Kia Motors’ big unveil at the 2020 Ondian Auto Expo will be a brand new sub-4 meter compact SUV, which will be shown in concept form, ahead of its mid 2020 launch. Kia Motors has already released a couple of sketches, showing what the new mini SUV, which will incidentally be based on the Hyundai Venue platform, will look like. Basis these sketches, we got out ace rendering artist Vipin Vathoopan to put together a speculative render showing what the new Kia SUV could look like, when put into production. Check it out.

As the render indicates, the new Kia compact SUV will feature the signature tiger nose grille – a distinct design highlight that runs across almost every Kia car. Apart from the Tiger Nose grille, there’s very little resemblance to the bigger Seltos, or for that matter the Hyundai Venue – the car whose platform the latest SUV shares. This distinctive design will allow Kia Motors to carve out a niche for itself in the sub-4 meter compact SUV segment, even as it co-exists with the highly successful Hyundai Venue.

While the sketches indicate a tall riding SUV, the actual version that goes into production is expected to sit much lower, with the stance of a crossover than that of a full fledged SUV. Also, the Kia mini SUV looks a lot more curvier than the Hyundai Venue, which comes across as more butch, in design terms. Code-named the QXi, the Kia mini SUV could use the Sonet name plate for its production version. More details on this front is likely to come out at the Auto Expo.

Talking of mechanical bits, the Kia Sonet mini SUV will share its petrol and diesel engines with the Venue. The petrol engines on offer will be a 1.2 liter-4 cylinder naturally aspirated unit on the lower trims, and a 1 liter-3 cylinder turbocharged unit. The bigger petrol motor makes 82 Bhp-114 Nm, and is offered with a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard. The other petrol engine, which will be offered on the higher trims, makes 118 Bhp-172 Nm, and is paired to two gearbox options: a 6 speed manual and a 7 speed twin clutch automatic. The diesel engine will be the 1.4 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged unit that puts out 89 Bhp-220 Nm. A 6 speed manual gearbox will be standard with the diesel engine. Going by how competitively Kia Motors priced the Seltos, a similarly sharp pricing strategy is likely for the sub-4 meter model. We expect the Kia Sonet’s prices to start from under Rs. 7 lakh.

Also Read: Kia Motors' Maruti Brezza-challenging compact SUV: What it'll look like

KitUp is a popular name among people love modifying vehicles. It is a custom house based in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore and have done a commendable job on some cars in the past. We have featured some of their work on the website and here we have one of their latest work. This time KitUp Automotive has modified one of the most popular full size SUV in the country Toyota Fortuner.

The Fortuner gets a body kit that gives the SUV a butch look and gives it a premium or even a luxury car feel. Starting from the front, grille and the bumper has been completely redesigned. It now gets a Lexus inspired wide grille with chrome outlines on it. It still retains the Toyota Logo on the grille. There are boomerang shaped LED DRLs on both side of the bumper and there is a fog lamp at the bottom of the bumper along with chrome inserts in them. Overall the front of the Fortuner looks aggressive and premium at the same time.

Coming to the side of the car, no major changes are to be seen. It now gets an aftermarket sporty looking alloy wheel, chrome door handles, and side step for getting in and out of the car comfortably. At the rear it gets chrome garnishes at places like tail lights, on the boot. The loading lip of the boot also gets a plate to protect it from scratches. The rear bumper is also modified and gets reflector lights in them. Chrome inserts can be seen on te rear bumper as well. Other addition to the car is the rear LED pillar lights and a sportier looking spoiler with LED lights integrated to it.

It is not known if the interiors of the car has also been modified. Overall, the modified Toyota Fortuner looks premium and agressive after the installation of the new body kit. Toyota Fortuner is offered with a 2.7 litre petrol and a 2.8 litre turbo diesel engine. The turbo diesel engine is likely to be replaced with a 2.4 litre unit inorder to meet the upcoming emission norms and t keep the cost in check. Toyota is also working on a Fortuner facelift and it was also recently spotted testing in Thailand. The facelifted Fortuner is expected to get a mild design refresh while retaining much of its butch looks, and a bunch of other new features to make it even more appealing.

Also Read: Tata H2X Hornbill teaser released officially before the unveiling at 2020 Auto Expo

One of the popular SUV from the FCA group in India is the Jeep Compass. It became popular among buyers in a very short span of time because of its iconic looks and features it offered. Jeep Compass competes with cars like Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV500, Kia Seltos, MG Hector and Hyundai Tucson in the segment. In comparison to other brands in this segment, Jeep Compass is fairly equipped in terms of features. One of the missing feature in the Compass was the availability of diesel automatic. Jeep recently fixed the issue and now even the normal 4×4 version of Jeep Compass that is not TrailHawk gets a automatic transmission. Here is the TV commercial for the same.

The video starts by showing the busy city streets filled with cars and in such type of conditions, it is irritating to at times to drive a manual transmission. the bumper to bumper traffic conditions are meant for automatic cars and that is what this TVC is trying to explain. The automatic transmission is available in the 4×4 variants and Jeep calls it the urban off-roader for that matter.

Jeep had recently launched the Jeep Compass 4×4 with a diesel automatic in the market. It is available in two variants – Longitude and Limited Plus and are priced at Rs 21.96 lakh and 24.99 lakh, ex-showroom respectively. Both the variants are fairlt equiped in terms of features like 7.0 inch touchscreen infotainment system, Dual-zone climate control, Cruise control, Rear view camera and dual tone upholstery.

Initially, the automatic transmission is only available with the 4×4 variants. At a later point, Jeep will introduce the automatic transmission to its 4×2 models too as they contribute to the major share of sales in the country for Jeep. The Jeep Compass continues to draw its power from a 2.0 litre turbocharged diesel engine. The engine is now BS6 compliant.

The 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine now produces 173 Bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Jeep India might expand their portfolio in the coming years and will also consider manufacturing cars in India to keep the costs down. Two key new models in Jeep India’s future portfolio is likely to be a sub-4 meter mini SUV that will challenge the likes of the Hyundai Venue and the Maruti Brezza, and a full sized 7 seat SUV meant to square off against the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour.

Also Read: Tata H2X Hornbill teaser released officially before the unveiling at 2020 Auto Expo

Of late, Electric cars have started gaining people’s attention in the country, Manufacturers like Hyundai, MG and Tata Motors recently launched their electric cars in the country. In the coming years it is expected that electric vehicles will gain popularity and more and more manufacturers will enter into the the electric vehicle space. In the upcoming Auto Expo which is scheduled to happen in the first week of February will also feature a lot of electric vehicles from various manufacturers. One such car or the electric car that we expect to see the expo is the Renault Zoe EV.

Renault Zoe is not a new car. It was initially unveiled at Geneve Motor Show in 2012 and was later launched at Paris Motor show the same year. Ever since then Renault has been constantly giving the Zoe EV updates and in the form of cosmetic changes to make it look fresh. It is not a small hatchback and is likely to be as big as some of the premium hatchbacks currently available in the Indian market.

According to a report from Autocar India Renualt has already brought Zoe to India and are testing it in Indian road and weather conditions to get a better idea of the range. Just like other EVs in the market currently, battery pack of Zoe is also placed on the floor for better handling and to keep to centre of gravity low. This portion will get extra protection in order to protect it from the dust, water and even the speed breakers in our country.

The car gets all LED headlights with DRLs and tail lights, and has a very smooth or curvy design to it. International variants get 17 inch diamond cut alloy wheels which may change when it comes to India. On the inside, Zoe is feature loaded as it gets a 10 inch digital instrument cluster, 9.3 inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless smartphone charger, electronic parking brake and so on.

The Zoe when launched is expected to be powered by 90 Bhp electric motor and is expected to get a range of somewhere between 300-350 kms on a single charge. Renault will also be assembling the Zoe in India to keep the costs in check. Renault Zoe is expected to be priced somewhere between Rs 14-16 lakh when launched. It’s meant to be a brand builder, showing what Renault is capable of offering in the mainstream electric vehicle market.

Also Read: Tata H2X Hornbill teaser released officially before the unveiling at 2020 Auto Expo

In the past we have featured a lot of drag races and highway top-end battles between cars and bikes. The battle does not seem to end, now we have a video that shows the drag race between cars from two different segments. One is an SUV and the other is a sedan. The drag race is between Tata Harrier and Hyundai Verna. The video has been uploaded by All in one youtube channel. Who wins the race? Let’s take a look at the video first.

The race has been conducted on an open highway which we don’t recommend at all. Both the Verna and the Harrier used here have one thing in common and that is they are both powered by a diesel engine. The race is held in two rounds. In the first round, as soon as the race starts Hyundai Verna takes the lead and maintains it throughout the race. The harrier on the other hand revvs hard and tries to chase the Verna which has left Harrier behind. Verna wins the first round by a margin.

After covering some distance they take a U turn and conduct the second round of the race and this time also, the results are not different. The Verna takes the lead and wins the race unanimously. Why did that happen?. Even though Harrier has a more powerful and bigger engine than that of Verna, one factor that helped Verna win the race is the weight. Hyundai Verna is way more lighter than that of Tata Harrier and the design also plays a cruicial role. Hyundai Verna is a sedan and sits low and it reacts less amount of drag while doing triple digits or high speed runs. Harrier on the other had sits high and creates a lot more drag than that of Verna.

Driving styles also matter a lot. The way you shift gear or release the clutch, all these small things make a difference. But in this case it was purely because of the weight of the Harrier and design that it lost the race. The Harrier is powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged diesel engine that produces 138 Bhp and 350 Nm of torque whereas the Hyundai Verna diesel used in the race was powered by a 1.6 litre diesel engine producing 126 bhp and 260 nm of peak torque.

This race was done on a highway and we do not support that. It is always recommended to do conduct such acts in a closed environment for your safety and the safety of others on road.

Also Read: Tata H2X Hornbill teaser released officially before the unveiling at 2020 Auto Expo

Mahindra is one of the largest manufacturer of utility vehicles in India. They have wide range of vehicles ranging from micro SUV like KUV100 Nxt to the luxurious full size SUV Altura G4. One of the interesting that Mahindra recently introduced in the Indian market was the XUV300 compact SUV. Looking at the popularity of the segment, it was a smart move from the brand. Mahindra recently launched their XUV300 compact SUV with a BS6 compliant petrol engine. The XUV300 competes with cars like Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Ford EcoSport. Here we have a video showing a walkaround video of the all-new XUV300 BS6 version W8(O) trim.

The video starts by showing the exterior of the car. It shows the split, inverted ‘L’ shaped LED DRLs, projector type headlights, Mahidnra’s signature grille, front sensors and the faux skid plate at the front. side profile showcases the diamond cut dual tone alloy wheels and roof rails and at the rear it shows the LED tail lamps,rear defogger, rear wiper, spoiler, rear parking sensors and faux skid plate.

Then it shows the interiors of the XUV300. The XUV300 when launched was one of the most feature loaded car in it’s segment. It still has some features that others in the segment don’t get like, heated ORVMs, steering modes where the driver can switch between Normal, Comfort and Sport mode for better response from the steering. Dual zone climate control AC is also a feature that others in the segment don’t offer. Other than that, it gets a touchscreen infotainment system, electric sunroof, plush interiors and so on.

Nothing has changed both outside and inside of the BS6 version of the XUV300. The change however lies under the hood, where it gets an engine that is compliant to the upcoming emission norms. Only the petrol XUV300 gets a BS6 compliant engine. diesel BS6 will be launched in coming months. The 1.2 litre turbo petrol engine produces 115 Bhp and 200 Nm of torque.

Mahindra XUV300 is now the safest affordable SUV one can buy in India. It scored 5 star in Global NCAP crash test recently and it beat the Tata Nexon and Tata Altroz by achieving a better score in both adult and child protection. The XUV300 is the only Mahindra SUV to have scored so highly in the Global NCAP test, and this makes it an excellent choice for those looking for a safety-loaded car at a relatively affordable price tag.

Also Read: Tata H2X Hornbill teaser released officially before the unveiling at 2020 Auto Expo

Royal Enfield is one of the popular brand in the country that is famous for it’s retro motorcycles. It is famous for its retro looking modern motorcycles. Royal Enfield a couple of years ago launched India’s most affordable twin cylinder motorcycle in the form of Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. It gained popularity among buyers in a very short span of time. It is also the most powerful motorcycle manufactured by the brand till date. There are many modified examples of the Interceptor and Continental GT in the country and we have featured couple of them on our website in the past. Here we have a modified Interceptor 650 that is probably the fastest interceptor in the country at the moment.

The video has been uploaded by Abhinav Bhatt on his youtube channel. The video starts by explaining the modifications made to the motorcycles. First modification done to the Interceptor was the front forks. The front forks were replaced with a Upside down fork from Bajaj Dominar for better handling at higher speeds. Other changes include, Powertronic piggyback ECU with custom map, SS Moto’s stainless steel exhaust, DNA airfilter with stage 2 plate.

The wheels have also been changed. The Interceptor now gets custom made aluminium rims imported from Taiwan. The sprocket also has been replaced to make the gearing shorter. It also gets a custom paint job of grey and black that gives it an attractive look. According to the video, the bike now has become 20 kgs lighter than a stock Interceptor and all the modifications have also helped it produce more power.

The bike on stock condition produced 36 Bhp in a Dyno test and after all the modification it produces 42.7 bhp  which is an increase of 6.7 Bhp on a motorcycle that is lighter than the stock version. After all this, rider takes it for the 0-100 kmph run. The Interceptor touches the 100 kmph mark in just 5 seconds which is great more a motorcycle of this size.

The run continues and the motorcycle keeps on gaining and touched 120 Kmph mark at 6.8 seconds. It took only 10.4 seconds to reach 140 Kmph and finally at 29.3 seconds it hit 180 Kmph mark at 7,500 rpm and then the limiter interrupted and the bike couldn’t go any faster. It seemed like if the limiter had not kicked in the bike would have easily touched 200 kmph mark, which is commendable for a motorcycle in this segment. Meanwhile, Royal Enfield has just launched the BS6 trim of the Interceptor.

Also Read: Tata H2X Hornbill teaser released officially before the unveiling at 2020 Auto Expo

There’s a slew of launches in the Indian car market in the compact SUV segment. Be it the all-new Venue, the all-new XUV300 or the all-new Kia Seltos, the segment has remained busy in 2019. In the 2020 Auto Expo, we will continue to see new launches in the compact SUV segment. Here are all the new cars from the C-SUV that will be launched at 2020 Auto Expo.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

One of the most-waited cars in the Indian market, Maruti Suzuki will finally launch the petrol variant of the Vitara Brezza in the market. The car will also get cosmetic updates with a new grille, new headlamps and bumper. The best-selling vehicle in the segment will lose the diesel engine and will only get powered by the 1.5-litre petrol engine option that is available with the Ciaz and the Ertiga. There will be a four-speed torque convertor available with the car too.

Kia QYI

After launching the successful Seltos in the Indian market, Kia will launch the Carnival MPV in the Indian market. At the 2020 Auto Expo, the manufacturer will showcase the all-new QYI sub-4m compact SUV that will take on the likes of Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Venue and the likes. It will be launched somewhere around August 2020 but Kia will showcase the car at the 2020 Auto Expo showing how it will look like. Kia has not announced the engine options but it is likely to be powered by the 1.0-litre petrol engine of the Hyundai Venue.

Renault HBC

Renault HBC will be CMF-A+ based SUV, which will make its world debut at the 2020 Auto Expo in India. The all-new car will take on the likes of Ford EcoSport and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza in the Indian market and it will offer a beefed-up, pumped up look. The interior of the HBC’s production version is likely to be similar to the Renault Triber and it will offer a similar list of features. Also, the engine of the HBC will be identical to the Triber. The car will get a turbocharged petrol engine, which will later make its way to the Triber too.

Tata Hornbill/H2X

The H2X was also showcased at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. It will be most probably showcased at the 2020 Delhi auto expo in production guise. It has been codenamed as the Hornbill and it will be positioned as a micro SUV. The Hornbill will sit below the sub-4 meter SUVs and will provide an alternative to people who are in the market for a hatchback. It will follow the same IMPACT 2.0 design philosophy. Tata is expected to put the 1.2-litre petrol engine in the upcoming car but the diesel variants may not be available.

Mahindra XUV300 EV

Mahindra will launch an all-electric version of the XUV300 in the Indian market this year. The car will be showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo. The XUV300 EV will get a slightly different design and front-end that differentiate it from the IC version of the car. The XUV300 will take on the Tata Nexon EV directly and is expected to get a similar range of 300 km.

Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta is one of the most successful cars in the Indian market. However, the recent launch of the all-new Kia Seltos has affected the overall sales of the mid-size SUV. Hyundai has already started testing the all-new Creta in the Indian market, which will be similar to the model launched in the Chinese market. The all-new Creta will share the engine and transmission with the Kia Seltos in the Indian market and will prove to be stiff competition in the segment.

Skoda Kamiq

The all-new Skoda Kamiq will be showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo. The car, which will be launched by the end of 2020 or early 2021 will take on the likes of Hyundai Creta in the Indian market. It will be an all-new car that will be based on the MQB A0-IN platform. Skoda may also launch the CNG version of the SUV in the market.

Skoda Karoq

It will be the first SUV from the brand to be launched in the Indian market next year. The all-new Skoda Karoq will be assembled in Aurangabad and it will be bought to India in CKD form. The Karoq will be based on the MQB platform. The SUV will get a price tag of under Rs 20 lakhs and it is expected to get powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel engine.

Volkswagen T-Roc

The Volkswagen T-Roc will be the brand’s first launch in the Indian market next year. It will be based on the Indian-spec MQB-A0-IN platform that is derived from the MQB platform. It has been done to reduce the overall price of the car in the highly competitive Indian market. The car will take on the likes of Mahindra XUV500, Jeep Compass and higher-end variants of the Kia Seltos. It will get powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine. Since Volkswagen positions its vehicles at a premium, the T-Roc will get priced at around Rs 18 lakhs., It will be launched in the first half of next year and will be showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo.

Also Read: Tata H2X Hornbill teaser released officially before the unveiling at 2020 Auto Expo

Tata Motors launched the all-new Altroz in the Indian market earlier this year. The manufacturer will bring in a slew of vehicles in the Indian market later this year and most of these vehicles will be showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo. Tata H2X, a sub-4m micro SUV will be showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo and the manufacturer has released an official teaser image of the vehicle too.

The H2X is still in the concept form but the version that will be showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo might be very close to the production version. Tata has kept the concept and the production design of the vehicle very close in the past and there is a good chance of the same happening in the future. The all-new Tata H2X, which is internally known as the Hornbill will be an entry-level vehicle and the design of the car will be heavily inspired by SUVs. Tata is also expected to keep the dimensions of the production version of the H2X close to the concept version of the car. The vehicle will be positioned just below the Tata Nexon in the market and will take on the likes of Mahindra KUV100 NXT, Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and the Renault Kwid.

Tata Motors has already started testing the all-new H2X on the roads under heavy camouflage. The new micro SUV will be heavily inspired by the concept version of the car. The design cues include an upright look of the car, which ensures that it gets the SUV finish. At the front, there will be Tata Harrier inspired split headlamps. The side of the H2X gets muscular wheel arches with chunky alloy wheels. To keep the cost low, Tata may offer the wheels similar to the Tiago NRG but with a different design option. The new teaser image released officially by Tata Motors shows a glimpse of the vehicle’s tail lamp that looks premium and gets a chrome stripe.

On the inside, the all-new Tata H2X is expected to get a very sporty cabin with contrasting colour highlights. The infotainment screen can be floating-type, which we have already seen on the new-generation Tata vehicles including the Altroz and the Harrier.

The all-new Tata H2X will be the second car to be built on the ALFA platform. The first car, Altroz has already received a five-star safety rating and the H2X is expected to get a similar safety rating whenever it gets tested. Powering the vehicle will be a 1.2-litre BS6 compliant petrol engine that is also available with the Tiago and the Altroz. We will also get to see an AMT automatic variant of the H2X in the market. However, there will no diesel engine options available with the car.

Also Read: Tata H2X Hornbill teaser released officially before the unveiling at 2020 Auto Expo

With limited race tracks in India, most super car and super bike owners take their rides to the public roads for leisure driving. Even with the speed limits enforced on every Indian public road, the owners of such powerful and high performance vehicles rarely keep track of their speeds. While for many it is a common sight to spot such vehicles on weekends, especially during early morning when the roads are relatively empty, most of these vehicle owners do not get caught by the cops. Here is an incident in Hyderabad, where a couple of sportscars were seized by the cops after they were caught speeding on the public roads.

The Rajendra Nagar Police in Hyderabad, Telangana seized the cars after being alerted about two supercars street racing on the PVNR expressway. The vehicles – a Lamborghini Huracan and an Audi R8 were seized from the spot after the cops received several complaints from the road users.

Pratheek, the driver of the Lamborghini and Chetan, who was driving the Audi were on their way to Mehdipatnam from Shamshabad. Both of them took the PVNR Expressway, which remains relatively empty and has a lot of empty stretches to test the performance of the vehicles and accelerate enthusiastically. According to the police team, they received several complaints from the motorists on the same road about these two vehicles. The motorists complained that both the vehicles are being driven very rashly on the roads.

Acting on the complaints of the road users, Rajendra Nagar Police station scrambled a team of policemen to catch the vehicles. According to the reports, the team chased the duo on their vehicles and finally caught them with the help of Hyderabad traffic police. Both the vehicles were stopped at the Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital. Cops first asked for the documents of the vehicles and then seized the cars for rash driving. It is not known at what speed they were driving the vehicle since there are no operational speed cameras on the stretch.

According to G Suresh, Station House Officer, Rajendra Nagar Police Station, the duo was stopped because they were driving extremely rashly on the public roads. They could have got involved in an accident, which is why the vehicles were seized. The cops registered a case against both the drivers but the exact sections imposed on them are not known yet.

Performance vehicles like the Lamborghini Huracan and the Audi R8 can cross the triple digital mark on the speedometer without putting much of an effort. However, whenever on the public roads, the drivers should maintain the speed limits strictly and follow the traffic rules. Since Indian roads are one of the most unpredictable roads in the world, keeping the speed below the limits set by the administration is something that everyone should follow.

Also Read: Kia Seltos X-Line to be showcased at the Auto Expo 2020

Hyundai cars are synonymous with new features, and the 2020 Hyundai Creta compact SUV, which is days away from an official reveal at the Indian Auto Expo, is all set to bring in many segment leading features. One such feature is the panoramic sunroof, which has just been revealed through the 2020 Creta’s latest teaser that Hyundai has put out. The compact SUV will rival the likes of the Kia Seltos, Renault Duster, Nissan Kicks and the Maruti S-Cross, and is likely to get a starting price of under Rs. 10 lakh. The 2020 Hyundai Creta is already on sale in the Chinese market, where it’s called the iX25. In India, Hyundai will continue using the hugely successful Creta nameplate. Going by the teaser, expect the 2020 Hyundai Creta to set many segment benchmarks and take the fight right up to the Kia Seltos, which is currently the segment leader in terms of sales.

The all-new Creta will be based on the Kia Seltos platform, and will share a lot of parts with the latter. All engines on the 2020 Creta will meet Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms right from the word go, and we expect all the engines and gearboxes offered on the Seltos to be offered on the new Creta as well. What this means is, there could be two petrol engine options: one naturally aspirated and the other, turbocharged.

The 1.5 liter-4 cylinder naturally aspirated petrol motor is likely to make 113 Bhp-142 Nm, and could be offered with two gearbox options: a 6 speed manual and a CVT automatic. The other petrol engine on offer could be the 1.4 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged unit with 140 Bhp-242 Nm, and two gearbox options: a 6 speed manual and a 7 speed twin clutch automatic. The diesel motor – a 1.5 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged unit – will make 115 Bhp-250 Nm, and will get 6 speed manual and torque converter automatic gearbox options.

The Kia Seltos is now the segment benchmark among compact SUVs sold in India, and offers a slew of features such as a heads-up display, tyre pressure monitoring, a Bose audio set-up, air purifier and more. The 2020 Hyundai Creta is likely to offer a similar feature set, beating the Seltos in some areas. A 7 seat, longer wheelbase version of the 2020 Creta is also said to be in the works. This model will take the fight to the Tata Gravitas and the 6 seat MG Hector that will soon be launched in India, at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo.

Also Read: Kia Seltos X-Line to be showcased at the Auto Expo 2020

Tata Motors is days away from unveiling the 2020 Harrier SUV, which will get Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms compliant, and a host of other updates that make it a lot more desirable. Chief among the changes is a big bump in power from the 2 liter-4 cylinder Fiat-sourced Multijet turbodiesel engine, which will make 170 Bhp-350 Nm in the BS6 Harrier. This is a full 30 Bhp jump in peak horsepower, and is expected to make the Harrier a lot more quicker. Tata Motors has just released a teaser, highlighting the additional power that the Harrier will soon get.

This step up in power will also put the Harrier at par with its chief competitor – the MG Hector, which also happens to use the same diesel motor, in the very same state of tune. MG Motor will also be launching the BS6 Hector Diesel at the Auto Expo. Another key mechanical change on the Harrier is the addition of a Hyundai-sourced automatic gearbox option.

The 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox will be offered with the 2 liter diesel engine, and is expected to be pricier than the equivalent manual gearbox equipped version of the SUV by about Rs. 1 lakh. The diesel automatic option is expected to make the Harrier a lot more appealing to SUV buyers in India, who are now buying a lot of automatic variants.

Aimed at convenience and a stress free drive in both city and highway traffic, the automatic variants of the Harrier are likely to boost sales. Notably, the same engine and gearboxes will also be offered on the Gravitas, a 6 seat SUV that’s based on the Harrier but with a bunch of cosmetic and feature changes. The Tata Gravitas will be positioned above the Harrier in terms of pricing, and is meant for those who need the additional seating capacity. The Gravitas will be launched at the 2020 Auto Expo.

Coming back to the 2020 Tata Harrier, the SUV will also get a feature boost. An electric sunroof is one such feature that Tata will add on the BS6 version. Another key feature addition is that of electric adjustability of the driver’s seat. Both these features will make the 2020 Harrier a more rounded product. A few other features could be added to the SUV, and will be known shortly, for the Auto Expo is just a couple of days away. The BS6 version of the Harrier, with the more powerful diesel engine and the new feature set is expected to get pricier than the BS4 variants by Rs. 50,000 to 1.5 lakh, depending on the variant chosen.

Also Read: Kia Seltos X-Line to be showcased at the Auto Expo 2020

Tata Motors has just opened bookings for the upgraded, 2020 Tata Harrier BS6. As its name suggests, the Harrier now meets Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms and gets a slew of changes to justify the upgrade. Customers interested in the new Harrier can visit their nearest Tata Motors dealership to make the booking or can visit the official Tata Harrier website to make an online booking. Prices of the 2020 Tata Harrier BS6 will be announced at the official launch at the Auto Expo, following which deliveries will commence. Tata Motors has just revealed the 2020 Harrier through a video that gives a quick glimpse of the heavily updated SUV. Here, check it out.

The 2020 Tata Harrier BS6 gets a more powerful state of tune for the 2 liter Fiat Multijet turbocharged diesel engine, which now puts out 170 Bhp-350 Nm. There are 2 gearbox options: a 6 speed manual and a newly introduced Hyundai-sourced 6 speed torque converter automatic. Both gearboxes drive the front wheels of the 2020 Harrier, and there is no all wheel drive variant available.

The 2020 Harrier also gets an electric sunroof and power adjustable driver’s seat in the top-end XZ+ and XZA+ trims. These are newly introduced variants in the Harrier line up.

The automatic option is available across three variants: XMA, XZA and XZA+. The 2020 Harrier also gets a new paint scheme: Calypso Red. Other significant changes include standard ESP across all variants, auto dimming rear view mirrors and a two- tone diamond cut finish for the 17 inch alloy wheels on the top-end trims.

While pricing will be revealed in a couple of days, we expect the Harrier to get pricier by about Rs. 30,000 among lower variants while the highest trim could see a price increase of about Rs. 1.2-1.5 lakh. The Harrier rivals the likes of the MG Hector, Jeep Compass and Mahindra XUV500, and is a five seat SUV.

Commenting on this launch, Mr. Vivek Srivatsa, Head – Marketing, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors, said, “We are delighted to bring the highly anticipated Tata Harrier automatic transmission to our customers alongwith the Harrier BSVI range. In line with our philosophy of going beyond BSVI, we are offering a host of technical, safety and design upgrades on the Harrier. With the introduction of this new range, Harrier is ready to set new benchmarks and deliver a segment-leading performance. We are confident that this new feature addition will lure more customers in the coming days.”

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With the developing infrastructure in India, new tolls gates are coming up at a fast pace across India. However, most toll plazas don’t upgrade for years to keep up with the rising volume of traffic. This causes huge traffic jams and increased waiting time at the toll plazas. In the past, there have been many incidents where angry toll road users got into argument or even fighting with the toll plaza authorities due to such delays. However, authorities do not take action on such delays on the toll plazas and the delays continue to happen at almost all the toll booths across the country. Here is a similar incident where a women got fed up after waiting for her turn at the toll plaza and forcibly opened the toll gate.

The incident happened at Paliyekkara toll booth in Kerala. The toll plaza is infamous of regular traffic snarls and there are many who get stuck into the jams quite often. A woman traveller, who got stuck in a similar situation at the toll booth took a bold step. She walked to the toll gate and kept the barrier up to let the vehicles pass. The woman got captured in the CCTV cameras at the spot while letting the vehicles pass. She reportedly stood there with the barrier open for about 20 minutes and numerous vehicles passed the gate without paying the toll.

The toll booth operator kept on shouting at her but she did not pay any heed and allowed the vehicles to pass freely. Later, the toll booth administration arrived at the spot and the woman even got into a tussle with the administration. She can be seen falling down after one of the men pushed her. The woman took the step after she waited for her turn to pay the toll for over 30 minutes.

Puthukkad Police reached at the spot to ease the tension and mediated between both the parties. The police have not registered any case against the woman. The cops even asked the woman if she wants to file an official complain but she denied doing it. The cops allowed her to go after that.

What does the rule say?

The rule about waiting at the toll plazas is not clear but a RTI replay in 2018 reveals that the total waiting time for a vehicle at a toll plaza is 3 minutes. If any vehicle has to wait for more than that, it will be allowed to pass for free. Now this is something that most of the toll operators in India do not follow. The lack of knowledge about this rule creates excessive traffic snarls at the major toll roads in India. Next time you’re out on the highway, do make a proof of the video that you have been waiting for more than 3 minutes and show it to the toll operator.

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Skoda has just revealed the Vision IN concept SUV, which is based on the Skoda Kamiq. The Vision IN concept is expected to be put into production sometime later this year, and will be the brand’s most affordable SUV. It will challenge the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta in the compact SUV segment. Expect prices to start from Rs. 10 lakh. It’ll be a petrol-only SUV, and will be available with both manual and automatic gearboxes. Here are some pictures straight from the unveil.

From up front, the Skoda Vision IN looks quite butch and muscular, and the grille is the biggest standout element. Other butch bits include edgy bumpers and cladding. The wheels are 21 inch units on the concept, but the production version is likely to have much smaller 16 inch wheels. The sides of the Vision IN also get cladding that goes around to the rear bumper, and the rising window line gives the SUV a very purposeful stance.

The rear gets some more bling with a massive tail-lamp sitting below the conventionally placed tail lamp. The secondary tail lamp may not make it to the production model. Overall, the Vision IN is quite a handsome looker and the production version is likely to look about 85 % similar.

While the concept gets a 1.5 liter TSI turbo petrol engine with a 150 PS output, the production version will get a much smaller, 1.0 liter-3 cylinder TSI turbo petrol engine with about 115 Bhp-200 Nm.  Skoda seems to be taking a torque heavy route with the new turbo petrol engine, which will also be offered in the Rapid. Two gearbox options are likely: a 6 speed manual and a 7 speed DSG twin clutch automatic.

The Vision IN’s production version is meant mainly for road use, and the added ground clearance is meant to make potholes and speed breakers easy to negotiate. The SUV is front wheel driven and gets a monocoque body. Going by Skoda’s standards, the production version should be very well built. So, it’ll be a great wait for those interested in a solidly built Skoda SUV that’s fun to drive, and on offer at an affordable price tag.

The Vision IN concept gets an interior scheme that’s very cheery, mainly because of the orange coloured bits. It’ll loud to a lot of people and the production version is expected to feature similar interiors but with much subdued colour. Skoda is expected to launch this SUV in India by the end of this year.

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Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest car maker discontinued the much-loved Gypsy from the market after decades of uninterrupted production. While Maruti Suzuki did not update the Gypsy to meet the new safety and emission regulations, the vehicle remains in production exclusively for the armed forces. Suzuki launched the all-new Jimny, which became a popular product soon after its launch in the international markets. The same car was expected to be launched in the Indian market to replace the void left by the Gypsy. However, there is no confirmation from the brand about the launch of the all-new Jimny in the Indian market yet. To keep a response from the audience and check the vehicle’s popularity, Maruti Suzuki is expected to showcase the all-new Jimny at the 2020 Auto Expo.

According to CarWale, the all-new Jimny will be imported to India from the Japanese market and will be used as a display model at the Maruti Suzuki Pavilion. Maruti Suzuki may use this opportunity to gauge the customer’s response before planning to launch the product in the Indian market. This may take quite some time and we may not get to see the launch of the all-new product in the market in the coming future.

Suzuki offers two major versions of the Jimny in the international markets. The version that is expected to be launched in India is the Jimny Sierra. The Jimny is currently manufactured at the Japanese plant and is supplied to the markets world over. The Jimny Sierra measures below 4 meters and is powered by the same 1.5-litre engine option that is already available with the vehicles like Ciaz and Ertiga in the Indian market. The same engine will be soon available with the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, which will be launched in India at the 2020 Auto Expo.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine produces a maximum power of 100 Bhp and peak torque of 130 Nm. It is available with a 5-speed manual transmission. The Suzuki Jimny. The Jimny being an off-roading vehicle also gets the AllGrip system, which is an advanced 4X4 system from the manufacturer.

The Jimny Sierra, if launched in India will carry a premium price tag. Maruti Suzuki will also manufacture the vehicle in India. Since there is a lot of demand for the vehicle in the international markets, Maruti Suzuki may even export the Jimny from India to decrease the waiting period on the vehicle, especially in the European countries.

Apart from the Jimny, Maruti Suzuki will launch the all-new Vitara Brezza and the Ignis in the Indian market. The manufacturer will showcase the electric concept vehicle – Futuro-e.

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Mahindra and Mahindra was the first manufacturer in India to offer an electric vehicle to the private car buyers in India. Over the years, the electric vehicle market has developed slowly many manufacturers have launched electric SUVs in India. Currently, there are three electric SUVs available in the market – Hyundai Kona EV, MG ZS EV and the Tata Nexon EV. Mahindra will launch their first-ever electric-powered SUV in the near future. Before that, the brand will showcase it at the 2020 Auto Expo. This is a rendering image of the upcoming XUV300 EV made by our in-house digital artist Vipin Vithoopan.

The rendering image of the XUV300 EV here is based on the leaked brochure of the Mahindra cars that will be showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo. The front-end of the car will be free of any grille and air dams since it is an EV and won’t require any air to run the electric motor. The overall design of the body will remain similar to the regular Mahindra XUV300, which is already available in the market. However, we may get to see a different set of alloy wheels and a few slight changes.

The all-new Mahindra XUV300 was announced during the launch of the regular XUV300 last year. The electrified version of the car will be launched in the Indian market by early 2021 but Mahindra is yet to announce the details.

The vehicle will be available in two versions. There will be a low range version of the car, which will be affordable and will be targeted at the customers who want a vehicle primarily for driving inside the city limits. Another version of the car will be a high-performance, long-range car, which will be aimed at the enthusiasts and customers who want occasionally use the car on the highways.

The battery pack is currently being developed by LG Chem, a Korean manufacturer and Mahindra. They are jointly developing batteries that will suit the Indian conditions. The long-range version of the Mahindra XUV300 EV will be able to run for about 300-350 km on a full charge. This is similar to the Tata Nexon EV, which was launched earlier this year and will rival the Mahindra XUV300 EV when it is launched in the market. The XUV300 will get connected features and will also get DC fast charging systems to quickly juice up the batteries on the go.

Mahindra XUV300 is one of the most expensive vehicles in the segment right now. It will be quite interesting to see what the electrified version of the car will be priced at. The Tata Nexon EV is currently the most affordable electric SUV in the Indian market with a price tag of Rs 15 lakhs.

Also Read: Kia Seltos X-Line to be showcased at the Auto Expo 2020

Kia Motors became popular among the Indian customers within a very short span of time and the main reason behind the success of the brand was its first model Seltos. It is basically one of the best looking, and selling mid-size SUV in the segment right now. One of the main drawbacks of the Seltos SUV is the unavailability of an AWD system. That is the case with most of the cars in this segment. The Seltos available in the international market however get an AWD system as an option.

Last year at LA Auto Show, Kia showcased two concepts based on the AWD version and called it the X-Line series. News is now coming that Kia will be showcasing the Seltos X-Line in the Indian Auto Expo this year. According to the IAB Kia has confirmed that they will be showcasing X-Line Concept Seltos from 5th of February. It is however not known whether Kia will bring both the concepts or will just display any one of two.

Kia Seltos X-Line was showcased in two different forms. One was the X-Line Trail Attack and the other was X-Line Urban. X-Line Trail Attack is built for hardcore off-roading. It gets a AWD drive system, custom 2-inch lift kit, rugged bumper at the front with red tow hooks installed on it.  The tyres and rims are also replaced with more off-road friendly ones that ensure better grip. The other modification that the X-Line Trail Attack gets is the auxiliary lamps. There are 8 such lights in total. Four of them are installed on front bumper and the other four is on the roof. There is also a carrier installed on the roof.

Kia Seltos X-Line Urban is the second Concept which was showcased in LA Auto Show. This concept also gets off-road modifications, but in a subtle and city oriented way. The bumper in this concept is also redesigned in a way to get a better approach and departure angles. Like the Trail Attack version X-Line Urban also gets a 2-inch lift kit for better ground clearance. The skid plates gets a golden finish so does the wheels. It also gets a hood scoop which is otherwise missing on regular Seltos. This concept is also based on the AWD version which is sold in international market. Urban concept also gets four roof mounted lights along with a roof carrier.

Both Kia Seltos X-Line Trial Attack and X-Line Urban are concepts and is not known if these models would enter the production line or not. Other models that Kia will showcase at the expo include Kia Carnival MPV and Venue Maruti Brezza rivalling sub-4 meter compact SUV concept.

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Skoda recently unveiled their Vision IN concept SUV ahead of the Auto Expo. Skoda is likely to bring a production version based on Vision IN concept sometime later this year. Vision IN will be a mid-size SUV that will compete with the likes of upcoming Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos etc. Here we have an official video of the Skoda Vision IN that shows how does the concept look like. The video has been uploaded by Carscoops on their youtube channel.

The official video or the TVC released by Skoda is specifically aimed at the Indian audience. It shows many recognisable tourist spots and cultural spots in the country. The video then shows the Vision IN with all the LED headlights and LED elements around the grille illuminated. On the inside, it then shows a huge screen which acts as a digital assistant.

The video also shows the interior of the Vision In concept. It is a combination of state-of-the-art technologies and innovative vegan materials with traditional Indian design and Bohemian crystal glass art. The decorative trim on the dashboard has drawn inspiration from Kalamkari, an Indian textile printing technique that uses hand-carved wooden stamps to print traditional fabric patterns. The video even shows the steering wheel and the fully digital instrument cluster.

The Vision IN has a rugged look with all LED headlamps, wide grille, sporty bumper, side claddings and the those 19 inch alloy wheels. At the rear it gets a striking LED strip at the rear below the conventional tail lights. There are chances that the LED strip may not make it to the production version. It even shows the panoramic sunroof. Overall, the Vision IN concept looks bold has all the elements of an SUV. All that is left to be seen now is how many features or elements in the Vision IN concept would we be getting to see in the production version.

Vision IN concept is powered by a 1.5 litre TSI turbo petrol engine producing around 150 PS of power. There are chances that it might be replaced with a 1.0 litre turbo petrol engine producing 115 Bhp and 200 Nm torque when it hits the production line. It is likely to get both manual and DSG  gearbox as an option.

Skoda is also showcasing a Superb L&K and a Kodiaq L&K, each fitted with a 2.0 TSI delivering 140 kW (190 PS), at the Auto Expo 2020. The sporty Octavia RS 245 producing 180 kW (245 PS), the Rapid 1.0 TSI in the Monte Carlo trim level and Matte Concept, as well as a 2.0 TDI Superb Sportline outputting 140 kW (190 PS) round off the ŠKODA models on display at the  exhibition.

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Tata Hexa, which was expected to be replaced with the upcoming Tata Gravitas in the Indian market is expected to get a new lease of life at the 2020 Auto Expo. Tata Motors has released an official teaser image of the upcoming Tata Hexa Safari, which is expected to be a special edition vehicle showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo. Not many details about the upcoming vehicle or will it be put on sale by the manufacturer. It is quite possible that Tata Motors will be showcase the vehicle and it will not enter production.

The teaser shows a big sofa with clouds of dust around it. It indicates what the upcoming vehicle will be like. The new Tata Hexa Safari edition will be a tribute to now-discontinued Tata Safari, which was once a very popular vehicle in India. The Safari offered 4X4 system, making it extremely capable and can reach the most difficult places.

Tata in the past has showcased various editions based on the Safari. There has been Ladakh Edition, Tuff Edition and more such editions based on the Safari. It seems like that the Hexa will become the platform for the upcoming editions from Tata Motors. It is also an indication that Tata will continue to sell the Hexa in the market. The Hexa will get powered by the same 2.2-litre diesel engine that powers the current version of the SUV. However, it will get a BS6 compliant update.

At the moment, the 2.2-litre engine powering the vehicle produces a maximum power of 154 Bhp and peak torque of 400 Nm for the higher-end variants of the car. It is expected to remain the same. Tata may offer slight cosmetic changes in the vehicle to keep it fresh and may launch it at the 2020 Auto Expo. However, as of now, there are not many details available about the car. Tata may remove the 4X4 variant from the Hexa since it is not very popular in the market. Also, Tata may utilise the 2.0-litre engine to power the Hexa but it cannot be confirmed because the 2.2-litre is mounted differently than the 2.0-litre Multijet engine.

Tata will showcase a slew of cars at the 2020 Auto Expo. One of the most exciting showcases by the manufacturer at the 2020 Auto Expo will the Tata H2X or the Hornbill, which will be the entry-level compact SUV from the manufacturer. The all-new H2X will take on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Mahindra KUV NXT and Renault Kwid in the Indian market. Tata will also showcase vehicles like the Gravitas, which will be launched in the Indian market in the coming months.

Also Read: Tata Sierra is back as a concept: But is a launch likely?