seat option on the top of the line M8 variant. The car is pretty well specced and can comfortably seat all people on board comfortably. In its segment, it is the best option currently that comes with eight seat option. The Marazzo gets powered by a newly developed 1.5 litre diesel engine that churns out 121 Bhp of power along with 300 Nm of torque.

Toyota Innova Crysta

The Innova needs no introduction in India and is the best selling MPV despite its high price tag. The latest generation model, dubbed the Innova Crysta looks quite good and is very spacious along with being equally comfortable. It comes with an 8 seater option, in which the mid captain seats found on seven seater version are replaced with a more conventional bench. It comes with a host of engine options which include a 2.7 litre petrol unit, a 2.4 litre diesel unit, and an even powerful 2.8 litre diesel engine. Both automatic and manual transmission options are available with the engines.

Mahindra Scorpio

The Mahindra Scorpio was the first completely self developed car by the company. Prior to this, all the vehicles was based on the jeep platform and were not original designs. The rugged SUV has been here for almost 17 years now and does not show any signs of stopping anytime soon. The Scorpio also comes with an 8 seat option. However, the last row is not very comfortable and is best suited for kids. Mahindra recently launched a new S9 version of the vehicle. Anand Mahindra himself used the Scorpio as his daily drive for a long time.

Renault Lodgy

The Renault Lodgy is another MPV that comes with 8 seat option. However, the car never did very well in the market and is often seen with huge discounts upto Rs. 1.5 lakhs. However, if you want a comfortable at spacious 8 seater MPV without burning a hole in your pocket and are ready to make some compromises in return, the Lodgy is a good choice for you. Though it looks a bit off and more van like than an MPV, with the current discounts applied, it can be availed at really cheap prices.

Mahindra Bolero Plus

The Mahindra Bolero is one of those vehicles that many of us grew up watching. The rugged SUV has maintained its original design yet and looks good even now. Mahindra has been updated the vehicle regularly and the current model is quite a good vehicle for its asking price. The Bolero plus variant comes with seating option of not 8 but 9 people, which is not something found on many cars. However, the last row seats are bench likes and are not comfortable to say the least. However, if you live in suburban or rural areas and want a large seating capacity vehicle, the Bolero Plus is the perfect choice for you.

Tata Sumo

The Tata Sumo feels like it has been here forever now. It has seen its fair share of updates and facelifts but the original design essence is still strong on this car. It also comes with a seating capacity of upto 9 persons and is one of the few vehicles to manage that at that price point. The boxy design may not be for everyone’s taste now but the Sumo gets its basics right, which are affordable mobility along with that tough nature.

Also Read: Maruti Alto with the RS performance mod looks racy

Skoda India will show the India-spec version of the Vision X compact SUV at the 2020 Auto Expo. This SUV was first  unmasked at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in concept form. At the 2020 Auto Expo as well, the Vision X will be shown in concept form. The production version, which will have a different name, will make its debut in India later in  2020.

Renders courtesy AutoExpress

The Vision X compact SUV’s production version will be the first car from the Volkswagen group to use the MQB A0  platform. This platform is a low cost derivative of the MQB platform, and is meant for emerging markets such as India and Brazil. The MQB A0 platform is being developed by Skoda India, which has been tasked with adapting this platform for emerging markets, and also increasing the level of localization to up to 95 %.

What this also means is that the Skoda Vision X SUV’s production version will have a competitive price tag. Service  costs are also expected to be quite competitive thanks to the heavy localization. In terms of pricing, the new Skoda  compact SUV will rub shoulders with the Hyundai Creta – currently India’s best selling compact SUV in the 4  meter+ segment.

Also, the Skoda SUV will be different from the European version in length. For the Indian market, the SUV is expected  to have a length of about 4.2 meters, which will make it over 100 mm longer than European-spec version. A reclining back seat and better legroom will be other differentiating features that make the India-spec Skoda SUV more suited to the market here.

The Volkswagen group will make a strategic move away from diesel engines from the launch of the new Skoda compact SUV. A 1.5 liter direct injection petrol engine, which will meet Bharat Stage 6 emission norms, and make about 120- 130 Bhp of peak power, will replace the 1.5 liter TDI turbo diesel motor. The petrol engine is expected to be offered with manual and twin clutch automatic gearbox options.

The Skoda Vision X SUV’s production version is expected to be front wheel driven across the range. An all wheel drive layout is unlikely to be offered as the demand for such variants in the Indian market is quite low. This is an approach that the segment leader Hyundai Creta has followed. The Skoda Compact SUV will be followed by a similar offering but with a Volkswagen badge. Both vehicles will extensively share parts and platform, and will be built at Volkswagen’s Chakan factory, off Pune.

In terms of pricing, the Volkswagen-badged version of the Skoda Vision X is expected to sit higher. This is in tune  with the traditional pricing model of the Volkswagen group, which positions Volkswagen-badged cars higher than  equivalent Skoda models Even the Volkswagen-badged compact SUV will take on the Hyundai Creta. Apart from the new SUV, Skoda and Volkswagen will launch replacements to the Rapid and Vento sedans respectively. The Volkswagen compact SUV and the sedans from both brands will arrive in 2021.

Also Read: Maruti Alto with the RS performance mod looks racy

Do Not Drink and Drive. This is probably a statement which has been circulated among motorists around the world a million times but still, many choose to ignore it. Traffic police in India has also been taking measures to reduce the number of drink and drive accidents on India roads. This time around, Hyderabad police has come up with a new method to tackle this problem.

Hyderabad traffic police has now started sending letters to companies whose employees are caught driving drunk. The letters will be written to the Human Resources department of the firms intimating that the employee was caught and imprisoned in connection with drink and drive. The letter will also mention the place of offence along with the date.

The Deputy Commissioner of police (Cyberabad Traffic) said

Our intention is not to trouble the employee or seek action against him, but to sensitize all employees about the danger in driving vehicles in an inebriated condition.

The first letter was addressed to an Information Technology firm in Hyderabad’s Gachibowli, whose employees were sentenced to a four day imprisonment after being nabbed for drunken driving.

The legal limit of alcohol content in blood is 0.03% or 30 mg per 100ml of blood. If a person driving a car has a Blood Alcohol Content level of 30 mg per 100 ml of blood, he or she can be booked under section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act, which consists of fine and imprisonment of up to six months or both. Statistics have shown that even a small percentage of alcohol in a person’s blood can be dangerous and he or she is 2.5 times more likely to be involved in an accident as compared to the ones driving without alcohol.

How to deal with it?

It is quite possible that one might drink on a social occasions with friends, in such cases the best option is always to wait before you drive back. But if waiting is not an option then you can always book a cab online and reach your destination without any problems. While driving under the influence of alcohol you’re not just putting your life at stake, but also others who are driving on the road. So always make sure that you ‘Don’t Mix Drink and Driving’.

Also Read: Maruti Alto with the RS performance mod looks racy